Moulenbelt Christmas 2011

This Christmas seemed really toned down from last years craziness. Life is a marathon for sure - and you learn at every mile. Last year we learned that we bought too many gifts, focused on some of the wrong things, and our kids were frantic most of the day - and many of their gifts remained untouched once they were unboxed.

This year we put a lot of thought into what we were getting the kids and how many gifts were 'enough'. Of course, this is a 'first world problem' but it is one of those things we find ourselves obsessing about this time of year.

As you have seen I spent a lot of time building a Lego table and we bought more general Lego's as opposed to specific Lego's that don't leave a lot of room for imagination. We also bought fewer kits and spent a lot less money. We have already found that the playing is a lot more calm and the kids seem to be having a lot more fun.

Anyway, on Christmas Eve the kids were begging to open a gift - so we gave them something we knew they would enjoy as they wait before the big day. They opened one gift from GrandMelissa - their snuggie type blankets. They loved it and the present lust was appeased for a time.

Amy and I set up the Lego Table and the rest of the gifts that the kids could open before we woke up and went to bed about 11pm. At 4am Amy heard the kids awake so we let them open their stockings from Santa and went back to bed. At 6am we were reawakened for good and the gift paper started flying. They seemed to love their gifts - and then we showed them to the spare room and the Lego table. Maxwell fell on the ground and seemed to love it right away. Lambert wasn't sure what it was - but then got it as we showed him around the table. Lambert hasn't left it all day!

Amy had gotten a gift from me prior to Christmas as we got her a guitar that fit her a few weeks ago. Amy got me a Kindle and some old school shaving gear that I wanted. We stayed very simple too - and I am certainly happy for it.

To my friends and family that keep up with us on this blog - I want to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You have all been great to myself and my family and we are grateful for having all of you in our life.

Jason

The Lego Table is Finished!

After finishing the table - I decided to sand, stain, and poly a shelf we had to match the table. Once that was done - we picked up a stool that I sanded, stained, and poly'd to match as well. This table was by far the largest project I have ever built for the boys for Christmas - and I am very happy how it turned out.

Jason

Maxwell and Lambert's School Christmas Party 2011

I was able to attend the School Christmas Party this year for Maxwell and Lambert. Lambert had a book exchange, pizza party, and treats all the way around. Maxwell did some singing, had some Chic-Fil-A and a gift exchange. I checked them out early and we began our two week vacation.

Jason

The Making of a Lego Table - A Christmas Saga.

Amy found an idea in one of her family magazines for making a Lego Table for the boys. It consisted of a piece of plywood on two rolling organizer carts. Oh - no... that was not GOOD enough for me. I HAD to make it more complicated.

First, we had two IKEA Trofast toy organizers already to serve as the 'legs' of the project:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00063672/

We plan on getting 12 bins for these that will hold Lego pieces by color:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60094072/#/80089239

I then went to Home Depot and bought 12 feet of Red Oak trim and a 1/2" x 4.6 foot x 16 inch piece of high quality plywood. I brought it home - made a 1/3" dado slot in the trim, cut all of them at a 45 degree to fit and countersunk pilot holes to fit the screws on the table. Put those in place, sanded it all back, stained it, poly'd one side and painted the other with chalkboard paint. I then bought 5 10" x 10" Lego Baseplates and used liquid nails to glue them on the finished side.

I then modified the Trofast legs by countersinking the bolt holes, sanding, staining (to match) and poly'ing those.

All told - we have about 150 dollars into this table for Christmas, but 100 of that were toy bins we already had and have used for about 7 years. I think it turned out cool and am staining and poly'ing a set of shelves to side next to the table for finished projects.

I hope the boys like it - and I hope it will be a Merry Christmas.

Jason

Lambert's 8th Birthday PreParty - and actual Party.

Lambert celebrated his 8th birthday party at Monkey Joes (a bounce house) and Chick Fil a. Then we went back to our house and just hung out for the day. Lambert got to hang out with his best friend Jonathan and we had a blast.

By the way - if you look close at the phone being held over the cookie cake - it is a Iphone with a Candle App. We forgot his candle, so Jonathan's mom, Josie, pulled up an app that lit the candle and when you blew on the mic - it blew out the candle. Too funny!

Jason

Waiting for Santa - 2011

We have the tree up and are waiting for Santa. The local Katy Firefighters always drive Santa and past our house about a week before he has to deliver toys. He throws candy and the kids LOVE to see him.

It was about 28 that night - so Santa and Mrs. Claus were bundled up just like the kids.

Jason