Reading Early?

This is how I came in to find my little man the other morning. Isn't he adorable? And see that booboo on his forhead? He face planted on the driveway. It was his first official injury and being a boy, probaby not his last.

Our Yard Work

We have been super busy at our house. Trying to knock out as many projects as we can. Our long term goal being that of moving in the next year or so. Our short term goal is to get the yard in order and looking nice so that we can have a couple of pool parties this summer.

We have been busy planting new bushes like the swirly one above. There was an ugly bush there, it died. I didn't kill it on purpose, promise.

We have been busy mulching and planting new things, like the little knockout rose bush above. We bought the dye enhanced mulch this year. I am anxious to see if it fades or stays true to color like the bag said.

My husband put up our new house lights. Don't they look beautiful? I love them, they make the house so nice during the day. At night, the glow they emit just bounces off the brick. Very pretty.

Last but not least. We transplanted two large bushes. They got over six feet, much larger than we anticipated. And when I say we transplanted, I mean my husband did all the labor while I graciously offered suggestions on how to get them out easier. We replaced them with two boxwoods and the lilies above. The light post will be repainted to match the new light. This is the only light my husband has not replaced yet.

I jokingly told my husband that we are going to make so many changes to our house that it is going to look so nice and we won't want to leave! He didn't think that was very funny.

Garage Sale Finds Part Two!

This past weekend I stopped at a few garage sales on my way home from the hardware store, with my van full of bushes no less.

They weren't as good as the big town garage sale, however I did find a few items.

This adorable wooden star was $1, it says "Family" on the other side, but it is a light aqua blue, which is not my color, so I just flipped it.

These cute little bowls came in a set of four, two with animal faces and two with the stipes. They were adorable and best of all, they all fit together to create a cute serving tray. I paid $2 for the set.

I love this pitcher, isn't it cute? I know it has snowflakes on it, but I don't care, I am using it now.

This basket was $1 but I didn't have to do a darn thing to it.

This little beauty was $1, I hung it on my half bathroom wall. I just love the frame.

This basket was $1 but I didn't have to do a darn thing to it. I currently have it hanging on my pantry door as I have yet to figure out what to do with it.

This is my favorite find of the weekend. It was a little steep at $30, I saw it on Friday, but since I had my van full of bushes I had no room for it. I went home and discussed with my husband. So Saturday morning I went back and it was still there, so I snached it up! It is a toy box, looks brand spanking new. Won't pinch fingers and has a safety latch so it won't slam on my sons head! My husband pointed out the sharp corners so I will have to baby proof the edges but aside from that it is perfect.

Our local Half Priced Books has moved and is now only about a mile from our house! We couldn't be happier. It makes it so easy for my kids to do the "Feed Your Brain" summer reading program.

The program goes like this: 

1. they read for 15 minutes a day for a week

2. they turn in their form which is signed by a parent

3. they receive a $3 gift card

They can only turn in one form a week and it runs until July 31. But if they do it every week until then, they will each have received a total of $24 in gift cards.

My girls love to read. My youngest daughter cannot read yet though, but I was told that it counts when you read to them.

Head on over to Life as Mom for more summer ideas.

Leaving Elementary School Behind

This is my oldest. Call me biased, but I think she is beautiful. She is smart, athletic, patient and kind.

Here she is with her best friend. They play soccer together, hang out together, you name it. Her family is very close with our family and we think she is a great friend to have. And yes, my daughter is that tall. She is just about the tallest kid in her grade. But she gets it honestly as I am 5 foot 11 and dad is 6 foot 4.

This was taken at the awards night. She not only recieved a Math award, but also received the prestigious Presidential award. This is the award given to those kids that have an "A" average. She is smart (which she does not get from me, they would never have given me a math award that is for sure!) and enjoys school.

Farewell my little elementary student. On to lockers, switching classrooms and lots more homework.

This post is linked to Gratituesday over at HeavenlyHomemakers.

Garage Sale Finds!

It is officially garage sale season around here. My favorite time of year! I love garage sales. I love finding things that I can redo and reuse around my house, for for not a whole lot of money. Which my frugal side just loves.

I have decided to post my finds that I get. It might not be weekly, it all depends on the garage sales. But I promise to post what I do find.

This is what I found at the local huge garage sale. The whole local town does it. It is a frugal persons paradise. You go into one subdivision and there will literally be hundreds of them. Instead of driving from one to the next. You simply park your car in the middle of the neighborhood and then walk around.

I have to make frequent stops back to my car because I can't fit my finds in my stroller. So I have to go back and unload.

Here are some of the things I got at the big town garage sale.

This was an ugly mauve and green basket. I simply spray painted it and put in some silk flowers I had. Then I put it on our front door. I paid a quarter for the basket.

This was also an ugly basket, which I spray painted, added wave petunias and hung it on my ladder that leans agains the front of my house on the porch. I also paid a quarter for this basket.

See the milk tin on the step? This baby became mine for only $5, my heart started to flutter when I saw it. Then when I saw the price I tried to hide my excitement! I didn't paint it or anything, just put it on my front step.

See the green chair and table? I do plan on refinishing them, they are in great condition structurally. They just need some sanding and a coat of paint. I stole bought these lovelys for only $10 for the set. I put them on my back porch with my bench and I have an instant living room feel. I still need to refinish them but for now they look just fine.

This definately works for me. This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

Our Garden Firsts!

See this lovely salad above, it was made with vegies from our garden. That's right, the lettuce and radishes are from our garden! They are the first things to be ready to be eaten!

I don't know about you, but I love a salad when it is hot outside.  And a salad with vegetables that you grew yourself, even better!

I wonder what will be ready next?

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday.