Shocked, Mom?

I've been putting off making blog posts because I am years behind with no time to catch up.  So apparently my solution has been to get further behind with absolutely, positively no fathomable way to catch up...yeah.

So, this is no attempt at meaningful catch-up, but rather a post simply to shock my Mom who still faithfully checks this blog and, as faithful as she is, I am quite sure never actually expects to see a post.  This one's for you, Mom.  (And the pics are off my phone--sorry.  Dan's new computer should have the "no decent pics!" issue remedied, soon.) 

Okay, a bit of cursory catch up.  Kamron is 3, turning 4 (gasp!) in June.  He is a man of extremes, either 100% delightful or 100% pain, with very little in between.  He is husky, hard-headed (figuratively and literally), task-oriented, and plans to drive the truck that empties portable toilets when he gets bigger.  (Not kidding.)  He might just be the best helper I've ever met.  He sets the table, pours milk and serves food at dinner, vacuums, scrubs toilets, rakes, and loves helping Grandpa fix his new skid loader.  He loves reading books, playing instruments, all Jason Aldeen songs and is working on his rapping skills.  (See what I mean?  Country and rap?  Man of extremes.)  He is quick-witted and very articulate, except when things don't go his way and then he erupts into a fit that I'm pretty sure can be heard in Korea.  Thankfully, those fits are not as common as they once were, though still more common than I'd like.  He recently learned to write his name, but not without bribes of chocolate--academics are not his area of interest at present.  Machines, chocolate, Monsters, Inc., iPhones/iPads, playing in dirt/sludge/mud, riding his bike, and the general adoration of his sister rank high.  To some extent, Kam seems afraid to try new things initially because he instantly wants to be as good as his sister at everything, but we're working on that.  From his perspective, she is the proverbial "tough act to follow".  Kam will start school later this summer at MorningStar Montessori and I'm pretty sure having his "own school" will help him bloom.  He is not destined for wallflowerdom.  Not on my watch.  ;)

Kam and Nedy "fishing" in one of the ponds at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

 

Blurry, I know, but stinkin' cute nonetheless.  :) 
(And yes, Dan is building our cabinet doors soon. Ahem.)
 

Kennedy (Nedy) is 6.  For the record, I have no idea how that happened.  Wasn't she just 4?  Nedy is in kindergarten at MorningStar Montessori in Cedarburg.  She has such a love of learning--forever asking how things work, why things are as they are, etc.  She is fascinated by what is happening in the world and has information processing abilities beyond her years.  I can't even count the number of times people have referred to her as an "old soul."  Last week, after Nedy's near-constant urging, Dan and I took her to the BodyWorlds exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  In typical Nedy fashion, after 6 hours at the museum she complained that we had to go, "But we just got here!  There's so much more to see!"  Nedy is hooked on the joy of reading and was so excited to get her very own library card a few weeks ago--she signed the back of it in her beautiful cursive and said, "This is so OFFICIAL!"  She has lost 2 teeth with several others loose.   Her great joys in life are reading Beverly Cleary books, cooking/baking, playing in the dirt, bugs, jungle gyms/ monkey bars, pogo-sticking, bike riding, olives and potato chips.  She takes individual and group violin, dance, and recently she and Kamron started swimming lessons.

Kamron's swimming class.

 

Kam (center) getting ready to jump in.  Can you see his smile in his cheeks?

 

Nedy (red suit) getting ready for her jump.

 

More hours in the day, please.  :) 

    
 

random cuteness

they almost look like they get along, don't they? ;)

Bikes!

Exciting news!  Nedy graduated from her starter bike inherited from a neighbor boy a couple years ago to her very first brand-spankin' new bicycle complete with basket, bell and ribbons!  She had us remove her training wheels at the beginning of summer and has been riding her little heart out ever since.  In fact, Dan didn't get the "run down the block with hand on back of bike" experience because immediately after training wheels were removed she just got on the thing and rode it clear down the block.  (She had spent a good portion of time riding on a balance bike over last summer and fall, and I think that sealed the balance requirements for her.)

