Living in Munchkinland

My mom came to visit this weekend! I picked her up from the airport and took her to Wash Park. We had lunch at a wonderful restaurant called Charcoal Bistro. We shared brussel sprouts, truffle fries and mussels and each had a glass of wine. Delicious! That evening we all went over to Paul's where he made us a fondue feast! We loved it! The kids had never had fondue before and it was a total winner. The kids also enjoyed Paul's hot tub. Unfortunately, neither kid was feeling well and when we got home, we realized Sam had a fever! The next day Sam was feeling better, but with cold like symptoms and no fever. We decided he was on the mend. I took Sam and Garrett to open gym and then to the mall while Davis played video games online and did homework. I met Suzy at the mall and we looked for polo dresses, but I haven't found one yet. That evening Michael and I cleaned up and then Mom and Paul picked us up in a lyft and took us to the Speakeasy Soiree where Le Pompe, a fabulous...

On Friday, I left school early with Sam, picked up Michael at home (who had flown back early) and our loaded car, and the dogs, and then drove and picked up Garrett early and then Davis from school and then headed up to Snow Mountain Ranch. The car was very FULL. But it was a happy car and we were looking forward to our weekend. The drive was difficult. The wind was very strong in the foothills and tried to push our car off the road. As we headed into the mountains and dark fell, the snow got very thick and the roads became more dangerous. Traffic was very slow up the switchbacks, but we stayed positive and patient and made it to Winter Park, where the snow quit and the rest of drive was easy. Our cabin was at the very top, which I love because that means we have spectacular views and it's right at the snowshoe path. That evening I cooked dinner and we played games and settled in. The next morning, the kids worked hard on a snowfort outside and Michael and I lazed about and read...

It's nice to be home sometimes. Just not for too long. In between vacations we do life. We play cards with Suzy and Jason, I cook (I'm ordering from sunbasket these days and I love it), I teach, Michael travels for work (three weeks in a row so far this month). I walk the dog, spend time with Sam, direct my show. Davis does homework, goes to school and sleeps. Sam tumbles at Snobahn or Active. You know. Life. It's pretty great.

On Dec. 30 we flew to Houston to spend the night and then in the morning meet Mom and Paul. On the 31st, we flew United to Punta Cana. The whole trip was on points! We arrived at the Hyatt Cap Cana Ziva which had only opened that November. The beach and resort were gorgeous! There were some kinks. Staffing was odd (our "butler" was fired while we were there!) and there were things not finished (spa, gift shop, teen club) and things that needed work (door locks, phones), but overall it was incredible! The food was delicious and abundant! The water park was so fun, with great slides and no lines. They even had food and drinks trucks over there. The kids spend almost every afternoon there. We spend our mornings on the beach with white sand, clear, turquoise water and gentle waves. We played bocce, and cornhole, took the paddle board out and took swims and walks. The kids often stopped to get ice cream on their way to and from the water park and drank more virgin daquiries than ...