Long Time Gone

It seems as though the days are flying by and there's too much to get done and too few hours...oh the joys of the real world, and I don't even have kids yet! (Well, those on two legs...I have plenty with four.)

My last day with students was on Tuesday and ever since I have been packing up my room and rapidly cleaning and boxing. I am almost done, which is a good thing, because tomorrow is my LAST DAY! Woo hoo! However, I can't really count it as my last day ever because I am doing testing sometime in the next two weeks on three kids who might possibly qualify for the preschool program...extra cash, what can I say? Then I have a two week break before I teach one week of "Preschool Picasso" at the Indianapolis Arts Center in Broad Ripple and then for the rest of the summer I will just be working half days helping out with the 8 & 9 year olds at their Fine Arts Camp. Eventually I will be like a real teacher and take my summers off, but for now I feel like I would be too bored all day and an escape from the crazy dogs is always a bonus too. Plus, my friend Jill works at the camp, so it will be fun to see her like the good ol' days at Orchard Park!

And now for a recap in pictures...

Sophie and Oliver are ready for the summer now that they have been protected against fleas! We thought they looked very funny...Howard kept calling them line-backers, because of the line down their backs!Here is our new little patio table that we just purchased! The chair pads and umbrella are coming this weekend!

Here is the updated kitchen...we have had all of the cabinets painted white for some time now, but I gave them another coat and we have begun to put hardware on FINALLY! We have the pulls for the drawers that we are still in the process of adding, but they look great too! Also, we hung a new light above the sink and in the middle of the ceiling. Before there was a light in the shape of an octagon...I like the updated look a lot more! Also, if you can see to the right of the picture, we have ripped off all of the existing trim and are painting it white and painting a new door for our pantry white as well! Also, we picked out a trim which will go at the top of the cabinets that kind of looks like crown molding...it really snazzes it all up. Next, we are putting up a new backsplash and re-doing the countertops. That is still a topic of discussion because we can't find one that we LOVE yet. But I assure you that decision will be made soon because I cannot take the sick beige ones much longer! The backsplash chosen looks like antique ceiling tiles and is very vintage, which goes very well with the light over the sink!

I have also been adding a small plant each week to my weird "growing box" window that we have in our kitchen. It's totally an 80's thing, but I kind of love it...it's a bit quirky and eclectic. Also, I'm loving the color the bright flowers bring to my kitchen. Trader Joe's always has a unique selection which I enjoy!

And lastly, here is our upcoming weekend project! We have ripped up the stinky beige carpet that had tracking stains on it and are replacing it with hardwoods! Howard is handy enough to be able to do this himself...I can't wait! Pictures to come of course...