Lego Storage Solutions...

...or My Excuse to Drive Four Hours to IKEA. (Yes, I am still coming down from that IKEA high and it was almost a week ago that we drove up to Potomac Mills.)

Today the boys and I spent the entire day (minus a little time for a math worksheet) playing with Legos. Pete commented that he loved being able to build Legos rather than sit in a classroom all day. I agreed. It was nice and even after my temper tantrum yesterday, I still think it's a whole lot of fun having the boys with me all day, unlike some people.

Out of necessity and choice, we have the boys sharing a room. We moved into a smaller house four years ago (only 3 bedrooms) and we think sharing a room teaches many coping interpersonal skills. Sharing, courtesy, respect. I'll let you know when it starts working!

And last year we moved them from the bigger of the spare rooms to the smaller one. I figured smaller room = smaller mess. Yep, I'll let you know when that comes true too!

It's in my madness nature as a trained interior designer to make sense of crazy spaces. I've tried other solutions and time and time again, they failed. But not anymore. I've found the magic box(es). And my beloved IKEA never disappoints.

This set comes from the Trofast series and they rock. Meet the new Lego work station. Try not to drool.

Look at 'em all color coordinated.

I also bought larger versions to use for toy storage and even for dressers. Now their clothes are all in the closet and out of the play area.

I couldn't love IKEA more if they gave me free stuff. *knock knock* Hello? IKEA?

~R


To see the results two years later, click here.

Out of Hibernation

So much to say and so little time. I wish I had more time to put my thoughts down, but two very busy boys keep me moving...away from the computer. And that's good because if I have to choose time here or time with them, that choice is obvious.

I did get sucked into Facebook. Actually, I set up an account almost a year ago when she used it to show pictures rather than posting them on her blog. Then she started posting the pics to her blog and I forgot all about FB until another friend mentioned she was using it to share photos with family and friends and before that I kept hearing her talk about scrabble or scramble or something like that and I decided to check it out.

So I've blipped in there a few times over the last month. Added a few friends and family. BN is on there too. An old high school friend of ours checked in with us. I can see where this could be almost as big a time suck as Plurk and I am trying to avoid those diversions. We'll see how it goes.

RePete's socks are done as are the first pair just for me.





I just love these crazy colors and the way the yarn is patterned to create stripes. Makes it look like I put more work into these than I actually did. Kitchener stitch? Finally mastered, although I will need to continue to laboriously read the instructions each and every time. Why is that particular stitch not sticking...

And phooey on child labor laws. The kid likes power tools. And ear muffs.



RePete's had a terrible little cough for the last week and on Saturday he suddenly spiked a fever of 104.1. It was such an odd thing to witness - he was nearing delirium. While lying in his bed with him, stroking his hair as he began to shiver, he started asking me how certain letters looked. So I drew the letters in the air and he used his little fingers to trace the same. Mommy's instinct knew then that he needed immediate medical care, so off we went to the local urgent care. When we walked into urgent care on Saturday, he could barely hold up his head, but once we got the fever down, he was chasing me around the little room. The cough had settled into a little bout of pneumonia but he's feeling much better now. Such a trooper.

~R

ps I learned long ago that my mommy radar was spot on. When I know my children need medication - when it's no longer "just a cold" - I tell the doctor that they've been sick for at least 10 days. That's the magic number. Any less and it's still "just a cold" and needs more time. Luckily, we've found a doctor who understands mommy radar and trusts her instincts regardless of his medical training. Not advocating over medication or misuse of medication here. Just feel that parent's should have say over their children. Doctors may have the training, but we are at the front lines day in and out - not them.

Such a shame that most doctors and patients are misguided by insurance greediness.