January 1: We had a great day. We woke up really late because we went to bed around 1 am. I lacquered the floor in the library, 1st coat. I couldn’t do the bench, because it was -5, too cold. We went for a walk and found a kitten! It was super friendly and had a scratch on its leg. We took it in and fed it, it was really hungry. We then went for a walk. B cried the whole time! I think he might be sick. After the walk Frank made lunch and I put A and B down for a nap. I went for a run and then made dinner and cleaned up the house. Frank glued the desk together and also put a hole in the basement for electrical cables to go through. Then we went to bed.
January 2-11: The rest of the holidays were less hectic. It was more relaxing and nice when it was just our family. No appointments or anywhere to be. We spent most days sleeping in, having a late breakfast and going outside for at least an hour. The kids, especially Sophia, protested being outside. I know it was cold sometimes, but, it is so good for them to be in the sun and outside. We were limited to what we can do when A and B were with us. One time they were napping and we took a walk to Kyes road. The girls found frogs under ice and then a train stopped and we were forced to walk around it to get home. The kids found it very exciting, especially Peter, we were so close to the train. Frank worked on the electrical and office floor. He also started a healthy diet, it is going well, he just is a bit edgy. There were two days that we did trips. One day we went to Syracuse-Destiny Mall. It is so big. The kids aren’t really interested in walking around too much, so we found Billy Bees - a huge indoor playground were they got to go crazy. They played hard and were sweating. It tired them out. We got cheese cake there, it was so good. Peter got a Lego set - 18+ Optimus Prime Lego, he spent the entire next day by himself in his room building it. He finished it too! We are so proud of him. Alice also got her ears pierced in the mall. We also went to Ottawa. We saw Dan, Olivia, and Isabelle. We went to ikea with them, for some food, and they had a free indoor play gym. They loved sitting at their own table without adults. We then drove home, all day just to go to ikea! It was fun though. Frank also dug the trench with Tom Steacy to put electrical underground. It is such a mess out there. The first day of school was a bit rough. I had a day off because I had a colonoscopy. Really not fun. I had to not eat for a day and a half and drink a drink that cleaned out my insides, I was pooping out clear liquid at the end of the drink all of it. The kids went to school and my mom and dad took me to the hospital. I was surprised that they put me under to complete the procedure. It was my first time going under. It went well and when I got home, I didn’t crave anything at all. The thought of eating meat was gross. I never felt that way before. I was kind of in a haze and slept really well that night. The next day was a snow day, but, Frank took the kids to school and I went to work. I came home early because the weather was pretty bad. I worked from home for a bit, then picked up the kids. Skating was cancelled too, so we just hung out at home. The next day the buses were canceled again, the kids stayed at home with me. We then went to skating at the end of the day. Alice really enjoys it. A and B started going back to daycare, I miss spending time with them so much! Small kitty is adjusting well! Frank and the girls took it to the vet and got it dewormed and it seems to start liking our family.
January 12-31: These days were all regular days. We continue to do extracurricular activities – skating during the week. Peter goes to gymnastics on Saturdays with Babi. On the weekend we work on our house, and I have been trying to get our 2022 taxes completed. Specifically, Frank has been completing ethernet in the basement and putting up drywall in the office area. I usually hang out with the kids and take care of the home when he is doing work on the house. We work hard, but, there is so much work that we feel overwhelmed and sometimes lose motivation. Peter was sick at the end of the month. Then the rest of the family got it, we just were a bit tired and coughing for a few days. There was one cold week, but other then that January has been very mild – hovering around 0 all month. There were two snow days from school – freezing rain actually. The kids used to like going to school on these days because it was different than regular school, but now they just want to stay home. Benjamin closed the basement door onto his foot. We were debating on going to the hospital. He cried for at least one hour and then fell asleep. It was bleeding and swollen and black under the nail. I felt so bad for him and just held him for a while. We cuddled for so long. He then tried to walk on his foot, but, wobbled as it was so sore. Over the next few days he started to get better and now back to normal, except the toe nail is still black. Poor little guy. Sophia and Alice started writing speeches – Sophia is on 3D printing (she is obsessed with it because of Frank and prints things on her own now) and Alice is on Jellyfish. Sophia also tried out hockey – it is a 6-weekend course for girls to try to see if they like it, before we register them next year. She loves it way more then figure skating. She borrowed gear from a girl in her class and wears it around the house. I happy that she found something that will make her happy. Alice has found figure skating. I will try to sign them up for dance too, as they have been asking for it.