Tractor Pull

After rescuing the tractor from the yard, its rolling again (strangely not mowing...). Almost repaired enough to beat the power of the HPX. We did a few laps again this weekend - the driver is the important part not the metal.... she navigated at rabbit speed between the vet and truck without scratching a panel - much to our astonishment. I think my favorite part of this toy is that technically there is no break. You remove your foot from mashing the gas and it automatically applies a break - which on blacktop results in a skid stop, very cool for a 2 year old.

And finally the slip-n-slide, you know 40% clearance at Fred's cause its July 24th. However, this is only day two of temperatures high enough to hit the outdoors in a 'kini. It was a bit short resulting in some skid stops on grass. No problem, we have grand plans for the DIY Slip-n-Slide. Its a terrible thing when you sit and discuss what mill strength would work best.

Grass

The new house has surprises around every corner, some fun some not so fun. Jon has explained many times the benefits of a larger mower deck on his riding lawnmower...that he hopes graduates to a John Deer One Series...but a deck as large as his truck?! This is a little ridiculous. We've had lots of good luck so far, it seems an investment in a new 'tractor' would be smart. The hot tub is working with less than $500 investment (new pump and new sensor), the kitchen is solid, bathrooms work (with your eyes closed) - the move so far hasn't cost a significant investment in surprises.

One very nice surprise is our cul de sac of neighbors - supportive and yet respectful. That second 'tractor' down there is the neighbors. As Jon stood scratching his head and replacing his hat (as he does when he is super angry and no one is there to yell at) - the neighbor cruised over with a spare (and then very respectfully left Jon to his space). The grass will not grow another week. The thought of cutting grass with 2 or 3 weeks of growth is the only thing I can think of that gives men nightmares. During another episode of mowing (at dusk in the rain - concluding in calling me at 9pm to get more gas), another neighbor brought Jon hot dogs...these guys must know to stick together!

Now I know why farmers sit and watch the grass grow - they are planning their route and thinking about the next time they mow. I'm sure many more discussions about 'the grass'.

Does a Marriage Good

Earplugs, they work as good for a U2 concert as they do for marriage. June 20 marks 13 years down this road. I was hopeful the road would lead to Hawaii...but turns out this flight has a layover in Clearview, WA. Thats okay, I hear the views are spectacular.

Daddy's Day 2011

Chalkboard Heart Dad Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly cards for Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Birthdays & more.

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Fathers Day 2011

Classic White 5x7 folded card

Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

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Shock and Awe

They talk to friends and family on cell phones and iPads. They cross continents in mere hours (despite how long it feels). They have unlimited movie selection at the click of a button. They bowl, golf, ski and surf...at home in the living room. They live - onDemand - in more ways than one yet, making popcorn in something other than the microwave shocks them. I was my 13 year old self this weekend, babysitting 3 kids. We colored, played toys, made cookies, made popcorn, made pizza and watched a movie (or two). I really saw the different personalities of kids and can't imagine having three myself. I also learned I am not smarter than a 5 (or 3) ((or 2)) year old....and yes...I did repeat the words of the great adults before me..."because I said so" ....

Everything did end well. I'm told I've earned the chance to have 1 adult night out bi-monthly in exchange for competing with my neighbors to be the 'fun house'. Its ON! I think I still have a record player around here somewhere.

Write it Down

I'm pretty sure someday I'll want to remind myself this once occured. Ching Ching to my perfect sleeper and eater....see ya in 12 when you tell me go away sunny.

Hunting....Easter Eggs, Florida Style

Sew Little Time

Dads shirt to lounge pants. I read this blog a while back that made me want to try this - and then I came across it again the other day. I was just lucky enough that Jon has ruined yet another shirt - so I had materials! In about 2 hours I whipped these up from the Kid Pant Tutorial at MADE. They don't fit perfectly and are way too long, but the pattern was for HER son. My task now is to figure out how to refine the pattern to fit Os measurements more precisely.

And Little Red Riding Hood from Oliver + S from Little Things to Sew (little is good). They have the greatest advertising that gets you to fall in love with the patterns. This is helping me learn the basics.

Get ready grandma...here we come!

Rumpelstiltskin

I finally finished 'doll bed with bed linens'. We have one in our house and gave one to a neighbor ....not sure how long it will take to find one of these at a garage sale...my house or theirs!

