Gio's DIY Pedicure Stations

Gio is becoming quite the "Mexi- Can" lately! He has wanted to put on pedicure station at the Salon for years but has never had the money to do it. The pedicure stations that you buy are crazy expensive and there has always been something more important to buy. The chairs that you see at most nail places although nice are not very sanitary and you have to run plumbing to them so the newest way to do it is with a pedicure tub which is basically just a big bowl that can be filled and emptied out. no jets or openings for nasty foot stuff to clog or mold! (bet you never really thought about that did you! the Asian nail salons are the worst just so you know!) All we really needed was to build a base up off the floor so the esthetician (spelling?!) is at a comfortable sitting level with your feet. Gio build up a sketch and I helped him get all the supplies and measurements right. He did a great job!

This was the frames of the base and the bench seat that sits on top for the client to sit in.

Covering the frame with OSB so he could have a smooth surface for the flooring to cover it.

Half way done! Gio testing it out!

This is the top of the seat that he upholstered with zebra print material!

The finished upholstered cushion!

His measurements were pretty good but this one happened to slip a little when screwing it on the top so he used a saw for the first time to trim it!

I made him put on the safety glasses, without me he would probably still have sawdust in his eyes, or be blind!

He was so proud! He felt like a man! He always tells me that hes doing "Man Stuff!" that means something out of the ordinary for a salon owner and hair stylist! He doesn't like to get his hands dirty very often because they are his "Money Makers!"

Gluing on the the allure flooring to finish it off.

The finished bench!

We hinged the top so that they could store supplies in the bench! that was my idea!

DONE!!!

Good Job Gio!

The finished product in the salon!

He build 2 identical stations and only paid $150 for all of it! Sure beats the thousands he would have spent to just buy one! I told him that he needs to keep it up so that when we have a house someday he can help me with all the remodeling projects!

World Down Syndrome Day!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!! I can not tell you haw grateful I am to celebrate this day! 2 years ago 3-21 was just an ordinary day, now it is a day all about Gabi! Its only a few days after Gabi's birthday so she gets lots of love and attention for at least a week straight! She is totally worth it though! I never imagined the joy of having a child with down syndrome would be and I wouldn't trade it for anything! She brings so much joy and perspective into my life. How could her cute little face and smile not make you happy! Gabi is such a smart little girl and is not so different form you and I. When You hear the diagnosis of a disability i think the first reaction of most parents is what your child will never do and how that is going to effect your life. two years into it I fully believe that Gabi can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to! She is small but has a huge heart and personality and she is VERY determined! I love her spirit and sense of humor, we laugh alot together! I love her big hugs and kisses and when she teases me like crazy! There is nothing I would change about her she truly his perfect and has blessed our family beyond measure. Thank you for choosing our family little monkey! We love you and your little "extra" designer genes!

I wanted to do something with Gabi to make the day a little more special than just a regular day but I has really sick and didn't have a ton of energy to do much. Gio had to work so we met up with my Mom at the mall for some lunch and a matinee. The only kid friendly movie was the Lorax which we had seen a few weeks before but Gabi loved it so we took her again!

She sat in her own seat this time and would hold her arms out to touch me and my Mom and then she would lean over and kiss both of us! She is one loving kid!

When the movie was over I let her do what she loves most, Wander and walk where ever she wanted to go! She loves the feeling of Independence and would not even look back it i didn't follow her! She would make friends from the strangers walking by and would be a happy camper! I am tempted at times to let her go off by herself and watch from a distance to see how long she would go without caring if i was there, but i don't trust other people so that probably wont ever happen! I do have to keep an eye on her at all times though cause she is quick!

She loves Grandma!

It was a pretty good day overall, but  I ended up at the instacare later that night with horrible ear aches! Not fun at all! I'm glad we got out of the house early and I was able to celebrate my little angel! Love you Gabi!

Gabi's 2nd B-day!

