And So It Begins

About a year and a half ago Esther decided she wanted piano lessons. We tried a couple of times until it became apparent that what she really wanted was to push random keys and sing "beautiful songs." I gave up trying to really teach her and just let her do what she wanted until she was a little older. Today she again requested piano lessons, and this time the results were quite different.

Gypsy

Here is our seven week old Gypsy, the newest member of our family.

Happy Fathers Day

We've really loved having Cameron home with us this past month or so since he finished school. He starts his residency in one week, and we'll sure miss him. So for our Fathers Day Tribute here some things that only happen when Daddy is home.

10. Science experiments all the time.

9. Housework takes half as long.

8. Kids get to play with real tools.

7. Light bulbs are replaced quickly after they burn out.

6. Coat hangers and blankets become hang-gliders for animal rescuers.

5. The trash is at the curb every Tuesday morning.

4. Every time is story time.

3. Mommy gets to sleep in.

2. Scrap wood and spare rope become tree swings.

and the best thing about when Daddy his home:

1. The rest of us get to be with him!

Happy Fathers Day!

Coming of Age

William was in sore need of a summer buzz cut today, so we figured while the clippers were out we should give Alex his first haircut.

This video we took this morning will work as his "before" picture. He was showing off his new way of shooting darts without the complications of using a dart gun.

Alex watched Will get his buzz, then seemed a little bit excited for his own turn. He didn't cry or try to grab the clippers. About three minutes (and a bath) later he looked like this. Goodbye baby hair, hello little boy!

Home Sweet Home

Everything is unpacked! We're ready to live here now. The kids get back from their week at Grammy and Grandpa's house tomorrow, so we thought we should take a few snapshots while everything is in it's place. Tomorrow the kid tornado will roll through, and our new home won't be quite so picturesque.

So without further ado, here are a few pics.

The front of our house.


The backyard, complete with bunnies, quail, squirrels, and a nest full of baby robins.


The front room (with a little of the hallway and dining room visible)


Basement highlights - Cameron gets a workshop and the kiddos get a schoolroom. We actually just got those school desks at a garage sale here in Lincoln for $3. I have a feeling we'll get along with Lincoln pretty well.

We still have a few things to get done before we can consider ourselves settled. Eg. we're not planning on using Alex's towel for our bathroom curtain permanently; we do have bathroom curtains on their way. Also, Mt. St. Box erupted in the garage, and the disaster recovery crew needs to work on cleaning up the aftermath.

If you just can't get enough of our new house - we put a video tour on You Tube. It didn't seem like a good idea to post a detailed tour of our valuables, along with means of entrance and quick exits for all to see on the internet, so if you want the video tour you're going to have to ask us for an invitation. Feel free to do so, as long as you're not a criminal.

PS If you want to see the video tour you'll have to give me your youtube ID.

oops

I was just gearing up to post a plethora of pictures and videos from this past week, but alas, I just realized that I packed the camera cable. You'll all have to wait until we're settled in Nebraska before you see our pictures and hear from us again. Ta Ta For Now.

Last Week in Michigan

We're down to our last week in Michigan. Next Monday we'll load up the truck, and Tuesday we'll be off to Nebraska. We've got quite a week scheduled. Here's what we did today:

This morning after we finished school we headed off to Greenfield Village. We've been going to The Henry Ford or Greenfield Village at least once a month for the past year, but sadly our annual pass expired in April. Thanks to our wonderful friend Hallie, we were able to go today as guests on her family's pass for one last trip.

We spent most of last week packing and cleaning. This week we hope to finish everything up. On today's to-do list was packing and cleaning the play room and the dining room. Here are the finished products.

On tomorrow's agenda: the zoo and the basement. Wish us luck.