Another Home Project...

I never posted about another home project that we did....because we paid someone else to do it.  And it took so long to find someone else to do it, it was kind of ridiculous.  When we moved in, this side of the yard was weeds, and a few dilapidated raised beds made of cinder blocks and cement.  Early in the summer Derek and Clark cleaned it all up.  Derek even rented a bobcat and a jackhammer for the effort.  Then we spent all summer looking for a landscaper to extend our sprinkler system to this side of the yard and put in sod.  We finally found someone who did a so so job.  We also took out some flowerbeds on the other side and filled in with more sod.  Our backyard is much more playable now!
Eventually we would like to get a play set for this side of the yard.  Santa has contemplated bringing one...but we will see.  They are pricey!

Sunday Seminars

Every once in awhile as  parent I have a breakthrough.  An idea that is probably inspiration from on high.  This idea (I think) is one of those.  I was wondering what to do with all the work that comes home from school.  On school nights I don't really have time to talk to each of them about their school work as we rush from thing to thing.  But they (especially Sarah) would get upset if I threw it away right away.  And, I wanted them to know that what they are learning matters!  

So, I came up with the Sunday Seminar.  I keep all their papers from the week in their file.  Then on Sunday, they get them all out.  They have a few minutes to review what they learned during the week.  Then they have up to 5 minutes to share what they learned at school during the week.  Then they can choose one or two papers to keep and we recycle the rest.  The best part is that they are really excited about it! 

I think Libby is the one who created the podium.  She shared with us something she learned at church rather than at school, but hey, it was her teaching something.  

Sarah teaching...

Even Ben got in on the action!

Bye Bye Binkies and other Ben related news!

This has been a big week for Ben.  I bought him his own IKEA Jr. chair and got his high chair ready for the attic (or maybe Craig's list, still deciding).  Then last Sunday when we went to put him to bed, we discovered that the only binkie we could find had a rip in it.  (I knew there was one more around, but we didn't know where it was).  So, we decided it was time to say goodbye to the binkies.  Last Sunday night was a tough one.  He got up several times.  Once he said, "I heard a binkie noise in my room!"  And the most frequent request was to go to the "Binkie Store".  It actually was breaking my heart...but I know it is the right thing to do.  He was using it WAY too much.  It was slowing down his speech a little bit--and I'm sure the dentist will be SO happy.  After Sunday night he slept just fine (and when I came down to workout on Monday morning, I found the other binkie in the Ballroom, but I hid it on top of the fridge).  But that didn't stop him from longing for binkies any time he thought of it.  I feel a cross between the meanest mommy and the best mommy for making him grow up.  He really is getting so so big.  I had to get him some 2T/3T pants this week!

This is Ben's favorite game right now.  We play it almost every morning and any time we get out of the car when he has his blankie.  (Which he isn't taking anywhere now that he doesn't have a binkie--GREAT!)  Ben hides and we have to "look for him".

Surprise!

I am really enjoying the time I have with him all day when the girls are in school.  We went grocery shopping this week.  I promised him a treat.  He choose lofthouse cookies (and ate one while we were shopping).  Then at the checkout line decided that cookies aren't really a treat and he needed something else.  I refused.  In the car on the way home he said, "Mom, I am so frustrated with you!"  Then he proceeded to list his grievances.  It was so adult!  So I said, "Did that make you feel better to share your feelings with me?"  "NO!  I AM STILL MAD!"

He is learning his letters!  I think he actually  knows more than I think.  I left a stencil on the floor a few weeks ago and he said, "Who left this F?"  Also at IKEA he saw the Registered Trademark R on the cart and laughed because the R was upside down.

He has also decided that he has 2 girl friends.  One is Evelyn (Sarah's school friend) and one is Lucy (a girl from church).
It is harder for me than I thought it would be to have my baby grow up!

Ben learning to take pictures...

He saw our outfits on Sunday (I got dressed first, for the record) and said, "You guys are matchy matchy!  Give me your phone so I can take a picture."

A Sporty Weekend

We had an amazing weekend.  It was the Shorewood vs. Shorecrest game.  Derek had to work, but Maren and Clark accompanied the rest of us to the game.  We got there WAY too early, and we got a little bit wet at the pre-game BBQ.  But it was fun until about 1/2 time when Ben decided he was ready to go.  We made it through 1/2 time and the large group photo.  I will try to post that picture if I can find it.  Every year they take a picture of the whole stands.  

On the way to cheer on the T-birds.  We have the best Aunts and Uncles!

Saturday morning was a Husky game.  Stanford beat the Huskies, but Ben had a good time cheering with Dad before he left for the game.  

Learning to put his DUBs up!

We picked up the Nortons from the park and ride after the Husky game and then went straight to the Mariners game.  This game actually mattered!  If the As lost and the Mariners won, the Mariner's post season hopes would still be alive.  The game got SUPER intense!  The game was tied in the 9th.  The Mariners had the bases loaded with 0 outs.  Ben was SUPER done (it was 9:30 by this time).  But we had to see them score--it would surely happen.  But it didn't.  The Mariners stranded all 3 runners.  We left as they headed into the 10th.  When we got home we put the kids down with the game on pause.  We finished the game after we got the kids down....and the Mariners WON in the 11th!  It was awesome.  So it is another must win situation today.  And the As must lose.  If both those things happen, the Mariners will have a 1 game playoff with the As on Monday.  I have always loved baseball.  The energy was ELECTRIC!  Some of my fav pics from the game ...

