Happy early Birthday to Me!

The Baking Center

Before:

After:

Happy Birthday to me from my in-laws and my husband's hard-earned money. It is a little early, but I couldn't pass up this little treasure!

I saw this hutch at a local Vintage Shop (Poppyseeds) and thought it would be perfect for my baking center area that was just a makeshift area in the kitchen - useful, but not permanent. The hutch was painted blue, which was really cute, but didn't match my kitchen. I offered a deal and a new paint job. They were happy to do it and here it is.
(Now it is time for some cute, non-see-through baskets)

p.s. I can't wait to show you the other items I bought from Poppyseeds. Three pieces that are going to become the sinks/vanities in each of the new bathrooms.

House update

This picture was taken one day before they finished the siding on the front of the house. The general contractor has moved out!

I was finally able to get to the backyard without sinking ankle-deep in the mud. So here's a view you haven't seen for awhile. It makes the current house look tiny, but it is actually 162 square feet bigger! :o) The new part has 10' ceilings so it made it look really tall. I didn't anticipate that.

It is supposed to be insulated today and drywall starts Monday...we'll see. It is pretty quiet over there this morning.

Only two more years...

The first thing Tessa tells me on her birthday is, "Only two more years until I'm a teenager!"

Oh groan!

She made a very impressive mark on the growth chart this time. Growing more than 2 1/2" in six months!! (The previous 6 months was about 1/2".)

As always, the favorite "birthday cake" is something ice cream.

It was ice cream bowls this year.

Some kids move out of their parents' room as they get older, but Tessa is moving in!

In just a few short weeks she will be kicking us out and moving completely into her new room/our old room. She's already starting to setup with her new birthday desk, lamp, chair, and digital camera. Many, many dreams came true this birthday!

A four year old's concept of age

Kaylee says:
When I was 1 and 2 I was a baby.
When I was 3 I was a little girl.
Now that I'm 4 I'm a big girl.
When I'm 8 and 10, like Trevon and Tessa, I'll be all grown up.
When I'm 70 I can drive! ("drive" is said with such glee!)

I decided to keep the house and enjoy the addition for 20 years, or so.

How did our first day of homeshooling go, you say?

Excellent! The kids loved it. They were a little pushy at first, constantly wanting individual attention, but soon learned how to be patient and work independently. At three o'clock they wanted to keep going! I was ready for a break....like to start dinner or something. We'll just stick to substitute teaching on No School days!

Eli was much more interested in snack and recess, than abc's and math facts!