IT'S DONE - Bathroom Reveal

The bathroom is finally finished and we've already broken it in! We've all showered numerous times and we really love it. Mom likes the body sprays on the shower. Me? Not so much. The only thing missing is the glass door for me to draw on, but the walls are a dark enough color that my shaving cream "paint" shows up perfectly!

Mom loaded up the shelves with junk, but I am diggin' the Buddha! Thank you to Gammy and auntie Niki for the great towels and rugs....awwww. I almost can't wait for the weather to get cooler so I can take a bath and spray the whole bathroom with water.

Never underestimate the power of a woman,

HAJ

Archives - Month 37

Dear Henry,

I woke up in the middle of the night, and realized that it is July 30th, and I didn't do your monthly letter. For shame! I mean, this was one of the most important months of you life. What with your potty training, and not to mention you attending your first parade! Things are a happenin'!

Potty training is going *pretty* well. I guess I didn't really know what to expect, as far as accidents go. You have a few here and there. The other day you pee'd in your carseat, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that one anymore. Although, the poops are the worst. Its just too hard to try to get your undies off without getting poo all over everything. Everyone tells me to just cut them off and throw them away, but your undies are just too darn cute, I couldn't bear it. On the bright side, you have not pee'd your bed (knock knock on virtual wood).

It was fun to watch you at your first parade. You loved the marching band, the fire trucks, and the John Deere tractors. I think you were a bit shocked that people were throwing candy out there, for free, and no rules about how much you could take. And I think you were a little intimidated by the other kids who had been to parades before and were attacking that candy. But in no time you were out there and ended up with a full bag of your own. Which, by the way, you didn't eat even one piece and I ended up throwing it all out the other day. Its all about the chase, really.

We had our bathroom remodeled this month, and you loved spending time with our contractor/friend Cameron. You called him "Camera" which he loved and so do I. You watched him work all day, got in his way, pulled out your tool box whenever he showed up, and followed him wherever he went. I think you miss him now that he's gone, you keep asking if Camera can come over for "One second. Mom, just one second." Maybe that means you'll follow your daddy's foot steps and we can rename the company "Today's Exteriors and Son."

Here's to yet another great month. I can't decide which phase or age I like the most kid, but its just so fun watching, listening, and hopefully influencing you in a good way so you don't grow up to be a serial killer.

Love you so much it hurts,
Mama

Horse Of Another Color

In keeping with getting caught up on my life, I need to tell you guys about when we went to the track a few weeks ago. I know you're saying to yourself, "What's the big deal HAJ? You go to the track all the time." But this is different. This time it was Running Aces Harness Park . This is a type of horse racing where the horses trot while pulling the riders on a harness. It was actually really fun, but much different the regular race horses.

The horses start out getting into the "gates" that are attached to a Cadillac. Then they all line up, while still trotting, and then they let them go. Only they don't really go, they just continue trotting. I'm not sure why they just don't put a whip on 'em and let take off, but I guess that's not the way it goes. and eventually there's a winner. I recommend taking some time to go visit this park, its grounds are beautiful and it was a something fun to do on a nice summer evening.

Hop on over to my house,

HAJ

First Fish - Trust Me

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the lake with my mom and dad. Mom was catching some rays and doing Sudoku, and Dad and I were doing some serious fishing. I have been working on my casting for the last few weeks, and, if I do say so myself, have gotten pretty darn good. So Daddy decided I was ready to put a hook on the end of my rod so I can do some real fishing. Exciting!!! And I'll be darned if I didn't catch a blue gill on my first cast!! My first REAL FISH I REELED IN ALL BY MYSELF!

I bet you're asking, well HAJ....where's the photo documentation? I'll tell you, there is ONE photo of that fish, but I didn't want my picture taken at the time and Daddy doesn't want the photo put on the Internet for reasons that involve that maybe he's eaten too many cheese burgers in his lifetime. So, you have to take my word on this one, and just remember I caught my first fish when I was 3!

