Line Up Little Ladies

Getting ready for church this morning:

Jamie (7yrs):  [watching me put on make-up] Mom, what is all that for?

Me: Girls put this on to make themselves look prettier.

Jamie: [silent pause] You're perfect just the way you are.

Windows underway

The new windows arrived and are being put into place.  

 Looking out the window, you can see new evidence of a mole in our backyard.  Stinkin' mole!

 Walls in the sunken living room are open and almost ready for insulation as soon as windows are in and the wiring is in place.

 This is a teaser of the trim around the windows is going to look minus the paint and that one board the contractor took off the right side to show off the insulating wrap around the windows.

The big window in our bedroom.

 The old tub is out of the bathroom and debris is cleared, now.  We had to order a smaller window for our bathroom in order to fit a linen cabinet into the corner beside the future vanity.  I know it's dark enough already, but a skylight will brighten things up in there soon.

Jamie's wedding.

So, it seems Jamie got married to a girl in his class.  He let it slip tonight at dinner.  But he promised that he didn't kiss her, so I think it might not be official.  There were witnesses, though, and he did hug her, so I'm not really sure.
But later that evening, he invented a new instrument: the fartcordian.  I'm pretty sure his bride would not be impressed, but we were.  Enjoy:

Granite

UbaTuba for the win!

After spending the day yesterday picking out granite and getting quotes, our contractor proved that we could get granite countertops cheaper than any of the solid surface materials I found at Lowe's or Home Depot.  I had no idea.

It just so happened that my mom just got through putting the very same granite in her kitchen last fall.  Also, no idea.

Demolition

It seems like a mistake to take out perfectly decent walls, but I'm told this is all going to be worth it.  

 Bath, anyone?

Opening the doorway

 Moldy plywood going away

 Bedrooms getting prepped for windows and insulation install

my new closet.

Moving On...

We bought this house last week:

We are working on the inside right now.  It'll be a few weeks until we can move in.  It's on Mercer Island, just outside of Seattle.

We'll show before and after photos as projects are completed.

Elf Discourse

The Elf on the Shelf was found holding Joel's Minecraft pickaxe this morning, so Joel wrote him a note:

"Dear Elf-On-The-Shelf

What you were holding was a tool in a video game.  I got it for my birthday.  I can tell you like it.  Feel free to play with it, just don't break it.  (It is a pikaxe, from a game called Minecraft.)  You may notice it is made out of blocks, that is because the whole game is made out of blocks!  You look really cute with it.  Love, Joel 

P.S. Just wondering , do you have a name, if so write it here  ---> _____________________________"

The elf wrote back tonight:

"Dear Joel, 1. I do not like to be touched by humans.  2. When you enchant your first diamond sword, maybe you'll be ready to play me in minecraft.  3. My name is too long for that space you gave me.  I'm 9,115 years old and gain a name extension every 100 years' birthday.  Just call me Elf.  Now, I have things to do.  Be good."