DIY Sandbox

 

One of Lachlyn's most favorite activities is playing with sand. So for her birthday we decided to get her a sandbox.  I went online and started looking to buy one.  I knew that we needed some kind of cover on top for those sunny days.  I started looking into this one and this one.   But I just couldn't get myself to pay over $100 for the box that really I didn't like all that much.  So that's when I pitched the idea to my husband.  Of course he said yes, because well he secretly LOVES making anything indestructible and especially for his girl Lach.  We decided to put it on wheels and add a strong rope so that we would be able to move it around the yard.  This by far was the best decision about this whole sandbox! Not only will be able to move it around the yard to ensure we could mow the lawn underneath, but we can also can move it around our yard so that we can have shade or sun when we need it. We also agreed that a strong lid would be the best for those rainy days and to keep out the critters. 

I took Lachlyn to the paint store and she immediately said she wanted to paint it blue.  So blue it was.  Because it will be outside I knew I needed a really good sealant and outdoor paint.  I ended going with my trusty Kilz because well I love it.  So I painted the entire box and lid with the primer/sealant and then 2 coats of the blue.  I do have to say it took a couple days and was a lot of work!  At this point I was saying "why didn't I just buy a sandbox?" haha.  But anything for my daughter right?! I put Rhone to work and we got it done!  Bought a $3 shower curtain and staple gunned it to the bottom of the box.  Bought really good play sand and filled it up.  My husband added handles to the lid so that I could easily slid it back and forth. 

We literally finished the box the night before her birthday so although I had not finished the lid she was very happy she got a blue sandbox.  The next week, I took her back to the store to pick out the other fun colors for the lid.  I decided to make something fun and bright and so I started drawing out the pin wheel lines.

I placed the colors out in each part to make sure the pattern looked OK.

Originally I thought I could just tape off the lines and paint, but plywood is just not flat enough for the tape to stick. So I hand painted most of it.  It took a couple days but was very therapeutic for my soul.  It's definitely not perfect, and it took a lot more work than we originally cared to do, but end result I think is pretty sweet.  The kids are obsessed with it, and it's a one of a kind.

Her purple party

When I asked Lachlyn over and over for the past 2 months about what kind of birthday party she wanted, with out hesitation she said a purple ribbon and "Let it Go" birthday party.  At first I had grand ideas about making everything and creating a purple wonderland filled with glitter and snow themed ideas in June, but then life happened.  The past couple weeks, I haven't been feeling all that great so the party kind of got put on the bottom of the list.  So with the week leading up, we decided to go low key this year.  I didn't make ANY of the decor and I bought actual streamers!  We got a store bought cake and pizza. It was a first for me... but you know what, she LOVED it!  Because really she doesn't care at all about if I spent hours in preparation, she loved having it Frozen themed, and she got her purple "ribbons". 

To help celebrate her day, her Granny and Popop came into town from AZ and we invited her best friends over.  We gave her the sandbox we built and they played all afternoon in the spirinklers, bubbles, sand, and with "Let it Go" playing on repeat.  To top it off, my mother in law and I took her to get her first pedicure and let me tell you, it was soo much fun.  She sat perfectly still for 30 mins and already is asking to go back. 

I still can't believe my baby is 3 years old and I am so excited to see her grow this year.  Going from toddler to Pre-k is one of my most favorite seasons.  My heart is so full and it just keeps getting better! 

// Next up... DIY sandbox //

Lachlyn turns 3!

 

Happy Birthday Lachlyn Charley!

One of my favorite parts about doing these birthday posts is just going back to the previous birthday and seeing her grow and change in pictures.  This girl is such a character.  Her favorites right now are everything purple and blue.  Having her nails painted, putting on pretend makeup, climbing everything, twirling, dancing, and playing in sand are her everyday excitement.  She is the chattest little girl... I can't tell you how many comments I get by people thinking she's older because of how much she talks.  He is utterly obsessed with her brother and loves to tell him all day that he is her best friend. 

One of her biggest success's this year was how easy she was to potty train.  Sorry everyone else who struggles with this, but she deserves a little praise on this milestone.  She did it in 4 days, and has never peed during the night!  Meaning... we really never even needed pull ups.  I attribute her success into the 3 day method and to her amazing bladder. 

One of her downsides this year is how much she has been sick this year.  Her poor little body just hasn't been up to par this last year.  Mostly because I am back at work and she was introduced to daycare, but she sure did endured a lot.  4 ear infections, double pink eye, 20+ colds (I swear), and flu are just some of what she has been through.  But I can tell you that even when she was at her worst, she still was kind, gentle, loving, and so sweet.

I can't even begin to explain the love I have for my little Lachlyn.  She is my light.  Her soft voice, her soft touch, her romance in her eyes gets me in the heart every time I look at her.  She is such a free spirit and loves to be on the move.   She loves on everyone and has a heart of compassion.  She is my little angel and I am so excited for age 3 with this one.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Lachlyn Charley, we love you!

// Stay tuned to her "Purple Ribbon", "Let it Go" birthday party //