Ben cheering and dancing.  He is a great stadium dancer!  

Mommy and Libby selfie.  You can see our seats were club level.  Pretty great!

Mom and Sarah selfie.  She is holding up her rally towel.  

Ben ate a bunch of Derek's fish and chips.  And wiped his greasy hands on dad.  

Libby and Clark going crazy cheering with their rally towels!

Ben's Bedroom--FINALLY

For those of you who have been following the Ben's Bedroom SAGA...it is finally done.  (Well is any project every really done?)  But it is done enough to blog.  When I get the other magnets made for the lockers, I'll post a pic.  I decided the best way to show you the finished product was a little walking tour.  At the end I will list a few things that I learned (or relearned as the case may be...)

BEFORE...We replaced the gold carpet before we moved in...and I definitely took those curtains down instantly.  But other than that, this is what it looked like until I started work last month.  I started moving him out into the guest room on August 8.  Finished on Sept. 25th.  WAY longer than the 2 weeks I planned.

Here is a video walk through of the finished product.  I am VERY pleased with how it turned out.  Libby said it just  made her jealous that their room was not cool enough.  Ugh.  Please.

What I learned...
1.  The project was much more enjoyable when I brought the iPad along and watched home improvement shows (for motivation) and Law and Order.  Seriously couldn't have made it through without this.
2.  Our house is big, therefore, no project is small.
3.  Having a double long level is very critical (thank you RAY!)
4.  Stenciling isn't as easy as it might look.
5.  Never put the wallpaper steamer directly on the carpet (the damage isn't too bad, but I can tell where it was sitting.)
6.  Going to Home Depot 4 times in one day is perfectly normal, if frustrating.
7.  Spray paint is awesome!  I used it for the alphabet magnets and to update some of the black frames from his old room.
8.  When in need of inspiration, Hobby Lobby.
9.  Electrical work isn't that scary!  I replaced the switches and outlets, and the light fixture all by myself!
10.  I need a break from projects!

Hobby Lobby :)

Hobby Lobby again!

Here is a better pic of the magnets I spray painted.  Gotta teach that kid his letters.  

Quick Week in Review

What I wish I was posting are the before and after pics of Ben's room.  I am SOOOO close.  But not quite there.  I made it to IKEA this week and Derek helped me put the final pieces together.  But of course I can't use them just as they came.  I am putting shelves instead of bins inside one of the things I bought and I still need to put up the light fixture.  So, next week.  I promise.  Maybe even mid-week.  Because I need to start scraping the popcorn ceilings in the living room to make way for the new lighting going in.  (Last project of the summer....or that should have been finished during the summer.)

This week felt like a normal school week is probably going to feel like.  A little busier than I would like it to be, but fun.  And it went really, really fast.

Libby proved she can tie her own shoes!  But she still can't get them tight enough.  This girl likes all shoes SUPER tight.  Which is a problem with Sunday shoes.  Sigh.  

We are having some fun mornings because I have decided not to do anything but workout and read my scriptures before school.  (No cleaning or projecting which tends to leave me frustrated and unsatisfied.)  The only less fun part is when Libby has to do any homework that includes writing.  Especially if her brother and sister are around distracting her.  Ugh.  

Ben had 2 playdates this week. He loved it, but it wore him out!

Yesterday during Sarah's dance class Libby wanted me to take pictures of her with the mannequins at Old Navy.  

Ben didn't want to be left out.

Libby wanted me to post this, to prove that she loves dogs.  She wanted me to post it right then, LOL. 

Sarah tried out for the Nutcracker at our studio for the first time yesterday.  Libby tried out too, but wasn't interested in leaving her number on for a picture.  They will both be Bon Bons this year (pretty sure that everyone who tries out makes it...)

We finished the week with the Husky game yesterday.  A DATE!  (With Clark).  The first half was pretty ugly.  The Huskies went down 0-14 to a team that in its 5 years of existence has only won 1 game.  But the Huskies came out looking much better in the 2nd half.  Whew.  (Derek feels it is because the coaching staff heard him yelling through his improvised megaphone (coke cup) to put in Lindquist (back up quarterback).  Which the coaches immediately did and the team scored!)

Salamander...

We have been having a great time in the car listening to a song that Soren and Emily recorded for our family music CD this last Christmas.  It is called the Salamander song.  

Imagine our surprise and delight when our gardener found a salamander in the garden yesterday!  (Libby assisted her in her work for almost the whole 2 hours).  (And BTW, if it sounds like a luxury to have a gardener, it is...but I think I would give up the money out of my grocery budget if I had to.  It is AMAZING to have someone else do the weeding and yard cleanup for you.  I got Ben's curtains made yesterday while she worked.)

I held the salamander after I watched Ben and Libby both hold it.  It was totally still for them.  As soon as I put it in my hand it started crawling up my arm.  I kind of freaked out.  Okay, I totally freaked out.  I don't like things crawling on me.

We put it down on the back deck.  Libby came in to ask if I could "Look up on the internet what lizards eat so we can feed our new pet."  I helped her look.  When we went back out, Sammy Salamander had wisely found a new place to hide.   But, in honor of our Salamander, we did a recording of the song for Soren and Emily this morning.