Painting with siblings

I think we have tried painting all together before but this is the first successful attempt.

And the results:

And by Olivia:

She described it as a Scarecrow falling down, "even her dog is falling down." Perhaps Wizard of Oz influenced...?

The island is gone!

The island is no more. It's so much more spacious and open. Ahhhh.... Not a small project (replaced a support post with a larger beam) but makes a huge difference.

I think the kids like it, too.

New faucet in the kitchen

Selfies

The word of 2013 was "selfie" and here is our homage:

Happy fifth birthday!

 Olivia is five! This is both very exciting and very depressing to Miss O. I am not sure the psychology behind her desire to always be a little kid but she does. She tells us this everyday. It could be the Sammy-factor: he gets to take toys, break rules and otherwise act like a monkey and with no consequences, other than a stern look or a "no!" Olivia has to follow rules and deals with the aftermath if she breaks them. Dealing with frustration seems to be the hardest thing for her. She hits and kicks when she is most frustrated, especially me and Sam but but not her dad. This is hard to figure out. When I ask her why she hits, she will try to change the subject and then start crying and says something like "I don't want to die like Noni." Very dramatic. But I think a breakthrough will come, she is a very smart cookie.

Speaking of drama, Olivia will spend 20 or 30 minutes daily talking through an elaborate tale featuring one or more of her toys. The plot is known only to her and she does not like to be interrupted. This morning she tried to make all of the Grinch's facial expressions and she was doing pretty well. 

So, overall, five is pretty cool. It is great to watch her grow more independent and confident even as her little girl fears pop up. This will be quite a year. :)

Our new house: the good, the bad and the blackberries

We closed! Yay! Now the work on getting this house in shape really begins. Our first project will be the kitchen. As one can see: 

It really needs help getting out of the 80s. We are thinking radiant heated floors, a new island and painted cabinets. Not a total overhaul because the basics are solid. 

Next week I will paint the living room because it is horrid: 

But I love the fixture. I wanted to get some more like this so I looked and Rejuvenation and found the same one for $595. Wha? 

Then there is the issue with brambles:

A project, indeed.

Sammy is 16 months!

Sammy is coming into a super-aware phase. He understands most of what we are saying and if you ask him to bring you something, he knows what you are talking about and will bring that thing. He likes games where we chase him or give him raspberries and kisses. He enjoys growling like a lion and saying "baaa" when asked to make any other animal sound. 

We are also very gently introducing the potty (as illustrated, pants up or down hasn't been discussed). I am preparing myself for a protracted potty training period with him because he is a boy, but I am sure he will catch on. 

Here he is with his favorite book, "Goodnight, Gorilla."

Olivia continues to be a source of much amusement to Sammy: 

Love this kid!