Family Room Re-do

Thank goodness I married a VERY handyman. I have been wanting to paint the living room for some time now, as the current color is original to my move in (yikes). Kent wanted to rebuild the TV cabinet to be a bit slimmer for our new flat screen. Well, I asked if he would be up for making an entirely new one, as my taste have changed in the last 10 years. He built the first one exactly to my specs, but he still gladly agreed to scrap it for an update! Apparently, he had his own reasons for willingness to take on a new project...insulation. Whatever, works for me. Took me a while looking at lots of pictures and trying to combine the features I liked for each into one that would work with our existing wall and fireplace. Although my taste have leaned to the more modern, I don't want to stray to far off from the little 50's home we already have. So, happy with my final design that will be modern with some whimsy touches. Can't wait till it is done! Before
As you can see, the original cabinet on the right sticks out quite a bit to accommodate our big old tube TV.
Demo started, running new electrical and cable for TV relocation. He had to go in the attic and under the house. What a trooper!
Holes drilled for insulation. Kent and his dad have already insulated most of our other walls on the perimeter of the house; this was one of Kent's ulterior motives for such willingness to demo! They also insulated my parents (non insulated) 1950's attic the same day. What a messy job.
Shutters down, patched holes, maybe paint tomorrow!

Father's Day

A while ago I decided that all of the boys would make the meal for Mother's Day and the girls would handle Father's Day. Kent did a great job orchestrating a tasty brunch to celebrate us moms, with a beautiful charm of Hux to match my Boe one. We had some yummy pulled pork sandwiches and tasty sides for Father's Day. Kent, Richard and Kirk
Me, Daddy, Bubba and Amy
Aw, what a great Daddy! He is gonna have his hands full if there is such a thing as pay back!!
Had to sneak in for a little family photo!
So many great memories with my dad; eating his hot dog sandwiches while watching The Munsters; listening to limericks in the car; working on school projects in the garage with him (like my cell that lit up); digging big ditches at the beach...I know my boys will have great memories of their dad as well, since I picked such a great guy who is so similar to my dad it is scary! Thanks for everything Daddy!

Parent Education Family Night

We have been taking Boeing to a Parent Education class since he was five months old. At first, I thought, "I don't need to learn how to parent!" when I saw the class description in our local adult education catalogue. However, after hearing so many wonderful things, we just had to sign up. After several years, we are still as pleased with this great program as we were as new parents. This program has taught us so many things by great credentialed teachers. Sadly, with budget cuts, the program was almost cut. Luckily, it has been saved; someone must have smartened up and realized the value of early education. Our close mommy and Boe friends have come from this class, and for that we are so grateful! This last night of class before winter break was a pot luck. Teacher George has been a wonderful and very personable teacher. Each week she has made the effort to recognize each child in class and talk with them about their personal interest. We really like her! Singing "Choo Choo the Big Train is Coming Down the Tracks Now", hand motions included.
Accepting his summer beach ball gift.
Story time; he is clearly very interested!

Beach Day

Kent and I are trying to take the boys to the beach lots this summer. We bought a great pop up tent large enough for all of us, especially Hux. Although it was overcast and not ideal tanning (ha, yeah right, those days are over), we all had a good time. Boeing and Daddy made a great sand castle and Hux enjoyed his thumb. Hux is so content with his first trip to the beach (Zuma) Getting ready for a sand castle competition Love my boys! Lunch on the beach, yum! A great day.

First Time Out With My Boys (Solo)

Finally Huxley was deemed worthy of joining in on some of our many outings. Until this point, someone always stayed home with him, keeping germs at bay until he was a bit rough around the edges. When that day came, to go do something outdoors with Boeing's Rinaldi School, both Kent and my dad were unavailable. So, I did what most mom's do and took both, alone! It was pooring rain, but the field trip did not get cancelled. It did not rain too much out in Moorpark where the farm is, so things were looking good on that end of town. Luckily, when we got there, the skies had stopped crying and opened up for a very fun morning at Underwood Farms. My girlfriend took these pictures, as I did not think I could handle the addition of a camera! Boe and his Ladies! Their boots all came off when they were lifted onto the horse; so cute! Ah, sweet baby Huxley! It really is such a cute farm; where else can you stand under a wood plank with a goat crossing over? Our class, those that came out in the rain!!

Working on My Photoshop Skills

A few summers ago I got volunteered to make invitations for my sister (and my) friend's wedding. Not knowing what I am doing, it took a very long time, however, I think in the end she got it how she wanted it. It would be great to find some time to take a class on Indesign software, I hear that is more friendly for the kind of work I am always trying to do. Just wanted to remember some of the invitations I have made from things I have seen and liked. Front of Reply Card Back of Reply Card Christmas Party For our friend who says there are always monsters in his room. Saw this on a web site and practiced making stars in Photoshop. I don't scrapbook, totally not my thing. However, a forever friend's shower invite asked everyone to bring a page. I made this in photoshop and printed it onto heavy cardstock. Sorry scrapbookers, just can't do it! Perfect example where Indesign would be a better program for me to use.

Mother's Day Project

Mom pinned this cute wood print on Pinterest with a hint later to a friend in hopes I would make it for her family room. When we were upset about something growing up, she would always assure us that things would eventually be OK. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but we would soon be feeling better about whatever was currently causing us grief. I still remember that today when I am having a bout of distress. So, using some of the other tutorial post on transfering font onto wood, I was able to pull it off. Best part was that everything was already here at the house. At first I was going to ask Kent to get some berch wood to use, but then I stumbled opon a beautiful (yes, that's what I'm gonna call this) piece of wood in the garage. It was just the right size and only need a nice hit with the electric sander (my favorite tool in the garage). No project gets past Boe, my little helper. Luckily he is not offended when mommy just "finishes up"! Found the font for FREE on dafonst (Wrexham) and whipped this up on Photoshop to the size of my wood. Then I just started in the corner and made 8X10 sections to print. Taped them all together to etch onto the wood (traced over the outline of the font real hard to dent the wood underneath) and then penciled in the final paintable area. Not to hard so far! Painting underway. This part took FO EV ER! With a toddler and a new baby, it seemed lucky if I got a few letters done daily during nap. Oh, decided to put tape down as a guide to get the center letters straight, as the etching thing is not exact. Worked! After painting, I busted out some 120 grit sandpaper to rough up the paint, and used the electric sander, again, to distress the edges to my liking. Not too bad. Happy Mother's Day to the best mom ever. Thank you for everything you have taught me. I hope to be as great of a mom to my boys as you were to the three of us turkeys! Love ya!

School Field Trip to LAPD Helicopter Hanger

A couple of weeks ago Boeing's school went to the Los Angeles Police Department's Helicopter Hanger to see all of the cool stuff. The kids had fun climbing in and out of one of the helicopters, but I think the parents got the most out of the visit; very interesting! GrampE and Daddy were able to come this week! Kids in the lobby-super interested in what the officer had to say (hee hee) Copter came in just for the kids to look inside. Comparing boo boo's while waiting to climb into the helicopter. Inside! Scary thought! Group shot, kinda. These kids never wanna all cooperate at the same time!