Table Revamp and Train Park

So, this past week I was crazy busy trying to revamp my table.  This table has history... it was the same table my parents bought when they were newly weds.  They bought it at a garage sale, so who knows how old the table really is.  It was the same table we had growing up, it was the same table I carved my initials in along with a good guy friend of mine (we thought we wouldn't get caught, but lo and behold, when my mom went to wash the table cloth a week later there were the initials RH and MW--yeah, it was pretty obvious that we were stupid), and it was the same table I refinished HERE. So, rather than kicking to the curb and buying a new table (like we have the money for that anyway)

 I decided to give it some TLC.  It's become rather sentimental to me over the past couple of years, and it really needed a facelift.  So, here it is before (chipped, cracked, and dull).

Here it is as I began sanding (word of advice: wait until it's not raining anymore so you can do this project outside).

This next part was really scary to me.  I primed it with Kilz and it looked awfully uneven and streaky and white.  I knew there was no turning back...

See what I mean??  Scary.  Here it is with a nice, sleek black finish.  I was tempted to leave it like this, but I wanted something a little more distressed/antique looking--plus, I spent 25 bucks on the can of red glaze (after spilling half of it on my parents driveway, I felt I had to use it).

The next step was also scary.  I told the guy at home depot to mix me up a deep maroon color.  When I opened the can and began painting over my nice black table, it looked like pink bubble gum.  I was so nervous about it all.  I would have really freaked out if the guy at home depot hadn't warned me that it would look like that until it was thoroughly dry.  It did dry nicely afterall.  After the black paint was dry, I used a rag to apply the red glaze and then I wiped it off in parts.  It seeped deep into the crevices of the carved wood and on the top of the table I got my distressed look.  I really like the way it turned out.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  But here it is:

And, again:

"Is it dry yet? MOMMY?!"  My sentiments exactly.

"I like it."  That's what she would say if she could talk.

"Mommy, it's as beautiful as me!"

"We love it Mommy!  Thanks for all your hard work!  You the bestest Mommy in the whole world and we love you!"  I can dream, right?!

And, finally, we went to Joshua's most favorite place on earth... he's two, so it's the place of the moment anyway.  The McCormick Train Park!  He got to ride on trains and go inside a real train.  He had a blast!  Jon Mark looks a little silly on such a small train.  Joshua's serious expression was really one of amazement. 

And, again...

And, Miss M playing in the stroller while we waited.  To Joshua's dismay (as he is telling me at this very moment) I didn't get any pictures of Joshua on the big train.  Sorry.

Hope you enjoyed all the pictures!