Pleased as a pig in mud,
HAJ

Bathroom Update #689414

After having a water fight with my dad this morning, I thought I better a minute to update you on the bathroom progress. This week has been nothing but exciting! The tile and painting is ALL DONE! Of course, per usual with any construction project, it has taken longer than expected, BUT its amazing! We just need to get the plumbing fixtures installed, seal the tile, final paint touch ups...and I think we're in business.

Here's the shower with the walls, ceiling, floor, and new glass wall installed. Daddy's sink is done, and here's Mama's sink (note the hint of the new faucet!). The floor has been installed and grouted, and the tub is done except for the front panel which is drying in the garage as we speak.

We couldn't be happier with how this project is turning out. And if you any of you people out there need a great contractor, who is very particular, immaculately clean, and down right lovely to have around the house, please call my mama.

What do you mean overdrawn, I still have checks?

HAJ

PS - Happy anniversary to my mom and dad...6 years ago today my dad asked my mom to marry him....aaaawwwwww!

Sand Hurts My Feet

I'm trying to play a little catch up here. We've been busy this week, so posts are not coming as much as I'd like. Plus, Mom got a new phone and for some reason she's having trouble blogging from her phone, but she's getting her IT guy (by IT, I mean Brian Willegalle) on it. I remembered there were a few more details about the 4th of July I wanted to share with you so here goes.

Since it was the 4th of July, they held a boat parade at the lake. Professional wrestlers and even Elvis showed up! I really like lake living, oh wait except for the sand. Yeah, I still have sand issues, even when I'm wearing shoes. In order to get to the dock I had to walk across the sand, so I'd just sit at the bottom of the stairs and wait for someone to carry me to the dock. But, by the end of the 2nd day, I was so excited about the prospects of movie night, that I completely forgot about my fears, and helped the other kids clean up the beach. IN MY BARE FEET!

I spent most of the time fishing. I really am developing a love for fishing and Daddy is so happy about that. I even showed the girls how to cast, and now they love fishing too. Griffin, well, he wasn't so interested. We really had a great time, and now I couldn't be more excited about the annual vacation with G&GE!

Between the cup and the lip,
HAJ

Sinclair Lewis Would Be Proud

Well, after two days holed up in the house potty training (Friday and Saturday - no accidents, Sunday - 2 accidents), we all got a touch of the cabin fever, and decided to take up the Willegalle invitation to drive up to Sauk Centre for Sinclair Lewis Days. (He was a big deal, look it up.) There were promises of a parade and an evening at Cactus Flats, I mean, who could pass that up?

The parade was great, considering it is the only one I've seen. And despite some older kids honing in on my candy territory, I ended up with a full bag. It took me a minute or two, but once I learned you have to fight for your right to the candy, I was all game. I just have to show you a picture of this kid across the street from us at the parade. He's doing this all the time and his mom keeps hollering at him, and then she finally took the bag away. It was so funny, great entertainment.

The evening ended back at Cactus Flats at Grandma Lulu and Grandpa Turtle's house. Dad and Brian were having fun, Martina was all bundled up, and there was even a glass blowing project happening. Amazing what you can come up with in the wee hours of the night.

Are you showing your Blond?

HAJ

Potty Training - Day 2 (Plus Bathroom Update Bonus)

Day one down, the final score was Toilet - 4/Undies - 3, so we came out ahead! I woke up dry this morning, but that's not really a surprise since I've been dry in the mornings consistently for about a year now. But one never really knows. This morning I woke up and had a great morning pee, followed by Nemo fruit snacks. If one thing is true, I'm really diggin' havin' treats in the morning.

Mama is learning, just like my birthday, I don't like a lot of fanfare when I go pee in the big potty. I don't like to be told that she's proud of me, or for her to hoot and holler, or for her to do any sort of celebratory dance. Just be cool man. Act like you've been there before. Today we hope to have a better record than yesterday...just to do my best...Mama says as long as I do my best she's proud of me. Just stop saying that.

