A Kitchen Update (part 1 of 2)

I have wanted a chalkboard in my kitchen forever!
I thought it would be great for doodling

And jotting down notes

I knew my kids would love it

I could put my never-ending to do list there

and leave notes for the kids

put my grocery lists there

Plus I just think they're pretty!

Here's my attempt...
I measured my cupboard doors, then made a trip to home depot for a sheet of particle board and some chalkboard paint.
(before picture)

Home Depot cut the board to size, and me and my handsome helper went to work painting

I attached my new chalkboards to my cupboard doors with liquid nails

primed it with chalk

and started doodling, listing, and menu-planning


Hmmmm...what to do with the leftover board? I drew some lines on the board and Carl cut the pieces out

I did a little sanding

a little painting and a little more sanding

Ta-Da

I love it! Definitely worth the $6 board and the paint :)

Young's Jersey Dairy

We visited Young's Jersey Dairy farm with Grammy & Pappy a few weeks ago.

When Abby heard we were going to a real farm she broke out her cowgirl hat and boots

The kids loved the mini golf or pup-pup as Isaac called it :)

Taking a break with Grammy


An old tractor for climbing

And tractor wheel

I really got in to this ride, as you can see!

Goats

and calves

And the most beautiful sunflower field on our way home

These are a few of my favorite things

The smell of flowers

The excitement over a lost tooth

A ride with Daddy

A backyard bonfire

Lightning Bugs

Sleeping in

Writing, because she loves to

A new recipe...from scratch...with no instructions (why was I the last to find out?)

Lego Man

home sweet home

Back to school

First Day of School 2010
Caleb 4th grade, Abby 3rd grade, Ella 1st grade and her first year of "full-day" of school. They were so excited to see all their friends and meet new ones.

Saying good-byes. Isaac is convinced that if he had his own back-pack he would be going to school too!

After a gazillion tissue flowers, I thought I'd try some fabric hair flowers :)

Waiting....

and waiting

for the big yellow bus. This was Ella's first year to ride the same bus as Caleb & Abby.

fast-forward to the afternoon and now me, Carl, & Isaac are waiting....

Home again, home again --- and they all look taller, and smarter,

and a little more grown up. How does this happen so fast!?!

days of summer

Days of summer I want to remember.
Celebrating the Red, White, and Blue

Yummy veggies from our garden.

Swinging high in the sky

And waiting for a push

Target practice

Ready

Aim

Fire!

Ummm...this is how you really do it

I LOVE this face. Every ketchup smeared, crusty inch of it!

Best of friends

A favorite ride

Collecting eggs for our neighbors while they were out of town

We got to keep all the eggs we collected


Now, of course, the kids want chickens!