Scrambling

Things have been quiet around here because I'm scrambling. The countdown to school ending for the summer is on and my kid-free days are numbered. 

Normally, I send the kids to Vaughn's school for a few half days a week over summer break but not this time. I'm gonna... 

...and be the sole source of entertainment on this cruise ship all summer long. 

Of course I have them enrolled in some camps but for the majority of the time it will be mano y mano. It's scary and exciting all at the same time!

I've been racing around town trying to get all the errands ran that I can without the help of my associates.

Time's a ticking! Gotta get a move on!

What's your summer plan for kids?

Have a great Wednesday!   

Weekend Update!

The weekend came and went as fast as it usually does. Here's the gist of ours. 

First off, I'm slowly trying to make design changes around here so bear with me during the process. I spent a good chunk of the weekend teaching myself how to code and it's scary messing with  the guts of your site. Onward though!

Looking for new carpet can wear you down. We are worn down.  

We picked up crown to add to the bathroom. 

We saw The Great Gatsby and enjoyed it. (The costumes and hairstyles were my favorite part. Can I pull off short hair and a head scarf?)

We started the crown project and had some issues with the coping.

By the end everyone was coping. 

(Here's Vaughn doing her version of coping.)

Just like that it was over. How was your weekend?

Hope everyone has a great week!

Fairy Door

As soon as I saw my first fairy door I knew Vaughn had to have one. Truth? I'd like to have one. In each room.  

It's whimsical. It's magical. It's fun and an unpredictable addition to a room. 

Let's make a Fairy Door!

I have seen more ornate, pre-finished ones that can be bought online. Some are even made so they open. I knew I could do it for less, was fine with the plain door, and that it wouldn't open. 

My unfinished door:

I found my door in the dollhouse section of Hobby Lobby. It was $8.99 and I used a 40% off coupon. I opted for the more ornate door handle and for a door knocker. 

I used paint and polyurethane that I already had on hand. The unfinished wood really sucks up the paint to it took a few coats and I ended with two coats of poly for shine and durability.

Halfway there:

Attaching the door knob and knocker was a little tricky. After removing them from the packaging I found out that they're not flat on the backside. I ended up using hot glue but you may have better luck with something else. The glue pushed through the keyhole which I used an Exacto knife to slice the excess off.

To attach the door to the wall I used Command Strips and plenty of them. I forgot to take a picture but I lined the sides, top and bottom, and even a couple in the middle. 

That being said I don't have an exit plan for when she doesn't want the fairy door anymore. With removing Command Strips you pull the tab from the bottom to release it but I won't be able to reach one of those tabs because they're hidden under the door. I don't foresee her wanting it gone anytime soon, so we'll deal with that when the time comes!

I wanted the Fairy Door to be a total surprise. I installed it while she was sleeping and let her discover if for herself in the morning. 

It's been so fun watching her imagination run wild and listening to the stories about the fairies! 

The door knob came with a key that I never intended on using but Vaughn seems to be really interested in finding a key to fit. She in fact tried using a diary key to "get in" and I'm worried that she's going to damage it trying to shove something in there. (I'm sure it will seem less magical when the door knob pops off in her hands and the hot glue is exposed on the backside!)

I tied a little piece of string onto the key and I'll leave it on her nightstand or somewhere else in her room so that she can discover it also. 

I can't wait to hang a miniature wreath on the door or decorate it with garland for the holidays! The sky's the limit when it comes to what can be done with all the little extras! 

You need one! Have some fun and make a Fairy Door!

Friday 5: Celebrating Simplicity

5 simple noteworthy and toast worthy happenings from the week.

I mentioned in my last post that I had to leave my computers at the Mac store so they could transfer all the data from my old one onto my new one. I loved that my new computer's desktop was clean and my photo library seemed empty with only about 2,000 pictures. Now, since all of my old stuff has been brought over to my new one I'm back to A Mess. Approximately 14,000 more pictures have been added and everything's crazy again. And that many pictures are taking a little bit of time to load. 

What am I saying? That I don't know how to organize my pictures? Yes! That I need to delete a ton of them? Yes! But also this was the only picture I could grab and upload, therefore making the Friday 5 more like the Friday 1.

