My Best DIY Projects of the Summer

I want to start off by saying that in terms of accomplishing any home DIY projects this summer I was a complete and utter failure.

The man cave did not get its much needed room makeover because the space was perfect for building forts and hosting sleepovers.

The baseboard trim and doors did not get painted because I was too busy reminding my kids to pick up their shoes.

The guest bathroom vanity didn’t get a fabulous “AFTER” shot because the “BEFORE” remains along with several bits of clothing that have seemed to have taken up permanent residence on the floor.  

Yes, the home DIY projects pretty much came to a standstill this summer because my kids became a full time DIY project.

Here in Arizona school ends in early May just as the temperatures begin to soar high enough for a heat index warning. Which means that unlike the summers of my childhood, which were spent primarily outdoors, kids here are primarily indoors for much of the day.

Way back in May I made a plan of attack against marathon tv viewing and video gaming sessions.

Trips would be made in the early morning while it was/is still relatively in the cool 90’s. They included runs to the grocery store to restock what seemed like an always empty fridge, library books were selected and returned, and tennis lessons occurred a few times a week to get in some much needed exercise.

There was also a garden to start from scratch.

As you may know, sweet boy is a Boy Scout and he is working his way through some of the 130 merit badges the program offers. A total of 21 finished core badges are required before an Eagle Scout project can begin. The gardening merit badge alone requires at least three months of dedicated gardening. It is not for wimps.

The badge requires that you begin a garden from seeds and seedlings. So he planted over 120 seeds.

Over 90% of the planted seeds produced seedlings. He transplanted the floral seedlings into these pots.

Sadly, we had an issue with our vegetables. When we went on a two week vacation our automatic watering system decided to go on the fritz and we came home to a dead mess of tomatoes, green beans, peas…  We’ll soon have to start that part of the merit badge all over again. 🙁  But the good news is that his flowers have bloomed and continue to bloom beautifully.

As part of the fishing merit badge you have to prepare, cook and eat a fish.

He chose salmon with a bit of dill and it was delicious.

Then there was the Home Maintenance merit badge. We opened our home for a one day clinic and Mr. Décor taught 3 boys from the troop a variety of things such as “How to clean a clogged drain”.

We had another one day clinic for Woodworking. There were a total of 5 future DIY ers in attendance.

Mr. Décor taught the boys about safety, careers in carpentry and helped the boys build a tool box as well as a mind boggling toy which will be donated to underprivileged children. I kept cool drinks coming, provided lunch and of course took pictures.

I am happy to report that at the end of the summer our scout has already or almost completed a total of 10 badges as well as provided many hours of helpful service.

So yes, it’s true, the summer was a personal home DIY disaster for me. 

The kitchen cabinets didn’t get painted because we made piles of pancakes instead.

We also chose to spend time cradling new cousins.

My darling niece Grace. (please note that she loves her auntie 🙂

As well as playing dress up with other darling nieces.

I also don’t want you to think that my girl mothering ended when darling daughter left for her internship. I presented her with a parting gift of a dachshund cup and saucer and told her I had one just like it. I then proceeded to snap a quick pic every morning of my breakfast. She has done the same. It’s a great way to start our days and stay connected while she is far from home.

Yes, there is SO much I didn’t get accomplished for our home. But in 20 or even 10 years from now would those particular projects even matter? Um no. Home projects, over the years, tend to get outdated, worn out or just plain forgotten.

But I’d like to think that 10, 20, 50 even 75 years from now some of the kid DIY projects accomplished will still matter.

Why maybe, just maybe, the spiritual projects we worked on will last for eternity. 

Tomorrow Sweet Boy heads off to a new school year (6th grade) and I can begin to tackle the said home DIY projects. But until then I am savoring these last few precious moments.

Laura

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6

“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much.” ~ Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis