Family Day

THE BASEMENT IS FINISHED!!!!   This is so exciting for our family.  For the past year and a half Jacob has been working on finishing the basement.  It was a huge project that included adding new flooring, digging into the floor to move a bathroom drain, framing, drywalling, tiling, painting, electric.... The list goes on.  It looks amazing now.  The carpet came last Friday, and we just purchased the two big bonuses:  new furniture and a new TV.  We have a few more things to do to complete the whole project, but it is usable and Jacob can finally take a much needed break.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who helped Jacob work in the basement or helped me with Jack while we worked together.  So many people gave up hours of their time and energy, and now we need to have a party to celebrate.

I've got to go through all of my saved pictures to find some good befores and afters.  I'm so thrilled with how it turned out.  Thank you, Jacob.  (Every time he was completely annoyed with the basement he jokingly reminded me that this was all my idea.... now I can remind him of my great idea while he's reclining on his new couch watching baseball on his new TV.  Hopefully he'll think it was worth it!)

Last Saturday was the first time in a long while that our family was free to do only family-related things.  No construction, no grocery shopping, cleaning, or preparing for company, no showers, weddings, or parties to attend.  We took full advantage from morning to night to spend quality time together and enjoy the wonderful feeling.

We had plans to take the bus down to Washington Park, but the rain came in and so we quickly decided to try the Children's Museum.  We were able to borrow Mom and Carl's pass and got in for free.  (Thank you!)  Jack loved every minute and cried when we left.  We have to go back more often.

One of the highlights was the ball-pit area.  As much as Jack loved it, I think Jacob loved it even more.  They were both fascinated by each unique thing.  I wish I could have captured it with a picture!

Train Table!  His new favorite thing to do.

After awhile I put down the camera and just enjoyed the day.  We went out to lunch and dinner and threw in some furniture shopping, too.  We finished the night with some ice cream and a very late bedtime.

I don't know if the day was so great because it had been so long since we had done something like that, or if it was just me trying to create memories before the baby arrives.  Either way, I went to bed that night feeling so blessed and thankful to have these two wonderful guys in my life.  I told Jack last week that God must have known what he was doing when he made me his mom.  He nodded his head like he understood and gave me a hug.  What a guy. 

For those counting down with us, I'm 39 weeks along today!

Where the Wild Things Are

Every night before bed we read books with Jack.  He tends to have his favorites that we read over and over... and over again.  But Jacob decided one night that he was going to choose one book and make it their special book together.  Where the Wild Things Are quickly became a new favorite and it was a book that just the two of them enjoyed together.

So when it came time to decorate Jack's new room, Jacob wanted to try to incorporate the book into the theme.  When he first mentioned creating a mural for the wall I was hesitant.  I couldn't figure out how we were going to pull it off, and I had no idea how we would ever get it finished in time to move Jack into his room before the baby arrived.

Enter Aunt Christy.  The amazing Aunt Christy.  She came in and saved the day.  Not only did she create an amazing mural, but she did it in record time.  We are so thankful that she gave up so many hours of her time to help complete this project!  Jack absolutely loves the mural.  If you ask him, he'll gladly show you the Wild Things.  While you walk up the stairs towards his room he'll even roar a terrible roar and gnash his terrible teeth.  He'll also tell you who painted the mural for him.  Well, he tries to say Christy.  Sometimes its Di-Di or maybe Ti-Ti.  I can't tell.  But, I know what he means, and he says it with a smile.

Thank you, Christy!  You did an amazing job!  Jack will love this for many, many years.

Here are a few shots of her project:

My own outdoor coffee shop

I could really get used to this!  

Blogging, emailing, recipe hunting, and sipping on my new favorite coffee drink

Jacob has been working hard to refinish our deck and he is almost finished.  The structure supporting the deck was still sound but the boards and railings were either missing, broken, or ready to give little feet plenty of splinters.  We haven't used this space since we purchased the house and Jack gave us the extra incentive to get it done.  Jacob has spent many Saturdays replacing the boards and constructing new railings.  It looks great!  He has one more railing to finish before his work is complete.  I don't want to post pictures until it is finished, so stay tuned for that.

We ordered a table and chairs so that we could have meals outside and enjoy our new space.  The past few nights we have listened to Reds games while Jacob grilled dinner, and tonight we hope to enjoy our first outdoor meal on the new deck.

Today I am taking full advantage of the sun and warm weather.  I promise I won't spend Jack's whole nap basking in the sun and blogging.  I'll be productive and use my time wisely by folding Jack's laundry out here too. I wonder what other chores can be done outside?

I found a recipe for a frozen coffee drink that I wanted to share.  It tastes similar to McDonald's frozen mocha and has fewer calories!   Let me know what you think.  This recipe serves two.

1c double-strength brewed coffee or espresso - frozen in ice cube tray
1c low-fat milk
2T unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2-3T pure maple syrup
1/8t vanilla extract
1-2 ice cubes, if needed

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth, adding the extra ice cubes if you want it thicker.

Eating Well Magazine's Frozen Mochaccino