December

December is almost here, snow has arrived and more in the forecast for this weekend. We've got the tree up, the lights on and everyone is looking forward to the Holidays.
Carlow finally decided it would be a good idea to get his haircut, so we did that last week. We used a photo with his long hair for our Christmas card – he looks like a different kid now! Both boys have been enjoying the fresh snow and shoveling/building/playing in the backyard a lot.
I recently bought a FitBit and was amazed at how many steps I took yesterday spending the day with Carlow. We shoveled, went for a walk, played at open gym and then I used the elliptical during his nap. After that we went outside again for awhile in the afternoon. All together, I was just over 20,000 steps, no wonder I feel exhausted at the end of the day.
The new window is in the livingroom now and we love it. Lots more light and really nice to have more sky to see out another window. Christmas shopping is almost done, just have the wrapping left to take care of. I'm still working on Tuesday mornings, but it's getting pretty slow and a few times they didn't need me. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't get called in January at all, it's usually dead.

MEA

We spent the long MEA weekend at the cabin, weather was awesome and the kids had a blast. We even got out on the lake one last time and caught a couple nothern pike. Did some metal detecting at an old homestead, found a lot of trash and bullet casings, but no relics or coins. Played my first Exit board game, which is basically an escape room in-a-box. I probably should've started with an easier one, medium difficulty had us scratching our heads quite a bit. 

Kids are getting excited for Halloween and the Halloween parties, I'm hoping the weather is decent for trick or treating. We'll be joining the neighbors again this year and staying in the neighborhood, it's been great. I'm looking forward to another board game night tomorrow at Bad Weather Brewing, we have a great group and a huge collection of games together we've yet to play, I hope we can keep it going twice a month.

Bringin' Back The Blog

Wow, it's been a year since the last time I posted. Rather than try to recap all the days gone by, I think I'll just start fresh with the present and go forward. 

Kids

Calvin is loving Kindergarten at this point. He rides the bus everyday to and from school, eats hot lunch and comes home very tired. He is really doing well independent activities, making friends and the small amounts of homework the teacher assigns. 

Carlow is doing part-time preschool on Mon, Weds and Fridays. He seems to enjoy it and has no problems saying goodbye when I drop him off. When it's nice outside, they can go on playground, when it's not they get to play in the gym.

Around The House

I've been a full-time Dad since July, so my summer was spent with the boys until school started. We spend many days fishing at the river, playing at the park(s) and swimming in the backyard. I have a little more time now that Carlow is doing preschool, which I use to exercise, work on house projects and run errands. I'm still working 4 hours a week on Tuesdays at my old job, until something changes at least.

Hobbies

I play board games on Tuesdays twice a month, which is great fun and a nice way to have some adult time. Over the past few months I sold a ton of my old collectibles (hockey jerseys, comics, etc.) on Facebook Marketplace, then used the cash to fund my board game obsession hobby.

I just hit the "250" milestone of Geocaches found, did a nice trip to in the woods this past weekend in the brisk fall weather. Looking forward to metal detecting an old homestead in a few days, I've never had the chance to do something like that yet.