The Laundry Room Thanks Me

You can tell by the state of our laundry room/ mud room that the two previous homeowners were older and without children. 

Before

I knew immediately that this room would needed to be more practical for us.  Pretty much the day... or within the first three days of moving in, I put my dad (and Chad) to work to install some cabinets. 

This is the way the laundry room has looked since we moved in a couple months ago.  Much more practical.  However, I still needed some organization.  I especially realized this need once the boys started school and started bringing papers home.  Add soccer schedules to that and I need a command station. 

Cabinets and shelf came from Lowes... though I did not assist in this project, it looked like they went up pretty easy. 

I used the same color paint that I used in the den/ hallway/ dining room (what I call the gut of the house)... I really like this Valspar color of Lamb's Ear... looks great with every color!  I also used some accent colors that I had purchased sample sizes of.  I don't have the color names but basically they are a mossy grey and a blueish grey.


A breakdown of the pieces I used.

Wahla...  After

Command Station

So much better... the rugs came from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls. 

I actually love to be in this room!  There is something about it that is feminine... which lets get real, I don't have a whole lot of that in my world. 

I snagged some really good finds/ deals in this space.

1- I already had the white board from homeschooling last year.  It got a face lift though.

Before

 

 After

I primed and painted the letter edge and then hung it with wire and wrapped a chevron burlap ribbon around it. (my first chevron I might add.... I am still not quite jumping on the chevron craze... in small doses perhaps).  I then created the calendar on the board.  If I like the layout of this, then I will used a permanent  marker next time. 

 

Finished white board... I also moved the tan Roman shade to the kitchen and brought this slatey blue one to the laundry room.

 2- Next find was this filing system thing.  Found it broken on the top, missing a chalkboard piece, and the other chalkboard piece not in securely.  It had already been marked down at TJ Maxx for this unfortunate set of events from $30 to $23.  However, I had a feeling that they could do better and wanted to probably get rid of this little eye sore.  And they did, got it for $15. :)

Before

After- 

A coat of primer and paint, some wood glue and hot glue, and another chalkboard that I had laying around (which fit perfect!) and it is such a pretty piece!  Love a bargain!

 3- A cork board.  I don't want all the kids school project and just general paper yack hanging on my fridge so again, found this broken piece at TJ Maxx.  The whole back was out when I bought.... normally $35, clearanced for $20.  It was actually much harder to get it in than they I thought it would be.  Crossing my fingers it stays glued in.

Before

After

Decided not to paint it, liked the black.  Also, look at the push pins.  So pretty.  Just canvas flowers from hobby lobby with normal push pins. 

4-Some of the wall art.
The top piece painted by Shepherd.  I hate I didn't take a before picture.  Nolan and I did some estate sales and saw this ugly little wood circle with two old fashioned painted children on it.  Normally I would have walked right by it but the quote on it caught both of our eyes. 
It says, "My house is Clean Enough to Be Healthy and Dirty Enough to Be Happy."  Yep, pretty much sums it up.
Anyway, I just spray painted the whole thing, retraced the saying and let Shepherd paint it. 

The laundry sign is from Hobby Lobby... didn't have a price tag, so she gave it to me for $10, but marked down 50%, so $5. 

 The football sign was a gift from my mom from 7 or so years ago.  It was faded and dingy, so it got some fresh paint as well.  It says "We interrupt this family ... for football season."  Again, sums up my life.

 5- The hooks for the backpacks were already in the laundry room.  The board they are on was painted white and painted to the wall... I definitely ripped some sheet rock off yanking that sucker down.

 

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And since I am talking bargains... let me just add two more awesome finds that I got my hands on.

Again, estate sale.
The last one we hit had this two ugly/ dirty little plastic tables sitting outside.  I picked them up and take them inside.  Nolan heard one of the workers say, "is she really bringing those in?"  haha, that speaks to their condition.

Before

After

You  may wonder why I need this?  When I show the finished den, you will see. ;)

The last awesome bargain was snagged at Pottery Barn Outlet!  Love PB Outlet!

I needed a cushion for this Ikea bench.  I tried to buy a couple different things but returned them because it wasn't right.  I looked to buy foam and fabric and make my own but that was going to be far more than I wanted to pay. Look at this!

 

 Guess how much?!?!
$1.97 a cushion... so basically $4!  They are called picnic bench cushions and they fit perfectly.  They have Velcro on the back to attach to the wood on a bench but I just used the Velcro to attach to each cushion! 

 

 

 Oh my gosh!  Another long winded post.  If you read this far, you are awesome!

 

Have a good weekend!

You Know You are a Mom to Boys When...

1- ... while giving boy #3 a bath, boy #2 is in bathtub as well and asks me (Warning!  this may be a bit crass for some readers... just don't say I didn't warn you)

Boy 2- "did that happen when he fell down?"
Me- "did what happen?"
Boy 2- "those bumps"
Me- "What bumps?"
Boy 2- "those bumpy things right there."  he is pointing to... for lack of a better term to... boy #3's balls.
Me- "um, no, Shepherd hit his head. Plus, those are just the way balls look."
Boy 2- "Do mine look like that?"
Me- "why don't you take a look?"
Boy 2- standing up, looking down, "hmmm, yep, they do."
Me- "well that is a relief"

2- ... while in church, Boy 3, is slowly eating his doughnut and surprisingly doesn't finish it.  I look over to find this.... I am quite confident that 90% of boy moms know what this is.

