The Current Project

I mentioned in an earlier post that I've been working upstairs to clean and turn the jumbled mess into a peaceful, useful, organized space for relaxing, using the computer or doing any number of crafts. I have so many supplies and tools that I am unable to properly make use of our bonus room. Here are some before pictures: [but do notice that the various overstuffed bags dotting the room are full of TRASH and not things to keep--I'm doing my part to edit, edit edit!! My brother will be very proud]
I've shredded so much paperwork that I'm surprised that our shredded is still working, and I have a good friend coming to help me re-arrange and take it up a notch. I'll show you the finished product upon completion [which must be this week!!!]


If you have any suggestions, comment away! ;]

Chronicles of Trampolinia

The final installment about our dear, traveling trampoline. It was too big to fit through our neighbor's double gate [which led us to believe it wouldn't fit through ours] so we had to re-create in a much safer, controlled manner the original path it took the first go-round. Come on over and jump, but don't bump your head on the rail -- I need to call and see if I can get two new supports! :)

Trampoline be nimble,Trampoline don't fall,
Trampoline jump over the neighbor's wall.Tah-daaaah! Home again-home again, jiggety jog!

Milestone 7 dash S

Corben has reached another milestone - the seven year old's first ever sleep-over-at-someone's-house-other-than-family milestone. What a special treat to have a sleep over at someone's house on a night that would have been a regular school night - a Wednesday night. I heard that Corben and Devin (a good friend from church) stayed up telling stories, watching movies, playing video games and even had a campout on the living room floor!

We had Devin stay over at our house the next night, so the fun for the boys just continued. Madison and I had fun while Corben was at Devin's house and I worked upstairs and organized our office/craft room [that's a whole different post will you shall see shortly!].

Easter Weekend

Yes, yes....it's been a while since I posted - but with good reason. We spent the holiday weekend in Virginia with Lester and then with the Bousquet Family near D.C.. It was busy but it was really nice to be together as a family. Here's a rundown of the weekend:

Friday - drove to Fort Lee as soon as Corben got out of school, went out for chinese food, shopped for church shoes for Corben (yay for Kohl's!) and actually went to bed somewhat early (11pm) -- I guess that's what driving does to you.

Saturday - drove north towards D.C. with a stop at Walmart (still can't find the right bat for Corben), a longer stop at IKEA to browse the furniture and fun things they have there, but found the nightstands I planned to buy had changed for the worse AND the tv cabinet we wanted was out of stock (figures -- for BOTH), enjoyed the IKEA cafeteria for lunch (mmmm, swedish meatballs with lingonberry preserves - delish!), left the store with just a small bag but with plans to return on Monday to purchase the bigger stuff, continued on to the Bousquets (with a crazy detour from our gps, and to steal a phrase from a friend - Tom Tom, so Wrong Wrong!), ventured to Costco mostly for fun while the boys went to the grocery store and to pick up Guitar Hero for Jeff's 360, pizza dinner, played with their two new kittens, then after the kids were in bed did our part to help the Easter bunny, then played GH until waaay too late. Oh so fun!!! ILOVEIT!

"Strongly coloring the eggs"

Setting out the baskets for the nighttime visitor

Suzie rockin' out

Deep concentration

Happy Easter - surprise...the baskets are filled, a big breakfast with the traditional kielbasa (a polish tradition), egg hunt (even a dollar was found), church in new clothes (well at least for the children), and a delicious dinner to top it off. We had planned to go for a walk but it just got too late.

This is the photo you get when someone just won't hold still

Monday - still on a candy high, we packed everything up and headed back to IKEA this time with a purpose - bought two bookshelves with accoutrements (bins/drawers/doors) and a little table and chairs for Madison. After re-packing the truck we were on our way back down to Fort Lee, stopped for lunch upon arrival at my new fave lunchspot (I could eat it every day!) Panera Bread Company, unwound with the kids at the park, went to an amusement park (hit softballs, drove go carts - fun times), then went to dinner at Outback (no rules, just right....let's go Outback tonight). Lester and I struggled to stay awake watching The Great Outdoors, but found some energy to set up a fun ribbon hunt for the kids to get their Easter gifts from us.

Tuesday - Corben woke up wondering what the ribbon all over the place was for, but come to find out if he followed his green ribbon, it led to some special gifts - a digital camera, and a vacation at Walt Disney World this summer. He was extremely excited (really we all are very excited to go). Madison followed her yellow ribbon and found an Elmo aquadoodle floor pad and spent the morning drawing and coloring. We packed things up and headed home to enjoy the last three days of spring break.

We had a wonderful Easter - and hope you did as well! :)

Melodius Restitution

For anyone that has been reading my blog since last year, you may remember these posts [see here and here] and have known that I've been on the hunt for a replacement. Well the day of recompense has finally arrived!

I found this beautiful piano on craigslist [the ever present source of all things to be found] and was lucky enough to be the first caller. I immediately nabbed it and was fortunate to find someone to move it down here from a good distance away - about 95 miles at a reasonable price. I am so excited, and have already started cleaning it and plinking out tunes for the children much to their delight. Patience paid off! :)

Oh, and for a certain person who occasionally drops by the blog, this one is for you - I couldn't resist snapping a picture as I sped on by (it was on my cell phone, sorry it's so grainy--I hope you can read it.) Feel free to print it out and place it on your dartboard or punching bag....LOL