Fort Overkill

I wanted to reclaim the backyard for the last couple years.   It had become overgrown with unfinished projects, weeds and unkempt landscaping.    Well, all those problems still exist, but we have laid the foundation for reclaiming the backyard....it's Fort Overkill:

The Short History

Fort Overkill was originally going to be a lot smaller, but Costco, or more specifically a remarkably incompetent shipping company called Saia, blew off 4 scheduled delivery dates.   I had to cancel that order.    Then, in a fit of overly optimistic internet shopping, I ordered this kit from the Home Depot.   It was $200 bigger, and looked at least that much more fun.

The real shock came when it was finally delivered, and I realized it really had to be assembled.   I mean REALLY assembled, because there were a lot of parts.   Screws, slides, a steering wheel, 4x10's and a periscope, just for starters.    Still, the bulk of it only took about two full days (spread across 2 weeks), and it might have even been shorter if the rain didn't constantly interrupt.

Then it took another week, working around rain storms, to fill it in with mulch, and a couple weeks after that to stain and mount some boards on the bottom to build a sand box.   I might also try to make a canvas cover for the bottom in order to prevent cats from using the box for their own purposes.

The best comment so far came from Cindy, when she complimented me for the fact that I never once came into the house swearing about the work and/or difficulty.

The Long Future

Now I have to make the yard presentable.   This probably means paying someone to redo the deck and many lessons in landscaping for me.   The landscaping was started this last weekend, and, so far, it's coming together better than I expected.  

What the third seat's for

I let Lily crawl around cab of my truck, since it was safer than having her wait in the parking lot as Nate was buckled into his car seat.   She hopped over the front seats into the back - 2/3rd's of which are covered in car seats.    She asked what the third seat in the back of the truck was for, and I said it was there in case of any accidents.  

She didn't get the joke.  

Some Recent Firsts

Nate opened a door last week.   Our door nobs are large handles, which can be child friendly (as in, not particularly child safe).  

Lily has begun to notice letters.   She has picked off certain letters, like 'L', for a while now.  Now she'll tell me every letter on the cover of the book 'MY WORLD', for example.  She also likes to trace letters, and we are making sure to have the activity books to support that interest.

Nate hugged his sister yesterday.   She woke up from a nap crying, and her little brother came up and leaned into her.

Cindy, Lily, Nate and Lily's Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animal all ran in their first 10k this weekend at the Oak Apple Run in downtown Royal Oak.

Nate calls me by name.   Ok, this isn't a first but it made my weekend.  Every time the little guy saw me he yells 'DA DA', and I quickly respond 'Natey'.

Just when you think you are out of the woods

Mornings were once drama central with our little girl.    It was a 15 minute process to get her dressed, at the very least, and much of it was full of screams and tears.    Those were the terrible twos.

Then, suddenly, it passed.   Now mornings are a breeze.   Occasionally there is a dispute about clothing - the wrong color socks or an undesired outfit, but even that's rare.    We probably credited ourselves at first, as if we had determined exactly how to deal with the tantrums - but it was all her.    It has become obvious now, a month into Lily's 3rd year that she has just moved on to a new phase of childhood.   Her language, reasoning and emotions all progressing.

As our daughter ended her rebellion, her brother started his.   He decided he didn't want to sit in the car seat anymore - squirming and struggling when you put him there.   This was the first sign of rebellion with his sister, so it's familiar territory.

It's hard to say if he's going to be more difficult or less.   He's quicker to (go where/do what/climb what) he shouldn't, but far easier to redirect or calm down.  There will probably be less tears and more bumps and bruises.

So, we get out of the woods and jump right back into the thick of it.   One year and 9 months till he's 3, it'll seem longer living through it, but I can't imagine missing it when it's over.  

Whatever it takes

While driving, we were having a discussion about how it will be when both kid's can do activities - like dance, soccer, etc.   I again proposed that Lily could try hockey some day, even if it was against type.  Then I offered it directly to her.


"If we got a helmet, stick and skates, would you like to play hockey some day?"  

She paused on the question, and I repeated it.

Then she offered a simple response, "can it be pink?".  

Admittedly,  I winced, but came to my senses quickly.   This is a more than  fair compromise.   Now I'm just hoping that she's interested when the time comes, pink helmet or not.

Sports, especially team sports, teaches you how to make decisions.   It hones the process of taking limited input and responding quickly.   This is a valuable life lesson.   It's not that I expect her to make it a life long passion or play more than a short while, but I do want her to know that she can do it.

And, yes, they do sell pink hockey helmets.