Weekending

For some time now the washing machine has been on the fritz. When we moved in, the old owners left their HE washer and drier. The set is very nice, high end-ish but it's HE. I am not a fan. It is not a secret I am not a fan of the HE machines. When we moved in, I noticed a change in the clothes immediately. They were not as soft, had a weird smell - just not the same. I take pride in my washes people. I love laundry. I love dryer hugs (hugging the warm clothes post-dryer cycle - even better hugging the clothes with the kids). I mean, James used to lay on the laundry when I did it at the condo and tell me how soft it was and how good it smelled.

So on the spin cycle, I was hearing this rattling noise and then after a while, maybe a week or so, after the noise, the machine would stop and get stuck just before spin. So I'd take the clothes out soaking wet and dry them. This is how we cruised through laundry the last two months. I called Whirlpool service and they recommended someone I had never heard from and I followed my gut and called Abt. Our favorite appliance store. Where all our appliances come from and turns out, the old owners purchased the machines here too. Anyway, the machine guy came out and the cost to repair the ball bearings and whatever else was broken would exceed the cost of a new washer. So off to ABT WE GO!!!!!!!!!

We left so we'd get there as soon as Abt opened on Saturday because we thought James started hockey today. (turns out we were wrong but it's okay). We talked to a sales guy and he found me the perfect washer - our old one :) Complete with agitator and huge capacity - and to make a happy marriage, the machine is a hybrid so there is one cycle that operates as high efficiency. Boom! Done.

We had fun walking around Abt afterwards - there are beautiful sections for tvs, stereos, kitchens, watches, etc - it's an awesome store. James moved a ball that was over 5,000lbs but was floating in water. It was cool - Doug photographed.

James played in the giant bubble wand thing and loved watching this display where wooden balls climb and ride ladders up through this mechanical maze and then spin down and ring a series of bells and do loops - all sorts of stuff. Engineering brilliance.


Then we came home and Cillian decided he would climb the stairs standing. Look at you Mr. Big Stuff!

And then James decided he would like to pull Cillian in the wagon. Look at this Superman of mine!

On Sunday morning, we had professional photos taken to mark the boys at 5 and 2 years of age. Lizz  has been photographing our family since the day after James was born! Our morning was busy so on Sunday afternoon, to fend off the Sunday blues, we went to the beach. Upon our arrival, we realized that the next time we go on a last minute beach trip, we should bring towels, and a chair ... or two :) Hindsight is 20-20 right? Regardless, we had a blast and the boys had more fun than I think they expected to have which was great. Beautiful day and I'm glad we ended the weekend here in the sun.