When Dad's away...

... the kiddos will play. 

It seems that whenever Justin goes away for a day or two I find that the kids and I do a lot things that we might not usually do. Maybe it's novelty since he isn't away often. Or maybe it's just that I spend so much more 2-on-1 time with the kids when he is gone. For whatever the reason, the past two days have certainly continued that trend. I was able to catch a few of the activities in pictures but many more that I missed such as Jam Time with Abby & Logan, a hike with the dog, loads of laundry (literally!), making apple coffee cake, and early morning cartoons in bed. It's been a fun start to the weekend but I'm looking forward to J getting home tonight and things getting back to normal. I'm tuckered out!

The guest bathroom saw lots of progress. Just need to go shopping for all the trim 

lumber before I can move forward and that is definitely a two-parent or zero-kid activity! 

 Tot soccer began today. After the initial trepidation Anna rocked it!

Luke had fun kicking the ball and yelling "Home Run!"

  

Anna consulted on a new haircut for Lucas. What do you think?

Pancakes, melted cheese, and sausage for dinner with Lady and the Tramp.

What a great way to end the day!

1st Annual Block Party

We've been in our place for nearly four months and I keep waiting for the "shine" to wear off. But it hasn't and I'm starting to think that we've just stumbled into an amazing place to call home. And today's 1st Annual Block Party really reinforces that!

A few months ago our next door neighbor Kelly started planning a get-together for the neighborhood - the numbered streets of Maynard. Although it was a bit steamy, and a few storms boomed around us, there was a great turn out. We were able to meet new neighbors, hang out with friends, and let the kids play in the street. There were people who had been in the neighborhood their entire lives, newbies like us, a great feast including 30lbs of ribs, a bouncy house, and - Luke's favorite - a visit from the Maynard Fire Department.

 

Can't wait until the next year!

(And next year I'll try to take more well rounded pictures. We were just all very excited by the big trucks! And how can you resist the joy on his face. Thanks Dawn and Rebecca for a few of these photos)

Before / After

One month past move in weekend we are really starting to feel at home! We have fallen head over heels in love with Maynard and the neighborhood. And although we still have much work to do (and will have for decades to come!), I wanted to share some before and after pics to memorialize some of the work that we've done to date. We certainly couldn't have done it without all the support, heavy lifting, and skills provided by all of our family and friends. Much love to everyone!

Only Mother Nature can take credit for this metamorphosis but it sure is spectacular!

November 2011

May 2012 - Check out that Dogwood!

The back yard is the most dramatic change visually and one of the best decisions we've made to date. 

With the broken down extra large pool there was no safe place for the kids to play.
And the fence kept out the world.

Now it is a welcoming, safe place for everyone - including bunnies, ducklings, squirrels, and more!
And they've stayed out of our gardens so far.

The bedrooms upstairs were nearly inhabitable when we closed on the house (I only say "nearly" instead of "totally" because there had been people living there recently.) We tore up carpet, deodorized the floor, kilz-ed everything possible, painted, and scrubbed every surface repeatedly!

The kids have two rooms - one for sleeping and one for playing. As they get older they'll each get their own space. But for now, a play space is fun for all. 

The kitchen doesn't look too bad in this picture but what you don't see is the moldy fridge that is missing drawers and shelves, the smashed glass stove top, the light fixtures that don't work, and the microwave that doesn't cook or vent.

With hand-me-down appliances from generous co-workers, a new counter and place for a dishwasher, and part of the cabinetry removed, it is now workable for the next few years until we decide to undertake a renovation project of larger caliber. 

The half bath upstairs was supposed to be the "easy win". But... it was much more work than we had anticipated. The extra primer, the torn up floor, the priming of the floor, and it goes on. Boy was I delighted when that project was done!

Stay tuned. The journey has just begun on Third Street!

Family = Free Labor!

Mom and Dad, my cousin Seth, and his daughter Ella came down from Vermont for another weekend of work. This followed a busy couple of days last week with my brother and my folks. Although there is still a lot of work to do prior to moving weekend, this felt like we were getting closer to finishing projects that require lots of tools. And let me tell you, lots of tools were used! Seth's car was loaded with fun tools such as a drywall screw gun (so much his wife, Shannon, wasn't sure where Ella would fit!). Having his expertise and the right tools made the jobs go by faster. Many, many thanks to all of my family. We couldn't do it without you! Here is a sampling of the projects we tackled:

Dining Room Floor

Last weekend Dad and Scott patched the hardwood in the Dining Room using wood that my brother had pulled out of his kitchen when he remodeled it nearly two years ago. This weekend Justin and Dad sanded, and sanded, and sanded until you couldn't even tell it was patched. Next up: stain.

Master Bedroom

Since the downstairs bathroom has been reduced to studs there is a good deal of urgency to replace to the shower in the master bath. We started last week by getting the tub and surround in. Dad, with supervision from Trooper, plumbed it. Seth, Dad and Justin installed the greenwall and corner rounds. They also reworked the electrical to install a vent fan and a dimmer switch on the vanity lights (I think every bathroom needs a dimmer switch!). Luke, Anna, and Ella helped wash the walls to start prepping for painting. 

 

 Kids' Rooms

Since the kids like sharing a room we've made one of the rooms into a bedroom (the green room) and one into a playroom (the orange one) and figure that in a few years they'll probably want to separate. This weekend Mom and I finished the painting in each room.

And what is a work weekend without a good romp in the dirt mountain?

We're looking forward to having Bill and Gail Hemm come next weekend to see the house. I'm sure it has been killing them to be so far away through this process. But don't worry - we'll make sure they get their hands good and dirty!

All work and no play...

...isn't much fun! Especially in this beautiful surprise summer weather in March. Every day this week we've been able to get out and play.

My rule is your are only allowed to eat Popsicles outside 

And here is why!

Anna is watering the flowers and the compost