Obstacle Course

My friend, Lindy and I, along with our kids have talked multiple times about getting together for homeschool field trips. So far we've gone to the science center together. And that was awhile ago. Until today. She told me about Soar Adventure Tower, an outdoor obstacle course with several levels and it sounded super cool, especially for our older boys. 

They have a homeschool day on Tuesday afternoons, which is great, because the cost is way lower than normal during those hours. This place was so cool and had Will's name all over it. Unfortunately, this is not something Maggie can do and tennis shoes are required so Jake could not participate in his flip flops but Allie said she wanted to try and this girl did awesome! I'm so proud of this little girl. There was a lower course for littler kids and the older kids/adults could go on the higher course. I stayed below with the littles and Lindy went up with the big kids. It was a great day!

After awhile, Will & Gavin came down to the lower course and ran through it with the younger kids. They could go much faster than up high, so they loved that. And they all enjoyed doing it together. Hopefully Jake can join in next time! It was a hot day, of course, so we discussed coming back in the fall. We'll have to hit that one week of fall we get just right. ;)

Will & Maggie's last day of school

Today was the last day of Will & Maggie's Friday tutorial, Fine Art Fridays and basically our last day of school. I will keep some Math and of course reading going in the summer, but otherwise school's out for summer! They also had an end of year program at their school.

I'm not sure why Will didn't perform this year but Maggie and her class were cute. Another school year in the books! I can't believe how quickly these kiddos are growing!!

Last Day of Preschool & Graduation

Today was Jake and Allie's last day of Pre-K/Preschool! It's really a Mother's Day Out program, but they do letters, numbers, writing, etc. so I call it school so they, esp. Jake feel big. And I'm not really wrong. So anyway, they do a little graduation ceremony for all the Pre-K kids heading off to Kindergarten and Jakey is one of them! I can't believe my little Bo Baker is almost in Kindergarten! How did he get so big so fast?! First, last day pics:

And now the graduation pics, including Jake with his teacher and Allie with hers because I didn't get end of year teacher pics earlier today. 

So proud of you Jakey, I know you're gonna do great in Kindergarten!!

House Projects

Back in March, just a couple days after returning from our family vacation, we began moving small furniture, breakables and bedding for our long-over-due carpet install. Our carpet was so old and just well past it's prime; Daniel wanted to wait until the kids got a little older and less likely to destroy it but I argued we may have a health issue on our hands. So he agreed. Daniel's office was replaced first and we actually did wood in there.

The pictures may not do it justice, but the carpet is so soft and comfy!! We love it. I did consider for a time replacing the hallway and playroom with wood like laminate, but in the end we decided against in. Not just because of cost and comfort but the sales guy actually made a good point about the increased noise since this is a kid area. Good call. 

The next project was our door knocker that I refinished in April. It still had the previous owner's name engraved on it. So this was long overdue and very simple. I just buffed out their name with an electric sander and spray painted over it. Wah-la!

The wind messed up my paint job a little (the bubble wrap in there stuck to it) but no more last name or brass knocker! Now I just have to replace the door handle and paint the door- they look a little drab with the fancy new knocker. ;) 

UPDATE 8/18: I painted the door, spray painted the kick plate and got a new door knob. I think it looks great! So much better than before and now everything matches the knocker. We bought a two-pack and updated the back door knob as well. Love simple updates that look great!

Then I started work on our dining room chairs. This was our original kitchen table... the one Daniel & I bought when we were first married. And we used it as a kitchen table until a couple years ago when our family outgrew it, at which time we swapped the dining room and kitchen tables. The chairs though had gotten so stained and yuck they did not fit in the pretty dining room. I finally set aside some time to re-cover them. 

I love them! I started a couple weeks ago and finished the last one today! I didn't take a pic of all 4, figured the before and after would suffice. :) Now on to more projects. In mid-April I also ran across some new items for our master bath, so hopefully I'll get started on its re-do soon!

Easter 2018

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Easter can get lost in the baskets, egg hunts and family meals, but what a blessing to celebrate this time of year and the resurrection of our Savior! The most wonderful day when you really think about it. Our sins forgiven, grace abounds.

Daniel's family didn't have any events this year but our parents asked us to visit, so we went there for a few hours after church. I found the prettiest dress for Alana at a consignment sale that was just perfect for today.

We had lunch and an egg hunt. I was with Maggie so Daniel took the few pics I have of the day. Happy Easter!