It's been a busy week, but a good one. 

Vance did well at his baseball game. 

Vaughn had her 5 year old check-up yesterday and is healthy and happy. (91% for height, 90% for weight - still the Big Lady!)

The weather has finally warmed up and it feels like spring.

I have all the ingredients for Kahlua Cake. 

I'll be toasting to all of that goodness tonight!

Cheers! 

What will you be toasting to?

Next week I'll be back with a how-to on Vaughn's Fairy Door. Can't wait to share it - it's adorable!

Mid Week Update

Hi! Let's chat. 

Last week and four panic attacks ago I had a wee bit of surgery on my foot.  (This has sealed the deal for me on never having any type of elective surgery. Turns out I don't deal well and I'll leave it at that. Also, Busty McGee will never be my nickname. I'm cool with that.) I went for my post-op checkup today and apparently I have super human healing powers. The doctor said I'm healing ahead of schedule so yippee. 

Two days ago a neighborhood dog wandered into my garage, pooped on my rug, and then Vaughn stepped in it. 

The light we ordered for the dining room was missing parts when we received it. I finally received the missing parts in the mail and they're the wrong finish. I was told to throw these parts away or "disregard" them as Brianne told me an the phone and they'll send out new parts. Maybe that's why this light was so expensive. Everyone keeps throwing parts away and they have to keep making more. 

Yesterday Geniuses from the Mac store took both my laptops for data migration. I had no idea that it could take up to 48 hours and now I'm posting from my phone. (First mobile post ever! Look at me making lemonade out of lemons!) Also, this is why Things Will Be Slow The Rest Of The Week. 

I have a feeling this week in on an upswing and it's bound to get better. Hope your week is shaping up nicely! Let me know!

Let's Paint! A Painting Birthday Party!

For Vaughn's 5th birthday I planned a little painting party for her and 2 neighborhood friends. 

Already having a 6 foot tall paintbrush came in handy - I set it outside on the porch with a little banner cut from paper to welcome our guests!  

I covered the table with white banner paper and used tape to hold it in place. I then used polka dot wrapping paper to make runners for the middle. (This made clean-up super easy. I just rolled it up and threw it straight into the recycling bin.)

Even though the paint was washable I made aprons for each of the girls and used iron on letters with the first letters of their names.

Instead of party hats or crowns, I made giant flower headbands. I found paper flowers at Michaels and then hot glued them to headbands.

I used Dollar Store ice cube trays as paint trays. 

I decided to pre-draw something on the canvases for the girls to paint. I was not sure how comfortable the other girls were with painting and I didn't want anything to be stressful for them. I gave them the option of ignoring what was already drawn and do whatever they please.  

They jumped right in, went to work, and had a great time! 

The aprons, iron on letters, and canvases came from Hobby Lobby. The flowers for the headbands were from the $1 bin at Michaels. The headbands and the polka dot paper for the table were also found in the $1 bin but at Target. I picked up washable tempera paint and the banner paper too but had everything else here. Everything came together great! I may just be ready for the big friend party next year!

Happy Birthday Vaughn!

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Friday 5: Celebrating Simplicity

 I usually reserve this space for celebrating the simple things from the week but since today is Vaughn's birthday it's all about celebrating her. 

  

 

This little girl wears an eye mask to bed at night. When she can't find enough bracelets to wear she makes some out of paper and glue. She takes her art seriously and will tell you she's going to be a fashion designer when she gets older.

This little girl loves to dig in the dirt. Picking up worms and snails doesn't bother her. She's a daredevil and always loves trying new things. 

This little girl will make you laugh out loud. Her personality has grown so much over the year and she's hilarious. (Just last night we were all sitting at the table having a cookie. Quietly munching away and she belts out "These pretzels are making me thirsty!", which is a classic Seinfeld line. I'm sure she's heard Justin and I say it before but she's great with one liners.)

This little girl is everything. She amazes me in new ways every single day. Our world is so much better and brighter with her in it and I thank my lucky stars for having such a great daughter.

Cheers!

Tonight we're toasting to 5! 

What are you toasting to?