The Kassel Family Project Life 365

A lot of our nights for the next couple of weeks will be spent in front of the television in our family room, enjoying the Olympics coverage.  So far, Laura’s favorite is gymnastics and John’s favorite is swimming.  Andy and I pretty much just enjoy it all!  I just wish I had more time to watch everything.

We went out to the Dothage’s house tonight to help them put in the new pool liner.  The first one had a slight tear and was very difficult for Keith and Andrea to do alone.  They called in the troops with the promise of food and beer/wine (we would have gone for nothing!) and we answered the call!  We got the liner in and a bit of water in the bottom.  Both Keith and Andrea said that the process went much better and easier with six sets of hands instead of just two.  The kids had a great time playing and we had fun hanging out.  We’ll be having a pool party in a couple of weeks to enjoy the new pool!

Andy began a small flooring project today.  We are removing the carpet outside the kids’ room/bathroom/office and outside our laundry room and putting in plank wood flooring.  It’s actually a vinyl product, but looks like wood.  It’s inexpensive ($2.89/square foot) and easy to install.  Today, Andy removed the carpet outside the kids’ room/bathroom/office.  The carpet there was very damaged from Oscar when he was sick with failing kidneys.  The carpet still smelled even after a lot of carpet treatment.  Upon removing the carpet, Andy cleaned the floor really well and treated it again.  It already smells much, much better.  When Andy returns from Indiana, he’ll begin laying the flooring.  We are looking forward to the finished product!

I am soooo very proud of our kiddos.  In case you didn’t understand, I am SOOOOOOOOOOO very proud!  Today, we sorted through their toys and books and the kids decided that FOUR bags of toys and books would go to Goodwill.

Officially, we have very little baby things left – a few board books and a few stuffies.  It’s all good though because my kids think it’s awesome that other kids will have the opportunity to play with their many leftover toys.  I can’t believe the space we have now.  There are full shelves open for new toys.  NO, Grandma and Grandpa, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CAN BUY MORE!!!!  It just means that I have space to expand AND the Kassel Castle has space for John and Laura to enjoy.

Our neighbors are having a garage sale today.  On our way out of the house to leave for work, John saw the castle and is immediately enthralled.  After a couple of minutes, he asks me if he can have the castle to which I reply, “No.”  He is devastated (as only a four-year old can be) and wanders off to the curb by our street.  He sits down and puts his head on his hands.  When Andy comes out the door, I mention it to him and he sees pathetic John sitting and staring at the castle.  Andy asked me how much it cost and so I went to see.  It was $20 and it’s in great condition.  It’s made out of wood and it’s quite solid.  We decided to buy it.  John was so very excited!  After work, we stopped at the bank and got the money.  John, Laura, and Andy made the trek across the street when we got home to pick up John’s new castle.  John was very proud and carried the money himself.  I think you can imagine how happy our little boy is.  Sometimes, impulse buys can be worth it…