Day 3: Library Card!

Kaleb has come a long way since we saw him at Christmas. His reading and writing has improved so much! So much so that yesterday when we went to buy a few movies...he asked for books instead! To celebrate his new found love of reading...today he got his very first library card!

He was so excited! After he signed his name we made our way to the rows and rows of books. He said "if I can't read the title, I can't get the book." Such a good rule! After he found books he was interested in, he read the first page (to make sure he knew those words too.) We ended up coming home with five books!

It's a good thing the library is so close to us, I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time there this summer!

Pour Your Heart Out #2

With Kaleb here for the summer, me and Danny have a ton of unusual stuff to talk about. With two adults in the house it's easy to make decisions: when to eat, where to eat, what time to go to bed. But now with a third person around we have to make the decision that is best for all of us.

Last summer Danny was working nights, leaving me to make the big decisions. I had such an easy time with this. Kaleb had a bedtime, if he went in his room before his bedtime he could watch a movie, but there was no way he was going in his room at 9PM with a two hour movie. There's no reason a 6 year old should be going to bed later than me.

This summer, Kaleb is 7. Danny is working days. And we can not agree on a bedtime routine. Last night we all went in our rooms at 8:30. Danny had Kaleb pick out a movie and sent him to bed. When I shut our TV off at 9:30 I wanted Danny to turn Kaleb's TV off. I do not think he needs to be staying up later than us.

Of course this is where the problem came in: me and Danny can not agree! I asked what time he thought bedtime should be and he said "whatever." If you're not going to set a time for Kaleb, what's going to stop him from getting up and watching another movie! Afterall, he can go to bed whenever he wants! My other point? I don't want the TV on all night! There's no sleep timer on the TV...and just the thought of it being on all night drives me NUTS!

So, how do we agree on this? What's fair for everyone? And most importantly what time should a 7 year old be going to bed?!

Days 1 & 2: He's Back!

After our roadtrip to Ohio, we picked up some pretty special cargo for the summer. Each summer we have him, we get him for more and more time. The first year it was two weeks, last year it was six....and this year it is eight. And I'm psyched!

Our first full day with Kaleb started with breakfast at the in-laws in Cary. Such a great way to start the day...especially when you still have a three hour ride to get to the house! On our way to the house Kaleb kept talking about the original house we were supposed to buy. Boy was he surprised when we pulled into our driveway. And he was so excited to see his bedroom! The boys spent the day in garage...sorting tools and doing whatever boys do.

Today the boys put the tools to work! I've been wanting a liquor cabinet, but ended up falling in love with a leaning shelf instead. Look how good it came out....

My favorite way to end the night is a family dinner, a movie....and maybe a brownie (or two!) I'm looking forward to this all summer!

On the Road Again!

I love love love long weekends. And I love roadtrips! Friday we loaded up the truck with a few essentials and made our way to Ohio! It was a long 11 hour drive with only one pee and gas stop. We made it to Akron around 1AM and passed out. One of the best nights sleep I've had in a long time.

Usually when we go to Ohio we pick up Kaleb, visit family and then turn right back around. This time we decided we would actually explore and have fun in a city I've never been to before. Miley stayed with Danny's grandma and her dog Ginger while we went out and had some fun!




Have you ever watched the Food Network and said I need to go there?! Well, that's what this trip was all about! Our first stop was Swenson's....Food Network's Food Feud says they have the best burger. It was delicious. And cheap. My mouth is watering thinking about it! It was so fun to see the waiters running around claiming cars to wait on....it made the food even better knowing these people were working so hard!

Next we drove to Cleveland and explored the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was so cool seeing famous outfits, original lyrics in the artists handwriting, learning the history of bands and listening to great music. I loved seeing John Lennon's pianos and Elvis' car! Only downfall....no pictures allowed!

