A little extra project

We had been throwing around the idea of renovating our kitchen for years.  A few weeks ago we decided to take the plunge.  We are hoping to start in 1-2 weeks.  We will be removing the existing pantry, wall closet, playroom closet, (which will be relocated), the single window and moving the hot water heater.  We are picking up space from so many different places that we will end up with a kitchen that is about 19' x 10' 5".  

Construction is the name of the game. . .

It all started with me suggesting to Robert we get built-ins for the dining room and office while switching around the office and playroom.  I assured him it would not be over $10,000.  We'll just say that $10,000 has gone a far way ; )

Before:

Our den wall goes out 6 feet further than the rest of the house on that side.  We decided to extend Kathryn's room and bathroom out to match that length.  Follow along as I take you through the good, the bad and the ugly.

Week 1 Construction:

(we'll call this the ugly)

The attic as seen from Kathryn's bedroom!

My little angel.

Week 2:

(may again call this the ugly)

Rotten bathroom floor had to be completely removed.  There was concrete under the tile which required a jack hammer.  Lovely sounds. . . 

Kathryn's room!  It will be 15' 4" x 12' 5".  Her closet will be 7' 6" x 30".  Can we just all discuss how amazing this is?  Remember the size of her previous closet???   It was 14" x 32".  

 Kathryn's bathroom!!  It is HUGE!  It is going to be 12' 10" x 7' 1".  

    

Nothing like deciding to add a half bathroom to the project mid-way through!  I was walking down our hallway 2 nights ago and I looked at this space and thought "a half bath would fit there!"  Rob was asleep and I wanted to wake him up so bad but doubted he would share my excitement!  

We are removing a small closet from our bedroom (that's what's on the other side of that wall), taking 12 inches from Kathryn's bathroom and then using this space in the hall.  This bathroom will end up being 7' 1" x 3' 3".  

Demo in this area will be done in the morning.  That means from initial thought to demo will be less than 2.5 days!  

The Ten Commandments

In Sunday School Kathryn's class has been talking about the 10 Commandments.  Yesterday as I was reading the lesson I came to the commandment "Honor your Mother and your Father".  Our lesson had it as "Be nice to your mom and dad and other people that take care of you."  Kathryn, who is always super chatty during bible story time, said "you also need to be nice to Grandmas".  Then the 3 year old version for Thou Shall Not Kill was Be nice to everyone.  Kathryn said we need to be nice to bees and dragonflys.  I said "yes, we should also be nice to animals".  Kathryn said "if we aren't nice to them they will cry and go home".  Then for the commandment "Thou shall not covet" the version for the class was something along the line of 'We aren't supposed to want what others have.'  Kathryn said "yeah, we're supposed to hide our toys."  Well not exactly what I meant ; )  Seriously no one else was talking besides Kathryn!  There may a little confusion but I'm it makes me so happy that she shows so much interest in the bible stories. 

I made Kathryn a Christmas shirt with a nativity scene appliqued on it.  She pointed to baby Jesus and said "God". 

Beautiful phrase

Party #2, Kathryn's friends

On Tuesday we had Kathryn's birthday party with her friends.  Two parties in 3 days is a little much for this mommy!  Kathryn told me next year she wants to have "one, two, and three parties".

So continuing with my fondant topper obsession.  I'm serious, these are the next "big thing" in parties ; )  I made sugar cookies, topper them with buttercream frosting then set the fondant on top.  Easy and adorable. 

Wish I could take credit for having made these but I bought these on Etsy.  I'm in love with these cookies.  Actually, if you can't already tell, I'm pretty much obsessed with every aspect of this milk and cookies party. 

How cute are the chocolate chip party hats??

I must say, these soaps have to be the cutest favors EVER!  I just adore them.  We had a couple of them left over and Kathryn asked why.  I explained that we just had some extra.  She replied with "that's weird".

Not really sure what Kathryn is doing here but thought it showed off her shirt and clip pretty well ; )  I even got this cookie applique on Etsy!  Check out this shop for the pink cookie monster clip.

Kathryn got a sticker book from one of her sweet little friends and insisted on playing with it during the party.  She spent a long time with it, even continuing playing with it when every other child was outside.

 The world's cutest profile. 

 Everyone had fun playing outside.  Even though there were multiple swing related injuries. 

 Kathryn recruited Miss Laura to push her on the swing.

 Thank you, Miss Laura.

Where to find:

Cupcake stand 

Mini pink cookie monster cookies 

Birthday banner and all party decor

Milk bottles and striped straws

I've had tons of people asking me about where I find all of my stuff on Etsy (besides the stuff listed here).  If you want to be my "friend" on Etsy send me an email and I'll give you my username. 

Petting Zoo

Last Thursday we went to a birthday party at Oak Mountain Petting Zoo.  We had never been and Kathryn had a ball!  We decided we needed to go back soon and take Daddy with us. 

 She loved the horns.  She said they were like unicorns.

 She went up to the goat in the picture below and said "Mommy, this one has ears and horns".

Sweet friends.  The sheep had gone back in their stall, pretty sure they were trying to get away from all the kids.

Love that the goat walked and front of the picture and paused for a bit.  Couldn't have posed one better! 

 Not sure why Kathryn is a couple of feet off to the side. 

I knew my sweet girl would want on that big horse.  This picture shows Kathryn so accurately - in a pretty ruffly dress with a giant bow while doing something completely not girly.

 Kathryn's friend 'Lo-Lo' looks so tiny on this big horse!

Visiting Daddy at work

Last Thursday after the birthday party we decided to drop in and surprise Rob at work.  We were waiting for him when we got back from lunch.  This is the cuteness he saw when he walked in.

Rob showed us how they hang the pages of the magazine on the wall as they complete them and prepare to publish the magazine.  Later that afternoon Kathryn said to me "Daddy at work.  He like go see his friends.  They happy to see him.  They hang pictures on the wall".