New Decks, Long Hours

These past few weeks have been just a little bit more than crazy. The weather's warming up so I guess it's about that time. 

Last weekend, we had a new deck installed. Our previous deck was installed probably the same time as the house was built and that's been around 25 years ago. We knew it was rickety and when we went out there one day earlier this year and a post cracked off of it, we decided it was time to do something. Once our tax refund came in, I searched around and found someone to do the job. Thankfully, the base didn't have to be replaced, but the steps and all the wooden decking needed to be done. We also decided to go for a different style of railing and I think it turned out really well! It was just stressful because we couldn't have the kids around the house since there was no railing on the deck and they could fall 25 feet down if they tumbled over. So we spent most of the weekend at my mom and dad's. They fed us all weekend and let us borrow their house. We did come home to sleep but we put tape over the door so no one could get out. Ha! 

We did go to the Nature Center last weekend to get out for a little bit. Luke was very excited to go see the Red Pandas, which he's been looking forward to since the beginning of the year. 

Work has been busy with lots of things going on for Dillon and me both. Yesterday I worked the entire day at a health fair here in town and needless to say it hasn't felt much like a weekend. Today was spent returning stuff to Lowes, getting groceries because our pantry was bare and birthday parties. My uncle Bob is also in town visiting for the next few weeks so I tried to squeeze some good time in with him. We're all looking forward to hanging out while he's here and I'm hoping the weather will warm up so we can all get out! 

Next weekend we'll be celebrating Luke's 6th birthday (a few weeks early!) Since we're traveling on his birthday and the weekend after we return is Easter, we're having a small party a few days early. I think he's most excited about the presents he'll receive, but we're looking forward to spending some time with family and all going to see a soccer game next Saturday! 

I hope this week will slow down for us some, but I doubt it will. I'll just keep hanging on! 

Happy birthday Josie!

Luke drew this today! It's him and me at the beach!

My ramps! I'm growing them up at the top of our hill and they actually came out! I'm going to try and get a good patch going! 

I know he should have a helmet on, but it was an impromptu ride down the hill. He seemed to be ok. 

 

Luke's First Soccer Game and Warmer Weather (Kind of...)

Look at this! I'm typing up another blog post and March isn't even over yet! I knew this is how it would be... Everything is always so slow early on in the year and then it all picks up and we're busy for the rest of the year. This weekend has been good, a little crazy, but good. Last weekend was the time change and it always seems to throw us all off. Everyone's grumpy, everyone needs sleep. And while I'm enjoying the extra time in the evenings, I still hate any change to routine.

Yesterday was Luke's first soccer game. He's joined the ABYSA group and is in the 6 year group (because, well, he turns six in a month.) They do it really well with this group and split everyone up into small groups, do a thirty minute practice session, then a 20-30 minute game where they just rotate the kids in and out. It keeps the littles entertained and active. In fact, Luke fell asleep in the car yesterday on the way home. Plus, it was FREEZING. The weather forecast had said it would be close to 50 which is really reasonable in my book, but I guess what I missed is that the wind would be whipping the whole time. We took a picnic and had lunch with my mom and dad at the field, but I thought we'd all be frozen popsicles by the end of it. Next weekend it's supposed to be almost 70 so I'm hoping the weather will cooperate more.

The weather was considerably better today, and we had a catch up day. I cleaned laundry and we were able to hang out with our neighbors this afternoon. Luke and Oakley are in the same class and are best buddies. They would practically live together if we'd let them. Oakley's little sister, Tesla, came along and all 4 played in the backyard while the mama's caught up. It was a lovely afternoon!

Next weekend, we're having our front deck replaced. I think that it must be original with the house and it's about to fall off the side of the mountain, so it needs to be done.  I just dread the huge amount of money it will cost. HA! It will look super nice and I'm excited to have a good place to hang out this summer. We've decided to keep this house for the long haul so we're slowly taking steps to get it where we want it to be.

We're gearing up for summer and I'm getting excited for the break. Luke will stay with my mom and dad three days a week and then I will switch my schedule to be off 2 days a week. I want to take them to the splash pad and the Nature Center and to the pool and maybe the zoo. I have ambitious thoughts so I hope I can keep up with it. I'm just looking forward to a break from the routine, not having to pack lunches in the morning and maybe sleeping in just a little bit longer. More fun stuff to come!

Yeah. That's how I really felt about it.