Sandbox

After seeing how much Thomas liked his buddies sandbox we decided to take the plunge and build a sandbox for the kiddos in the backyard.  We spent Saturday building the sandbox.  While Mike and Elin ran to home depot to get the sand, Thomas and I painted away in the garage. While Elin slept Thomas and Mike put the sandbox together.   It was complete just in time to withstand the major rain storm we got that night.  After over 2 inches of rain fell in a few hours the filling of the sand needed to wait.  Thankfully the kids didn’t know what they were missing.

We finally filled it on Monday night and Thomas and Elin both couldn’t be happier.  They can spend hours playing and creating in there.  It has been a wonderful addition to our back yard and all the fun the kiddos have in there, helps Mike and I think it is “worth it” when there is a little more cleanup in the house and yard for Mike and I.   

Brewin some beer

One of Mike’s hobbies is brewing beer.  It is a long, stinky process but he likes it so what the heck, right?! 

So he had a buddy over and the guys went outside to start the process.  Thomas happily helped until it got cold and dark.  Then they moved things inside, it was quite interesting watching the guys brew beer in our less than appropriate house.
We had the beer cooling in our bathtub, the kids helping to stir and a crabby me trying to get our taxes finished. Or maybe it was that I was getting sick-again-who knows?  After dinner and the beer left the tub, I gave the kiddos their baths and then got them to sleep.
Thomas got to hang out with Mike and Max a little bit longer in the basement and all was well.
Now the beer sits for awhile and ferments. Stay tuned!

Bird Feeders

A messy activity of fall fun.  Thomas was able to get his hands covered in both bird seed and peanut butter while making these bird treats.  We made quite a few and I thought we might be able to send them to the Grandparents, but the peanut butter was too sticky and with the heat I thought it would be a goopy mess.  They are now all hanging and being enjoyed by the birds!