As far as the bathroom remodel is going...its SO CLOSE we can taste it! Of course we're running a day or two behind, but the job is looking so good it really doesn't matter. Since we last spoke, the sinks have been installed, the shower has been tiled, the back splashes of the sinks are done, and the tub is in the works. The floor tile is next, followed by grouting, installing the plumbing fixtures, and painting. We're hoping for the middle of next week for the final reveal!

The rocky road to success,
HAJ

Potty Training - Day 1

We're finally going to attempt potty training this weekend, and today is day one. A couple days ago, as per Baby Wise, Mama and I went to the store and bought a new stool, what I like to call a "potty train," some new undies, and most importantly TREATS! The book said treats were OK to bribe me, the book said do what ever it takes.

So this morning, Mom laid out all my new undies, and I got to pick out the ones I wanted to wear. I first picked the firetruck ones (of course) but in the end settled on the orange ones with bulldogs on them. Mom helped me put them on, and then explained to me that these are pants are special and that we don't got potty in our pants when we're wearing them. Well, that just didn't sound like a good idea to me, so I decided that I don't want to wear big boy underwear. We had a bit of a struggle, and then admittedly, she bribed me with orange juice and a sucker to keep wearing them.

We're holding up at the house today. No other plans. If you want to see us, you better come here. Mom has the timer set to go off every 15 minutes to come and ask me if I have to go potty or poopy. At the time of this publication, we're 45 minutes in, and so far so good...but nothing has happened yet.

Opened another can of worms,

HAJ

The Crazies

We just got off of another great weekend with my cousins Presley and Cody, aunt Niki and uncle Larry, and Gammy from Texas. We had a great time and during their stay, my cousin Presley celebrated his 8th birthday. He really wanted to go fishing so we rented him a pontoon and spent the day at the lake. It was a success because everyone caught a fish! Presley caught the first one, then Aunt Niki, then Cody, then Daddy, and then uncle Larry. Then we went out for burgers and came home to eat his disc golf birthday cake that Mama made for him.

We had a great day, and Presley said he had the best birthday. I think Cody really liked it too.

Cottage by the lake,
HAJ

Joe Mauer Wanna Be

HAJ

Cabin Song and Nicki Song

I know this isn't me, but I just wanted to show you my friend Palmer singing to my mom.

HAJ

I Told Them I Didn't Want To Go

HAJ

4th of July

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

HAJ

Vacation Plan and Bathroom Update

Happy day before the Fourth of July! Everyone has the day off today, except for my dad. But don't feel too sorry for him, he's actually working briefly today, then heading off to his favorite local fishing hole. Then we're all headed up north to do a little celebrating of Independence.

Time for the weekly bathroom update, I know you're all waiting anxiously. This was a short week due to the holiday, so again, the real flashy stuff hasn't gotten done yet, but all the inside workings are getting worked. New dry wall has been hung in the shower, over the tub, and over the sink areas. Also on the wall that needed to be rewired because we're adding in-floor heat. Oh yeah, you heard me right. No more freezing your tootsies off in the middle of the night in January around these parts. This might be my favorite part of the remodel.

As cool as the other side of the pillow,
HAJ

40/40 Club

Well, I had my three year check up the other day, and seems I am in the 40/40 club. That means 40lbs - 97th percentile, 40" tall - 87th percentile. And you know what that means? BOOSTER SEAT! I'm in a booster seat baby, because I'm not a baby anymore! I went straight from the doc's office to the store and got me a new booster. I really am enjoying my new chair. I thought I'd miss not being able to turn the back lights on and off, and kick the temperature controls in the back seat. But the thrill of rolling the windows up and down, and hollering at people on the sidewalks is much better than some dumb lights. By the way, why do you people call it "rolling" down a window? It isn't rolled. All I do is push a button.

Social butterfly,
HAJ