FIFTY-ONE

 

We love it when the Santa Firetruck comes down our street.

2021 week fifty-one

On Tuesday night we had a family date to Whataburger. It was the first time the kids and I had ever eaten there. When this photo was taken V had been making Theo feel bad about having the smaller cup, so we made her switch so she had the smaller cup.

After Whataburger it was on to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. We ran into our Assistant Headmaster Mrs. Wood while we were there. V was so excited that she included running into her as one of the things she was grateful for at the end of the night. 

V finally received her whittling chip, so she brought her allowance to buy herself a pocket knife. 

Theo asked Santa for a Pikachu suit and a pack of Pokemon cards. V asked for face paints and earrings. 

V presented her Solar System project to her class this week. She made the entire thing on her own and she was so proud.

Salem pictured here hard at work by Matt's side. He sleeps the whole day in the office with Matt and emerges at the end of the day. 

On the last day of school the kids had a half day, while I had a staff meeting. V rushed to get Matt because "Theo needed help." Here he is, pants around the ankle, foot stuck in a rope, laughing so hard he's peeing, having the time of his life, needing help. 

Matt grew out an awful mustache in honor of his late coworkers for a white elephant party. 

I made a Yule log. 

This year I did marzipan raspberry mushrooms instead of meringues, and I'm never going back. They were so simple and absolutely delicious. 

Matt was so happy when his former coworker opened his insect present for the second year in a row. 

For our Anniversary, Matt and I had a weekend in Dallas. We stayed in The Magnolia hotel which was the first skyscraper in Dallas, and the first skyscraper in the US to have air conditioning. It was right in the middle of downtown Dallas and was just perfect. 

Having a cappuccino and tarte tropezienne across from the eyeball. 

Lovely salmon tartare and cuban sandwich lunch at CBD provisions. 

Our trip was just perfect. The weather was chilly but perfect for walking. We were a mile from the farmers market, a mile from Deep Ellum. Our entire trip was basically: walk, stop somewhere fun to eat, walk, eat, walk, eat. Perfect. Saturday night we couldn't decide where to eat so we had dinner round one, and then passed the taco shop we wanted to try and had a second dinner for our walk back to the hotel. Sunday afternoon we met up with my coworker at the farmers market for a smattering of tasty treats: egg rolls, fresh beautiful oysters, Italian coffees and pastries, and macarons. Then it was only a thirty minute drive and we were home. 

Evening view from our hotel. 

We went to breakfast in the Aldophus Hotel. It looked like we had just opened a door to a Wes Anderson set. While Matt waited for our coffees I went exploring. 

The lower lobby and barbershop of the Adolphus. 

Outside our hotel.

Our view from breakfast. 

And now it's officially Christmas break, and this is my next project. Our next big history unit is the American Revolution, and it's my plan to have a full recreated costume of the time period.

So far I have a shift, petticoat, and false rump. 

Theo got in trouble for being too crazy when Aunt Larissa and Uncle Sam were still asleep, so when I left to take V to the dentist, he wrote me a message. 

Quotes:

Theodore

After Theo's third round of diarrhea in a day (in his pants), Theo: But I thought it was just a toot!!

Me: When you're sick you can trust a toot.

Theo: Why? 

Me: ...

Theo: Kaleigh, did you know if you marry your cousin your baby will grow with their intestines on the outside of their body?

Vera: No Theo, that's not the only thing that could happen. They can also have ears grow on top of their heads.

Theo: I just love Levi, he's just so cute I want to keep him forever.

Me: When you grow up you can have your own baby someday.

Theo: But they CANT be as cute as Levi! 

Theo: I just want to keep him!

Everyone: Haha, aw that's cute.

Theo in a stern voice: I am serious. 

Veronica

Me: V, what are you grateful for today?

Sitting next to Aunt Larissa who is staying at our house, V: That I got to see Aunt Kaleigh today!

Larissa: Ouch. 

V: I mean Aunt Larissa too!