Back to Home Depot

It was one of those "To Do List" weekends. You know, when you try to accomplish something that's been on your list for weeks. Which means you also make a few too many trips to Home Depot. Why does the paint always look completely different when you get it home?

Friday morning started like any other. Too early in the morning. Yogurt for breakfast. Happy baby.

But then the cleaning bug bit me. One of my resolutions is to keep the house cleaner, less cluttered. So I got out the cleaning supplies (homemade of course, using mostly vinegar and water). And Kane got his helmet. Having a police helmet is essential to home cleanliness. If you have a messy/cluttered house and you don't have a helmet, that's your problem. And wearing it backwards is fine. Obviously.

And cleaning with homemade cleansers means the wonderful aroma of vinegar. At least I know Kane won't try to drink it, right? We opened the windows to get some fresh air and my three guard dogs kept watch over the neighborhood.

So, remember how Kane loves the oven mitts? Well, he also loves sitting/squatting on the kitchen counter in that same spot. It's like anything going on in that 2 foot radius is great. And that's where Kane likes to party on a Friday night.

Saturday morning brought some more neighborhood watching. Just so you know, we live on a quiet street. It's a circle, so you basically come in and out the same way. Our garages are in the alley so we hardly ever see the neighbors unless they are out mowing the lawn. Very few random cars drive by. There is very little activity. Maybe a dog walker, a kid riding a scooter, or a squirrel jumping from tree to tree.

Yet there is a ton of neighborhood watching going on. Every day. So don't try any funny business in our neighborhood - you will be seen, and caught.

And he still likes those kisses. I really hope that doesn't end.

So after making sure the neighborhood was safe and secure, we headed to Home Depot to knock some things off the To Do List. First up was staining Kane's kitchen helper that Papa (my dad) made him for Christmas and a shelf to help get me organized. But it was a pretty chilly morning, so we had to bust out the warmest hat.

Have you ever taken a toddler to Home Depot? Well, it's basically an unsafe playground. They have these ladders on every other aisle and you know what toddlers like? Climbing. Kane couldn't stay off them. I don't blame him, they are his favorite color, have steps, and make him almost eye level with mom.

My favorite thing about these photos is Matthew in the background. He's trying to find the perfect glue for our project and thinking I'm taking care of Kane, when in reality, I'm letting Kane climb unsafe ladders for photo opps. Ha. This is mothering an adventurous boy...let him explore, just be ready to catch him if he falls. Lucky for me, he went up and down the steps several times like a pro. He didn't need me once.

And after all that climbing, someone needed a nap. He couldn't be bothered to clean up the playroom first. 

And while sleepy head slept, Dad was out in the garage working hard on staining the kitchen helper. And this is where the multiple trips to Home Depot started. First, Matthew realized he needed a miter saw to cut something for the shelf, so he made the second trip.

When he started to stain the wood, he realized I probably wouldn't like the color. He came in and said "I need you now" and I ran outside to see what happened. He was right and I love him for knowing that I wouldn't have liked the color. So while he sanded off the little bit of stain that he had tested, I went back to Home Depot for trip #3.

We found the right color and it matches our other furniture, so I'm happy.  The stain had to dry overnight and still needs a coat of poly, but once it's finished I will post some pictures of Kane testing out his kitchen helper.

Sunday, we tried to do nothing. We spent time outside, we ran a few errands, but still ended up in bed at 8pm. How is it that even low key home project weekends still wear you out?

The Week Between

The week between Christmas and New Years seems to be the fastest week of the entire year. We had non-stop activities from the 22 thru the 25th and were ready for a break. But the celebrating wasn't over quite yet.

On the 26th, we went to my grandparents house (my step-dad's parents) to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversay. They made it farther than 96% of other marriages and he can still make her laugh.

They love. Each other and everyone in their lives. It's endless. And amazing.

Later that night, Hoot & Annie watched Kane so Matthew could take me out for my birthday.

Somehow, I didn't take a single picture on my birthday. But it was a good day and included a surprise visit from one of my best friends that I rarely get to see because she lives in Georgia. We went to college together 10 years ago. I wasn't feeling old on my birthday. I'm really fine with getting older and my gray hairs getting more prominent. What made me feel o.l.d. was realizing I had known Didi for over 10 years. Sheesh. But Kane could tell she is good people and he offered up the kisses.

Which reminded me of the first time they met, back in April. I pulled out this picture and was reminded of what he used to look like way back when [just 7 months ago but they sure change fast]. Back when he looked bald because his hair was so thin and so blonde that you couldn't see it. It's still blonde, but there is a lot more of it. He still makes the same faces.

Back when he was small enough to ride everywhere. One of us had that baby stapped to our chest at all times and we loved it. Slings, Moby Wraps, Baby Bjorn - we had one of every kind and used them all. We rarely used the stoller, he stayed close & content and we stayed fit. I highly recommend it.

This photo was taken on that trip and is probably Matthew's favorite Kane picture to date.

So this week is already half way over and New Years is right around the corner. With all of our recent outing and events, we've decided to stay home and do nothing this weekend. Spending New Years with the baby asleep in his own bed and far away from the noise and activity sounds pretty great to me. What are your weekend plans?