Dad's Day(s)

I did my best to extend Father's Day this year, although I would contend it was for (mostly) unselfish reasons.  I got a jump start on it a week early by taking my Dad out to see the tractor restoration for the Cat Visitor's Center that I have been helping with research on.  I'm sure the discussions on some of the minutia of tractor history were a little beyond his interest level, but I think he still had a good time seeing all the projects, and I know I had a good time showing him.  The trip was only made possible by the willingness of Grandma to watch the boys, as C also had errands she needed to run.  We all reconvened after our busy afternoons for a nice supper together. 

Father's Day festivities resumed the next weekend.  They started off with the tradition of running in the Steamboat Classic.  I bested my time from last year, but was in no danger of setting a personal best.   Official Father's day celebrations consisted of a trip home on Saturday, and having C's Dad over to our house on Sunday; both good time spent with family.

Project work the past few weeks has been of the outdoor variety.  The ever increasing number of large toys (for both Dad and the boys) has put storage space in the under-deck shed at a premium.  I had decided earlier this year I wanted to expand the shed that originally used about half the available space.  The reason I hadn't done this in the first place was a pair of 2x10 support beams.  These beams hang down beneath the joists so are great for banging your head on, and since they sandwich the support columns, also provide a challenge for building a water-proof roof.  Weekend #1 involved taking down one wall and extending another, and also installing the roof.  Weekend #2 work comprised of trying to close some small gaps, and putting down pave stones for the floor.  The boys provided intermittent "help" throughout the project, but the task they were best suited for was leveling the paver sand for the stones.  The work was hot and dirty, but it is nice to not have stuff not so crammed in there.  It also motivated me to get rid of some stuff, which I have had a decent amount of luck doing on craigslist. 

Speaking of the large toys, the boys' power wheels have been getting more of a workout than normal lately.  L is really getting to be a good driver, and he and N have enjoyed making laps together up and down the cul-de-sac.  The neighbor kids have been out on theirs more lately too, which makes it all the more fun for them.  For the first time ever, we even had a day where we ran down all the batteries and had to wait for them to charge.