I have used AS chalk paint on several pieces. At first it was to see what the excitement was all about, and I bought only sample jars when they were much less expensive than they are now. The sheen is VERY FLAT, and personally, I don't care for it without wax. I have not bought the AS waxes, but I have Butcher's Wax in clear, and Briwax in both light brown and dark brown. All of them protect and (to me) enhance the appearance of the chalk paint. This was a black and gold CL mirror that I did in blues and grays in AS chalk paint. I then used Briwax in dark brown to get into the carvings and add a bit of sheen to the mirror. BEFORE - AFTER - I experimented last year with a maple bureau that I bought from Craigslist. I put on patches of several colors (both chalk paint and regular latex in different brands). What I found was that the chalk paint stuck to the unsanded finish like glue. When I made my decision to go with a chalk paint color, I found that I could easily remove the latex paints by just running my fingernail over them. THAT is what I like about the chalk paints on furniture vs. the other types. This is the bureau that I mentioned above, still in progress. I used AS Paris Gray, and I am decoupaging fabric to the drawer fronts. In order to preserve the color match between paint and fabric here, I will use the butcher's wax in clear when I finish this one. I am replacing the knobs with chunky 'English style' knobs that I have painted in the AS Paris Gray. And before I started it, in the seller's garage -

The waxing is really simple too. Just brush it on, I think it would be pretty hard to mess up too. The clear wax just makes the color a little richer and the colored wax just adds another depth of dimension. If I had one tip, it would be to apply the clear wax liberally (the paint seems to suck it up), and the colored wax sparingly. A little goes a loooong way! Have you seen Miss Mustard Seed's wax tutorial? It is pretty informative and thorough. I had wax anxiety too! Here is a link that might be useful: Miss Mustard Seed Wax Tutorial

Leave them if they are in decent shape. They are a classic style. I have very similar black stools with white ice granite, & white shaker cabs. And three kids ages 11, 9 and 5. Your kids are even younger, so the chairs are still going to withstand a few years of abuse and I think painting them will only leave them more susceptible to chipping and scuffs because you'll be refinishing over a factory finish. I say leave them, let them get good and dinged up in the next few years (mine are from Target and are surprisingly forgiving to scratches and chips). Then replace them all together - maybe with an updated style - when you decide to do a kitchen refresh in a few years.

Be sure to let the clipped piece dry in a shady location for a few days before planting. Don't water right after planting. Wait a week or two, and don't keep in the direct sun then. It will have no roots and can rot if you water right away. Good luck with your project. I have these in the yard, and they would take over if I didn't clip them back.