A lot happens in an around our home when I’m at work. It’s no different for me than it is for any other dad, but it’s great to be able to have a healthy serving of Oscar stew anytime I ask Amy, “So what did you do today?” 

Good morning Daddy! My youngest child is becoming a stiff-necked one, growing a punk hairstyle and starting a tummy-time business in the living room…

tummy

When the kids wake up early they enjoy starting the day off right – with homemade Play-doh. It allows Drew some valuable play time before he zooms off to school. You may have noticed that lurking in the background are color possibilities for the kitchen. They are nice colors, but none are the winner. We are desperate to get rid of that blue!

playdoh

On Drew’s last day of 1st grade, Brinley & Rowan wanted to celebrate the long days of summer ahead. How to make it official? With a banner declaring so, of course!

brinleypaint

Despite her best efforts, Rowan could only add her creative touch down low…

paint

Hey Mama, could I maybe get a little higher? I need to see my work from overhead! Don’t limit my creativity!

roastie

There you go! There is no denying the personal touch she scribbled all over this canvas.

rowanpaint

Where’s the baby? Lost in a sea of polka-dots, but still happy as a clam.

wheresthebaby

The projects are nearly complete. Really?! That wall looks ridiculous! The wall isn’t one of the projects at hand. All that graffiti is leftover primer from painting the bathroom… The color for the kitchen is still undecided, so we let the kids add their own flair. Anything is better than that blue!

art

The Gateway to Happiness is complete! Welcome to the days of popsicles, watermelon, sprinklers, sun & fun…

 

welcome

Welcome to Summer Drew! Prepare for blast off!

jump

It’s official! After being first times three, Drew is now second. He wouldn’t have it any other way.  

 

official

This is the smile that is reserved for Mama only. Such a happy little soul…

justformama

If the kids miss any winter activities, they will prove to you that they are even more fun in the summer. Stair sledding is the best! 

 

friends

They’re building up speed, Brinley’s hair is flying, and this hill is bumpy!

rowdy

Terminal velocity reached! Prepare for landing!

weeee

Wipeout! Drew is laughing. Trust me.

 

thatsalaugh

We survived Mt. Staircase. Let’s do that again!

theylived

But uh-oh! Daddy come quick! There are ice rocks falling on our house!

tummytime

I like aquariums, but I didn’t know that one was included when we bought the house. A downspout clogged with golfball sized hail caused this. The water rose another 6+ inches after this picture was taken. We’ll be getting a new roof, and have to start from ground-zero with our garden. Not to mention Ryan’s car now looks like it has a severe case of cellulite long with a broken windshield. It’s a shame, but we are lucky that a tornado didn’t come and sweep us away.

aquarium

That basement window didn’t do a great of a job holding back the flood outside. But Ellie thought she’d show off what does a great job holding back the flood inside!

cuteness

So just how big was that hail Eleanor? It was bigger than my smile!

huge

Where is Moses when you need him?

flood

Those floating white things aren’t flower petals! Anyone want over 60 gallons of dirty ice water? Nice job Scoob!

60gallons

Brinley figured out how to stay warm, and possibly anger PETA…Rawr!

rawr

The day after the hail storm some young entrepreneurs came by offering to clean up our front yard for a small  fee. When Amy turned them down, Drew & Brinley dug into their banks and brought me $5 so they could clean the yard themselves. Pay to work…er…play! Sounds like a sweet deal to me! 

volunteer

Drew said he’d have the yard cleaned in a flash with the help of this 300hp “leaf blower”.

blower

Brinley was less than impressed with the “leaf blower”.  If looks could kill…

shootindaggers

What’s a hot summer day without  injuries…which one is the faker?

whosthefaker

The hailstorm didn’t just cause destruction. There was a silver lining: New friends!

silverlinging2

This is just one of our new buddies. Cheddar was so fond of a furry long-tailed little buddy that he ate him…

silverlining