Toy Miscalculations

I've bought some successful toys through the years, toys that have been educational and made my life easier. Then, there are the toys I possibly could have done without.  Here are this week's top three:

#1) The Pirate Sword

Last month, I had this marvelous idea for my now 3-year-old's birthday--a pirate theme!  We had pirate balloons, a pirate table cloth, pirate cake, and I found him this cheap, but very cool, plastic pirate sword.

I didn't quite think that through.  My little man immediately grabs the sword and says, "I'm going to kill you."  What?!?  Did I hear that right?  Where did he learn that???  There was that pirate Backyardigans I let him watch.

Everyone in my family has now been injured by the seemingly harmless sword.  This sword needs to go missing soon or I will need to buy five plastic pirate shields.

#2) The H20 Blaster

My kids had so much merriment using our neighbor's blasters one night, so I splurged a little.  I bought four blasters at Dollar Tree.  I gave them as a reward for temporary improved kid behavior.

The blasters are serious fun and can hold a ton of water.  But, they also have not been the the choicest combination with my little pirate.  He squirt our 1-year-old directly in the face last week and was blaster-banned for the day.

The next day Mase had a new plan.  Did you know blasters work well in the house too?  I got soaked.  Mase went to his room, again.  The jury's still out on this one.

And finally, #3) Martian Matter Alien Maker

This toy was on clearance on Amazon and had great reviews.  I bought it for my kids, when Dax was born.  We haven't used it too much, but it makes these cute little jello-like martians.  I kept it in the highest reaches of the closet, in my children's bedroom. 

Unfortunately, when I sent Mase to his room last week, again, he got bored.  He started climbing.  Martian goo was everywhere!  Somehow it also landed on my 1-year-old's noggin.  Luckily, the baby's fuzzy head was martian matter resistant.  The carpet was not.

After looking over my list, I see a theme emerging.  Maybe it's not the toys, it might be the kid.

Grumpy Grateful Mom Goal of the Week:  Extra loves and toy supervision for my 3-year-old.

The Bumps of our Magnificent Money Pit

our adventurous abode

Why didn't anyone tell me!?!  I had no idea that owning a home could be such a potholed endeavor?  Is this normal?

Our home is 10 years old, only 10 years!   We bought the home 5 years ago, but, since then, we have had multitudinous (yes that is a word) home--bumps.

This is our newest investment bump--we found out the water heater is corroded--"that's normal --water heaters nowadays only last an average about 10 years" my plumber neighbor told me.  That's normal!  

Our woeful water heater

On an exciting tangent, I did make a grand windfall off my blog ads yesterday--$3.13!   That's way up from my normal penny a day average. Despite our impending water heater investment, I am throwing caution to the wind.  I am planning to make a lavish trip to the dollar store and spend, spend, spend!--at least 3 dollars.


Back to my money pit.

Here is a sampling of our latest home adventures:
Our newly finished basement has flooded-- twice!-- due to a rebellious window well that we just can't seem to fix.  The first time it happen was amazing!--I have never seen the kids so excited in my life!  Our basement had become a splash pool--what could be more fun!?!

Then there was the time we found out our back cement patio was floating--really floating!  Almost all of the ground underneath had receded and there was a vast cavern of empty space.

And, our fridge recently gave up the ghost, spoiling all of the food.  Then, as you would expect, our new fridge also died two days after we bought it and all of our new food spoiled.  There is a bright side to this story--I now am the proud owner of a refrigerator ice maker--this has been the highlight of my year!

Oh the bumps and benefits of home ownership. 

And another tangent, there is my sad barren home interior.  A contractor recently visited our house for the first time and and commented, "Did you just move in?  Because it looks like you just moved in?  There's just no decroations-anywhere"  I have been meaning to decorate the house for the past 5 years, but our funds always seem to be needed other places-repairs, kids, kids, kids.

And, this may shock a lot of people, but--I AM NOT CRAFTY!  Maybe it's just a Utah thing, but everyone here is crafty--really crafty.  I would like to be and I do try my hand at a good kids level craft every now and then, but usually my ADD kicks in after 20 minutes.

 Over Christmas I went a little crazy and had my first decoration splurge ever--I bought this lovely homemade craft on etsy.  Doesn't it look like I expertly made it myself!--that was my secret plan--now I fit right in with all the crafties.

Look how crafty I am

And now I conclude today's rambling by adding that I am sincerely grateful to have a home.  I am grateful my husband has a job right now that can keep us in the home.  For all of my grievances, nothing could ever put a price on the joys, laughter, and happiness we have experienced here.  A home that is a true place of unconditional love...usually.

Grumpy Mom Goal of the Day and Every Day:  Count my blessings.