DIY Laundry Room Make Over

One of the selling points for me on this house was that it had a separate laundry room.  We basically had a laundry "closet" in our house in Vegas and even though there were just two of us at the time, it was never really functional.  I also love that this one had a sink - which comes in mighty handy when  you happen to be renovation addicts like us a need a place to rinse your paint brushes multiple times throughout the day!

As our family grew, so did our laundry piles, and I knew we had to do something to make the space work better for us.  (Keep in mind our house has very very limited storage space so not only does our laundry room store all our dirty clothes, it is also responsible for housing all our cleaning supplies as well as other household items (batteries, lightbulbs, paper goods, large kitchen appliances etc.)

As you can see, that was not working out well.... (And I'm just going to close my eyes and pretend I'm not posting these embarrassing "before photos" haha!)

The first step was to clear everything out and paint the walls.  I mean, if I'm going to have to be in this room so much, I should at least make it a little cheery, right?  Full disclosure -  I actually did this while 8 months pregnant, but used lots of ventilation, gloves, and a mask.  (If you look at the timing of all our biggest remodel projects you'll see they were usually tied to my pregnancies... apparently I take nesting to the extreme.  haha!)

While I was painting the walls, Josh refinished the cabinets.  He started by sand blasting them (as opposed to sanding them by hand) and painted them with a acrylic enamel based paint.  We used the same process in our kitchen and they are holding up remarkably well!

Next, I had Josh build shelves underneath the countertop to store six baskets of laundry.  He used melamine board which is particleboard that is laminated with a thermally fused paper/resin coating to provide a durable hard surface.  This melamine board is perfect for these types of projects because it is so easy to wipe clean and stands up to us pulling the baskets out every single day!

 And now for the after shots! (Which were taken three years later - on my phone - because, well we have four kids in four different sports right now, and that's just how things tend to go around here! haha!)

I'm still looking for something cute for above the door going into the garage... let me know if you have ideas.

I can't even tell you how much separate baskets have changed the laundry game around here. Since the kids are now in charge of putting their dirty clothes in the baskets every day, the chalkboard tags make it so they know exactly where the clothes are supposed to go.  The baskets just happen to be exactly the size of a full load of laundry, so I know when it fills up, it's time to wash!

Storage has gotten so much better too.  All of these cute little blue/white baskets were found at the dollar store and store everything from batteries to candle melts to matches.  

There is also lots of hidden storage around the room:

The chalkboard art was a quick DIY project I did after I couldn't find any art I loved for the space.  Hobby Lobby sells unfinished chalkboards in the craft section for cheap ($5 with a coupon!)  I just stained the wood and used a chalk marker (using inspiration from a sign my sister in law had in her laundry room) and sprayed with hairspray to seal the chalk.  It makes me smile every time I walk past it!

I've been holding onto an extra glass jar thinking it would be a great place to store felt dryer balls!  Has anyone tried them?  I think the idea is great but haven't wanted to invest in them unless they work as well as dryer sheets.  Please let me know in the comments!

Source List:

Baskets:  local furniture store but these are similar

($29.92 for a 12 pack!)

Cabinet Knobs: Home Depot

Tile: RC Willey

Chalkboard: Hobby Lobby (also available on Amazon)

Plastic Storage Baskets: Dollar Store

Wicker Baskets: Michaels

Velvet Hangers: Amazon

Any other questions, please ask in comments :-)

Letter to My Daughter

(Just in case you're curious, the rosy cheeks and chalked hair was result of a "Mommy Makeover" at home after her bday plans were rained out.  I don't typically let her out of the house looking like a 14 year old. haha!)

My sweet baby girl turned nine yesterday.  NINE!  I know someday that will seem so little, but right now it's seeming way too grown up for this sentimental mama.  I remember 4th grade so vividly... like a little switch that goes off and all the girl drama and boy crushes and tweendom comes crashing down.  You may remember the Letter To My Teenage Daughters that I wrote a couple years ago.  Well, I decided it needed a prequel!  My girls and I spend lots of times talking about these same exact things (and some of them will overlap from the original) but I wanted to give her a little something to keep in her memory box.  You know, for those days when she needs some Mommy inspiration but doesn't feel like talking to me about it face to face.  Because you KNOW that's gonna happen.

TEN THINGS I WANT TO TELL MY 

PRE-TEEN DAUGHTER

1.  You are amazing.  I can't tell you this enough.  I know you are getting to an age where girls start to doubt themselves.  I know kids can be mean and may even try to put you down.  But remember that no one can make you feel bad about yourself unless you let them.  Hold your head high and be proud of who you are.

2.  Remember what it means to be beautiful.  God blessed you with a pretty face, but that's just the surface of the beauty inside you.  The most beautiful women in the world aren't the ones covered in makeup and airbrushed for magazines.  They are the ones who treat the world with kindness, who set out to make it a better place for all of us.  Mother Theresa, Anne Frank, Florence Nightengale, Eleanor Roosevelt to name a few.  If you don't know who these women are, google them.  And then, set out to be your own kind of beautiful.

