One Year

12 months. 365 days. 8760 hours... and so on.
Mason is going to be one year old soon and I have started to plan his party.

I am going to show you a very tiny part of his decor below.
However I wanted to ask you, anyone even reading this?
Are there memories from your child's first birthday that you are glad took place. OR certain things you wished you had done?

You will have to wait until the end of August for all the details on the party but here is a sneak peak.

I know it's not much but I don't want to share to much :)

Great Crate

Crates, Baskets, Boxes. I love anything to do with organization. Doesn't mean I'm organized, just love it.
I have had this crate for a couple years and haven't done a thing with it. It was painted black when I bought it. Which by the way, got at Goodwill for $2.

I didn't don't know what to use it for, suggestions? I currently have my magazines in it.

One day I grabbed a paint brush and some old yellow paint. Old, as in, had to scrape 2" of hardened paint off the top to get to the wet stuff underneath. The lid was obviously not on tight for the last couple years.
I dry brushed it. I am not sure if that is a real term or not but basically, I put a little bit of paint on the brush and I spread it on the crate as much as possible. If that makes any sense?
Here are pictures. Its a rough look, not fully painted. dry brushed.

Speaking of the backyard

There was progress in the backyard this weekend. The patio area was marked out, dug out, filled with limestone and tampered.
A big garden is now at the back of the yard. Now we just need some plants...

Here is what it looks like today.

Monkeys

 

 

 

Some plants and patio stones and we are all done.
Just to remind you of before...

BEFORE

AFTER

The Green

I love houses with perfect grass and pretty gardens. When everything is in order outside and the curb appeal is so beautiful everyone looks.

source

I have the opposite of this at our house and I dream for the day that we have a porch out front, growing grass under our beautiful maple tree, gardens out front and back, a patio with a seating section, an inviting fire pit area, lush green grass that invites you to lay down and enjoy the hot sun.
Curb appeal is what sets the tone for when you walk in your house. I have always thought that is how it works. For the past 4 years in our home, I just try to ignore the outside and tell myself there are far worse landscaped yards then ours. and there are, Ive seen a few on my walks around town.

We do make an effort outside, a small effort that is. Until recently when we realized Mason is now 10 months. I know, I c-a-n-n-o-t believe it.
I want so badly We would like to have Masons 1st birthday in our backyard. Small get together with family and close friends. Well we need a backyard that works and remember this?

Ya... Not working.
Plans for the backyard include:
Grass
Patio
Gardens
Fire pit (which we have)
Swing
Table and seating
fence on the south side (this will be the last because of our stubborn neighbor)


Why is grass crossed out?
Well because Brandon and his side kick (best-friend-ever) Chris got right to it for me and put new sod in. Easy for me to say, it was a full days work for them. Thank you!
After weeks of watering it every single day.
Lush!

We have picnics because its so welcoming and comfy.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Next step: Patio
We have all the materials here. Just looking for time to do it.
Other than the few plants I have that I will transfer into gardens. What plants are easy to take care of? I repeat, EASY.