"btw when your parents say "Today we are going to sand all the paint of[f] the deck, it will only take half of the day and then you can play." RUN AWAY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!""~Casi; Facebook 8/8/2010
What can I say... sometimes the kids are right. I think Casi may have nailed the issue on the head. In the whole "fight or flight" response to our deck sanding project, I think flight may have been the right choice.
Last weekend, Nate and I got this great idea to sand the deck. The previous owners painted it this lovely reddish-purpley color. And even though that sounds like a pretty bad color, it looked pretty darn good. I would go as far to say that the color looked natural. But, it was starting to peal and we did not want the deck to become damaged over the winter months. Which meant refinishing the deck.
Admittedly, we could have just repainted it. BUT, Nate and I tend to like things that not only LOOK natural but ARE natural and so we decided to remove the paint. Via, sandpaper. Ugh!
The deck turned out to be in great condition. Which brings up the question....Why anyone would paint a redwood deck in great condition? But, oh well. What was done was done.
I think the biggest surprise in this whole day was our kids. Yes, we gave promises of afternoon freedoms that were never fulfilled. We asked that they work hard. We barked orders. Gave only a couple short breaks. Made them wear face masks. I took pictures of them in this dirty state of messy hair, PJ's, dirty face masks, with underwear peaking out and yes, I am posting these said pictures on this blog.But guess what? Even with all these reasons for revolt.
(This still just amazes me)....
They NEVER complained. They worked hard. Had great attitudes. Which made me feel like taking pictures of them to work and bragging them up at the water cooler. No worries, I refrained. But, I do have awesome kids and they do deserve such said bragging.
The problem is.... I am lousy at sharing my feelings. So here is a video that represents what the kids did for Nate and I.
After watching that... did you sense that I gave the kids many levels of hugs? Because, that is EXACTLY what I did. Oh yea, and the deck looks pretty dam good! BBQ anyone?
I am pretty AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool. I agree that you have awesome kids you guys are great parents! I think the deck looks awesome whatever you did really brought out those natural colors in the wood and I love how it looks now! Great job all of you!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what that status update was all about. (: BEAUUUtiful deck!!
ReplyDeleteKudos to the kids! And guess what my family is doing today...sanding eaves, gutters and the playhouse...followed by painting. We are taking hourly breaks so they'll survive. For some of us, it will be a close call.
ReplyDeleteThe video sums it up perfectly. (I especially liked how the turtle follows the other to make sure it's okay.)
You have awesome kids, but give yourself a pat on the back for making them work and teaching them not to complain about it. And I would love a BBQ!
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