Thursday, August 2, 2012

What we've been doing this summer!

Hi! Thanks for hoping with us along

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

24 comments:

Leah said...

What an awesome idea!!! That is so cool! I like how it turned out and the idea of their own little cafe was awesome!

Leah
http://www.leahscarddesigns.com
leah@leahscarddesigns.com

Georgiana said...

Everything looks so wonderful. From your garden, to your greenhouse, to the play area...you have been very busy! Great transformation!

Stay Creative,
Georgiana
Carson's Creations
coachfans at cox dot net

Heather said...

Cheryl, this is such an amazing idea!! if we had a yard big enough, I'd totally do this!!

teachdanz said...

this is awesome Cheryl!! you always seem to incorporate your boys into your crafting:-)

Lara said...

How fun! I love this idea! Cute kids too! thanks for the inspiration!
lclass003atgmaildotcom

Shar said...

I want a cool playhouse/clubhouse/cafe like that one!!! What a fun place for the kiddos to spend their free time! Great work!!!!
scrapendipity@gmail.com

ScrappyHeartz said...

Do they deliver?!? Thanks for sharing such a great idea!!

Debbie Chapman
Heartamz1(at)aol(dot)com

Tinsleydayton@yahoo.com said...

Wow ya'll have been busy. Very cute!

Maria said...

What lucky boys to have such an awesome Mommy! You're building more than a play area -- you're building memories!

maria_m_nestor@yahoo.com

Maria Matter said...

oh WOW, how fun is this! Fabulous idea with the cafe!!! great job!

Janis Lewis said...

Awesome! I love all the details that make is to unique! :) Janis

marg0006 said...

Looks like they had a whole lot of fun and you did a great job with the decorating.

marg0006 at verizon dot net

Candace Pelfrey said...

What an awesome idea! I wish I had something like that growing up. Thanks for sharing

Mary Jean said...

what a great idea!!!

mistie1@cox.net

crazyaboutcricut said...

I can't even say how much I love this! My husband recently built our kiddos a clubhouse, but it might become a cafe now! Thank you so much for being on my design team, and for always having such fantastic projects :O)

Migdalia said...

What a fun and Cool idea!!!awesome!
Migdalia
Mrodriguez860@hotmail.com

Krystle said...

What a great idea!! That looks like so much fun!! (:

Unknown said...

WOW!!!!! So Cool!!!! wish I lived nearby, I'd be there.... looks more comfy and fun than Starbucks :))
jone777 at attglobal dot net
--Robin

Unknown said...

How great! Oh man, you can tell they had so much fun. What a great memory for them to look back on too. I specialized in childhood development in college and can not even begin to tell you how important this kind of "play" is in development. Great job. :)
Jani
papercompulsions dot blogspot dot com

Simply Sweet by Sharon said...

Cheryl you and your boys have sure been busy this summer. I LOVE your play structure and the restaurant is such a fun idea. I only wish my daughters were little again so we could of done this to their play structure. Your boys look like they are having such a great time playing and I bet you are the most visited house on the block.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. That has to be one of the coolest ideas I've heard in a long time. Your Bros look like they are having the best time. TFS.
dmcardmaker (at AOL dot COM)
(NEW email follower)

Pat N. said...

Agree! What a wonderful idea this is Cheryl. You can DEFINITELY see the pride in your boy's faces. How great is it to have their own "cafe" with an order here area and pick-up counter. Ingenious! And so much fun.

CarolynG said...

Wonderful idea!! You sure have been busy but the smiles on your boys faces make it all worth it!!

Carolyn g
Always_painting@yahoo.com

Douglasiggx said...

Cheryl you and your boys have sure been busy this summer. I LOVE your play structure and the restaurant is such a fun idea. I only wish my daughters were little again so we could of done this to their play structure. Your boys look like they are having such a great time playing and I bet you are the most visited house on the block.