February 27th 2010
Lowe's Build and Grow - Lowe Bot
We got a late start this morning to get to this build. It had sleeted last night and snowed some this morning. It was wet snow as the temperature was already climbing. I shoveled off the deck and cleared the car. We were at Lowe's at 10 after 10. The build was crowded as usual. We started off slow, letting the girls work on it all on their own. They got tired out towards the end and I had to help them finish up. I also put on the stickers so they would not rip them and artistically mess up their project, that is what the markers are for at home.
Oh yeah, we always stop by Target after the build. We noticed all the frozen section was empty. I asked an employee what happened to all the food. I knew they had a power outage, I was more asking where it went. He said it was all thrown out. It is such a shame, both me and Laura looked at each other knowing we would be searching for the dumpsters. We didn't find them or anything, Laura was heart broken. It is a shame they can't donate or cook up all that stuff for the community, or allow a food bank to take the liability of doing so. I know for all the people without power, they would have loved to get together somewhere that did, like the high school or whatever and work their way through all that frozen food.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 12 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 12 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 3 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:21 AM | 
Comment
February 13th 2010
Lowe's Build - Jewelry Organizer
We got to Lowe's right at the start time for building, but there were already a bunch of people building as Chris signed the girls in. We were on a bit of a time crunch because we had to get over to Jennes Beach to sign in 'promptly at 10:30', but we didn't want to miss the build.
Zoë and Abby weren't feeling the same speediness that Chris and I were. We'd look at them and they'd just be staring off in to space, watching the other kids, and we'd have to remind them - again - that we had to go quickly this morning. Luckily it was a fairly easy build, but I think it still took us 20 minutes to get settled and get the organizers built.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 29 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 29 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 19 days
Art posted by Laura at 10:00 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
February 16, 2010 07:14:29 PM posted by Nonna
What a fun build and I know you have some jewerly to hang on your pegs.
February 11th 2010
Enzo's First Fingerpainting
Zoë and Abby had some Valentine's art projects they wanted to work on, so I decided to set Enzo up at his high chair for his first experience with paints. I taped some fingerpainting paper down to his tray, with him all decked out in smocks, and then squirted some different fingerpaints on the sides of his page, handed him a brush, and let him explore. It didn't take him long before he was ready to get cleaned up, but he enjoyed himself nonetheless. I taped his painting up near the sink to dry and as he was washing his hands he pointed happily to his work of art.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 27 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 27 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 17 days
Art posted by Laura at 9:15 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
February 16, 2010 07:10:35 PM posted by Nonna
Looks like you had fun FINGER painting,,,,you should of used your fingers all over the paper,,,more fun that way!!
February 6th 2010
Home Depot Kid's Workshop - Car Display
We arrived at the Home Depot slightly later than we usually do. We had a slow start this morning, everyone recovering from a stomach bug. Abby and Zoë were excited for the build even though they didn't know what the car display was or even how to use it. I explained that it was really a boy's toy for their match box cars. Then the girls kept asking what match box cars were. I explained to them that it is only a display shelf where they place a car on it. Zoë thought it was a "den" for a car in winter, you take out the shelf for summer. Anyhow they enjoyed the build, it was mostly hands off for me so that I could watch them build. I am sure they will find a use for it with their barbies, they always do. Old tissue boxes make great Barbie bath tubs, just without the water.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 22 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 22 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 12 days
Art posted by christopher at 9:24 AM | Comment
January 23rd 2010
Lowe's Build and Grow - Tic Tac Toe
Finally! Finally! Finally! After missing the grand openening and the free gift from the new Lowe's local to us, we finally made it to a local build. No more driving 20+ minutes to get to the building projects. Now both Lowe's and Home Depot are nearby. Abby and Zoë were excited for today's build but even more excited for the next one, a jewelry organizer. We arrived just at 10 o'clock and the place was packed. The builds are supposed to start at 10 am but it seems as soon as they started to set up at 9:30 am people just started the projects. This was the first or second build this new store has done, so they are working out the kinks. We built over in the contracter services area and not in hardware or the employee breakroom. It was crowded and only staffed by one person, as opposed to Rochester's store which had 3 - 5 employees there with the builders. We got in line, filled out the form and quickly found a free spot on the stack of particle board setup as a table to work on. Most of the other builders were new to the program, having few if any patches on their aprons. Most were new participants getting their first apron and goggle set. Anyhow it was a quick build, we were done and at Target, which is next store by 10:30 am. We are going to try to get there earlier for the next few builds as to try to schedule our beach clean up volunteer day.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 8 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 8 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 29 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:08 AM | Comment
January 9th 2010
Lowe's Build and Grow - Coin Bank
Our local Lowe's isn't fully open yet. Grand opening next week, so we had to trek the 20+ minutes to one of the other locations close by. Enzo wasn't happy with the car ride at all. Not sure what the issue was, he just didn't feel like traveling today, and told us about it the whole trip. He woke up super late, around 9am. I got to stay in bed with him which was nice. Mommy got 2 hours of alone time in the morning, which she hasn't had in years. The girls were excited about the coin bank. It was a fairly simple and quick build. We showed up at 10:30am and were done before 11am. We decided to try the Chipman's English Fish and Chips pub in the neighboring strip mall at 11:30 when it opened for lunch. We milled around the shoe store while we waited. Even with the 50% - 70% off clearance sale, there was nothing we could afford. When did shoes become $100 items. No thanks, I will stick with the inexpensive $10 - $20 shoes.
