Bathroom Reveal

What? You didn't know I was re-decorating the hall bathroom? Yeah, me either. That's the danger of being home more in the summer. I get the itch to change things and have the time to do it!

Pin-spiration. Oh Pinterest, you double-edged sword, you. I don't know about you, but my projects always turn out a wee bit less than perfect. I always start out with high hopes...and then come the compromises.

Some things I pinned...

Isn't this hilarious?

I initially wanted gray walls with teal and orange accents. Chevron shower curtain was a must-have. Well...I already have some robins egg blue paint left over from Reese's accent wall. Gray paint would cost money, blue paint is free. Compromise #1.

Chevron shower curtain online, $60. Striped shower curtain from Target, $14. Compromise #2.

Three separate same-size shelves, $16 each. A set of three different sized shelves, $20 for all three. Compromise #3.

Fun prints from Etsy, or do-it-myself artwork...compromise #4. And NO chevron paper at Michael's. (This project was taking place on a Sunday. No Hobby Lobby.)


Turned out different than I had envisioned but I wanted it to be quick and relatively inexpensive since this was just a whim. Not bad for a one day project and so many compromises.

Turned out a little "nautical" unintentionally with the introduction of the navy-striped shower curtain. Bathrooms are so hard to photograph!

I was inspired by the cute art work on Pinterest, so I just printed some words off the computer and framed layers of scrapbook paper behind it. Even though I really wanted chevron, with the striped shower curtain I didn't want it to get too crazy with all the striped patterns. 

I liked the look of the three same-size floating shelves, but couldn't justify the extra cost to complete the look. 

Can't you hear Phoebe singing the words? "Lather, rinse, repeeeat!"

A few new rugs, towels, wall hangings, and throw pillows have helped to freshen up the rest of the house. Thank you, birthday money! 

Other future projects are quite costly, think flooring, so I think that's it for now. Home improvement itch, scratched!

See a pic of the bathroom before found in this post here. And other pics of the house when we moved in here (four years ago this month).

The hall bathroom walls were actually the last ones to paint...now we've painted every single wall in the house.

Done! Until I get that itch again.

Summer Schedule O' Fun

Our summer schedule...or lack thereof. We've been rolling with the punches around here, which has turned into quite the schedule for fun.

I know kids thrive on structure, but I also want to have kids that can adapt to change. So to craft our summer schedule, we just started doing things that we like to do, and then wanted to do them everyday! This is just a loose summary of our basic days of summer 2013. By no means am I saying that I know what I'm doing here or have any advice to give on parenting and schedules. I just know I'm having the best summer ever spending time with my kids.

We have stayed home very little. Turns out, after we wake up and have breakfast, we all want to go somewhere. Makes sense to me, that's what we do the other 9 months out of the year.

Most days, that "somewhere" has been the gym. We have loved our gym membership this summer. They have great group fitness classes, a fun kids area that both kids enjoy, and a very family-friendly outdoor pool.

See? This cropped-to-fit pic doesn't really do it justice.

So we get up, we eat breakfast, we (really just I) pack up our bag(s) of clothes, swimsuits, snacks, sippy cups, swim toys, towels, etc, etc! and head to the gym. The kids area is awesome. It's a huge play place (like what a restaurant would have) plus a gym with games and toys, and a toddler area. The kids are always eager to go and while I occasionally worry that they are moderately supervised by young high schoolers, more like just contained rather than really supervised at times...I tell Cade to keep an eye on Reesie and I figure for 50 minutes, surely they'll be fine. I really like all types of classes so it just depends what's scheduled in the time slot that works for us. I've been enjoying Zumba, kickboxing, and toning classes--and even dusted off my old step aerobics shoes a couple times. After class, I grab the kids, get changed and we play at the pool for about an hour and a half. If we can work it so we all have friends with us for this process, it makes for an even better day! We have LOVED getting to hang out with the King's and will miss them when reality of our daily-life-without-them hits us!

Swimming makes you hungry, even if you're really just wading. We eat our sack lunch at the pool and I'm thankful they don't really enforce the "no outside food" rule.

Reesie tries to avoid tan lines. Or her suit is just a tad big at the top and the occasional nip-slip is known to occur.

After swimming, we are very thankful for the family locker room to help us all get changed into dry clothes. The family locker room works perfectly to contain our chaos.

