Bunk Beds

About 3 years ago, Aunt Pam got Ben and Emily Halloween books.  Ben read his right away and then was completely freaked out because there was a part of the book describing how a girl put a flashlight under her chin in a dark bathroom and said "Bloody Mary" three times.  I don't know what was supposed to happen at that point.  But, Ben didn't want to sleep alone that night.  

So, Emily slept with him. Which suits Emily just fine because she doesn't like to sleep, so now she had someone to talk to and keep awake.  About a year into that, we put her back in her own room.  But, Ben was weepy at the thought of sleeping alone.  Typically, I wouldn't care.  But, Ben is a really great kid who asks for so little.  I have a hard time denying the few simple requests he makes.  So, we let Noah sleep with him.

Noah has a hard time staying awake, so it worked out better than Emily the night owl.  But, Ben and Noah are in a double size bed.  Ben is almost 5 feet tall, so it's starting to get a little crammed for both of them. So, last weekend, we decided to get them bunk beds.  Sam's had a great set for a super price, so we couldn't pass it up.

So, for the second weekend in a row, my husband had a screw driver in his hand more than anything else.

Noah "helped" us assemble it. He's in my bath robe, and he's on my kindle. I have no idea why. Maybe he dreams of being a housewife. Wait until he finds out that I rarely sit down and spend 90% of my day doing things for everyone else.  He'll ditch the idea then.  :)

And here they are all done.

Now, Emily thinks she gets to sleep in there too.  Oh vay, we didn't really solve any problems.  Now, they are all 3 going to be in one bedroom.  Seriously, we are in a 5 bedroom house and 3 of them are empty every night. Anyone want to come visit?

David was thrilled to get it done. He said, no more projects for a few weekends. Then, we got the garden started on Sunday.  Then, I told him we should make raised garden beds. And he just about killed me.  HA!  Maybe another weekend.  

Catio

When we got Rio he was an outdoor cat. An outdoor cat who had gotten lost like 4 times in three months. His owners told us he was at Kentucky Fried Chicken for a week and they were feeding him. He also got attacked by a dog and had a $1500 vet bill. He had been through a lot in his 14 months of life before we got him.

We know what happens to outdoor cats here. Our last cat, Max, did fine outside for 3 years up here. And then one night, he left and never came home. It still makes me sad that his life ended in the jaws of a coyote. My friend has actually seen a coyote walking down our street with a cat in his mouth.

This was on my front door when I walked out this week.  It's the remnants of a bunny.  Well, his intestines and I think that pinkish thing is his kidney.  We have bunnies all over, and I think this was a baby bunny that Noah was feeding every day.  I don't have the heart to tell him. So, he keeps feeding the bunny and nobody is eating the carrots.  So, I throw them out.  And Noah feeds them again.  Anyway, you can tell this was not a basic house cat killing a bunny.  This was something savage.  Most likely a coyote....AT OUR DOOR.



So, we've kept Rio as an indoor cat. We thought he wouldn't be okay with it, but he didn't seem to mind. We used to open the window and let him sit in the windowsill, but then one time, he pounced to get a bird and fell right through the window and bent up the screen. He wonders in our garages and he's pretty happy with that.  But, there is still nothing like a fresh breeze in your face and sunshine on your body.

Then, I saw a catio on pinterest.  It's a cat patio.  Oh, this would be perfect.  I showed it to David.  He got a Kindle for Christmas and he loves Pinterest.  Next thing I know, he's pinning catio's and we have lots of ideas.

Neither one of us knew how much work this would entail.  It literally took all weekend.  We went Friday after work and got the wood.

Then, the fun began on Saturday.  We cut three sides of our screen and put some duct tape at the bottom.  This way the flies don't come in when he's out there.

Then, we cleared a 4x4 space under the window and Noah and I put down pavers.  We figured they'd be a good way to stabilize everything.  Plus, I didn't want Rio using this as a litter box since once it's enclosed, we don't have an easy way to get in there and clean it.

Noah was a good helper.

Then, David cut the wood. 

We pick up so much stuff at yard sales.  That saw, table and square were all from yard sales.

And then we got a sweet surprise!  Our peach tree finally has some peaches on it!  We planted this tree 10 years ago and nothing year after year.  We're hoping we get some peaches!

Today, we woke up and got to work again. We painted the boards.  Emily and Noah helped. This isn't Ben's thing.  We had paint left over from our house, so we had some nice expensive paint that matched the house.

And all the while, Rio watched us from the window.

Then, he was bored with us and took a nap.

Then, Noah took a nap.  It was a long process and we ran into little hitches with just about everything. Seriously, it's not a 2x4 if it measures 1 5/8 x 2 5/8.  When it comes to wood projects, you don't just round up and call it good!

We finally got all the sides and shelves up and it was time for the chicken wire.  Which, I got at a yard sale!

Emily and I had gone to the dollar store on Friday and got some toys to decorate the inside.  So, Emily put everything in there.  You know, because every cat needs a pinwheel and boa!

And we were done!  It took almost all weekend, well about 5 hours yesterday and 5 today.  But, we have a beautiful catio!  It was time to let Rio through the window and he was loving it!

We are happy he loves it.  And happy it's done!  We make a good team, David and I.  

Easter

The Easter bunny really outdid himself this year.  I try to request a little bit of candy and a little gift.  But, somehow he thought I said a bunch of candy.  I'm not sure what happened. But, I'm going to make sure he gets my memo next year.

Anyway, the kids were excited to open their stuff.  Ben and Noah got some Disney Infinity characters they wanted for their Xbox. It's nice that when one gets a gift, it's really for both of them.

Emily got a ukulele.  She's been wanting one for awhile. It's a really pretty blue color.

And Rio got a box. But because it's triangular shape from the ukulele, he can only fit in it one way as he's a little round in the buttocks.  So, am I Rio, so am I.  The struggle is real.

Then, we drove down to my Dad and Suzy's house in Phoenix for a get together with family.  She spoils the kids and got them big Easter baskets too.

Noah looking cute.

My Mom, Dad and David just chillin'.

Rosie and her family came from California. The kids all play so well together.

Sweet Chase is so cute!  

Him and Noah are almost 2 years apart and good pals.

Suzy outdid herself on the food.  Ham with all the fixins, hot dogs and hamburgers.  YUM!

These two are up to no good.

Such a sweet little family.

Then, the kids and my Dad disappeared for awhile.  I went out to look for them. The golf course was closed, so they were playing a game of spot the golf ball in the lake, fish it out and Papa gives you a quarter.  

Emily found a $4 ball, so my Dad said she gets 75 cents for that one.  The collected probably 20 balls!  Then, my Dad took them on the golf cart.  This course was closed for reseeding, so we had it to ourselves.

Then, I had some Snapchat fun with my Mom.

My beautiful Momma...

And Suzy...kiss the cook because she always cooks!

Aw...Suzy makes a cute bunny.

That's Suzy and her daughter Nikki.

Emily was making a video at the end of the night with all her stuff. Holy moly. We are going to be eating candy for months!

It was a wonderful Easter.