Happy Father's Day!

We had been thinking about getting a playset for the boys (even though we live within walking or biking distance of about five very cool playgrounds) when my dad called and offered to buy one for them.  I logged on to Craigslist and, after browsing a few that were either too expensive ($5K, seriously?) or obviously past their prime, we found one that was a pretty unique style we hadn't seen a lot of other places.

The price was right and it was only two years old - but there's always a catch, right?  It was located in Colorado Springs, an hour and a half drive from our house (and an hour and a half return drive).  And we don't own a trailer or a truck to pull it.  And it was going to be 98 degrees that day (Father's Day, no less).

Still, we sprang into action - Sam arranged for a truck and a car trailer from our friend Scott, I contacted the seller and set up a time to meet, we loaded the kids in the car ("they'll nap on the return drive - no problem!") and hit the road. 

We found the address easily and the seller, Billy, was a friendly guy happy to make room in his backyard. He even arranged for four burly men working on his neighbor's deck to come over and help us load the main structure onto the trailer (otherwise we would probably STILL be in CoSpgs dismantling the thing).  The rock wall, swing set and slide got strapped on and we hit the road.

We drove home (the children did NOT nap, of course) and then were faced with the daunting task of getting it from the front yard into the back yard - sans burly men. We removed the roofs and the front portico, crowbarred a section of our side fence open, and - with the help of Sam's dad, sister, and our cross-the-street neighbor, manhandled the bad boy into place.

After a few hours of banging and swearing and misplaced bolts (Bill accidentally took some home with him), the play set was ready to go, and the children LOVE IT.

Jack "flies" on the swing

It's big enough for Sam to join them, too

Oh, the curvy slide!

More flying

My original idea for a play set involved building something down in the garden with a drawbridge connecting it to the lawn. We didn't get a drawbridge, but were able to rig the rock wall/ladder to angle out into the yard (making it easier for small arms and legs to climb, except when the nearby sprinkler makes the wood slippery).  Here are the monkeys at play.

Hot Tub Hot Tub Hot Tub

After almost a year, we finally decided we either needed to get the hot tub fixed or add it to the many "Free Hot Tub -You Haul" listings on Craiglist.  Sam found a guy to mail the "board" off to, and once we had it back, it was time to clean out a year's worth of gunk and yuck (the tub had been drained but rain/snow had leaked in through the cover). I did not take any photos of that...

Of course the boys wanted to be right in the middle of the whole process (they've been in hot tubs in Solvista and Kauai) and were just over the moon when it was finally filled and bubbling away.  Of course, it was much too cold to get in on Friday....

...so we waited until after nap on Saturday.

Who's having more fun with the pool toys?

I bought a belt/water wings combo floaty thing for Jack at Costco and once I finally conned him into wearing it, he had a blast.  Here he "jumped" (really just stepped) off the seat into my waiting arms.

Of course Honu had to be part of the fun

Ryan takes a turn "jumping"

3.5 (on the Richter Scale)

Dear Ryan:

Happy half birthday!  I can finally stop attempting to do math in my head to figure out how many months old you are - I just say "he's 3 and a 1/2" and everyone nods knowingly.You are growing up so fast - you experienced a growth spurt last month that had you begging to eat a full meal every twenty minutes, and now I catch a glimpse of you out of the corner of my eye and think, where did that kindergartner come from?

You're developing well in other areas, too - you're working on your manners, including using a napkin instead of wiping your hands on your shirt, and sharing snacks with your brother comes so easily. 

I love watching the relationship between the two of you develop, with you eager to get him to play with you (on your terms, of course). Jack, too, is eager to see you, hollering "RYAN!" when you come out of your room in the morning like you've just walked into the neighborhood bar...

You're still not the most physically adventuresome little man, but you've adding jumping from a short height (2 feet or less) to your repertoire, and our evening stroller walks include some actual walking on your part (usually after Jack attempts to jump out of the moving stroller first).  We'll spend a lot of time at the splash park this summer to get you closer to willingly putting your face in the water. 

Your well-loved Honu gained a new friend, New Honu with Eyes, that Dad brought back from a recent business trip to New York that included a stop at FAO Schwarz.  As excited as you were about its impending arrival, you still favor the original.  Often you insist on toting around your entire honu ohana (family) - new Honu with Eyes, Honu #1, Honu #2, Baby Honu, Grandma Charma's Honu, and Itty Bitty.

We've been going for bike rides with you and Jack in the bike trailer attached to your Dad's bike.  You've obviously been paying attention to every little detail, because a few days ago you were riding your trike through the kitchen and you announced to me that you had "slinks" on your feet.  "Slinks?" I said.  "What's that?" You banged your feet on the trike pedals and said, "Slinks, like Dad has.  For my pedals!'' I then realized you were referring to the CLEATS on the bottom of our bike shoes that click into the pedals.

I could go on and on telling tales of how smart you are, how kind and generous, about your super potty skills and your love of the outdoors (and outdoor tools such as the fertilizer spreader, hose sprayer head and faucet handle, and, of course, the lawn mower) - BUT I need to go to bed so I have enough energy to keep up with you tomorrow!

You are my sunshine,
Mama