Pic(s) of the Week

I haven't done one of these in a while...
Smaller Child and I got some one-on-one time in the trampoline this weekend. We started on the swingset, but that didn't last long...



The swings were okay, but the moment we transition to the slide, all hell broke loose.

Fake Cry Face Quite the Dramatuear Already

 

That's Better

 

 

Much Better

Bouncin!
Mama! You try!

Trampoline Face looks a lot like Rollercoaster Face

Nite Nite

Just Kidding! Ninjas don't nap! Come on Mom! 

The STUDIO Post

I have been holding off for weeks posting about the creation of this room... I have been waiting until it is "finished." But, it occurred to me that it may NEVER be "finished."  It, like most great art projects and writers of blogs, is a work in progress.  So, I decided to go ahead and let you in to my Studio* today for a peek in to its creation, and a discussion on things to come. 

*Studio is and will be italicized because when it is spoken aloud, the word is expressed in a reverent whisper... to show it the respect and wonder that it so justly deserves.  My family is all in agreement on this, and even Smaller Child will wave his arms in the air in wonderment as he whispers the word "Studio."  Try it with me,  all together now... one... two... three.... STUDIO....  Very nice.

I have already told you what lead up to the creation of the Studio, (http://themoderndaysahm.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-craft-room-or-another-reason-why-bbh.html), so I won't bore you with my gushing over my BBH again... just suffice it to say he's incredible.  Like, the REAL meaning of that word.  (Merriam Webster: 1. too extraordinary and improbable to be believed <making incredible claims>2. amazing, extraordinary <incredible skill> <an incredible appetite> <met an incredible woman>) So, today I want to focus on the construction and evolution of the project. 

The man who came to give us the estimate said that it would be MAYBE a two day project.  He made it seem like no big deal.  (Do you see where I'm going with this already??)  I suppose that is just the way construction works though.  It never goes as fast as they say, and it always costs more than they quote.  But hey, that's what good jokes are made of right?  It is like toilet seats being left up, and bad mother in laws (neither of which happen in MY life...) they are just part of Americana... part of what makes sitcoms so great.  I am not sure why I was so surprised and put out when it happened to me too.  Perhaps I was waiting for the canned laughter??

ANYWHO, at the end of day one, they had framed the room.  (Insert STUD jokes here.)

This is what we started with... Our house was built in 2000.  For some reason, the houses in that era often had this weird floor plan with a big open formal dining room connected to the living room.  We had a big table in there, we used MAAAAYBE three times since we moved in five years ago.  I had already cleared out most of the furniture before this pic, in anticipation of the workers.

 

The Studs are up...

This was one of the louder parts of the project... something about screws into wood (that's what she said??) that are kind of like nails on a chalkboard.  I have to say too, Smaller Child, Olivia the Weirdo, and I all stayed sequestered in my bedroom the entire time the workers were there.  Perhaps that is why I was getting a little antsy for them to complete the job. 

By the end of day two, they had the sheet rock up.

That was when I noticed that they did not move the light switch... awesome.  I don't think they were too happy with me for that one.  But, whatcha gonna do??

By the morning of day three, I had started to become use to the idea that it might take a hair longer than they had said.  No biggie, life goes on.  SC, O, and I were all getting use to the routine of waking up super early to be ready by the time they SAID they were going to be there.  Waiting around for hours, and then spending the rest of the day cooped up in the bedroom together.  Regardless, I was really hoping that day three was going to be the last day too.  When they left that night, I was proven wrong.

I have to say though, as much as I am complaining here, these guys were incredibly kind, considerate, respectful and clean.  They kept the construction mess contained to that area, and were super friendly to me and my kids.  They were a GREAT crew.  Even when I backed in to their work truck...(yup.. that totally happened. Awesome.) They were more concerned with me than their vehicle.

Day four they didn't show. They had lots of other projects to do as well, and ours was taking longer than expected.  Okay fine.  I get it, I'm not the only human in the world, as much as I would like to think otherwise at times. Ha!

Day five they finished the texturing, and got one coat of paint up.  By the way, did you know that if you turn the heat up REALLY high, it makes the texturing dry faster?? Also, did you know that a 90 degree house makes a dog, a mom, and a toddler REALLY cranky?? I do!! I know that!!

Once we started WEEK two of our "maybe two day" project, I had just resigned to the fact that it would get done when it's done.  It would all be worth it in the end, and it is just really not that big of a deal.  I had also decided to get out of the house for a while when they were there.  We went to the mall, Target, The Zoo, and a few other places that week.  (Poor Olivia, because of her unexplainable desire to taste the blood of the workers, she had to be locked up in the back bedroom... in a crate... behind closed doors... that were locked.)

By the end of workday six, they had put up most of the trim, but the interior of the room's paint was anything but matching. By the end of the project they had repainted the inside of the room three times.  They kept trying to match the old paint, instead of just repainting the whole room.  Which was what they ended up doing in the end. 

Day seven they finished the trim, and hung the doors. I knew the end was close! After they left, a once over of the room proved that they just had a few minor touch-ups left, and one more day of work.

