I've had this idea for a while to cut out a part of the wall that impeded our ability to see into the living room from the kitchen. Not only would it let in more natural light from the living room bay windows, but it would also provide some fun seating in the living room while we entertain. Or heck, while the boys are eating breakfast. I finally called around, got some quotes, and in a few days we pulled the trigger on the project. Not sure what was behind the wall, there was a nerve-wracking day or two. But, we made it around all the obstacles and I'm pretty excited with how it's turned out!
We have to paint the wood on the inside of the cut-out, paint touch ups on the kitchen wall, get the counter top installed from Home Depot, and buy some bar stools and we're in business! I love it already! It's exceeded my expectations and it's only been a week! Although, I'll be happy to have a dust and dirt-free home when this project is done.
With the kitchen demo going on, the boys finished their Valentine's just in the nick of time. Sean went with Lego Star Wars that had Darth Vader and a glow stick as the light saber. He surprised me and wrote out all 21 of his classmates' names and his own name in one night. Young 5's is working wonders for him! All he needed was the list in front of him and he did it all on his own.
He came home all smiles with his bag he made at school full of tattoos, suckers, glow sticks, and erasers.
Evan was grateful to take anything Sean was willing to pass on. My little sugar-junkie.
Evan's party was the following day. He chose a Baymax card that says, "Have a lollipop" like in the movie. Of course, him picking a card with suckers was a must. It took him 3 nights, but he wrote his name on all 24 cards!
I was blessed to have Friday off as a part of my mid-winter break, so I was able to take him to his party and volunteer in his room. It was so cute watching him pass out his cards to his friends and enjoy his pizza party! We made a day out of running errands after his party in preparation for up north and he was a trooper at Home Depot while I ordered the counter top. I rewarded him with a trip to the library!
For my own Valentine, I worked on making homemade beer coasters and bought him an assorted six-pack of beer to take up north. My gift? A trip to Frankenmuth on the way home from the cottage on Monday afternoon for dinner at Frankenmuth Brewery and a stroller through the River Place stores. Heaven!
Speaking of up north, we headed up for our annual mid-winter break weekend ski trip. We started the tradition last year when Sean was old enough to hit the slopes with me and it was even more special this year now that we could all go out. It helped having Scott's parents there to hang out with Evan in the chalet after his lesson. An hour for a 3 year old is impressive. Two hours for a five year old is remarkable.
We hit the road Saturday afternoon after Scott's 5/6th grade girls won their basketball championship! The lake was gorgeous upon arrival. Partly sunny skies and plenty of snow.
We ate pizza, salad, fruit, and veggies for dinner and then drove over to the indoor pool for some swimming. I can't get over how much the boys are both progressing in their swim classes at Aqua Tots. Sean preferred to keep his swim arms off the majority of the time and showed Nana and Pops his front and back strokes. We're so proud of him!
We got back to the cottage in time for baths, cheese balls, and a bedtime show by the fire. It was such a quiet, relaxing evening. After the boys were in bed, the adults sat around with drinks and played euchre. Pops and I are the champions again!
The next morning we were up early and on the go to Snow Snake. We woke up to a beautiful sunrise with a pink sky for Valentine's Day!
The boys had an hour private lesson at 10am. Minus a small scare with a deer running in front of Pops' Suburban on the ride there, it was a really smooth day. The boys did great skiing and we stayed warm! Evan made it about 40 minutes and wanted to go in. We realized later that evening he had the start of an ear infection and the helmet he was wearing was hurting his ear. Poor guy! He did awesome going down the hill despite the pain.
Sean did the best we've seen all season. By the end of the afternoon, he was going down the hill with me and Scott next to him. No backpack needed! He figured out how to turn to make himself stop, which was truly impressive to me.
Scott and I were able to escape a bit to go up the chairlift and go on some of the more difficult hills. Considering it was Scott's second time skiing in years, he did great! Black diamonds? No problem.
After lunch inside, we all headed over to the tubing section of the park. The lines were a little long, but the kids had a blast. I spent the last half hour by the fire outside giving my back a rest. I guess I'm getting old.
A snooze in the car on the way home, a pasta and meatball dinner, cheese balls and a movie capped off another great evening!
Monday, we woke up to snow falling and knew that we had to try out the sledding hill by their cottage. We had the entire place to ourselves and it was perfect! A huge hill set back in the quiet woods and we were all enjoying the peace and quiet...until we went down the hill! Keeping the language PG while we went down this hill was no easy task, but everyone had a blast!
The only downside to a hill that large? Walking up it. I've never seen Sean so motivated! He beat us up that hill many times to be the first one to get to go down again. I'd say it was a successful sledding trip!
The best part of going sledding? The hot chocolate when you get back to the cottage!
And just like it was time to go back home. I had to work today and the rest of this week. The boys and Scott are lucky to be home all week. I'm jealous of all the extra time they'll have together and the lazy days around the house. But, I can't complain. We had an awesome long weekend and enjoyed our winter outdoor activities.
Hope everyone had a weekend full of love like we did!
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