I did all the sewing and was the creative muscle behind this initiative; however I did require assistance. I basically made one bed - it didn't quite work (my hands were cold) and so I just quit{cue garage door slamming behind me}. Someone in my house can't stand to see materials put in the trash. He pulled out all the crooked air nails and had enough materials to make 2 beds... So like Rumpelstiltskin, I had gold in the morning. Then I made the mattress, pillows, fitted sheet, top sheet, pillow case and comforter.

Next I'm thinking about building (having him build) a highchair so we can have 'yunch' with the babies.

Round and Round we go

I swear I was just at Christina's bday party....has it already been a year? This year we were treated to unlimited carousel rides, popcorn cupcakes, pirates booty and pizza. Truthfully...I don't think I ate as much pizza in college as I have with kids....and its still BAD pizza! We gifted Mary Poppin's DVD to Christina in honor of the Carousel ride at her party.

See any traffic out there?

'Yunch'

Team Sport

Sittin' around in my jump suit and rollers all day.

Valentine

Peas be my Valentine!

Super Bowl

Its the wrong team and all - but at least the same sport and besides its a great pic!

Taking Turns

Life teaches us many things every day. Olivia is learning to share and take turns. Sometimes she'll share some things and other times not. Food is typically something not easily shared. We hypothesize this is the result of group eating she experiences daily with some very sneaky stealers. At dinner time under no circumstances do you take a 'bite' from her plate. If you do - our tattle tale will expose the thief and wince until apologies and hugs and kisses are administered. Recently she's been very accommodating with toys as long as 'turns' are taken. At a birthday party I was pleasantly surprised to witness sharing of a necessity (water). Back and forth the bottle went...probably not the last time we'll be seeing (or hearing) about this from these two.

Traveler Advisory

We have a long list of guests traveling to our house this year so I wanted to be sure we updated you on the latest home improvement project... So the good news - 1. I heart my Roku device (and Amazon on demand, Netflix and Pandora). This little box turned our television into an on demand device. I watch the NBC nightly news when I want to - without commercials. Shoot...once I even watched it at 5:30 and its not even broadcast until 6! Sometimes I'll just watch the today show and skip Bryan Williams all together. No more do I need to stay home glued to the television living my life according to the schedule of television executives (because I won't pay a subscription charge for a DVR). We have converted our Comcast cable bill into a $9.99 Netflix subscription (which I might drop to $4.99) and get Amazon Video On Demand for Free, and Pandora radio for free and a slew of other channels. It also turned our television into a huge digital picture frame - scrolling through our Picasa Albums. The Roku is wireless and works perfectly - get yours now and call your cable company and break those chains! The bad news....I'm guessing you figured out. We no longer have broadcast television. So if you can't survive a weekend without seeing a commercial for Empire Floors you might want to make alternative arrangements. Oh...and in case you need that constant talking head spewing what Rupert Murdock wants you to hear...the only one of those we get now is Al Jazeera - its free!

I think she likes it

We barely made it to the month of December before breaking out a xmas (or was it a bday) gift early. She seems pretty happy. I'm not sure if her smile reflects the excitement of knowing at 2 she's in charge of the household (and a lifetime of getting presents early) - or the train is just that cool.

The microwave has left the countertop...

Over cinnamon toast crunch it was decided to move the microwave. I had been dying to take a saber saw to the cabinet myself - but was told no construction was allowed until all the pieces were in hand (we need a new custom size door/drawer). I don't know what effect vacation had - but he must have missed his saber saw. Today at 9:30AM he thought it would be a good idea to just jump into the project. And now at 4:30 the project is complete (minus the door) and he's vacuuming my car. Somethings up, stuff just doesn't work like this in my universe. Our help was even helpful. I only heard a couple complaints about tools walking away...the level seemed to have grown legs and walked away (in Olivia's hand no doubt). Kitchen remodel of 2006 is almost complete, just need to finalize the refrigerator. I'm almost beaten down to accept a 38" standard depth rather than the 42" which will require drywall work. I hate cleaning up drywall dust.

Pretty Girls....

Know how to get dirty too! Big brothers birthday party was a Mighty Machine theme complete with chocolate cake. We made them put on their super soaker stain resistant wear for the cake eating ceremony.

Gymnastics

Turns out the best part of gymnastics is the sticker and cookies presentation at the end of each class. Hmmm...thats a farily expensive set of 5 cookies. Oh well - Olivia is progressing very nicely learning to do pizza's on the uneven bars, jumps in the hot-tub, donkey kicks, somersalts and back-rollovers - not to mention the climbing happening all over our house now. Whose idea was this again?