Then it was DONE! MAAAARVEOLOUS!! I present you the (say it with me) STUDIO.

After Alfredo and his crew left, it was up to me. I had to figure out how I wanted this room to look.  It became "my project." I had been keeping a fellow crafter and mentor of mine posted on the progress.  When it was completed, we had a discussion as to what would make it a "Studio" over a "Craft Room."  After some debate, and a google search, I found out that they are really just one in the same. (But frankly Studio sounds soooo much cooler.... like the nerdy chick equivalent of Batcave!)

Two days after the room was done, the boys and I left to go visit my parents for spring break (another shameless blog plug:   http://themoderndaysahm.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-break-in-teee-haus.html ), so I had to leave the Studio unfurnished and un-me-afied until I returned.  But, once I got back, the FUN began. 

I stared with what I had, and BBH helped by getting rid of the things that we didn't need in the room anymore (and making a little extra money to fund the Studio.) I knew I was going to try and keep a white and green theme.  I found an awesome shelf that fit my budget and color scheme.  I managed to buy it, bring it home, and unload it on my own.  Then, there it sat... in it's box... for a day.  It was one of those "giant shelf in tiny box" units.  The kind you KNOW the moment you open it, it will be a PROJECT.  Like Ikea furniture.  It was Tuesday.  I knew BBH couldn't help me build it until the weekend.  So, if I wanted to be patient, I could wait.  But who the HECK wants to be PATIENT!?!?!  So, I decided that I could give it a go!! I just had to believe in myself. "I can build this shelf.  I CAN DO THIS!"  Then, I opened the box, and saw this:

They might as well have given me tree seeds and instructions on how to treat my own wood.

BUT, I took a deep breath, and dove in to the thirty page instruction manual.  Besides, I had great back-up!

 Everything was going swimmingly, until...

But, I shook it off, I had a bookshelf to build, dammit!!

Then this...

Why yes, that IS fifty-gazillion tiny metal screws that I had to hand screw in to an UNDRILLED wooden backing. (Those people at the bookshelf factory are sadists.)
But then, VOILA! I BUILT A BOOKSHELF!!! 

Then, the best part... NESTING!

It quickly dawned on me that I would need more storage, and soon. So, I started surfing Craigslist.  That is when I found the perfect paper storage, and their owner Gayle. She sold me the paper shelves dirt cheap, and even threw in some pegboard for free once we started chatting about crafting.  I guess my joy of my new room was evident in text form, she said how great it was to be "a part of your joy." (Shout out to Craigslist Gayle!! Whoop-whoop!!  Thanks lady!!)

And that is where we are today... The room is really coming together.  There is still a lot of work to do. I want to paint all the wood pieces white, I also need some hanging shelves, and would like a shoe cubby for yarn storage.  But, it is coming together.

 I have already done several projects in here.  There hasn't been a day yet that I haven't spent at least an hour in here, blogging, doing paper crafts, crochet, or something.  The boys are even getting some use out of it.  Larger Child and I did a school project in here over the weekend, and Smaller Child and I did some super awesome co-coloring yesterday. 

I didn't realize just how much a space for me, a space for my creativity, would change my life.  I know it sounds silly, and probably a bit over dramatic, but it's true.  I honestly believe that God put a desire to create and express ourselves in all our hearts, and until we tap in to that, we are shutting out and shutting off that connection with our Higher Power. Okay, enough with the sappy spirituality... where's my ModPodge?

Precious Moment

Every once in a blue moon you walk around a corner or peek in to the bedroom to find your children doing something truly precious.  Every once in a while you catch them doing something you only see in Hallmark commercials and joke about with that attitude of, "yeah, like THAT ever REALLY happens." But, sometimes... just for a moment... it does.  Even rarer than this, you manage to have your camera in your hand or near by and use your ninja like skills of camouflage and stealth as to not alert the natives that you are capturing this moment. 

Little Me

Hmmm..... think he might look a little like his Mama?

Spring Break in Teee-haus!

The year is flying by, and spring is (supposedly) on its way.  Which means a break from school, and a visit to GeeGee and Grandpa's house! I have been visiting my parents nearly every spring break since they moved to Texas.  First, just me on my college spring break. Then came Larger Child. Now, Smaller Child too gets to spend the week with them enjoying the company, getting spoiled, and seeing the sights.  It has become one of our most favorite times of the year!

We left early Monday afternoon, and only had to make one stop.  About half way, in Ardmore, we got out to stretch our legs, hit the restrooms, and get coffee and cake pops.  You know, the essentials!

We made it to GeeGee's by four. Spent the evening with hugs and kisses, catching up, and getting settled in.  (And eating a delicious roast Mom cooked.)



Grandpa lovins are pretty great too!

Gee Gee Lovins are the best lovins

 

The next day we planned on heading out for lunch, and visiting Ikea.  I needed to get some good ideas for how to furnish my new "Studio," and I knew that Ikea would be just the place for good ideas.  I used Larger Child as my tape measurer.  That way, when I got home and looked at the pictures I could remember that, "Yeah, that shelf was two LCs tall, and half a LC wide."  I highly recommend this measuring technique.  Not only is it effective, it is a lot easier than math.

