Flip Turner Christensen

We continue to go visit Flip Turner Christensen once a week.  This weekend he turned 5 weeks old.  That means just about three weeks until he can come home with us. (To a house filled with clutter and boxes that we have no clue what to do with after the move!)

Here are a few pics I snapped during this visit…  Puppy love.

A Puppy For Max

We are finally giving in.  Max has begged for a dog for years and we have always said no.  We know who would really take care of him, right?  (me!)  For a few years having an outdoor cat sufficed as a pet, even though in our experience you don't really play with a cat like you do a dog.  (no offense cat lovers)  Our kitty didn't want much to do with us unless we were giving her food.

I have been researching dogs for a while… I landed on a labradoodle or goldendoodle.  Both are intelligent, easily trained (they better be!), low shedding, and great family dogs.  (we hope)  I had contacted a labradoodle breeder in Cincinnati and was getting ready to send in a deposit when an acquaintance posted images of her new goldendoodle online.  I inquired.  The breeder is in Xenia (we can visit every week!) and the puppies will be available on July 25, right after Junior Olympics and the last day of swim practice for a month!  It was perfect timing.  Fate even.

Chris and I visited while Max was in school last week to make sure we were really going to do this.  Oh, once you are there and see the puppies you can't say no.  So we put our deposit down, took a ton of pics, and surprised Max with the news when he got home from school.

This week the puppies are 2 weeks old and I took Max for a visit.  We have two boys on hold and will have to choose soon.  We are waiting to see what their coats look like and if they start showing any personality traits.  Max has already picked out a name.  Flip Turner Christensen.  (named for all the flip turns he does every day in practice)  He will be called Flip, of course.  :)

Here are some photos of the day Max and Flip met.  Max was a little timid, just like he always is around dogs, but I know they will grow to be great friends.  I'm seriously worried about keeping the new house clean (a new house and a new dog?  People think I'm crazy… am I?) but I have to believe the love and life experience will prove to be much more important than a perfectly tidy home.

Third Grade

What a year.

Max completed his first year at a new school today… and had a fantastic year!

His teacher was Mr. Knightstep.  He is the man we have heard will be the best teacher Max ever has his entire student career.  Impressive!  And if you ask Max, he lived up to that reputation.

Max had speaking parts in two class plays this year in front of the school and parents.  He did crazy and fun projects:  he had to investigate and solve a crime scene with animals as suspects (the raccoon 'did it') and write a full report about his findings; he learned all about our government from the local level up to the federal and had to run for an office (he was elected to the City Council by his classmates);  he researched and wrote a report and did a power point presentation for his class on what he would like to be when he grows up (an architect, after he swims in the Olympics… duh);  he studied a country (Italy), gave a 5 page presentation to his class, and helped create a recipe book for parents;  he took a field trip to the Cincinnati Zoo and another to Downtown Springboro to learn about the slaves and the Underground Railroad; he also created an entire flip book comparing slaves to plantation owners and his own life today; he studied chocolate (!!) and got to eat chocolate covered bugs… I could go on and on…

Max also made a lot of new best friends, went to sleep overs and birthday parties, and of course continued swimming through it all.

I fully expect him to be crying when he gets off the bus today.  He will miss Mr. Knightstep and has begged him to teach 4th grade next year.  I'm thankful for wonderful teachers who encourage, support, and push Max and whom he loves and respects.  What a year!!!

More House Photos. We are T-21 Days from Moving In! (Fingers Crossed)

Things are coming along with the house.  I don't know how in the world they will be done in three weeks but they say they will be so…  They are already a month behind schedule so they'd better be!!!

Took a few pics tonight with my phone…  exterior paint has started but isn't complete.  Balusters are in on the stairs.  The basement bar is being built and put together.  Lighting and cabinet hardware are in.  Should be a busy few weeks!

House Progress, April 2014

Finally taking some pics of the house as it goes up.  Been bad about that this time.  Here you go!

 Lower level bar 

 Lower level bar, pool table lights, entrance to guest room

 Master closet light

 Interior doors

 Foyer

 French doors to office

 Front

 Front (hasn't been painted!)

 Front doors

 Great room

 Great room

 Guest room

 This heart (with wings??) was perfectly preserved in the dust.  A sign?  

 Back stairs to lower level

 Master bedroom

 Master vanities

 Max's room

 Max's vanities

 Beginning of office built ins

 Card table area

 Pool table lights

 Porch

 Powder room light

 Stone

From bar into theater room