Hanging Out and Going Out

We didn't do a ton today, just kind of hung out with the kids, did some playing and then got ready for our night out. We went to the Universal Foundation's Cru & Brew event that Finfrock just so happened to be the title sponsor of. So while the kids hung out with our neighbor who babysat, we got dressed up and tried out a bunch of different foods and Kyle drank different wines and bourbons. We made a quick stop at the mall on the way there and I picked up a different outfit so I'm pretty sure the babysitter thinks I'm weird since I left in one dress and came home in something different. Oh well! It was a fun event that I'm pretty sure we'll be back at again next year.

Fun Times on Friday

To top off the week of why Otto needs supervision, there's this! He's been honing his walking skills the last couple weeks and is getting braver and starting to get the hang of it. Today was a long one but we did everything we needed to. Ran this morning with the boys, cleaned up the house and made some snacks this afternoon and this evening we had a bunch of the neighbors over for a Friday night hangout in the backyard. It was so much fun!!! The kids were wired after no naps and of course the ice cream truck chose this evening to pass through the neighborhood so we had a whole herd of kids waiting soooo excitedly for the truck to pull to a stop in front of them! Best moment - Lincoln running as fast as his legs would carry him through the yard with both arms up, hands in fists of victory shouting "ICE CREAM TRUCK!!!!!". After ice cream was acquired it was back to the house for adult chatting, snacking and some imbibing while the kids ran around, played on the power wheels and played hide and seek. Sadly, Kyle's day trip to North Carolina was extended due to flight delays and he made it home just a bit after the party broke up. It was a pretty awesome way to start the weekend!!

Yard Work, Yard Play, Yard a Long Way!

"The big truck" continues to be a hit around here, and it doesn't even need to be functioning! The battery ran out this afternoon but it's still a hub of all kinds of play. I'm sure you're shocked to see what Otto loves doing most! I mean, don't get me wrong, he loves holding down shotgun while Lincoln drives around the yard, but the climb-in is totally his favorite part. Once he's in he just hangs out, climbs around and grunts like a gorilla. We couldn't find him this morning while everyone was getting ready. Yep, he'd crawled out onto the patio and was sitting in the truck. He's a handful this one!

Aaaaand as far as handfuls go...this one is still here! And, while I've been trying to keep up with Otto this week I've been taking advantage of what is probably the end of the gorgeous weather and doing a lot of mulching. I finished up this afternoon and after approximately 130 bags, the yard is looking good! While I was standing back admiring our work I realized I never took official after pics after the yard project. There's a high likelihood that this could change even more in the coming months due to tree work, some additional landscaping and a planned porch re-build but here are some before/afters of the back yard as it was when we bought the house and as it is today!

Playing it Cool

For today's installment of Otto needs constant supervision, I bring you self sufficiency in training! Lincoln opens the fridge to get a snack (gee there's a theme there too!) and Otto climbs on in to find one of his own...and typically one for Cort too. Speaking of Cort, he's still alive - a little bloated and you can tell he's not 100% but he's here and we're still waiting to see how the next couple days go. A lot of nonsense to keep my eyes on around here!

Into Everything!

This one gets into a lot more than the other two ever did...and by into I mean both into and onto. Cupboards, drawers, tables, couches, dishwashers, you name it. His latest skill is opening the dishwasher, even when it's closed tight and then of course crawling on top of the door so he can play with the racks, spinny pieces and of course sharp knives! So much supervision required! Speaking of supervision required...

This idiot ate half a big container of raisins today. Lincoln loves to get his own snacks but he isn't great about putting things away after he's done with them an Cort never fails to take advantage. Unfortunately raisins are crazy toxic to dogs. They cause kidney failure. So, for the next 3 days we'll be keeping a close eye on this guy, because despite my best efforts to get him to throw up all the raisins his body refused to give them up. So, take a good look everyone because despite the fact that he appears to be feeling alright for now he may have actually succeeded in doing himself in this time. Time will tell. Crazy dog!

Amazing Monday

The kids had a great day today, and by great I mean as awesome as it could have been from their perspective. Nora had school and I took the boys for a run, then we picked Nora up, went to Lincoln's swimming lessons, came home and the kids got to play with our neighbors, back and forth between houses for most of the afternoon. There were snacks, and sprinklers, bubbles and it was all topped off with a Power Wheels pick-up truck. As if that wasn't enough, they left their "big truck" over here for the kids to play with! Needless to say they're a little bit obsessed. Nora has gotten the hang of driving it and has been busy cruising all over the yard, loading suitcases, you name it! As if that wasn't enough...

After dinner, while the kids were showing off their loaner wheels to Kyle they heard the chipper chimes of none other than the ice cream truck. Since I owed Lincoln from last time we headed out in search of the treat truck and found it not far from our corner. Lincoln stepped right up and ordered a chocolate ice cream cone and Nora got vanilla with sprinkles. Lincoln was so happy, it was awesome! The only thing today was missing was a very literal cherry on top!

New Additions

This morning we went to the Maitland Farmers' Market and got a new tree for our yard as part of the annual arbor day celebration! Lincoln got his own little pine tree too! The kiddos were entertained by the bounce houses, Nora half heartedly tried to climb the rock wall and then they got to check out, pet and feed lots of different animals - camel included. Later this afternoon we got the call from across the street that today was piano delivery day! We've inherited a piano from our neighbors and pretty much didn't have to lift a finger. Like to the extent that I got home from dropping Nora off at a friend's house on bike (fun fact it was requested that I not stay and she didn't want me to even be near here when she got there.) anyway, our neighbors were already up the driveway and Kyle was just waking up after having fell asleep on the couch. The kids are all about it!

This evening we took an impromptu family trip to Lowes and picked up some more plants, some painting supplies and mulch, mulch and more mulch. So I'd like everyone to meet Gus Gus on the left, Carlos over to the left and then some tomatoes, Lincoln's little tree and Nora's watermelon front and center. Lots of new life around here!!