Swingset - Day 1

Yesterday was day 1 of the swingset assembly project. By day 1, I mean day 1 of actually assembling the swingset. We spent one evening sorting all of the bolts, nuts, screws, hex bolts, washers, lock washers and upteen million other pieces of hardware. We spent another evening sorting all of the lumber, labeling and grouping the pieces and stacking them into groups. Then, we spent an evening putting together the kid's size picnic table that came with the swingset.

So, yesterday was Darren's "Saturday" so we went full force on assembly (after his dentist appointment and a quick trip to the grocery store, park, library and Noodle's for lunch).

See how happy Darren is? Can you see him behind the pile of wood? Trust me, he is excited!!!


Progress at the end of day 1. You can't really see it, but the floor is there...that alone was about 100 screws!!!


We put out a tub of water for Ella to play in. She was getting a scoop of water and going over to the swingset and pouring it on one of the legs. Maybe watering it in hopes that it grows faster?

Bird Update Plus

Sad news. It appears that one of the birds didn't make it. I wondered before because one bird seemed much bigger than the other. When I went to take a picture there was only one in the nest. Bummer.


Here is Ella sitting in the neighbor's yard. I just love what they've done with their yard...I might have to ask for tips.

Grandpa's Birthday

Darren's parents (a.k.a. grandpa and grandma) visited us for a couple of days.

On Sunday, we visited the Franklin Park Conservatory to see the butterflies. It was a gorgeous day!!! We enjoyed walking around the gardens and seeing the butterflies. They have a koi pond so Ella was able to feed the fish too. Sadly, I forgot the camera...rookie mistake!

On Monday, I worked. Sigh.

The rest of the gang ran some errands and visited a local park for a quick hike. Later that day we went out to dinner at The Pub to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. After dinner, we came home and surprised him with a Suisse Almond cake from The Suisse Shop Bakery. Drooly pictures here! YUMMY!



I love when Ella sings Happy Birthday. Happy dur-bay to you!!! She pretends to blow out the candles at the end of the song. Must find video camera!!!

Tuesday was my usual day to work at home...I swear I worked, really, I did!
Right after we got home from visiting Ye Old Mill - the velvet ice cream factory.

This place is pretty neat...they have a "tour" of the ice cream factory. Really it is a big glass window and behind that is the machinery of goodness - they don't let you in (probably had too many people trying to climb into the vats of ice cream - I know I would be one of them). They have lots of old ice cream equipment on display and a museum of old ice cream related stuff. They also have a walking trail and playground and a pond with ducks and fish.

Most importantly, they have an ice cream shop.

Darren enjoyed a root beer float with his lunch and then ordered a sampler...5 scoops of different ice creams (he claims to be ice creamed out but I don't think that is truly possible). Grandma and Grandpa split an ice cream sampler as well. I had a delicious chocolate soda and Ella had a scoop of vanilla plus her fair share from the samplers.

I would tell you the 10 flavors we, er they, had but I can't remember them all.

Or can I...

mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, strawberry cheesecake, peppermint, vanilla, lemon cream pie, strawberry, cherry cordial, orange sherbet, and black raspberry.
Apparently I can remember. :)

Turns out, this is a very drooly post.

Ella, Darren and I made a stepping stone for Grandma for Mother's Day. We probably should've done it earlier in the visit as it needs a few days to dry. Fingers crossed it survives the car ride home.


Grandpa and Grandma left early this morning to make the journey home. We will see them again in just a few months as we plan to visit them this summer.

And on that note...some pictures...
Corn statue at ice cream place...I can't remember the story on the corn statues but there are more of these throughout Ohio...maybe someone who knows will leave a comment...
Holding Grandpa's hand
feeding the ducks and fish
on the nature trail

just cute...don't mind the horribly mismatched outfit - we had a diaper incident. :)
more feeding ducks

Baby Birds

We have a pair of birds that spend hours pecking at the window over our fireplace. Mostly it is the male and he is relentless. We tried taping pictures of owls to the window to deter him but have come to realize that he will be with us for awhile.

I noticed him sitting on the bush outside the window and then he disappeared inside. It dawned on me that they are likely nesting in there. I'm a little worried because it is a small bush and it is low to the ground but I figure they know what they are doing right?

Yesterday I decided to confirm my suspicion about the nest so I peaked in and sure enough there is a nest. Not only is there a nest but there are 2 baby birds in the nest.

Here is the first shot of the birds. I don't know how old they are but they are quite small and don't have much in the way of feathers. I should've take the pictures last night when they were awake and looking more like birds because today they were curled up sleeping and aren't quite as cute.




Hopefully I can get some more pictures as they grow.

hodge podge

1. We all survived the Boston trip...last week I spent 4 days pilfering through paper files at the dept of health in Boston. In the evenings I was rewarded with subway rides and good food. I really like steak and creme brulee - especially on someone else's dime. Darren was home for his longest solo parenting time. They both seemed to have a good time together and the house was really clean when I got home. Shocking, eh? I have 2 more full weeks in Boston in the future. Hopefully Darren and Ella will be able to go along.

2. Ella is LOVING her new daycare. A friend that has 2 little girls is watching her for us. On Monday morning I asked Ella if she remembered where she was going that day and her face lit up and she said "yeah, R & V's house". So, we got dressed and I fixed her breakfast. She finished it before I had my own breakfast ready! She handed me her dishes and said "ok, let's go bye-byes." When we got there she was very excited and ran right inside to play! It's so much easier to leave her when I know how much fun she is having!!

3. On Saturday we went with some friends to the zoo. It was very crowded but we had fun. There is a new baby elephant at the zoo. The wait to see him is at least 2 hours so we haven't seen him yet. But we did go on the boat ride and saw the gorillas and bonobos and several other animals.

4. Darren taped Ella to the chair. Does that require an explanation? I have no idea why but she thought it was funny.

an FYI

If you click on a picture it will make it much bigger...no idea how long that will take to download though, you'll have to try it.

just saying...in case you were interested. :)

Easter...the weekend in pictures

At the Easter Egg Hunt



Coloring eggs at home



Easter morning - found the basket...


the Easter dress...