DIY Projects and Other Stuff

There's a whole lotta projects going on around the Deaton homestead. What is it about getting tax money back that inspires you to spend it instantly??? I'm a DIY kind of girl. I especially love painting projects. Painting transforms things. Here are some of our current projects:

PROJECT ONE:
We recently "renovated" the boys bedroom but absolutely NO PART of me wanted to paint. We got them metal bunk beds about a year ago and have had miss-matched furniture and comforters in their room. I was more than ready for a room makeover this spring. I found them matching comforters at Wal-Mart and decided to pull two different shades of gray out for paint color. Isaac's artwork displayed for your viewing pleasure. He will happily decorate any wall and print out full color pages from your computer printer for FREE, Any takers???

Matt volunteered for the paint job and made the walls look fabulously gray--really gray is not my color but it looks great with the black/silver metal bunks. I also wanted to do something different with their clothing storage. I wanted something multi-functional and knew if I bought a matching piece of furniture, it would be co$tly and non useful in the future. I opted for a garage storage unit and plastic bins.

PROJECTS TWO, THREE and FOUR:

Crackle spray painting kitchen/bathroom knobs, light fixtures and flower pots. Who knew you could spray paint brass? No offense to you brass lovers out there, but I cannot stand it. It's amazing how a can of $6 rustoleum can makeover brass. I had almost a whole can leftover and decided to repaint my flower pots.

PROJECT FIVE:
Oh brother, Karson is now getting even harder homework. I'm not trying to complain because I applaud the school in their efforts in helping children work at their academic level; however, the last thing Karson feels like doing when she gets home (from an 8 hour work day) is homework. I can't say that I blame her. I mean, after all, she is 7. On top of the new homework which, by the way, consists of choosing five different tasks along with spelling work and reading are things such as: make up a new story with the same characters, write two (+ or -) word problems and showing answers with pictures and a number sentence, write addition facts for 18 and 19, and so and so forth, she has a project due in May. The project asks the kids to pick something living or non-living and tell five facts about it on a poster, in a diorama or triorama. Each child has to pick something different. I'm thinking Karson might pick something simple like a flower, fruit, or cat/dog. She picked AFRICAN ELEPHANT.

At first she wanted to do a diorama, but I convinced her to do a poster since we don't own an AFRICAN ELEPHANT. I love her creativity.

PROJECT SIX:
I couldn't help but blog about our brand new carpet again.

I love it and cannot wait to recover the kids room this fall. Why the fall, you ask? I feel like it would be a good time with two kids in school and we can save up some money due to this project...

PROJECT SEVEN:
I saved the best project for last. We're putting a cover over our back patio. The sun blazes down in our backyard which a sun LOVER like me adores, but I don't like it for the kids and spending time outdoors in the summer. Our patio furniture and grill have suffered from the elements and need to be replaced. I didn't want to fork out the money to replace them though knowing that they would be ruined. Granted, we've had our current set (and grill) now for 10 years, but I want something nice and pretty.

My parents hired a general contractor Grayson Young to cover their back porch a few years back and highly recommended him. I called about three weeks ago, got plans drawn up, contract signed and deposit paid--and viola...the project began on Monday.

I made the mistake and told Miles that we were getting a porch swing. He has asked every single day if the swing is finished yet??? We are all very excited about our mini-addition. Hopefully, everyone can come out for a barbeque when it's complete!!!

What We've Been Up To

Karson began softball practice with her team on Monday nights. She also has it on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. We've opted out of the Wednesday night practices due to church and overall tiredness =).

Isaac also began practicing on Monday nights and also on Saturday mornings. Matt decided to tackle the HEAD coach position. Part of me wishes I was helping coach Karson's team. It really is fun being out there with the girls and watching them learn and grow as players. However, basketball took a lot out of me and was quite a commitment and I have sweet MILES with me at all times. Speaking of, Miles is so down-in-the-dumps Eeore-ish about not getting to play baseball. He sadly says, "when I get bigger, then I'll get to pway. I wish I could pway too." Matt pitches to him in our backyard, and that seems to pacify him for now.

Most of you know that our Karson is a brainiac. The girl has been reading chapter books since last year. She's grown fond of Ron Roy and his A-Z mystery series. Her class recently wrote to their favorite authors, and of course, she chose Ron. At the beginning of each week the class is tested on the spelling words for that Friday. If they pass, they get a completely different set of words. She always comes home with the different ones and has to: write a sentence, put them in ABC order and write each one three times. We try to get this done by Tuesday or Wednesday (the sooner, the better in our busy house). I got a pedicure on Wednesday which Karson fell in love with. I got to use my gift certificate to SOHO that my students got me for my birthday. I told Karson that if she got 100% on her spelling test on Friday, I'd take her in and have hers done. She immediately told me, "well, I'll take it online and ran to the computer to show me that she could pass it." Her teacher uses a site called spellingcity where the kids can practice online. It's neat!!! She, of course, passed it. BUT, I told she still had to pass on Friday.

Surprise, surprise she got 100% like always, but I try to challenge her =). I registered Isaac at Plano last Monday. All I can say is MY KIDS ARE GROWING UP QUICKLY. I knew this would happen, but it doesn't seem possible that I could already have two in school. And, Miles will start preschool--so I'll actually have THREE in school. Life sure will be different come August 3rd.

