Our Favorite April

It's the end of April and so only fitting that we take a moment to highlight my family's "April."  We spent a lot of time and effort finding "the perfect day care" after we moved to our current hood.  We wanted the kids to participate in some sort of learning during the day.  No background television clouding their growing minds.  No cat hair on every surface their little hands touched.  A nice backyard for outdoor play.  Structure but not a jail.  Room to move and play inside and freedom to be who they want to be.  Healthy food and rules and crafts that we can hang up at home.  Time for naps and enforcement of manners and kindness to others.  And it needed to work with our schedules.  And it needed to be close to home. 

Yeah right huh?  Well, a neighbor referred us to her provider.  One mile from our house.  April, a retired pre-school teacher has been doing in home daycare for years.  Her home is clean and pet free.  Her backyard is one that a kid could only dream of.  Her garage holds not cars but toys and activities for her kids to grow their brains with.  And I mean that literally.  Anything you can think of, April has already thought of or is planning to think of soon.  The crafts Dude comes home with are astonishing and creative and heartwarming.  She feeds them healthy meals.  She's strict with manners and obeying and being kind to one another.  She lets them sleep and have down time and boy does she let them play.  She insists on it.  She's open the days I work and doesn't charge an arm and a leg to care for my little ones.  My kids love April's house - never once have either of them cried when we drop them off, but more than once they have cried when we drag them home.  In fact, Squirt now runs, in her hobbly way, away from us, as fast as she can, upon our arrival at the end of the day.  We pick them up happy and dirty.  And this tidy and clean mom has grown to believe that the dirtier they are, the more awesome day they had. 

This was a sampling of what Dude came home with from Pirate Week.  A kid's dream come true.  His own green treasure box, which was hidden in April's yard.  He received a customized hand made treasure map, leading to his treasure box.  All the children had their own special maps - no two alike.  He decorated a ship, a hat, a hook and a pictured of himself as a pirate.  Can you imagine possessing this much creativity and patience?  I can't.  Not even for one second.  Thank goodness we have April. 

This came home during dinosaur week and the puppet below, you guessed it.  Monster week. 
We bought a special artwork wire just to showcase our April creations.  Blessed in the day care department? I think so.    

My Man's Newly Remodled Cave

On the day we moved into our current pad, we were politely informed by our dedicated group of friends that this would indeed be the LAST move in which they would assist us.  And we understood.  6 moves in 7 years in ridiculous in any estimation.  We're proud that, after 4 years, we're still residents of the same casa and have had zero discussions about looking for new digs.  Now, that said, I know what makes my husband tick.  And I knew when we purchased our current home that ultimately, it would not satisfy his needs in its purchased state. 

The problem? We purchased a home with a 2 car garage with chipping floor, partially dry walled walls, deteriorating and ooogly cabinets, terrible lighting, less than adequate electrical options, original garage doors and openers that moved at slower than a snail's pace. If you know Tim, you know that this has been a source of sadness for his tender and patient heart.  The photos above are after we ripped out old cabinets etc.  Didn't think to photograph it in it's ugly duckling condition.

We looked into adding a 3rd car stall, but found the $30,000 estimate to be out of the question. And so I decided that my hard working husband deserved to be given my blessing to transform our current disaster of a man cave into the cave of his dreams. Not that he needed my blessing, but kinda he did. He smiled, agreed and started dreaming. 3 months later, we're proud to announce that we now have the flyest garage in town (in our estimation of course) and a space that makes my hubbie giggle (in a very manly way).

 The floor is the main attraction.  Doesn't chip, fade, wipes up with a wet rag, disguises all dirt,...a car maintenance lover's dream.

 We now have a sink (the faucet has since been added). 

 Before we loaded up the cabinets the kids found this to be the very best playground in the house.

Everything has been organized and has a home, hidden from view.  I love that.  Posters have been laminated and hung, the floor is cleaned weekly and played on almost daily by our children.  After all, it's cleaner than our kitchen floor no doubt.  The sink is functioning, new lighting has been installed, outlets relocated...it's a haven for the entire family.  If you drive by and see us hanging out in said haven, don't judge.  It's a rather fly place to hang in, garage or not.  And now my dear hubbie will be content in our pad for years to come.  Mission accomplished.

