12/15 - Carriage ride

 

We had a wonderful evening yesterday.   I have never ridden on a horse-drawn carriage.  So, I wanted it to be special.   I noticed a few months ago that you can reserve one to take you through a Christmas lights neighborhood.  So I reserved one for last night.  It fit 4-6 people so I invited Ty and Rossi.   We met at Jorg's for dinner beforehand.  Rossi doesn't like German food or sausages.  Tatiana thought that they put too much sauce on her spaztle.    But, Tatiana got a chocolate Torte so she was happy. 
We drove separately to the carriage location.   I was disappointed in the carriage we were assigned.  It was more of a wagon although other people got the pretty carriage from the photo.   I didn't want to say anything to spoil it for Tatiana.   It was a really nice way to see the lights.  Horses get right of way, and we were able to go down the middle of the road at the horses preferred speed.  So we went slow but never had to stop.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Tatiana went oooh and ahhhh a lot. 

 

 

12/13 Thoughts on Huck Finn

 Huck Finn is what we are listening to now.   I am glad that this is a family-thing rather than a schoolroom-thing.  Who knows what slant they would give?   On Sunday on the way to church we reached the point in the book where Huck decides to rescue Jim even though he is sure it means he will go to hell.  On the way back from church, we talked about she thought was happening and we were proud of her. 

Going to try a new restaurant (to us) in Princeton tonight. 

12/12 Sunday

 

We went to church.    They did a little Christmas show put on by the kids.   Then someone was baptized.   Scotland and Tatiana know that makes me emotional and they both reached over to touch me.  I'd like Tatiana to see what an Episcopal service is like, so next Sunday we will go to our old church in Plano.  

I combed Tatiana's hair when we got home.  I did half of it while watching Gnomio and Juliet.  The couple didn't die in this version.   I liked that.   I also liked that Tatiana has already seen the real version.   Then she cleaned her room for a bit.   Then we'd gone to dinner at the 'good queso' place.  That had been prearranged.  Then I almost finished combing the rest of her hair while we watched Mulan 2.   She was whimpering and then later crying but she kept saying nothing was wrong. 

 

12/11 Saturday

 

Saturday was the first day Scotland was home and done-ish with moving Godfather Ty.    He glowed with happiness.   Tatiana spent most of the day cleaning her room.  All three of us cleaned the kitchen and kitchen table.   Then around 4pm the Stallmans except for Liz and Elisa arrived.   They'd been confused about the start time of the parade and thought it started 2 hours before it did.  So instead of driving home they hung out with us instead.  Tatiana loved it.   The kids are all so great.  Scotland put the Christmas tree upright.   Happiness.  
The parade was great.   We accidentally got a great spot across for the parade announcer.   We were going to stay for the Polar Express movie, but we were all so cold.  

 

Thursday 12/9

 It was another nice day for Tatiana and I.   She did her math, history and chores without a fuss.  We were both in a good mood.  She has really liked eating fruit lately.  The other day she asked for some Raspberries when I went to the store.  She has liked those in particular lately.  Later that day she came to me with the empty carton and said, "Mom, you forgot to buy the raspberries.    They were wonderful!"  Yesterday I bought some strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.   She tried the blackberries, but said that they were too sour.  When Scotland came home, he wanted to be alone and to watch football.   So, we got ready for bed early, and climbed into the mommy-daddy bed and listened to our audiobook.   She played on Roblox and I did Nonograms.  We've been listening to Mark Twain.  We did Prince and the Pauper first, then Tom Sawyer, now Huck Finn.   She doesn't like when people talk highfalutin, so she didn't like parts of the Prince book, and she doesn't like the King and Duke.   After these we will go back to the ones assigned by her history.  Although, Mark Twain is very American, and it is American History, so I don't feel bad for the diversion. 

Wed 12/8

 

Scotland was gone all day again today.   He thinks he will be done Friday.   Tatiana got some math done and played with the Lego Robotics kit.   I took a photo of her doing that that I should add.   My main thing was that she stay out of her room and not take a nap.  So, she'll get to sleep at a normal time.  

 

12/7 Tuesday

Ordinary day yesterday.   They were gone for most of the day.   They did vision therapy and then went to Ty's.    They ate dinner there and brought some home to me.  Tatiana liked Rossi's cauliflower, and she has never liked it before.  She played with the Lego Robotics.    She did one math lesson while watching game videos.  I just checked the Beast Academy website.   She did 2 lessons plus a bunch of puzzles.  We need to wake her up and make sure she does stuff.  She has been staying up late in her room.  She adorable with what she is doing.  But, then she doesn't want to wake up in the morning. 

 

 

12/6 Monday

 

It has mostly been Tatiana and I together at home since Scotland is still moving Godfather Ty.  She didn't get much done on Monday.  She started to try to play with her Lego Robotics set.   But the base needed to be charged.    Pooh.    The play date was Kristen's house.   They run towards each other and hug.    It is adorable.  

Tatiana has reached the age where a best friend is most important.   Both Patty and I really appreciate the relationship that they have. 

 

Sunday 12/5

 

We are getting used to Yogi being gone.  Yesterday I heard her tell Kristen about it when they talked on the phone.   I think she is handling it well.   Sad but recovering.    Yesterday was just a Mommy/Daughter day since Scotland is still moving Godfather Ty.   We both spent some time moping but otherwise we spent together.   She is quite behind on her math.   I hadn't realized it, but when she last went to Camp Grandparents, I'd made a change on her tablet, and hadn't turned the passcode back on.    So, she's been spending hours looking up stupid stuff on youtube.   Mostly silly music.   Tablet is locked down now. 

When Scotland got home, we went to the Lego exhibit at the Farmersville museum.  It was neat.  Although, as expected, I got bored before they did.    Then we drove to see the downtown lights.   I wanted to eat first since we were all hungry.   I didn't care where we ate, and Tatiana wanted to go back to the "Good Queso" place.  A Mexican restaurant changed owners and we tried it Thursday.    Tatiana loved the queso, and didn't like the children's quesadilla.   I was glad we'd already seen the lights.   I was too full to pay attention to the Christmas lights. 

 

 

 Gram posting:

She loves to brush her hair while watching TV