Since we always share our road-trip adventures with the Bowers (like this one, this one, and this one), here’s a long-overdue recap of our most recent visit. It included plenty of kid-friendly fun, some antiquing and crafting, and even a little luxurious mom time — plus a really sweet gift idea. Ready? Let’s jump in.
If you’re looking for photos of us doing truly thrilling things like cutting wood and firing a nail gun, that action is happening right now. We’ve started a big board-and-batten project and are racing to fill nail holes, prime, and paint — hallway walls included — by next Wednesday. So there’s a lot of bam-bam-bam in our soundtrack lately, and we can’t wait to share the progress soon.
One late night around 11pm, Katie and I suddenly felt antsy, hopped off the couch, and decided we needed to make something. We gathered two old terracotta pots, some faux-wood wrapping paper, pom-pom fringe (which made me giddy), and a little craft paint. Our impromptu craft session was delightfully absurd and entirely satisfying.
We started by painting the inside and the lip of each pot — Katie chose a bright red and I used a soft blue. Then we cut a piece of the faux-wood wrapping paper into a curved, C-shaped sleeve to fit around each tapered pot. After testing the fit, we used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the pot and sealed the top with another coat for durability. The result: two cute countertop pots great for pencils, keys, or loose change.
We briefly considered trimming the rims with pom-pom fringe (pink on mine, blue on Katie’s), but it read a bit too over-the-top, so we skipped it. I did pick up some fringe at JoAnn later — it was a remnant and super cheap — so expect another small project using those pom-poms soon.
Our days weren’t all Mod Podge and paint. Katie and I have a special bond — we were pregnant together with Clara and Will — so we love outings where our kids can run free. Besides backyard play and the neighborhood playground, we visited a children’s museum in downtown Atlanta called Imagine It. Clara and Will had a blast with trains, water and sand play, and, of course, a big play kitchen. Will “fried” strawberries while Clara microwaved imaginary cereal — pure kid joy.
During a miraculous overlapping naptime when all three kids slept at once, Katie and I sneaked out for pedicures and a quick Starbucks run — a rare indulgence that made us feel like queens for the afternoon.
We also spent time antiquing. Katie took most of the photos, so here’s what I brought home: two small wooden doll chairs (a perfect fit for Clara’s larger dolls), an old metal moose hook (you know we love a good moose), and a tiny red wagon for Clara’s dollhouse — the wheels even turn. The prices were reasonable: the chairs were $4 for both, the moose hook $3, and the wagon $3. Ten dollars later, I had a handful of charming finds that ended up in perfect spots around the house.
The moose hook earned a place in the hall bathroom, where we needed a towel hook for Clara’s bath time. It pairs delightfully with an old metal horse I repurposed as a towel holder, and the combo made my day.
I briefly considered painting the wooden doll chairs bright colors, but after a soap-and-water clean they looked perfectly charming as-is.
Ignore the oversized clown pants on the little doll — they belong to a stuffed baby doll and Clara enjoys switching everyone’s outfits.
My favorite find was the little red wagon. The next morning I found Clara had staged an entire scene — not posed by us — where a big pig pulled a little pig in the wagon while two dressed pigs watched. It was hilarious and utterly charming.
We spent plenty of time eating, laughing, and talking about blogging and life while the kids played in the house and yard. We even recorded a video during the visit and snapped a bunch of adorable kid photos.
On Monday morning we published the usual post and began the long eight-hour drive home, approving comments along the way. Clara even treated us to a glorious nap during the ride.
Can you believe Katie and I have been friends for nearly four years? It’s wild to think back to pre-kid days full of late-night sushi and weekend getaways, and now we collectively have three kids under three. Times have changed, and in the best ways.
One morning after our final book signing, I found a thoughtful gift box waiting outside the guest room. Katie had handwritten a note acknowledging how big and exhausting the tour was and left a series of small items with notes explaining their meaning: a box of chocolates labeled “sweet and refreshing,” a notebook labeled “a fresh new start,” and a mug of herbal tea labeled “soothing and calm.” It was exactly what I needed after four months of living out of a suitcase.
Huge thanks to the Bowers for hosting us, for the laughs, and for being such great friends. John and Jeremy even saw a movie together while Katie and I stayed with the kids — which made us all a little giddy. We love that our partners get along so well; it makes planning the next visit even easier. What road trips have you taken lately? Any memorable gifts, crafting sessions, or antiquing finds worth sharing?
Psst — Clara keeps getting funnier by the day. Hear her thoughts on everything from baby names to escaping a yogurt raisin over on Young House Love.