Stairs, Oh, I'm Actually Kinda Glad to Say Goodbye

 When we moved into our condo almost 6 years ago, the first week we were there the front of the first step broke, and we realized that we were going to have to replace them because none of them looked that great.

Slowly over the years more and more of the steps have crumbled beneath our feet until we were left with the first step, and half of the second.  About a week ago the front half of the first step started to feel week, and it just got worse and worse until yesterday when one side of the front plank finally gave way, and we were left with half of both the top and second step.  I decided it was best to just take the whole thing out and know that it was dangerous, than to be putting our faith in something that could crumble at any moment.  So we ripped them out once and for all.

Here is Daniel acting like he did all the work, when really he came at the last second, and only removed the last plank, and then helped sweep up. 

 It is a terrifying 3 1/2 foot drop to the patio below, but our patio seems HUGE all of a sudden.

Lagoon: 2nd Time Around

OK, so the first time we went to Lagoon as a family it was fun.  The second time was even better.  The kids are older, and taller,  and braver, so we were able to go on the more adventurous rides.  Also, having a baby at Lagoon, is not so bad because there are so many rides that little ones can go on that it makes it fun for the whole family.

Max looked incredibly tiny in his chair, but rest assured he was really happy when the ride started to move.  In fact he was fine until he got buckled in then, he would scream until the ride started to move, and then when it stopped he would throw a fit.  It was quite a challenge reassuring him that he would, in fact, get to go on a ride again.  Also, Notice Ephraim behind us.

 Deisy was a little less enthusiastic about the ride once it started.  She would beg to get on and then once it moved she would be screaming to "Make it stop!"

He's desperate to get on the ride.

 Ephraim enjoyed the whole day especially since he was ready to go on some of the bigger rides that were to scary last time.

Also, since we are now a family of 5 it means that one person always has to ride by themselves.  It's kind of a sad story, as this time Ephraim ended up being the odd man out most of the time because Deisy and Max were just to little to ride by themselves.  There were a few shining moments when Deisy took that challenge.  In the end it wasn't so bad, because we could usually find another group that had the same thing going on so Ephraim made a lot of friends that day.  It was actually really funny to look back at him and a new little buddy laughing and talking before the ride started as if they had been friends their whole lives.

He looks scared, but Max had the most fun on this ride.

Kiwi Crate: I Love It!!!

OK, so I cannot stop talking about Kiwi Crate. We have had so much fun working on the projects, and playing the games that come in the crate.  If you haven't heard of it before, it looks like this:

It's just a little green box that comes with all sorts of craft and activities for kids to do.  All the supplies that you need for each project come in the box!  No shopping, no looking for ideas.  Just open it up and have fun.
This month's crate was bird themed so the kids got to make nests out of yarn, and glue, and they got to paint little eggs to put in them.  They also had a mask and wing project to do.

 Deisy was really thrilled at the thought of having her own little mask to create.  It's been fun to see her grow into the little girl that she is.

 One of the other great things that I love about Kiwi Crate is that they use every little thing in the box, as an activity for the kids.  It's not just a craft that you make and then toss, they have games and activities, even the box itself and the instructions have things to cut out and use.  My kids played with the box and bird cutouts more than anything else!

Deisy helping Max to "fly"