{progress} kids bathrooom

We had a lot of work happening around here this fall.  One of those things was the kid's bathroom got a redo.  It wasn't in awful shape, just old and ugly.  Unlike our bathroom (which was also redone) and full of mold, like down to the studs mold.  I didn't have huge plans for this space other than I wanted it to be bright, clean, and cheap.

I love how this space turned out and imagine it will be pretty perfect for years of growing kids.  One thing we considered often in the planning stages was what would work now and in the future.  So when I ordered a single lever faucet and the granite guy cut holes for 3 pieces we just went with it figuring at some point soon they will learn not to use just the hot side.  The tub is probably my favorite part of the whole bathroom, its just so deep and spacious and the built in shelves are great.  I also had them install a handheld shower sprayer which has made washing hair much much easier.  I went down a more frugal path when picking floor tile in this bathroom to make up for what I chose in my bathroom (spoiler alert... I love my bathroom tile so much).

All these pictures were taken with my pocket camera and that original wall color was so much worse in real life, like an awful muddy brown with chucks of who even knows what stuck all over it.  The white tile floor may not look too bad in the pictures but the grout was gross and there were cracks running across the floor from one side of the vanity to the other.

Oh and one last thing... there is zero art or decorations on the walls at this point.  I was out of ideas and am just happy to have the construction over with.   The kids love their new bathroom and when people come over Harper says "Do you want to see our new toilet?"  Hahaha.

I won't go on and on, just show you the pictures.






Funny thing is those mirrors were there when we moved in and I was told they were at a very off height for certain people who used the facilities.  Glad to see them go.


And I promise that mirror is not as tiny as it looks in this picture. I think the fact that you can't really see where the corner is throws you off and make it look tiny.  Or the fact that the old mirror was enormous.


Another thing I was glad to see go.... that access panel door that was just resting against the wall and had fallen off a million times, sometimes even onto Brady while he was standing at the toilet and totally freaked him out.






And some pictures from during the construction.  Craziest part is we showered in that partially finished space for over 2 weeks.  It was tough getting clean and stepping out onto that floor.




In case anyone cares here is a source list:
Tile- Lowes
Lights and drawer pulls- Home Depot
Shower- Sterling Accord
Countertop- recycled glass
Faucets and tub stuff- Moen Voss
Mirror- Ikea
Wall color- Lagoon by Martha

spontaneity

I am not a very spontaneous person but would love to lie to myself and say I am.  Last night I said to Jim at about 9pm "we should go to NYC tomorrow to see the tree" and that's just what we did today.  We were up and out and eating bagels in Hoboken at 10:30, yum.  At one point today Brady said "I had no idea we were going to Manhattan today."  Yeah me neither dude.

I wore the baby and we brought the umbrella stroller for Harper and by some miracle Brady walked the entire way and never complained once.  This was the kid who wouldn't walk a block a few years ago and needed a stroller for every outing, it was a nice change.  We walked no less than 40 blocks today, probably more.  We also ate 3 days worth of calories to make up for it.

First stop was obviously Hoboken to park and eat but then once we got into the city we went to Rockefeller Center.  I swear this year's tree is significantly smaller than the last one we saw.




The girls in front of The Plaza.


Jim took the kids into the Lego store and then we crossed the street to St. Patrick's Cathedral to see the alter dressed for Christmas, so beautiful if you can look past the construction and scaffolding.  From there we walked up to Jackson Hole, one of our favorite burger places on 64th.  It did not disappoint.  




We surprised the kids with a trip to Dylan's Candy Bar and let them fill a bag so they could later eat it as their dinner.








This snuggle bug nearly broke my back but she is still awesome.  She slept through most of the day and already has her 2nd trip to NYC under her belt.



This is them "hugging" while waiting for a subway.


And pretending to sleep.


We rode a few more subways and found ourselves at Rice to Riches before heading back home.  That wasn't before we stopped at Grimaldi's for a pizza to eat in the car on the drive home.  We are so lucky we live so close and even though we lived there for well over a year it's still just as magical as the first time I went.  I would sell everything for $1 and move there tomorrow if I could. 

love this baby

I know I have said it a million times but I just love this sweet little baby.  Probably because she has no opinion and is just so happy.  A few weeks back I had her on my bed and got my camera out to take some pictures of her.  I just hung up a few frames on her bedroom wall and one of these pictures will end up there very very soon.





















I love her from her sweet little faux hawk....


all the way down to her sweet little baby toes.

christmas overload

The season flew by and now its gone.  What a great year this was, the big kids were at such awesome ages.  Everything was so magical as seen through their eyes and I love adding to that magic.  I was happy to put lit garland on their beds, read piles of Christmas books, build gingerbread houses, listen to annoy Christmas music, and dress them in coordinating outfits at every possible chance.  We visited Santa more than once, drove around to look at lights on houses, ate our weight in cookies, gave gifts, and sang.  Did I mention we sang a few times??

Let's start backwards.... first up the tree before the kids tore into it.








Harper asked for two things from Santa... soccer socks and princess jammies.  I got this matching set from a Today Show daily steal and added the princess crowns to make them more princess like. 






Emerson didn't ask for anything so she got a big girl carseat.  She will move into that in the next month or so, I hate the baby bucket seat.


Our elf Frankenstein left the kids a note and this was Harper reading the note to Emerson.










This is what Brady looked like for most of the day, he got an iPad mini and is so in love.




I tried pictures again, why can't they all look and smile at the same time?!?






Now going back to Christmas eve before heading to church and dinner at my aunt's house.
















I love this lit garland over their beds and had to sneak up to take pictures of them while they slept. 








I took these a few days back and I am glad I did.  These are some of the favorite kinds of pictures each year.








Here is 2012...


and 2011...


I made this footprint canvas because I LOVE footprint crafts and seeing tiny baby feet make me smile.


Last week we started making our Christmas sweet treats, I had them unwrap all the Hershey Kisses and it was awesome.




This sweet baby just watched.


And I will finish this post with....

 a big bunch of dorks wearing the glasses Harper bought Brady for a Christmas gift. 

a sleeping Harper on Christmas Eve.


beers and babies after a long Christmas day.


cheese.....


an attempt at a family picture today while celebrating at my inlaws.  And try not to be too jealous of the newest ginormous member of our family, that teddy bear next to Harper.  Emerson was crying because she is pissed she isn't the newest family member anymore.


oh and lastly.... a visit with Santa.