Toddler art rocks.

I admit I am not the best at imaginative play... No matter how hard to try to Wonder Woman, a transformer, or a Ninja Turtle--it's just not my favorite and I'm no good at it. I'm surprised they keep even asking me to play (I'm really that bad)! Obviously it's not a strength I carry in parenting, but thank goodness Doug is much better in this department. I am better at the artsy, pinterest, and baking thing.

Both boys like structure. On the days Harrison is home it's always, "What are we going to do next?" He thrives when I have our days planned out. Some days I am way more organized than others. I try to pick one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon or right after dinner. The other time is filled hopefully with a nap, free play and Harrison works on 2-3 pages of his Kindergarten work book. We don't venture out of the house too much unless it's nice enough for a walk, one of the kids has an appointment or we desperately need something. This obviously saves us money and my sanity! Public places are just not for 2 year olds. :)

So.... this brings us back to our home. This is where we spend our time and doing one of favorite things. Painting.

P.S.: It's just something about the paint on his feet.
P.P.S.: Your only a toddler once, go BIG.

 

 

 

 

Happy 10 Year Annivesary Home!

Happy New Year! Some BIG changes are coming in 2015 (more on that in a later post)... However this is how we spent the first day of 2015.

Our home celebrates it's ten year anniversary (since we moved in) on January 3rd. We had a five year plan when we moved in and I guess we just doubled that.

All in all our 130 year old home isn't a bad home. It's certainly not brand new, but I have always been raised with this motto, "You make the best with what you have."

It's been 10 years since any paint has hit the walls on our first floor. Painting is well, well overdue...especially with two kids and the rest of furry family making memories on these walls.

Last week we tackled the living room and wow...AMAZING transformation with just a single coat of paint and hours or tedious trim painting. The room looks at least 2 sizes larger. We took down our blinds (that never really fit our 9ft windows to begin with) and our drapes. The room went from a greenish color (technically called Holly Hock) to a beige/tan color (called Chalkware).  We decided not to put any window covering back up to allow as much light into the room and keep the space feeling so open. I have an awesome design by Poppy Tree for frames for the main wall of the living space so I can get a pop of color since we have gone to more neutral (blah) but brighter color.

As much as I wasn't convinced that Chalkware was the right color for the living room, the adjoining formal dining room was primed and painted the same color today. It  took a few days to for the color to grow on me . I am certainly a color person. We loved the choices of colors we put on the walls 10 years ago. And in all to be fair, they aren't bad colors---just not colors ideal for this home. Even with having 9 ft windows out home lacks natural light making rooms feel darker and smaller. Also from a photographer's stand point, the more light the better! We plan to hang the blinds when finished, but we will likely do away with the drapes to keep it even lighter.

I have never been so excited about painting! Even with the 5....no wait 6 blisters that I am sporting from the rollers. No pain no gain right?

I am so excited I decided to let Harrison help me paint. To be honest...I had a lot of hesitation. I mean seriously this paint is permanent and he likes to overuse paint in art projects so I had rejected his multiple "I want to help paint," requests when we painted the living room.

Today I had a change in thoughts and put myself in the shoes of a 5 year old. What is more awesome than helping do something? This age is full of learning, full of chances, full of exploration.... So I let my guard down and let him help me prime the dining room.

BEST DECISION.

This kid rocked at painting. He took his time, apologized when he took a little too much paint or dribbled a bit of it on the floor and what's even more awesome---he painted for 3 hours. He was so exited to have helped paint the ENTIRE room. And I lost track how many times he said, "See Mommy, I told you I could do a good job...Look how good I am doing." I don't know why I ever doubted him---he is just awesome.

Thanks buddy for being my painting partner and making the first day of 2015 an awesome one.

 

Decisions to be made.

Lots of stuff going on these days. Some days/most days I would trade having to make adult decisions and be three year again. Three is an awesome age. My biggest worry to be, "What did I do with my blanket puppy dog?" And..."Are there monsters under my bed." I remember being in a hurry to grow up.

House selling has been stressful to put it short and not so sweet. Our Realtors haven't been helpful. I am wondering if they are waiting around for us to sell our own home and then they can their percentage of the sale. I'm sure if you are on Facebook, you have seen my posts. Right now, we are waiting it out for another 2 months. If our house hasn't sold by September 30th, we will be taking our home off from being listed. For the last 8+ months it feels like we aren't really living, more of waiting.

It seems since we have made the decision to pull the listing if it hasn't sold, it feels like there is an end to this not living business. I think I have come to a reality we maybe in our home for another year or so and I am OK with that. Last night we picked up paint samples for the kitchen at Menard's and I found a back splash I loved. Doug put a cat door in laundry room door and we have a contractor coming Wednesday to discuss some possible options for construction an addition/garage to the home. We may or may not choose to make additional large improvements in the home, but for the first time in months it feels like we are living again.

This makes me happy.