Just Bored...

Well, I am bored at work, so I thought I would add a few pictures of some of the "home improvement" projects that we did this summer. I also am very irritated that I haven't heard any news about the adoption this week. I am trying to keep myself from calling the agency because I know I will hear the standard answer "Sorry, we're still waiting to hear from Russia..." Then I will be extremely disappointed again, so it is best not to call at all.

Below is a picture of the girls having a "Tea Party". Notice that the stuffed animals and Dora figures were also invited. Big A served me "tea" in the yellow cup, because "yellow is your favorite color, Mommy" and a "fat free cake"--as I am on a diet.

Two Sisters Tea Party

This summer I put a flagstone patio in the backyard--all by myself, I might add. Theresa offered to help, but I declined because she complains too much in the heat :) Also, I think that I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I was having all those " weird neurological signs" at the time and I wanted to prove that I wasn't really sick. It must have worked--the doctors couldn't make a diagnosis and the signs have, for the most part, gone away. Maybe I just needed exercise!

Theresa did build this trellis. Looks good, I think. The neighbors were impressed.

The trellis and the rock garden seating area



The girl's play house (I also put a flagstone floor inside it)

The girl's flower garden. Big A picked out the flowers, and both girls helped plant them.

View of the yard form the patio

We also tore out a wall in Little A's room to make it bigger for the girls to share. My house is incredibly small, and Little A's room was like a closet, so we took out part of the bedroom closet and took the coat closet from the living room to add more space in the bedroom. That gave just enough room for the bunk beds to fit in their own little niche. Theresa closed off a closet in the hall and opened it up into the bedroom, so there is still a closet. She's pretty good with drywall--I'll give her that! Because of all this construction, I had to get the floors patched where the walls used to be. Theresa talked me into having all the floors redone -- see how she always gets me to spend my money with her "great ideas". But the floors did turn out nice, so I guess it was worth it.

The Mural Nana painted in the girls' room

The girl's Flower Fairy room

Bunk beds! The girls love them!!

I turned Big A's old room into "D"'s new room. I haven't finished it yet. I did put his bed together though. It is so cool-- a boat bed! Theresa said that it doesn't go with the room because the entire room is a big farm scene. However, I pointed out that the boat sits under the mural of a pond, so it all ties together. Whether it goes or not, I could not resist getting the bed. I got it a Costco and it was a great deal! I still have to put up shelves, decorate some more, and get sheets and a bed spread for his room, but I think I'll wait till after the first trip.

"D"'s New Bed