Who's ready for spring?

Anybody? I think our whole house is ready for spring to come, all for different reasons. Schuyler can't wait to get outside and play soccer, daddy's itching to golf, Eli loves mud and puddles, Mackie's ready to ride her bike and trike, and I'm just tired of looking at my walls = )

This past weekend spring showed a hint of itself. The kids went wild on Sunday. I think Schuyler went through 2 outfits. Somehow she managed to cake herself with mud = ) Actually, Eli did too! Schuyler tested out the swings, sandbox, bicycle (after I put the chain back on), and of course was rounding up any willing soul to play soccer in our mud-pit of a front yard. (The backyard is even worse). One lady who was walking her dog even made the comment, "She reminds me of myself when I was young. I was always hard on my clothes but I loved to be outside. Still do". Secretly, I love that Schuyler is enjoying soccer and getting so dirty. Even though it irritates Mark who feels like she is ripping up the front yard. The yard will grow back and you can't tell me he didn't rip up his front yard when he was a little boy= ) Eli is perfectly content chasing any type of ball around and splashing in puddles. Once he found them, you couldn't keep the boy away.

Eli had a tough week. He's still working on some teeth. His daycare provider said he was a little unbalanced on Friday. So much so, he fell into a door and got a nice black and blue eye. Then, on Saturday, he woke up with his eyes crusted. He managed to take a spill while trying to climb onto the kitchen table so he added a cut, fat lip to his injuries. Ends up poor boy had a sinus infection. He most likely had pressure from his teeth and pressure from sinuses. No wonder he had balance issues.

In between the catfights, I've been observing some real sweetness between the girls. The other night, I found them cuddled on the couch laying together watching TV. They seriously didn't move for an hour (they were watching a movie). I also saw Schuyler cry for the first time during a movie. She said it was a happy cry. Poor girl gets her sappiness from her mom. It was "Rescue Dog" or something. She wants to buys it= )

Ones last thing on my lengthy post, last week was Parent's night at school. The kids could show parents some of the different work they do during the day. Schuyler is learning multiplication and can add thousands. McKenzie is working on her sound book. Mr. Tim said that Schuyler is extremely hard working and very determined. She doesn't do something b/c a teacher tells her to or b/c other kids other doing it, she does it for herself. That's cool! McKenzie has typically been easily distracted by friends and is very social. She is now starting to dig in the work and is not as distracted by friends. That's cool, too!

Here are 2 recent ones of the girls. The last is from this summer and I game it a vintage feel. I wasn't sure of it at first but it's really growing on me.

Good help comes in small sizes!

Look who wants to be part of the action! Not a surprise. I'm still constantly amazed at how different he is from the girls. I understand that every child is different but I'm also a believer that boys and girls are different! He loves when they vacuum or the sound of the saw or pounding. He continues to climb! He has learned to climb onto the kitchen table. There really is no child proofing in his case!

We had a great Valentine's day! Mark made dinner, shrimp and noodles, and we enjoyed it by candlelight with the kids. I was also the first to experience the whirlpool bath, although I did have 2 intruders = ) Then I got to pay bills. That part wasn't so fun!

I am enjoying the day with the kids as none of them have daycare! Things are actually relaxing.

Progress...

Yes, progress continues on the bathroom and we are all still alive! See picture #1 below.

If you are ever contemplating any type of remodel, there are some things you should keep in mind.

• Don't even bother dusting. No matter how often you try, there will always be a thin layer of dust, of thick layer depending on the work being done.


• Tiredness for both! Dad for doing the labor and mom for trying to maintain house, entertain kids, break up fights, etc... My next point relates to this.


• The only time you will see your spouse and have time to actually talk it sometime around 11 or midnight when you are both dead dog tired and don't have enough energy to talk.


• Household chores will fall behind. Dishes pile up so just use paper plates! Laundry also falls behind, do enough so people have clean undies.


• Noise will be at an all time loudness at times. Think tile saw, screaming toddler who wants your attention, and two girls cat fighting!


• Leaving the house is mandatory sometimes. It's best, for the workers and the kids = )


• Specifically relating to bathroom, kids do prefer baths to showers. At least ours.

The below picture should some it up. Eli getting bathed in the sink next to a pile of dirty dishes!

All sarcasm aside. It is looking so nice!! And, all in all, it's okay. I think we are hoping to be done on the 13th!

Today was a snow day! We all stayed home in the a.m. and then took Eli to his daycare in the afternoon. The girls and I went sledding. I was a little leary because Mack is a fare weather child. However, today I saw a side I've never seen. She LOVED the snow. When I thought the hill might be to big or she was going too fast, nope. Sheer excitement on her face. Schuyler has always loved sledding so I new she would have a blast. She saw one of her good friends there which made it that much more special. We were there for 2 hrs!!! I think we will sleep well tonight.

Here is a recent one of Eli...