Neighborhood Weekend

From Friday to today it has been a very neighborhood weekend. Friday night, Bella had an overnight with Grampette, so we could go to a surprise birthday party for Steve down at the bottom of the block! We had all planned on a big, kick up your heels party, and we definitely started well, but boy, we're all parents, and it was the end of the week, and by 11, that party was done.

So we took our Saturday AM as a good sleep-in. Well, Pamela did (resting in is just one of her favorite treats in the world, so when I can, I like to let her snooooze in!) - i was up at 7:15, knocking around... Once Pamela was up (10-ish), we went off to Zumbro for breakfast, and we got a lawnmower.

We had been using a service for the past few years, and we got to thinking that it was a bit expensive, and they didn't do THAT good of a job. My big thing is that I really really don't understand two-stroke engines, so the very idea of maintaining a mower is just nervousmaking. Add to this, our last mower was a total lemon - taking $100 a year in maintenance costs (not even including sharpening).

So we splurged on a rechargeable battery powered mower. I used it today - it was quiet, and did the job. It was stress free mowing at last.

Last night, we called an impromptu "taligating party" and had some neighbors over for hot dogs, beer in the can, and fritos. It wound up going late into the evening, which was just a blast.

Today, we had a "neighborhood art show" - we put up art by all of the kids in the neighborhood (from ages 1.5 -> 7), and had everyone over for snacks - it was the opening of the "Froggy Gallery" (Bella named it of course). The kids were just amazed to see their work up on the wall with labels (no prices - this stuff is NOT for sale!). I'll post a website of the event soon...

Of course, we all were having so much fun, we just morphed into a dinner, I ran out to grab take our burgers, onion rings, and malts for people! It was all done by 7, and people went home... and we enjoyed the West Wing once Bella was down.

It was really a great weekend! We have such a fun neighborhood.