Monday saw the start of a new week as it always does. This time it coincided with the first week of the month. That means MOPs for  Heather. The kids did great for the evening. Gideon picked Miles From Tomorrowland for a show.
After that we read Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault for Gideon and If You Give a Moose a Muffin for Cecilia. Being only the three of us we read stories together so they would both get two.

Tuesday had nothing really special going on, except snow. It was almost a strange sight we’re so far behind this year. Gideon wanted to play at a park in the snow on the way home. Cecilia had already been dropped off at home and had no interest in going elsewhere. After dinner she chose Fireman Sam for the nighttime show.
Heather ended up reading both kids Gideon’s latest class book.
I read Gideon the Bedwetting book and Cecilia has me read her How do Dinosaurs Eat Cookies.

Wednesday saw the sun shining again. Heather started to get her and Gideon packed for a short trip. I helped Gideon finish his homework for the night and Cecilia made another one of her “bunny capes.” These are basically a bunch of sheets of paper glued together end to end. Some will have a little bit of art on them, but that appears optional. After breakfast for dinner Gideon chose to watch Fireman Sam.
Cecilia had Heather and I both read from the Disney Christmas Collection. I read the Dumbo story and I think Heather read the Winnie the Pooh one.
Gideon wanted the Bedwetting book again. This time Heather read the first two chapters and I read the second two.

Thursday Cecilia’s class at preschool had a family night. The kids in her class have been acting stories and songs out together since their current teacher got back at the end of the summer. The preschool’s  teaching method allows the interests of the class to guide their curriculum. This resulted in the kids, aged 4 to 5.5, to put on a play for us. Actually, two plays. One based on the book Snowmen at Night and the other based on a jazz/blues version of The Three Little Pigs. One of the most surprising things was how little prompting the kids needed during the plays. In fact, they needed close to none. It was a really good show. Cecilia picked a show to watch at home, but I actually don’t remember what.
Heather read Cecilia The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly while I read her Snowmen at Christmas.
Gideon had us both read him Georgie the Gingerbread Fairy.

Friday was the day we dropped Heather and Gideon at the airport. We left right after getting the kids and were a little behind since I didn’t get out of work early. Cecilia had a rough go saying bye to Heather, but was fine 15 minutes down the road. It took long enough for her to calm down to talking levels that we ended up braving rush hour (which was light) past home and having a late dinner together at Chili’s. When we finally got home Cecilia picked Fireman Sam. I told her one episode and two stories, but then she bargained for two episodes and one story. The story was Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl.

Saturday Cecilia woke me up to the surprise of nobody. I had her watch one Disney Junior show while I dozed/woke up slowly. We had a pretty normal Saturday. Breakfast, Home Depot first Saturday, a little bit of errand running, church, another store stop due to running out of time before church, and a late dinner combined with a show. We watched Henry Hugglemonster and read three chapters in Blondie.

Sunday we stayed home. We did go for an afternoon walk since it was so nice out. Other than that we played some board games. Cecilia did some art projects as well. She picked Mike the Night for a bedtime show. For story time we read two more Fly Guys.

Monday Heather was home sick. The kids had dentist appointments after school and did a pretty good job of getting there. No real issues reported and we got home a little sooner than expected. Cecilia picked Mike the Knight for a bedtime show.
I missed what Heather read to the kids because I was finishing up some cleaning downstairs.
I read Cecilia the Frozen story from the Disney Christmas Collection. Gideon I read a different story.

Heather really tried to get back to work Tuesday, but it just wasn’t going to happen. I brought the kids right home after school, but then didn’t get them picking up their rooms as I had hoped. They did spend some time playing board games with Heather, so I think it still counts as a win for the night. I decided to pick tonight’s show, a combo episode of Thomas the Tank, Fireman Sam, and Bob the Builder. My reasoning is that I got them to start it early and get to bed just a little earlier than normal.
Cecilia had me read her the first page of a chapter book about Rapunzels pet horse. I’m not sure what Heather read her.
I’m fairly certain Heather read Gideon some pages from his bigger Hot Wheels book. I read him his latest class book.

