As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a wonderful New Year’s. My boyfriend visited with his two kids and they stayed for almost two days. We had more family time than we’ve ever had with all four kids at the same time and it was lovely. Even though we are only boyfriend and girlfriend, we consider each other’s kids family. I treat his kids like my own and he treats mine as his own. It means the world to both of us that we do that and neither would have it any other way.
Since we were all together, it was important that I stay away from the computer and phone as much as possible. Though Chris has never asked it of me or me of him, it’s something I try to do. There have been exceptions, but for the most part, my computer doesn’t go on, which is why I’m late getting this post up. If it’s one, one of the children is on it playing a game or listening to music.
I admit, I haven’t always been the perfect mom. I’m still not. Prior to my divorce I did spend a lot of time on my computer. It was my escape and I had a lot of work that I was doing. Since then, though, I have made changes and am trying to be a better parent to my kids and his, as well. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Improving yourself is always good. Life is about changing and growing up.
When the Chris and the kids got here, we hung out in the living room for awhile. Mikala and Blake opened their Christmas gifts from Chris (Nerf Guns) and preceded to have a war with the other two. There was lots of screeching and laughter. Chris and I just sat on the couch, cuddling and smiling because it was music to our ears. After that, the kids went outside and played in the snow. They came in and played for awhile longer before we made homemade pizzas out of dough that I got from work. (Pictures below.)
While the pizzas cooked, the girls and Chris went up to help feed my parents animals. Chris’ daughter met our mini horse Esther, the chickens and one turkey, our rabbit Sophie and the four mini beagles: Chloe, Sadie, Katie and Zoeé.
After dinner, I walked up to my parents’ house with Chris’ son and my daughter to drop off my mom’s iPad that my kids had borrowed. His son and Sadie fell in love with each other and he ended up cuddling on the couch with her and rubbing her belly. It was adorable.
The kids went to bed a couple hours later. Or were supposed to. My daughter and Chris’ daughter stayed up late, chatting. Or, as we are convinced, plotting against us. LOL!
Chris and I laid on my bed and watched Ted. Then fell asleep. Yes, we are getting old. We really don’t do late nights.
The next morning I made everyone breakfast sandwiches, except the boys who wanted pancakes and sausage. Then we went to my mom’s house and shot the kids’ BB guns. From there we went sledding near my old work.
The hill we went on is fairly steep and tall so they all had a hard time climbing it, especially Blake since his legs are so short. He tried to get Chris to carry him up but he fell off his back, which made me laugh. What parent wouldn’t?
Awhile later Blake fell out of his sled and gave himself a white wash. He was pissed and couldn’t stop crying even after I wiped the snow from his face. After he calmed down, about ten minutes later, Chris said he’d go back down the hill with him. He tried. They both fell out of the sled. Blake got a face full of snow again, as well as a foot in the head. He was done after that. I can’t say I blame him. I would have been too.
When we were done sledding, we went and got the kids some hot chocolate and came home to relax. We ended up going to visit my parents again a little later so the kids could see the dogs. After that I went home and made some kickass tacos and then homemade fried dough.
Since it was New Years, we let the kids stay up. Blake didn’t make it but the other three did. We rang in the New Year cuddled up on my bed.
I have to say that it was nice having the kids and Chris here. It was nice to have my first New Year’s kiss ever. It was nice to see four smiling faces as the ball dropped. It was a nice feeling to have a heart full of hope for the coming year.
(I do want to point out something that you may have noticed. I do not include the names or pictures of Chris’ kids out of respect for him and his ex-wife. I made the decision to show my kids on this site because it’s my blog. However, since the other two are not my children, I will not give out their names or show their faces without permission. It’s not because I’m favoring my children over his. I just respect him and his ex enough to not do that.)