 

If you guessed the Batman symbol then you are correct.  What is stranger than this you ask?  I find great pride that my 3 year old just created the Batman symbol out of a chocolate doughnut.  What is not strange however is that when he went to children's church, I ate it. 

Speaking of Batman...

3-... you are in the car and you reach up to pull your sunglasses off your forehead and you realize this is the look that you are sporting. 

Holy Batman!

This was fun... perhaps this needs to happen in monthly installments.  :)  The joys of having a house full of boys!

7 months old!

Oh Bennett... another month down.  Another month that passes that you are closer to no longer being a baby.

7 month shot

Amazing is what you are!  You are still just as skinny as ever but happy.  And by happy, I don't mean always have a smile on your face but you are just so content.  It is really only when you are sleepy that you become crabby. 

You love solid food with grilled cheese, crackers, bananas, cheese, and chicken being some of your favorites.  You also eat baby food really good too.  Vegis are not a favorite but you eat them.  Your milk drinking is so similar to Ashton.  You don't normally drain your bottles which I hate because I work hard to pump that stuff for you! I normally manage to get you take the 24 oz a day.

You have started taking a bath in the big tub this month.  Usually Hunter takes a bath with you which you love. All 4 of you have taken a bath together a couple times... that is normally just for fun and not to actually clean any of you :) .  You still love bath time as it signals the end of your day.

Bath Time is fun! 

Sleeping is going great!  Bedtime around 8- still not totally predictable as to when you get up to eat.  It can be anywhere from 3 to 7 but if it is an earlier time you always go back to sleep... I am not up with you for  more than 10 minutes. 

Napping is probably become the best and biggest accomplishment this month.  I just lay you down in your bed wide awake and you fall asleep without a fuss.  It is divine!  As much as I love rocking you to sleep, I equally love just being able to lay ya down.  You seem much happier with this arrangement as well.  You are teetering between going from 3 naps to 2 naps a day.  Most days it is 2 good size naps and if needed a small late afternoon/ early evening cat nap.  Thankfully you still let me rock you at night... you may not be asleep when I put you down but you cuddle with me until I do put you down.


I was trying to clean up the kitchen and I just laid him down for a minute... when I came back... crashed out on the couch with blanket in mouth.

The older 3 that him sleeping on the couch was great!

You sit up like a pro and are starting to come up off your butt a bit when you reach for things.  You LOVE to stand up and hold onto a table or chair or my hands.  I can even let go for small amount of time... you think you are the man when I do this!

Standing up in your bed.  Sorry the lighting is off, I didn't want to let go of him too long.

You still love your blanket more than ever.  In fact, you love to chew on many types of fabric (sidenote, why do my baby's do this??!!)  From your blanket to your soft covers to your changing pad cover (I finally just let you take the cover off your changing pad because you ripped it off everytime I changed your diaper), you love to have fabric in your mouth.  Whatever works!


Changing pad cover serving as blanket.

Needless to say, you are growing up way to fast!  I love everything about you (though I do wish I could put just a bit of weight on you... but I think you are just going to be skinny, which is not a bad thing ... just ask daddy... hahah, I kid, I kid. )

Hunter wanted to take some pictures... so here are some of Hunte'rs photo shoot.

 

Love how Bennett is looking at Hunter.  I look awful in this one---- make-up could help I suppose

Dumb timer zoomed in on the kitchen stove that I cropped out so the boys are blurry... would have been a cute picture!

Happy 7 months baby boy!

My sweet baby!

Love ya bunches
Mommy

An L on the big B

I hate even typing the title.  I hate losing!  I am sore loser.  My heart actually aches during a loss even when it is high school football players that I barely know.  All I know is that my husband invests countless hours into this weekly Friday night game... and then to lose.  Uh, hate it!

Chad took over a losing program and we know that turning it around in a season is not probable, but man I was so hoping the first game would be a bit closer... I know Chad was too.

On top of that, it was Chad's 34th bday today. Finally, he can stop saying he is the age of Jesus when Jesus died. 

Though I knew he would not eat a dessert... he was too nervous... I went ahead and  made him brownies and the boys and I took them to him after I picked H and A up from school. 

Here are some pics of him opening his presents.


The boys eating brownies and drinking Capri Suns.  I swear Bennett has some hair but he looks sooo bald in pictures.  Maybe I am just trying to convince myself he has hair. 

Chad getting some help opening presents



Laughing at one of the pics on his annual collage



Shepherd imitating Chad laughing about picture... actually a pretty spot on impression.  hahaha

Precious baby

The annual collage for his office.  The picture in the bottom right is the one he thought was funny.  He was being a super hero!

