Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Staying Busy

I just realized it's been over three months since I last posted. My blogging has seriously gone downhill, but I would really like to change that.

Things have been busy at our house. As I write this from our back deck, I am listening to the sounds of my children. Binker, (now five years old!), is playing with an alarm clock I gave him as a preschool graduation gift. Bug, busy as ever, is swinging one minute, then climbing the playset the next, then, faster than I can blink, he is running from one end of our yard to the next. And not-so-little Boo, is going down the "big boy slide" over and over, telling himself to "Go!"

I still can't believe my oldest will be transitioning to kindergarten this September. How did that even happen?! He has made amazing strides this year, his language continues to expand all the time, and he has mastered answering most "W" questions, though we're still working on Why, and How; those are the most difficult since the answers are more abstract than concrete. He is still in speech therapy, with the awesome Miss B, he's finishing up his second session of horse therapy, and he just recently started something called Astronaut Training, which is supposed to regulate his vestibular system, and ease some of his anxiety. I admit I am nervous to watch him leave the preschool he's been at for the last two years. I felt safe there, I knew what to expect, and Binker loved his teachers. There's no doubt though, he has outgrown them. He's such a quick learner; he's reading easily now, and he taught himself addition using one of his favorite toys - a calculator. He is ready for the next step. He will be in the mainstream kindergarten class this fall, which I am very happy about, and then he will use the Assist classroom when he needs a sensory break. The team at the school seems great and competent, and I am hopeful that Binker will continue to flourish.

Bug is starting pre-K in the fall. He is beyond excited to go to school. He's such a social guy, I just know he will love making new friends, and experiencing all the fun activities that preschool has to offer. Plus, they have an awesome playground, which he is most looking forward to.

Then there's Boo. He is really coming into his own little person, with a big personality. He is such a source of joy and comedy. I love watching him follow his brothers, Bug in particular, and try his best to copy everything that they do. He talks all the time, and sings too. His favorite cartoon is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and every morning he brings me the TV remote and says, "Mee-kee!"

Husband is still enjoying his job. It's crazy to think that we're halfway through this duty assignment. Three years sounds like a long time when you're at the starting line, but I feel the end rushing toward us now. I've been spoiled with him not having to be on a ship; no duty days, no underways. No deployments. I am worried about how it will be going back to that life; and obviously I worry about whether or not we'll be transferred somewhere. I feel torn about it. This past winter was hard on me, for the first time in my life I grew tired of the overcast skies that define this part of the country. I started to feel the itch to leave, and try something new. If Husband goes back to a ship though, having my family, my friends, and the support base I've got here is so crucial for the times he will be gone. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I know it will be here sooner than I think.


As for me, I've decided to take on a few projects this summer. The first one I completed was updating the boys' bathroom. This weekend I painted the cabinets, and the countertop, using the products by Rustoleum. The finished product looks amazing, I am so happy with it and can't believe the difference it makes. My intention was to "test" it out in the bathroom, and if I liked it, then to do the same thing in the kitchen. The only problem is that I did not realize how labor intensive the process would be, (AND messy!), so now I am trying to decide what to do. Here are some pictures though, for your viewing pleasure.

Original laminate cabinet and countertop

This was after I painted the cabinets (they're hidden under garbage bags), while doing the countertop. I painted the counter with the base coat, then sprayed these decorative stones EVERYWHERE. It took 12 hours for them to dry, then I had to sand, vacuum, sand, vacuum, rinse and repeat, until I got the perfect amount of smoothness. Then it was time for the top coat.

Done!! I love how it turned out, although the picture makes it look darker than it is. The cabinets are now a dark brown (color: Tudor), and the countertop is supposed to resemble granite (color: Desert Sand).
The only thing left I want to do in their bathroom is change the faucet. I'd love to get a dark one to go along with the cabinets and the dark flecks in the countertop. Next up: Staining our deck this weekend. Anyone want to help?!











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