Sur La Table

I finally did it!  We bought this used table and I always had the intention to refinish the top because it had some water damage and other dings.  Now seemed like a good time because the kitchen remodel is almost complete and I have had it with cleaning out the grooves.  I love the look of this table, but cleaning it drove me bonkers.  The grooves collected everything-crumbs, glitter, play-do, food - you name it. It seemed like no matter what I did the table looked perpetually dirty.  So this is what I did.

Before - The grooves look clean because I took this picture after I cleaned the table and grooves with TSP- super strong household cleaner- used to clean surfaces before painting/staining.

Filled the grooves (1/8th inch deep) with Elmer's Wood Fill- Black. It is paintable, stainable, sandable. Pure Awesomeness!

Sanded down one side down to the wood.  

I sanded in the front yard- I hate cleaning sawdust out of our indoor work spaces- neighbors probably think I'm nuts.  I should start wearing red plaid while I work.

Stained it, put on Polyurethane and it looks awesome!  

 The table looks a little rustic because I made some mistakes in the staining, sanding department, but it all worked out in the end.  Through this project I realized that our table actually had wood veneer top, which I discovered when I sanded too much in some spots- thus creating a rustic look.  Oh well, live and learn.  I'm looking forward to cleaning this smooth, smooth surface!

On the Move

Little Zoie started scooting around the house yesterday and she isn't even 6 months yet. I think it is really funny, especially since she isn't sitting up.  She is so curious about her little world.   Now we have to be a lot more careful about the toys that get left on the floor.

4th of July Children's Musuem

We have some awesome friends in our ward that we are really going to miss!  They are moving to Texas and so offered to transfer their Chicago children's museum membership to our name so that we could enjoy it for the next year.  I am really grateful for their friendship and for this wonderful gift.  So for the 4th we decided to try it out. We had a blast.  

Madelynn got gobbled up by a T-Rex...

 and then Grant saved her.

In the circus area, Madelynn played on the spinning ring- I've never heard her laugh so hard.

Can't wait until we can come back!

5 Months

We are totally in love with this little baby girl!  She is super sweet and so much fun to have around.  She loves to watch Grant and Maddie and I'm sure she wishes she could run around with them.  She giggles easily and is now grabbing at toys and trying to put everything in her mouth.  

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High 5!

Happy Birthday Grant!  Grant turned 5 on June 25th.  He is such a joy to have around.  Grant is an amazing kid, he is extremely helpful around the house and takes pride in having a clean room.  He loves to build and explore.  He reminds me of a cartoon character because he is so energetic and loves to make people laugh.  

We took Grant sailing on his 1st birthday I can't believe how much he has grown in such a short time.  

We threw Grant his first friend party and it was a blast!  I had his friends help me make a 

birthday banner for him

 Grant and his Alligator cupcake cake

 Plus we got a bounce house, which made the party super fun! 

 It came early so I got to jump around.

Grandma Anderson came to visit and we were super glad she 

could share this crazy birthday week with us!  

We have a fun tradition where we sing happy birthday

 and blow out candles everyday that we have birthday cake leftovers.  

Happy Birthday big guy!