Mud In Heaven: Santa and His Helpers

Friday, January 14, 2011

Santa and His Helpers

"Santa" and "Mrs. Claus" (ahem...Justin and I) had a big surprise planned for the boys for Christmas...a wooden playset for the backyard! Mr. Handy Manny had decided that he was going to build it himself, which you can imagine led to a little skepticism on my part. I had complete faith that he could build it, but was concerned about him making it happen in the small time frame we had. Oh yeah...this whole thing was to be done incognito.

** Just for the record, it's harder to keep a 4-year-old out of the backyard than you think. I could devote an entire post just to the tactics we used the week before Christmas to keep Harrison out of the backyard or from even going to the backdoor (which is glass) or from even peeking out the windows into the backyard. Sheesh. **

We managed to hide it well and Harrison was so very surprised on that cold Christmas morning! Seeing the look on his face was unbelievably worth the while.

AND I'm pretty proud of my handsome handyman for making it happen (with a little -- okay a lot -- of help from his "Elf" Bryce)!

Supplies...Trip 1 of 4 made to Lowe's over the course of the week

Phase I

Phase II - Seriously, wouldn't it have been easier to just use a ladder?. Silly boys and their toys.

Phase III - nearly done!

Phase III

Done! (Minus one special baby swing that got installed on Christmas Eve!)

Christmas Morning - Daddy & Brig testing out the slide

Brig loves his swing!

Just a swingin'

So happy!

1 comment:

laurafingersonJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
That is awesome! I am impressed you built it yourselves. I love the play gym we hauled over to our backyard from my sister's backyard. Our girls spend *so* much more time running around outside in the yard now. It's so cool!
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I can't think of another phrase used to describe my husband Justin than "My Better Half." He is truly just that. Aside from the values we are exactly alike in, there are an enormous amount of things that we are counter opposites. All in all, we complement each other well. If there's one thing I've learned over my years in marriage (and am still learning...work in progress), it's that it is hard and takes effort on both parts. However, the good times definitely outweigh the bad. I'm blessed beyond measure for this man who works so hard to provide for our family and be the hero that our boys deserve. He is the down-to-earth, simple life loving person that I'm striving to be more like. I'm grateful that he loves me for me, at my best and at my worst. He makes me laugh and fills our home with joy. I, quite possibly, could go on and on like a lovesick 14-year-old. Thank you Justin for being you and loving me and adoring our children. I know they see Jesus in you and am proud to call you mine.

Tears come to my eyes when I think of my growing family. It took about 3.4 seconds after delivering my first child to realize that this is what God put me on the planet for. With that joy, also came the overwhelming realization of the responsibility that entails...which is still at times overwhelming! To my boys, I am beyond blessed to be called your mother. Hearing the pitter-patter of your little feet first thing in the morning makes my day. My life has been enhanced beyond measure just because of you. You are my Heart. Harrison Reid is my first-born and there is no truer boyish boy! He is rowdy, rambunctious, and all things dirt and trucks and tractors. He keeps us rolling in laughter with his anecdotes and jokes and silly sayings. My sweet-souled boy. He is now a big preschooler and no doubt this little blog will fill up quickly with stories and photos about his days. I love you, Harrison, and thank you for making me a Mama. Brigdon David is (at this point) my baby and the sweetest, happiest baby - though I am a tad partial! Even at 9-months-old, he has a good little heart and that gummy smile can bring tears to my eyes. I think back to my pregnancy and how we longed for this baby to be a girl, and were surprised when we were told he was a boy. God created this child, this boy, for our family. I could not imagine our life without him. I love to watch Brigdon interact with Harrison and had no idea how blessed I would be by their love for each other - even at their young ages. Brigdon, thank you for being my baby. I can't wait to fill the pages of this blog with your little life story. God has big things in store for you.