Also turns out that wading makes you tired! This is why changing into dry clothes is so important. Poor Reesie falls asleep on the way home about 97% of the time. Which actually works out fine. Transfer Reese to her bed and then trick Cade into napping in his.

Cade needs a good nap every couple days. It's become my mission to try to wear him out in the mornings so that he will nap. He is usually down for about an hour and a half. He does a pretty good job of observing "quiet time" even on the days he decides to forego the napping.

We've had a great time throwing in other outings about once a week, usually with the Heine's. We love getting to hang out with them and Jessica always knows of super-fun things to do! So far we've taken advantage of crafts at the library, gone to Kaleidoscope and Crown Center, visited Ernie Miller Nature Center, and hit up various parks.

We've also frequented Deanna Rose and continue to rave about it to anyone who will listen. I've made believers out of my parents. They love accompanying us to the farm.

At the conclusion of naps, usually around 3:30 or 4:00, that's when we explore what our own space has to offer. We play with our toys, play games or do a little project--pending anyone besides me is up for it. They're so little, I hate for it to be mandatory craft project time. I usually throw out some options and take cues from the kids. Next up is supper, usually an evening errand, baths and bed. I'm thankful the kids are great little shoppers. They love to get out and about even if it's just to the grocery store or Hobby Lobby! Cade is always petitioning for a stop at "The Giraffe Store." Took us awhile to figure out he was referring to Toys R Us. It has a big giraffe on it, must be the giraffe store! Cade has learned that he can pretty easily talk me into some sort of small purchase at the giraffe store--but no such luck with Dad. He is much stronger than I.

We momentarily took a break from our regularly scheduled programming this week since I took a jaunt down to Wichita to see Gentry's new place and classroom for about a day and a half.

I had a great time visiting her favorite stores and my favorite restaurants while I helped her settle in. What a refreshing trip!

We hung things on the walls at her new home and we took things down from the wall in her new classroom. All set for a great year!

Now to start thinking about my own classroom? Two weeks left of our laid-back schedule o'fun. Then, I imagine, we'll have a transition week of hair & doctor's appointments, professional pics, and trips to my classroom. THEN, BAM. Real world. Time to make the most of it and soak up these sweet moments! Some day our summers will be filled with day camps and sports events so I'm all for enjoying the simplicity of life right now!

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

...more like buy me some hotdogs and pop on buck night! We took in the Royals game on Friday night and enjoyed the nice weather and fireworks.

I was nervous the kids wouldn't be able to handle the whole game so we arrived in the 3rd inning so we could see the fireworks at the end, rather than seeing the first pitch but having to leave early. The kids did great and probably could have made it the whole game. We didn't even get over to the playground area or have to get up and walk around.

While I did have terrible luck and spent about 3 innings waiting in line for hotdogs and pops...it was my own fault. I'm loyal to a fault. The first two lines I stood in ran out of dogs before I made it to the front so once I was in my 3rd line, I was committed. And Reesie was with me so we had fun playing games and keeping the rest of the line entertained.

True test of a fun night!

Yankee Doodle Dandy

We had a low-key, yet very enjoyable, day celebrating our Independence. Love seeing everyone decked out in their finest red, white, and blue.

Matt's parents were in town and we were excited to take them to Deanna Rose the morning of the 4th. We always love zipping around to see our favorite animals and play on the shady playgrounds. They had some special 4th of July festivities and the place was crawling with people. But that's the great thing about Deanna Rose--busy or not, it's still a great experience.

Since Grandma and Grandpa were with us, we attempted to fish during this visit! It was very eventful.

Wait for it...boom baby!

3 generations of fishermen.

Again, and again! We were probably just catching the same fish over again, but it made for an exciting round of fishing.

We headed to Matt's sister Cindy's house for the evening. They recently relocated from Great Bend to Blue Springs, Missouri and we've been so glad to have them closer! It's legal to shoot fireworks there so it's very reminiscent to what we know and love of the 4th. Right when we got out of the car it just smelled like the 4th. Breathe in, ahhhh. Burning punk smell. Love it.

Cade and Lukas are always stoked to get to visit each other's houses.

Cade was not all about the fireworks. He kept a safe distance and didn't really understand why we cared to just sit out in the driveway and watch it all. Maybe next year.

