Boy what a day its been, and that's what I was thinking by 11:30 this morning.

After getting ready for the day I went to the kids' rooms to open their windows for the first time this season. Jack was running around upstairs while I was doing this and he was singing “ba ba ba baaaaa. Ba ba ba baaaaa.” Recognize that tune? It is Beethoven's 5^th Symphony. Anyways, we went downstairs where I proceeded to the office to issue some checks and he proceeded to go play. Or so I thought.

I was almost finished when I realized I couldn't hear Jack. He's not usually loud but I can usually at least tell where he is and that sense was missing. Before we proceed please remember that the following events occur in about 15 seconds. Went to the living room. No Jack, but Anna was there. Went to the other living room. No Jack. While going upstairs I looked and confirmed that the front door and door to the garage where still closed and locked and that the gate to the kitchen was still latched. Phew, that meant he did not get outside. Our bedroom doors were locked when I left them this morning. Went to Anna's room. No Jack. Went to Anna's closet. No Jack! Went to Jack's room. No JACK! (Insert start of worry here). Look in Jack's closet. NO JACK! (Increased concern). Glance at Jack's window and realize the screen in OPEN! (Major freaking out now!) Run to window and Jack is not laying on the ground 10 feet below his window. (Super freaking out now!) Look for Jack in the backyard and he is happily climbing his ladder swinging his hammer. Rush outside. Grab Jack to check him over and all he says is “Play” with a big smile of his face. The miracle of this situation is that looking him over and over and over again I do not see any sign of an injury. I do see sand in his hair, but that's to be expected. He continued playing while I called Damion & Amy to make sure I wasn't missing something. While talking to Damion I catch Jack opening the screen to the living room and utter the phrase “Jack, windows are not acceptable entry or exit points for a house.” Ah, yet another classic mommy phrase.

OH! And the fun doesn't stop there boys and girls!

While making lunch I look downstairs and see Jack standing on the end table playing with the window screen again, this time from the inside of the house. Get him down and tell him several times no to his behavior. Back to work on lunch and realize there is that weird quiet again. Look downstairs and no Jack! And the screen is closed. Given his history I look out the window and see him swinging. I rush outside yelling his whole name and well.....lets just say he was brought back inside and I proceeded to lock all the windows and patio door for a bit while I thought through things. Don't worry though, no Jacks were harmed during this time.

I guess tonight we get to figure out how to lock the screens so this doesn't happen again. The interesting thing about what happened today? What Jack did today has been a concern of ours from the beginning, but its usually been Anna we thought we'd find outside. This worry is why I've been delayed in opening their windows for the spring and hopefully a solution can be found because I'm not to willing to turn on the air conditioning so early in the year.

So????? How was your morning?

Since our last “meeting” here a bunch has happened here. We spent a day with Dawn and Pete at the Children's Discovery Museum in Chicago, played outside almost daily, had both kids diagnosed with “toddler diarrhea” (don't ask, ya don't wanna know), introduced Anna to a new to her camera that has brought out her inner photographer, Anna & I went bridesmaid dress shopping with Lori, Lori's mom, Laura & Grandma, and then there is tonight. A night of two firsts.

Jack went potty in the toilet for the first time ever. When this happened even Anna cheered for him, which is funny because she herself is still potty training (above mentioned illness hasn't helped with this task). Don't worry. No pictures of this first.

Anna got a new bike. After looking at five stores we ended up at the locally owned bike shop where she got so incredibly excited. I can't recall her ever getting excited about anything like this. In the stores we tried an overly branded bike that was almost the right size and she wobbled on it. At the bike shop she got on the bike and proceeded to drive around the parking lot which is slightly sloped. When Damion and I were discussing the possible purchase Anna jumped over to him and gave him a great big smile and super big hug. The salesman and I just laughed. Even though it was bedtime she got to take the bike out for a drive in the cul-de-sac. And even after the ride she was sooooo excited.

Head on over to the gallery to see the new bike adventure. Pictures from the last couple of weeks should be coming soonish. Oh and anybody in the area this coming weekend and want to watch the kids for a bit, don't be afraid to contact me......especially if it would be Friday from 7 pm to midnight :)

Last night we took the first step to improving our kitchen.

Now I know some of you out there are aware that we’ve been talking about projects to do around our house and we’ve listed projects such as recessed lighting downstairs or putting pass through in the kitchen wall.  Well, let’s just say our focus has changed.  That wall has got to go, assuming an engineer confirms that it is not load bearing.  Damion is pretty confident it isn’t but we’d rather be safe than need a new roof.  So the current plan is the wall is out, more cabinets, an island and filling in part of the wall between the dining area and lower living room…..that was as of last night and I’m sure there will be several variations between now and the final result, but not much.

I’m sure some of you are also thinking that this renovation (project seems more smaller scale than what we’re doing) seems pretty extreme to jump into feet first with not much of a plan, so let us travel back to the weekend of November 4, 2005.  I came back to Illinois for my sister’s play and found Damion had done this –

Before - White space was cabinets

During

After

The final kitchen was wonderful.  Unfortunately we only lived in that townhouse with its wonderful kitchen for about 2 months before we moved back to IL.  This time we’ll get to spend a lot more of time with this completed kitchen, once we get there.  So join us on this fun journey and enjoy the pics.