Nice weather for painting...

My FAAAAAAAVE chair-to-be fabric

Max modeling in front of the floor model of the couch we ordered

The exterior painting of the house has been started; we've had temps in the 40's the last few days so they jumped on the chance to get this stage done.  We did just find out that our appliance delivery date has been moved to Feb. 10... yes... FEBRUARY!  Man.  They are more behind than we thought!  Anyway, here are a few pics from the weekend... the green color isn't as dark as I thought it would be and the trim isn't as light as I'd hoped, but it looks great nonetheless.  We also did some damage with the credit card at the furniture store this weekend... we bought a leather sectional for the great room and my very favorite thing is the new chair we are having made.  I took a pic of the fabric... I LOVE IT!!!  I don't know if those are leaves or acorns, but whatever... it's sooooooo cute!  

the front exterior paint...

Our Math Whiz

Chris and I had our first parent/teacher conference with Miss Heather this morning at Max's preschool.  It was scheduled for just 20 minutes and I wondered how in the world we would squeeze all our questions into one session, but at the 15 minute mark, we were already done.

Here's what it boils down to... Max is a math whiz and pretty much an overall genius.  Well... you know... kind of...

Miss Heather did sing his praises saying he is so well-behaved and very respectful to everyone in class.  She also said that there are a few kids that get in "trouble" daily and Max is smart enough to know not to associate with them; he knows who is good for him and who is not.  

She also bragged (er... I am bragging) that he is the most advanced in the class at putting patterns together, which she taught us is an early math skill, and she is very impressed.  He MUST get his math skills from his dad cause I got a C in Calculus in college... shhh!

We let her know that we (ok, I am) are becoming more and more bothered by the fact that Max prefers to play with girls and girly things.  She said he does choose girls in class too, mostly so he can love on them, but she will make more of an effort to have him associate with boys when she can.  She also made us aware of the fact that he is very good at sharing EXCEPT when it comes to the dress up clothes... if someone takes the veil off his head, she said "watch out".  Grrreeeeeaaaaaaaaat...

Anyway, it was very fun getting to sit down with Miss Heather today to hear about what a bright, fun, charming boy we have... what parent wouldn't love that report?

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

Wow.  Either I got married young or I'm getting old... or both?  Ten years ago today, Chris and I tied the knot...  I can't believe it's been that long ago!  Time truly does fly.  

I reflected a bit on the last 10 years as I started making this post:  we've each had two different careers (well, 3 if you count parenting!), are working on building our third home, had a child, taken trips, and been healthy and happy... what a great start!  

I hope the next 10 years don't go by as quickly... and I wish them to be just as happy as the last 10 have been...

Happy Aluminum/Tin Anniversary to us!  :)  

More house updates...

We just got word that dry wall was started today.  Finally!  :)  It's starting to come together quickly now... although I admit I'm in no hurry to leave Grandma's basement; we love it down here!  :)  Here are a few pics...

the outdoor fireplace (minus one hearth stone)

Looking into the great room at the delivered dry wall

Covered patio and part of the back (can't wait till that hardi plank is painted!)

Another partial view of the back

Our new garage doors... unpainted

Christmas Parade.... BRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Don't worry about us... we just spent an hour outside while it was 28 degrees, waving to the parade participants and waiting for Santa.  I don't remember it ever being this cold this early in the season... it's bitter!!!!

Max didn't mind, mostly because he conned me into buying him a $5 bag of kettle corn.  Before you "tsk", keep in mind it is VERY yummy, and the bag was pretty huge, so that makes it better.  We were actually on a hunt for cotton candy but couldn't find any.  Oh, they had an ice cream stand though, as if anyone would want ice cream!  

It was very cheery though, and put us in the Christmas spirit.  We came home and got the Christmas tree out and lit it up already.  Next... stockings!

Ok, I cannot look at this picture without busting out in laughter.  Look at it!!  This is Max's preschool class!  Can you imagine getting a group of 3 and 4 year olds to smile and look at the camera all at the same time?  And look how mischievous they all seem... I bet Miss Heather and Miss Missy go home and cry tears at night from laughing so hard about these kids.  What a bunch of rag-a-muffins!

Max is INSISTING that I name everyone for you... so here goes...  :)

Back Row, L-R:  Miss Heather, Drew, Taylor M., Xander, Taylor E., Max, Rachel (of course, right next to Max), Amanda, Chase L. (the one who screamed bloody murder last year and made Max cry from the noise he created), Miss Missy

Front Row, L-R:  Joelle, Brayden, Chase G., Reese, Garrett, Cade, Becca

Hope you all get as big of a laugh out of it as I did!  Click on the picture to see it HUGE on your screen, then you can see their faces better... 

Look who's in town!

Santa!!  Max actually sat on his lap without being afraid this year and even told him what he wants:  Handy Manny Tool Truck, a Prince Eric doll, Spongebob Operation game, and a new bedroom set.  (thankfully Santa is getting him those things... shew!)  Here is a pic of them together... Santa was sooo nice to Max and told him he has grown so much since last year.