Wednesday was back to normal. Almost. My lower back pain was gone, but I did something to gain a massive knot in my shoulder-blade. Took two days to stretch and fade out. Cecilia had her last day of gymnastics after which Gideon picked Miles From Tomorrowland.
I read Gideon a Hot Wheels reader book. I’m not sure what Heather read him.
I don’t remember what either of us read Cecilia.

Thursday was cleaning day. We needed to get the house picked up as we hadn’t for a bit. The kids did great helping out. We’ve learned we have to separate them. One helps downstairs while the other helps upstairs, then we swap them around. Dinner was late, and eaten while watching Little Einstiens picked by Cecilia.
Cecilia had me read her Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault after hearing me read it to Gideon.
Heather read from the bigger Hot Wheels book Gideon has after I read him the Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault book.

Friday. On the bright side Friday was date night. On the not so bright side Gideon lost control at school and lashed out to the point of us having to pick him up. Not a good thing. Heather ended up having to be the one to deal with it due to working from home that day. The rest of the day was good though, the kids got some kind of movie (later revealed to be Big Hero 6) and jammies night at the Huisinga household and at least one of them apparently fell asleep on the drive home.

Saturday we stayed home for a bit of a low-key day. After church and some quick shopping stops we watched a bit of the new Amazing Race premiere. The kids took a bit to understand that their favorites from before weren’t here since it was all new racers on a new race. Once we got past that, and the introductions which were “too slow” for Gideon, we were good with the new set-up. For a nighttime show Gideon started out with picking Amazing Race, but at the end of the day he really wanted Miles from Tomorrowland.
Cecilia had me read her the I Spy style book with her picture in it. I missed what Heather read to her because I was dealing with a little boy, but I think it was something with Oliver and Hope.
Gideon had us both read him Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault.

Sunday was a busy day. We had two birthday parties to attend in the afternoon. On the bright side the morning was able to start a little slow. Of course we ended up starting slower than intended and got out of the house almost 10 minutes behind schedule. We can’t even blame the kids as they were really good about being ready this time around. After we finally made it home we watched the end of Robots for a night-time show by Cecilia’s choosing. (We had started it in the car during the long drive to/from Elk River.)
Cecilia had me read her a book about The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly. Heather read her Huggly’s Pizza.
Gideon had us read him the bedwetting book again. This time Heather read the first half and I read the second half instead of both of us reading the whole thing.

Monday we started the day with a trip down to the wolf walk again. We weren’t sure if the water park would be on weekend hours or not, so we figured better safe than sorry. We got there in time to make the origami wolves, and then we went to go swimming. A couple of hours of being beaten by waves and a little water slide action later found us watching some shows to the sounds of microwave cooking for lunch. Well, I also used the coffee pot to cook hot dogs. I’m not sure if that makes me a hacker, desperate, or just weird. Rest time was abbreviated and followed by getting new stuffed animals and a scavenger hunt. That was followed, with prompting, by another trip to the water park. This was to be the last trip due to timing and also chlorine rashes on Cecilia and me. Some arcade action, dinner, another story time, and finally Cecilia choosing Fireman Sam (with prompting from Gideon) finished the day out.
Cecilia had Heather read from the big Richard Scarry collection while I read her a Fly Guy book.
Gideon got Fly Guy books from both of us.

Tuesday was go home day. We started the day with packing everything into the van after breakfast. The kids really wanted to do the scavenger hunt again, so we started with that. Gideon’s took a bit to get started letting Cecilia take an early lead. Gideon caught up partway through though. After that they got to customize t-shirts before we left. The whole morning took longer than expected, partially due to the kids actually sleeping in. We almost had to cut the coloring short, but they finished in time. Lunch just changed from a stop 60 minutes down the road to a drive-through on the way out of the hotel. We made it home with enough time to unload the car before heading to a book fair and conferences at Gideon’s school. We saw a couple short video’s of him working with the teacher. I wonder if our parents wish they’d have had that kind of technology. Gideon chose Fireman Sam at the end of the day.
Cecilia had Heather read her Cuddley Princess Pals while I read her new book, Camilla’s Special Day followed by helping her do one of the pages of stickers.
We both read Gideon a chapter from his new book, Cooper. This is the first book Gideon has specifically chosen to get that had no pictures.