Joan Jett's car

Have you seen the Man Vs. Food episode where he eats the giant grilled cheese? I've seen that episode atleast 10 times, I daydream about going to this place. So when we decided to go to Cleveland, Melt Bar and Grilled was at the top of my "must eat here" list! And they did not dissappoint! The wait for a table was long so we grabbed a seat at the bar. They had great beers on tap, a ton of local stuff. AND CHEAP! Danny ordered the pizza roll melt, it looked good....but not as good as my Big Popper: jalapenos, cheddar cheese, herbed cream cheese, Texas toast....fried sandwich. And to make it healthy? Fruit preserves dipping sauce. It was the most amazing thing I've ever eaten. YUM!

 I was in a food coma after this. I may or may not have enjoyed a short nap before we went out again. We went to Hook Line and Drinker to see a funk band, Get on Up. Little known fact: Danny used to play trombone....and a few of his high school friends are in the band. They were great! It was packed so I wasn't able to get video, but I found this on YouTube!



After another fantastic nights sleep we went out to breakfast with the family, visited Danny's grandmother and then went to his dad's to pick up a few of his things. Our truck was packed on the way home!

Our last stop before getting on the road was to get Kaleb! He'll be visiting us until the end of July and I couldn't be more excited! Our roadtrip home was long, we stayed the night in Cary and had breakfast with the inlaws this morning. Kaleb was so happy when we finally got to our house....and so surprised that we weren't still in the apartment! He's already loving his own room and hanging out in the garage with his dad!

This summer is going to be great!

Home Tour: Kaleb's Room

Today the house tour continues! After a month and a half of living in the house I'm finally working on the bedrooms. When we first moved in I had Kaleb's bed made up with last years Toy Story bedspread. Even though we are all fans of Toy Story, I thought Kaleb needed less of a babies bedroom and more of a cool kid bedroom.

So, for today's today...much like the other tours, we walk in the house and up the stairs. You walk by the living room and move into the hallway. Kaleb's room is the first on the left.

I had a lot of ideas for his room. When we moved in we noticed there were boxes left in the attic, among the goodies was a huge flag. My original idea was to use it for the curtains. But it drove me nuts that the flag was backwards looking from the outside. My second thought was something nautical, but couldn't find enough stuff that I liked. Then it hit me...all American sports room!

I put the flag on the wall with a few sports related "stickers." Changed the Toy Story bedspread to a plain blue bedspread and added a few sporty pillows. His curtains are actually shower curtains and the rug is a bath rug!

Since we are a divided house I decided to do Boston and Ohio sports. Right now he has a Celtics poster, Red Sox pennant, and a Bruins decorations.

The other wall in his room has some water damage. We finally got our new roof yesterday, which means Danny and his friend can fix the wall soon. When that happens...this wall will have all the Ohio stuff.

What do you think? Miley likes it!

Friday Fancies #1

Today is my first time linking up with {long distance loving} and her Friday Fancies. I have so many clothes but always feel like I have nothing to wear. So, this fun little meme gives me a chance to do some virtual shopping. If money were no object and I was super tall and skinny...this is what I would be wearing this Memorial Day weekend....

Nicole Memorial Day by cntrystr05 featuring lace tank tops

We don't have anything "fancy" planned for this weekend, but I loved the lace tank top! I think the shorts dress it down the outfit making it perfect for any weekend event. I'm thinking maybe...a roadtrip, a hall of fame, and melted sandwiches. Any idea where we could be headed?!

Thursday Five

 <center><a href="http://flipflopcombatboots.blogspot.com/search/label/Thursday%20Five"><img border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/cntrystr05/1-19.png" /></a></center>

Helloooooo Thursday!
It's been raining for two weeks straight in North Carolina.
The sun made an apperance yesterday
& I'm hoping it sticks around for the long weekend.
We'll see!

Here's this weeks words...

Great

Incredible

Inspired

Rewarding

Swell

1. I had a great long weekend at home. And even had fun hanging out with a baby! I mean, look how cute she is!

 2. Miley apparently had an incredible time at doggy daycare. She's been catching up on her beauty sleep since she's been home.

3. This week I was inspired by last years Thursday Five. Funny story, a year ago I replace my Blackberry with my iPhone....this week Danny started using my Blackberry. Perfect timing!

4. Marriage is hard work but it is rewarding. I'm thinking of starting the Love Dare again.

5. I'm ready for a swell long weekend!