honey do list (3 of 3)

Awwww....can you tell that's Isabella? Kinda looks like my Suzy doesn't it?? This picture was taken exactly 6 years ago. Same time of year, Isabella is holding a doll car seat with her baby strapped in and a blanket over the top to keep her sleeping. See how she even has a purse packed? That was holding the baby bottle and toys for the doll. Mimicking what I would do with William at that time. :) Loved how she would mama. I still remember that morning...feeling quite accomplished to get Isabella, Jack, & William up, dressed, fed, and out the door while still morning. I think I took a picture just because I was just so proud of myself. Not sure where Jack is in the picture...but how's 2 out of 3?

So anyways....I put the picture on to show you the bench....the progression of the bench. See it in the back ground? Back in the day it was taupe.
It served us well as a place to keep shoes, and one basket with hats & mittens.

About 4 years later we painted it black and used it various places in our house. When we moved back in December, I decided to use it in our entry way. It now is used for toys & books. While I still love it, I really wanted to give it a re-do. Rather I wanted hubby to redo it.

So last week he got to work. Building sides for the bench, while I worked on a cushion.

He also......used some leftover wood from the lockers & he built a matching shelf.

Completely in love with the new lighter look this entry way has. (Sorry for the dark picture~should have taken it during the day)
I added one basket to the bench, and was in shock that Target still carries the same baskets. Although the 2 I had were pretty worn~they still match. Love to hide those books now. And the shelf at the top~is a complete improvement to a the mirror, in my opinion.

Tomorrow I think I will copy myself from the first picture and make another bittersweet wreath to hang from the coat hooks on my new shelf. Which looking at the ages of those little people in the first pic~I wonder how on earth I even had the time to pick the bittersweet and make a wreath 6 years ago???

quote of the day:
William: "I can smile bigger than anyone. Except for God. He has a really big mouth."

drywall anyone?

After my depressing post the other day, you'll be happy to know I picked my sorry self up off the floor and did some fun things with the kids. As in......baking cookies with them. And really when I say that I did baking with them I mean, they worked as hard as they could at getting the ingredients into the bowl~but missing and then me cleaning up a mess 3 times as bad as if I would have just done it myself. LOVE them. I.Love.THEM!

Exhibit #1......this counter looks clean at this stage in the game.....15 minutes later there is as much in the bowl as on the counter...and then a fair amount on the floor~to make things fun.

And thankful for my little William and Suzy....even when one of them is sick and I have to cancel my day. They make my life full of fun.... just wanted you to know that. I know you already do. And I'm thankful for all you mama's who gave me sweet comments of encouragement and "I've been there" understanding for the day back on this post.

Exhibit #2.....William sweetie, "Why don't you be done eating cookie dough for now and rinse the dishes I washed?"......However this turned into an adventure of slip and slides. And...if you've given your 5 year old a job involving water, You know exactly what I mean here.

Funny....I remember "helping" in the kitchen ALL the time back when I was little. "Helping" when you are 3 & 5....is pretty much an oxymoron
when it involves food or water. I know this "training" will pay off and want all of my kids to feel needed and a vital part of the family. SO...I keep counting to 100, take a deep breath and snap a picture. So when I am 100, I can sit back and wish for the days back.

So.....I'm in need of some help here~and not in the kitchen. Calling all creative minds & handy men.

Right now we are working on finishing the bonus room above our garage for a bedroom for our girls. This space you see pictured above (under the window) is going to be a window seat spanning the length of the room. It's about 11 feet. So I need to know~ do you know where can I get some cushions that I could cover? I'm thinking & hoping for inexpensive.


Also by the end of this week we (yes! as in we...I helped hang those long sheets on the ceiling...thank you very much) should be finished hanging the dry wall, and wondering if you know of anyone who does drywall finishing? Our favorite guy (Dave) is booked until the middle of February. So pass along the good word if you have some recommendations.


quote of the day:
....from last Sunday. I had a little girl in the van we were taking home from church with us. I was kinda in a daze listening to my 2 girls talk to Sophie (age: 6) . Not thinking much of it~scanning the dial looking for a song on the radio. I have buttons behind my steering wheel so you can't see I'm switching stations.

we pull in the drive and this comes from the backseat:
Sophie: "does your radio always do this?"
Isabella: "no, but my mom does."
now that I think about it....I was scanning almost all the way home.

well take a look......

And if I could only take the credit for them. First of all let me take a sentence or two to thank you for all the great feedback on the last post. I truly have alot of crafty and creative friends...how fun to hear from so many of you.

So...I took off for Micheals in search for the thick cardboard boxes to cover with the fabic. When looking for them I passed the boxes pictured above. Already covered and in several different sizes. Look at them people.... in the very colors I wanted. The cashier even let me use a coupon he had....which brought them to less than $8 each!!! Now I can put that fabric to great use on some pillow shams. I'd also like to attempt to make a new liner for the basket that was on the shelf...but it scares me a little. Today is defentinly not the day to take on that task. Isabella was home sick all day and Donovan is out of town until late tonight. So any volunteers to do some sewing for me???

Suzy during her nap yesterday.