12M ~ January 2022

I couldn't figure out why Auggie would just sit here and chill all the time. It's such a random spot in our kitchen. Then I realized it was because of the heat vent. He likes the warmth. 😻

12M ~ August 2021

Yesterday we took Auggie to the vet because we noticed he wasn't himself and seemed to be feeling some discomfort. A quick Google search of some symptoms and I thought it was a UTI. But it turned out to be struvite crystals in his urine which could cause blockage and kidney failure. 😿

My poor buddy. He's doing OK now but still at risk for blocking so we're to keep our eyes on him for the next few days and he's on strict new diet that should help prevent build up of more crystals.

So grateful to the staff at Cilley Veterinary Clinic for spoiling and taking care of my sweet boy the last two days.

12M ~ January 2021

 Love these two! 😻

12M ~ December 2020

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 🎅  Quieter than usual but we made the most of our morning! 🥰 

Good morning and Merry Christmas to me! 😆🥂🎅

The annual scavenger hunt was a giant blow up Santa for the yard.  I don't know why David wanted this so badly, but he did. 😂

The cats love their new kitty hammocks!

Evan was very excited to get his own pair of snow shoes!

Dad came through (with the help of a friend) to be the Christmas hero for all of them!

For anyone who loves Friends as much as we do!

Merry Christmas!

12M ~ November 2020

 Zooming through parent/teacher conferences with my kitty for company in between meetings! 😻

12M ~ November 2020

It's a two kitty snuggles kind of night. 😻

12M ~ August 2020

 How am I supposed to go make dinner now? 😻

12M ~ July 2020

 I get less than half my side of the bed. Sigh. But how can I say no to that sweet kitty face. 😻

12M ~ June 2020

Tried out the Winnipesaukee River Rail Trail today! Nice views along the way. Not well marked once you get into Tilton but otherwise a fun ride! 🚴‍♀️ @ Winnipesaukee River Trail Association.

Two Cats enjoying some fresh air on the screened in porch!

12M ~ May 2020

Day 24: A song by a band you wish were still together!

The Doc: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! 😂 I think he's messing with me!

Me: No Need To Argue - The Cranberries

David: Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N' Roses

Shaun: Any Way You Want It - Journey

Evan: Thunderstruck - AC/DC

I have said this in a previous post. The Cranberries are one of my all time favorite bands and I was so saddened when I heard about the lead singer Dolores O'Riordan's passing.  I regret so much not getting to see this band live.  No Need to Argue is probably my favorite album of all time.  I love every song on this album but this one, in particular, is so haunting and beautiful.  I love her voice so, so much.

It's Mother's Day - it was cold and windy and we are still on stay at home orders and so I wasn't able to host my traditional Best Mom's family brunch, we made the best of it!  The boys even took this very special photo with me without complaining! 😆 Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome Mom's I know! 💕🌷🥰

One last picture with Charlie's quarantine hair!

Mother's Day Quarantine Style...started off with virtual bootcamp (see sweaty selfie), a Bloody Mary and Tucker's for brunch, made a delicious loaf of sourdough with my new bread baker, snuggled with my cat while listening to some podcasts in peace and quiet, found a surprise gift on my front porch (thank you secret friend!), and finished with an ice cream treat from Arnie's while watching a couple episodes of Parks and Rec! The only thing missing was seeing all of our family. 🌷💕😊🥰

Sweaty Selfie!

Bloody Mary! 🍹

12M ~ May 2020

Day 23: A song you think everyone should listen to!

The Doc: Lazy Eye - Silversun Pickups

Me: Waiting for My Real Life to Begin - Colin Hay

David: Peaches - Presidents Of The United States Of America

Shaun: We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel

Evan: Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

There are literally thousands of songs that I think everyone should listen to...sn't that the whole point of this experiment?  One song that came to mind was From Now On from The Greatest Showman but I wanted to go with something that might not be as well known that I think everyone should go and listen to, so I chose this song.  I also had Maroon 5 - Lost Stars, Great Big World - This is the New Year, Chantal Kreviazuk - Surrounded and Lenka - Everything's Okay on my list.  Waiting for My Real Life to Begin is such a great song that I first heard from watching Scrubs.  They actually did their own version which was great and it made me seek out the original Colin Hay version which I also love and I think you should listen to both!