A big thanks to my mom for the kids' festive 4th of July outfits. She loves all things "holiday" and always has us covered. If it was up to me I wouldn't think of it until the day of so I'm glad she took care of us well in advance. No one decorates for EVERY holiday (and decks the kids out too) like my mom.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and fun!

Random Realizations...

When Reesie ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Also realized that it's not all smiles and rainbows when bringing a 6'9" basketball player back with us from OKC. It is for Matt, just not for me, the person seated behind him in the car.

Cade had such a good time in GB with our parents. Don't think he missed us at all.
Realizing we should be concerned about what Cade does at G-Mom's house...

Cade was pumped to "ride on Frank" (a combine--Cars movie reference) and hang out with cousin Lukas. Both sets of grandparents said he did great without naps...I'm realizing they surely were lying.

This week I will turn 30. When I see people who I think are a bit younger than me I find myself wondering how old they think I am. I'm getting dangerously close to polling some strangers. Yes, I realize this is weird.

Not a new realization...I always knew the GB Zoo is much more my speed than the KC Zoo. Enjoyed a beautiful morning with G-Mom and Papa at the zoo while in GB.

Realizing my summer is on the downhill slide...nah...I'm going to continue to deny that one.

Sooner or Later

The summer fun has continued for us. Especially a couple weekends ago when we joined up with our extended family (on my mom's side) for a thundering weekend of Oklahoma City fun.

Aunt Pam and Brooke are always the hostesses with the mostesses. They provided quite the spread, transforming their hotel room into our hospitality room for the weekend.

It was news to me how close in proximity the city of Norman is to OKC. Learn something new everyday...just not usually about Oklahoma geography. We started off our weekend with a tour of OU's campus and specifically the "Soonervision" offices where my cousin Zach works. It was so cool to see all their fancy equipment and go behind the scenes of OU sports.

We enjoyed ourselves. Reese and I are giving you a weather forecast and Gentry says she is impersonating a Sooner fan. Ouch. Check out her re-cap on her blog. Better pics, same cool people.

On Saturday we took advantage of all that OKC has to offer taking in a river boat ride downtown, the memorial, outlet mall shopping, etc!

Riverboat fun for all! My grandparents celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year. What a couple!

Gentry, Reese, my mom and Aunt Pam

Cousins Brooke, Nathan, and Zach with Matt

The memorial for the victims of the OKC bombing. I vividly remember filing into the school library with my 6th grade class to watch the news coverage of the horrific event.

That evening we took over a portion of the hotel for game night extraordinaire. The kids be-bopped around until they couldn't keep their eyes open any longer.

No more zoo or farm for Reese, she's just as impressed with a stroll around PetsMart! (Killing a little time while Matt did some basketball business).

Cade headed (north and) west with my parents for a week of GB fun while Reese kinda kept looking at us like we forgot him or something.

It's always a great time with our Roberts clan!! Thanks for a fun-filled weekend in Sooner Land!

How to Make a Reese Sandwich

I was working in the kitchen when I heard some screams from the living room followed by Cade insisting he was just trying to make a "Reese sandwich."

I love the look she's giving him as if to say, "What the heck are you thinking?!"

Reese cannot make it through a meal without running her filthy dirty hands all through her hair. Geez kid. Must you always have jelly in your eyebrows after breakfast? No wonder Cade thinks you belong on a sandwich...

Reesie is our good eater, (Praise the Lord) but when she's done, it's a timing-trick to get any food off of her tray before she switches to "throwing it all on the floor" mode and running it through her hair!

Note to self: Make sure the kids are well-hydrated before busting out the water table. Proof that parenting is equal parts hard work and hilarity.

Look at this pretty girl, you can't make a sandwich out of her?!

We've just been having all sorts of fun around here doing whatever the heck we want to do all day long! Some more pics along the way...

Occasionally we venture up to MNU to visit Matt. The kids pretty much think they own the place. Don't tell the softball coach that they are particularly fond of raiding their equipment area.

Venturing to new parks!

Movie night. Reese ate more popcorn than anyone!

Snack break at the pool. (Although the background of the pic looks like we're chilling in the desert rather than the pool.) We've been enjoying spending a portion of our morning at the outdoor pool at the gym. The joys of pretending to be a stay-at-home mom! Next time I'll take pics that actually have water in them perhaps.

What can I say, we LOVE summer!!!