Yellow Door!

Finally got the yellow door I've wanted, I only had the paint for 2 years.  Unfortunately, I'm an idiot and pretty much ruined the door stripping it, so we'll probably buy a new one anyway... but it's super cute!

Zip Line

Matt is so dang creative....

Hilariously Ugly Train Picture

If it's not a camper, I just haven't accomplished much.  Charlie found this plastic 3D picture at the habitat restore and obsessed over it, so for $5, I bought it (which I even think was a little steep for this thing)

When I was little, pictures like this would fascinate me, I could stare at them for hours.  I had a Holly Hobby picture kind of like this that  I was obsessed with.  Picturing little people getting on the train...I saw it in Charlie's face, so I had to get it.  

Had to do something to make it a little more tolerable to look at, so as Matt said, "white again"?? I like white, it goes with everything and it's clean.  I thought about doing some shading to get it to pop out more, but that's way above my artistic abilities.

I've caught him staring at it a lot, in fact every time I go in his room, it's crooked because he's been looking and messing with it.

Toy Shelf for the Big Boy Room

The project I thought would take about 2-3 weekends and actually took about FOUR months of weekends.  Definitely a labor of love for our Charlie

I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but really, this was a very labor intensive project. If you need a step by step, this may be above your DIY level.  I drew out the design and Matt, as always, magically made it happen.  My husband is the BEST

Added bonus?  All the wood on this shelf was free.  I get so mad that he hoards wood and fills our tiny garage with it, but then he goes and TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF

The white is Martha Stewart's Picket Fence (best white out there ever), the lighter is the color of the walls in the bedroom, I have no idea what color it is (dang-it) and the darker was called Anonymous.  I just bought one of the $3 dollar samples and it was plenty for this project.

Almost done, but you can see how important feet and trim are...

My super skilled, architect-like professional sketch (look how perfect the middle board is!)

Trim was the only thing we bought, Matt sliced it down to veneer thickness and brad nailed it on.  This whole thing took enormous amounts of spackling and sanding - belt and handheld sanding.  Plus, I bought 'clear' poly that was NOT clear, it was yellow-ish, so I had to do more coats and sanding to cover that up.  If you look very close, you can still see some of it (dang-it again)  The feet are just scrap 4x4's that Matt drilled circles out of.  I literally just dunked the whole foot in the stain and wiped.  At that point I was looking for the easiest way to get it freaking DONE

Hooks aka 'Octopus'' for maximum storage- backpacks, hats, coats

Finally in the bedroom, you can see with the wall color, I promise it's grey, NOT lavender.  Grey plays tricks in weird light.

I'm sad the stuff covers up the design, but it's made to be functional and I'm ecstatic to have all those toys off the floor!

And now that this is complete, Charlie is officially moved into his big boy bedroom.  No more crib/toddler beds. Sigh.....

Bucket Head

Charlie ATE it on the playground at school. I went all the way up on his eye!  I love on day 7 how he holds his chin because he was so used to me doing it to get a steady shot...

little boys....

(Me) circa 1982

We had a strangely hot day, so we pulled out the pool for the first time of the year

Helping dad get the peas in

Bucket Head!!  Boys are SO weird.  See how muddy the water is? He would get his feet all muddy and jump in the pool and repeat.  Baby Spa!! (Hi Sarah)

We totally have this kid....

Well, this is a little late....

Well, big news that got no coverage whatsoever, Charlie started school.  It's a head start program that is in the elementary that he'll go to.  It's 3 blocks from our house, and after hauling Charlie all over this town for 3 plus years for childcare, it's amazing to be able to drop him off right next door.   He loves school, I love him being there.  He has all these friends and they do amazing work with him, he's learning so much!  His best friend is Noah, we hear a lot about Mr. Noah.  Looking forward to a play date sometime, Noah's mom seems totally normal, which is harder to find than you would think.  They had a Valentines party and I got to totally geek out and make the most adorable valentines ever.  And not to brag, but he brought home all his valentines and Charlie's were the cutest.  I found the free printable somewhere on pinterest and attached them to some scrapbook paper with a tootsie taped to the back.  But, we also had this the other day (this is my fb post the day after)Tues AM- Teacher: 'we just think Charlie is so well behaved and polite, thank you for all you do with him'
Tues afternoon- basking in my parenting prowess
Tues PM pickup- Teacher: 'we've had a problem with him spitting today'
AAAAAnd it's over.... As my friend Sarah commented
'Basking ruins EVERYTHING! Grrrrrr!!!' - I died! haha. Disclaimer, it was more of a thbppppp, not actual spitting, but seriously?

 

School was closed for conferences on the actual day of Valentines day and he got to stay the day with Grandma and Grandpa.  Craft time with Grandma!!  How hilariously adorable does he look in his crown?? Nice work Grandma

He looked so cute I had to take his picture coming home from school

'Hold still Charlie' - he's so used to that, he just smiles and stands still like a good boy

And this is WAY delayed, he was measured 12/30/13, but he is growing like a weed!  All his pants turned into capris!  Thank goodness for awesome cousins, he has a plethora of hand me down pants I just pulled out.

And we finally entered the 21st century, got rid of our 900# analog TV and got a flat screen!  It's lovely, but I can't stop cringing over the $$ we spent.  I'm just too cheap to drop money like that on electronics- can't we buy shoes and good wine with that instead??

Christmas 'Eve'

Ready for Santa- Apple for the reindeer, cookies and a cold one for Santa.  (he doesn't have to drive, Rudolph does)

Stockings hung on the shutters with care

He came!

Outdoor Pallet Patio Table

On a side note- did you see we changed the direction on our fence?  Small change, big impact- I love it, can't wait to keep going

Matt's already busy filling it with bird houses and feeders

He's also building planter boxes for it

What's that detail?  A little house number!  He's so cute

Started with a large oak pallet- used cottonwood 4x4's for the legs - all free

Big help Charlie

Matt sketching what he has in mind- I'm sold

We used old fence for the top made of cedar- again, free

Belt sanded all edges and corners

We still need to make a bench for the other side, but it's pretty much done

Time for brewski's!