Adventures-in all forms

Wow, life right? Man, time just keeps on going and we just keep on doing. Let me explain:

Last week was Spring Break, what does that mean for us? Paul was still working and we blew our travel funds on a little trip a month ago- so we did our best with a week free from school and really nothing to do. I asked the girls what they wanted to do and the first thing out of their mouth was "Sleep over at Grandma Davis'!" Lucky for us, she loves them to pieces and graciously hosted us for a couple of days with almost zero notice. Take-out, movies, shopping and Grandma's (and Grandpa's) hugs and kisses combined with the Dragon Fly room and we all had a wonderful time! Sadly, I didn't take a single photo, boo-hoo, but the pictures thrive vividly in our minds- thanks Grandma!!

After that I decided to be very brave and take them all to the Hogle Zoo. I have to admit that I have never taken them to this zoo EVER! The last time I was there I think it was 2nd grade with my elementary school class. The girls have always loved the Santa Barbra Zoo we frequent in California with our cousins, so I thought this would be fun. We went on Friday and the weather was perfect and the animals entertaining. We rode the carousel, took a train ride, had HUGE ice cream cones and picked a $5 souvenir from the gift shop- it was a great day and I was so impressed with how well behaved the girls were. Abby and Eva loved the monkeys the most- Liv, her list grew and grew from one habitat to the next!

Saturday my sister and I went on a bike ride- to log some hours in the saddle before our race next month. Honestly, we were only going to do 15, maybe 18 miles at a slow pace and just visit and talk the whole time- as sisters do! However, her husband wanted to join us and really when cycling the more the merrier, plus he can do most of the lead pulling- bonus. Steve had other plans- he went faster and longer than planned- 30 miles! It was fun, but I was tired!!

I got home later than planned only to find this in my back yard:

Paul decided that Saturday was the day to tear out the shrubs, rip off the old crumbling deck and remove the beat up sliding door in lue of new ones. I realize that to most people this scene of complete destruction would cause panic, but I am used to this! I always have piece of mind knowing that whatever he itches to take apart he always replaces with something 100 times better!!

So, this week we have both been working hard and I will post up the transformation soon.

Today I am asking myself if living in a constant state of renovation is a good thing? I guess around here we would have to say yes!!!

Blending no more

My bar stools are plain. They blend into the landscape. They leave much to be desired as far as style and pop. They are hard workers, serve their purpose well, and were dirt cheap when we moved in nearly four years ago. Clearly they deserve better. I had always planned to paint them, spruce them up a bit and give them the identity we both longed for.

Many MANY months ago I came across a really cute and fun bar stool treatment over on the Crafting Chicks site. I went and bought all the stuff- then, well, time got away from me and the weather went the way of winter. Supplies were tucked away and filed under: "when life is better" in my brain.

Well, last week (when the weather was beautiful, unlike today) I decided life WAS better and I would take advantage of it! Out came the gloves, paint, scissors, fabric and Mod Podge.
We went from this:
To this:I love them! They no longer blend into the background and project their identity crisis all over the place!

Naturally I couldn't stop there so I went ahead and made a matching curtain for the window.
The old plain and sad one:
The new bright and cheerful one!
Then I changed out all the mats and swapped all the red decor for black, light green and yellow ones.

Love is not an adequate word to express how I feel about the new kitchen! It was a simple, low cost face lift- a wonderful way to usher in the new season!!