Just a Nice Little Saturday

So I might be sick. I'm in deep denial about this because I don't have time for it (as you'll see), but in an effort to conserve energy for later today I'm sitting on my living room floor melting my computer by the fire, drinking hot tea laced with honey, lemon, and maybe a splash honey bourbon typing out a blog post I've decided is more important to do than making caprese skewers for Cora's birthday party in a few hours.

We leave for Costa Rica in 6 days. I have reef-safe sunscreen, rash guards, water shoes, and coordinating suitcases and packing cubes lining our TV room. I've re-confirmed our various reservations, tours, and plans, printed everything out and lovingly placed it in a labeled folder and cleared out the memory cards on my camera. If my throat is going to catch on fire it needs to do it now and get it over with. I wrote "Costa Rica" into the Thanksgiving 2018 cell of my travel spreadsheet back in 2014 and I am very excited the time is here.

Not that I really have time for fire throat now. James decided the big kids needed to register for unattached USS swimming numbers so they could attend an open meet to get some official times to compare to other kids their ages without actually signing them up for our local USS team. I agree with this completely (especially the not signing up for club swimming yet), but the only open meet ended up being this weekend and it is a TERRIBLE weekend for him to be ferrying assorted children 45 minutes across town to Grapevine every day. So last time he got Landon and Claire from school, took them to his lessons, and then went straight to the swim meet. Last night was also the kids' Fall Festival at their elementary school ("my last one," noted Landon while I stay more in denial about that than the fact I might be getting sick). Cora and I were supposed to go early to help set up, but I realized I wasn't feeling great, so we waited until James got back with the kids and all went together. Claire had survived her 100 IM (she had her doubts) and got a big boost from being the top finishing 8-year-old in her 10 & Under age group.

I probably should have stayed home, but the kids had a great time, Cora matched her hair to her outfit, and after YEARS of unsuccessful raffling (a lifetime really), BOTH big kids won the raffle basket they wanted most after putting in one ticket a piece!

Very exciting.

Everyone went to bed too late and Landon had to get up at 6 to head back to the swim meet for his 100 free. I woke up to fire throat and scratchy eyes (I've decided it's just allergies; all of it), 40-degree temperatures, a plan to have an outdoor bounce house party with about 15 preschoolers, Claire with a volleyball game at noon (and pictures at 11, apparently), and James and Landon already somewhere near Dallas.

The good news is, I already planned on a big crock pot full of mulled wine for parents.

Tomorrow both big kids are doing two more events at the meet (USS meets last foreeeevveerrr), I'm teaching a barre class at 1:30, and Cora has a birthday party at 3. Oy. At least Monday is a federal holiday but NOT a school holiday so I will pack and errand for our trip and also maybe just hibernate with the new season of Great British Baking Show because you guys my throat really hurts.

One of my two handsome, Veteran grandpas

Earlier this week I embraced the fall temperatures with my new fall clothing. Old Navy and Target are completing me right now.

Then I went to do a return at DSW and got trapped in the clearance aisle by all the sparkly shoes beckoning me with their discount stickers.

I've decided we're hosting a Champagne & Whiskey party in December. That practically requires sparkly shoes right?

Also this week, we had election day and it was exciting and continues to get better and better.

While I was obviously disappointed Beto didn't win in Texas, just coming within 2 points is amazing and I'm so proud of him and all the people who volunteered with his campaign and feel excited and hopeful about the future.

(You know until I listen to our current president say or do ANYTHING and then I'm depressed and overwhelmed again, but lying about immigrant caravans overrunning border towns when they're actually still 800 miles away and also magically not news now that the election is over and he doesn't have a base to whip up, calling reporters stupid and revoking their press credentials for doing their job, and baselessly accusing Democrats of voter fraud are all just things we do now. It's cool. He has a 88% approval rating among Republicans, he can literally do anything and it just doesn't matter. Like having affairs with porn stars and Playboy models and paying them off with campaign donations and lying about it over and over again. Skipping a WWI ceremony because of light rain while other world leaders attended. He's also still never visited troops in a combat zone... ARGH. Anyway, my county went blue! This is good.)

On to food, then I'm making more tea.

Monday: Beef with Broccoli (this was SUPER good and easy, I added some extra stuff to it per all the comments that I now can't remember and wish I'd written down; I also used the thinly sliced beef from Trader Joe's instead of flank stead and it was perfect), steamed brown rice, extra broccoli.

Tuesday: Tamales, refried beans, rice (I was at the PTA Board meeting).
Wednesday: Lasagna Soup, Bread
Thursday: Queso and margaritas with a friend after a 6th grade info session meeting (ahhhhh) (James made the kids pasta).
Friday: Thai on the couch after Fall Fest.
Saturday: Wild Rice and Vegetable Casserole, Bread.
Sunday: Vegan Winter Lentil Stew.
Monday: Cora's chosen birthday dinner of tortellini tossed with pesto, tomatoes, and mini mozzarella balls; leftover cake.
Tuesday: Frozen mini tacos (because the kids loved them last week) and taquitos (cleaning out the fridge and freezer before we leave, the rest of the meals are not that exciting).
Wednesday: Turkey meatballs (frozen), Butternut Squash Tomato Cream Sauce, whole wheat penne, all tossed together.
Thursday: Frozen Panko Crusted Cod (from Costco), Orzo pasta parmesan (literally cooked orzo, tossed with some butter and parm at the end), frozen mixed veg.