{a backyard project}
We had a really productive weekend. Weaved among some fun activities- three baseball games, a Mom/Grace/Luke lunch and some exploring in downtown Kirkwood on Saturday, book club, and a family date tonight of flower shopping at Lowe's and Chinese food at Stir Crazy- we worked really, really hard on sprucing up our back patio area over the past few days.
We aren't done yet, but it feels really good to have begun something we've been wanting to do ever since we moved in last summer.
BEFORE:
AND NOW:
Things are still a work in progress, but I am thrilled with it so far. Ben and I extended the patio a bit by adding some stone to the perimeter. Luckily we had this left over from the front porch project last fall, so this was a really easy, fast, and inexpensive improvement. We planted many flowers in areas around the yard and added some pots to each side of the back door. I began to paint the exterior of the house and carport. (This is a project that will probably take a while and will be done in spurts when I have time and the weather cooperates, but I am okay with that.)
The most significant improvements - and the most time consuming- were the replacements of the lattice on the side of the carport and the frames around the windows on the back of the house. We've known since we bought the house that there was significant dry rot in these areas, so it has been on the to-do list for quite a while.
Ben and I were so thankful that it was a weekend where, for the most part, the older three kids were pretty happy to just play on their own. They wanted to help every now and then, but mostly kept busy playing upstairs or in the carport. Katie wasn't quite so easy, but we made it work by working hard and fast each time she was napping, taking turns working when she wasn't, and relying on a couple of episodes of Dora to buy us some time when we needed it. I was painting last night even after it got dark and gave in to stopping for the night only after the mosquitoes were feasting on me.
This evening as I put the kids to bed, Ben hung up our patio lights. I love them.
Our patio table and chairs are in the middle of a little touch up too. While there is nothing at all wrong with them in black, I find them nicer with a bit of color. Each is slowly getting changed from black to light aqua blue/gray. Two chairs down, two chairs and a table still to go.
Gracie was quite a helper this evening planting some flowers in the yard. Her brothers were pretty much done and over the project by this point, but she was still very interested in helping.
I'll end with a picture of my company this evening as I blog:
I am smitten. :)
We aren't done yet, but it feels really good to have begun something we've been wanting to do ever since we moved in last summer.
BEFORE:
 |
| This is the only "before" that I had, but it is inaccurate. Ben took this picture last July when he was here for the home inspection. The furniture and firepit belonged to the previous owner. |
Things are still a work in progress, but I am thrilled with it so far. Ben and I extended the patio a bit by adding some stone to the perimeter. Luckily we had this left over from the front porch project last fall, so this was a really easy, fast, and inexpensive improvement. We planted many flowers in areas around the yard and added some pots to each side of the back door. I began to paint the exterior of the house and carport. (This is a project that will probably take a while and will be done in spurts when I have time and the weather cooperates, but I am okay with that.)
The most significant improvements - and the most time consuming- were the replacements of the lattice on the side of the carport and the frames around the windows on the back of the house. We've known since we bought the house that there was significant dry rot in these areas, so it has been on the to-do list for quite a while.
Ben and I were so thankful that it was a weekend where, for the most part, the older three kids were pretty happy to just play on their own. They wanted to help every now and then, but mostly kept busy playing upstairs or in the carport. Katie wasn't quite so easy, but we made it work by working hard and fast each time she was napping, taking turns working when she wasn't, and relying on a couple of episodes of Dora to buy us some time when we needed it. I was painting last night even after it got dark and gave in to stopping for the night only after the mosquitoes were feasting on me.
This evening as I put the kids to bed, Ben hung up our patio lights. I love them.
Our patio table and chairs are in the middle of a little touch up too. While there is nothing at all wrong with them in black, I find them nicer with a bit of color. Each is slowly getting changed from black to light aqua blue/gray. Two chairs down, two chairs and a table still to go.
Gracie was quite a helper this evening planting some flowers in the yard. Her brothers were pretty much done and over the project by this point, but she was still very interested in helping.
I am smitten. :)
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Papa (aka python)