Before...

This post is mostly because I don't know how else to show people pictures, and I'm going to freecycle parts of our house that we're getting rid of. That is, if anyone wants them! For those not interested in our funky old stuff, on Monday we embark on a "facelift" of our bathrooms and kitchen. Very exciting, expensive, and stressful. 8) At the end we will have bathrooms that are easy to use and clean, a more modern-looking kitchen, and... drumroll please... a dishwasher!! Yipee!

Kitchen island, with kitchen sink.

Kitchen Island from the other angle.

Kitchen island from behind. Toys/swim bag not included.


Bathroom stuff:
Cast Iron? I think, tub. This is very funky, and very huge/heavy. Our contractor talked of breaking it up to get it out of the bathroom, which breaks my heart. If anyone wants it, they'd be careful. It is funky because it is up against two walls, not three. So it needs an L-shaped shower curtain, or should just be a bath. It's not the toilet, that stays, but my kids are asleep and I can't get another picture. Its all white, and in good shape. Probably pretty old, like the 40's when the house was built.

Bathroom sink and sink cabinet. There are no shelves or anything in the cabinet, its just the doors open to the sink hardware. Faucets and nobs included.


Vanity. This is super vintage, probably also from the 40's. Or 70's, when they updated. A tiny bit rusty, has shelves inside and in the door that swings open from left to right. Also vintage light, should anyone desire it.


Other bathroom's sink and cabinet. Inside this cabinet is one shelf, halfway up. Faucet, etc. included.

And, yes, the piece de resistance, the vanity. Any part of this lovely ensemble can be yours. Anyone doing a 70's movie? The light, the mirror, the mirrored shelf, the entire package are all available. 8)

Just a Small Little Big Girl

Adessa thinks you're only a big girl if you can touch the ceiling. This is an explanation for why she doesn't think she can do various things I ask of her, because she's not a big girl, yet. I hope she changes her mind and does things like dress herself, put her socks on, etc. before she's tall enough to touch the ceiling. She allows that, yes, now she's bigger--three years old!--but she patiently explains to me that she's still just: "a small little big girl."

Her birthday party was lots of fun. It was great to see her new level of understanding: she really gets birthdays. She looked around with glee at us all as we sang to her, so delightful.

Adessa's birthday cake. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and royal icing decorations. It wasn't too stressful, maybe I'll take up cake decorating again. I think the bigger the cake, the more room for error, so small cakes are the way to go.


Adessa and her Romina and their sparkly shoes. Adessa is already dancing on tables at parties, but we'll keep an eye on her. And, yes, she dressed herself. She refuses all fashion advising. Which I'm told is cute.


Gwen and Adessa at her birthday party. Thank you, Sky Park, for hosting our parties.


And that takes us right into summer. Swimming lessons started up, and I'm enjoying swimming with both the girls. Adessa was going to have a class with a teacher, and did fine the first day. For the next three classes, she howled and wailed. For 30 minutes straight, even with me or her cousin, Jordan, in with her. This week I've been in the water with her and we have had much more successful classes (by successful, I mean quieter.) She has definite ideas about what she will or won't do in the water. And this surprises me??

Eliana getting ready for her swim lesson. Modeling her "burkini", full coverage swimwear.


Adessa lounging after her swim lesson, eating a well deserved graham cracker.



I thought it was a good idea to get Adessa a pair of scissors for her birthday, to help with her fine motor coordination and get her ready for preschool. Ohhhh dear. Who knew that she has shredding capabilities Enron would covet? She's a human shredder. We consider renting her out, as she's an ideal little big person to do the job: she can't read, so sensitive documents wouldn't be compromised, and she can cut a regular weight paper into smithereens in under a minute, which are then scattered all over our house as an additional security measure.

Three Years of Adessa Faye

Birthday season continues! Adessa turned three yesterday, June 12th. It is hard to believe how fast it has gone, yada yada time flies. Most remarkable to me, I think, is that I am finally used to having kids. It seems like I've always had them, this has always been my life. What a ride, Adessa Faye. Thank you for all the lessons I'm learning as I try to be a good mom for you, and for all the giggles.
Adessa:
1. sings and dances. With gloves on, she sings and dances as Minnie Mouse.
2. likes turkey and cheese sandwiches with "bananaise".
3. exclaims: "I love ________________." with her hands up to her cheeks. She loves: Teletubbies, her pink shorts, her party shoes, bananaise, smoothies, and Rice Krispies, to name a few.
4. attempts dangerous feats, like a headstand that turns into a somersault, performed on the edge of the bed. Scary.
5. tries to make Eliana happy when she's crying. Adessa will dance and clap and sing for her. Awwww.

We had special (burnt) pancakes in honor of the birthday girl, and she opened one present. We're waiting for Tuesday when Daddy's off work to do her party. (The tutu was her present, you can see it peeking out of her apron.)


Making tuna fish, as it was too hot to cook.


Eliana's contribution to the tuna.


Playing with bindi's the other day.


Outside, ready for summer!