Go Big or Go Home

They might be Texans, these children of ours.  If you're going to get muddy you might as well do a disgusting job of it.

And I do not hesitate to inform you that I thoroughly enjoyed this part, even being sure to slosh some straight down the neck with strictly cold water.  It didn't do too much good for helping to rinse out the clothes but hopefully they remember it before they try this trick again!  Although, seeing as they went straight inside for a hot shower and Mom had hot chocolate before they were even dressed again I'm thinking the fun they said they had might still outweigh everything else.  And let me tell you I'm sure glad my Dad came to fix the broken sump pump because the washing machine doesn't run without it!!

Here's where Steve started this morning.  A VERY different day than what I'm sure he was expecting after yesterday's beautifully sunny, 7 degree day!

 We were (Steve probably even more than me) VERY thankful to have Dave and Les show up to give a hand, even though neither of them does this on a Monday - Friday schedule. :)

By the time they called it quits they had to hook up the garden hose to try and get clean enough to leave again.  Les claimed it the fastest way to lose 25 lbs :)  

 Ready for concrete.  A very messy, cold day but so much further ahead again! So thankful for the extra help!!!

Boy - noise with dirt on it...

I read that as a definition in a scrapbooking magazine MANY years ago... but I never forgot it.  Getting the excavator on top of the pile was a lot more sketchy looking but I didn't get a good picture.  But to quote Brian, who had a big grin on his face, "little boys play with little toys, big boys play with big toys."  Sure thankful for all the help here today getting it that much farther ahead!

ps.  The kids asked if they could go outside and I said, to quote again, "sure, but don't get filthy dirty."  I'm not sure what I was thinking!  :)

No going back

What it looked like when the kids left for the day.

 What it looked like when I left for the day.

 What it looked like when we all got home!

Of course, that doesn't show the organizing work and dump runs etc. Steve worked hard (again) today.  Too bad it's not a start today, finish tomorrow timeline :)

Chores...

don't have to be dull!  Take, for example, the thrilling job of emptying the dishwasher.

You grab two steak knives and yell, "HEY LOOK MOM, T-REX TEETH!!!!!!"

Out of the mouth of BOYS!

So, Cody just snuck out of bed and caught me watching Tessa and Scott doing their free dance routine from this morning.  I asked Cody if he knew I could skate that good... then I told him I was joking.  Then HE asked STEVE if he could carry me like that.  I told him I was too big.  His response?
Maybe he just needs a younger wife!!
Steve also asked him if he could skate as good as that guy.  His response?  I can't lift Cara up!! She's bigger than me!!!!  (the 19 min older comes into play again) :) :) :)  Love that boy!

Loved. Blessed.

Most of the time we talk about people sneaking around our houses we talk about things going missing... tonight we found out that someone was sneaking around our house in a very giving way!! Yup, smiles, mystery and surprise here tonight  I hope you see this. A big hug and thank you from us!

Unless, of course, it was you, Dad.  Then it was a very sneaky way to win :) :)  It better not have been!!!

Along with these on the table from my sis with the cute baby....bright spots here tonight! 

Dinosaurs

Cody's latest delightfulnesses!

• Coloring a beautiful pre drawn picture of dinosaurs and then adding a few details of his own..like two people... and then completing it with a very big story about a dinosaur poacher who was stopped by the other guy who shot the dinosaur with a sleep shot and dragged him somewhere safe from poachers.  :)
• And then today... his latest book titled, "t rex's r found by palaeontologists" 
• ( his spelling error is the fault of his mother who was just now corrected by the blogger spell check)  The inside of the book has all kind of colorful details that I am 100% unable to make out on my own.

A fascination with dinosaurs + great imagination = lots of fun!  and recycled paper :)

A Quick Visit

Opa and Papa had some meetings this morning but thankfully they were finished early enough to go for a walk before sharing Opa with the next eager grandchildren!

Cam needs a rollerblade instructor.  Any takers?  He sure isn't going to get any lessons from his mom!! :)

 Ball tag with Opa was enjoyed by all...

 even Opa who was picked on the most!

 And a great game of soccer to finish it off.

We sure did miss having Nana here!

A Master or Innocent???

So, a very effective way to make your mom feel guilty and refrain from getting frustrated with you for getting out of your bed yet once again.....!!!

Mom:  Cara what do you want now?  It better be important.

Cara with a serious face: It's important to me but it's probably not important to you!


She went on to reassure me she "won't ask for a pet because they are a LOT of responsibility and next year I'll be in gr. 1 and then you'll have to do all the work."

That may or may not have been the speech verbatim that I have given Leah nearly weekly for the last 4 years.

And yes, of course I told her to go ahead and talk instead of chasing her straight back to bed after that conversation starter!!!