Monday, August 29, 2011

Another House Project list!

It feels like we are constantly working on this list but only a little, little bit gets to be marked off.  Such is life:

Life Projects:
* Get Life Insurance for Matt and I- in progress... next step, tests (for Matt, mine are done, then results).
* Start 403b plan and putting $50/paycheck away to start- in progres, next step, roll over pension, submit thingy to HR.  Paperwork filled out, just need to call.
* Get a will in place
* Make a doctor's appointment with new doctor
* Talk to Financial Guy
* Get new insurance to save money
* Send Frye Boots in for stitching
* Get Library Card
* Update DMV with address

* Make Cashi's first year CD/Video montage
* Scrapbook projects
      * Finish Wedding Scrapbook
      * Finish Family scrapbook
      * Finish College scrapbook
      * Finish 2010 Project Life scrapbook
* Taxes 2010

House Projects:
* Create chalkboard calendar
* Put up chalkboard calendar Deleted as the chalkboard thingy is in progress!
* Order windows
* Hall Bath Renovation
      * Many things have been completed but were not on this list, including: select paint, paint walls, cut wainscotting, buy and install light, patch up drywall
      *  Things to add: paint wainscotting, touch up paint, re-grout and seal floor, paint trim/pieces, install fixtures, hang light after paint dries, caulk fixtures in shower, hang shower curtain rod,
      *  New additions: Hang Medicine cabinet, install final paint job/touch up on moulding/trim, install hooks
      * Find shelving for Hall Bath
      * Obtain Mirror for Hall Bath
* Master Bath Renovation
      * Paint new sink base for Master Bath Renovation
* Repaint Master Bedroom
* Knock out wall between Kitchen and Living Room... really, did I put this on here.. this is probably 5 years down the road.  Progress!  We met with a designer who gave us some good ideas and an estimate.  Timeline is now probably 3 years down the road. 
     * Purchase new refrigerator
* Paint dining table?
* Paint chairs
* Paint Secretary?
* Paint Chalkboard Menu Thingy- It's cut!  Hang Chalkboard! Hang Chalkboard in Cashi's room!
      * Get shelf/Hang Shelf
* Figure out if Microwave can be fixed.  Figured out its a separate unit, so it can be replaced! Progress!
* Hang House Numbers 
* Rebuild/replace fence!  
* Replace deck
* Build Outdoor shower aka Matt's "Master Bathroom" project

Thursday, August 4, 2011

House Project List update again

Cuz we've made some progress!!

Life Projects:
* Get Life Insurance for Matt and I- in progress... next step, tests.  Waiting on the guy.
* Start 403b plan and putting $50/paycheck away to start- in progres, next step, roll over pension, submit thingy to HR.  Paperwork filled out, just need to call.
* Get a will in place
* Make a doctor's appointment with new doctor
* Talk to Financial Guy
* Get new insurance to save money
* Send Frye Boots in for stitching
* Get Library Card
* Update DMV with address

* Make Cashi's first year CD/Video montage
* Scrapbook projects
      * Finish Wedding Scrapbook
      * Finish Family scrapbook
      * Finish College scrapbook
      * Finish 2010 Project Life scrapbook
* Taxes 2010

House Projects:
* Create chalkboard calendar
* Put up chalkboard calendar Deleted as the chalkboard thingy is in progress!
* Order windows
* Hall Bath Renovation
      * Many things have been completed but were not on this list, including: select paint, paint walls, cut wainscotting, buy and install light, patch up drywall
      *  Things to add: paint wainscotting, touch up paint, re-grout and seal floor, paint trim/pieces, install fixtures, hang light after paint dries, caulk fixtures in shower, hang shower curtain rod,
      *  New additions: Hang Medicine cabinet, install moulding/trim, install hooks
      * Find shelving for Hall Bath
      * Obtain Mirror for Hall Bath
* Master Bath Renovation
      * Paint new sink base for Master Bath Renovation
* Repaint Master Bedroom
* Knock out wall between Kitchen and Living Room... really, did I put this on here.. this is probably 5 years down the road.  Progress!  We met with a designer who gave us some good ideas and an estimate.  Timeline is now probably 3 years down the road. 
     * Purchase new refrigerator
* Paint dining table
* Paint chairs
* Paint Secretary?
* Paint Chalkboard Menu Thingy- It's cut!  Hand Chalkboard! Hang Chalkboard in Cashi's room!
* Get shelf/Hang Shelf
* Figure out if Microwave can be fixed.  Figured out its a separate unit, so it can be replaced! Progress!
* Hang House Numbers 
* Rebuild/replace fence! 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

21 months

Dear Cassius,







Wow!  Time is flying by!  We've done a lot since my last letter and I'm eeking this in just before you turn 22 months! 