Abby @ 6 years, 25 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 25 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 15 days
Art posted by christopher at 1:13 PM | Comment
January 2nd 2010
Home Depot Kid's Workshop - Calendar
We were excited about this build. The calendar that they built is practical and functional unlike some of the toys the girls lose interest in very quickly. Abby and Zoë can now keep their calendars up to date. It will also help them with the days of the week, the months of the year. We keep our events/appointment calendars online, and have a scheduling white board calendar in the kitchen, but both of these aren't accessible for Abby and Zoë, so these are perfect. Not sure we really need two of them but why not. They enjoyed building them this snowy Saturday morning.
Abby @ 6 years, 18 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 18 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 8 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:31 AM | Comment
December 19th 2009
Lowe's Build and Grow - Pet Treat Keeper
Nonna joined us for this build at Lowe's. Abby and Zoë were so excited that they forgot their aprons and goggles at home. We got new goggles and started to build. This project was more involved with many parts and many nails. I didn't think Nonna had it in her to finish these up. The girls did great and were excited about whom should receive these special gifts.
Abby @ 6 years, 4 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 4 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 25 days
Art posted by christopher at 5:19 PM | Comment
December 13th 2009
Making recipes
Abby and Zoë have been obsessed with making new recipes since helping make the chocolate cupcakes with Auntie Reanna. I told Abby and Zoë that they need to be good chefs for a long time before they make up new recipes. This proclamation has not detered them though. Abby told me we need to buy 8 cups of chocolate chips for her recipe called "For flour pan". I said that doesn't sound so appetizing, she said it is a pie with chocolate and strawberries, so I was relieved when she said she also requires 4 cups of baking powder.
Abby's "For Flawr Pan"
Egg For Five cups Uf Flawr
sexs cups uf coco
Frosteing
Five cups uv Baceing Powder
For eggs
Seven cups uv coco
1 stic uv bater
strobire Flavoreing
~ Four flour pan: egg for five cups of flour, six cups of cocoa. Frosting: five cups of backing powder, four eggs, seven cups of cocoa, 1 stick of butter, strawberry flavoring.
Zoë's "Strobere pie"
coco 2 tps
vanelu ecstract 1 tsp.
1 cup melk
4 cups uv stroberes
Pie Frosteing
coco 1 tsp
1 stek buter
1 tsp choclet cheps.
~ Strawberry pie: cocoa 1 tsp., vanilla extract 1 tsp, 1 cup milk, 4 cups of strawberries. Pie Frosting: cocoa 1 tsp., 1 stick butter, 1 tsp. chocolate chips.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 29 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 29 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 19 days
Art posted by christopher at 8:51 AM | Comment
December 12th 2009
Lowe's Build and Grow - Ornaments
During the holidays Lowe's has these build and grow workshops every weekend. We have missed some in the past, but we generally try to make all of these free events. The girls have a great time and it gives us something cost effective to do. I wonder if these building lessons and patches they earn will translate into life long skills and proficiencies. They already have tons of patches, we almost have their whole apron filled up. We are currently putting patches on the pocket flap. Laura will have to make a sash of sorts, a la brownies to hold more patches when we fill up. The girls are excited for the Lowe's to open up closer to home so we don't have to travel 20 minutes to get to the builds. This build was a super quick but fun one. We were putting together two Christmas ornaments, a tree and a picture frame. The both only required a few nails and soon the girls were smashing away. Their favorite parts are applying the stickers, but I much prefer the project sans junk, they just look so much cleaner, so we tell the girls that they can apply the stickers at home. It gives us another project for them to do at home in the event they remember. If not, we have some nice looking ornaments.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 28 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 28 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 18 days
Art posted by christopher at 10:54 AM | Comment
December 9th 2009
Dancing Boy
Enzo loves to dance and loves for us to sing with him, he even tries to sing along a little bit. He's a snuggle bug and will rest his head on my shoulder and ask me to sing the 'rock a rock' song while we sway. He also loves to dance to songs with a beat though and will stand and point until we put something on that he can dance to... he's got some pretty good moves too!