Gabi is 2! how did that happen!? We had a big Minnie Mouse Birthday Party for her because she loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! I told myself that I wasn't going to go crazy with her birthday this year like i did for her first birthday... I don't think I succeeded!  I think this year was just as big if not bigger! It was just so fun finding all the cute Minnie Mouse decor and gifts that I lost all self control! haha!

This was just the gifts from Gio and I ... Talk about spoiled! I saw the Minnie Mouse chair online and I had to get it! That was supposed to be her one big gift from Gio and I ... once again I lost all control and spoiled her to death! Anything Minnie Mouse I could find I was tempted to buy because it all went so well with the theme and because we are going to Disneyland in September!

We purposely had Gabi's 2 yr pictures taken in her polka dot Minnie Mouse dress so that I could hang the pictures around the house as part of the decor.

Wall Decals!

I used her mickey mouse ears that Grandma brought back for her and her stuffed Minnie as part of the decor too!

Minnie cupcakes! I made these babies from scratch! first time, and it was a bit of a pain! Ill probably only make the chocolate ones again... the white cake that i dyed pink was a pain and didn't taste as good to me!

We had to move her gifts to the table because she just wanted to rip out all the tissue paper but she had to wait till dad got home!

That morning when she woke up I had filled her room with balloons and put streamers on her door! We celebrated as soon as she woke up!

The first thing she went for was the tissue paper! she could have cared less about anything else! But she looked dang cute in her new chair!

Gio had to work so we decided to meet up with him at work for lunch, Gabi was slightly ornery because she had been sick all week with a sinus and double eye infections but she loves to show off and loves attention so i knew getting her out of the house would be good for her!

I couldn't get a good picture of her in her "Day" birthday dress, It has a cute puffy ice cream cone on the front of it with a cherry on top. It was a hand me down from  a friend so we rocked it out and saved to Minnie Mouse attire for the party later!

Gabi was dancing and waving and blowing kisses to everyone at Paul Mitchell! Such a show off!

I couldn't figure out why she was so mad about wanting pictures but once we got to lunch one of Gio's co-workers noticed that her ears were all pussy and bloody, I felt horrible! I thought that she was feeling better but the infection in her eyes and nose started to come out her ears too,  luckily she has tubes and they were just draining from her bad sinuses and luckily her tubes are still in place so we don't have to put them in for the third time!

After a good nap she was ready to party! Her poor nose is rubbed raw and all red in her pictures... :(

Telling everyone she is pretty!

Gabi and Aunt Brittany!

Gios Cousins came too!

Aunt Selena, Emery, Reese, and Ethan!

Opening Presents... slightly embarrassing at how dang spoiled she is!

Aunt Ischia and Dominic gave her this crown and wand... She was the princess of the party for sure! So cute!

Kisses!

Yeah for birthdays!

I'm soooo Pretty!

I told her to wave her wand and she would lift it as high as she could in the air!

He birthday card was Minnie Mouse singing Happy birthday! she danced her heart out to it for days!

Minnie Mouse Pinata!

Cupcake Time!

She isn't that into sweets so she didn't really eat the cupcake... plus she was exhausted!

Grandma and Grandpa Hreinson!

Mom and Dad

\Dominic and Grandma Scott

Aunt Brittany and Uncle Dakotah

Being silly with grandma! Pants don't go on my head Grandma!

She got lots of clothes for summer, a couple swimming suits, and a Minnie Mouse suitcase for our vacation and sleepovers at Grandmas! and just a few other odds and ends. Although she was spoiled most of it was clothes that she needed anyway for summer since she has outgrown most of last years... that made me feel a little more justified  that it wasn't just a bunch of toys! ;)

This is the cute swimming suit cover up with Minnie Ears on it from Aunt Brittany! She also got all the matching accessories, Minnie flip flops, sunglasses. swimming suit, swimming hat, and towel! She is all set for the pool! What a Diva!Thanks everyone for celebrating with us! We had lots of fun and we are glad that we shared her special day with all of you!