Holiday House Tour - Part 1

A few of the outside decorations!

Ship-Shape!

It was a project kind of weekend around here. 

Daddy and I spent some time shopping, minus children, on Saturday and making decisions about what we need to do around our house.  We filled the van with some fun purchases and decided to let some other "wants" go...to make way for the "needs".  One of our best purchases was a new storm door for the front door - originally $359, paid $122!  Now Daddy just needs to install it!  We also have plans for a new patio out in the backyard so we can enjoy summer family dinners outside.  But all that must wait for warmer weather...which seems to be taking its good-old-time getting here!

Then Sunday was spent installing a few new purchases and adding paint to a few things we already owned.  Anyone that knows me knows I get bored quickly and things are always changing around here!

First I repainted the little table and chairs that were passed on to us by the kids' cousins.  It had seen its fair share of wear and tear and needed some freshening up!

 Here are the spring decorations on my mantle...the hanging tiles say "SUNSHINE."  Even if it's not warm outside, at least I can make it springy inside!

 I painted this small cabinet to match the tower I had painted and that sits underneath it.  Not sure what I'll put in it but it looks fresh and new!  Now that I think about it, what a great spot for bubbles and sunglasses as the weather gets nicer (sensing a theme?)

 This large world map was added to our hallway for the kids to enjoy.  They like to look at maps and talk about traveling with Daddy.

 I brought home a pocket chart from school and added it to our kitchen for Tater.  We are working hard to help her learn her sight words...when she feels like it!  Such a stubborn child of a teacher!

 These are the new bar stools Daddy and I picked out on Saturday during our "date night."  Our old stools were heavy, swiveled, and had lots of nooks and crannies...a bad combination with 3 little children!  These have much cleaner lines and no swivel.

 This is a small but needed project...a new transition piece!  We had planned on getting a new floor in the kitchen but the odds were stacked against us and that isn't happening.  The floor did get a deep cleaning...on my hands and knees, thank you very much!...and Daddy added this piece to finish it off.  It's okay.  I can live with it...I think.  Sassy was so excited to see this addition that she said "Mama, no more my socks ouch!" - her socks kept getting stuck on the rough edge that was underneath!  I sent her to thank Daddy and she rushed right off!

 And how cool is this?!?!  It's a track for our garbage can that attaches to the cabinet door and the whole thing pulls out!  Oh, the things I get excited about!!!!

Daddy also built Sassy a play fridge to go with her kitchen set but isn't painted yet and needs some final assembly...so pictures to follow!


Whew!  What a busy weekend!  Can someone tell me what happened to weekends being for sleeping in and rest????

Basement Re-Do!

A few years ago, we spent many a winter night transforming our basement from a dismal space below the earth to a playroom. We didn't feel skilled enough to build walls and put in a ceiling but knew we needed barriers and storage. So we created "walls" made of storage shelves and enclosed with bead board. We painted the floor, added some color, and laid down a rug. All was good. It was used occasionally and was a great holding place for all the toys that didn't fit elsewhere.

And then the flood hit! We lost a lot of toys, the couch that we stored down there, all the rugs, and lots of random basement kind of things. So we emptied it, cleaned, added a new rug, and prepared to enjoy the new space with what seemed like a lot more space (minus the couch and some toys!). But as we anticipated Christmas this year and as we lived with toys surrounding us in the living room upstairs, we knew it was time to expand! We wanted the toys out of our living space and we know there are many new toys that will be arriving!

So here are results of our efforts today (when I probably should of been resting...but I can never pass up a chance to organize!):

Looking from the bottom of the steps

(Daddy's workshop area is behind the gate)

From the other side

View from the back

And looking toward the stairs

We are loving it...and so are the kids! Tater was so excited she was practically crawling out of her skin and Bruiser wanted to play inside instead of going outside with Daddy!

Memorial Day - Part 2

We spent the rest of the day finishing things up around the house...not that our list is any shorter! Here are a few shots from the weekend that didn't make the previous post.

Bruiser got these building toys at IKEA yesterday.

They are like a younger version on Kinx...and are really cool!

This arrived on Friday.

It's an early birthday present from Papa and Mimi...thank you!
I have been asking for such a beach cart for the past four years...this year Mimi told me to order it and be done with the never-ending search! It will be put to good use this year!

And this was the big project for the weekend...we actually build this farmhouse table from scratch! AMAZING!

Here it is stained completely. Don't you love the cardboard pieces under the legs?!?
Tomorrow I will add the polyurethane coat and we'll be able to eat on it. Next week, we plan to add two benches...and I might even attempt to build them all by myself!
Yes, I know! We are a bit crazy around here!

Memorial Day Weekend - Part 1

We've been pretty busy at the House of Sprout! We are taking full advantage of the three day weekend and having one less child (Tater is still at Papa and Mimi's!). Yesterday we headed to IKEA to get the girls bunk beds only to discover they are back ordered until late July. But it wasn't a wasted trip...because when is an afternoon at IKEA ever wasted?!? I found plenty of new little projects for both Mommy and Daddy and some fun new toys for the little ones.

Here's Wiggles eating lunch at the IKEA cafeteria like a big kid!

And that's Bruiser in the background playing instead of eating...what a surprise!