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 25 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 25 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 15 days
Art posted by Laura at 6:58 AM | Comment
December 5th 2009
Lowe's Kid's Workshop - Gingerbread House
After our Home Depot build we headed towards Dover to drop stuff off at the Valley's house. Laura started some diapers in their washer while we headed up Rt. 16 to Rochester's Lowe's. We had never been to this one before and it was the closest to where we would be today. We found the builders over in the lumber section today and the place was packed at 10:30. We got our kits and started to build, this time I was helping Zoë first, then Abby. Mommy joined us after she changed Enzo in the restrooms at the front of the store. She took over camera duty and then started to help Abby. I helped Zoë finish up her house then turned to Abby's finishing touches. Whoops, I am not pointing fingers or placing blame, but Abby had a side of the house on backwards and the roof wouldn't open. I took the project back apart and repaired it after Zoë had finished and got her badge and certificate.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 21 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 21 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 11 days
Art posted by christopher at 10:55 AM | Comment
Home Depot Kid's Workshop - Wagon
It was a busy morning here today. We woke up early to get ready for a day of building. It is always tough when there is a Home Depot build and a Lowe's build. The girls don't mind, but it takes up the majority of the day for dad. So we dropped mommy and Enzo off early at the stuff a bag sale and headed to Home Depot. We were the first to arrive and sign up for today's build, the wagon. We got started right away as we heard Santa would be making an appearance at 9:30. Zoë could not concentrate worried she would miss Santa. Don, the Home Depot coordinator helped Zoë catch up and finish her project. I worked with Abby and had the wagon built in record time, not even a single mistake. After they got their certificates and pins they headed over to Santa. Zoë now was hiding behind me as Abby just walked up and climbed onto his lap. He was super friendly and after much coaching, Zoë relented and climbed up onto Santa's lap only if Abby stayed on. They both got a gift from Santa, another project kit wrapped up. They loved it. We grabbed a drink and cookies on the way out.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 21 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 21 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 11 days
Art posted by christopher at 9:45 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
December 6, 2009 03:59:46 PM posted by Nonna
What fun and a Santa visit!! Just GREAT!!!!
November 21st 2009
Lowe's Build and Grow Kid's Workshop - Snowman
Back to back weekend builds at Lowe's. We had a double header with Home Depot last time as well. Daddy is getting all projected out. I have my own home projects I have been neglecting and going to these builds isn't helping me stay motivated, but the kids love them. They like building these projects, even if they complain about the car ride on the way home. That won't be a problem when the Lowe's opens up closer to our home instead of the 25 mile ride, it will be within 5 miles, just like Home Depot. Anyhow this was a super quick build. They girls got to do their stickers and everything. Mommy and Enzo came so I could work with both girls at the same time, this cut the project time down in half and was a relief as I had some shopping to do. I bought some supplies to handle more of the window replacement project and mini roof work. I am still amazed at how fast we can spend money, it just doesn't seem to last.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 6 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 6 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 27 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:18 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
November 29, 2009 06:36:08 PM posted by Nonna
Looking good girls! You are becoming "Handywomen" xxoo
November 14th 2009
Lowe's Kid's Workshop - Garage
Blah what a cold dark rainy morning. The girls were excited and itching to get into the car this morning for our Lowe's project. So excited that we didn't remember to get our aprons and goggles on before leaving the house. After buckling them into the car I went back into the house to get them. We arrived just after the workshop had started. There were already tons of others there working. We were in the kitchen section instead of the training room. I filled out the forms and got the girls started with the project. Abby started with the camera this time as I worked with Zoë on her project. The project was fairly quick going. We didn't even make any mistakes. Zoë is a soft and delicate hammerer while Abby smashes strongly and wildly. I can recognize her project by the dent and bang marks from hammer misses.
