A New Doorknob?

Greg and I have been in debate for quite some time about our bedroom floor. I have been in favor of laminate since I love it in the main living area and know how hard our family is on carpet. Greg really wanted the comfort of carpet. At one point during our on-going conversation, Oliver threw up on the floor and I had a significant amount of work getting that out of the carpet and then Greg spilled coffee on it. At that moment, he looked at me and said one of my favorite word combinations, "you win."

We put the project on our "in the future" list last weekend. On Friday, the last day of Greg's vacation week where he literally had nothing planned, we went to the Home Depot with three kids so it was definitely NOT a date. We went for a doorknob because one of ours was broken. (I have mentioned we are hard on things, haven't I?) We once again saw a floor we liked and convinced ourselves we liked it more than the one we had previously selected. We took home a sample and quickly discovered it was the same floor we had already decided would be perfect and it was discounted to 79 cents a square foot.

Greg started taking measurments and calculated our total cost before heading back to Home Depot. He most likely needs another vacation to recover but my bedroom and master bath look amazing. Even the guy who wanted carpet agrees. However, after we had everything put away, I flopped dramatically onto the bed and it moved across the floor. I was shocked and my handsome husband smirked, "I told you I like carpet".

Fingers crossed......

Thankful Thursday

Makenna has a good friend named Kennedy who is a frequent visitor around here. She is a unique friend, to say the least. She loves my mini van. Seriously. The girl begs to drive it whenever an opportunity presents itself. In fact, the first time I met Kennedy, I handed her my keys and allowed her to drive Makenna to Target. We've been friends since.

Kennedy dreams of the future and her life as a mom. She has her Honda Odyssey picked out and is planning a career that will allow her to be a mom first. She is 17 years old and makes me smile with her planning.

But those dreams and skills have come in handy. She once took Kate bathing suit shopping for me so I wouldn't have to drag three little boys along on an already taxing chore. Not only did she locate an appropriate suit that fit properly which is miraculous on both counts, but she also washed my van. As I said, we are friends.

Kennedy reads my blog and one day called me out on my failure to feature her in this space. She selected the title and offered to send me photos. I countered that if she allowed me to play with the camera to gain additional practice, she had a deal. These are some of the results.

Thank you for playing along Kennedy. As it turns out, I am thankful for you.
Love,
"Sheryl"

A Birthday Well Spent

Lana offered her pool for a few hours of swim time this morning. Afterward, Karston's grandma treated the birthday boy to lunch at Pizza King which is always special because a train delivers the drinks at Pizza King.

He loved every minute of it. He and Karston were able to consume and entire cheese pizza and got to play a video game as well.

Before playtime:

 After playtime:

We followed that up with his requested hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner and then playtime at House of Boom with two neighbor boys. He had a full day! Eight is off to a great start.

Ty's 8th Birthday Survey

What nicknames do people call you? Ty-Man and Buddy

If you could choose any name for yourself, what would it be? Henry

Favorite color: Red

Favorite food: Mac n Cheese

Favorite book: No David

Favorite TV show: Henry Danger

Favorite movie: Lego Batman

Favorite song: Baby by Justin Bieber

 

Favorite toy: my new basketball

Best friends: Alex and Kellen

What do you take to bed with you? My stuffed baby Brutus and my blanket

Where would you like to go on vacation? Texas

What do you want to be when you grow up? A super hero

Who is your favorite super hero? Batman or Night Wing

 

Favorite video game: Lego Batman because I can be Night Wing who is a really cool super hero

What was the best part about being 7? having Brutus with us and playing with a lot of friends

What are you best at?  Playing basketball

Happy birthday Ty! Life with you is an ongoing adventure. We are excited to see what year eight brings!

Celebrating Jake and Ty

Tonight we celebrated both Jake and Ty. They are both having birthdays tomorrow. Ty insisted we go to the store today to get Jake a gift. He selected the card and a fidget spinner because he believed Jake really wanted one. He enjoyed teaching Jake how to use it and Jake anticipates being an expert spinner in no time.