A Grandma and Easter Weekend

Mom V rounded out our month of Mile High visitors.  And we're so glad she did.  We had a fabulous weekend with Grandma.  Always do.  We flew kites, ate on a rooftop deck, window shopped, shoe shopped (ended up with matching shoes), grilled out, celebrated Mom's birthday,  drank wine, played new games, wrestled, dressed up for Easter church, egg hunted at Bruce and Barbs...it was a relaxing and super fun weekend.  We always feel very loved and appreciated when Grandma comes.  Sad to see her go.  Thanks for taking time out to see us Mom!  Love you much. 

 My Easter girl.  Could have eaten her right up.

 Pinterest idea #82.  Mom and I put our heads and hands together and created the cutest little nests ever to come out of my kitchen.

 Lando, just one of nine little people at Easter.  They're starting to outnumber the adults.

 Noly and Heath looked rather dapper in their big boy ties.

 My bunny stud. He was into the egg hunt for about half hour and then got "soooo tired" and needed to take a couch break.

  

THANKS to Bruce and Barb for hosting an awesome Easter meal and egg hunt.  We sure did miss Oma's smiling face this year but she was definitely smiling down on your back yard. 

 We kinda like to be like each other.  And we're okay with that.

 Like I said, lots of children.

 Squirt's very first peep.  Reaction was positive.

Before mentioned kite flying.  Squirt was rather enamoured with the flying object.  Dude thought it was about the coolest thing he and Dad had ever done.  Didn't even stop the fun when it got stuck in our neighbor's tree.  Tim climbed a ladder and they taped that sucker right up for round #2. 

That ends Easter weekend fun.  I'll close with lyrics from the song my son sang the entire weekend, melting our hearts.....He is Lord, He is lord.  He has risen from the dead and He is Lord.  Every knee shall bow every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! 

The Remainder of Papa Time

Papa rolled outta town tonight (rather, flew out) and we're looking around the house wondering where he is.  Kinda getting used to having a visitor here to entertain us, so we'll have to be content with boredom until Grandma V arrives on Friday afternoon.  I know, a whole 40 something hours.  We're pumped for Grandma to see the kids in their Easter best and experience the Jansen Easter Egg Hunt! 

Papa finished out his time here with our neighborhood Easter egg hunt, park time, pizza dinner out, night time car washing session, his birthday adult dinner with us and Bruce and Barb, a date day with the dude, cake and presents, a scavenger hunt walk through the hood, naps.....the list goes on. We all loved having him around and I think he dug our kiddos just a tiny bit. Squirt was head over heals for her Papa. Just like Dude was at that age. Thanks for coming out and spoiling us Papa. We sure did treasure every second!

 We finally had to outlaw sitting on Papa's head. 

 Papa got a framed Chicago print from Etsy for part of his bday present.

Our soaking wet baby girl.  It's going to be a rockin' summer with her passion for being dirty and drenched.

    

Part 1 - Papa time

This is my second go at this post - don't know why, but the first attempt magically disappeared.  Must have been Dude's friendly ghost friends.  We had a super sunny, hot and outdoorsy fun weekend with Papa at the beginning of his stint.  Of course it snowed right after the 85 degree temps hit, but that's why we adore Colorado.  Dude was in rare form and his imagination was running rampid during his Papa's stay.  See below for evidence.  Papa got quite a kick out of our little man.  He does have a way of making everyone around him laugh.  Oh to be in his little brain.... 

What does one do if they want to look like "Mr. Hulk?" They lock them self in their bedroom and proceed to put on SEVEN pairs of pajamas. One on top of the other. See the video below for Dude's version of what possessed him to go through the effort. (After 2 hours we forced him to remove all seven pairs due to the sweat beads on his brow).

 

 Summer = beyond darling outfit choices for my little girl.  I can't get enough.

 Hot March Saturday means time for our new water table.  They liked it.  In case you can't tell. 

Papa surprised Dude with a little water action . Surprisingly enough, my child didn't freak out.  He laughed and declared war on Papa.  Well deserved war. 

Thanks to my newest bosom buddy, www.pinterest.com, I made some sidewalk paint for the kids to dabble in.  Dude didn't get one drop on his dainty self (big surprise) and Squirt was covered, head to toe like a little rainbow brite (big surprise). 

 Monkey see...

 Monkey do....