Days 7 and 8

Day 7~I did a 45 minute work out on the treadmill and watched a little of The Blind Side. While doing my workout, I started thinking...a massage sure would be nice this morning. I came inside and called Regina Webb, scheduled one for that morning and experienced the ultimate =). I've had a few massages in my life, but Regina Webb's masseuse Heather Foster is the best around. It was nice being pampered for an hour. I wish it relaxed me more, but I had a morning filled with errands to run before getting the kids at MeMe's (post sleepover).

I picked up the kids around noon, and they were completely worn out. That's the nice thing about sleepovers--rarely is there sleep--and the kids are wiped out the next day =). All three of the kids took naps at different times. I found Miles on the laundry room floor napping.

When Matt got home that afternoon, he planted himself in front of the TV for the Master's. I made a trip to Lowe's for some lawn/garden necessities. I spent most of the late afternoon and evening doing yard work. Matt grilled out burgers and Ben, Andrew, and MacKenzie came over for dinner.

Day 8~We made our way over to the new Warren County Aquatics Facility. WOW, this place is very COOL! You'll have to excuse me for posting this information, but I don't want to will lose it (so ignore the next bit unless you're interested in it) Pool Office (270)467-0583; Hours M,T,Th and Fri. 7-7, Sat. noon-5; Fees: Family Membership: 1 mo. $40, 6 mos. $200, 12 mos. $285. Daily rates: 18 and up $6, ages 2-17 $5; Water Aeorbics $35 per month (no pool membership required)--M,T,Th at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Instructor Dianne Kinser (270)792-2219.

Our kids became water bugs last fall while were in Destin. We spent a good two hours at the aquatic center. I'm seriously thinking about getting a 6-month membership next fall. Swimming is a nice workout. I did 10 laps today and about killed myself.

After our morning of swimming, we ventured over to Lovers Lane Park and had a "picnic" lunch followed by ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

We unfortunately didn't get to go to Fairfield Glade this year with Pap and Nana =(. Matt's schedule at WKU didn't work out for us to go, but we sure did have a nice fun filled week. Pap and Nana were anxious to see the kids when the arrived home this afternoon. They are at another sleepover tonight at their house and Matt and I went to see...

to cap the week off!!!!

Days 4, 5 and 6

We spent days 4 and 5 of Spring Break in Louisville. We ventured over to the zoo Monday morning. We decided to fore go the strollers this time and get tram passes. It was nice not pushing those massive strollers around. And, the kids were absolutely PERFECT which helped make the visit nice.

Three little monkies!!!

Two springtime beauties =).

We snagged a great photo in this field of daffodils. I think they are one of my favorite spring flowers--very beautiful indeed.
I think my favorite site at the zoo this year was the penguin exhibit. They almost looked fake. I can hardly wait for Glacier Run which will open next summer and will feature polar bears, sea lions, otters and seals.

Isaac and King Louis the famous white alligator.

I think Isaac was more interested in the zoo map than actually seeing the animals. In the herpaquarium, he snagged my camera and took tons of pictures of all the snakes. It would be worth my while investing in a cheap digital camera for him. He loves mine so much.

They are adding new features to the zoo every time we go. The highlights this year were the Spongebob 4-D ride, Dinosaurs Alive Adventure Park, and riding the carousel.

After a long day at the zoo, we crashed at Uncle Mikes house and dined on pizza and Easter candy =). He and my grandparents had put together Easter goodies for all the kids.

The next day we took the kids to Iroquois Park which is practically in my Uncle Mike's front yard. I'm not sure if it's common or if it's because Louisville kids are on Spring Break this week, but the park was absolutely TRASHED. It was disgusting, but the kids didn't seem phased by it in the least and had a blast playing.
The park was really cool despite the mess. I tried not to let "it" distract me from watching the kids enjoy themselves in the garbage pit of a park. It makes me thankful for our parks in Bowling Green, and the people who work so hard to maintain them. I have been to many of the BG/Alvaton/Plano area parks and have never seen them trashed to this extent.

Miles was very impressed with his stool crossing skills.

Afterwards, we went to Okolona for an impromptu visit my Dad's side of the family. Fortunately, everyone was home. My Mamaw (above) and Papaw Pogue spend most of the winter months at their home in Florida. I absolutely love this woman. My Mamaw defines the words gentle, gracious, kind, serving, and on and on and on. She's precious. She has six children, and my dad is the oldest of the bunch. I have many wonderful memories at 5103 Famous Way. Matt and I are still so fortunate to have all of our grandparents (minus one--Matt's Papaw was killed years ago when he was a young teenager). I wish we were able to see my extended side of the family more often but certainly cherish the times when we do get to see them.

Miles has formed such a unique bond with my Dad and would most likely form that same bond with Papaw Pogue if we lived closer. He definitely inherited Pogue genes especially on the men's side. He loves lawnmowers, chainsaws, golf carts, trucks--he fit right in with my Papaw and all his gadgets and fixer-upers. I like to call them JUNK, but to Papaw and Dad, they are TREASURES.

Karson had a terrible time with eyes. Something flew into it and just sent her into a drama meltdown. Papaw leaned her head back and pulled out a giant piece of debris--not sure if it was from a flower or something blowing in the air. She probably picked it up at the park =).

Isaac showing Mamaw Pogue his beloved zoo map and checking out Papaw Pogue's golf cart.

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Day 6 was spent recovering from Days 4 & 5. My friend Melissa D. texted me around 7:45 a.m. and said she was walking at Freeman Park. SO, I power dressed the kids and met her there for a nice, cool morning stroll around the track while the kids played at the park. After the park, we went home and I finished laundry and some cleaning. Later I went to the grocery and gathered up the kids belongings for a sleep over and MeMe's house after church.