Important

Family vacation, starting back to daycare, starting school with a preschooler and kindergartener...

it's safe to say I feel busy!

I thought I would share something different, and fun, that I had Ava do today.

She enjoys running the camera, so I handed it over and asked her to take pictures of things that are important to her.

Great insight into the mind of a (almost) 5-year-old.

sleeping bags (still packed after a weekend at grandpa's)

mommy (daddy wasn't actually home)

olivia (still working on her snack)

probably one of my new favorites:

of course her bear. formerly known as mr. sanders, now called "isabella"

(there were about 6 of these)

lucy (playing with her sensory bin of the day.)

big big bear. (they named him)

lucy with her own isabella. the twin to ava's bear.

stuffed puppy without a name. (her other puppy is named saliva.)

again, another favorite. 

and finally, lucy. (the doll she did all on her own...)

This turned into a good perspective piece for me, and I hope you enjoyed it as well.

Smoky Charcoal

 I was shopping at Walmart. 

Because when you live in a town not overrun with shopping centers, you get things at Walmart.

It's not all bad.

Anyway, on a whim, I wandered down the paint aisle, perusing the "oops paint". You know, the paint that got mixed and rejected by the customer, and gets marked waaay down, often 50% off.

Anyone have a guess as to what happened!?

Yup, I bought some.

It's by Glidden, called Smoky Charcoal.

You know, I could have more expensive hobbies. 

I could probably have simpler hobbies.

Mostly because my hobby is randomly redecorating things.

However, it was the basement bathroom. Poor, bland little bathroom.

I mean, look at it!

I thought the decor was cute, but I hated the wall color. 

Nothing very inspiring about tan.

This tan was particularly snore-inducing.

I already painted the bathroom once before, from a dark tan to a lighter tan.

So thrilling!

This transformation was a bit more distinct:

 Painting is pretty straightforward.

Put all the kids down for naps.

Tape all.the.things like a madwoman.

(Because it wouldn't be a whim without a time crunch.)

Rustle up a paintbrush and roller, and go like crazy!

(starting)

(during)

 And, the finished product!

 

Isn't it pretty??!!!

And for $12 oops paint, proof that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

 

(Yes, we do use indoor/outdoor Christmas lights in our shower. They are wired behind the shower wall, and turn on via remote. They are very cool.)

The walls are a little darker than the photos, and the whole room is so gorgeous now! I'm not entirely sure how I'll redecorate. I feel less need to cover the walls, now. :-)

There you have it, my latest little project! 

Sometimes, whims take you in the best directions!

June Photo Dump

Hey, everyone! I've been really bad at posting! We've had a lot happening, so this is a quick photo dump from the last month or so.
Enjoy!

Lucy's first haircut!

My dad and I on Father's Day

Working on advanced puzzles.

Lucy and Riley's favorite way to share the bike.

Olivia is climbing (and now walking!!). Look out, world! 

Some days are like this. 

The picture was to look back and laugh... And I do. :-)

Have a great summer! 

Lucy, Three!

We parents always decorate, at least a little. 

Good morning, Birthday Girl!!!

Lucy is all about hand-on, messy play. 

(Her mommy is trying to let her make more messes...)

She got sidewalk chalk paint, a bubble gun, a sparkly tutu, binoculars, a preschool workbook, and birthday money (used to buy a new doll bed and doll clothes).

As I'm sure you can imagine, these were incredible for my dance-loving, creative 3-year-old. 

My silly, sweet, creative girl loved having a birthday! 

We went to Pizza Ranch for supper a day early, and she was sung to by the girls' softball team who were doing Tip Night that evening. 

Lucy turned bright red and crawled onto my lap! She was happily overwhelmed by the attention!

The evening of her birthday, we had tacos while we watched Frozen.

We ended her birthday with chocolate cake! The candles were blown out faster than I can blink. I think it was a most anticipated moment!!

 Lucy is a friend to all, but naturally shy. It is a huge step out of her comfort zone to talk to strangers. She pushes Ava to be more daring and explorative, and Ava encourages her to obey boundaries, and do "big girl" things such as drinking from a lidless cup or emptying the dishwasher.

She is so sweet with Olivia, but definitely can be bossy big sister. If Olivia does something that Lucy disapproves of, she will grab Olivia's heels and pull her away from a situation. I can always count on Lucy protecting Olivia, but it will always make Olivia angry. :-)

Lucy recently had her first ride on an escalator, and also got her first big bike.

She knows most of the alphabet, can count to 20, name most shapes and colors, and is learning her numbers. This fall she will be ready to jump into full preschool work.

She says "restaining" wall, "sank you", and is only just starting to say a proper "L" sound. (It's still usually replaced with a "w" sound.) 

I love my May Day baby! She lights up our home with her singing and silly antics, and keeps us on her toes with adventurous, and naughty, decisions. 

Happy Birthday, my darling Lu-Lu!