The Kassel Family Project Life 365

We woke up this morning to a non-functioning air conditioner.  The fan was blowing air inside the house, but it wasn’t getting cold.  Andy took a look outside and the fan on the compressor wasn’t turning.  So, insert a call to Chapman Heating and Cooling.  As always, they were quick and efficient – truly awesome repair for anyone in the Columbia area.  The best part?  No diagnostic charge because they just did the routine yearly maintenance less than two weeks ago.  Turns out the capacitor that runs the fan motor was DOA.  I was quite happy to only pay $189.  Not bad really.

The big thing on the agenda today was getting all the flowers planted.

Laura really wanted to help so she helped me plant the marigolds around our mailbox post.

Andy did the vast majority of the planting along with some other yardwork that needed to be done.  The only thing left is to get our veggies in the ground in our garden.  I’m crossing my fingers that Andy can get the garden work done sometime this week.

Laura (and John) had her first sleepover with her best friend EVER, Kathryn.  To give you an idea of how big of a deal this was, Laura was jumping up and down and screaming for joy when I told her that Kathryn was coming over to spend the night.  Until Kathryn arrived today, Laura kept asking, “How much longer until Kathryn gets here?”  Kathryn arrived right about 4:40 and it was an evening of playing, eating, and movies.  All three kids were so excited and had lots of fun!

Tonight, the kids helped me make Friendship Bread from the starter we received 8 days ago.  It will make an excellent breakfast tomorrow!

Pretty much every night since Laura was a baby we have done a bedtime routine.  It’s changed a bit over the years, but it is still always there.  The kids have come to count on it and it signals the time when they start to calm down.  First, it’s bath time!

They play for anywhere from 15-30 minutes in the tub and then wash and get out.  After bath, we get dressed, brush teeth, and comb hair.  Then the kids have a few options.  They can play for a bit, watch a bit of tv, or Andy will read to them.  After that time, we say our bedtime prayers:  “I love you God with all my might.  Please keep me safe all through the night.”  Before tucking the kids into bed, we do a “family hug” or a “sandwich hug.”  Same hug, but the kids like to “choose.”  Then it’s off to bed!  Usually, they will get up once, but then they fall asleep.  I know the routine has helped us a LOT.  The kids know exactly when they are expected to go to bed and I think they are both pretty great sleepers because of it.

9 days down and 34 to go!

It’s official!  The pirate ship is back!