Extreme Home Makeover...Kalamazoo Style

I hinted at our newest project here.


So, I guess I should fill you in. And seeing how it's a snow day... it seems as good a time as any.

Long story, lots of details....


We currently own two houses, and will in near months end up with no mortgage.


My husband began volunteering with the Edison Neighborhood Association over the summer after a number of incidents near our home. (Reminder- we live the ghet-to). During this time, he came across a house that is, quite literally, around the corner from us.




It was considered adandoned by the city and was slated to be torn down in 2010.




Which is sad, as you can see, it's really quite a potential-full house.



That wasn't quite living up to its potential.

We have been able to acquire the house, and have grants and assistance lined up to help us restore it. While working out the details, we discovered it is a historic home. Which means there are some stipulations we have to adhere too. Which is okay by us, really- how beautiful will it be once it is renovated and showing off all its glory?

Thus begins Extreme Home Makeover: Kalamazoo Style

There are 15 foot ceilings above that silly drop ceiling

Who puts formica on the walls? Or on anything really...

Where there's not formica, there's paneling in nearly every room upstairs!

Someone really liked U of M... maybe that's why they left...

One of these days, I'll post some before and afters of our house now. We'll miss it, but are looking forward to a new adventure.

Oh.... dampa

The Booger has been lucky enough to spend some extra time with his grandparents over the past month or so.

He spent time with my in-laws during my conferences, and a couple days when he was down and out sick for a week just before that. He had finally figured out how to say grandma by the time conferences were done. But he couldn't quite figure out who to call grandma- it was quite the universal grandparent reference.

This wide spread use of 'damma' continued through Thanksgiving weekend- grandpa was outside and he'd yell for 'damma'. Grandma was in the other room and he'd yell for 'damma'. Grandpa came back in and he cheered for 'damma's' return. You get the picture.

This past weekend, he stayed with my parents, so Mike and I could work on a big project. (More on the later, really, I promise.)

(Okay, so you might have to remind me...).

Annnny way.. It seems he's figured it out.

He woke up one morning asking for 'damma'.

And rode home from daycare that night saying "ohhhh.... dampa!"

Keeping my fingers crossed that these terms of endearment don't morph into another two syllable word that starts with 'dam....'

Oh the joys!

two for tuesday

I made it into a picture for once. (at least I'm pretty sure that's my hand..)

An open letter to my blog...

Hello there...

It's been a while. I know, I know.

Grab a cup of coffeee, pull up a seat. Let me catch you up.

We've done some trick or treating...

Taken a hay ride...

Hung out a bit..
Played with rainbows...

Discovered the joys of trains...

And done a bit of performing...

There's so much more to catch up on on. The Booger's grown by leaps and bounds, we've got a big project going on, the holidays are coming up....I'll be back. Don't worry. Too much.

Baby Picture Sunday

Playing together is just like holding hands, right?

highlight reel continues..

I promised the rest of the Air Zoo a bit ago. And since we're in the midst of remembering some summer fun, now is quite a good time. This building has a lot more space oriented things to explore and a lot of hands-on activties.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Looking forward to heading back there with my sister's family next month!

This is how we feel today.

Boo.

Can we have summer back please?

Highlights...

We had some beautiful days this summer. (Not that you'd know since apparently it's already fall here in the mid-west...)

The Booger and I took advantage of the less than scorching hot days to play outside and check out some fun spots in good ol' Kzoo...

We headed to Bronson Park , downtown. There is beautiful landscaping and two huge fountains that are fun to watch (and play in), as well as an outdoor ampitheater that hosts concerts throughout the spring and summer.

Speaking of landscaping... have you ever seen a tree like this?

Look closely- bright green and purple? I was so impressed. What a pretty tree! Odd leaves, but gorgeous!

Looker closer.

My, what pretty.... flowerpots? Sheesh.

