Answering questions and chugging along

Added for those who have asked: You can buy coconut water at Whole Foods  (Vita Coco has high vitamin C). Apparently, a lot of athletes drink it. Coconut water has amazing benefits...read more here --make sure you read to the end bullet points).  Off to add some to our lunchtime smoothie!

I have definitely seen some improvement in Kate...she is stealing my smoothie here (I was trying to get a photo for my 365 project).  We are drinking lots of fresh fruit smoothies with tons of vitamins and coconut water (excellent rehydrater--thanks T) and coconut milk for fat. Kate has lost weight as she has been sick for a month (between the pneumonia, upper respiratory infection and mono) Her throat hurts too much to eat so this is a good alternative for now. Her fever has broken but she is SO irritable.  I need patience.  I know she does not feel good but the major grumps get old fast.

I bought this little laptop at Target last week and was saving it for Easter or her birthday but I pulled it out yesterday.  She is even more bored than I am and keeps asking to go somewhere. We have tried playing games but she is a tad young and as I have said a million times before...Kate does not play with toys much at all.  So even though I am bored...I cannot accomplish anything at home.  I am mostly holding Kate or making something that she will not eat. Dave stopped home at lunch yesterday even though he had like 11 minutes to keep us company.  He is such a sweetie.

I am glad y'all liked the painted built-ins...now to answer some questions....

The Cape House asked

Here's a question, how do you keep your kids from destroying your lovely home? That beautiful china cabinet and all of those crisp white plates just make me cringe thinking of little boys running around crashing into things and throwing toys, etc. Or maybe my cousins are unusually active?

Well, I have a philosophy that if children are always exposed to nice (and breakable things) all of their life....they get used to them and learn to respect them.  My sofas  and chairs are from Quatrine and are machine washable slipcovers.  So, we have always had antiques and breakables out and our kids really have not broken any that I can recall.  Visiting children have broken a few minor things but such is life.  Also, our children have a playroom where they roughhouse (throw toys;), build legos etc.  This family room is more for watching television, reading, hanging out and playing board games.  Also, my boys are not really super hyper and rough and tumble.

The Callendar Family asked...

Now, are you going to leave the door brown or will you paint them white as well?  

Great question.  I thought that I probably would need to paint them but I am not.  The very knowledgeable Layla said I did not need to and I agree. The doors are actually a beautiful walnut and they anchor the room and tie in a lot of the dark wood touches both in that room and the adjoining rooms and staircase.  Our floors are hickory but they are the same walnut tone so it looks good with them too.  I think it will stick out less once the wood blinds (which will tie them into the room too) and drapes are up.  

Love Being a Nonny asked...

I have ALWAYS wanted to paint my fireplace brick but my husband has held me off, saying it's so permanent. What made you NOT paint your brick??

Another good question...Our home is new but the builder procured this antique Chicago brick salvaged from somewhere and he really liked it.  He used it in a few places around our house. So, at first, I just felt bad painting it.  However, now I love it the way it is.  It adds some texture and warmth to the room.  The colors are very soft and neutral. If it had been more red or brown or even that cream brick...I would definitely have painted it. But the shades (grays, creams and pinks) are lovely and they blend well with the room.

Thanks for all the great feedback and well wishes and prayers:)  Y'all are the best!