tween birthday party essentials

We just hosted a birthday party for my daughter and her friend. I already posted the easy to make ice cream sandwich cake that we served. Here are the rest of the fun details from the party.

more family room progress

Our marathon DIY family room makeover finally has some more updates. Handyman used his Memorial Day time off to get some more work done in here.

The ceiling is painted.
The trim is all painted.
The walls are all painted.
And the old carpet, padding, and nail tack strips are removed.

The room is now ready for new flooring.

newest progress

progress

before

newest progress

close up of the vinyl brick flooring

To lower our disposal costs, Handyman cut up the carpeting according to our town's bulk item removal criteria. We also purchased another Bagster.

Of course, our weekend did include its share of marshmallow roasting, firepit corn popping, yard clean-up, and swimming.

How did you spend your Memorial Day?

Linked to ThrifyDecorChick, ShabbyCreekCottage, HandyMan,CrafyWoman



spring cleaning and spray painting

It was a busy weekend.

I've been on a spring cleaning-decluttering-purging mission over here. Even though I do it annually, I always find a couple small garbage bags full of stuff to donate each year. This year on the chopping block was the princess dress up attire, the magical Cinderella princess vanity, the play kitchen, along with a bunch of paper back books, and outgrown  or I-refuse-to-wear-that-kid clothes.

This is also one of the few summers that we aren't moving. How novel. Usually this season, I'm busy packing up our things to move. I have to say, its a pretty nice feeling being settled. I think that's why I feel so driven to go through everything, its just habit. (There's nothing worse than moving stuff you do need or love.)

I was helping my friend Lisa purge and organize last week, and we came across this little guy, proudly displayed above her enclosed porch sliding door. (Lisa has a similar situation, bought her home not too long ago, and inherited various treasures, like I posted about here.)

I did find time to give him a quick little makeover.

 the original

 primed

new key lime outfit

I selected this key lime color to coordinate with some new key lime kid chairs that she picked up for her children's play space. She doesn't know that I had plans to paint this guy, so I am excited to see her reaction. She was ready to toss him in the trash.

If  tackling your own spring cleaning tasks seem daunting or you just need a little break, try this old fashion bread recipe. The kneading process provides some great stress relief and provides a loaf of yummy bread.

What are you tackling this week?

Linked up to PowerofPaint, ThrifyDecorChick