Home Renovation Part II

The basement is coming right along as we now have the sheetrock hung, the walls mudded and sanded and primer on the walls. Chris is working hard this weekend (Yes, I said it. The words most of you never thought you would hear, Chris is working hard. No, it is not April Fool's Day just yet.) to get two coats of paint on the walls so on Monday we can have the floors acid stained. I am really looking forward to seeing how that is going to look.

When Chris or I are working on anything around the house Blair always wants to help. She is our little helper! So I told Blair she could help prime the outside of the walls. She had a ball helping paint but Chris was not happy with me to begin with allowing her to help. She did a great job keeping the paint on the walls and not in the floor.

Blair helping paint the exterior walls. She was thrilled to be helping.
Daddy painting the stairwell walls. I know most of you have never before seen a paint brush in this man's hands so to see this is a bit shocking. I almost put a warning at the top before showing the picture.

The man cave.

Happy Birthday Poppy!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to Poppy,

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Poppy!
We hope you had a great birthday and wish you many more.

We love you!

Fat Tuesday the Fancy Nancy Way

Happy Fat Tuesday! The Dukes household celebrated Mardi Gras this year the Fancy Nancy way. Blair wanted to have Fancy Blair day (this means dressing up fancy and eating dinner from the good china). She is such a girl! I cooked pork chops, pasta, creamed corn, field peas and rolls. For dessert I served vanilla (banilla in Blair's terms) ice cream in our good bowls. This fancy dinner all stemmed from the nice wine glasses we received (for free) from the bridal show held Sunday at Belk's. You can see the new glasses below in the picture.

When I brought the glasses inside Blair immediately said they were Fancy and she wanted to have a fancy dinner with the new glasses. I convinced her to wait until tonight to have our fancy night. It amazes me the thoughts my three year old has at times. I must admit, I had just as much fun as she did. I mean what girl does not like to get fancy and eat off of the good china?

Mommy, Nana and Blair dressed Fancy for the Fancy Dinner.

Look at that smile from Blair. She loves it!
Mommy and Blair
These are the moments I will cherish forever.

A Look Back In Time - Fat Tuesday 2006

Fancy Blair's First Mardi Gras at the age of 8 months.

Family and Friends

It has been a busy weekend for us so I have gone several days without updating. We spent the weekend visiting family and some friends. It was nice visiting with everyone without rushing around. Of course Blair was spoiled rotten the entire weekend. It will take Chris and I weeks to undo what the grandparents (and Aunt Stacy) do to Blair in one weekend.

One of the main reasons for our trip was to attend a birthday party. Our old neighbors had a party for their little one so we were able to see his sweet face and our dear friends. We all had a nice time at the party and really enjoyed seeing all of them again.

Blair riding Kai's Birthday present.

I think Kai decided to name him Batman.

Blair at the Batman Birthday Party.

Does this look like trouble or what?

13 Days and Counting...

13 days and counting until my birthday. For those of you who have yet to buy me a present, there are still 13 shopping days remaining. I am very nervous about my birthday present from Chris and Blair. I was discussing my birthday with Blair this morning. I asked her what she was going to get me for my birthday. She told me, "Not flowers (she sounds like her daddy) but maybe a bouncy ball." Although that sounds great, someone please help Chris and Blair with this one!

Blair was busy today. She was picked up from school early this morning to spend the day with Poppy and Gigi. Of course when they arrived she was in time-out (not only does she sound like her daddy but she also acts like her daddy). She got to go out to eat, shopping and back home for more playing. Tonight was gymnastics so Poppy and Gigi got to see her put on a show and boy did she put on a show. Below are pictures from tonights gymnastics.

New Home Project

I finally decided to begin The Dukes Family blog. Hopefully this blog will keep everyone posted on what we are up to. There is never a dull moment in this family so I am sure it will be entertaining, especially with my 3 year old.

Speaking of never a dull moment, my husband decided last week to begin a new home project.....finishing the basement. With the help of Uncle Eric and our neighbor, David, the "man cave" is coming right along and much faster than I ever anticipated. I will keep you all posted on how that project turns out. Here are some pics of the man cave thus far.

Here is Chris' soon to be "man cave".