Today was a milestone for my sweet, little guy (fourth from the left).  This was his first day of preschool.  It was also a milestone for me, now I have all four kids in school.  We both were so excited for school to start this morning.  He was excited to make new friends and do some projects, which he could then bring home in his brand-new Transformers backpack (we went to six stores before we found the right one).  I was excited to workout and finish up a few projects uninterrupted.  Everything was going well until I picked him up from preschool and it hit me,  now I have no more babies.  I started to cry.  I quickly wiped away my tears as I pulled up to him.  I didn’t want him to think this was anything but a happy day.  He got into the car so excited to tell me about his day.  I listened with a big smile and said, “Sounds like you had a good day”.  He replied with double fist pumps and shouted, “It was awesome!”.   He’s obviously not mourning the end of his baby days. I will try not to either.

One day my husband suggested making crates.  Here is a link to the crate he made and his tutorial.

This is the crate I made.  I painted it with some homemade black chalk paint. I distressed it by sanding it lightly with some fine grit sandpaper.  I was going to just leave it but…it just didn’t seem finished so I added this design with some white paint and a little stencil that I had on hand.  I will post the tutorial for making this crate on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!  It is our last couple of days of Summer.  My kids start school on Monday.  This year all four kids will be in school.  I am giddy and sad about that.  This will be the first time in thirteen years that I will have a little time to myself.   What will I do with myself?  I have visions of taking a yoga, Zumba, or Pilates class.  I also have visions of taking a nap.  My older kids keep me up late.  My younger kids get me up early.  I don’t get enough sleep, so anytime I sit for more than a few minutes, I doze off.  Or at least I try.  As soon as I close my eyes, someone starts yelling, “Mom, Mom, Mom!!!!”.   Here is what will most likely happen with my free time, laundry and dishes.

I’m taking a little time off from projects to spend time being silly and having fun with my kids. (Well, I’m not going to completely quit all my projects.  I’ve been letting the kids sleep in every morning so I’ll have a little time to myself to get a little work done.)

Time has flown by this summer and I’m realizing, what seemed like a long leisurely summer, is quickly slipping away.

We are going to spend the next few weeks making the most of our time together, hopefully making memories that will last a lifetime.

Hope you are having a memorable summer too!

I found this cute little wheel barrow/planter at my favorite thrift store today.  I think this is the first thrifted treasure I have used “as-is” (except my dishes).   I love the rusty front wheel and the scuffed, white-washed finish.  It is the perfect little accent to balance my step ladder/planter.  While I was working on getting this planter in just the right spot and filling it with flowers, my kids were enjoying a lazy summer evening.

First popsicles for dessert, slurped up quickly before they melt.

Followed by splash time.

 Hope you are keeping cool and enjoying your summer!

     My husband and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary.  We have two children together ages six and a half and three.  I have two children from a previous marriage ages thirteen and eleven.  My husband also has two children from a previous marriage ages twenty-one and seventeen.  My husband and I have just a few months difference in our ages.  He just got and early start on his family and I got a late start on mine. 

     Recently our oldest reached two major milestones in his life.  He graduated and started his first job in his new career.  He also moved in with his long-time girlfriend.  Suddenly, I am in the role of mother-in-law.  I admit I was not ready for this.  I am still trying to potty train my three-year old.  How do I fit into this new role?  Do I give advice or keep my mouth shut?  How do you know if you’re helping or offending?  I don’t want to be a bad mother-in-law.  I suppose the only thing I can do is try to relax and proceed with caution and a sense of humor.