A Team Week 177: Operation D.A.T.E. Home Mission

While Eric and I were on our own mission as a part of Operation D.A.T.E., Eric's parents chose to accept a mission of their own as part two of the operation: Caring for our boys.  Starting in the evening on the Friday before this week and continuing through this week (week 177) they took full responsibility for our kids; feeding them, getting Asher ready for school, caring for Avery's pink eye (which began the day they arrived), bringing Asher to and from school, getting up with them during the night, playing with them, and more.  Eric and I purchased the wifi package for our phones on the ship so that we could be in communication with them throughout the week (that was the ONLY way I was going to go someplace that we would have no phone ability).  While we were only able to FaceTime with them one time while we were on our trip (because it was just too hard on the boys) we did text back and forth with them daily to see how things were going and share pictures from our week.  Those pictures, along with more that I 'stole' off their phones when I returned home along with the texts and stories they shared afterwards are my best glimpse into how the week went on the Home Mission...

Saturday, February 3:

Crazy Morning Dance??...

Celebratory Birthday Muffins for Breakfast...

Video: Happy (belated) Birthday to Gramps

Avery sporting Grammy's glasses (which I'm sure she cleaned thoroughly afterwards due to the pink eye!)...

Puzzles with Grammy...

Sunday, February 4:
On Sunday morning we attempted a FaceTime session with everyone to see how things were going.  The boys were extremely excited to have a chance to talk to us and we talked for quite a while.  At the end though, when it was time to say goodbye, Asher started to cry and was very sad that he couldn't talk to us more and that we were not coming home for several days still.  At that point we decided to have no more phone calls and only message with Grammy and Gramps.  It sounds like the boys did pretty good for the remainder of the week with bouts of sadness here and there.  Asher had the hardest time (which is what I had figured would be the case), but for the most part it sounds like things went surprisingly well (at least from what Grammy and Gramps have told us).  One thing that did help was the daily surprises that I left for the boys.  We were told that the surprises were a big hit (thank goodness for the dollar store!) and that they were helpful in giving the boys a visual of how many days they had left until Mommy and Daddy returned.

(Pictures of surprises sitting out on Friday night before we left)

Crafting...

When FaceTime was over Grammy needed a distraction for the boys from their missing us.  Thank God for crafts!  Asher worked on his fuse beads and Avery worked more on his Sunday morning surprise (paintable sun catchers).

While we were on our 'date' the weather we experienced was quite a bit different than what they had at home.  On Saturday afternoon a snowstorm began in Kenosha and on Sunday the boys woke up to find a few inches of freshly fallen snow to play with.  This apparently entertained them for a while in the morning, but it didn't stop there.  The snow continued throughout the week and by the time Eric and I arrived home there was almost a foot of snow that hadn't been there when we left.  We were happy to have been able to avoid it and I think Grammy and Gramps were happy to have something to help the boys burn of some energy and get some fresh air.  From the sounds of it, the snow was a major source of entertainment during the week.  Here the boys worked hard to build a fort together on Sunday morning.

While they were outside playing Grammy sent me a few pictures.  I told her that I'm sure they'd love some hot chocolate when they came in the house and she said she was already starting to make it!  Then I told her to give it too them in Mommy's Owl Mugs...a special treat since they NEVER get to use Mommy's mugs when I'm home! ;)

Monday, February 5:
On Monday morning I thought that Asher might need a little humor as his routine had to return to 'normal' with Grammy and Gramps rather than Mommy and Daddy, so the boys' surprises for the day were funny face glasses and juice boxes.  I really wasn't sure how Asher would handle school in this varied situation because he really relies on consistency, but surprisingly he did very well all week long.

Wisconsin temps...our caribbean temps were almost 90 degrees higher :)

Tuesday, February 6:
Activity books...which paired well with the new markers that Gramps picked up for them the day before.

Wednesday, February 7:
Star Wars cereal bowls & candy conversation hearts...before school...

While Asher was at school Batman played with Grammy and Gramps.

Thursday, February 8:
Batman and Transformer bandaids...cause what kid doesn't love character bandaids?

Breakfast for Avery

Dinner.  Grammy sent this to us to show us that Avery ate spinach and liked it!  Mr. Picky?  What!?

Friday, February 8:
On Friday morning the boys got coloring posters as their surprise from us, but the better surprise was the additional snow that they woke up to along with the news that school was canceled!  Asher got a bonus day with Grammy and Gramps and an early start to the weekend!

Saturday, February 10:
Last Day!!  They finished the week out with balloons and treats reminding them of our love until we returned that evening!

Sunday, February 11:
Who needs surprises when Mommy & Daddy are HOME!!??  As soon as they woke up both of the boys bolted to our room to see if we had in fact made it home while they were sleeping.  They were so excited to see us and I couldn't help but smile as they talked nonstop for the next couple of hours to fill us in on everything we had missed while we were away.

After some catching up and snuggles with the boys in our room we headed downstairs where we gave the boys the souvenirs that we'd brought home for them.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Grammy and Gramps so they could head back home.

They boys were very happy to have us home, but were also very sad to see Grammy and Gramps go.  Still, we had a good rest of the day together playing, snuggling and resting up for a new 'normal' week ahead.

(4) Videos: Playing in the Snow