Ooo...Aaahhh

So to answer your question, yes, we have been doing a LOT of home improvement projects this year.

2010: the year of the hammer. And nails. And a porch. And a kitchen.

This week brought us shiny, new granite counter tops and a fabulous under-mount stainless steel sink and faucet.

The before and after shots tell it all.

Before:

After:

Before:
(Scott pulled the sink out before I could take a picture)

After:After:

After:

Our small kitchen actually feels bigger. Is that weird?

Next up is the tile for the back splash around the counter top and stove area.

Then the new tile floor.

Then the updated cabinet hardware.

Whew.

Thank goodness all we are actually doing ourselves is the hardware :)

Back in the Saddle Again

Another week of track out has come and gone and, with it, another week of horseback riding camp. I cannot stress enough how much Eliza Grace enjoys riding, feeding and generally being around horses.

It has been at or near 100 degrees every day this week so she does come home hot and dirty and tired. But she has loved every sweaty moment of it.


She has gotten better at posting, learned to canter a bit and even went over a very small jump. She has also already asked me if I have signed her up for the September track out camp. I better get on that right now!

Eliza Grace canters on Rascal

Eliza Grace does not mean to canter on Rascal
while approaching a small jump :)

Voila!

Makes you want to come over and sit a spell, now doesn't it?

Well, what are you waiting for? I guarantee we have cold beer :)

Patty O'Furniture

18 parts to a 6 piece patio furniture set: Check

12 assorted seat cushions and accent pillows: Check

10 page instruction manual, assorted nuts,
bolts, screws and tools: Check

House phone, iPhone, water: Check

iPhone playing 80's tunes: Check

I am going to put one chair together before Scott comes home.

Just to prove that I can.

Wish me luck!

Today I am an Explorer!

So Long Ladybugs!

Last Friday, Will transitioned from the Ladybugs to the Explorers class in preschool.

This is a big deal because this is the last class he will be in until he starts Kindergarten in July 2011!

After touring and interviewing 8 different centers, we chose to send Will to Kids R Kids of Cary (KrK) when he was 18 months old, which coincided with when Eliza Grace started Kindergarten.

It was a difficult decision for me, as I had many times espoused how I would not send my children to daycare. I had a definite bias against the traditional day care environment. Which explains why I called his daycare "school" from the first day. I think it made me feel better.

However, we have had a wonderful experience with KrK. We love the Moye's who own and operate the center, we love the teachers and we love the environment. And I really love the in-room and playground cameras that I can watch from my computer. It has given me great peace of mind and allowed me to peek in on my boy throughout the work day.

For the past 3 years, Will has changed classrooms about every six months, moving with his peers into age appropriate classes. Now he will end his tenure at KrK in the Explorers class.

He has been a little weepy over not being with Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Amanda everyday but he is also excited about the change. He is particularly thrilled about having a new block center and home center in which to play. And today, as he got dressed he reminded me that, "today I am an Explorer!"

So goodbye Ladybugs, hello Explorers. Next stop (in just over 12 months): Kindergarten!

The bat cave!

Blocks! I must build!

Oooo! New home center, complete with workbench and tools!

Goodbye Second Grade!

Waiting for the bus on the last day of 2nd grade!

This past Tuesday marked the last day of 2nd grade for Eliza Grace.

After giving our retiring bus driver, Mrs. Dunn, a farewell gift, Eliza Grace headed to school for a fun day of board games and pizza with her classmates.

3rd grade begins in a little less than 5 weeks but in the meantime she has weekly swim meets, horseback riding camp, drama camp and a week at the beach - whew, what a fun summer break!