first school picture

Field Trip to Jim's Pumpkin Farm

Well, I did it.  I lived through the parental rite of passage that is field trip chaperoning.  :)

Today we went to Jim's Pumpkin Farm for some autumn fun.  Decent weather, corn mazes, a hay ride, muddy pumpkin fields, and generally delightful small beings made for a good time.  I have to say I was filled with pride to be the children's choice for "cool parent."  When we were breaking up into groups in the morning, "I want to be with Kennedy's Mom!!!" was sung in chorus.  Okay, okay, it might have more to do with Nedy than me, but whatever, I'll take it.  :)

 

Details.

There's no such thing as cutting corners with Dan.  Every inch of this project is covered in details...time consuming details.  I am loving the hand-folded metal sills and the mitered corners on the shake.  It's just so darn pretty.  :)

 

Field Trip to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

Nedy's school took their second field trip of the year today to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend.  I was sooooo hoping to go on this trip, but last minute work demands prevented that.  Nana to the rescue!  My Mom chaperoned, meaning Kam got to go, too!  (Also meaning he got his first bus ride: "I wide da coow bus!!!  I go on fiewd twip and wide coow bus!!" He loves Nedy's school; I'm guessing he will start there part-time next Fall.)  

Anyway, I think they had fun.  Even Nana.  :)   

 

house update

I have managed to become a terrible blogger again.  I'm good at being a terrible blogger.  ;)

Much of the work on the house of late has been inside.  I am happy to say plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough is all done and passed inspection.  Rough carpentry also passed inspection last week with the inspector noting it was one of the best rough carpentry jobs he had ever seen.  Well, of course.  ;)  

So with all of that done and through inspection, today begins...ready for it?...insulation!  The spray foam trucks just arrived this morning.  They will take a few days followed by drywall starting next week sometime.  We're still on track for "reasonably finished" inside by mid-December.  (Though we have yet to define "reasonably finished."  Ahem.)

And a few recent shots of the exterior.  On the front, notice the front entry is rebuilt and the clerestory (or 'tower' if you're the non-architect type) is clad.  On the back, notice the cladding on the two-story window and the refining of the balcony.  Also notice more torn down stone, this time by the back door--prep work for a wider version to come.  Oh, and don't miss Dan.  Can you spot him?

 

And I realize I need to do a post on the kids.  I'll try to get some pics up within the next couple days.  They are 84% delightful, which for their ages I hear is pretty good.  ;)