Then Goes Out for a Cup of Tea

Already barely a month has gone by, and I can feel all this change. Crazy.
Another poor intro into the ski season. These are not fun times. The plan was that I would be on my own...with the ski team...for T-day (again), and the kids and Sarah would spend the time with her Dad and all those who made it to Bellingham. Turns out, I was able to spend my time with them.
It all started with some business we had to attend (Molly, and her minor surgery) in Ephrata, so we were there at the top of the week. The kids enjoyed the drive, and were happy to find things to do in the "Ephrata house" -mostly involving sleeping bags, soccer ball, and rough housing. I broke another pole tip on a workout. That nixed workouts for a while. Birthday dinner was at Don's, just Sarah and I, as the kids watched Wall-e with a sitter. Ethan received his first Leggo's. They are a Rebel Alliance "scout transport", and an Imperial transporter. He has not ventured into creating new vehicles, but he has found the joy in destroying them. These are small ships- with few pieces, still we are finding ways to loose parts.
On the way to Bellingham, we stopped at Auntie Bekah, and Joh's. The kids like that visit, and expect it when we descend into Issaquah from Snoqualmie. There, we broadened their minds with exposure to the Thanksgiving Charlie Brown specials. The next day, we ferried Bekah to Bellingham with us.
T-day was a full house at Nat and Donna's. Ethan (especially) and Rileigh enjoyed having "cousin Sky" to play with. I enjoyed having energy burned off and I could sit back and not have to do anything. Also, I think the kids really benefited from mingling with that side of the family-the music seemed to impress them. Rileigh, more than Ethan, seemed enthralled when the piano, guitars, and banjo were played. -She may be the musician... we will just have to see.
The last day, saw us "loafing" around until after mid day (which is perfect day after Thanksgiving planning). That led to a short excursion to Fairhaven, where Gramma Donna was showing some of her art, and the kids perused the cool toy store. We also experienced the rain of Whatcom County. I think that is the wettest area of the Northwest. Right up there with the Hoh rain forest. -just a complete wetness, it does not rain hard, but somehow it is really soaking.
Then it was drive home, with a overnight stay in the "Ephrata house". From this I learned that the kids need to get better at unpacking. Riles changed shoes three times, and attempted two outfit changes during the unpacking today. Somehow she just could not understand that unpacking is not a shoe changing scenario. Whatever you have on is fine! Actually don't change, as you may get dirty, thus changing will occur after the unpacking is over. She could not understand why the vein was popping on Dad's forehead. "What's his deal?" "I am unpacking! sheesh! Just let me get on my red shoes." At least that was the tone, and the looks I was getting. Meanwhile, Ethan took each trip out to the van and back as a race, but seemed to forget that the purpose for going out to the van was to pick stuff up and bring it inside. He was also easily distracted with the remnants of snow, the glider riders, his Mach-5 hot wheel, etc.
Grammie did the cooking for us tonight. We went over and had some "left overs" there. I guess we are really utilizing our resources.
I need somethin' to slow me down.