Still Having Fun

With one of the craziest weeks behind us and (most definitely) a very exhausting summer ahead of us, I am trying to continue doing the things that make us all smile. We started our day off at the hospital and then headed to the Kohl Museum. Both kids play so nicely and truly enjoy their time there. I was amazed at how they played side by side, yet never got in each other's way. Leo was right in there with the big kids and really held his own. Amelia cares for the dollies like noone else I have ever seen. I watch her and know that she is going to be an amazing mommy one day.

While I should be cleaning the floor (even though Amelia told me that, "Daddy doesn't care if the house is messy"), posting these pictures is my little therapy session for the day. It's a lot cheaper than the real thing, that's for sure.

The Big Day

As I type this, Danny is going through his long awaited spinal fusion surgery. It is always weird going to the hospital - it brings back sad memories and wonderful memories all at the same time. Amelia is at the age where she wants to know everything and is very concerned with the well being of everyone who she feels might be hurt. I have been very honest with her about what they are doing to Danny and that he will be fine once he is back home. We took some books about hospitals out of the library and we have been reading them *alot*. As a special send off, we had a really nice BBQ on Sunday with friends and family, cooked up a storm and made up for the possible lack of grilling for the rest of the summer. I haven't gotten any straight answers on recovery or what this summer will look like, but whatever happens, I have these pictures to remind me that there are always more than enough reasons to keep smiling.
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Everyone enjoyed our new volleyball net...

Ari hiding (?) under our train table - that silly Ari!!

Silly faces from silly kids who wouldn't go to sleep after running around all day and night on Sunday...

Silly faces from this morning...

Tante was taking Amelia and Ari to the pool while Bubbie ran errands with Leo and I took Danny to the hospital...

Amelia showing off her Elmo undies she borrowed from Ari...

Ari and Amelia demonstrating how GIANT the pizza was...

My everything(s)

A friend of mine emailed me the other day and told me that I am one of the luckiest moms out there because I get to spend all my time with my kids.

How did she know? :)

Kvelling

We took a long break from gymnastics classes because, once Leo started walking, I couldn't keep him out of trouble while being with Amelia at the same time. Amelia is now signed up for a drop off class at the same time as Leo's Mom n' Tot class and I am so excited about it. This morning was the first class, but with Leo's ear infection and "seal" cough, I didn't think the other mothers would be so thrilled to see us there. Instead, we watched Amelia through the window and kvelled the entire time.

My Handy Man

We have lived in this house since Amelia was 9 months old. The first thing we said when we moved in was, "the bathrooms must go!". The vanities were awful, the floors in our bathroom and the downstairs made me sick. We were fortunate enough to be able to hire someone to do our bathroom when I was very pregnant with Leo, but the downstairs bathroom was going to be Danny's project. Everytime we were going to do it, other expenses took precedence. As with anything else, waiting till things are absolutely crazy is when we like to strike. With a push from my mom, Danny decided to start the remodel over Memorial Day weekend - leave for 13 days - and then finish before his back surgery at the end of June (wait, that's next week!). I am not surprised, though I am happy to say, that the bathroom is 99% completed! We have running water and a toilet that flushes. Danny replaced the vanity, sink, installed new metal pipes, and laid a beautiful new floor. Still needing to be done is the lighting fixture, a new bathroom fan and - maybe after the surgery - new shelves over the washer/dryer. My friend, Natalie, asked me the other day, "How does he know how to do all of this?". My response was that, "He doesn't...". Ever since I met Danny, I have always been amazed and impressed at his diligence and focus when it comes to learning how to do new things. Danny will not leave a project half finished because he can't figure it out. Danny *will* figure it out and he did an amazing job figuring out how to remodel a bathroom for the very first time.