And in preparation of the game, here are the older 3 ready to go.  Hunter is old enough to be a ball boy this year.  I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive for him to do it mainly because he has always shown more interest in the popcorn than then the plays but he did a great job.  He took his job quite seriously.  Ashton is already counting down until he can be out there.  Speaking of Ashton, he was so good during the game asking all kinds of really good questions.

Not a great picture



Our last name is above the numbers... I blurred it out in case you are wondering what the black smudges are.  :)

The ball boy!  :)

On a side note, thanks Uncle Nolan for keeping Ashton and bringing him and Hunter home.  Shep and Bennett couldnt make it past the half. 

Chad, Happy Birthday!  We love you... win or lose... but we love your more when you win.  Just kidding... kind of... no really, just kidding.  I know your birthday was not exactly what you wanted.  We are so proud of you and I know you can get this program turned around.  Love you!

First.... Second.... Third... so much excitement!

Typical first day picture! 

Ashton's FIRST day of school was today.  Hard to believe this feisty little blonde is starting K5.  He has admitted for a couple months now that he was a bit nervous.  However, after Open House, he seemed excited.  As I was dropping him off today, he gave me a big hug and I saw him dap the corner of his eye.  I think he teared up a bit, but marched right on in like he owned the place.   I am sure he is going to have a great year.


My kindergartener!

So cute!

Hunter's SECOND day of school was today.  The first day for our district was actually yesterday. They stagger start K5 with half going the 21st and the other half going the 22nd.  I guess it helps to transition a smaller number of kids in at a time.  Hunter had a good first day and commented to me on "how many rules there are." hahaha!  I wanted to say welcome to the world of NOT homeschooling!


Minus some teeth, Hunter ready for his first day!

And a full body shot... he is getting so tall and has big feet... those are 3.5!

Zach and Anna's THIRD baby was born today at 10:10 am.  My THIRD niece, Emse' Ruth (pink!!! I am typing in pink!), was born weighing in at 7 lb 8 oz.  She is the first of the babes born on my side of the family with dark hair... just like Zach's though not as much.  My parents have 6 grandsons with blonde/ blondish colored hair, so she is the first girl and the first baby with dark hair!  I am so excited to meet this precious little girl.  She is already very loved by her nephews and her aunt! 

Zach and his DAUGHTER!  :)

Welcome Esme' and congratulations Zach, Anna, Owen, and Caelum!



Little Miss Esme'

So obviously a lot of fun stuff going on around here.  Chad's birthday is tomorrow as is his first football game at the new place.  They, of course, play a really tough team but we are hopeful to see some real fight in the Blue Eagles and a close game!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diamonds a Girl's Best Friend?

I start this post with an apology.  An apology to Mountain Smoke.  If you remember, Mountain Smoke is the color that I painted my kitchen last month.  It is a nice stainless steel color gray.  I remember looking at Mountain Smoke on the paint chip sample and thinking, "you are beautiful."


Try to focus on the stripes and not the absolutely beautiful baby and his crazy brother. ;)

Shep blowing Bennett's grilled cheese sandwich.  Let me tell you, Bennett loves a grilled cheese

Which led to Shep blowing Bennett's face

Curly headed 3 year old and basically bald 6 month old

 Oh yeah, back to the wall... I get so distracted by these kiddos.

 

And so, I picked it.... mountain smoke that is (just in case you already forgot what I was talking about).  I decided that I wanted to do something I had never done before... create diamonds and so I taped and I taped and I taped some more and then I painted Mountain Smoke.  I pulled off the tape and I immediately like it.  And then after a couple weeks something seems off with it.  I blame the color, "it is not brown enough", "the gray is too trendy with my stuff", etc.  I dismiss my crazy notion to repaint the kitchen and I think, "Hannah, you have issues, don't repaint, it looks fine."

And so, I move onto a different project... the den and dining room... the two rooms that adjoin the kitchen.  I finish these rooms and I don't just like them as I did the kitchen, I LOVE them... it is my style.  However, now the problem with the kitchen is even more pronounced.  It is at this point, I realize, it doesn't flow and that my friends... is a deal breaker.

I promise my husband, my mother, and my grandma that I will NOT repaint the kitchen for a couple years.  I won't... promise.

And then, I did... kind of.

Main wall

Turns out, diamonds are not me.  Or should I say, diamonds on the wall are not me.  Diamonds on my  neck or on my finger are definitely me. 

Notice how much better this flows

I still love the diamond look, I can say I know how to do diamonds should any friend or family member need help doing it, but it just didn't suit my house and my style.  Not to brag, but kitchen has so many nice features that a trendy paint job just competed with the already nice things. 

Now, I adore the kitchen... and Mountain Smoke. It probably only took 1 1/2 hours to quickly put a coat of paint over the stripes.  Plus, the stripes vaguely shine through which I kind of like.

See how you can still see a vague diamond pattern.

I know many people loved the diamonds and are angry with me over this decision. So just call me crazy and humor me because it DOES LOOK BETTER!  Promise!