Wednesday I took Cecilia, who had a rough day, to gymnastics. When we got home Gideon was just starting a Mike the Knight after having seen a couple of Fireman Sams. He had also read a couple of chapters in Cooper with Heather. After the show was bedtime.
Gideon got a story with me, but had already read with Heather. We read Bobcat Bootcamp.
Cecilia got a story from both Heather and I. We both read her Camilla’s Special Day.

Thursday we had our last small group meeting for an indeterminate amount of time. Gideon ended the day on a bit of a rough note, but we were able to all calm down by the time we got home for a late story and bed.
Cecilia had us both read Camilla’s Special Day.
Gideon had Heather read to him from Cooper, but I read him a short one which I don’t remember the name of.

Friday Heather went in even though she’s usually working from home that day. She had a late work party which meant I picked up the kids. We tried surprising Heather with the clothes being put away before she got home, but that meant dinner wasn’t ready. Also, my back was still hurting from the trip so Heather made dinner and we ate late. After Cecilia picked Mike the Knight we went up for stories.
I know we read Cecilia Camilla’s Special Day and I’m pretty sure we read Gideon Cooper.

Saturday we had some serious errands to run. Luckily, once we got things moving they went fairly smoothly. It got bad near the end, but two hours at a store will do that to young kids. Despite a pre-church meltdown we had a pretty good night watching Miles From Tomorrowland via Gideon.
We both read Cecilia Camilla’s Special Day and Gideon Cooper.

Sunday Gideon got to go to a birthday party of the girl that he’s been friends with since they were in the nursery together. Seriously, even back then the teachers pegged them as closer friends than most of the other kids. With Heather sick Cecilia got to spend the time Gideon was at the birthday party in the indoor playground next door. After dinner and showers I let Cecilia pick one show, Sophia the First, and Gideon pick another, Miles From Tomorrowland.
Cecilia had Heather and I both read to her from the Little Critter Collection.
Gideon had Heather finish Cooper while I read him How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Monday Heather stopped at a park on the way home with the kids. It’s been a long time since it stayed light and warm enough to make that worthwhile. Gideon saw a friend from his gymnastics class there. At home he finished almost all of his valentines and a chunk of his homework. It was a productive day for him. Cecilia has really had the art bug lately and cut lots of paper trying to make a “bunny cape” throughout the evening. They watched Mike the Knight courtesy of Gideon.
Cecilia had me read her Barbie’s Secret Door, A True Princess. Heather read her Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault at Cecilia’s insistence.
Gideon got to hear Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault from Heather and had to settle on Me First from me while Cecilia got that one read to her.

Tuesday the Huisinga’s came over for dinner after a day with some freezing rain and late afternoon snow. The roads weren’t as bad as they could be though, and it was us getting home late that caused dinner to run behind. After a couple hours of playing the Huisinga kids wanted Octonauts. As the guests the choice was left to them, so they got it. The kids really wanted a wait, so I told them we would try the Octonauts that showed as 10 minutes on the DVR. I warned them that if it ended up being a full one we’d get no stories. We got no stories.

Wednesday Gideon started Octonauts while Cecilia was at gymnastics. After that she watched part of Doc McStuffins since she missed the first part of Octonauts.
Gideon chose Math = Fun Weights and Measures from Heather while I read him Mega Machines.
Cecilia got to hear the Frozen story from the Disney Christmas Collection from Heather and the Pinocchio one from me.