Jake brought Ty his childhood monster trucks and Ty was so excited to receive them. Ty also chose an Oreo ice cream cake and festive candles for our celebration. When asked by the cashier who was being celebrated, Ty first told her all about his friend Jake.

Erin thought an assault rifle was an appropriate gift for an eight year old and Ty couldn't agree more. Our celebration was simple but fun. Happy birthday to Ty's friend Jake.

A Saturday Well Spent

My friend Robbin walked a local park with me while Ty and his buddy rode their bikes along the trail. We followed up with a bonfire and of course, smores. Legos filled their afternoon and giggles haven't stopped as they slowly (very slowly) make their way toward the sleeping part of their sleepover.

Ty met Gavin in preschool as a brand new three year old. Ty started the year (and continued for the 8 weeks he remained there) crying at the door for me until he found a quiet corner to put himself to sleep every day. Gavin soon followed suit and also started crying at the door much to the dismay of both his mother and the teachers!

Gavin is exactly three days older than Ty and they consistently have a good time together.

Ty was abandoned by all of his sisters for the weekend and failed to find my company the least bit entertaining after a few hours so we asked for Gavin for the night. It was a good call despite evidence that suggests they perhaps had a just a bit too much sugar around that bonfire.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Birthdays

On Sunday we hosted Dale and Carol for dinner to celebrate her birthday. I wish I had thought to pull out the camera while they were here. We also worked in a little celebration of sorts for Ty's upcoming 8th birthday. Grandma scored serious points with the step counting watch and basketball. So far, we have not had a meal without both items present and the ball has a place in his bed as well. I think he is pleased.

 

Pup-pup

Jake took Pup-pup to be groomed yesterday. Before they even started the process, Pup-pup started to seize. At the three hour mark of the seizure, Erin called me crying and scared. At hour four, he passed away. His little heart couldn't take it anymore. All of us are shocked and so very sad.

Pup-pup was a happy little guy. Everyone loved him. When I told Ty he was gone, Ty decided it was best Brutus died first so Pup-pup wouldn't be scared in heaven. Erin has decided he wanted to be with Nana. Either option brings just enough peace, but we still question. It all feels so unfair.

I told Lauren what Ty had to say and she laughed remembering the day all five dogs were here when the cable guy arrived. We took all of them outside to what the kids named "Mimi's Pup Park" to keep them out of the way. Layla hid behind Makenna. Cheech and Chong hid behind Lauren and Brutus had laid down already so there was no way he was getting up to investigate. Pup-pup pranced right up to that guy and barked at him with as much authority as his little ten pound body could muster. It was in that moment Jake, desperate to toughen up his new addition called the dog, "Pup-Pup Death Johnson"! And we all roared with laughter! Pup-pup believed he was mighty and all the other dogs believed him too.

It was that day I placed a tiny studded leather collar into my cart on Amazon because I knew what I was getting him for Christmas! I shared my plan with a friend and she wanted measurements when I got to puppy sit because she was making him a pleather vest with a patch of the American flag and eagle to further demonstrate his bad boy image.

He was a sweet little dog and a light in Erin's world. She is heartbroken. We all are. Rest in peace Pup-pup. You are loved here.

Father's Day Well Spent

His card read "This Father's Day, let's spend some uninterrupted time together, going for a walk, having something to eat, or just talking. We have 5 minutes." So much truth in one little card.......

It was a Father's day well spent with good friends. One sweet family is moving to Texas next week so we are embracing what final moments we can. These are my people and I am not all together thrilled to see them leave but excited about their future in Houston.

Year One

Taylor and Lauren are celebrating their one year anniversary in their third house together, sleeping on an air mattress because their belongings are on a truck somewhere in the continental United States. We hope. These two have navigated three addresses in three states, a five month Army induced separation, the devastating loss of a close friend, the loss of all three of their childhood dogs and all the emotions involved in learning how to be married. To say they have been in the trenches, would be an understatement. They weathered some tough moments this past year but they are on the same team, loving each other and growing stronger together. We are incredibly proud of them. Happy Anniversary! We love you Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Baird.