Wednesday, October 29, 2014

DIY Dinosaur Hat Rack

As you may or may not already know, Winston truly loves to wear hats!  It was something we started when he was first newborn.  He enjoys wearing them while we are around town and to school.  His hat collection has been taking over the closet floor for some time now.  And since we are trying to teach him to put away his shoes and hats, it was decided he needed a designated area for his fancy headwear!    

Knowing that we wanted dinosaurs, we ordered a set of Mini Dinosaurs from Amazon.
Using poplar strips that were 1" tall by 1/2" thick, Benjamin sawed them down into 3 feet sections.  Then he choose a to paint them green using spray paint we already on hand.  While the sticks were drying, he sawed 16 of the dinosaurs in half using a band saw.  
After the boards were dry,  Benjamin drilled a pilot hole into the wood using a 1/8" drill bit as well as partially into the half of the dinosaur that would be hanging from them board.  Using a 1" size 6 wood screw, he attached the dinos to the boards.
We then took them to the closet, did a rough measure of the distance by holding up one hat to make sure there was enough space between the two rows and screwed them into the wall.
Buddy loved seeing the dinosaurs asking what each of them were while taking hats on and off the rack!  It has been a fabulous addition to his closet.  Speaking of which...I think we need to add a new row as all of the dinos are currently occupied!!

Total Cost of Project: Less than $25!!

You will need:
Dinosaurs
Poplar Wood Strips
Screws
Spraypaint

Tools Needed:
Bandsaw
Screw gun

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Currently 10.21.14

Currently: I am sitting at my dining room table with Sweet Lulu curled up in her bed beside me.  I have a can of Cherry Dr. Pepper on a coaster to my right and an open bag of Rold Gold Tiny Twists Honey Mustard pretzels on my right.  The windows are letting the fabulous fall air in and I am thankful for this beautiful day!  

Currently Reading: The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus.  Y'all.  It's good.  I'm through the first chapter and into the second.  It spells out that we serve a Creative God who created us to create.
Currently Thankful For: I find myself going over the last weekend - how fantastically special it was to our family - the weekend that Winston turned two.  I am thankful our sweet friends who drove down from Dallas to be here to celebrate with us.  I am thankful for the family and friends who were  a part of the celebration.  Our little guy certainly felt loved and for that, I am thankful.  I am thankful that I even have a little human to celebrate - that in itself is a huge gift.

Currently Scheming: The next phase of our Master Bedroom!  We have mighty ambitious aspirations for a cool paint scheme that could be amazeballs or be a huge disaster.  Either way - we are currently trying to decide when the optimal time would be for such an adventure.  Stay tuned!  

Currently Thinking About Next Things: To pick up little Buddy from school, grab some fro-yo and head to the grocery store.  Tonight's dinner is Trader Joe's Orange Chicken + rice and broccoli...  assuming we get to the grocery store!

Currently Obsessing Over: The next time I'll hear the ice cream truck!  I cannot get enough of the ice-cream truck and the delicious treats that come from the inside!  

Currently Going to Learn: How to make delectable delights!  I am so pumped to watch and reading The Allison Show's Cookie Party!  on how to make fabulously delicious cookies!  I totally did a pre-order and am PUMPED UP to learn her ways!  Be warned friends, family, teachers, neighbors, random people on the street - cookie craziness will be coming your way!

What are you currently doing, reading or listening to?  I'd love to know!

Monday, October 20, 2014

Meal Planning Monday


Monday
Meat & rice {an all time favorite!} with Baked Cauliflower and rolls.  
A meal is not a meal without rolls!

Tuesday
Trader Joe's Orange Peel Chicken, rice and broccoli

Wednesday
Tortellini, salad and rolls

Thursday - Saturday
Kitchen Closed!

Sunday
Chicken fries, Mac & Cheese and Applesauce

Wishing y'all a fabulous week!!

Friday, October 17, 2014

A Birthday Poem

Today is the day that Winston turns two.
What a year we have all be through!
Lots of adventures and things to explore,
It's been so exciting to see him soar!

Today is the day we move into Year Three.
A little man he is growing to be.
Adore his laugh, adore his smile.
For him I'd even run a mile!
He is our pride, he is our joy.
So very thankful he is our boy!

He is funny and fabulous.  He is sensitive and sweet.
He is always saying "Hi!" to people on the street.
Not one for missing out on a hug,
He is and always will be our Little Bug!

This year has been a momentous one
And it's hard to believe that it is now done!
Celebrating all that God has given us today,
Celebrating Winston in every single way.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Pert'near Close to Perfect

Y'all, this weekend has been pert'near close to perfect as you could get.  This was a weekend where we had little on the calendar.  A quiet{isn} weekend before an onslaught of planned weekends ahead. 

Saturday started off with the three of us at the table holding hands to say the blessing.  
Winston: "Dear Lord..."  
Benjamin: "Thank you so much for..."
Winston: "my mommy and daddy!"  
Heart melted.  Tears in eyes.  
Yes, today was going to be a good day!

The absolute number one thing on our agenda for Saturday was to take Winston's two year old pictures.  While we groaned a little about getting up early enough to make sure that the location would be free, we were certainly glad when we were up and att'em!  The pictures turned out better than I could have imagined and I can't wait to share them in a few days!  

Since we were in the area, we stopped at Empire Cafe for our second breakfast.  It was Winston's first time to really eat a meal of his own there and in true form, he chose a pancake.  He then proceeded to eat most of it and a ton of the strawberries from my Italian Toast.  I am thankful he is a good eater!
Then we stopped by Biscuit Home to take a gander at their Warehouse Sale and ended up coming home with a fantastic shelving piece for our bedroom!  Then we hightailed it back to Spring to do a quick change of clothes before heading out to a birthday part for two of WAC's classmates.  It was a wonderful day for an outdoor at the park party.
During nap time {and the Baylor game} I continued going through the scrapbooks my mom had made and kept for me.  It has been so neat to read letters and postcards from my Dad, see my artwork, look at old pictures and reflect on the early years of my life.  It's good for the soul to take time to appreciate the events and people who played a part in shaping and molding the person I am. 
Shortly after Winston woke up, we were playing trains when what to my wondering ears did I hear?  The ice-cream truck!!  I screamed with joy, told Benjamin to grab some cash and away I went out the front door to make sure they didn't drive away without us getting a tasty treat!  I love getting ice cream from an ice cream truck.  Love it!  It reminds me of summers when I was little and my Dad flagging down the truck so that we could share a treat.  I had been hearing the truck in the evenings but never was able to make it in time.  This day was different.  This day, we got a Batman ice-cream and a Jolly Rancher Bomb Pop!!
And let me tell you, we had the most fun that $5 worth of frozen treats can give two people!  By the end we were both sticky and full of delicious goodness!!  Just as we were going in to get cleaned up, Baylor was making a comeback and that made for a happy hubby!

The day ended with some Despicable Me, Winston to bed and relaxation time for Benjamin and I.

Sunday has been as equally great with a lovely time at church, lunch at Donald's and the continuation of decluttering that I started on Friday.  We have been in the house a year now and it's amazing how things can get ahead of you.  We are finally getting the downstairs bedroom presentable for guests and adding to our list of project ideas as we do!  

I just love weekends like these.  This one has been too good not to document it.  And although I have tons of half written posts and a list that I want to write, this seemed like the best way to jump back in.  I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend doing a least one thing that sets your heart a smiling!
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