Thursday I took the kids to the indoor playground after school as Heather wasn’t feeling quite up to it. After that Cecilia picked Mike the Knight and since we started the show early they got to watch two episodes.
Cecilia had Heather read Oliver and Hopes Amusing Adventure while she let me pick Little Critter Bedtime Princess.
Gideon got one of the Hot Wheels books from Heather and had me read him Snowmen at Christmas. After reading the book we were talking about how it wasn’t real, just a pretend story he told me that it was because it’s fiction. He also told me that non-fiction meant it was true. He learned about the difference from the librarian at school.

Friday the Huisinga kids were here, minus a sick J. They all watched Octonauts before I brought the visitors home. I also read Cecilia Santa Comes to Minnesota and Gideon Horton Hatches an Egg. (He wanted 500 Hats but I put my foot down, I needed to get the others home!) I’m not sure what Heather read them.

Saturday was Gideon’s last day of gymnastics. We also finally told them that we had a surprise in store for them over the weekend as we needed their co-operation to make it work. They figured out we’d be staying at a “show n tell” before we left. The multiple bags packed away to the car was a dead giveaway. We went as a family after gymnastics and had almost a 4 hour drive to Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. After check-in we explored just a bit, then played in the water park for an hour, and finally had a very late dinner before the hotels nightly story-time at 8. Since it was also Valentines day they had a “dance party” after story-time. Gideon didn’t last too long before he wanted to get back as he was tired, but Cecilia would’ve probably stayed for quite a while if allowed.
Gideon got a Hot wheels and Fly Guy story both by the time Cecilia and I got back from the dance party. We then started Mike the night via Amazon streaming. That was a bit more of a process than the usual Amazon button on the TV remote. In any event after the show Gideon wanted a story from me (Ninja Turtles Pizza Party) and Cecilia wanted one from both of us. I missed what Heather read her as I was reading to Gideon, but I delivered an encore presentation of the book I just finished for Gideon. Heather was the first one down, and was actually woken up to read Cecilia her story. Within about 15 minutes (stories finally ended about 10) I was the only one left up, as usual.

Sunday Gideon picked Fireman Sam. This was after a very long day with two trips to the water parks, a wolf walk in the morning, a rest time where only Heather slept, and dinner out. Oh, don’t forget capping the night off with story time and another dance party due to the full house on a holiday weekend. Fireman Sam comes in single episode format, not dual back to back like most kids shows they want. That means we watched two manually.
Gideon had Heather and I choose for him, he was tired and probably could have just crashed to be honest. I read him Plane Pals (which I then read to Cecilia) and Heather read him Mega Machines. I’m not sure what she read Cecilia.

Monday Heather had a mops meeting. That means it’s just the kids and I after dinner. We played a little bit of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus before showtime. As games for kids go it’s pretty good. Cecilia picked Creative Galaxy.
Gideon had me read Snowmen at Christmas while Cecilia picked out the I Spy book that has her in it.

Tuesday we went to the indoor playground after school. Due to traffic and membership renewal time (It’s been three months already?) we got out of there a little late. Also, drinking fountain and bathroom stops. Gideon ended up doing his vest of 100 things for Kindergarten’s 100th day of school celebration while watching Creative Galaxy.
Cecilia had me read her Cuddly Princess Pals while Heather read her Snuggle Buddies.
Gideon had heather read to him from the Big Book of Airplanes while I read him the I spy style book he got from his grandparents.

Wednesday was Cecilia’s gymnastics day again. This time Heather brought her and I stayed home with Gideon. We got some homework finished and played just a bit of Nintendo. He did pretty good putting it down when time was up. Instead of watching a Creative Galaxy repeat we watched two of the Amazon Premiere shows, Buddy: Tech Detective and The Stinky & Dirty Show. Their latest book order came in so we had some new books to read.
Gideon had me red him Me First, his latest library book. Heather read him some of his new Hotwheels books.
Cecilia had us both read her the Gingerbread Fairy.

