We’ve now been in our house for a full year, settled in and ready to make some updates to enjoy it to its potential! Items on the list, include updating our laundry room ( which I love already ), bathroom updates and closet organizing. First on the list as soon as Spring hit was a patio update.

lanterns ( similar here and here ) / rug

Our deck gets super hot when the sun beats down ( all morning and into late afternoon ) so I knew I wanted an outdoor rug for under the table. We had string lights around the railings last year and it felt so cozy. I wanted to do something similar with that and spruce up the nighttime lighting a little.

I ordered these Globe Lights  ( similar here ) and we hit up the hardware store for a few supplies, read a few ‘how-to” blogs and made our own oasis. We are so happy with how it turned out and now just need the rain to stop so we can actually enjoy it!

Not pictured, I found some great patio chair cushions at a consignment store. I have been looking for so long and they are all so expensive! They really complete the table and make it comfortable to sit outside and bat watch at night!

Hanging Globe Lights

(2) – 8 foot 2″x2″s
(4) – 4″ wood screws
(4) – eye hooks
Deck Paint

• we measured the area of the deck where the lights would be hung to get an idea of how long a strand to order. factoring in the “droopage”, we decided on the 50ft strand and it’s perfect. ( the lead on the ends is NOT very long so if you needed to plug in multiple strands it would not be an issue ).
• next, we painted the 2×2’s with the same color paint as the deck so it would blend in. ( we originally had metal rods but decided wood was a better option ).
• attached an eye hook to the top of the 2×2 ( we did not cut these at all ). the other two hooks we attached to the underside of the soffit. another option would be to add 2×2’s against the house depending on how your area is laid out.
• we drilled the 2×2 into the railing with a 4″ screw to secure. you may want to add a wedge to the bottom if there is a gap between the 2×2 and the railing post to keep it sturdy.
• hang lights!

That last step took us FOREVER. First we had too much overhang on one side, then we had too much on the other, then we decided we want extra on the first side for the extension cord and plug. It was basically an amazing shoulder workout!

2 things to note: (1) test out the lights before you hang them. i screwed in 1 bulb to make sure the strand worked. i recommend not screwing in the bulbs until the strand is completely in place. the bulbs are very delicate and like I said, we moved them about four times and it just makes life easier. (2) wrap the cord around the eye hooks to ensure they are secure and won’t slide out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day!

behind the 8-ball here – but we’ve been enjoying life and nice weather so much that the blog took a back burner! Here’s Brandon’s much anticipated 3-year update.

Age: 3 Years

Stats: Height 40″ (94%), Weight 36lb (85%).

Clothes/Size: 2T/3T – we need 2T for waist size and 3T for length. Is it normal to grow 3+ shoe sizes in a year? Brandon is still outgrowing shoes every 3 or so months.

Favorite Foods: Fruit. Chips. Pickles. Pizza. Dessert. Spicy things. Basically, anything that anyone else is eating – except burgers and chicken.

How much am I eating: Nothing has changed here. Brandon just loves. to. eat. After dinner the other night he had a treat then noticed I was snacking on salt and vinegar chips – before I knew it, he was arm deep in the bag as well. Kid has no off switch.

Words: I would like to remove “why” from the English language. He has no problem talking and everyone seems to understand him for the most part. I especially like when he comes out with random phrases such as, “it was here a minute ago…”.

Activities: Being outside doing any and everything. He constantly wants to go to the playground and the choo-choo station. Ride his Gator in the road. Water all the flowers and rake stones.

Sleep: Brandon has had a solid bedtime of 8/830pm-6am for the last year or so. He was waking up before 6am so we invested in the “OK To Wake” clock which lights up when it’s OK to get out of bed. He did real well with it for the first couple months but now he doesn’t pay much attention to it. He will wake up anytime between 615-645am every morning.

Favorite Things: Baby Penguin (aka Roast Beef, similar here) is our current fav and goes back and forth with all of his other stuffed animals. Brandon got an arts and crafts table and cart for his birthday and just absolutely loves working at it, whether it’s coloring, cutting or painting. I love when he wants to do art because it means he’s not begging to watch a movie or the iPad and is typically occupied for a while.

Signature Moves: Singing. Always singing the Grand Old Duke of York.

Mom’s Proudest Moment: How do I pick just one? I think I would have to go with his love for everything. He’s always up for an adventure and gets excited to do things. He’s been in swimming lessons since September and has gone from being super nervous and clinging to us for dear life, to jumping, touching the bottom and doggy paddling by himself in just about 6 months. He has grasped the concept of swimming and has been an example for the rest of his class. He is ready to move up and we don’t have to be in there with him anymore! Happy and sad moment for us all. We also upgraded Brandon to a big bed and I can’t believe we’re at this point already. He was in a toddler bed ( converted crib ) since he was about 20 months old so it was definitely time for a change. We got him the Tuft & Needle bed and a platform frame.

Dad’s Proudest Moment: Kevin is really proud of how Brandon is doing at swimming lessons! Most recently, Kevin got Brandon his own fishing pole, tackle box and accessories. All he wants to do is fish in the backyard! It’s fun to see that Brandon is at an age now where he can DO things ( with assistance ) and experience new things and activities.