Home Improvement

Thanks to my good friend Molly, I have been bitten by the home improvement bug! She had told me about this amazing vinyl flooring that is virtually indestructible and looks like wood. Not only that, but it only cost 98 cents a square foot and all you need is a utility knife to install it! Too good to be true right? Wrong! I had opportunity to be at her house twice this last weekend to see it for myself and it looked so good! The thing about Molly is that she never has only one project going at a time so her house is always inspiring to visit! I noticed her backsplash in her kitchen and she told me how easy it was (just messy!)to install, so off I went to Lowe's. That is the story of my spur of the moment kitchen transformation. If you want to check out Molly's blog it is http://bloggingmollyr.blogspot.com/



This is the best "before" picture that I could find that you can see the floor, cabinets and wall.

It feels like a whole new kitchen!

We are still working on the floor. We plan to do the entire downstairs that is currently linoleum.I absolutely love the new backsplash. I am actually kind of proud of myself for doing it! The hardware on the cabinets make a huge difference too.

Charlotte's Web:The Performance

The night of the performance finally arrived. I have never seen the kids that excited or nervous! This was their big night!










My good friends Kerry and Claire and I made all the costumes ourselves. I have picked up sewing in the last few months and have really enjoyed it! Who knew?






















Did I mention that the kids were excited???

























I was so amazed at the level of effort that the kids gave this performance. I could not have been more proud of each and every one of them! I was also thoroughly impressed by the way they encouraged each other throughout the night. They kept passing each other offstage and saying, "great job!" and "you can do it!" If ever there was a proud moment as a mom and as an assistant director, this was it!

Until next time...

Charlotte's Web

One of my goals/dreams for quite awhile has been to start a drama club. Some friends from our homeschool group and I finally got it together this spring. Our first production, Charlotte's Web, is going to be performed on May 15th at the ICON Theater in Naperville. These are a few pictures from the dress rehearsal. I will post more after the performance.





Julia as Avery Arable

Sammy as Mr. Arable

Katie as Golly the Goose

Mackenzie as Mrs. Arable and Kate as Wilbur

Avery as Mrs. Zuckerman

Goodness Gracious Sakes Alive Grandma June is 85

Joe's Grandma June turned 85, so we took a trip up to Minnesota for her birthday party. It was so great to spend some time with the family!

Grandpa Jean and Grandma Phylis' Farm

Dad and Bonnie

As most of you, my mom passed away in October of last year. As heart breaking as it was to lose my mom, it is also a relief to know that she is no longer in pain and that she is in a much better place. After she died, my dad decide to try out e-harmony to see if he could find someone to ease his lonliness. Well, just a few months later he met Bonnie. He left for the long drive to California to meet her at the end of February and he never came back! They had a whirlwind romance and were married on March 28th. We were able to fly to California and spend some time with Bonnie and her family before and after the wedding. I could not have been happier with these people who are now my family!