Ella's Room

Here is my little sweet girl, all dressed up and ready for a picnic. She begged me to take her picture in the garden and I obliged.

With all the summer activities I am really struggling to get things done! I am the Mom Taxi for much of the day and the sun and heat really wear me out. Not a lot of blogging getting done, obviously! (or much of anything else, really!)

We did finish Ella's room and I just realized that I never posted about that! We completed it before summer started and other than refinishing the dresser, painting the bookcase and labeling the bins (I am tired thinking about it) The room itself is done! I can't find "before" pics of the kids room when they shared it, in fact, I can't find my camera at all right now. Ugh.. don't get me started!

Here are the pics of the finished room... I was going to paint the bookcase a shade darker than her walls in the same tone pink, but now I am thinking that there is an awful lot of pink going on in there (I am wishing that we had painted it a soft blue, but oh well) So, now I am thinking that the bookcase should be white. Any opinions?

This is her room as you walk in the door... I went from the right of the room and around for these shots, to help you get a better sense of the space.

This is her doll house to the right of the door as you walk in. At first we had it on the opposite wall but it was way to chaotic to look at when you entered the room. I just noticed the picture frame on the wall that is wood colored, I am going to paint it white.

This is her bed and her name over it. It was really hard to decide what to put up in her room. We still had all of the decor from her nursery, but it felt too babyish (I am saddened by that) But the frames went up, one has her cross stitched birth announcement that I designed and stitched. One has her hand print (that will most likely change, later) and the other had a photo of her feet, we put in a recent portrait of her instead, but I don't like the dark background in it. It will do, until I find something else. I would like to make a pressed flower picture with her, and I am hoping that we can collect some wild flowers during our vacation for this purpose.

A straight on shot of her bed, with the closet behind me. I used her crib comforter on the foot of the bed to add some color and pattern, and it is perfect for napping under.

Her dresser, which we are going to repaint in a sour cream white to match the other furniture. We are going to change the trim from blue to the mint green that you see on the pillow on her bed. I found the angel at a little shop in town and just loved it, so did Ella.

The kitchen and doll area. I wish that there was a way for it to be neater, but there just isn't. I also wish that the kitchen was pastel (Ella does too) but when Santa brought it, he thought that we were going to have it in the family room forever.

The bookshelf. Perfect for toys, collectibles and of course, books. White? Pink? Green? My Aunt Trudy and I created the floral arch for Andy's and my wedding. I had thought that I would have a pretty living room some day to hang it in, but our living room is NOT the place for this. It seemed to fit perfectly in Ella's room. There are lots of dolls packed away that were mine that are collectible and I think that they might find their way to this space, someday. (the ugly air freshener is gone too) ...And the bins will get labeled before summer is over.. they will, they will, they will.

Well, there it is.. her new (very pink) room. Now, to finish up the furniture and move on to the bar in the family room!!!! (and the cabinet, and the trim, and the baseboards, and.....)

A Miracle Or Just Hard Work?

Well, things are getting done at a slow and steady pace without any arguing or exhaustion. I was really grumpy on Saturday (darn those sleepy drugs), but we made it through the day. We even had time to play a game with the kids after a homemade dinner. Andy and I both worked on paperwork even though I hate having to "work" on a Saturday night. Sunday morning saw the family off to church while I stayed at home to work on Gavin's birthday cake and some household chores that could wait no longer.

I finally found my bar (it was buried under a HUGE pile of STUFF) and got my paperwork in order! That is the first major task that got accomplished and I am so relieved! I feel like I have a better grip on things now, even though I have a folder full of things that need to have actions taken. At least now, I know where I am and what I'm up against!

We took a nice walk around the neighborhood and the kids rode their bikes, Ella is so darned cute on her tricycle! After we got back, Andy's dad came over to help him put together the new computer armoire! It was a BIG job. We took a break for dinner and then they were back at it. Andy finally finished at 11:00 last night. Now I have the task of organizing all of my junk and finding it a new home within the cabinet. Usually I would be excited about the prospect of organizing a new space, but I can't seem to get there. I think I will wait until I feel inspired!

Andy got the last little section of wall painted in Gavin's room and I put up his bulletin board yesterday. We have a cord cover to paint and install and then there are the shelves and drawers to clean up and organize, but again I am finding this to seem more task like and less enjoyable than usual. Waiting for that inspiration to kick in!

It is starting to feel more put together and less chaotic around here. I am off to check out the potential new bed for Gavin. The one that we got is not made very well, and the furniture store has ordered a replacement from a different company. I have to go and see it and schedule the delivery. After that I will move into homework mode and see what I can get accomplished for my day! I am optimistic and hopeful and trying not to put too much on that "to-do" list.