My Little Picasso

This is how we paint here in the Dunn household.

Upset that I was ending his fun. He tried to eat it.

Baby Sweet Face

Baby Graham was 10 months old as of the 17th of June. I apologize for my cliche-ness (yes it's a word), but I cannot believe how time as flown. The last time I had professional pictures of Graham taken, he was only 4 months old and I really wanted a few before he turned a year. While we were in Florida a month ago on family vacation, Graham had his sweet face captured by Ashley McCormick. Thanks so much Ashley, I love the pictures! Here's a few of my favorites.

Buffet Makeover

When we moved into our home, there were a few pieces of furniture that were left here by the seller.  We only kept two pieces of her very Asian-themed decor since I don't have the same taste as a eighty year old woman who's obsessed with the Orient. The first thing we kept was the dining room table and chairs. I loved the chairs (minus their nasty fabric seats which I have already recovered), but wasn't as fond of the two-toned table. However, you can't be too picky when necessity is calling. We needed a table. Who can turn away free and functional when the moolah isn't there to go pick one out yourself?

 The second thing we kept was the buffet. I really liked the shape and hardware, plus we needed the cabinet space. I've always known that I wanted to refinish or paint it, but decorating the house just hasn't been a priority since moving in. It is insanely hard to do anything creative or time consuming with a 2 year old and an infant.

Finally, I made myself buckle down and get it done. I set out a few months ago to "complete" my dining room, and I think it might just happen in the next week or so. I finished the buffet last week, curtains are on their way, and I've picked up some decor items. I'm excited to post it when it's all finished. Today I'll just share the transformed buffet.
The before:

First, I sanded the buffet down and applied a white primer.

After priming it, I sanded it again with a very fine paper before painting with with a white satin paint.

I couldn't decide whether to paint the hardware with a pewter metal spray or with a brown bronze. I decided on the bronze because it seemed to contrast better and I wanted to do bronze curtain rods. Here were my choices.

Tada! I was very happy with the finished product. Can't wait to pull the room together now!

Fact.

Just in case you were wondering, it IS possible to be spit up on by one child while simultaneously being sneezed on by another. I'm just saying, it can happen. And it's pretty gross. Good thing the nastiness was caused by these two.

Daddy Dave

David,
Happy 3rd Father's Day, Babe. You are one amazing father. You love our Parker and Graham so much, and I've seen you make changes to better yourself for them. I know that they can't quite show appreciation yet for all of your hard work and unselfishness, but they both adore you and until they are able to say it themselves, I'll say it. Thank You for being the man you are. I couldn't pick a better partner to help me raise these crazy critters.  I know that they are going to turn out to be great guys because they have an awesome daddy to follow. I love you. Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, too! I couldn't have asked for a Dad who makes me feel more supported, confident in my abilities, and grounded in what really matters in life. Thanks for pouring your life into making mine great for so many years, Daddy. I loved growing up in our family. Love You!

Mo Hojo

Last blog on my giant hairy friend. The week turned out great. Not too many casualties to mention. The following are the only things that took a hit this week:

• Mr. Frog, one of Parker's stuffed animals. He no longer has a head.
• 3 alphabet blocks...they are just mysteriously missing
• One of my small Rhododendron felt the wrath this morning...it only has one shoot left.
• My azaleas out front are missing bottom limbs from her lying on them-apparently they are soft and cold.
• Graham's upper thigh has a nice bruise from a Harley high-five
• Parker's face has a nice scratch from trying to kiss the dog-she doesn't realize her feet are the size of a grown man's.
• A leather football no longer has any leather on it.
• A blue bouncy ball has lost its bounce.
• A soccer ball is no longer round.
• I think that's it.

Surprising, but Harley only leaves with one issue- a swollen eye. I think there might have been a bee in the Rhododendron who was happy about his home being destroyed. 

We hope you had a great vacation Hargraves family! Thanks for letting us watch your special dog. And, yes, I do mean short bus special. Harley is always welcome in our home, and despite her destructive behavior, we have grown to love her. (David only claims to like her, but she's working on him.) I will miss our snuggling in the evening and I'm sure she will miss the sprinkler and nightly brushings. Bye Hojo.

We're Surviving!

Neither of the children have been eaten yet.