Thursday we had small group. We didn’t manage to get to the indoor playground on the way. The kids did get to play together at home while we finished getting ready. We let them watch Paddington Bear on the way there and back.
Cecilia had Heather pick the story she read and it ended up being Llama Llama Mad at Mamma. Gideon picked out one of the new Hot Wheels books.

Friday Cecilia picked Kate and Mim-mim for a bedtime show. The day itself wasn’t very stand-out.
Heather read Cecilia Snuggle Buddies while I read her Olaf’s Summer Day.
Gideon had us read him a couple of the new Hot Wheels books again, I read Extreme Stunts and Heather red Shark Attack.

Saturday Gideon had gymnastics in the morning. Heather had a quick side trip she wanted to make so Cecilia got to spend that time home with me. We did her letter box pictures and then played some board games. For bedtime I’ve found some more new shows via Amazon Prime and added them to the watch list. From this Gideon picked Mike the Knight.
Cecilia had Heather read Pirate Fairy while I read the Little Mermaid story from Disney Christmas.
Gideon had us read more Hot Wheels.

Sunday we went to the Children’s Museum in the morning. The kids had a blast as always. We spent time in the creative art room this trip, which we haven’t really done before. The kids liked it a lot. They may have been influenced by Creative Galaxy, but not in a bad way. We will likely try to get in that room sooner next time we go so the kids have time to make whatever they would like. After a down afternoon where the kids played Super Mario Party together (and beat the Nintendo) Cecilia picked Mike the Night.
Cecilia had Heather read her Pink round the Rink. I read her Gideon’s school library book, Me First.
I read Gideon a book about helicopters that we got at Airventure last summer. Heather read him his library book.

Monday Heather worked late and I brought the kids to Shoreview Community Center. They loved it this time around. It was pretty quiet. When we got there I think there were only 3 other kids in there. Two sisters and a little boy. The older of the two sisters was kind of doing her own thing, but Gideon and Cecilia were able to join the other two kids and had a great time. We got home in time for a late dinner and Gideon picking Creative Galaxy.
Cecilia had me read her the Barbie Secret Door book, A True Princess. Heather read her Cowboys Can Be Kind, which then went down to be returned to the school library.
I’m not sure what Heather read to Gideon, but I read him The Robot Book, and we were a little silly about when we read.

Tuesday was a pretty easy night. Cecilia picked Creative Galaxy.
Cecilia had Heather read her Sophia the First The Halloween Ball and read to Gideon from the Snack Attack Now I’m Reading collection.
I read Gideon Snowmen at Christmas while I read Cecilia Big Snowman Little Snowman (I’m pretty sure).

Wednesday Gideon picked the last Creative Galaxy after a long evening. Th power went out just before we got started getting home. With gymnastics for Cecilia coming up we had no time to try figuring out what was happening and wait, we had to turn right around and go get dinner. A meal at Applebee’s later and we all went to Cecilia’s gymnastics.
I’m not sure if we had stories or not. The night was out of whack due to the power outage bit, and I didn’t get the notes done I try to remember every night.

Thursday the kids played at the indoor playground for a while. Cecilia picked Care Bears (she got a DVD with her stuffed animal) after dinner since the Creative Galaxies had all been seen.
Gideon had both Heather and I read him Air Sports, his new school library book.
Cecilia had me read her play date from the Pinkalicious Collection. I’m not sure what Heather ended up reading her.

Friday turned into a long night. The kids chose going home instead of the indoor playground because they haven’t gotten to play the Nintendo much. (Their words.) After showers and dinner we settled in to play Mario Party 8 as a family. We play 10 turns in board-game mode, and it takes close to an hour it seems. Gideon showed signs of being rather tired as we went along. At the end of it we let them chose a show with no stories. I think. There was a night this week I wasn’t going to give them stories. I hadn’t communicated this beyond myself and Heather read to them, so they wanted me to as well. It may have been Friday, but I’m not positive. In any event, Gideon picked to watch a Creative Galaxies that they had seen.