After the disappointment over the bed, we headed to Lowes to buy wood to make a new dining room table. Yes, I said make! I discovered this amazing site, Knock Off Wood, that gives you detailed plans on how to make all sorts of furniture - right down to your shopping list and cut list. We'll see how it goes...because there are plans for a loft bed that might appear in the girls' room!

But, by the time we made it home, it was raining. So the wood stayed in the car and we finished some projects in the house.

The cords are hidden...finally!

Art Room shelves are hung and filled.
Now I have to decide if I want to stain them...hmmm!

Bruiser was already "doing art" this morning.

He gave his seal of approval!

Meanwhile, as soon as we clean up Wiggles from her messy breakfast, we are heading outside to build a dining room table!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Springtime At The House of Sprout

We've been busy watching our garden's grow this spring!

Bruiser and Wiggles are "helping" Daddy grow grass in this spot...

I don't think it's working!

Love this tree in our front yard.

Bruiser has new Crocs...and he LOVES them!

Randomness and Storms!

When I plugged in the camera today I discovered a few missing images from Chicago that needed to be shared! The memories just keep on coming!

This is the water tower...the only building left standing after the famous Chicago fire.

(And that's K and L in the bottom right corner!)

Yes, we went in here!

Yes, we drooled a bit!

And in amidst the tulips and city life, we stumbled across this lovely fountain...so calming!

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Yesterday I was the crazy lady that took three children shopping at 9am to buy flowers for our gardens and window boxes and then came home and had LOTS of help planting them! Tater had a blast picking out flowers and choosing her favorites! It was a great way to celebrate Earth Day and give back to the planet.

I picked these for by the front door...even though I had said I wasn't doing any container gardening this year...other than window boxes...oh, well!

We planted four of these with Dusty Miller, petunias, and ivy.

This box has an added delphinium...which supposedly attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and detracts deer (not they are frequent visitors to our neighborhood!)...and Tater had to have it! We hope to be able to watch visitors from our window this spring and summer!

Tater picked the pink daisies!

The yarrow made me think of Mimi's garden.

Tater loved these purple flowers and they made my two whiskey barrels easy to plant!

And how pretty is this!

(Imagine it without the sticker!)

Cool thing is that this plant was grown in the town I was born in...hundreds of miles from where I live now...just a neat connection!

This is our backyard expansion that we finished last week to incorporate the "trumpoline" (in Bruiser language!). The net we ordered should be arriving today so I'll feel a bit better having the little ones jump, jump, jump!

This is Daddy's new fire pit...to go with his new grill

(pictures later...it was covered and I'm not supposed to touch the man stuff!).

Hopefully we will break in the pit this weekend with the marshmallows we bought last night!

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And yesterday a storm hit...literally and figuratively!

This was the sky yesterday afternoon.

Imposing, huh?

See the hail on the chair?

And on the canopy and deck?

And, while that storm was happening, my lovely school department that employs me was brewing a storm of their own! We've been without a contract for almost two years. Last January (2009), they unilaterally and unprecedentedly cut our salary 5% and imposed a 20% co-pay on out health insurance. It was a huge blow financially and spiritually for the union...we lost all faith in the school committee, who refused to negotiate and ignored the mediator's suggestions. Things have been tied up in court since then. Until yesterday...

The attorney for the school department sent a letter to the attorney for our union. They are cutting our pay another 3%, requiring us to work an additional 4 days per school year, and additional half hour each day, increasing our class size from 25 students to 28 students, and cutting our sick days (15 paid days down to 8 paid and 7 unpaid...but you have to use two paid, then seven unpaid, and then the remaining 6 paid).

Now, I love my job...I really do...I can't think of any other job I'd rather do! But all the stuff that goes with it is so frustrating. Teaching is one of the most dedicated and giving professions I have ever seen. It so hard to see such amazing professionals have their livelihood cut and cut again. The lack of respect and value is unbelievable. Yes, we get the summers off. Yes, we have shorter work days. Yes, we get a lot of vacations throughout the school year. But, admit it...do you really want to spend all day in a classroom filled with five- or six- or seven-year-olds...or (in my opinion!) with a school full of teenagers? We earn every bit of what we get...no matter how little it is becoming!

That being said...I'm going to try to enjoy my last day of spring break. Then, come Monday, I'll go back to school and happily greet all my little ones and continue to give them best education I am trained to give...and love every minute of it!

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And here is a happy thought to end the randomness...Miss Wiggles is trying to be Mommy!

Ooooo, look at those little legs!

Too, too, too cute!

Snow Day!

And, oh, is it ever! The snow started at about 8:30 last night with just a few flakes and blew all night long! As of right now (11:00am) we have about 20 inches and it is still snowing and blowing. Welcome, Blizzard of 2009!

The kids and Daddy are outside right now...enjoying and cleaning (or playing with the neighbor's new snow thrower!). Miss Wiggles and I are inside preparing for their return and cleaning up after breakfast.

There will be hot chocolate to drink, laundry to do, naps to take, and yummy cookies to enjoy!

Cookie baking last night

Ready to play!

SNOW!!!!!

Going for a sled ride with Daddy.

Miss Wiggles watching the show!

Snack time on the move!

The snow out my back door - I can't even open it!

On the deck railing

More snacks!