Almost 17 months

Ruby's almost 17 months.

I was looking through old pictures on my phone last night and I came across pictures of Maia when she was 17 months old.

Right around the time we brought Ruby home from the hospital.

And just the other day, we put Ruby in the shirt that Maia is wearing in this picture.

Maia's first 17 months seemed to go on forever.

Ruby's have just flown by.

Welcome Back InstaFriday

It's been awhile.

Here's what I've been up to on Instagram the past couple of weeks.

Here's a little craftiness, inspired by a pin on Pinterest.

Maia started going to the next level of dance class. The class that she has to go to all by herself. We tried it a couple of months ago and she was super stressed out about it. 

This time she owned that class.

Ruby couldn't quite understand why she wasn't in there with Maia.

We had some friends over for dinner and I made a berry pie. First time lattice work.

I got a new Garmin watch. It's awesome. I just need the weather to co-operate now.

Aleks and I had a date night and went ice skating.

It was a lot of fun, but we only lasted 20 minutes.

My old man husband kept complaining about his hurting hip.

Maia is sitting on the potty again.

No success, but she seems to be interested.

Maybe it's because I let her watch Dinosaur Train on my computer...

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Jeannett:

Procrastination

I've been in Panem world this weekend.

You were all right, I shouldn't have made fun of Aleks for liking the books.
My poor kids were neglected and made to play by themselves and with each other for 4 days while I sat, a slave to Katniss and her adventures.

I've heard lots of people say they loved the first book, enjoyed the second, and tolerated the third. Aleks also said that he thought the ending was lacking and left too many loose ends.

I don't agree.

But.

1. My back and neck are a mess because of the anxiety and stress I experienced while reading.

2. I wish the character of Katniss had been stronger. I could only take her selfish, self-deprecating ramblings for so long.

If you haven't read them yet, go for it!
Don't be ashamed they're in the young adult section.
They do have some big words.

Now, I've got to go write a syllabus, work starts today.

Snipets

Aleks stayed up until 1:00 last night finishing the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy. You know, the one that's recommended for reading levels of 12 years old and up. I shouldn't make fun. I'm going to start them tonight.

I got an email today saying "it looks like you might have 20 or more students this semester." And cue panic attack.

Maia went to the big girl dance class today, the one where she goes by herself. I stood at the glass the entire time in case she needed me. After two glances to be sure I was there, she rocked it. Ruby had a harder time than she did, standing at the glass watching Maia.

Speaking of Ruby, she finally has a tooth; the front bottom left one to be exact. The appearance of the tooth seems to have come with a feisty personality. The other day Ruby was walking around the basement with an empty toy grocery bag. I called her over and proceeded to put the toy fruit and vegetables into the bag. Ruby started screaming, pulled all the toys out of the bag, one by one, shoved the bag back on her shoulder, looked at me, yelled as if to say "so there", and then resumed her walk.

This morning it was 40 degrees, by noon the temperature was dropping, and when I left the gym at 6:00 it was snowing. It looks like winter might have finally arrived.

First Annual Kyhn Family Fun Run

A couple days after Christmas, we had our First Annual Kyhn Family Fun Run.

Of course, "first annual" implies there are going to be more.

Maybe it won't happen every Christmas, but hopefully when we're all together again.

Mom was the support since she couldn't run due to her fractured foot.

I was planning on making t-shirts, but I waited too long and it didn't happen.

We bundled the kiddos up and made sure they had lots of snacks and water to keep them occupied.

We ran from Danni's place to our home which is just under 3 miles.

A fun way to burn off some of those Christmas calories!

Peter Sr.

Last night Aleks and I went on a date and saw Sherlock Holmes.

Shortly after returning home, we got word that Grandpa Kyhn had passed.

When I woke up this morning I realized my dreams had been filled with mixed images of Grandpa and Robert Downey Jr.

Which is kind of appropriate.

I mean, Downey is Iron Man.

And Grandpa used to be a firefighter, a real life hero of sorts.

And they also share handsomeness.

(Alex, Grandpa, & Dad) 

Grandpa could walk into a store and quickly charm anyone within hearing distance.

It's a quality that my dad inherited, embarrassing me endlessly when I was a teenager and one I appreciate now.

Almost ten years ago, Grandma and Grandpa moved into a senior living community in Oakland.

I'm sure it was a hard decision to make, not to mention the difficulties of down sizing and moving out of the home they had lived in for almost 50 years.

It turned out to be a great decision.

Grandpa knew the name of every server, security guard, receptionist, maintenance worker, and resident of his community.

In fact, many of those people came to visit him while he was in hospice.

Grandpa was on the way to being diagnosed with ALS when he was admitted to the hospital after having breathing difficulties. His living will explicitly outlined an advanced health care directive in which he was not to receive life support systems. The doctor gave him 5 days to live. Grandpa surpassed that estimate by 6 days.

My brother Matt said that the two words he would use to describe Grandpa are kind and generous.

I'd have to agree.

I never remember a time when Grandpa was cross or raised his voice in anger.

Grandma and Grandpa paid for my cell phone throughout my undergrad. 

Back in the days when you'd have to wait until evening or the weekend to use free, unlimited minutes.

I think I'd have to add "charmer" to the list as well.

Grandpa always had a twinkle in his eye. When he'd walk his dog, Spike, down Piedmont Ave., he was a force to be reckoned with. Ladies would cross the street to talk to him.

My dad said that Grandpa was still delighting visitors from his hospice bed.

Grandma was with her husband of 59 years in his last moments.

I'm honored to be a part of the legacy he's left behind.