muted monday: cat nap

sandbox

These are long overdue, but I wanted to share the photos from the day we put the first load of sand in the completed sandbox. We still need to tidy up the area in the background- most of that stuff will be moving out and we'll plant some flowers or something, but the sandbox itself is all finished!


Toy boxes all finished with kid-safe hinges that won't slam on their fingers.





Playing in the sand while it was still in the truck!



Hazel helped Grandpa steer the wagon full of sand down the hill to our back yard.



Dumping the sand in, and discovering the stash of new sand toys we had hidden underneath!




The kids got busy playing right away, while Grandpa made more trips with the wagon. I didn't get in on the hauling much during the first load, but I did the whole second load myself the following week- and I had the sore shoulders from shoveling sand to prove it!









Daisy even practiced her Zen Garden techniques a little.


Everything turned out so great- just how we had pictured. My dad really did an excellent job on the construction, as always. All the wood is so smooth and the toy boxes/bench are really nice. I am sure this will bring many years of entertainment for the kids. Thanks, Grandpa!!!

almost finished!

Grandpa has been working hard- today we get the sand! Here are a few photos from the construction yesterday.

project

My parents are visiting from Minnesota this week, and our project with Grandpa is to build a sandbox for Lyle. Well, all the kids can play in it, but I am guessing he will occupy it most of the time.

We picked a spot under the deck where the kids can play in the shade and where we can sweep the sand off the patio easily. Nothing grows there anyway, and this space has just been collecting junk and could use some sprucing up. So now we can reclaim it and fix it up. Updates later in the week!

muted monday: springtime is hard work

muted monday: chess in the front yard

muted monday: lyle's new shirt

vintage goodness in the mail

My cousin Jodi emailed me a few weeks ago, wondering if any of my kids would be interested in her childhood Barbie dolls that she was ready to part with. I assured her that one very lucky girl would be thrilled to take them into her care.




Stella didn't know anything about this package coming her way, so she tore into the wrapping of the mysterious package with her name on it, squealing with delight when she saw what was inside. She quickly set up in my room (where there was some open floor space and a door to keep her brother out) to explore the contents of her new box of Barbie treasures.




OK, she was hamming it up a little on that last photo. But you can see her great 6 year old vampire teeth so well in it! She is so cute with her new teeth growing in right now.


It didn't take long for her to get her brand new dolls from Christmas out and start trying on the jackpot of vintage clothing that Jodi sent. And I had to laugh when I saw the old and new dolls all nestled together when it was time to put them away. What a contrast between the two- painted on lashes and pink streaked mermaid hair, next to the real (if made from plastic hair) eye lashes and a modest blond bob.




Lyle was SO excited to see the little bag of stickers and other goodies that was included in this special package, with him in mind.



He stopped watching Speed Racer long enough to inspect and lay out the contents of his bag, and to plaster stickers all over himself and the furniture. And he REALLY likes Speed Racer.




Even the packing materials were fun!






Thank you so much, Jodi, for making their day! I am so grateful for the connection this blog has helped us keep with our relatives and friends far and wide, and it is so cool to receive something fun like that in return for sharing our lives with everyone here. Your dolls will definitely bring many hours of joy to Stella and I know that is exactly what you were looking for when you generously offered them. Thank you!!!

rainy day

It's super short, but we thought it was funny (and appropriate, since all we seem to have lately are rainy days...)

sleepy & super

A fairly recent development: Lyle does not take naps anymore, and instead goes to bed at night EARLY and EASILY. And doesn't wake up when you turn the lights on to take photos of him in his cute sleepy positions. :)








And here are just a few photos of Stella & Lyle's alter egos.

S H A Z Z A M !