My mean husband...(no not really)...went out to the new place to meet some people who were coming to look at various things (tree man, draftsperson, etc) and he had an opportunity to just sit out there with nothing to do. He called me and the first words out of his mouth were...we made the right choice. (Followed by "I wish you were here." Yeah...me too...instead I was in my dreary windowless office...hence the mean husband comment) He said the weather was great, the squirrels were playing, the birds were chirping and it was just peaceful and beautiful and perfect.

Sunday we'll go out together and do the first demo, though it's mostly ceremonial. We decided that for the very first tear down we both needed to be there, sort of like an official groundbreaking. After that it doesn't matter so much. I'm excited to tear out the existing eye-sore of a kitchen island, which is what we'll be doing.

Saturday I took the kids to the park. We played, walked, fed ducks, saw turtles, swung on tree branches and took a bunch of pictures. They both had a blast,and we ran into a family we knew with kids the same age so we played and walked together. For me it was a new experience because I don't really have the kind of scheduling flexibility that allows for play dates. So I'm glad it sort of worked out that way, even though it was a chance encounter.

Sunday we all went out to the new place to check out some things, do a little demo and just play and enjoy. The kids had a blast, picking flowers, running through the empty house, trying to climb trees and collecting magnolia seeds. Laurel really took to it all...and we just had to sit back and let her go and have her own fun. Before leaving we all piled into the dark (no power) kitchen to demo the ugly kitchen island. This was our groundbreaking ceremony. We all took turns kicking the counter down into the middle of the kitchen. (Not realizing what a mess it would make...next time we'll have to clean it up)


Laurel and I also got the craft-bug this weekend and made a Halloween quilt and some Halloween pillows. She helped design, cut and sew them. She's been so excited about them that she sleeps with her Halloween pillow and blanket every night and she even had to bring it over to Grandma's yesterday to show her. I really have to attribute this increase in fun activities to the removal of the TV. Since we got rid of the dish we've found ourselves with a little more time then we're used to. More active time too...instead of just sitting there with the TV on all evening finding something to entertain us...we entertain ourselves. It's really kind of nice, we've all noticed and enjoyed the change. We even had our first official Family Movie Night, which seemed more special since TV has become less of a daily habit and more of an occasional treat. The kids hopped up on our laps on Friday night and we all watched Race To Witch Mountain. They had a blast, even Luker...it just goes to show what a little less technology can do for family time!