We had some crazy weather today.  Snow, wind, cold AND quarantined on Mother's Day Weekend??? That is NEXT, NEXT level bullshit. ❄️ And you know on Father's Day it will be gorgeous, sunny, warm and stay at home orders will be lifted for most places...🙄😒

🤷‍♀️❄️😂🏊‍♂️🥶

When else would you be able to get a picture being in the pool while it was snowing!?!

Mum.  I haz sushi?

12M ~ May 2020

Day 17: A song you'd sing a duet with someone on karaoke:

The Doc: He said pass. 🙄 There is no song that he would ever want to sing karaoke, let alone a duet. 🤦‍♀️😆 Also he knows I would want him to learn it so we could preform it together, even though I promised him he wouldn't ever have to again! 🤣
Me: Come What May - Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor from Moulin Rouge
David: One Last Time - Christopher Jackson & Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton
Shaun: Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee
Evan: Bumper Cars - Alex & Sierra

First of all, I would never turn down the opportunity to sing a duet at karaoke, no matter the song choice.  Evan's song is a new one we found that I love because their harmonies are so beautiful.  But this one is a favorite.  This song was the song that was our "last dance" at our wedding and one time on a car ride he humored me and sang Ewan's part, while I sang Nicole's.  He made sure it was very clear that it was a ONE and ONLY.  I love him for it and have honored his wishes to this day.  He hasn't had to sing with me again! 
😂😂😂

Boot camp is back - although it's virtual - it's still better than nothing.  After working out on my porch I made pancakes for the boys using sourdough starter.  The batter sits overnight and gets all bubbly in the morning!  YUM!  I added blueberries to mine so they were "healthy".  Ha!

Bootcamp on my porch!

Mum! We haz pick tings up and put dem down. 💪🏻🏋️‍♂️

Bubbly pancake batter goodness!🥞 

Blueberry sourdough pancakes!

It was so great to finally have such a nice day!  The kids swam a bit and I spent a good portion of the day sitting on my porch.  Evan the cat was living his best life "outside".  Our favorite local ice cream place opened up for the weekend for call ahead orders of ice cream so I placed my order in the morning and we picked it up after dinner.  

Auggie loving the nice weather!

Chocolate covered cherry flurry! 🍦

12M ~ May 2020

Day 15: A song you like that's a cover by another artist!

The Doc: All Along The Watchtower - Dave Matthews Band
Me: Simply the Best - Noah Reid from Schitt's Creek
David: Weezer - Take On Me
Shaun: Africa - Weezer
Evan: Smooth Criminal - Naya Rivera and Grant Gustin ft. 2Cellos from Glee

I had a lot of choices for this one and so it was hard to narrow down.  The classic choice would have been Joe Cocker's version of With a Little Help from my Friends, this is probably a rare case where I prefer the cover more to the original and I big puffy heart love The Beatles.  I also had The White Stripes version of Jolene and Fugees version of Killing Me Softly on my honorable mentions list, along with a number of Pentatonix covers; they are all amazing, especially Hallelujah.  But I am choosing this one because it was a big surprise for me.  The original isn't a bad song, but I would definitely change the radio station if it came on the radio because, whatever.   Then I saw this version while binge watching Schitt's Creek one night and bawled my eyes out.  I've been obsessed every since.  I love the stripped down version so, so much.  I also feel compelled to let you all know that if you haven't binged this show yet, you're missing out.

April Homecation:

Today Evan is TEN!  Happy Birthday Evan! Given the circumstances, I think we did a great job making the BIG TEN something special! Special social distanced lunch with Auntie, Grammy and Scottie, a special phone call from his teacher, a special birthday sing a long with friends in the street, lots of cards and signs, take out dinner from El Rodeo and ice cream cake from Arnie's! BEST DAY EVER. 🥳💕😊

Auntie Robyn decorated her car and drove in playing music to surprise Evan!

Social Distancing Birthday Lunch!

We just lit a Yankee Candle for him to blow out! 😂

Special Birthday FaceTime with his teacher! 

Surprise #2 - a gathering of friends on the street to sing to Evan!

Best Birthday Present Ever!

A quick jump in the pool before birthday dinner and presents!

Mum!  I haz prezent?

Whiskey Friday was replaced with tequila Friday on account of the Mexican takeout tonight - from scratch margaritas! 🍹