Saturday Gideon had gymnastics and Cecilia had a birthday party. They both wanted me to bring them. Luckily there was just enough time in-between them for me to take a restroom break at home. Cecilia picked Creative Galaxies after church.
Gideon was asking for 500 Hats from Heather. I’m not sure how that turned out. Before that I read him something else. I’m not sure what because I was so happy to not be reading 500 hats.
I believe we read Cecilia Oliver and Hope. I read her the Amusing Adventure while Heather read her a different one that had Chewie in it.

Sunday we went and spent the afternoon at my parents place. It was a combined lunch celebration for my mother and my birthday’s. Gideon picked Creative Galaxies.
It looked like Heather read him There’s No Place Like Space. I read him 3 of the Tonka Phonics books.
Cecilia had me read her Pockets Christmas Wish while Heather read her the Ariel story from the Disney Christmas Collection.

Monday we started our week with Heather and Gideon staying home. Unfortunately Gideon was in the second day of a painful strep attack so they couldn’t go do anything fun. Cecilia picked Creative Galaxy after a family dinner.
For story time I read Cecilia a story from the Disney Christmas Collection again. I don’t remember which story, but I do believe Heather read her one as well because she starting going through the stories when I asked if she had me reading the same thing as Heather read her.
Gideon definitely got two stories. One from each of us. I should know them. Really. I probably should have made my notes about what we did Monday night on Monday night.

Tuesday we went to the Huisinga’s for dinner. The nighttime show was Planes Fire and Rescue on the drive to and from their place. There were no stories as we didn’t get out of there as quickly as I had hoped. The kids did pretty well with that though. They were a little upset but realized they didn’t have a choice. They also were both still up when Heather got home.

Wednesday Cecilia had gymnastics again. This time she wanted me to take her so I was able to get a good stretch of reading in. Heather and Gideon hung out at home while we were gone. Gideon just finished Creative Galaxy as we got home. The credits rolled as Cecilia came up the stairs, which about sent her over the edge. We finally got her to believe she could have the show as well and she got over it though.
I read both kids the latest library book Gideon brought home from school, Cowboys can be Kind.
Heather read Cecilia the custom I Spy style book that has a picture of her on every page. I’m not sure what she read Gideon.

Thursday we brought the car to the shop in Elk River after work. That meant a long drive there and back, and dinner out. Sometimes on this drive we eat dinner as we drive back. This is especially true in the Mini where there is no movie for the kids. The kids have their tablets now, so we gave them a choice. They could eat at the restaurant and play the tablets on the way home, which meant no show. The other choice was to eat on he way home and get a show. We ate at the restaurant.
Cecilia had us read her Elmo’s favorite stories. Heather read Rhyme time and I read What Makes You Giggle.
Gideon had us both read him Creepy Carrots. I was instructed to “not read it to him tomorrow because he didn’t want it to get stuck in his head and make him scared.”

Friday Heather and I had date night. I was running a bit behind causing us to get the kids dropped of closer to 6 than 5:30. Gideon was asleep when we got home, but Cecilia was still up to say goodnight to us.

Saturday was my birthday. Heather and I haven’t been great with getting things for each others birthdays lately. The things we each would really like just don’t quite fit into a birthday at this point in our lives. We do try to figure out some small stuff though, especially so the kids can have fun with it and give presents. This year Cecilia told me happy birthday about 5 or 6 times. We updated from the Wii to the Wii U. (Let me know if you want to exchange Nintendo Network ID’s or whatever it is this time around.) We also went to Bonfire Grill for dinner after church. The kids were clinging more than usual at rest time, and I was unable to do anything other than watch the movie with them. At the end of the day I realized that Monday had been the last day anyone got to choose a show, and it was now Gideon’s turn to pick Creative Galaxy.
Cecilia had Heather read to her from the Richard Scarry collection. I read her the Otis Christmas book, after reading it to Gideon. Oh, and Heather read that same one to Gideon as he wanted it again.

