A lot of Emmy and Ethan time this week. It has been tough trying to work while having the kids running around crazy, screaming, and non-stop talking while I’m in meetings. But overall, it has been a bit rewarding getting to have a little break and having their smiles and laughter.

I find I don’t know how to walk away from the the computer unless I had a real reason else I’d just keep working. It does help that meetings weren’t as crazy this week since we were able to churn out the necessary stuff for our team to do their planning sessions.

Emmy and I continued our daily walks with Rizzo. She’s found some surprises along the way and I was able to shoot one of my favourite pictures in a long time where she’s squatting with Rizzo.

Friday, June and I were off. Since I had to return things we made an outing to the mall. I bought her a shirt and a dress from Target as well as Starbucks drinks for everyone. She made a joke, “Look, I do like mommy!” Exhibit the picture of her holding a Target bag and Starbucks. Don’t worry, she didn’t have my green tea drink. She has a pink drink that she chugged within 10 minutes.

I bought her a happy meal and pretzels and headed home. She took a WONDERFUL nap afterward.

I bought a Prunus J-110 radio. I’m loving the old school look and now Mum is jealous and wants one. Rizzo for size. It’s so cute!

I’ve been doing a chore chart with Emmy which you’ll see down below. I guess Rizzo felt he was doing a dang good job being my little baby and deserved a star since they found him with a star on his nose. Boop! So cute.

He has also felt neglected and felt the need to let me know — hence the last picture. My whittle baby!

Saturday morning, I took Emmy to Krispy Kreme as a treat. Then Sissy came over and we did friendship bracelets. Emmy made one for herself, her mum and her dad. Sissy made one for herself. And I made one for Rizzo and I to wear. Rizzo’s isn’t fully complete since we ran out of string so it’s just on an elastic for now. We ordered food from AJI Ramen as well.

We had hot pot that night and a lot of play time. We did forts in the playpen and spelling and A LOT of dancing.

Today Emmy and I made bread. It’s a bit denser than it should be since someone added a bit too much flour. I won’t name who. But it didn’t come out horrible! The kids actually love it and has eaten A LOT of it. We also took Emmy to Costco and got her an ice cream to share with me.

As mentioned above, Emmy’s Chore Chart. Mostly if she listens to others, share with others, finish her food and clean up, etc. she’ll get a star. Then at the end of the week, I’ll surprise her with a present. She got some Frozen toys and an egg that hatches in a few days.

It’s been an eventful (tiring) week. This week is a three day work week. I’m ready!

Other than the super craziness at work, life was pretty chill before Emmy and Ethan came. I finished a puzzle, took Mum to her Lasik check up (swollen still but overall okay), and a lot of cuddles with Rizzo. It was very cute Rizzo was sleeping on my pillow which is really rare. It’s going to be over a month with them and although it’s tiring (HOW DO YOU MAMAS DO IT!?) even with so many hands on deck but it’s pretty rewarding.

Saturday morning I trekked halfway with Mum and met up with Brudda to pick up the kids. We stopped by Cane’s and Emmy kept asking why we lived so far to my response was to tell your dad to move closer. hehe They did great in the car overall.

Later that day I found my Sea Dog Blueberry beer that Scruffy gave me back in 2014 … 2015. I had introduced him to that beer and he went with his then girlfriend to the brewery. First gift he ever gave me other than fruit tarts and I kept it, never opened it and it ended up exploding by itself. I forgot I even had it. Goodbye memories. It was kind of cool though, the little film layer of mold when I poured it out.

Sissy and BIL came over with Bruno and Kato. Since everyone’s gotten their shot it was our first meal at the same table since COVID. It was nice, and normal. We even walked the dogs afterwards and Sissy got to give Emmy a bath. Ethan was in hysterics when they held him but he ended up warming up to Sissy. We’ll have to try again with BIL.

This morning I made hardboiled eggs so that June and Emmy can dye them with me for Easter. We left them in for over an hour so the colours came out pretty well.

I took Emmy for a walk with Rizzo afterward, then she and Ethan both took baths. Afterwards, bubbles with June and some other play time.

I love Ethan’s laugh. It’s the cutest.

I started off the week with tasting a new corn puff with banana flavouring and finishing the Mulan puzzle. Then I saw Target had another but 2 get 1 free for outdoors and did that as well. I’m excited!

A picture of Rizzo because it’s been awhile.

My old laptop was dying so I finally made the splurge and got a new one. The Asus Zenbook Duo. The second screen really drew me to it. I wished I had known they had an updated model that just came out this month for a couple of hundred more but I’m too lazy to return and I’m happy with it overall. It’s an adjustment but the second screen really makes a difference. It came with a leather sleeve and stylus as well but I’m not sure how much use it’ll be for me. Can’t wait to travel with it!

