House proud and fun reward

We have had a busy weekend here in the Craig/Hunter family. Since we sort of had a weekend off (this was the weekend of our congregation's special assembly day, but since we're going to Kristen and Josh's next month, we decided to skip ours. With Allen, we thought it would just be too much for us to do it twice), we decided to schedule some house maintenance (with the help of Mom and Dad, of course).

After we had our house pressure-washed a couple months ago (it wasn't really pressure-washed, but I can't remember the name of it), our porch and doors were in some major need of TLC. Instead of restaining the doors, we decided to paint them. After throwing around some different ideas, we decided on a lovely color. I'll wait until I have pictures to share with you to let you find out the color (care to take a guess?). The boys painted yesterday (the front and back door, front steps, railings, and porch) while Mom watched Allen and I worked.

Today, the boys continued to paint (second coat on the steps, porch and railings) and planted in the backyard (this was a project started last weekend). You see, Brian and I have had some difficulty with our backyard. We didn't really like the landscaping that was put it when it was built, but neither of us really knows enough about plants to change it. Now that Dad is here full-time, he and Mom have helped us a lot. So we got some beautiful roses and hydrangeas to plant.

In the meantime, Mom and I had some work to do at the shop so we can get our website launched. We got out the lightbox and took some pictures. It sounds easy, but it's not so much .... But we got all the photos done that we feel we needed to so we can launch our website, so we're very happy about that.

Brian had a great idea last night that we should reward Allen for his patience this weekend (and ourselves for all our hard work)  by going to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. So this afternoon we piled into the van and drove down to Bluffton. We stopped first at Sunshine Nursery to pick up a few more plants (including a Meyer Lemon Tree ... yum) for the backyard and for the front porch.

Then we went to the movies. Last night we showed Allen a trailer for the movie and asked him if he wanted to see it, and he enthusiastically replied that he did (he's also read the story, so he was familiar with the premise). So as soon as we got in the car, he was ready to watch the movie. His giddiness was adorable. He could barely wait to buy tickets. He couldn't decide between popcorn or Sour Patch Kids. And he was practically beside himself because we were early and could not get into the theater right away.

Once inside, he immediately wanted to get into his seat, and wanted us all to dance every time a song came on. When the previews came on, he leaned on Papa and covered his other ear because it was "too loud." But he recognized the "Wild Things" movie, and sat up once the movie started.

Boy was he riveted. His wide, blue eyes never left the screen. And he barely said anything for the entire movie. Once it was over, he danced in his seat some more, and then as we walked out, he grabbed Mommy and Nana's hands and said, "That was so fun!"

After a disappointing dinner at a restaurant that shall remain nameless, we went to the candy shop where everyone got some candy. Then it was time to go home. Nana sat next to Allen and kept poking and teasing him. At one point, she said, "I have to eat this finger." And Allen replied "You can't!" And when she asked why not, he replied "Because it's a finger not a snack."

All in all it was a fabulous weekend, even though Allen has a cold. I'm excited to post some pictures of my beautified house, so stay tuned!

xoxo,