Strike a Pose

The other morning LM was standing in the den watching television, (probably Barney - the current favorite) and his pose looked like he was "modeling" his outfit to me. So, I snapped a couple of photos with the small camera - he was of course oblivious as to why I was doing this:

Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.

Vogue, Vogue...

Oops, he caught me. 

Better go now.

See you soon.

The Hole

The camera was out, so that certainly meant I wanted to take his photo.

Of course, I'm always happy to oblige him that!

So here's another thing we've been up to lately. About two weeks ago, the toilets started gurgling after you flushed them, and after anyone took a shower. Fast forward to this week, the main sewer line to the house has to be replaced...here are the photos to prove it. I went outside this morning in my pjs to capture these great photos for you, while S and LM were loading up to leave for the day - the neighbors were so impressed, I'm sure:

This is the pipe where it comes out of the house.

The pipe sticking up in the air is the overflow. 

Which did, ahem, overflow.

I cannot remember if I've told you fine readers about our house plans - we have been exploring remodeling on our own lot - and when I say remodeling, I mean, pretty much tearing this house down and starting over. The lot is cheaper (to us) than any other lot we could use in the area, we need a little more space, and the configuration of the house on said lot is not conducive to just adding on. We have been looking to move to a larger house since LM was born and haven't found the place. We might be a wee bit picky. Ahem.

That is the pipe, as it snakes toward the main sewer tap, 

with a new cleanout the plumber installed last week 

when he thought maybe he could fix it by just cleaning it out.

So, we have been working with an architect on this plan. When we started the plan, the estimate for building was way less than it seems to be now. So, we are working through that, trying to decide if we still want to spend the moolah to build. But, since we started this process, the disposal stopped working in the kitchen, the ceiling in the living room caved in due to water backing up off the air conditioner in the ceiling, and now the sewer line has collapsed...oh, and the hardware on the front door had to be reinstalled this past weekend, and we have some electrical issue wherein the lights in the bedrooms won't work. But, friends, the house is seriously, generally speaking, in great shape! It's just all this fun seems to have happened at the same time. Just about the time we are trying to decide what to do. Isn't that about how it happens? Of course it does. Of course.

Have you ever seen a 50's era sewer tap?

Well, now you have. 

You have also now seen my hot pink socks.

Of course, it's the only one I've ever seen, so maybe they all look like this.

We have heard stories from our neighbors about these sewer lines - apparently, during and after WWII, clay and other stronger materials were in short supply, and manufacturers had started experimenting with different kinds of fiber pipe since the 1900's, so these sewer lines in the early 50's were made from some sort of fiber or tar paper pipe generally. And, generally, they are known to deform, or lose their shape over time, eventually leading to collapse. Several of the houses on our street had lost their main pipes already since we have lived here. So, it wasn't that big of a shocker that it was now our turn to pay the plumber, so to speak. See what I did there? Aren't I clever? 

A look back up to the house.

The guy spent ALL DAY Saturday digging that hole.

It goes down about five feet at the deepest point, 

if you can't tell depth from the photos.

While I snapped away, LM ran up and down the driveway.

What else would he do?

We just have to laugh at it, and be thankful we have money in the bank to cover the costs of the repairs, and move on down the road. We are blessed, and soon we will be blessed people with a new sewer line. How more blessed can you get than that?

See you soon.

Rain Boots

Last week we actually had some seasonal weather. And by seasonal, I mean it was a little bit cold. So, I dressed LM in his cute warmer clothes. And, on the day it rained, he wanted to wear his rain boots! Here is is, stylin' and profilin', as my Unk would say:

Today, it'll be in the 70's. So, you know, we have to take advantage of the cooler weather when we can. It'll be gone before we know it, and we'll be sweating, sister. 

Happy Monday. Happy President's Day - LM and S have the day off - I am a working schmo. Hope you have the day off, friends. 

See you soon.

A Walk through Klyde Warren Park

As I mentioned yesterday, we took a walk through the new downtown park - Klyde Warren Park - after our trip to the Crow Collection. Here are some photos from that glorious morning of great weather and time with our family:

You can use the mallets to play those tubes!

King of the World!

This was the day after I had gotten his hair cut - it was a little short for my taste!

It'll grow...

I might or might not have been tickling him.


On to the top of the tree house...by himself.








Then on to the putting green!










Fun times!

See you soon.

Happy Chinese New Year! (And Valentine's Day too...)

So we are a few days late on the Chinese New Year thing, but here are some photos from a trip we recently made to a fun Kid's Club date at the Crow Collection of Asian Art:

There were a LOT of kids...

It is the year of the snake, so there were several snake themed crafts!

There was also a mask to make. 

Once we made the mask, he had to wear it continuously.

So proud!

No Mommy, I will not smile.

And, the mask went back on.

An enchanting walkway at the museum.

Clearly, I was enchanted anyway.

learning about chinese symbols

Then it was such a lovely day we headed over to the new downtown park!

I'll show you some photos from there tomorrow.

And, regarding that other holiday that happens to fall on February 14th - Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! LM took his superhero valentines to class today - he was very excited about sharing them. I hope he does indeed share. And, LM and I worked on this little present for S - I had it printed and framed and we are giving it to him today - shhhhh:

This idea, like the other projects I have posted recently, came from Pinterest. What can I say, I get "creative" when I see other people's great ideas. (And that post, if you follow the pin, is here.)

See you soon.