Sunday we didn’t have anything planned. Well, we had talked to the kids about going to spend some time outside. So we went to a park and played outside for some time as a family. We also spent some time playing Mario Party 8 as a family later in the day. At the end of the day Cecilia picked Creative Galaxy, which surprised nobody.
Gideon had me read him Zara Zebra Draws, and Cecilia had me read her that plus Zara Zebra’s Busy Day.
Heather read Gideon library book to Cecilia, Cowboys can be Kind. I missed what she read to Gideon though.

Monday Heather took the kids to the indoor playground. We were starting a bit of a busy week and wanted to make sure the kids got some time to move. After dinner Gideon accepted a new show, Creative Galaxy, to try out for nighttime. He’s been asking about new shows lately, so I’m attempting to find things outside of the current Disney Junior offerings.
Cecilia had Heather read her Gideon’s Songebob Soccer Star library book followed by me reading her The Cupcake Fairy.
Gideon had me read him Whale Tail from the Now I’m Reading snack attack collection. Heather read him a different story from the same collection, but I missed which one.

Tuesday I went to the MN Agile Experiences Group meeting as dinner was starting. I’m not sure what Cecilia picked for a show. I did hear that there were problems with Amazon so Creative Galaxy was out.
I’m guessing the kids got two stories, shared similar to what I do when it’s just me. I’m not sure what they picked.

Wednesday Cecilia started gymnastics, without it being cancelled. Gideon picked Creative Galaxy again.
Cecilia had me read her the Little Critter Hansel and Gretel. Heather read her a story, but I missed what.
I read Gideon his latest class book before showtime since we started late. It looked like Heather read him his latest school library book, Power Rangers Alien Attack.

Thursday small group got cancelled. I took the kids to the indoor playground before we came home for dinner. After that we squeezed in an episode of Creative Galaxy chosen by Cecilia.
I ended up reading both Gideon and Cecilia his latest library book after some drama of Cecilia wanting it and Gideon not wanting to share. In all the drama I completely missed what Cecilia got from Heather.
I read Gideon Walter the Baker. I’m not sure what Gideon had Heather read.

Friday started pretty normal. That’s not to say it didn’t end normally as well. In fact, that statement was a little strong. Let’s try again. Friday was a pretty normal day. The only thing of note before dinner was Cecilia really, really wanting to be dropped off at home on the way to get Gideon instead of coming with. It’s not a big deal, maybe 5 minutes out-of-the-way on a bad day. It was just a little odd. After dinner the kids played the My Little Pony game together for a bit before Gideon picked the next Creative Galaxy.
Cecilia had Heather and I both read out of the Disney Christmas Collection.
Gideon picked out his Now I’m reading Snack Attack collection again for me. I’m not sure what Heather read to him.

Saturday Gideon started gymnastics. There were only three boys total, so it was a mixed class instead of boys only. He had a little trepidation at first, but warmed up to it fairly quickly. Turns out a girl he recognized from school was in his group there and that probably helped. After the kids got some outside playtime with Heather we went to church without much drama. While Heather was shopping Cecilia picked Creative Galaxy.
Gideon’s figured out the drill when it’s just me. He was on our bed with a story before Cecilia even got upstairs. I read them Race Team, a Level 1 Lightning McQueen story, for Gideon and the Tangled Christmas story from the Disney Collection for Cecilia.

Sunday we spent a large chunk of the day at the indoor park in Edina. We brought lunch and went about as long as we could handle. I think the kids might have been able to do a little more, but it was getting to be a long day. After we got back the kids did baths/showers and we were all treated to Gideon having a very sore throat. I suspect he was hurting throughout the day and masked it so we could go to the indoor park, but I have no proof. Gideon picked Creative Galaxy for the nighttime show.
Gideon had Heather read him the school library book again while I read him The Lorax.
Cecilia had me read to her from the Disney Christmas Collection again, The Little Mermaid this time. I’m sure Heather got to read a different story from the same book.

