Go, Go, Goers!

I took a little break from the blog last weekend, mainly because I ran out of time.  I spent the previous week completely swamped at work.  On Saturday, I was rushing around like crazy in the morning, and then spent 4+ hours at the Mall of America, so Ava could attend a birthday party at Nickelodeon Universe.  I decided not to stick around at that party, but found a cozy chair at a Caribou at the MOA, and managed to work for over 3 hours.  It was very busy, and very loud, and I was so very happy to get into my car, and head out with Ava when it was all done.  But, I'm glad that Ava had a great time at the party! I didn't take Ava home from there, though...I took her over to Grandma Deb's.  When we walked in, G was playing in a box, and he let out a loud squeal when he saw us; Darla started whining, and we were instantly back to the chaos and noise!  Eventually everyone calmed down, and I was able to head out and meet up with Scott for a late night surf & turf dinner. 

...reality?  Normal work weeks (ha)?  Less clutter? So, the holidays are really over.  This year, it seems like they just popped up, without any warning.  Halloween was fun and spooky, and then BAM!  It was turkeys and elves and presents and champagne and HELLO 2015!  It was a whirlwind...and now it's calm. I took all of the Christmas decorations down yesterday.  I took my time, sorting Ava's and G's ornaments into their own container, already preparing for the time when those ornaments will no longer grace our tree, but will hang on different branches, in their own houses.  I went through the decor that is no longer used, and made a donation pile...if you don't love it, don't let it take up precious space, right?  And as I was wrapping up the last ornament, I wondered what will be different in 2015 when we decorate the tree?  When I unwrap the ornaments next December, will I look back to the 2014 holidays?  Will I need to put the ornaments just a little higher

We celebrated our little family Christmas last Sunday, but it was really low key.  G decided he needed a nap right in the middle of opening gifts, so we quickly rushed through his, and got him settled in his crib.  Then, Ava, Scott and I took our time getting through the rest of the gifts, and spent some nice time together. New bath toys! "Ooohhhh...." I had Monday off, and took Ava to her school release day, and G to daycare.  It was a wonderful day at home where I was productive, and actually took an hour to sit down and watch TV...and the shows were what I wanted to watch!  Nothing on Nickelodeon, nothing about Fast & Loud cars, or Gold Rush...they were my shows, and it was wonderful! Ava and I did have a bit of a rough start to the day, though...she had a dentist appointment at 8am, and while we were waiting to be called back to start her cleaning, their entire vacuum system when down.  No cleanings/appointments happening until they got that f