weekend usual

I thought the kids were going to lose it on Saturday morning.

We told them that after they finished their donut, we would be headed to Lowe's. We thought the donuts would help and maybe they did a little. No one cried. Ha!

There are a couple of local and rather tasty bakeries in the new city, by the way.

When we stepped inside Lowe's, coffee and shopping list in hand, it sounded like all the employees

decided to get together and practice hammering nails. Then our kids noticed other kids walking around with kid-size aprons on, just like the employees wear. We followed the clack, clack, clack sound and discovered a kids' project happening in the back of the store.

They were so excited! I shopped with Koko while Daddy helped with their project.

They got to keep the safety goggles and apron and they get an iron-on patch for every project they complete. Our kids spent the rest of the weekend playing "Lowe's." They made aisles with the dining room chairs, colored sale signs and gathered up all kinds of stuff to sell. I love it when they are inspired.

You can check out the Lowe's Build & Grow website to find out when the next project is happening in

your area.  Maybe my kids and yours won't mind trips to Lowe's as much anymore. Maybe.

Does this sound like a commercial; it's not.

I am just thankful my kids can have fun at the hardware store, too.

* * * * *

We made more headway in the boys' room this weekend.

We really just have painting left, but in that room it is a major task. The kids' energy kept us moving.
While outside with Dad, they discovered that a fellow first-grader lives down the street. I usually listen to Pandora when I paint, but it was nice to just hear them laugh and play.
It took a few hours, but I finished the corner built-in bookcase.

- remember the before? - click here -

other weekend notables:

at the preschool family fun night, we got to see and touch snakes for the first time since we left AZ

we brought home sample tiles for the kitchen backsplash

we finished the entryway shoe closet!

we made and devoured another batch of Chex mix - so delicious

and always the best part of my week - family movie/pizza/popcorn by the fire night