Bite!

Cricket doesn't often like to play with Parker, but once in a while the mood will strike her and she chases him around. He has the perfect sized limbs, fingers and toes for her to attack. A few days ago Parker came running through the house being crazy, and Cricket took off after him. They played great for a few minutes then Cricket bit his foot (totally playing). He cried and let me cuddle him for about a minute. He got off my lap, stomped off and got a piece of paper & a pencil. He sat back down, and in a ticked off voice said, "Mom how do you spell 'dumb'?" It has been hanging on the fridge since.

Week 5 Recap

This week quite a bit got done, but not a lot that you can actually see. They did finish getting the roof on, most of it before the snow hit. The cabinet guy came and marked up the floor to give us a final estimate on our cabinets, the plumber was there running lines, the HVAC guy was there and got the furnaces in and ran duct work, the sheetrock guy and insulation guy came to measure and the electrician was there to mark where the lights will go. Oh, and my favorite, the fireplace was put in. Monday our "four way inspection" is scheduled to be done. I'll admit I have no idea what that is but apparently it is a really big deal. If I figure out what it is, I'll let you all know. ;-)

This was the last day of sunshine before the storms hit. The framers worked until it was pitch dark to get the roof on before everything got wet.

We have been itching to get upstairs and check it out but the stairs are not in yet. We found some boards that we could climb in the laundry room & squeeze through an opening to get up there. Travis and Parker got up no problem (Parker is part-monkey.) Preston got up but it scared the crap out of him and he would not come down. I just stuck my head though. I was convinced my fat arse would get stuck in the hole! So as of yet, I've not seen the upstairs.

Parker was thrilled to get upstairs and see his room! His exact words, "it was so awesome!"


Yea! I really missed having a fireplace at our last house. I can't wait to curl up by it with a good book.

Everything in the house is soaking wet.

This is where the stairs will be to the upstairs. I guess if they never build them we can just keep shoving Preston up through the hole and listen to him scream!

Stop!

I woke up during the night last night and realized how bright it was outside. It was the brightness that either hits you with panic because you think you've slept in, or you hope it's Christmas morning and it is going to be a white Christmas. It was white all right, but it's October 27th! For the love of Pete STOP! FINISH! QUIT! NO MORE! HALT! STAND DOWN! END! CEASE! LAYOFF! FREEZE! NO! TERMINATE! REST! BE OVER! COOL IT! DEPART! EXIT! GO AWAY! VACATE! LEAVE! PARADA! ARRET! ANSCHLAG! FERMATA! REMORA! OCTAHOBKA! (Yes, I did use a thesaurus and Google to translate.) Snow, you may return when our driveway is poured, our stucco is up, our shingles are on and our windows are in.

I'm dreaming of a white Halloween!

Shiner!

I got a call Thursday at lunchtime from a friend whose husband was at the school on lunchroom duty. He'd called her because Preston had a fresh shiner on his right eye. He was not exactly sure what had happened, but they wanted to let me know about it and tell me he was fine. The school called a few hours later (yea, old news!) to tell me another kid had crashed into him on the playground at recess. The school said that the other kid didn't have a scratch on him. This is the second time my 82# son has gone down when a smaller kid ran into him. This summer he and his 44# cousin ran into each other and Preston went down. He received a severe ankle sprain and spent weeks in a brace. His cousin walked away like nothing happened.


Day one

Day two

Day three

Day three

Week 4 Recap

Slow week until yesterday. Because the framers got ahead of schedule last week, the trusses were not ready until Tuesday. Wednesday we had a crew of eight guys, and once again they cruised. Preston was really excited to see the upstairs bedrooms being put in, and spent time looking up at them trying to decide which one he is going to pick. We've told him since he's the oldest it's his call, but I keep dropping hints that the front one is much nicer. They are exactly the same, but that is the one I want him in. :-)

This week we ordered the windows, doors, and the HVAC stuff. We are way over budget on the HVAC and I am not liking that at all! We also need to order the cabinets by the end of the week - ahh! I fell in love with some pretty cabinets and countertops that are $4,000.00 over our budget - OUCH! There are some other ones that we'd be on budget but I just don't love them. I think that the HVAC being so high that is going to push me in the cheaper direction, but, oh, the others ones are so pretty!

I hope today they will get the upstairs fully framed. I feel we are racing the weather for the weekend. I've heard snow in the valley by Monday. (No, my BFSW, I am not doing my rain dance!)