Mum got her Lasik surgery Friday. All went well and she has 20/15 eyesight now!

Today i went to visit Connor and bright luck to Beth and Scott. Crawfish from Yummy Seafood. It’s surprising how two pounds, a potato and a corn can fill me up nowadays.

My other days from the week. A lot of home cooking and Jollibee because it’s been awhile. I tried their spicy chicken sandwich but Popeyes still win that category.

Emmy and Ethan are coming this weekend. I cannot wait to cuddle them like crazy!

This week makes a whole year of working from home. One whole year where I got to live out my dream of working from home and I’ve enjoyed so much of it.

I finally got my hands on The Secret Language of Birthdays! It was in sale after forever. Four years ago Jamie pulled out copies she made from the library when they were kids of Scruffy and Rami’s and it was pretty accurate and have wanted the book since to read everyone’s I run across. It’s been a pretty good read.

I doubt I’d go through every page but if I did it would totally count as a book for the year.

Ive been making a lot of meals lately but my favourite is still salmon dinners and spicy korean soup. Sissy asked me to make the soup for her next time she’s over.

i ordered dinner Thursday from Zero Degrees and had a great time video chatting with Brudda, SIL, Sissy, BIL, Emmy and Ethan. I can’t wait for the two kiddies to come down next month.

We also booked an Airbnb for June and I am ready! Other trip plannings with friends. Nothing crazy, still staying as safe as we can. Speaking of, Mum got her second shot Friday and I’ll be getting mine Monday!

Sissy came over yesterday and we got bubble waffles, bobas, and lunch. They all got noodles but I opted for my seafood meal. My stomach is definitely nothing near as it use to be so three snowcrab filled me up so much that next time, two might be good enough. But the rest was dinner for today.

Our hot pots have now become more of a vegetarian affair … at least for me. I cannot wait for more hot pots with Emmy and Ethan!

I went and picked up mochi donuts from Bing Su before picking up Mallory to try out Emily’s Taqueria. Everyone including John loved the donuts so that’s a win!

had my first menudo! Super fatty so it’s not something I would really ever get but it was good. Mallory tried it but can’t get over the gelatinous texture of the tripe. Overall I’d go back again for their foods.

If any of my Mexican friends are reading this, please let me try your menudo. Thanks.

Beth came over and brought Connor. I finally got to meet this little guy after six weeks. And I was so happy I got to hold him. I gave him back because he wanted to lay in my chest and I was afraid he’d suffocate on my hair.

We all hung out for a long time talking about random things before Beth, Connor and I left. Jacob took a spin in my car and it was very adorable.

Weekends are always too short but it’s been a very fulfilling one.

Week of starting and finishing puzzles. I need more! I also did my nails during the two hour townhalls in time for Emmy’s Troll birthday.

My love for snow crabs grow as well as tacos from some random place. I’ve been craving seafood boil and have been trying to subconsciously mentioning it and was surprised to find some one random night for dinner.

I’ve been collecting a lot of stars from Starbucks as well and was able to snag one after Mum’s eye doctor appointment. All is well. One more Lasik procedure in both and she’s suppose to be golden. Fingers crossed.

We left for Dallas Friday morning, stopping by McDonald’s for breakfast. I was excited to get the hotcakes meal but per usual, I ate one pancake and half the biscuit sandwhich and was full. I need someone to share with.

Emmy wanted to play nonstop and had fun listening to me learn Mandarin. She just sat next to me while I practiced and even repeated after me after I repeated after the course.

We also taught Emmy how to play the Wii. It was a struggle but she had the most fun playing Paper Mario or Super Mario equivalent.

Lunch was a new Chinese place. I don’t remember the name but I ordered the hot pot dish and it was perfect. No soupy base which was a bummer, but the flavour was on point.

We had Marugame for dinner. I went and picked it up with SIL and bought us both a Matcha Soft Serve. I’ve been craving soft serve so it hit the spot. I know Marugame is known for their udon, but I love their sandos and pork belly robatas best.

Not shown: us decorating for Emmy’s birthday. I’m getting to be a pro with balloon archs. Hit me up.

Katie and John came over to drop off some red envelopes and then Mum and I went to pick up lunch from Lucky City. I was on Ethan duty for a good while. I watched Ugly Betty while he climbed all over me. He saw some people outside and kept waving and saying hi. Cutest thing.

We had Chinese food and some of SIL’s Mum’s homemade foods. Emmy had a blast. You can see Ethan diving into Emmy’s gifts. He had fun as well. It was a pretty fast party since it was just us but it was nice to have these moments before she grows up and has a million kids and parents running around.

I loved seeing everyone wear the shirts I made and Mum is now onboard with me making more for her after telling me it’s a waste of money buying all the equipment and materials to dabble with.

There are plans to have both of them come down in April. We’ll see how that pans out.