3.  Be a good friend.  Nothing good will ever come from talking behind your friend's back.  Nor will being friends with someone who does the same to you.  Pick your friends wisely and surround yourself with people who make good choices and make you feel good about you.  Those are the type of friends you'll have for a lifetime.

4.  Whatever your passion,  follow it with all your heart.  Whether it's sports or dance or music or art.  Invest the time to get better and grow.  I will support you.  Keep your body and mind healthy by working hard... it is the only way to get better.  Having a talent is too great a gift to waste.

5.  "Things" do not define you.  There may come a time when you start noticing the expensive brands that girls wear and the fancy cars their parents drive.  You may be frustrated when we don't agree to buy you the latest iPhone like "all" the kids in your class.  But I promise you, these things won't make you a better person.  We will never, ever try to buy your love.  And someday, you will realize that is a good thing.

6.  Don't be in a rush to grow up.  I know, I know... grownup-hood seems so appealing with all its freedom.  Even teenagers with their cars and makeup and boyfriends... it all seems so glamorous. But I promise you that these days, the days you are living right this very moment, are the most magical.  So enjoy being a kid... you have plenty of time for the other things.  Lemonade stands, blanket forts, backyard s'mores, and riding bikes with friends... that's the good stuff.  And for goodness sake, play outside!

7. Value your family.  I'm not expecting you and your siblings to get along all the time, but they will be the most important friends you will ever have.  Classmates will move away, boys will break your heart... but your brothers and sisters will always be there.  And they love you so so much.  Oh, and always respect your parents.  No matter what you say someday, I promise you we did not/have not/will not ruin your life for telling you no.  I'm not saying we are perfect, I can't promise to never embarrass you, and I can guarantee there will be times that we say "no" when other parents say "yes."  But we do these things because we love you and think you're the most precious thing on earth.

8.  Being smart is cool.  I knew from the time you were two years old that God blessed you with an incredible mind.  So use it.  Work hard in school, get good grades, and don't ever pretend to be dumber than you really are.  I promise you can be intelligent and cool at the same time.  Don't let anyone make you think otherwise.

9.  You are more capable than you ever imagined.  So dream big, believe in yourself, and set out to accomplish your goals.  You can be anything in the world that you really want to be.  I will always believe in you.

10.   Go out into the world and do well, but most importantly... do good.  Your future awaits baby girl, and I have no doubt that it will be amazing!


Love,  Mommy

Fall and Pretty Babies

It's been almost a year since I added a new post on this little bloggity blog.  Whoops!  I do have plans on resuscitating my draft box, but in the meantime, you'll have to settle for a few pictures of my sweet kiddos playing in the awesomeness that is fall.

And that, my friends, is my whole world... wrapped up in four little faces.

Semi-homemade Superhero Costumes

Remember that one time when I started the girl's costumes a month and half before Halloween?  Umm yes, let's just say that didn't happen this year.  The kids decided on their costumes a couple months ago (a superhero theme... along with just about every other kid in America :-)) but between work and house guests and well that little full-time gig of raising 4 kids... Halloween snuck up on me - big time!  I literally didn't even pick up my glue gun until 6 days before and only had a couple cumulative hours to work on them.  Ahh freezer paper stencils and colored duct tape... thank you for rescuing me!

Catwoman:

First up was Kaylee.  She and Jadyn had argued over She-ra, but when Jadyn won out, this was runner-up.  I tried and tried to talk her into Wonder Woman, but she wouldn't budge.  Her costume was more about piecing things together... but I think it turned out pretty cute!  Oh, and that whip?  That was 100% daddy.  Not only did he throw it together in 5 minutes flat, but it was pure awesomeness.  Of course, we had to give her more than a few reminders that it was only a prop, not an actual weapon.  I'm sure that thing could do some damage! :-)

 (Does she look waaay too grown up in this picture or what??)



Jacket: Already Owned (Rockstar costume '10) - $0
Shirt: Already owned - $0
Sparkle leggings: K-mart $6
Belt: Made from scrap glittery felt and Velcro - $0
Ears/Tail: New at Goodwill $3
Mask (not pictured because Kaylee was too excited about her eye makeup): Taken from Ty's cape set and covered with scrap glitter felt - $0
Whip: Spare supplies from garage.  I have no clue what they were.  Some kind of metal thing, some rope, and electrical tape. And I'm kinda thinking this creation needs a closeup.  Also kinda thinking I should just put him in charge of costumes! - $0

Total: $9


She-ra:

For some reason, Josh gets on these kicks of introducing our kids to the old-school cartoons from our childhood.  Truthfully, most of them are a lot stranger than I remember, but they seem to enjoy them.  The girls love, love, love She-ra and Jadyn was SO excited to dress up as her.  Of course, She-ra costume accessories aren't exactly in abundance, so we had to get a little creative.  My friend Shannon found cape sets in the toy section at Walmart that came in red with blue trim and black with silver trim for $3.  I figured that was cheaper than buying fabric and making them ourselves, so I just used fabric paint to make the edges gold and stenciled the She-ra logo on the back.

