First official building project..............

I have taken the next step towards learning how to build actual, usable, 3D things!  I had wanted a set of really basic/classic white planters for the front porch since we moved it, but I was never able to easily find what I was looking for.  So once I officially crossed the line into cheapskate territory and started searching for any and all things I could DIY - I came across these plans for exactly what I was looking for and PRESTO!

Well, beforehand I got my hands on these two amazing babies which made the PRESTO so much easier

I just picked up two hanging baskets from Home Depot tonight so I could finally share them (we'll see how long I can keep these alive....I have already brought down some unkillable succulents with my black thumb).

I also decided to make a small change to my blog so I can keep my "avid" readers up to date on what else I have going on since I usually can't help but have less than 3 projects floating around at once so be sure to check out the right hand column for sneak peaks of my works in progress ---------------->

And check back tomorrow for a roundup of my favorite things that me and the boys have done so far this summer!!

Happy 4th Birthday Blake!!

I am now the mother of a 4 year old - that seems crazy!!!  I didn't seem like such a big deal until I started to say it out loud, but for some reason the jump from 3 - 4 feels incredibly huge.

As I'm sure anyone who has just gone through a Year 3 with their own child will understand, it's been a year of huge ups, and huge downs - but today and going forward I want to just focus on the ups...so here goes -

In the last year you've learned how to swim all by yourself;  you've learned to play soccer, basketball, and baseball;  you've made new friends and started to come out of your shell;  you continue to amaze me with your knowledge - just the other day you told me that "Charlotte is a spider" and "Wilbur is a Pig";  you've invented dance moves, helped Pappy plant a vegetable garden, and learned that you can have fun playing with your brother.  You continue to melt my heart with every "I love you" and make me laugh everyday.  For all of those reasons and more - I am incredibly proud of you and so happy that I have your smile to light up my life.

Happy Birthday to my Favorite 4 year Old!

I love you Blake

And for fun, here's some of my favorite party ideas from Blake's Hot Wheels Bday