What we've been doing this summer!

Hi! Thanks for hoping with us along

 Whatca been doing this summer Blog Hop!! 

If you came from Leah's blog (Leah's Card Designs), you are in the right place. 
If you just came across this hop and would like to start from the beginning, please go back to Jenny's blog (Crazy About Cricut).

So, my two boys and I have been doing TONS of yard work... including taking out an unneeded flower garden space and moving their playground with clubhouse. This is by no means a new playground, but it too fun not to include in our newly re-landscaped backyard!

Here is the playground. The last three years, we've planted a garden under the clubhouse. But, once we moved the structure (a huge job on it's own) we added 6 yards of cedar bark-chips and the boys decided the didn't want the garden in the new space. Now, they wanted a cafe to serve the neighborhood kids snacks and drinks. :)

So, here are the pieces we came up with....

First of all, we stained some scrap shelving wood and used vinyl to create all the signs we need. Using "Robotz", we created the letters. The sizes range from 1"-3" tall. The little bottle and drink cup on "The Bros. Cafe" is from Everyday Paper Dolls (cut to 3" RDS). The "Open, come on in" sign is double sided. :)

We made an "order here" and "pick up here" signs as well as a menu board... complete with chalkboard paint so the boys can change the menu items as the snack change. 

Here is the pick up window.... the idea is that the neighborhood kids can order at the front window (the side of the playground closest to the front yard), then they can climb into the clubhouse, play with the pullies, chalkboard etc and then slide down when their order is up. That takes them to the backside where the pick-up window is.

Here are the snacks of the day... we have strawberries, cherries, Capri Suns, water, fruit snacks, granola bars etc.

This is my son, Bryce, under the clubhouse. He's eagerly awaiting a customer. As you can see, we also built a bench under here where my boys can enjoy their own lunches and escape the heat a little.

And if we are away from the cafe, here is the "Closed, see ya soon" sign. All the signs were stained, then the vinyl letters were added, then all of them were sealed with a clear coat of spray sealer.

You can almost see the pride on my son's faces!! They are having a great time with their little cafe! My mother-in-law actually made them their own little aprons to wear while they are out playing!! :) We added some flocked iron-on letters to spell out their names... they just LOVE them!!

Thanks for visiting me today. 

Before you jump to the next stop, please leave a comment

(and don't forget your contact info) 

to be entered in my drawing for some blog candy...

a $20.00 gift card to either

Michael's or Joanns -- winner's choice!!!

Drawing will take place on Monday, August 13th, 2012.

FYI: I don't post winners to my blog, I email the winner(s) directly.

Your next stop in the blog hop is:

Amber @ My 3 E Scrapbooking