We had a great trip to Witch Lake and you L.O.V.E.D. it!  Every waking moment of it.  You had so much fun playing "boo" with Andy and Georgie.  You weed wacked every day.  You played in the water (a bit) with your Gramma and you loved to watch the saws and tools while Papa and Keith worked (tool are sharp- you remind us!).  A few highlights from the trip:
* You got to see Uncle Brett cut down a tree, with a chainsaw!  You still talk about this! 
* You got to see your other Uncle Brett, Aunt Mikki and cousins Kinley and Karsyn.
* You had a blast with Andy and Georgie doing all sorts of things.
* You flew with mom on the way out and dad on the way back and you did pretty well... it wasn't easy but we made it!
* You got to sleep with us a few nights in the last month or so.  It seems that in a new place, you just like to snuggle.  I kinda like it!

Speaking of snuggle... you learned to say the word "nuggle" and will often request it, especially in the morning.  Your vocab expands every day and you are stringing words and thoughts together all the time.  A couple of days ago you said "uncle" "picture" "raccoon" "phone" "white car"... because the day (or two) prior, Jeremy (aka Uncle Jeremy) came over and showed you a picture of a raccoon on his phone. I can't really remember, but I think the raccoon was near a white car!  Holy moly! 

I can't remember if this is new or not, but you know all your colors! and you are learning to count.  You've got 1, 2, 3 down (especially since we frequently use that to prepare you for what's to come next) and can count aloud to get Daddy to run through the "spinklers" with you.

You love to play with the big kids and can easily get into what ever game they are playing, be it hide and seek, duck duck goose or red light, green light.

It's been a big month for us as we decided to make the switch with your daycare...so August 15th, you start up at a new daycare.  I hope you love the learning, and I think you will.

Oh... I almost forgot.  The temper tantrums have officially started.  Your first true tantrum was hilarious (to us).  You were S.O. upset because you couldn't hold the package of graham crackers.  You kept wailing "brown" (as in brown graham crackers) and "package".  Kicking, screaming, flailing, limp body, screaming and screaming for a good 20 minutes.  Then you got up, asked for a peach (and I gave it to you) and all was okay with the world.  Silly boy!

I know I say this every month, but you are the love of my life and a joy to watch.  I get excited for the times we share because you are just hilarious.

I love you,

Mama

Friday, June 24, 2011

20 months

Dear Cassius,

You are one incredibly smart little dude!  It's so much fun figuring out what you've figured out!  Here's a snapshot:
- You started to sing songs.  Robot Parade was the first... it's so darn cute "obot arade".  You also like/sing Twinkle (Twinkle Little Stars) and (Wheels on the) Bus.  You ask dada to sing Monkey (and the Engineer).
- You like to count, or rather, when we count.  Your favorite is counting the chickens!
- You wake up with mama!mama!mama!mama! or dada!dada!dada!dada! every morning now.  No crying or whining like you used to... you use your words!
- You seem to like timeouts or the "corner".  Always keeping us on our toes.  You only try to bite and hit me... and no one else.  I guess that is good.
- You love "more ketchens (questions)".  What does a cow say? What does a donkey say? This one is my favorite as your "heehaw" is so cute!)
- You know all your colors (blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown and black).  Just this week the answer is not automatically "lellow" (you would get it right on the second ask) but you're offering the color now and often with the object (white truck).   You are even getting two color combos!
-You love to help in the kitchen- from making food to washing dishes.  You love to be a part of the action.
-Your little voice is so cute.  Your intonation is so cute when you say "good girl" to Sibley or when you say "HONEY!" (as in Honey, I'm Home).

A few exciting things happened in May/June...
We went camping in the BUS! and we all had a great time.  You were hilarious with your saw, saw, saw, saw, saw!

Your dad picked up a bunch of lumber.  As usual, you were game to help! 


We had a foster kitten in the house.  Her name was Diana but you called her nanny.  It's been almost 3 weeks and you still talk about her.  You were scared of her when she would come near you, but you loved to watch her! I also had to bring a cat to the local shelter.  It's name was Toga and you still ask about "yogie" even though you spent all of 5 minutes with that cat!



You are one special little boy.  I am so proud you are mine and I am yours!

Love,
Mama

More updates on project

Some {very small, but still!} progress has been made, new projects have been added to the list.  Here's an update:

Life Projects:
* Get Life Insurance for Matt and I- in progress... next step, tests.
* Start 403b plan and putting $50/paycheck away to start- in progres, next step, roll over pension, submit thingy to HR
* Get a will in place
* Make a doctor's appointment with new doctor
* Talk to Financial Guy
* Get new insurance to save money
* Send Frye Boots in for stitching
* Get Library Card
* Update DMV with address
* Make Cashi's first year CD/Video montage
* Scrapbook projects
      * Finish Wedding Scrapbook
      * Finish Family scrapbook
      * Finish College scrapbook
      * Finish 2010 Project Life scrapbook
* Taxes 2010

House Projects:
* Create chalkboard calendar
* Put up chalkboard calendar
* Order windows
* Hall Bath Renovation
      * Many things have been completed but were not on this list, including: select paint, paint walls, cut wainscotting, buy and install light, patch up drywall
      *  Things to add: paint wainscotting, touch up paint, re-grout and seal floor, paint trim/pieces, install fixtures, hang light after paint dries, caulk fixtures in shower, hang shower curtain rod
      *  New additions: Hang Medicine cabinet, install moulding/trim,
      * Find shelving for Hall Bath
      * Obtain Mirror for Hall Bath
* Master Bath Renovation
      * Paint new sink base for Master Bath Renovation
* Repaint Master Bedroom
* Knock out wall between Kitchen and Living Room... really, did I put this on here.. this is probably 5 years down the road.
     * Purchase new refrigerator
* Paint dining table
* Paint chairs
* Paint Secretary?
* Paint Chalkboard Menu Thingy- It's cut! 
* Get shelf/Hang Shelf
* Figure out if Microwave can be fixed
* Hang House Numbers

Sunday, May 22, 2011

19 months

Dear Cassius,



You said "I love you" unprompted for the first time this month.  I think my heart nearly exploded as I put you to bed and you said, so sweetly, "la laaaa lo mama."

You went to the doctor for your 18 month check up and you haven't changed a whole lot since your last appointment.  33.25 inches (or so) and 26lbs 5 oz (or so).  The doctor isn't too worried that you supposedly haven't changed much, especially since it's probably due to the fact that you aren't too thrilled about being weighed and measured, hence some kinda wonky measurements (PS.  That is a horrible run on sentence with lots of useless words).



You started to put sentences together this month.  Hello Dada was your first and the vocab just keeps coming.  Today you said "wawa on (water on)".  You are getting pretty good about playing by yourself.  You still play relatively well with others.  You love to help your dad in the garden and you helped me bake cookies for the first time.  It was quite a mess and you only helped for about 30 seconds, but you did help.  We made cookies for all the neighbors who have so warmly greeted us since our move.  You had fun handing out the cookies too, even though you weren't feeling well that day.  A few days after handing out the cookies, you point to the houses where we dropped them off and say "coooookies".

This last month you went to 2 zoo's: Happy Hollow and the Oakland Zoo.  You really love looking at the animals (and running around) but you're not fond of the carousel!



Speaking of under the weather, you seem to have taken on your father's drama queen moments while ill.  Granted, you did vomit once, but the rest of the time, you were whiny and full of drama.  Now that you are on the mend, it seems to be residing.  Yeah!

You had two cousins born this month, Chloe (Chris and Melissa) and Lucas (Bob and Sarah)!

We booked our trip to Witch Lake this month!  I can't wait.  You'll be flying up with me and back with your dad.  It should be a blast!

Not sure there is a whole lot more to report.  I love you so much.  Thanks for being an awesome kid!

Love,

Mama

Thursday, May 5, 2011

To Do List 5/5/11

Some {very small, but still!} progress has been made, new projects have been added to the list.  Here's an update:

Life Projects:
* Get Life Insurance for Matt and I
* Start 403b plan and putting $50/paycheck away to start
* Get a will in place
* Make a doctor's appointment with new doctor
* Talk to Financial Guy
* Get new insurance to save money
* Send Frye Boots in for stitching
* Get Library Card
* Update DMV with address
* Make Cashi's first year CD/Video montage
* Scrapbook projects
      * Finish Wedding Scrapbook
      * Finish Family scrapbook
      * Finish College scrapbook
      * Finish 2010 Project Life scrapbook
* Taxes 2010

House Projects:
* Create chalkboard calendar
* Put up chalkboard calendar
* Order windows
* Hall Bath Renovation
      * Many things have been completed but were not on this list, including: select paint, paint walls, cut wainscotting, buy and install light, patch up drywall
      *  Things to add: paint wainscotting, touch up paint, re-grout and seal floor, paint trim/pieces, install fixtures, hang light after paint dries, caulk fixtures in shower, hang shower curtain rod
      * Find shelving for Hall Bath
      * Obtain Mirror for Hall Bath
* Master Bath Renovation
      * Paint new sink base for Master Bath Renovation
* Repaint Master Bedroom
* Knock out wall between Kitchen and Living Room
* Paint dining table
* Paint chairs
* Paint Secretary?
* Paint Chalkboard Menu Thingy- It's cut! 
* Get shelf/Hang Shelf
* Figure out if Microwave can be fixed
* Hang House Numbers