Exhausting Weekend

We had a completely exhausting weekend! Some was fun and some was not-so-fun, but necessary to do as homeowners. Let's start with the not-so-fun...

After soccer, Russ started a new drainage project to attempt to coral the water/flooding issues that we have in our upper driveway and garage. Since we have moved into this house 5.5 years ago, this area floods and holds several inches of water, which makes it impossible to get in and out of our cars without soaking your shoes and pants. It is completely miserable. It is one of the low points in the yard and the water has to be pumped away from the area. We have tried to find an expert to hire out the job, but we just haven't been too impressed with what we saw. Plus, they were all expensive! So, Russ decided to tackle the job himself.

He had a survey done to see exactly where all the low points were and came up with a plan to install a catch basin with a sump pump that, when full of water, would pump the water through a pipe to the street. This weekend, his goal was to research pumps and catch basins and start digging the trench for the pipe to the street.

Hole for the pump next to the house

While Russ worked, it was my job to keep the kids out of his hair. I told Tyler that if he played hard and listened at soccer (which he did for the most part), that we would go to the Zoo afterwards. We stopped and got some Chick-fil-a for an early lunch and ate it by the playground before we started seeing the animals. It was a beautiful day to be at the Zoo! Both kiddos were so excited and really good. Tyler was pretty impatient...as soon as he saw an animal, he wanted to run on to find the next one. I took the double stroller and Caroline stayed it in most of the time and I got her out some to look at a few animals she couldn't see. Tyler happily walked beside us, except when he got tired at the end.  We ended our visit with the new bird show, which was great!! I was glad we left before naps and when we did, because there were BUSES of people pouring as we walked out. Tyler zonked out in 2.5 secs and Caroline fell asleep shortly after on the ride home.

Me and my loves at the Zoo!

Eating lunch and watching Tyler play.

She propped her legs up like this halfway through eating...crazy girl!

The orangutans were being extra interactive this visit!

Caroline was SO excited to see "Bee-bo" (Dumbo!)

This huge bird flew right over our heads during the show!!

The kids napped after at home, but not super well...Caroline's catnap in the car messed her up. We played inside after they woke up and headed to the Shiner's Circus as a family later that night. We met up with Whitleys, too. We all were tired (and Caroline was extra wiggly), so we only stayed until the intermission. We were a little disappointed at the lack of animals, but the kids seemed to love it...especially Tyler. His favorite part with the dog dressed up as an elephant. :)

Enjoying some cotton candy!

Caroline wasn't too sure about the clowns...

These acrobats were impressive!

It rained on Sunday, but that didn't stop Russ from getting in the yard. He dug the entire trench from the house to the street. WOW! We had planned to hire this part out but Russ got impatient trying to get a crew booked and decided to see how hard it would be to do it himself. The ground was soft from rain, so he just went to town digging.

Channel dug toward the street. He curved it where the yard was lowest instead
of taking it straight out to the street...which meant more digging. 

He will eventually bust through the concrete for the pipe to drain.

As careful as he was, he did damage an irrigation line...but it will be a quick fix, he says.

The kids took a better nap, which allowed me to get some things done around the house. With Easter fast approaching, I decided to make resurrection rolls with them. The kids helped me dip marshmallows into butter, sugar and cinnamon (symbolizing Jesus being anointed with oils) and wrap them up in a crescent roll (Jesus being wrapped in cloths) and then bake in the oven (which was our tomb). Once they were cooked, the marshmallow disappeared (melted!) but the hollow space where is was remained, reminding us how Jesus rose from the tomb. I'm not sure how much of that the kids retained, but they sure did love helping...and gobbling down the yummy rolls!!

Russ enjoying his morning coffee with this girl!

Caroline giving Bonnie some loving.

Making Resurrection Rolls...these 2 love to help out in the kitchen.

Enjoying a marshmallow after we assembled all the rolls.

The marshmallow is gone from the tomb!

After we got the kids down for the night, Russ and I relaxed and started re-watching Game of Thrones season 4 to get ready for the Season 5 premiere coming in April! :)