Week(s) in Review: Back to Ordinary Life

Happy Friday!  I'm looking forward to a three-day weekend as these five day workweeks after Christmas break have felt extra long.  Do you feel the same?

JP went back to Pittsburgh on Dec. 31 because he had to fly out to a wedding in Nebraska on Jan. 1 (he did a reading) and school started back up for him on Jan. 5.  He loves any chance he has to get back with his college buddies!

There was one night this week that I looked at the kids' locations and I saw JP and Andrew were 1 building away from each other in Pittsburgh.  Turns out JP was still at school studying and Andrew was at a Duquesne basketball game with friends.  So close!

Andrew and Eamon played pond hockey and went skiing with cousins and also went bowling with some of the Cottage Crew the week before heading back to college.  Those two had a very fun vacation-y break.

They drove back to school on Sunday, January 11th and it wasn't until Monday morning, January 12th when I realized that my online classes had started.  D'oh!  You'd think that my kids going back to Franciscan to start the semester would have clued me in that I needed to start teaching again.  Perimenopause, (wo)man.  I published the three classes I have this semester (1 Financial Accounting and 2 Managerial Accounting) and welcomed my students which include Andrew and lots of Eamon's friends who wanted to make sure I knew that in their introductions :)

He just loves accounting - ha!

The boys got back some photos from their Silent Retreat they were on before Christmas and I love them:

Maggie got her four wisdom teeth out last week and did great!  She made some videos and facetimed friends while the drugs were wearing off, and she was pretty loopy!  When she woke up immediately following surgery, she kept asking for ChapStick and told me that "a wink means yes".  I was her loyal nurse for the day and her recovery has gone really well.  

Before - when she "couldn't even feel the Valium" but her eyes told another story.

After all her wisdom was gone

Every Sunday, my dad sends up the comics for the little kids, who all take turns reading them diligently.

Each night, Brendan has to put a prescription lotion on his hands and feet to treat the "really bad eczema" diagnosed by the pediatric dermatologist.  This finally seems to be helping his poor feet and hands heal after all these years of pain and suffering!  I bought him some disposable gloves and reusable silicone socks to keep the lotion in place, and he is a very good patient.  I told him we should take pictures for when he's all healed:

Real men wear pink

Poor Xander and Declan have been a bit out of commission this week with a backache for Declan (we're bringing him to the chiropractor as he says "it feels like something needs to pop") and a diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter disease for Xander.  That crazy name means his knees really hurt because he's going through a fast growth spurt while also running a lot in track.  They are both taking some time off sports and praying for quick recoveries!

What we've been eating lately, with recipes:

Stuffed Peppers for Maggie, Phil and I

Chicken Gnocchi Soup for lunches for the week

Potato Leek Soup with (Chicken) Sausage that Andrew called his favorite soup ever

The viral "Life Changing Lettuce" that didn't live up to the hype.  But that oil dispenser/sprayer was a good purchase!

Chicken Kofta with Lemon Dill Rice, I loved this one but the kids mostly loved the rice.  They still ate it though!

Roasted Cauliflower with Burrata, a great meatless meal

Healthy Lemon Chicken with our favorite Buttery Seasoned Rice

I wanted to try the viral sweet potato with cheese inside, which did indeed  live up to the hype, and paired it with a caramelized onion and cheddar chicken burger from Costco, and a Caesar salad.

Did you see the new Food Pyramid?  About time!

We are on Week 7 on Half Marathon training, and I surprised myself by running 5 miles on the treadmill.  I try not to run more than four on the treadmill because I'd rather do longer miles outside.  I think it was "easier" this time because I was watching a good show and I've upped the carbs in my diet.

Speaking of good shows, a coworker recommended the show "Silo" and we are hooked!

This weekend, we have a swim meet, a basketball game, dinner with a friend, a track meet, a new workout class to try, a 9 miler to run, and a Patriots game to watch with my family in the area.  Fun!  I hope you all have a great long weekend!