Backtrack to the Weekend {Saturday}

I had to survive three days of recital before I could share about our busy weekend.
Nathan had drill, which meant we had all day to set up his rockin' Father's Day surprise.

I cannot tell you how many times my gentleman said he wished he had patio furniture (we have the perfect space for it in this house), so we could just grill some stuff and eat outside.

BEFORE:

So I bought used patio furniture several months ago and let it camp out at my parents house. I was going to sand/repaint it, but who has time for all that. Not I, clearly.

I actually had Nathan build a "sign" out of pallet wood about six weeks ago. He never bothered to ask what for- my little monkey just doing what I tell him to do without asking any questions (KIDDING. Loves, honey, big loves.) So he built his own gift.

I painted and sealed it with white stripes and the kids and I added five white stars for five kiddos. I intended to hang it over our back door, but it turns out I did not have the anchor nor the height nor the (wo)manpower to hang giant wooden flags in the brick above the back door. Instead, it's propped up on our outdoor fireplace that I also intended to fix up and also didn't have time for.

For about two months, I've been picking up little things here and there to add to the ambience of our backyard experience. "Outdoor" plates, cups, utensils, etc. I spray painted a little camping carrier to hold it all, got placemats, seat cushions, tiki torches (but not the lighter fluid needed... rats) and the like. Cale painted an Air Force sign his parents gave him to match, we hung flowers and outdoor lights in the trees. We yard sale hopped for 'Field Trip Friday' and the kids spent part of their money on a little eagle they thought he would like for the table. We topped his chair off with a "Raising Arrows" shirt I bought from another family's adoption fundraiser.

A few months ago, Nathan text me at the arse-crack of dawn to tell me a house down the street had an old vintage cooler out with the trash and wouldn't it be cool if he cleaned it up for his "man cave" (which doesn't yet exist but will when we eventually get all this stuff sold in the garage.) So here go Layla and I in our snazzy PJs down the street trying to get this cooler off the side of the road. Trust me when I tell you, it was hilarious. Also trust me when I tell you, it was worth. The kids cleaned it up (mostly) and it is perfectly perfect for our "new" patio.

I started marinating steaks, soaking corn to grill, filled the cooler with beer&ice, and made the boy a peach cobbler.

AFTER:

(MAJOR MAJOR thanks to Poppy for being the table delivery boy and light hanger-upper.)
Patting myself on the back for this one, not even gonna lie. Not because it's all that grand, but because he is delighted!!