We Go to Falls

One of the Papa Joeisms the kids picked up while we were visiting Papa and Nana in TN was "we go to falls" that and "it took a miricale". Papa loved asking Matt whenever we were heading out somewhere, "Matt, we go to falls?". Well, after a while, the kids took going to the falls a little literal and were ready to backpack there. This is a picture of them down by the burn pit ready to head out on an adventure.

Matt really loved being down by the burn pit with his Papa. He was very handy in bringing over limbs for the fire. The big limb of bamboo at the bottom of the picture Matt brought over the night before when he was down there with Nana Joan. He showed his mighty muscles by toting it over his head according to Nana.

I think if we had a backyard like Nana and Papa Matt would be more of a homebody than he is and would be outside all day long.

Thanks for the adventures and now "we go to falls".

Show and Tell Projects

One of the things we love about Emily's teacher, Ms. Palummieri, is that she is very creative. Instead of doing the normal "Show & Tell" where the kids bring in anything they want, she does themed "Show & Tell". This has definitely brought out our creative juices. These are just a few of the items Emily crafted this year. The turkey and the wreath were kept by the teacher to use as future classroom decorations. This has really helped us to prepare for upcoming "required" projects that will occur in Emily's school career.

What a Messy Week

This week has been crazy here in the Wessel house. Ever since we got back from our trip to TN, we have been constantly "working" on the house. It all started with putting 4 rooms back together from having the ceilings repaired due to the storms water damage. Then this Monday, while waiting to get the final write off on the basement renovation, I started working on reorganizing Matt's closet which had become a dumping ground for toys when his ceiling was being repaired. The pictures above were the during and after results. On this same day in the late afternoon, Emily told me she couldn't find a Barbie shoe. I opened up her closet to find a mess of toys and "things" so that got me "motivated", I'll admit in frustration, to clean up her room. In the midst of this, the kids wanted glitter for a "project" and I pulled all the craft items out of my craft closet in the upstairs craft/closet room. Then, that night we were able to put the basement back together. On Tuesday, I spent the morning, dusting and going through all the downstairs toys and putting that room back together. Wednesday brought the "demolition" of the kitchen. The counter tops and back splash were removed. Dave took the day off so we spent the rest of the afternoon making trips to Home Depot and Lowes for additional renovation materials. AWANA was that night. Thursday brought more frustration when I couldn't find the baby shower gift I had purchased and stored downstairs in the basement mechanical side, so I "torn up" the storage area down there along with the cedar closet. Thankfully it was not in vain, I did find the gift. Of course, that night was a MOPS meeting at which I lead the craft time. Friday the granite guys came to measure for the counter top and I spent my time putting back all the craft items in the craft cabinet that I pulled out earlier in the week. Saturday was spent at a baby shower and getting my hair done along with family time in the evening. Today was church, lunch, a nap and now computer time. Tomorrow will bring more organizing I am sure but at least I can say a good amount has been done.

Going Roger

Matt is probably not going to forgive me for this post in the future but it is just too hilarious not to tell you. Matt is still wearing a pull up at night. When he gets up in the morning, he takes it off, throws it away and pulls up his PJ bottoms. Yes, what your thinking is correct. So, we said to him the one day, "are you going commando?" - that is the word used for going without. He laughed and said "yes". Well, Matt is a person who does not go by the rules or the norm. The other morning he came out and said "I'm going Roger." We were like what are you talking about and then he showed us - yes, showed us. So, if Matt tells you, he is going Roger you now know what he is talking about. Oh, the pic is from the other morning. He was told to get dressed for school and this is what he did - underwear and pants on his head and socks on his hands. Oh, and there is no doubt he is going Roger....too funny!!

The Basement is Finished ...YEAH!!!

Our basement renovation is complete...YEAH! If you remember the walls were knotty pine paneling, well no more. It has been covered and painted. The results are amazing. I took these pics prior to putting all the items for "living" back into the room. The kids are loving the new room. Today I moved in the rest of the toys and workout items. Tomorrow starts the kitchen renovation. We are putting in new counter tops and back splash. Hoping it goes quickly. Enjoying the face lift we are giving to the place.