Play day project day

Yesterday was a stay home and play kind of day. Play for her, work for me anyway. God gave me one last week of nice weather to finish off all those exterior painting projects I've been procrastinating on. Thanks Lord, I'll get right on that.

We did, however, manage to play most of the time she was awake and save the majority of the painting for the nap hours. Turns out, giving a 2 year old a paintbrush and asking her to help isn't exactly smart. Especially if neither of you are wearing painting clothes.

So, after an epic meltdown when I took the brush and paint away, I decided it was time to have some inside {washable} painting time. This girl does love to paint. She gets that from me I suppose. Here's my little artist taking her work very seriously:

 

And a new tool. Everyone loves exploring new ways to create. I'd like to explore a nap right about now, but back to those gnarly outdoor projects! I'll have some before and afters for you soon. It's amazing what a coat {or two or three} of paint can do...

A thrifty transformation: step right up

I have a bad habit of thrifting. It's not necessarily bad, if you enter with the mindset that everything can be altered. I mean, sure, every now and then you find something perfect as it is, but that's rare. I tend to have a better shopping experience when I bring my friend Marybeth, because two sets of eyes spot something fabulous better than one, AND we both happen to love the same style/things. It's usually a win/win for both of us.

This particular time I went alone, but I did score an outdoor play house {awe. some.} and this step stool. Which as you can see above, was hideous at first buy.

A whole lot of spray paint later {those fish were not cooperating, i.e.: seeping through the paint} and we have a lovely usable stool for looking out the window at the passers by. I used some old American Crafts rub-ons to add some color and life to it. I was going to do a classy modern look, but I realized that sometimes kids like to have kid-like stuff, so animals it is. Not shabby for a four dollar thrift store find. Just remember kids, {and by kids, I mean adults} spray paint is your friend. And giraffes are too. {And primer.}

George's biggest fan

This kid LOVEs Curious George. And to play with her feet. And not wearing pants. All three at once? Pure bliss.

Learning our colors, crafty-style

I sometimes forget that I need to teach her a few things here and there, like counting, colors, words, shapes, how to brush her teeth, to be polite {actually, we're really good at that one} and pretty much everything. Usually it just takes showing her once. Then she picks it up and we move on. Well, I decided if we were going to learn our colors, it might as well be creatively. Because she is, after all, my daughter.

I give you peak-a-peeps! Silly name I know. But the general idea is there. Learn your colors and learn how to compare and match them up.

You can pick up packages of these little candle cups and the wooden pegs at any craft store. I just used acrylic paints and sealed with a spray gloss. Simple enough to do in front of the tv. Well, besides the gloss sealant part. I don't think the husband would appreciate me spraying that stinky mess on the living room floor.

I think she likes them! And I can already see her little brain making the connections of color to color. Success!