Monday we were back to “the schedule.” Actually, we were starting the new one. Everyone got up and went to school/work. Cecilia had a rough ride home. Thankfully it’s not too long, but it includes a stop to get Gideon. After dinner Heather went to MOPS while the kids got ready for bed and the next day. I let them play on the tablets while I cleaned up from dinner. Gideon picked Kate & Mim-mim for a show.
With just me it meant one story for each. We read the Toy Story and Wreck It Ralph entries from the Disney Christmas Collection for Cecilia and Gideon respectively.

Tuesday the Huisinga’s came over for dinner. Unfortunately they were held up and got here late. The kids were really excited to share their Christmas experiences with each other. They also finally got to exchange gifts with the Huisinga’s which has been on their mind since the last present was still there as the tree came down. The message about school being cancelled came in before dinner, so we let the kids play a little later than normal. After the guests left it took a moment of encouragement for Gideon and Cecilia to calm down, but they did and Cecilia picked Kate and Mim-mim.
We didn’t get stories because it was much too late for them.

Wednesday was supposed to be Cecilia’s first day of gymnastics. She has been looking forward to it for over a week. She was not happy with it being cancelled due to cold. The kids were happy to be at home though. I stayed here with them. They got an hour on their tablets, and got to watch a long movie for rest time. They also spent time just playing together as I spent the day logged in and working from home. Gideon picked Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
Cecilia had me read her the Little Critters version of Jack and the Beanstalk. It looked like Heather was reading her the Little Critter version of Red Riding Hood.
Gideon had me read him the Songebob Squarepants book (Soccer Star) he borrowed from the school library. I didn’t catch what Heather read to him.

Thursday of this week we had our one planned down night. It turns out it was our second one. Cecilia picked Kate and Mim-mim.
I read Gideon Bobcat Bootcamp, but don’t know what Heather read him.
Cecilia had me read her the book from Grandma and Grandpa that has her picture hidden on every page after Heather read her the Little Critters version of Hansel and Gretel. (The Witch One.)

Friday we watched the Huisinga kids. We try to try babysitting with them once a month and this one Friday was ours to have them all. To say the kids were full of energy would be an understatement. We had dinner ready essentially when they got there. it took maybe 5 minutes to get everything on the table and have them come sit. Less than ten minutes after they had gotten here we realized that we had 5 kids ready to destroy the house. Not maliciously, but out of a need to move. We decided to bring the whole crew to Shoreview Community center even though we’d only get an hour. This was a good idea.
I brought the Huisinga kids home where I read L a little Whinny the Pooh while J cried for a good 30 minutes until their parents got home. In the kids defense we got back a good 30 minutes later than we probably should have.
Heather got our kids to bed and likely read them each a story. I did hear there was no show for them. (Huisinga’s didn’t get one either.)

Saturday was a bit of a long day at our place. Gideon had a rough time coming up on lunch and it just kept getting worse as the day went on. This was out of character as usually some food and some time alone gets his mood improved. Cecilia join in on the fun later in the evening resulting in bedtime not coming soon enough. It was preceded by Gideon picking Kate & Mim-mim.
I read Cecilia the Little Critters Jack and the Beanstalk again while Heather read her Palace Pets Snuggle Buddies.
Gideon grabbed a Hot Wheels Level 1 book (Race to Win) for me to read. I’m not sure what Heather read him, but I do know he was just this side of asleep when I came back in for prayers after reading to Cecilia.

Sunday Heather took the kids outside for a bit. I got to go to a couple of stores for missed grocery items. the kids did pretty well playing together and being at home. By the end of the night it was definitely bedtime. Cecilia picked Kate and Mim-mim when the Broncos game ended.
Gideon had Heather read him the Spongebob book from school. I read him Walter the Baker.
Cecilia had Heather read her Little Critters Easter. She started asking me to read from the goodnight collection, but I told her I wouldn’t read all four stories. Then she wanted to wait for Spongebob. That lasted until I told her Heather wouldn’t be in to do her light and music at which point she gave me Little Critters Red Riding Hood.