Transformation (continued)...

I had to prime the wall with two coats because the first layer didn't cover enough of the green. But once I started adding my new color, it was love (for me - the jury is still out on whether or not Brian is going to like it!) {When I was priming the walls, Caitlin came out into the living room and said, "WOW, COOL, white walls!"}

Here's is the paint can - toasted honey this color is called. Wet it looks lighter than it really is on the wall. It's definitely brighter though and I already like it a lot. It feels so happy and energetic.

Starting layer one. The color goes on so smoothly with the primer on there. It also looked a LOT better than when I originally tried to paint over the green.

Wall one completed for first coat!

Wall two completed for first coat!

Here they are with the wall hangings up, just so I can see what I think. I really like it, but I still need to add another coat of paint as I have some "yellower" spots that you can see in person. I think it is going to look great! I'm going to paint the trim a BRIGHT white and accent with black. What do you think? Hopefully the other two walls can get done this weekend (or early next week).

Starting the transformation - primed and ready to roll...

Yeah! I'm finally painting the living room. I just wanted something brighter (lighter) since that room doesn't get a lot of sunlight and the green makes it feel darker than it should. I'm only getting started, but I'll post a few pics and then in a few days, hopefully it will be completed!

As you can see from the above photo (please excuse the TOYS - and books), the walls currently are this mossy green. I do still like this color, but it gets greener and darker in the long winter months.

I started with this wall because it's the first thing you see when you enter the house. I thought I would just get a "feel" for the new color by painting it and seeing how I like it for a few days.

But, then I looked at this lonely old wall and decided, "What the heck? Might as well prime that one too!" Hopefully, I will get both of these walls painted in their new color before Brian comes home and he can be the final decider on if the color is great or just yellow. (The new color is called "Toasted Honey" by the way.)

Swimming lessons

Here are some pictures of Caitlin's first time at swimming lessons.
Here she is with her new goggles (one of her birthday presents from Daddo). She is waiting patiently for her class to start. Doesn't she look so happy to be taking swim lessons?

What? This is the TRUE picture of how she feels. She told me that she's not afraid of swimming, she's afraid of water getting in her nose and mouth. I know EXACTLY how she feels!!! I still have to plug my nose when I jump in a pool. I never got to take swim lessons when I was little, so I'm hoping this helps her learn how to be in the water and feel a bit more confident about it.

I think she's telling Brian off in this picture. Not sure.

Here she is listening to her instructors. heh, heh.

See how she doesn't want to get her head wet? It's hard to see because I really don't want her to be afraid of the water. She loves being in the pool, or lake, or ocean, but is always afraid on the inside. We're really hoping that she gains some skills and confidence the next two weeks.

Settling in...

Here's a little better picture of Raja, lazing around on her new bed. She is doing better and better each day. She is starting to venture out around the house. Yesterday, she even had a chance to see Casey. She didn't seem all that loving towards Casey, but we will give it time.

We bought this little bed for her the other day (before we got her). It seems that she is comfortable in it and has no problem taking naps there. Caitlin was trying to give her the "royal" treatment and had a stuffed kitty in the bed, a toy, and that blue bear from Grandma Diane that was her music for relaxing. Caitlin is surely going to be a vet or else a crazy cat lady.

Here's Caitlin trying to give Raja her very own hotel room! Caitlin is just in LOVE with this little kitty and so far, Raja is purring her head off with all of us as well! The book is open so that she has something to "look at" while she is getting ready to sleep. She also has a tiny blue washcloth as a blanket. We have to pry Caitlin off this kitty most of the time. She is still learning about cat behavior vs. dog behavior. Overall, I think they are bonding quite well!

INTRODUCING...

the newest member of the family...RAJA (named after Amy's cat!). Here Brian is deciding if she would make a great addition and he AGREES. We went to PetSmart yesterday to look at the cats/kittens. Brian told Caitlin she could finally get a cat. {It was more of a bribe because she is going to take swimming lessons for the next two weeks and she's a bit afraid of that.} They actually used all the "found" money they've been saving over the past two years and came up with a whopping $28.00!!!! It's definitely not enough to get a cat these days, but we did go to a nonprofit animal adoption agency and found this beautiful little kitty.

Of course, we are holding off on introducing her to the two dogs just in case. We will do it slowly over the next few days. {You can tell Abby already smells her, but she hasn't had a chance to find her or see her yet. } Here she is on Caito's bed. She has done pretty well so far. She doesn't even seem afraid of Cody's loud yelling (though we haven't yet let him "hold" her).

She is also showing herself to be a playful cat. She definitely purred when we held her and does come out from under the bed when we are trying to coax her out. {Though she is still getting the lay of the land.}

The kiddos are having a hard time with understanding the difference between a dog's personality and a cat's. Caitlin thinks the kitty should just play with her whenever she wants and Cody thinks that he can just grab her whenever he wants. We are playing referee right now by not allowing Cody to "hold" her, only to pet her when we are with him. Caitlin is just going to have to learn about this kitty and figure out how/when she wants to play and/or interact. She is going to be a great little cat though, I can just tell.

Bounce 'em!

We went and spent a few days at nearly famous "Unca Deacon's" house down in Florence. They have a really fun trampoline and we never miss an opportunity to use it! Mackenzie (Kemzie - as Cody calls her) had fun making them bounce!

Stay in the middle...

Up, up and away!

Airborne for sure! We, as always, had a great time at the "Matthews Bed and Breakfast." We love that we can invite ourselves down there, be made to feel like invited guests, and have loads of fun every time.

One last thing...on Aunt Hilary's bed there's a pillow (I meant to take a picture of it) that says, "Guests of guests cannot bring guests!" Funny, eh?