Abby @ 5 years, 10 months, 30 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 10 months, 30 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 20 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:35 AM | Comment
November 9th 2009
Zoë's Decorations
Zoë has been obsessed with making decorations the past few days. She's skipped over Thanksgiving, however, and moved on right to Christmas. ( I guess marketing has worked on her) She's making some impressive candy canes and wreaths and even a Christmas themed pair of old style fancy eye glasses (the kind that has a rod on one side to hold) I'm thinking that watching old Christmas cartoons and the Curious George Christmas movie may have given her some of her inspiration.
Abby @ 5 years, 10 months, 25 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 10 months, 25 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 15 days
Art posted by Laura at 11:15 AM | Comments ( 3 )
Comments:
November 18, 2009 05:09:28 PM posted by Celeste A. C. Gaver
Zoe would fit in perfectly here in central Ohio where two people on my street alone have Christmas lights on every night. I believe they put them up the weekend after Halloween because I took a photo of their house with decaying Jack O Lanterns on the porch lit by red/green Christmas bulbs. And Thanksgiving is such alovely holiday to skip. :(
November 18, 2009 05:11:03 PM posted by Celeste A. C. Gaver
Not to mention the Columbus radio station that switched to hoilday music on Sunday the 15th... OF NOVEMBER! Yes, Zoe would love it here.
November 22, 2009 12:51:16 PM posted by Nonna
Good Zoe when I come for a visit I have some neat Christmas things to make...we will have to get red and green construction paper.
November 7th 2009
Home Depot Build and Grow - Trivet
Mommy and Enzo stayed home while Daddy and his girls went to do their construction projects. Abby and Zoë are the stars of the show. They love to hammer and build stuff. Today's project was a trivet. It was a very simple build, just basically 8 nails and some glue. Abby and Zoë took all the photos today, while I helped them build. They got their pin and certificate and we stopped by the tile section on the way out to pick up a 4x4 piece of granite for under a dollar for the center of the trivet. They only had a few styles that would fit, and this was the least expensive option. Zoë wanted a cream colored ceramic embosses flower style, but for around $3 it was out of my price range. The granite is thicker and way classier. The girls are already figuring out who to gift it to for the holidays.
Abby @ 5 years, 10 months, 23 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 10 months, 23 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 13 days
Art posted by christopher at 11:17 AM | Comment
October 30th 2009
School Work Love
I'm so happy that Zoë and Abby enjoy their workbooks. They enjoy all of our lesson time stuff, but their math and spelling they actually get excited about. The spelling workbooks we had given to us are really fun for both girls. Today, after I got back from doing car stuff, I asked if the girls had done their work while I was gone. They said that they had and then Zoë said to me, "And my spelling pages were so much fun!"
Abby @ 5 years, 10 months, 15 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 10 months, 15 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 6 days
Art posted by Laura at 2:06 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
November 4, 2009 10:26:58 AM posted by Grandma Cindy
you girls read and write so well. I enjoyed getting stories read to me while I was visiting.
I have a little game for you to play.
Count how many books you have about love
How many are about night time
How many are about dogs
then total the amount that you have
October 24th 2009
Lowe's Build - Frankenstring
We made the trek to Lowe's this morning so that Zoë and Abby could make the Frankenstein trick box called the frankenstring. We can't wait until the Lowe's close to us opens in December! Both of the girls are really getting good at these builds, especially with the kid sized hammers that they get to use at Lowe's. I'm not sure if it's because of her left-handedness, but Zoë does tend to have some trouble with the aim of the hammer, but other than that she powers the nails right in there.
Abby @ 5 years, 10 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 10 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month
Art posted by Laura at 11:03 AM | Comment
October 10th 2009
Build and Grow Build with Mommy
I took the kids to Lowe's this morning so that Zoë and Abby could do the ball toss build. At first I was a bit nervous of being the one the have to help them put these things together, especially with Enzo in the mix, but thankfully it was an easy build and the girls were able to do the majority of the work themselves. We did mess up the first one, Abby's, though as one of the back brace pieces got turned around and the toss was lopsided. Abby had done such a good job of hammering the nails in that we just had to get a new kit. The upside of that is that we got two extra balls, Enzo was pleased with that.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 26 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 26 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 16 days
Art posted by Laura at 7:25 AM | Comment
