Dirt

Not too long ago we had this idea to make over our front deck.  If you’ve been to our home you know that our yard is a work in progress…and there hasn’t really been much progress.  The grass is, well, not grass-pretty much only weeds.  About 95% of the property is extremely sloped.  Andrew wears soccer cleats to mow the grass and has tipped the lawn mower over on more than one occasion.  The only flat portion has these cement holes leftover from some kind of structure that’s no longer there. 

So, the deck seemed like a tackle-able project.  And you know, sometimes in life you need the satisfaction of completing something. I guess right now is one of those times because I am so excited about our “new” deck.

Recently I posted a picture of the front of our house.  Here is your “before” view:

There’s the front deck and there’s really nothing more to it than what you can see here.  See those slats in the railing.  Well, when we moved in last year they were unpainted. Our first project was to paint the slats.  That happened last Friday.

Then we made and hung these planter boxes:

The idea was for an herb garden.  So we’ve got mint, sage, chives, lemon balm, thyme.  Then an Arcelia for color…

Ok, pause, I just saw a woman shoot an arrow…like a bow & arrow, with her feet and get a bullseye. On TV, not in person.

Um, where was I? Then we decided to hang this planter that I used to have in my office in Houston.  I clipped some ivy from the only other presentable area of our yard (a small bed under our stairway that we have paid no attention to). 

Of course, Wade helped every step of the way:

This was pretty much his first experience to play in the dirt on his terms not ours and I’d say he enjoyed it.

Then we had to walk down the driveway to check out the streetview of the deck.

Oh, ya, here’s the view:

I know the rest of the yard will slowly come around but for now we’ll just enjoy our peaceful front porch and not look down at the yard!

Ummm….

Wade pooped in the bathtub tonight. Just thought I’d share.

It’s a…

I mentioned Andrew’s been working on my anniversary gift this week.  Well, he finished it this morning.  And even though tomorrow is technically our anniversary, he couldn’t wait to give it to me.  By the way, this happens at every gift giving occasion…sometimes I make him wait, but he was too excited about this. So here it is…

A birdhouse, that looks like our real house!!! How cool is that!?!

Have you ever made a dish explode in the microwave?

I have. Twice. Really? Well, ok, the 2nd time (tonight) the dish had been out of the microwave for several minutes before it spontaneously combusted.  I think that actually exemplifies even more super power on my part. 

The first time I was cooking bacon in the microwave which I believe is a fairly normal thing.  I cook it on a dinner plate all the time.  I believe that’s what the instructions on the bacon package say to do.  I heard a strange noise and then bam…my plate busts into a gazillion pieces.  The craziest part is that I took the broken pieces into Target, put on my best puppy dog face and they actually opened another set and gave me a new dinner plate.  Amazing.  I have new hope in Target’s return policy. 

So I got this great recipe from www.allrecipes.com for homemade potato chips in the microwave.  I would share the exact recipe link but I don’t want you to go exploding a dish (but you could just search potato chips and find it).  It says to cook potato slices on a plate in the microwave for 5-8min.  Not wanting to break another plate and having to risk Target not exchanging a second one (which, by the way, said “microwave safe” on the bottom) I decided to use a Pyrex glass casserole dish.  Surely Pyrex can withstand the power of my microwave.  So they cook for about 8 min.  I take it out and am taking the chips out one by one when suddenly shards of glass fly across the kitchen.  Did I mention I had also made hamburger buns from scratch? Yah, the dough was sitting right next to the Pyrex dish when it exploded. 

Of course, Wade had been hugging my legs right before it happened making that new sound I (do not) LOVE so much, how do I spell it for you…I don’t know the right letters.  You know, that sound pre-speaking toddlers make when they want something.  My super-mother instinct shot into action and I grabbed him out of the way so no one got hurt.  Except my dinner.

Poor Andrew tried to clean it up and salvage the hamburger bun dough but the glass was too hot to touch.  So, we put up the baby gate so Sammy couldn’t eat the glass (which he probably would have…not kidding) and abandoned ship. 

Anyway, we’ll see if Wal-mart measures up to Target on returning the Pyrex dish…which clearly states on the bottom (and that piece is still intact) “microwave safe”. 

On another note, sorry I haven’t shared many pics of the Wadester lately.  Next post…pictures only.  Maybe a few words. 

Guess it’s off to bed for me.  Andrew is downstairs in the basement working on my anniversary present.  I am totally clueless as to what it is.  He’s been working on it every night this week.  He’s using a saw and some other power tools.  He also asked where he might find a paint brush.  And he only spent $8.  And he said he isn’t following any kind of instructions.  Guess I’ll let you know Sunday!

Does he want a mint?

