Backyards and Kitchens

This is the view from the back deck on a project I am wrapping up. It's in Urbandale, and while the house is about 5 minutes from a Super Target, and 10 from a brand new Hy-Vee, you would never think this is what you would find in your backyard. It is divine, and I adore this project, and the homeowners who are building with us. Once the paint stage is over, I will post some pretty photos of the house. It's a good one. 

This is another project that is just about done. We close on this next week, and again, I was working with fantastic homeowners. I truly love what I get to do for a living. 

This kitchen is one of my favorites. It is sizeable, without being too big. I can barely keep my kitchen clean now, and it is about 2/3 the size of this one. We altered my favorite floor plan for this couple and they did well choosing finishes with me. I suggested that we waterfall the Cambria quartz countertop to add some contemporary punch to the kitchen. It turned out beautifully. 

This next job photo really doesn't do it justice, and I don't know how to accurately describe how gorgeous this house will be. 

Before I forget, "my" semi-custom {spec} home will be open this weekend from 1-4. Stop in to see it!

{OPEN HOUSE}

Boating at Big Creek Lake

On Saturday, Tony arranged a pontoon rental for us and some friends to celebrate my birthday. {Actual birthday is this Wednesday 6/8}

We started around 10 AM with some friends and set out on the lake. It was gorgeous out, and the weather could not have been more perfect for us. The pontoon held up to 16 people, and with children, we had 14 to start. It was very comfortable. 

The kids loved being on board, and looking out into the water. The marina at the state park provided life jackets for us all and got us started. There was also a grill aboard, so we were able to pack hot dogs, brats, and burgers to make for lunch. 

The kids especially were very well behaved and were having such a wonderful time. It was so fun for us parents to watch our kids jumping in to swim, and playing with each other. 

These kids have been friends since birth. We joked that this photo would end up on all their graduation party photo boards. 

Our Gavin was not exactly as excited to be on the water as the rest of the kids. Cold water, wind, and being overtired will do that to a 3 year old. He was more excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the afternoon. Tony's parents picked up the kids around 1:30 so they could get a nap, get out of the sun, and we could enjoy the pontoon and some beverages sans children. 

Thank you to all our friends that joined us! It was a really fun day that I really appreciated. Cheers to turning 35!

Making a fairy garden.

My mom came down for part of the long holiday weekend, and she brought a fairy garden with her! Well, she brought the supplies, and she and Avery put it together. Avery picked what she wanted out of the plants, fence, and layout. 

She found the fairy garden supplies at her local nursery, but you can get them on Amazon too. 

Avery chose her plants, and which accessories from Grandma's stash to use. She even allocated a Fairy for Gavin. We told my mom that Gavin was not into arts and crafts, and would have no interest in building his own fairy garden, so she brought him some Matchbox cars, and he was a happy boy.

Avery loved using the water marbles for her river. She has been obsessed with them lately. 

They created a walk way out of small slate mosaic tile from the bridge to the fairy house, and filled in the yard with moss. 

We also added a solar light, and it was complete. It really added to our deck!

Mom sent me a photo of her fairy garden last night. This way there is one at each grandchild's house, and at Grandma's too. 

Preschool Graduation

Avery had two preschool graduations this past week. We had recently moved the kids out of the in-home daycare to a learning center. It was a very hard decision, but one we had to make for a variety of reasons. We are happy to report that the kids have adjusted beautifully and are thriving, especially Gavin. 

With that change, Avery got to participate in the graduation ceremony for kids moving on to kindergarten in the fall. 

We set Gavin up in the back with some snacks and books. His teachers were there to help, and they were also helpful in getting Gavin more books, since they know he loves to sit and look through them. 

Avery walking up to the front. 

We enjoyed some popcorn afterwords, and Gavin enjoyed his on the deck. 

This week, Avery's Montessori school held a Celebration of Learning for the kids moving on to kindergarten. Avery has attended this school for 2 years, and we love the Montessori philosophy, and have seen Avery really take to the learning concepts and individual work time. We are excited for Gavin to attend a few days a week in the fall as well. 

I just can't believe that we will have a kindergartner at the end of August. She was just toddling around not too long ago!

We also dressed in our matching Old Navy dress and cami. I had gotten her some new summer dresses on major sale, and threw in a matching tank for me to wear. She loved wearing matching clothes and the pattern is perfect for this summer. 

Saturday Love

I took the kids to the Library again on Saturday to return our books, and select new. It was insanely beautiful all weekend, so the Library was quiet and the kids ipads were open for them to play on, so I let them since we don't usually allow too much screen time at home. They love the Toca Monster games. 

I loved getting to flip through a design book. 

After lunch and a nap for the kids, we set up the water table on the back patio while I read my new book from the Library. 

The kids had a blast filling up their buckets and running to the playhouse to splash it on the wall and then back again. 

The back patio has been awesome so far this year. I got Tony some zero gravity chairs for our anniversary, so we have those down there for now to sit and watch the kids play. 

It was so nice out that we got the fire pit ready to go, and Avery got the hot dogs out. 

Roasting hot dogs for dinner. The kids loved this. Gavin was so happy sitting in my lap watching the hot fire and eating his hot dog. I am loving our new patio in the backyard and this weekend was just perfect for us to relax and yet, get some stuff done around the house {and yard}