This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Lance and I often talk about the changes we're going to make around the house once the kids are older.  (Read: once they're old enough to not DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY.)

We can't wait to get new couches downstairs.  And a new entertainment center, TV, and sound system to match.  It'd be foolish to do so now, but maybe in 3-4 years...

Once Tess hits around 10 or 11 that dang swing set in the back yard is coming out and my patio is going it. Right now it's just a bit too close to the house, or at least to where I want my patio. (I have grand designs for my back yard... but none can be started until that swing set comes out.)

The basement could also really use some new carpeting.  It's old and worn and even my super-stain fighting powers are no match for a few spots down there.

And some day that toy closet under the stairs is turning into my holiday decoration storage room.  Toys out - decorations in!

But the one thing that will get replaced first?  Our poor kitchen table.  Despite my best efforts to protect it, it's had a really hard life.

Yes, those are teeth marks.  Tess has apparently turned into a beaver.  I caught her doing this the other day.

The poor table is covered in all sorts of marks and scratches and a delightful white spot from where Lance put something hot.  Sigh.

The chairs are fairing no better.  I keep towels on the kids' chairs, but it doesn't seem to matter; they're still always covered in stains and junk.

I used to think that I would just refinish the table and chairs and then reupholster the cushions.  But a few weeks ago Cole knocked a chair over and totally destroyed it.  Beyond repair.  Plus, this table has never fit that well in our little kitchen nook.

So as of now I am on the lookout for a good kitchen table.  I'm pretty picky about looks, quality, and price, so I know it'll take me a while.  But that's okay, because I still have several years until I can trust my children to not bite/scratch/stain/and otherwise destroy a new table.