Gkidz & Me

Much like the morning before, I was up and out of bed by 715am. I didn't sleep that good, due in part to the new memory foam pillow. Not sure it's for me. Downstairs, I ground up some of the new coffee beans we bought at CBC then started a pot of coffee. Took to the internet to play while the coffee brewed. I also scoped out the weather from the deck. It was mostly clear and chilly. Learned a little bit later that it was 40 degrees. Enjoyed coffee and internet for the next hour or so ahead of a run. I decided to take Mindy some coffee before I headed out. It was 845am. I got the impression that she wanted to sleep longer.

Like most Sunday's, I ran just three miles. Clouds moved in during my run and by the time I was back at home it was completely cloudy. By then, Mindy was up and downstairs. I poured more coffee then asked if she wanted some eggs. Nope. We ended up having toast instead, mine with peanut butter. The pug was following me around whining even after I walked her and put food in her bowl. Geesh, Eiknarf! I caved and doused several chunks of her food in peanut butter. Boy, does she love peanut butter!

Near 10am I checked the AMC Lennox movie run times. Looked like 155pm might work the best for the boys and I. I sent Lindsey a text letting her know that I'd likely be there to pick them up near 1230pm. Mindy and I hung out for the remainder of the morning and before either of us had to get ready to be anywhere. We even slipped in a brief nap. Got in the shower around 1130am. As usual, it didn't take me long to get ready. Mindy and I were leaving the house around the same time. I was heading to get the boys and then to the movies. Mindy was off to her sisters where she was hosting an Ava Anderson party. We expected to be home near the same time - 4pm. We expected the kids home from their Hocking Hills weekend around 3pm. They'd have some time home alone.

I stopped to fill-up my gas tank on the way to get the boys. First time I've filled up with gas for under $3 a gallon for I don't know how long. Been close a couple times. It was $2.98 to be exact. Only $45 to fill-up, or about $8 cheaper than what's been the norm. The boys and Lindsey were waiting outside their apt building. They were excited to see me. Yucked it up all the way through Arlington and Grandview. It was only 1230pm and our movie wouldn't begin until almost 2pm. I offered that we stop for lunch at Wendy's first. They both thought that a superb idea. We stopped at the one on 5th ave. near North Star.

They both wanted chicken nugget kids meals. Knowing that we were having roast beef for dinner, I didn't plan to order anything for myself, but last second I caved and ordered a #1 combo. It was just OK. Both kids forgot to order sauce for their nuggets so when they asked for ranch, I sent them up to ask for themselves, reminding them to say please. Landon was disappointed with his toy, a Shrek related drink face. Said he already had that one - Fiona. I sucked it up and took his toy back asking for the donkey. They obliged my request. :) I fixed the hat and face then took a picture of Landon wearing both. Rocky refused to assemble his. In fact, he threw it away. He only wanted the drink face.

We left Wendy's for the Lennox AMC near 105pm. Just around the corner, it took no more than 5 minutes to get there. The kids were stoked. Rocky gave me a little crap about the movie I picked. Said he wanted to choose one. Uhhh, no. They're into scary movies, movies far beyond their years. Not on my dime. "Three for Free Birds please". Still early, about 120pm, we walked the length of the theatre complex in advance of heading into our designated screening room, which was theatre #3. Both kids asked to play video games which I abhor. No. Sorry. Not today boys. We walked the entire theatre before making our way to #3. I feel a little bad now for not getting popcorn and pop, but we had just finished lunch for goodness sakes. They only mentioned it once while on our way in to buy our tickets.

The credits were still running from the prior showing when we entered. We were the only patrons in the theatre. And just like the last time when Jacob and I were there to see Gravity, the cleaning folks came in before the new sequence began. One of the girls asked if we were there to see the next run. I didn't see any trash needing picked up. And for all I knew, there wasn't a soul at the prior screening.

Before the previews ran, there was simply music playing with a blank screen. Needless to say, sitting in the dark theatre nearly put me to sleep. In fact, I dosed off a time or two but not for very long. The kids were antsy waiting on the movie to begin. Finally started around 2pm. Thank goodness There couldn't have been more than 15-20 of us in the theatre.! I wasn't expecting too much from the movie. It was an animated kid flick about T.G.

The movie ran about 90 minutes long. Afterwards, the kids were insistent of leaving through the Exit door at the bottom of the theatre in lieu of the more common exit through the entrance, but I needed to pee. I joked that we were gonna see a 2nd movie. I was surprised when they both in unison gave me an emphatic no. We want to go home! After a bathroom break, we headed to the car.

Had a couple missed calls and texts. One was from Olivia asking something about spending the night. I called her back on her mom's phone. The boys got a kick out of talking to Olivia through the handsfree. Olivia aswked if the boys can spend the night next Saturday when she does. How sweet.

Arrived home around 4pm. Bella & Jacob were home and chilling. Bella was on the sofa wrapped in a blanket watching TV. Jacob was in his room. The boys were very happy to see the kids. Soon it was mayhem - a little crazy. Before Mindy got home from her event, I topped the roast in crockpot with the jar of gravy Mindy left setting on the island counter. She was home by 430pm. Said Jodie's Ava party was a success. Good.

I eventually tuned to some football. The Bengals who were trailing the entire game managed to tie the Ravens on a last second hail mary which sent the game to OT. But just like the week before, they lost in overtime. Mindy shared that she invited my dad to dinner but he declined. Said he was on the mend after a recent bout with pneumonia. Holy smoke!

We planned to eat around 530pm. Other than rolls, there wasn't much else to prepare. We threw potatoes and carrots in with the roast. As planned, Mindy plated up dinner near 530pm. I like to see the g-kids eat a healthy meal, especially after Landon shared that he had chips for breakfast. Oh boy! Lindsey sent a text asking what time she should come by after the boys. I agreed to send a text when we were done with dinner, dessert, and play time, but speculated that it would be closer to 630-7pm.

Finished dinner around 6pm, but the kids still wanted to play. They were a little rowdy but that's OK. We asked both boys about their report cards. I didn't like what I heard. Apparently Rocky got 5 "N"'s or "I"s. Couldn't offer much more on his performance. I was really surprised to learn that Landon got some of those too. Sounds to me that they're not getting the coaching and follow through they need at home. Choo choo! Do you hear the train?

Lindsey came to get the boys near 7pm. We'll see them again next Saturday when we have them back with Olivia for an overnight. Buckle up! After they left, we held a family meeting to review the daily shore lists with the kids. Mindy prepared a list for each to follow on a daily basis. There was an important caveat at the bottom that we reviewed over and over - all the above done without any fuss or pushback. We reiterated that point at least 5 times as that's the biggest problem we have now. Essentially, if they do the chore but only after whining and pushback, it's as good as not doing it at all. Of course not doing it isn't an option. Mindy and I agreed that getting a list in front of their face on a daily basis is a good thing. The list also includes family time after dinner. Currently, Jacob is the biggest perpetrator. He's quick to dash off to his room after dinner not to be seen again, except for maybe a late night snack.

We spent the next hour or so listening to holiday music and then watching the first half of the SNF game between the Cowboys and Saints. We headed to bed near 945pm.