Curious title, huh? There were other considerations…among the finalists were:

• “Thank you Lord that I restocked the wipes this morning”
• “I used to pack an extra change of clothes in the diaper bag but he hasn’t had an explosion since…”
• “I’ll give $5 to anyone who can locate an item that does NOT have poop on it”
• “Birth Control”
• “Should I have tipped that Chic Fil A girl?”
• “Chic Fil A should have an outdoor hose available to customers”

Yes, my friends, we had a MAJOR diaper explosion at Chic Fil A today.  Moms of tots, take heed, lest you thought those days had passed. We met my friend Kelly (who has no children) for lunch today.  We had all finished eating and were chatting…when I smelled it.  After a quick peek, I could tell it was contained and decided to change it in a few minutes, right before we left the restaurant.  Mistake number one.  Several minutes later Wade got antsy and was asking to be held.  As I pulled him out of the high chair I noticed that there was something on his leg.  Further investigation led me to conclude that this substance was also on the high chair, his shoes, the floor and my diaper bag.  Shortly thereafter I put 2 and 2 together.  We rushed off to the bathroom.  Of course a nonhandicapped, non-baby toting young lady was using the big stall with the changing table.  So I stood there hold my son on his stomach across my arms.  All the while he is alternating between a cry and “vroom vroom”, still holding the purple car in his hand (this would be the only item that did not have poop on it if you were looking to collect $5).  For the first time in my life I used the strap provided on most public changing tables.  Here is where I proclaim “Thank you Lord that I restocked the wipes this morning!”.  Of course I used every last one.  I’ll spare you the details but I’ll just say this is when I was thinking about suggesting the outdoor hose concept.

All the while, I’m pondering what my friend Kelly is thinking (probably “well, that was enough birth control for the next 5 years!”).  And I’m also anticipating the mess that is waiting for me.  Well, praise God, Kelly had summoned a Chic Fil A worker (the one I probably should have tipped, or offered to pay her college tuition next year).  This girl is calmly and thoroughly cleaning every surface (including my diaper bag)…what a doll. Of course I thank her profusely to which she replies “no big deal, it happens pretty frequently” (really? hmm).  So, I’m standing at the table trying decide the plan of action when the Chic Fil A princess offers me a mint for Wade.  Hmmm, interesting offer.  The obvious is that a 16 month old should probably skip the hard candy for now.  But I’m really curious why a mint…of all the things to offer, why a mint?  She sees my puzzled expression and adds “for his breath, you know…in case he wants to get that taste out of his mouth”.  Huh? Oh dear. Sweet, sweet girl.  I glance at Kelly and it is evident she is coming to the same conclusion I am at the exact same moment. You think you are cleaning up throw up.  Do I enlighten her? Which is worse - cleaning up vomit or poop? Can I poll the other Chic Fil A customers? .  Vomit: 5; Poop: 20.  Let her live in oblivion.  We’ve got to get the kid, the poopy diaper bag, the dirty clothes and ourselves out of here ASAP.  Gathering it all up we make it to the car…Kelly’s face still looks as though she’s seen a ghost.  I buckle Wade in his seat then Kelly and I chat outside the car for 10 minutes.  By the time I get in, Wade has fallen asleep.  I didn’t have the heart to wake him up for a much needed bath when we got home.  So he’s currently sleeping in his bed…at the first signs of waking he will be commandeered to the bath tub for a scrub down and sheets will be washed…and bleached. 

Ah, the joys of parenthood.  Funny, as I was getting my hair cut this morning I was telling Jarrod about Andrew & my weekend away and how fun it was to golf and hike and tube and just do what we wanted when we wanted.  We agreed that doesn’t happen too often with little ones around…the list of outdoor hobbies that are kid appropriate is pretty short.  I guess Wade heard me and wanted to remind me how adventurous life with a toddler can really be!

P.S. Sorry this post doesn’t include pictures….really, though, you should be glad. 

I’m a Big Kid Now!

Yesterday we went to the Creative Discovery Museum since it was supposed to be rainy all day.  Wade wants to walk everywhere he goes now so the adventures were pretty much endless at the museum. 

All ready to go…and realizing exactly how cute he is!!!

  Listen, GiGi, this is a new recipe.  I promise this banana will taste great baked!

 

Gotta go pick up my girls! (yah right, in like 30 years)

Ok, I need everyone to act real serious.  See the minimum age on this toy is 3yrs… so just don’t mention that I’m wearing a diaper. 

Theoretically this smock will keep me completely dry…unless I sit down in a puddle. 

Walk this way!

Yesterday Wade turned 16 months old…and started walking!!!! We have been waiting for this day for months.  There were days when I kind of questioned whether he would ever walk! It’s been about a 2 month process but the other night he just took off…I think he actually surprised himself. 

So, we went to Bruster’s to celebrate!

I do have to give credit where credit is due.  GiGi came in town last Saturday and they have walked MILES together (holding hands) since then.  I really think her coaching gave him the confidence to start walking on his own!