 

SC was not so impressed with Ikea...

LC was a different story

After we got back, the boys were still full of energy.  So, I offered to walk them down to the neighborhood park while Mom started supper and did some housework.  We burned off some energy, got some sun, and made it back in time to greet Grandpa as he came in the door.

 On our walk back, LC took advantage of the field of dandelions to make some wishes... he wouldn't tell me what he wished for, but I can tell it was something good!

That night it was Grandpa's turn for bottles.

 

Wednesday, Mom and I decided to brave a drive to Grapevine Mills to take the boys to LEGOLAND.  We learned how lego bricks are made, and even got to help Professor Brick-a-Brack make some.

About five minutes through the door, LC ran in to a friend from school, and pretty much disappeared for the majority of the afternoon.  I was happy he found a playmate, and I got to spend some one on one time with SC with the blocks.

 

Once we all hooked up again, we explored the miniature of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex (made out of legos), watched a Lego 4D movie (which was FANTASTIC!), LC and I rode Merlin's Apprentice, and we cheered LC on as he raced the track in his Lego Police car.

 

 

After LEGOLAND, we went to the SeaLife Aquarium across the mall.  It was not really our intention to do both that day, but LC insisted... he wanted to see the fishes.  (I wanted to see the fishes.) So, we convinced GeeGee and off we went.

The Aquarium is deceivingly small. But, they pack a LOT in to a little space.  We got up close and personal with sharks, moray eels, puffer fish, and countless other creatures of the sea.  The tanks are set up to where you feel such a personal experience with the fish.  Some even allowing you to go inside, or be completely surrounded by marine life.

 

 Thursday, Dad decided to take off work.  We had planned on taking the boys to an amusement park that day, but found out that morning it was only open on weekends... so we quickly had to come up with a plan b.  The boys had not slept well that night, and with the change of plans equaling disappointment, I was fearful of what the day might have in store.  We stared the day going out for breakfast.  Smaller Child was in rare form, throwing keys, yelling, smacking the table etc.  I handed him a creamer to keep him busy. He promptly bit it as hard as he could, making the creamer pop, and explode all over the jackets of the table of elder veterans behind us. I felt so bad! I tried my best to dab off the milk before they could notice. I think I did a pretty good job.  But again, I began to question how the rest of the day would be after that display. 

However, once the kids got some food in them, we went home, and let SC take a nap.  (He did, thank GOD!) and woke up in a much better mood. So,we decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum that afternoon.  It was the beginning of Spring in Dallas, although the temps that day may have argued against that.  But, the bulb plants at the arboretum were in bloom.  And let me tell you, that place... it is incredible.  If you ever want to witness how amazing this planet can be, visit there.  It is like God spilled his paint set right in the center of Dallas.  Words cannot do it justice, my photos will only give you a hint of the magnitude of beauty this place has. 

It is one of those places that the longer you are there, the more you see... the more peaceful you become, and the more in awe you are.  It is also one of those places that makes you want to take pictures... lots and lots of pictures. 

SC wanted to touch all the flowers.  He was surprisingly gentle with them, so I let him.

 

Goooood GRIEF he's handsome!

And he's gorgeous too!

Apparently, I am suspicious of the poppy.

I love this man... a LOT.

And this woman, well... she's just spectacular!

Larger Child had fun with the coy ponds. He would feed them a bit, then try and pet them.  He spent a lot of time there, watching them swim around.

And he conducted an orchestra of water. LOVE it.

On Friday, we made the trip downtown again to see the new Perot Museum of Science and Natural History.  The building itself is worth the drive and cost of admission.  It is quite the work of art.  From the open glass elevators, to the staircases that play music with each step, to the five floor glass encased escalator giving you an incredible view of downtown, it seems like every nook and cranny of this place is something to behold.

 

The museum is mostly hands on learning for kids.  With everything from a small children's play area with a miniaturized skyline of Dallas to climb and play on, flower shop, play campground, and water table, an area exploring the science of sports, cells, solar system, rocks, animals, energy, and prehistoric dinosaurs, this museum has it all.  It's extensive five floors of hands on learning were enough to overwhelm even the best of us, not to mention it is still so new that it was CROWDED and difficult to really get to some of the exhibits... but despite all that, we managed to see and enjoy most of it, though I would like to make a return visit soon after the "new" has worn off for the locals.

At the end of day 5 the kids were wooped. I was too.  We had done a LOT.  More fun than the body can handle, and it showed on the way home from the museum...

Saturday morning, my brother stopped by with his kids to say hi.  It was nice to catch him before we left and to see my niece and nephews.  He even managed to teach SC how to make some pretty great faces in the small time we spent together.  (A perfect thing to learn from your uncle if I do say so.)

It was another GREAT week in Texas.  It seems like every time I leave, I feel a real sense of gratitude for my life and for my family.  I have two of the best parents on the planet.  They ADORE my children, and do every thing in their power to show it to them.  I think the only thing better than having them as my mom and dad is to have them be the grandparents to my kids.  We are one lucky bunch.

Blessed life.