January to March recap

Well, I guess we've been busy since the new year. It's already March and the blog has suffered. We've been enjoying time outdoors and enjoying having Kyle at home while he transitions jobs. Kyle and I took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in February and I will blog about that later.

I'll recap the past 3 months and in the process show off some Photoshop Elements actions from everyone's favorite renaissance lady, Pioneer Woman!

My budding photographer loves taking pictures just like his mama

January got a bit chilly and it even threatened to snow (again) for the 3rd year in a row! Our go-to cold weather activity is baking cookies while Anna naps (shhh...don't tell her....but she's not that helpful except for when it comes to the eating part). John is very meticulous. Too busy to even acknowledge the camera.

One day school was cancelled because it was "icy". It was really just super cold so we invited some school friends who live nearby over for a playdate. FUN TIMES!

There was a lot of indoor time when it was cold. The natives got a bit restless

Our friend, Ainsley, came over for a playdate with Anna one morning. These little ladies are 4 days apart and see eachother a lot since their older brothers are buddies too.

Sharing a snack and a kiss

Kyle and the kids enjoy their weekly Saturday outing to the neighborhood donut shop. I'm starting to rethink "Donut Saturdays". I've determined Anna can't hold her sugar like a woman and must be capped at 4-5 donut holes or else the whole family pays later

In other news, we moved Anna to a big girl bed in January. I'm not showing you much of the room on purpose because it's still in process. Can't wait to show the reveal! I'm loving how it's coming together. Moving her to a big girl bed was a cinch. She took it like a pro. Now her and John's favorite pasttime is bed jumping. Who needs a trampoline?

Since the weather has been pleasant, John and Kyle (and now Anna this year) have been up to their usual spring time planting. John came in the house a few weeks ago proudly displaying his worm who "keeps the oil healthy" .....I'm guessing that's "soil" ;)  

Awwww....while some ladies may recoil, my little guy bringing me worms sure pulled at my heart strings. I was a bit of a tomboy when I was young, collecting cicada shells in coffee cans and organizing catepillar/roly poly circuses/X-games with Veronica, my childhood playmate. Good times. This was a milestone for me.

And I leave you with a video of John and Anna busting a move to who else but Lady Gaga. Check out the Anna-mal's robot moves. Classic.

The Chairs....Six Months in the Making

Back in September I traveled to Round Top, TX for the semi-annual antiques/junk fair. I have searched high and low for some cheap Louis salon chairs to redo. I looked on craigslist and at garage/estate sales. Even frames for these suckers are usually about $300. And they usually need reupholstering. I wanted to try to salvage something and use some new painting techniques and I didn't want to sink a lot into them in case it turned out to be bad.

Imagine my surprise when I am browsing at Round Top and I see these two little ladies sitting battered and bruised (VERY bruised).

Let's just say "filthy" is a polite word to describe these things when I picked them up. The pictures don't do them justice. These things were so bad I wiped my entire car down with lysol wipes after transporting them.

The seller wanted $40 for each and after inspecting the chairs and realizing they were wobbly and needed frame stabilizing work and serious reupholstering and major cleaning I offered $25 for both chairs not really thinking he'd take me up on it.

before I knew it.....SOLD! gasp. what did I do?

Oh right, $25 on 2 chairs. If it's a bust I will trash them for that price. My friend, Emily, wasn't even with me when I impulsively bought them. As I walked her to the vendor booth I felt I had to prepare her before she saw my purchase and I said "don't laugh at me but I have a plan". Famous last words, right?

Removing all the staples and upholstery tack strip almost drove me insane

(this is only a fraction)

The stripping got pretty nasty. Lots of mess.

I got so fed up with the gooey mess at one point that I just power washed the chairs with my garden hose nozzle on the "jet" setting. After the chairs dried and I regained my composure, I started to see the nice natural wood show through and they drew me back.

Then I was paralyzed for WEEKS on how to paint them until I got some inspiration and guidance from Miss Mustard Seed. I finally decided on a nice grayish white. After my first step with the paint I employed child labor to help me wipe the chairs down.

Don't worry. They're using baby wipes on latex paint. No chemical exposure here.

Then I had to tackle the dang webbing! What did I get myself into?

Oh, but here is the "after"....ahhhh....the after is what we live for, right?

I'm in luuuuuv....$25 bucks, I mean REALLY?!?!?!

And another before/after shot

So worth all the work! I think I'm going to add some little burlap bolster pillows for an accent??