Recently Kam had been asking to have the training wheels put back on Nedy's bike so he could graduate from his tricycle to it.  At a husky 3, Kam had gotten a bit big for his trike and it seemed a good time for him to move on to the real deal.  Of course, Nedy loved this idea, especially since in her mind that starter bike was getting "way too small" for her.  Immediately, visions of streamers began swirling in her head. 

So yesterday she and I went to the bike shop where I let her pick out her new ride.  (Well, within reason. I did tell her right off the bat that we wouldn't be looking at the $500 model...)  Much to my delight and surprise, she skipped over the myriad of pink bikes and found a blue one.  The new bike is BIG--she went from a 12" frame to a 20"--but she handled the transition with her typical grace.  So while the bike looks huge, it's got nothin' on this determined 5 year old.  :)

And Kamron couldn't be more proud of his new-to-him ride, though he did tell me when he gets "wid of dose twaining wheews" he plans to "get a weaaaaallly big bike bigguh even den Nedy's."  Good times.  :)

 

 

of violin and running around like a maniac

Nedy is so funny.  She recently started violin lessons, meaning we practice every night.  Tonight she looked out the front window at all of the neighborhood kids running around like maniacs and said, "I know practicing is important, but I would like to just go outside and run around, too.  But, I already know how to play with my friends and it's important to learn new skills...so I guess I'll keep practicing so I can learn to play this violin...  Actually, maybe I should practice for a while and then go outside for a while--you know, do both?  Or maybe practice long tonight and short tomorrow night and go outside then?"  

Look at my little gal, already getting the hang of prioritizing and juggling.  She could teach her mama a few things.  ;)

 

proof that we still exist.

(Lawn-mowing with Grandpa is a newly discovered summertime delight.)

And yes, Kamron has since gotten a haircut.  Ahem.

house update

This blog is pathetic.  I know.  Moving on. 

I just took some updated pics of the house with my phone...the only camera I've used lately.  Sigh.  I need more hours in the day.  But that brings me to my point about the time drain that is the remodel.  I am happy to say it is getting there and I can, for the first time, unveil some interior shots.  (Remember, they're with my phone.  Go easy on me.)  

Stairway leading from the kitchen to the upstairs.  That window makes me smile every time I enter the space.  Dan designed and crafted the railings--maple and stainless steel.  The kitchen area below it is still in process. 

Common area outside of our master bedroom.  We kept the master bedroom smaller and instead chose to make more space that is useful for the whole family.  This space will eventually hold a low and long sectional--the Case Study daybed series in gray for my mid-century mod friends.  :)  The door leads to a back balcony.  This space overlooks the kitchen and feels loft-like.  (Dan still has to make that railing.  I should post a photo of our temporary railing--it's a hoot!) 

Hallway leading from the kids bathroom (I'm standing in there to take the photo) down to the common area above.  Kam's room is on the immediate right with the stairway just past his room.  Nedy's room is the doorway on the left past the paintings. 

Master bedroom.  Did I mention I have a thing for moss?

Master bath.  Well, part of it.  You can see the tile in the shower in the mirror.  And I'm standing by the toilet.

Nedy's room.  It has a lovely curved ceiling, more closet space than should ever be necessary and that really cool 45 window.  (Now if only there was a mattress on the platform bed...)

Kam's room.  So bright and cheery and with such cool ceiling lines.  And the view out his window is of the gardens out back.  Well, where the gardens used to be.  We have some recovery work to do out there.  :)

Kids bathroom.  Or part of it.  Their shower and toilet are to the right.  This is such funky space; I hope it makes for joyful teenage years whilst sharing it.  ;)

And that's it for today.  Stay tuned for more updates and exterior shots.  More importantly, stay tuned for an update on the kids.  I have so much to share it's hard to know how to begin!