Hank + boxes = ultimate fun

When we were packing up to move, Hank was in LOVE with all of the boxes we had everywhere.  We purposefully waited until just a few days before moving to even start packing because we knew he would be obsessed with all of the boxes.  It was a good call on our part because in just the few days that we had boxes packed and lined down our hallway I think I pulled him off the top of the stacks about a hundred times.  I much preferred him to go outside and "work" on the empty boxes.

Hank busy "working".  Hard hat?  Check.  Tool box?  Check.

Getting packed in a box.
 

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Putting together the third crib

A month ago we bought a third crib and officially turned Hank's room into the kids' room.  Hank was really excited to help put the new crib together.  He absolutely must be given the screwdriver or he loses his little mind patience.

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta lick the screwdriver just for good measure.

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Doing work for the girls

My boys recently got to work putting together the changing table we are going to use in our room for the girls.  Hank jumps at the chance to help with anything that requires a screw driver or tools.  Needless to say, this project took twice as long as it should have - thanks to Hank's "help"!!

Things are coming together little by little around here.  Hopefully, we'll have it all in order once the twins actually come home!

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Getting the grill put together

We got a new grill this week and Hank helped Brett put it together.  Hank got to use a real screwdriver and he knew just what to do with it!

Hank trying to help with the hammer.

It's a good thing these two boys got our new grill put together.  This pregnant Momma was craving some grilled food!

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Cooking helper

 

The other day Hank helped me make a treat for us (mostly for me).  He LOVES to sit on the counter while I work in the kitchen and on this particular day he refused to let go of my leg until I put him up there.  So, the only option I had was to let him help me "cook" and let him have the spoon.  He immediately figured out that what I was making tasted pretty good.

Helping to stir

Distracted by the birds on the fence outside the window 

I was making peanut butter balls and they were so tasty!  Hank was so funny and when I started rolling the balls, he would pop one in his mouth each time I set them on the wax paper.  I had to move the rolled balls far away from his reach in order to keep him from eating them all.

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Sewing helper

Taking measurements

 

I've been doing a lot of sewing lately and most projects can't be accomplished during nap time.  I sew at our kitchen table and that means when I am working on a project my stuff is everywhere.  If I want to work on a project during the day while Hank is awake, I have to let him rummage through my stuff and play with things I normally wouldn't let him get into.  You gotta do what you gotta do! 

Inspecting some of my fabric stash.

 
The above box was eventually crushed but it was a sacrifice I had to make in order to get my project done.  When I put the lid back on it looked OK so it wasn't a complete loss.  ha!

The one thing he likes to help with that doesn't work out so well is the actual sewing.  I had my back turned and he went over to the foot pedal and smashed it down.  This caused a mangled mess of thread and fabric on the piece I had left on the machine.  Oh well...lesson learned...don't leave the pedal on the floor when I leave the table.  That's what seam rippers are for, right?

I love sewing and over the last year, I didn't do enough of it so this year I have been trying to sew a lot more often.  I have made new bedding for our bedroom which included a duvet cover and a few pillow covers.  The duvet cover took FOREVER because I used a print fabric and matching the small print on the seams was such a pain.  But the finished product looks so good and I am so excited to have a new bed!   I've also done a few things for Hank including his new stroller accessories (see last post) and I converted some of Hank's pants to an adjustable waist band (because the kid is tooooo skinny for his pants).  I have so many projects on my to do list and I am excited to keep up the progress.  Also, Brett has been very happy because I have been able to finish my projects in a timely manner and that means the majority of the time the kitchen table looks like a kitchen table and not a fabric explosion.

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Grocery helper

 

Hank is becoming more and more of a little helper for me every day (see my last post!).  On a recent trip to the grocery store he helped me put items in the cart and when we returned home, he helped me unload all of the bags.  He was very excited to pick items up out of the bag and hand them to me.

He did a great job for his first time at unloading groceries, even if some items found their way to his favorite hang out spot in the living room.

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Vacuum helper

I don't like cleaning at all but I do love to vacuum with this super awesome stick vacuum I have.  Let me just say right now that I am OBSESSED with this thing. It is so stinking fabulous I just can't describe it. If you have wood or tile floors you must get one.

Both Hank and Ellie get very calm when I get this thing out. They turn into little zombies and just follow me around, all the while keeping a safe distance from the weird thing I am pushing around. It's been like his for a few months, but recently when I used it Hank actually showed some interest in coming up to it to see what it was all about. Then he walked off, only to return with a golf club in hand. He started walking around with me while pushing his golf club along the floor like it was his own vacuum! It was so very clever and cute! I love to see the gears in his sweet little head working!

Yes, those are Christmas jammies. We are going to rock those things until he outgrows them.

The next time I used the vacuum he had overcome his fears completely and was ready to help.  I can't wait until he can do this all by himself!

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Santa's little helper - last year!

Brett gave me a new phone for Christmas (yay!) so I'm getting all the pictures off of my blackberry and onto my computer.  I had to post this because Hank looks so sweet and tiny!  It's a picture from Christmas Eve last year that was on my phone taken when we were out on a walk.

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