A break from the norm

A ship for Indiana Jones (with his own steering wheel)

Eva the robot

The awesome thing about helping dad put together new cabinets is........all the extra foam pieces that come in the box.   The kids were "busy" for a long time building their creations.  Emily actually got styrofoam under her skin (while pushing the skewers through the foam, one went through her fingertip...ouch!)

Here's what we put together and added to the playroom.  Now we can have our toys but not look at them.  The items still out of the cupboards are going to be the first donated to anyone who will take them. 
We put together 2 more in Jacob's room that are a wood finish and blend right into his walls....one is devoted entirely to legos.  Who knew one little boy could have so many legos.
We also put together a tv stand....pictures will follow soon.
Happiness is ........storage with doors

We spent our spring break doing a variety of things. 
***We called the roofer (after we discovered another leak in the storage room).  They say it's a fairly quick fix but that it's a flat roof on that part of the house and should not have been shingled.  (Inside I'm shouting yay...hooray....I've wanted that room cleaned out for a long time and now we HAVE to do it.)

***We called the animal control .  We've heard noises under the house for a while but, they are getting louder (meaning animal is getting bigger) and we couldn't figure out how they were getting in.
So, after traps were set we've found 2 possums (and the zoologist has taken them to a happier home).  We still heard more movement last night, but they are too smart for these traps (cages with fishmeal and peanut butter inside).  But, we've closed in the hole....so, they have no way out.  this story is to be continuted....

***We saw some movies.  Most memorable were Gnomeo and Juliet (alot of Shakespeare quotes in that one....listen for my favorite 'out, out, 'cha darn spot.'  It would be fun to see how many actual quotes there were.  It inspired Gene to get a new lawnmower.  Netflix has had a few too....one called "Letters toGod." a story of a boy with brain cancer and another called "Dear America: The Royal Diaries"  "scholastic"stories about real princesses that I believe are pretty close to historically accurate: Cleopatra, Isabel and Elizabeth I. And "Batteries not included" a really old 80's movie about  tiny alien robots who come to help tenants in a building defend themselves against the selfish land-owner. It was surprisingly funny and clever.

***We went bowling.  Sorry no photos and nothing noteworthy other than Jacob actually can bowl now with no assistance (and we have no more fear of backwards flying balls).

***We played outside.  We had a nice park trip and a sidewalk chalk afternoon and plenty of swing time.  We got gas for the mower and have thought about mowing, but have yet to do it.  It will have to be this week.  Gene and the kids helped Richard till his garden area too.

***We went shoe shopping.  Us girls bought about 8 pairs of flip flops some with animal print, some with stripes, some with 'bling' and Jacob got a new pair of light up spiderman tennis shoes.  His toes no longer curl up in his shoes.

***We bought Gene a laser. One of those little key chain lights with a laser.  It has been a total transformation.  Now the tortured has become the torturer.  The cat has woken Gene up every morning at about 4 am.  Now, Gene turns that laser on and the cat follows it and tries to catch it.  He runs her in circles and up and down the hall with great roars of laughter.  Now she is so tired, she sleeps all night.  And I think he's almost happy to see her when she shows up.

I'm breathing one last time before it begins again....tomorrow begins a week of cheer camp for Tara and baseball practice for Jacob....and everything else that goes with going back to school. 

Cousin/nephew Justin Borden is coming in town this week to say 'goodbye' before heading out on his mission to Africa,Mozambique, I think.

A family that hammers together.....

Jacob working hard to put his cabinets together.