Front view of the house. The bedroom, ok wood, you see over the two car garage is the front bedroom.
This is the trusses being lifted on the back bedroom. The guys made me nervous standing up there like they were.
This view is from the master bedroom looking into the living room. Can't you tell?
It is always fun bringing the boys home in my car with the black interior when they are covered head-to-toe in light colored dust!

Pumpkins!

Yesterday we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Parker had a blast, running around and picking up every small pumpkin that he passed. I couldn't decide if Preston was bored to death, or if he was just not feeling well. He has a cold & he's not himself. I hope he's not outgrown the pumpkin patch. At my age I've still not outgrown it!

Decor

Fall is my favorite time of year, and normally I have the house and porch all decorated up for Halloween. Obviously this year I can't decorate, but we did get a pumpkin.

Week 3 Recap

Finally, progress. Thank you sunshine! In the last week the backfill was done, garage floor poured, basement cement poured, basement framed, and most of the main level framed. The day they started the framing they had a crew of nine guys there and I can't believe how fast it went up. The Foreman said they usually spread the crew between two or three jobs, but ours was the only job that day so we got all the guys. The second day of framing we only had three guys so it went much slower. Because of the fast pace of the first day of framing, they got ahead of schedule & ran out of wood. I think the next delivery is not until Friday or Monday. I have to say, I hate building. It is so stressful & I hate second guessing every little decision. Can't wait until it is over!


Preston wanted to fill the basement with water to make a pool.
I totally did not plan this, but this space is going to be perfect for my WAY TOO MANY Christmas decor totes! I think they all might fit!


This wall they are putting up is between the master bedroom & the entryway.

Three

Three. That is how many grandkids my dad has. In cleaning out the garage, you'd think that number would be much larger. He teased the kids all day he was having a yard sale. I didn't at all get sick of hearing, "Mom is Grandpa really selling our stuff?"

Tiger

Last weekend Preston had a Boy Scout activity at the school. I took Parker with us because Travis had to work late. At the meeting they had the police come & talk to the boys about safety then they did some karate. Parker was being good so I let him hang out with some of the other siblings & do karate with the older boys. All of the kids were at the front of the gym & the adults in the back. Honestly, I was not paying too much attention to any of it. After the activity, the main lady was up front talking & introducing the new scouts. She'd ask the kids their names, then over the loudspeaker introduce them to the group. All of a sudden I heard “Welcome Parker.” I look up and sure enough it was my Parker. He was up with the Tiger Scouts waving to the crowd, and making growling sounds and claw hands so he could be a Tiger. He was totally hamming it up and grinning ear to ear. Boy was he pissed when I told him he wasn’t old enough to join and would have to wait until next year.

Week 2 Recap

Well, week two at the house was not exciting like week one was. Not a single thing has changed. The waterproofing stuff had to dry through Monday then the rain started. We are waiting for back fill of the dirt around the foundation. Right now, that is scheduled for tomorrow then basement concrete & framing will begin on Monday. This fall is the one and only time you'll hear this cool weather, rain loving girl say, "RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!!"

Before & After

Preston got his braces off yesterday. He wanted to keep them on because he didn't want to get a retainer. Can't blame him. I'd take braces over a retainer any day. The retainers of today are totally different from when I had mine forever ago. Now they are just clear plastic and look a bit like mouth guards the boys wear in football. Personally, I don't like the look of them. Can't understand a word he's saying with it in either!

Lagoon

On Sunday we went to Lagoon for our annual October visit. This is our favorite time of year to go. Usually it is cool, although it was hot yesterday, the crowds are low and it is decorated so cute. We had Parker wear his Heeley's, which make him 1" taller than he is, so for the first time ever he got to go on rides like the roller coater, Colossus, The Bat & Wild Mouse. He loved them all. That kid has no fear!

Waterproofing

We stopped by the lot tonight and were surprised to see the window wells and the waterproofing (black paint looking stuff) had been done this morning. These two items were not on the schedule until Monday. We were happy to see them done because starting Monday night it is supposed to rain for the next five days. I am not quite sure what is next. I know they will be back filling the area around the house this week if the weather cooperates. Then I think after that they'll start framing. Normally I am VERY ready for the cool, wet weather of fall, but for the first time ever I am not doing my rain dance. Enough with the heat though!