Enough of that silliness. Check out the silliest, cutest toddler you ever did see. And yes, he's really a toddler, not an imitation or a crazy stand designed to look like a toddler.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

highlight reel

Since summer is *tear* wrapping up, I thought I'd pull out a few highlights. One of our favorite adventures was playing with my sister and her family at the super duper cool Children's museum in Saginaw. I have soo many pictures from our fun times together, here are a few extra cute photos.

Make a Smilebox postcard

A question...

The Booger much more cheerfully than me, wonders....

Where did the summer go?

Rainy days

After spending lots of time outside and enjoying summer time lately, we've had a few dreary rainy days lately. Poo. We realized the three of us were mili-seconds from going stir crazy yesterday, and met the limit of lazyness for the week, so we decided to venture out for some good ol' family fun.

Trying to think of something new and different to do can be challenging, but thanks to great sites like Mlive ( you can pick the area of the state, the date, and the type of event) and DiscoverKalamazoo (you can search the calendar for events), along with a little insider knowledge thanks to my jobs that required finding lots of things to entertain children- we came up with a perfect rainy day place....

Bounceland!


The Booger loves him some slides! He's such a little daredevil, more than willing to brave the big kids and the even bigger slides on his own once he got a taste of the fun.

Look at those smiles!

It was a great deal, we only had to pay for him, and we got in free, but still got to join in the bounce-filled fun- for as long as we wanted! Even though all three of us were whipped and ready to head out within the better part of an hour.

This sequence occured moments after exiting the parking lot...

Just settling in...

Moments later...

3.

2.

1.

He totally lost the fight with his eye-lids.

So excited to visit often but even more for him to get bigger so we don't have to haul him to the (very high!) top ourselves. Some less fit than I parents may have very ungracefully returned to the bottom of the upward climb with a wiggly toddler on several occasions... not that I'd know....

It's not blurry because I'm sliding down... when I should be climbing up...no way...

Good times at the Air Zoo

This summer the Air Zoo in Portage is offering free general admision, which I totally wanted to take advantage of! If you're in the area or going to be, it would definetly something to put on your to-do list, especially if someone with you is obessessed with... or ummm enjoys planes, astronauts, space and the like. I'm splitting this up into two posts, as there is so much to do and see there. And this barely even begins to give you an idea! In this building there are planes from the Navy, Army, Nasa, flight simulators, and rides, even a room for little tykes with small arcade type rides, toys, murals, and a magnetic space station to build, and so, so much more.

Make a Smilebox photobook

P.S. Not that it'll be very surprising I'll be away for a few days. (Cause really, despite the fact that I'm the worst commenter and a very stalky lurker thanks for Google Reader, I do visit often!) Very excited to go visit my sister and her lil' bakery this week!

Two for Twos-day

We've been enjoying some family time this summer, thanks to my husband's new much more family friendly schedule. We headed over to the Air Zoo a little bit ago. I have a ton of pictures to post, but thought I'd play along with a long lost (to me...) meme first!

Daddy and the Booger having a little fun on the walk back.

Swing by Debi's and see who else is playing along!

A few tidbits from the morning

The Booger has been full of entertainment this morning! Thought I'd share with you seeing as how I'm soo not cool or techy enough to Twitter.

He found some Desitin in his daycare bag. Immediately sat down and tried to apply it to his foot. I laughed and told him it was for his butt (ask me someday if I regret talking about his butt). He proceeded to spread his legs.



He has wandered through the house adorned with a variety of bracelets, lifting his arms alternately and showing them off glamorously.




We went upstairs to have 25 seconds alone so I could pee play, and he entered the bathroom, walked to the toilet, and pointed. He knew what was up.




While standing on the couch (cause he can get up there now), he looked out the window and then gave me this face...





He'd noticed one the super annoying stray cats that have been ever present lately, laying in his water table. And then he gave it the look.

That is sooo MINE. Get out.

I think the cat got the vibe.



Hope your morning is as entertaining as mine!