Life Skills...

This year we've been focusing on life skills for the kiddos... because man does time fly by.  You think 18 years... plenty of time to teach them the things you find crucial in life... then BAM... you look around and your little girl is on the last few years of being at home.

Ainsley wanted to do a complete room makeover this summer... including a new bed... new paint... new bedding... new lights... the works!  It's super easy to say "I want this and that" and have someone get it done for you but that's not real life... at least in our house.  So we said okay but you are going to do it... with guidance of course.  There were a few rules set in place.

1. Absolutely no whining or complaining... this was your idea and your project.
2. There are no shortcuts... or half completed projects... you do it right or not at all.
3. Listen... listen and listen... I swear half the time they tune us out!

First up was making a new bed... there was a lesson on picking out boards and supplies at Lowes...

How to measure and use a chop saw and then she cut her own boards...

How to sand the boards and use a nail gun to make the feet for the bed..

Then came more sanding and staining...

My most favorite picture... she does the same thing with her tongue that Stewart does when he is concentrating...

I didn't get a picture of her painting her room grey but she did it all by herself...

The final projects... she made the bed and we had the nightstand which she sanded/stained to match..

Then came her big photo wall she did... love it!!

She did an amazing job... so very proud of her and Stewart for helping her with this big project.