Colby's birthday party - 7 years!

The last week of school and now the first week of summer break has officially worn me out.
(My hat goes off to anyone who has figured out how to run a business from home, blog, raise well-rounded loved children, spend time with their hubby, all while keeping a tidy home, the laundry folded, the fridge stocked and dinner on the table…aaaand get enough sleep to be emotionally stable!)

Anyway...Colby and Madeline turned 7 and 8 last week and their parties coincided with all the hoopla that the end of the school year brings.

For Colby's we purchased a roll of thick painter's plastic for 10 bucks and make a slip n' slide at the park.

Did you know you can hook hoses together to make one giant one?  We hooked two together and ran it across the road to the park at the end of our street.

We used baby soap instead of dish soap to make it extra slippery.  It was nice not to have to worry about anyone getting it in their eyes.

The birthday boy!

A dozen boys, a bucket of water balloons and a roll of painter's plastic made for a great party!

 (If I did it again I would've spent the extra and gone with the 50 ft. roll so this didn't happen.  Hehehe).

And since it's hot here in the desert in May, Colby opted for popsicles instead of cake.

Happy birthday, Colb!

A new significance.

Happy Memorial Day!

Ours from now on will have a new significance.  In a good way.

 While we were there visiting Eliza, we stopped by my grandparents' grave and cleaned it up a little.

 Isabelle didn't understand the need and kept complaining that she was hot.  Next thing I knew, she had wandered over to the shade of an unoccupied tent - problem solved.  :)  This was so endearing to me.  I love it when my kids figure things out on their own!

Paint Color Reference - Part 2

And here's part 2.  I included the colors that I'm most frequently asked about, but don't hesitate to ask if there's one you're wondering about that's not here.

Again, click the image for the original before and after post.

(I think this Henry Link dresser is still my all-time favorite.  There's not a whole lot better than a great glossy red).

Paint Color Reference - Part 1

I receive a lot of emails asking for paint colors from past furniture projects.  They're listed in the original posts, but to make them a little more accessible, I've put them together in a two part post as a quick reference.

All colors are Benjamin Moore...and not for an specific reason other than they have good colors. :)

Click on each photo to take you to the original before and after post.

It's been a month.

Blogging is kind of a funny thing sometimes.  You wonder how much to share.  When to share.  And how much to edit what you share.

It was a month ago today that we had a little graveside service for our baby girl.  And today I feel like sharing some of it.

My friend, Holly, who will forever be on my favorites list, came and took pictures both at the hospital and the funeral.

 The kids read letters they'd written for their sister.

It was so sweet.

Jenna was amazing and put together a sweet little program with hardly any notice.

I love the picture.

Thanks for letting me share. :)

Window Casing

Zac is a pretty handy guy.  He worked construction while getting his undergrad and especially loves any type of finish carpentry.  

Right now he's trimming out a set of our friends' windows.  As I've helped him plan and gather ideas, I've taken the "opportunity" to figure out how I'd like my own windows trimmed…whenever the time comes.  

There are so many options…style, profile, size, cost, etc.

Here are some favorites.

 via tiek built homes

via meet me in philadelphia

 via lonny

via houzz

via lonny

 via tradhome

via our humble abode

The hard part is deciding which one I like best!

And…after all my "research", I'm still decidedly, undecided.

Lately...

While I was busy not posting March and April - we were trying to stay active and keep the kiddos happy….

Playing at the park.  The smooshing game, to be exact.

Camping by a stream.

Hanging at the Phoenix zoo.

Celebrating Charlotte's 3rd birthday!  I can't believe my baby is 3!!!

Watching the older two sing at their EVMCO concert.

Starting and finishing Colby's first t-ball season.

Fishing at the neighborhood pond.

 Can you tell by all the green what day this was?  We're festive on St. Patrick's.

And running in our first official race.  Everyone but me...I was too busy being the waddling pregnant lady.

Phew.  The end.