Last year we went to the Zoppe Family circus and of course had to go again this year! Super fun. Evette was so excited about it!
Evette was mesmerized, she loved the whole thing. Huge belly laughs and giggles throughout. Miriam, on the other hand, only kind of liked it. She did cry a bit - kinda loud and she wasn't a huge fan of the slapstick humor.
So we sat in the back for a bit and ate popcorn :)
The show was incredible. Better than I remember last year.
There was new stuff, it was fresh, exciting. I loved it.
Such a fun time. I like the small intimate setting of it and the comradery of the crew. Can't wait til next year!
One of the annual scout events my troop does is volunteer at the Carmel Valley Ranch and Saddle Club's annual Ranch Round-Up. It's a great chance to get our boys of of the city/suburb and get their hands dirty.
But the real treat for me is that this year my ladies drove down on Saturday to enjoy the events themselves. We had a great time!
Art projects - decorating stick horses, horseshoes, old trophies, and picture frames.
There were also lots of games and activities for the kids, including a parade and a race on their new stick horses
Champion horse-back rider, Evette.
There was also a silent auction with a lot of cowboy themed memorabilia, and then there was this gem.
A handful of my boys and fellow leaders.
And then after the ranch round-up we decided to visit Camel's world famous beach. Despite the dreary weather, man, that was worth it. Beautiful, soft white sand...
Heidi and Evette built an awesome sandcastle, complete with several tunnels. Evette was so proud of herself
And then we buried Heidi right where she was sitting.
And built another sandcastle with tunnels
Touching in the tunnel!
And then of course we had to go play in the ocean. It doesn't count as a beach trip unless your feet get wet, regardless of the weather.
On the Thursday when Heidi was in Houston, I was able to take Evette to work with me again (here's the report from her first full-day visit). Since she did so well last time I took more liberties and didn't clean out my schedule ahead of time... Meaning Evette attended a half dozen meetings with me throughout the day. She did great - but to be honest she played on the iPad during most meetings.
This time we took the train to work. Much faster and easier for her.
Comfy commute
Playing at her favorite place - our Lego wall
Mid-morning snack time
Attending a meeting with NerdWallet's entire executive team, including our CEO and COO. She just kicked back - except, naturally, when it was my turn to present for 20 minutes. During that stretch she decided to try a game she doesn't know well (Minecraft) and ended up getting help from my general manager (bless her soul!). She got a couple positive call-outs from the room, including a great moment when our COO caught himself mid-swear word and the entire room burst into laughter.
Since I work on NerdWallet's credit card team, we have to train 'em young, no?
While Heidi was in Houston I had the girls all to myself... and we had a blast. Seriously, everyone seems shocked at this - that Heidi had the gall to leave the girls with me (ALONE!) in the first place AND at the fact that not only were we all happy, clean, and well by the end of it, the house was also sparkling clean.
Party on the trampoline
I spent all day Wednesday, the day Heidi left, at home with the girls. I loved being able to attend Evette's dance class and soccer practice.
Soccer practice
Siblings of Evette's soccer buddies
Great kids
Secret #1 for dads at home: Have the kids set the table for you
On Friday, Evette had school so another friend watched Miriam during school and then both girls the rest of the day. They really went above and beyond, even inviting us to stay for dinner after I got off work.
And they gave Evette driving lessons.
Secret #2 for dads at home: Have your kids learn how to drive with someone else's car
Saturday at the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum
Corn husk doll. I did it all except for the hair. Not bad, eh?
Bubble station. Fun but terrible design. Why? No washing station nearby, so when Miriam inevitably rubbed her eyes she also rubbed soap into her eyes. Nightmare. I have a hard time believing we were the first family to run around the museum panicked looking for the nearest sink with a screaming toddler.
Secret #3 for dads at home: Carry a sink with you?
Secret #4 for dads at home: Teach your kids alchemy. It pays well.
Secret #5 for dads at home: Let someone else read to your kids
Secret #6 for dads at home: Find an interactive toy that your kid loves. Then sit back while she plays with it for 20+ minutes.
Secret #7 for dads at home: Make the kids do the gardening
Secret #8 for dads at home: Apparently granola bars count as lunch
Secret #9 for dads at home: Make the kids drive
Secret #10 for dads at home: Make the kids cook
Secret #11 for dads at home: Let the girls do their own makeup
Secret #12 for dads at home: Wear your kids out by spending 6+ hours at a museum, let them fall asleep in the car, and then kick back once your home.
Heidi asked me to send photos of the girls dolled up for Sunday... Memes wasn't a fan.
Last video chat with mom before she came home!
We decorated Heidi's and my bed with welcome home signs
Bed time singing
She's back!
So I wasn't lying when I said Heidi came home to a spick-spack clean house (I mean she just spent the weekend cleaning her mom's house, so I had to do my part)... But it wasn't all roses...
Secret #13 for dads at home: Keep your house clean by keeping the kids out of the house. Stay out as long as possible and only come home right before bedtime. No presence = no messes
But the downside... The girls were flat exhausted. Evette took about 2 days to recover, Miriam took about a week. I'm glad I was able to deliver a clean house but I'm not sure Heidi appreciated the crying, whining, and temper-tantrums that came with it.
