Like father, like son

There's been a lot of acoustic guitar playing going on in our house lately.  A certain Mr. is not only trying to justify a recent purchase (ahem.), he is also involved in church worship and recently has discovered a few new artists on youtube to emulate.  Oh yeah, there was also that Phil Keaggy concert we went to awhile back...

I guess it's no surprise that I walked into the living room a few days ago to find this:

and then a few days after that, this:

all together now, awwww...

PS: yes, I know, we need a new kids' guitar.  Anyone want to donate to the cause?  Guitar must be able to withstand extreme pick work and repeated bashing into doorways.

Boy meets Drill

 hmm, wonder if mom will notice me sneaking in here to check things out?  Papa Nate's saw is a bit loud, but it does keep the brothers from interfering, so I guess it's ok.  Good thing he is used to kids on the construction site!

 

Well hello, pointy red and black thing.

Wonder what this button does?  Bummer, my fingers aren't quite strong enough.  Maybe next renovation time. I hear the porch roof needs replacing, and I am pretty good at climbing!

Granny Boo says this is a DRILL and it is dangerous.  cool!  (insert the loudest toddler version of a motor possible)

Hello skinny silver thingy.  You are very fun to bang.  I do wish the bubble would come out though. Maybe I can use that drill to help the process along?

This would work so much faster if I could figure out how that switch works...

Aw man, now everyone's back and Mom's feeling claustrophobic.  Maybe if I don't look at her she will think I can't hear her saying put the drill down and come eat dinner.  lalalala not listening and DEFINITELY not letting go!

drainage project

A few key notes:
*never give a 4yo a shovel and tell him to "go dig something"
*boys+large machines=momma got a LOT of reading time in this week.
*daddy thinks his new(ish) boots are pretty spiffy
*ducks do not like dump trucks full of gravel
*man I grew since the last belly shot.
*boy2 really thought that if he sprayed long enough, the treads on the excavator would come clean.
*we are grateful for workers who hide the keys to the skid steer/track loader/bulldozer (depending on who you ask) so that no harm will come while the boys are role-playing.
*it's not nesting when your house really is that filthy.
*hooray for the Academy finding enough $$ in their budget for this much-needed project.
*really hoping the new porch(es) are big enough for a grill, picnic table, and some patio furniture.
*Labour(sic) Day is coming. I'm just sayin'...


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up to lately

(pics that didn't make it onto the blog yet) If you ask nicely, I might consider more words about particular pics.

1. DSC_0059, 2. puzza with yaeger, 3. duck eggs, 4. monkey's dedication, 5. vroom, 6. comparing gashes, 7. CA great grandparents, 8. NY great grandma, 9. schoolwork, 10. mowing, 11. balance bike, 12. fireman, 13. book reading, 14. superhero, 15. denise and erin's socks '09, 16. striped tank (+baby belly)

ps on the striped cami: I made it! tutorial here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Birthday Weekend

Here are some pics from this weekend.

Tonka is learning to be a mechanic

Fixin' the wheel

OSHA was not involved with this operation. I don't think that Italy even has OSHA.

Birthday Cake!!

Tonka may have gotten a birthday haircut.

Tonka and a neighbor friend in the bouncy house

Momma and 'Fer not in the bouncy house

Birthday booty!!

There are lots more pictures on the computer. Maybe you can see them in a couple of weeks.

king of the hill

Oh, if only you could have heard the allocutions. I have a feeling I am going to get my money's worth out of this gym podium before summer is over!















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hand crafted for tiny hands

My sewing machine has been on the fritz for what seems like forever, so I'm turning to smaller projects for my crafty fix. Here's a few of the latest, including my porch/car project WIP (a dishcloth).

Happiness is...

Notes:
*"new" swing. Thanks Tiffani (sp?)
*spring=naked babies. you didn't know that?
*I thought they were just about the same orange until we went outside. cfl=weird lighting.
*not a stick. a sword.
*yes, basically SOOC. I upped the saturation in a couple and cropped a couple.

supposed to be birthday presents...

...but I couldn't wait. Look what we got in the mail this week from this lovely etsy seller!!











I...er...Tonka and Monkey...have been playing with their new toys almost nonstop since the package arrived.











Not pictured is one more puzzle; mama whale's tail was broken a bit in transit and is waiting for her glue to set before being introduced to the boys.











We were hard-pressed to part with mama turtle and her baby, but I had already promised them to one of Tonka's best buds, whose own mama happens to have a bit of a turtle obsession.















Please do pop on over to check out Mama Cat's shop and blog, her husband is almost as talented woodworker as my own father and they are Christians to boot. I am still drooling over so.many.items. (hint hint...their birthdays are in may and july)

yup, all boy.

"new sliiiiii!!!!" (yes, from the dumpster)

"be fare-cul...wash: go dow sli!!"








"bonk! nose! slii!


"'gain? 2...4....go!!!!" (note the bloody nose)

birthday happenings part 2

sorry for the poor pic quality on most of these, I forgot to change the settings on my camera!

Did I mention we were having a pizza party? Anyone that knows me knows this was a stretch for me, but it was quite enjoyable in the end :) I ran out of pizza and was commissioned (except no money, so I suppose "voluntold" would be a better word) to host a Mom's club event on bread/pizza making next month, so it must not have been too terrible.

There were tons of people there, even though we didn't send out invitations (bad us), and Tonka made out, even though I said "no presents necessary, bring food instead" ad nauseum. A few questions answered:
*the smudge on the monkey's face? definitely frosting.
*the other baby: 2 days younger than mine and super cute. the newest addition to this family, nicknamed "m&m" by the hospital staff.
*mohawk kid and naked girl and sword fighters: various friends' kids. Fun was had, let me tell you.