Where's The Paint?

I mentioned in the week that I intended to upturn the castle base and put a new board on the stand, so that Jarvis could set up his PlayMobil farm. So with this mission in mind, I set off bright and very early to Bunnings to buy some paint, brushes and the board. From experience, I know that it's tricky to do D.I.Y with little people around, however Jarvis is at the age now where he can be of some help. Felix on the other hand, as you can see from the picture below, is another story!

So with Jarvis help, we marked the board where it was to be cut and then used the electric saw, with both Jarvis and I holding on for dear life. It was a pretty straight cut too, considering our wobbly hands. Sadly, time had run out for the little guy, as she had to shoot off to the movies with his beloved Mumma and Felix to see Kung Fu Panda.

My next step was to nail down the board and cover the edges with cloth/gaffer tape, as a precaution against head knocks and splinters. Then I drew the lines of where I wanted the roads, fields and pond to go. Once that was done, I simply had to paint the surface. OK, where's the paint? I searched high and low for the bloody stuff, as I saw the boys playing with it before they left, but could I find it? I know, it'll be behind the castle/farm stand...no. But hey, what was that noise from inside the stand when I moved it? OMG, the paint and brushes where inside, sealed in - Bugger!!! So I then had to cut a hole in the side of the stand to get them out. Those little buggers had hidden all the stuff inside the box.

Meanwhile at the movies Jarvis was having a great time as he met one of his school buddies called Jack. he was also very well behaved all during the movie and sat down all the way through until the end. I can't remember the last time that happened. Anyway, Adrienne said it was a great movie, so if you can, go see it.

Back at the house, after cutting a hole in the side of the stand and making it into a storage door, I completed the task of painting the road, pond and grass. The stand was then put outside, where it dried just in time to get it back into the house, have the detail drawn on and have the pieces set out for Jarvis return. The wee guys face just lit up when he saw it and set about playing. He also insisted on eating his lunch on the stand, while he admired his Dah's handiwork.

Later in the afternoon our good buddies Louise and Michael came round for a cup of tea. Jarvis was delighted to see them, as were we, as it was the first time we'd seen them since they got engaged in Iran. They are such a well suited couple and we wish them all the best. While they were here, Jarvis showed them all his new toys, that included his new Alien Mr. Potato Head.

So yeah, a lovely day with the whanau. It's a good life aye :o)

House Dad.