Outdoor Lovin'

I think it's pretty safe to say we did not enjoy our backyard last summer. At all. I didn't plant a single flower or vegetable. I did buy two hanging plants and managed to kill them both pretty quickly. It was hot (like, the hottest summer ever), I was pregnant and uncomfortable and huge. And did I mention it was hot? Plus, we were consumed with the building of Lake Harbour last spring, and by the time it was finished, summer was here, and we were busy. So, yeah. We pretty much neglected our backyard last year.

But now we're back! We've been working on several projects outside, and I'm excited for it all to be finished so we can enjoy it. Matt is working on rebuilding one side of our fence that had fallen down. We're extending that side out to enclose more yard, which means more play space for the kiddos (and Oscar). Meanwhile, I've been thinking about planting flowers and a few veggies for Lola to tend to, and I've also been spray painting everything in sight. (Keep reading.)

Several years ago we bought a wooden patio set from Pier 1. Big mistake. Huge. It rotted, and all that is left is a couple of chairs that I'm kind of afraid to let people sit in because they might be rotten, too. What a waste of money! And I even quizzed the salesperson at length about how it would hold up in the outdoors. Lesson learned: Don't expect the people working at Pier 1 to be experts about the longevity of outdoor furniture. ("I told you so." ~Matt Wade)

Needless to say, we are in the market for new patio furniture, but I can't bring myself to spend hundreds of dollars on a set that I don't really love, because the truth is, I really love the wood and wicker stuff, but the crap just doesn't last. Sigh.

So I began looking for a more frugal option that would last, which, funnily enough, has been right in front of my face all along. We have two fairly old glass-top patio tables that my parents left behind when we bought the house. I'm not sure how old these things are, but they have been around a long time, and the chairs that went with them are long gone. We use them when entertaining larger groups, and I usually just throw a table cloth over them. The glass tops are in great shape, and the green metal frames, while not the prettiest color you've ever seen, are also in great shape. So we're revamping the tables with some spray paint - I've just finished one, and it looks fantastic! We found some (inexpensive, but nice) stacking chairs and umbrellas to go with both tables. When it's all done we'll have two (like) new outdoor dining sets for much less than we'd spend on one new one. I love when that happens! And did someone say backyard barbecue?

I'll try to post before and after pictures soon, but for now here's a picture of another project we just finished. This little wrought iron table and chairs belonged to my grandma, who lived in this house 30 years ago. Like the patio tables, this set got left behind and nearly rusted out a couple years ago. We almost threw it away, but we realized it was actually still in good shape. It just needed a little love. So we cleaned and spray painted it, and it looked really cute for a couple of years. But the color had faded and the rust was starting to show through again, so I just re-painted it a couple weeks ago. How cute is this?! I'd still like to find cushions for the chairs, but so far I haven't had any luck... suggestions?

Speaking of gardening, our kids are growing like weeds.

Lola is 2 years, 8 months; Finn is (almost) six months. Whaaaat?

The cutest, littlest Tiger fan.

Lola meets my old cabbage patch doll, Cory Susie.

A morning nap. Can I take one, too?

FOOD!

Let the fun begin.

A toothy adventure

On a whim, we took Lola to the dentist this week. Matt and I had appointments for routine cleanings, and we decided that morning that she should probably go, too. We took her one time before, when she was about 18 months old, so she could see what it was like. She was a little too young then, but this time she actually got to sit in the chair and have her teeth (faux) cleaned!

On our way! She was all smiles, but it was sort of funny that morning when I first told her we were going to the dentist, she frowned and said, "But I don't want to go to the dentist." Where would she get the idea that the dentist isn't fun?! Who knows. But for the record: I HATE going to the dentist.

Goodness, doesn't she look FIVE here instead of 2.5?

She was so brave! She let Miss Dena count her teeth and (faux) clean them! It was a faux cleaning because she didn't actually use any paste - just the polisher so Lola could see what it feels like. She also flossed her teeth and squirted some water in her mouth and sucked it out with the little sucker thingy.

The overall report is her teeth look good! Matt also had zero cavities. And ME? You don't even want to know. Did I mention I HATE going to the dentist?

Easter fun!

In short, we are super busy. The blog always suffers when that happens.

So this will be a quick summary of our Easter weekend in pictures.

Enjoy!

Egg coloring: A test in patience. (I need more of it.)

Done!

Easter goodies

I attempted to make these, but mine didn't look as awesome.

Examining the loot

Easter bunnies!

Easter Sunday picnic on the deck,

just a girl and her trumpet.

Happy Easter from the Wades!

A little preview

Matt Wade, can you relate?

The things kids say

This morning Lola woke up at 5 a.m. ready to start her day. Whaaaat?! I don't think so. So I laid in bed with her until 6:00, and by then she was begging for milk and Peppa Pig. By 8 a.m. she was rubbing her eyes...

Me: "See how tired you are? You got up too early."
Lola: "I'm not tired, Mom. I'm just rubbing my eyes because there was something in them." (And those were her exact words.)

Yesterday I picked Lola up from school and stopped to get gas on the way home. I sat in the driver's seat and left the door open while the car was filling up. A couple minutes passed...

Lola: "Mom. WHY are we just SITTING here in the car?" (I realize typing it out doesn't have the some effect as hearing her say this... so I capitalized the words she really emphasized. And imagine it spoken in a sassy, annoyed tone that would more likely come out of a teenager, not a 2.5-year-old.)

And since when am I "mom" and not "mama" or "mommy"? What's next - she'll be asking to borrow the car? Oy.

Now this

Picked by Lola and Daddy less than a week after the snow. Ah, spring.