Today we had the last hockey game of the season over at North Commons back in our old Minneapolis neighborhood. Before Theo's game we got ourselves all packed for our trip to Japan next week.  This is everything I'm bringing in my suitcase. Three outfits, pouch for my phone charger and headphones, my travel hair straightener and toiletries.  Then there are the Japan specific items: plastic bags to carry our garbage since there aren't a ton of public garbage cans, a coin purse to carry all of our coins and a hand towel with paper soap since some public restrooms only have a sink. I will also pack a backpack in my suitcase.  Then extra items in my fanny pack for the plane ride. A blow up neck pillow, eye mask, Delta headphones, ear plugs, wallet, Tokyo guide book, Theo's chopsticks and extra utensils, Kleenex and our passports.  And just like that it was already Theo's last game. 

I don't know how parents have multiple kids in sports. Two practices and one game a week already feels like a lot.  Theo's game this week was at the Northeast Ice Arena . One of my favorite things about Minneapolis are all of the indoor and outdoor ice rinks. Theo is doing so much better from when he started. Though he does like to go out whenever there is a line change. 

Despite a super cold weekend and a lot going on back in Minneapolis we spent Scott's birthday weekend at the cottage. I immediately got to my project of untangling one of our kites.  I was super grateful that we got to get out of Minneapolis a few times during the worst of the ICE immigration crackdown. During the week I was watching Theo's school each day. His school is something like 60 or 70% immigrants. Up here we could pretend things were normal in the world. Yeah, I guess you could say it was cold out. I tried out the throwing boiling water in the air trick.  I wonder how often people get scalded doing this. I'm a bit of a worrier. You thought this was going to keep us indoors the whole weekend? No one was out. I have never heard it so quiet up here. I thought I was hearing branches snap but I guess it was sap freezing .

With every practice Theo has gotten better and better at hockey. I really enjoy watching him play. That's him in the dark blue shirt. He hadn't gotten his jersey yet. Most of the kids were wearing their old jersey's or their siblings. Two of the dads coach the co-ed team. Theo's in the 9U age bracket. I thought all the kids were going to be beginners like Theo, but some of them are really good. 

Christmas time is tricky for me because it's the busiest time for me at work. I took a half day on New Years Eve and then we headed straight up north. The kids and I should've just went up days earlier, but instead I played video games in the guest room all week. Was so happy to see this place even though I was not feeling great. Of course this little guy brought another bug home with him for winter break. Ah, the good place. There's nothing better than cottage in winter. The cottage was looking beautiful in the snow.

On Christmas Eve we headed to Wisconsin for winter break. Sometimes it's tricky finding food on holidays. I saw that Norske Nook in Osseo was open.  Kids and Brooke got breakfast. I got the Wisconsin Reuben. Everyone was happy. Of course we had to get some pie for the rest of the ride. Next door was a fun store, Boards and Bricks.  I wanted to get the kids one more Lego set each, but Brooke was not letting that happen. Come on, it's Christmas! Exactly, they're about to get a bunch of stuff tomorrow.  Instead of pie I got some kind of peanut butter cup cookie. Brooke and I shared since we're so in love still. Or she's turning into her mom. I didn't really want anything and it was too much for you so we shared.  I completely forgot that we do church on Christmas Eve. As soon as we arrived it was already time for church. We did not pack church clothes but did our best. And probably got me sick for the rest of the trip. Leave it to my mom to always buy treats for t...