I have a new hobby.

So as you saw, we have a leaky pipe under our master bathroom that pooled into the living room below.  Aside from structural damage, the dog bed was the only thing destroyed.  Sam auditioned the replacement bed for Jem.

The leak came after I spent the weekend cleaning our couch and our armchair.  Our babysitter let the kids have milk in the living room.  I discovered milk had spilled all the way through both pieces of furniture when Molly started lapping up the puddles forming on the floor beneath them.  THEN Sam had an accident sitting in the armchair, releasing a flood of urine on the recently cleaned cushion.  But I'll tell you what, there's nothing like major home damage to make furniture spills seem inconsequential.  My brain instantly flipped from possibly getting a new living room set, to possibly getting a new living room.

Today I met with the project managers for the abatement and the reconstruction.  It looks like it will be 2-3 weeks to complete the asbestos/mold removal and dry out, then a couple weeks to plan and approve the reconstruction.  Depending on how much needs to be done it could take 3 weeks or more.  The minimum we are looking at is new drywall, new paint, and sand and finish the hardwood floors.  It could be as extensive as replacing the flooring for the entire main floor, redoing the master bath, and maybe even fixing unseen damage into the basement. We won't know until the abatement is done and they can safely investigate.

Luckily our insurance will cover the abatement and the reconstruction.  We are only responsible for the plumbing repair and anything we request beyond the "return to normal" repairs (I figure if they end up tearing up the master bath we might as well upgrade it).

I spent today re-organizing the living room and basement so we have comfortable spaces for the next couple months.  Currently we can't use the upstairs toilets.  For a short time we will be cut off from most of the main floor and possibly the basement.  This will probably cut us off from all house toilets.  I'm working on a solution so we don't have to stay in a hotel during the abatement.  That would really suck.  For now, we are trying to keep smiles on our faces.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Halloween is coming!  Pumpkins and crispy leaves and sweaters!  School is super fun for all!  We read Harry Potter and loved it!  Ben is taking a staycation next week!  There's a lot about which to be happy and grateful.

Today my little Sam is 3 years old!  We celebrated with a family party on Saturday.  Sam had a smashing time.  He's such a big kid now.  So talkative, so creative, so adorable!


The night before I set up streamers, balloons, presents, and a new play tent.  The tent was an immediate hit.  Sam reacted on the stairs like it was a magical Christmas morning.
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Later (eons later it seemed) (my scheduling, but kid anxiety made it seem like forever) the family was gathered for a midday brunch. 
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Sam soon proved to be an expert at present unwrapping.
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Jack was a super older brother.  He help back very well and let Sam really enjoy opening the presents.  Jack also quickly inspected each one for age appropriateness and share-ability. 
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

(Sam fell on his face a few days prior, his teeth cut both the inner and outer bottom lip.  That's the black scab you see on his face.)
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

For months (literally!) Sam has been asking for a Bob the Minion birthday cake.  I think it turned out lovely! (Though I'm miffed the cake was dry.  I even used a cake soak!)
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

We went to the mall for playtime and shopping.  The boys each got a Build-A-Bear and they are their new best buds. 
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Earlier in the day Sam declared that he wanted to get ice cream.  We delivered. 
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Spoiled with a train ride through the mall.  Always fun!
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

And we found a little playground for a quick stop before dinner at Red Robin. 
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

An exhausted and happy three-year-old climbed into his new toddler bed for a long night's sleep.  Happy Birthday Samwise Storm!
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

We had a pleasant weekend together.  Saturday we took the kids to Dinosaur Ridge and did the bus tour and had a picnic.  The kids seemed to enjoy it. 

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

We watched the Princess Bride together for the first time.  It's one of my all time top three movies (The Princess Bride, Singin' in the Rain, and Rushmore).  We split the movie over two nights.  The kids both enjoyed it, though it was scary and had a lot of talking they didn't understand.  They both loved Fezzik and the Miracle Max scene.  The Fire Swamp was maybe too scary.  Sam retold me the story, "There was a scary mouse, and the sand ate the girl, and there was fire, and the guy in black put fire on the mouse."  I hope we didn't induce any nightmares.   We laughed out loud when, in the Pit of Despair, Fezzik announced "He's dead" and Jack spoke up "Wait, did he say he's dead?" right in time with Fred Savage interrupting "Grandpa, grandpa, wait. Wait, what did Fezzik mean, he's dead?"

Jack told me he loved the movie and was surprised it was so funny.  I'm glad he got over the "princess" in the title and watched a challenging movie. 

We also started reading Harry Potter together when school started.  I'm much more enthusiastic about our reading times now, and have to restrain myself from reading ahead on my own!

Today is the first day of school - Woo-Hoo!!!

The kids were pumped.  I've been sick all week but feel pretty normal today.  I got up in time to make them a hot breakfast.  Surprisingly we were ready to go on time.  I credit that to packing lunch and laying out clothes last night. 

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


Jack's nerves dissolved when he got to meet his teachers yesterday.  He's excited because it's one he met last year and was hoping to have, and also there are some old friends in his class.  He gets his own desk this year.  His first grade class is in the same pod as kindergarten, so he sees his old teacher walking around, uses the same restrooms, so he will be fairly comfortable with the transition.  Man, I'm so excited for him to be back in school.  He'll be there until 3:00pm today.  I can hardly believe it!  It's been a looooong summer.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

This other goober is excited too.  Sam shoveled the scrambled eggs in like he meant business.  He's very pleased with his monkey backpack and wore it all morning.  I'm pleased that he agreed to wear clothes today - that's been an argument between us every day this week.  I feel guilty that I didn't make it clear I won't be at school too.  I figured it will be ok - he does nursery at church and childwatch at the gym for hours every week.  So this morning I just sort of slipped out.  I hope he doesn't freak out when he realizes I'm not there anymore.  I'm positive he'll have a great time though.  At the meet and greet yesterday they had playdough and cookie cutters out and that's all he could talk about today.  "I'm going to make duck cakes!"  I checked with the teacher before I left and indeed, they will have playdough time today.  Hooray!

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js


//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Oh, I'm sooooo happy about this.  Two hours without kids twice a week?  It's gonna be great.  I can clean one room without the other getting messy at the same time.  I can change the oil in my car, or get groceries, or other errands without having to juggle carseat belts and waterbottles and snacks and potty breaks.  Also, having time away from the kids makes me love them even more.  Having a little distance will be good.