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It turns out that the solution to Cael's sleeping troubles is Finn.

Cael, for the last... I don't know, forever, has had trouble sleeping. He would wake up at least twice a night crying hysterically and need comforting, or would make his way to our room and want to sleep with us in our bed. Some nights it would be six or seven times in an evening, and calming him down always took at least ten minutes.

After story time a few days ago Finn didn't want to get out of Cael's bed. Ryan suggested that he stay there for the night. Cael was not keen on that idea, but thought that Finn could bring his bed in Cael's room and that would be okay.

So we moved the crib in and it's been there ever since.

Cael hasn't woken up crying yet.

All this time we've been trying to keep them from bugging each other with their nightly fussing when really they just needed some company.

Now if only Cael could cure Finn of his need to wake up for the day before six in the morning - then we'd be in business!

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And his Lovely Assistant.

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Today was priming day. Tomorrow was to be painting day. Simple enough.

Walls? Meet your masters. (Sure, they may seem like complete goobers, but they're highly trained in the art of painting faux-wood burled tiles for set construction. They can handle a little white goop in straight lines.)

We labored. We toiled. There wasn't blood this time, but there were tears (from the fumes of the floor refinishing combined with 5 gallon buckets of liquid latex).

...

Allie: I don't think we're going to get this done today.
Ryan: Don't be silly. Of course we are.
Allie: Seems like we have a lot left to do. What time is it, anyway?
Ryan: Um, probably one.
Allie: Really?
Ryan: [checks clock] Oh. It's 2:45.

So, no. We didn't get it done. Not even close. Guess our two day plan just became a four day plan.

Whoops.

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Cael insisted on wearing Finn's fedora to the grocery store. He spent the first 10 minutes waving the hat and yelling, "Cowboy, yeehaw!" and then putting it back on his head.

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And then came nap time. After much pleading, it was decided that Cael could take a nap in the deno if he promised to stay in there and keep his eyes closed.

...That went as well as expected.

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Finn does his impersonation of Mama's face when she surveys the damage.

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We bought ourselves a little rental house. We like to say, "It has potential!" (It just hasn't realized it quite yet.)

True before pictures would include a hole where the bathroom was supposed to be, but we took care of that before we brought along the camera, so you'll just have to imagine how awesome that looked.

We still have a ton of work ahead of us, but Sunday's task was just this: get rid of the filth. You'd think that would be an easy one. It wasn't!

Example A: Filth. It was pretty epic. (This is the light switch for the kitchen.)

The walls, the ceiling, the floors... everything was coated in nastiness.

So we spent all day scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing (and scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing)...

And occasionally taking a break from the mop to look pretty do some manly things.

I'm sure there will be plenty more about our progress as we try to get this place inhabitable. But for now? I'm taking a nap.

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We had a successful trip to the dentist. No cavities for Ryan or Cael! And Cael was a champ. He got the polish and the foam and everything. I was really proud of how well he sat for it. Plus, he got to be a dental assistant.  He put on the blue gloves and examined Ryan's teeth while Ryan sat in the chair.  Dentist Cael says that Daddy's teeth look like a mustache.  We'll have to have Uncle Dan look into that.

After a long day of playing, the boys needed a little down time.  They learned about how fruit decomposes (I'm glad I missed that episode, ICKY). I am really hoping they don't ask to do the molding pumpkin experiment on their own.  *crosses fingers*  Apparently, Ryan already knows all there is to know and decided he'd skip the lesson.

While they watched things rot, I made dinner. Which was delightful and delightfully easy.* Finn had four helpings and Cael had two!

And then we tucked the boys in bed and made a little something for ourselves. (Don't tell them!)

*Simmer 2 cups heavy cream, 2 tbsp butter, salt, pepper and some Parmesan cheese until thickened (~8 min). Meanwhile, cook chicken, cook pasta, and cook broccoli. Combine! Sprinkle with nutmeg and some extra cheese. Serve to hungry boys.

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