I made a freezer paper stencil for the the shirt and used a little piece of scrap mermaid material for the jewel.  (Jadyn was VERY particular about where the jewels were supposed to go and what color they should be!)  For the wrist guards and belt, I cut a big sheet of stiff felt into strips and covered with gold duct tape, then used Velcro at the ends.   Her gold boots are duct taped too!  I just took an old pair of cowgirl boots, covered them with a plastic bag (to protect the fabric) then had Kaylee hold the bag in place while I wrapped the tape around bottom to top.  Much cheaper than buying a pair of boots that she'd only wear once!

Shirt: Goodwill -$1, Fabric paint $1
Tutu: Already owned (Daisy Duck costume '09)
Boots, Wrist Guards, Belt: Duct Tape $3 (Hobby Lobby w/coupon) Stiff felt $1
Cape: Walmart - $3
Crown: Scrap stiff felt, leftover fabric paint, scrap red glitter foam - $0
Sword: Already owned (Captain Hook '11)

Total: $9

Batman:

For Ty's, I did pretty much the same thing as I did for Jadyn's.  I actually bought him a legit batman mask to wear, but he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.  Nor did he want to wear the mask that came with the cape.  Instead, he stole the one I bought for Kaylee's mask. :-) His boots were black duct tape... worked much better using rain boots instead!

Black Shirt: Dollar Store - $1, Fabric Paint - left over from Jadyn's - $0
Cape: Walmart $3
Mask: Joann's $1 with coupon
Boots: Hobby Lobby (duct tape) - $3... and lots left over!
Wrist Guards/Belt: Left over from Jadyn's - $0

Total: $8


Mini Clark Kent:

(Yes, I stole this idea off Pinterest.  Yes, I want to squeal and squeeze that cute face every time I look at this picture.)  I freezer papered his shirt too but it was a little more challenging with having two colors.  In hindsight, I think it would have been easier to paint the whole logo in with yellow then reapply the stencil and add the red, but I was in a hurry.  But hey, cuteness trumps shirt imperfections, yes??

Blue onesie: Hobby Lobby - $3 w/coupon, leftover fabric paint from other project $0
Glasses: Dollar Store - $1
White shirt, pants, and tie: Consignment store - $5

Total: $9

Not too bad considering they only took a couple hours, I can reuse a lot of the clothes, annnnd they were way cheaper than buying costumes at the store!

 

 

(Our little superhero gang... I guess fighting bad guys is much more exciting than posing for pictures??)

Apple Picking

Though autumn loses brownie points with me for serving as a predecessor to winter, I do love the colorful hues, mild weather... and of course - fall fun!  Apple picking is on my bucket list every year and since our friends have different school schedules, this year it became a family affair!

I guess it's good we went to the same orchard as last year - the girls would have been very disappointed if they didn't get a chance to use the "apple grabbers" again.  Apparently all the good apples are at the top... plus it works well for honing parent-reflexes as the stick comes barreling down toward your little brothers head.

 

 

Tyler gladly took on the role of putting the apples in the bucket and helping Daddy with inspections...

 Well, and dropping apples off his head for amusement.

Of course we can't forget this little cutie, who was just content being carried around and soaking in the 70 degree weather.

Yes, I think I could handle lots more days like this!

Kaylee and Jadyn's "Under The Sea" Mermaid Party

I had totally planned on giving the girls their own parties this year.  I figured I had gotten away with doing them together for the past two years and both girls had told me they were ready to have their own.  In fact, Kaylee and I were just about to push "buy" on some supplies for her "Dolly and Me" party, when she looked over at me and said, "Actually... I changed my mind, I want to do a party with Jadyn instead!"  Jadyn had already picked a mermaid theme for hers, so I told Kaylee as long as she was okay with that and Jadyn agreed, they could do it together.  Two minutes later it was final, and it was time to start planning!

It all started with mermaid tail invitations which were wrapped in wax paper, tied with twine, and hand delivered by two adorable little mermaids.

To make them, I just found a tail silhouette on google, then loaded them to picmonkey to add the text.  The girls' favorite part was adding the glitter!  (Which may or may not have trailed itself around the house for a couple weeks.  But hey, what's a house of  three girls without a little sparkle? :-))

The cupcake table was kinda my favorite.  Beach themed cupcakes with chocolate seashells (my SIL Angel helped me make them using Wilton candy molds and a little "pearl dust" to give them extra shimmer), a little brown sugar for the sand, and a mermaid tail for the top!

It was hot outside so I saved the table for last and ended up running short on time in the last few minutes.  Luckily Angel arrived as I was frantically trying to get the cupcakes on the stand and came to my rescue... we literally added the last one as the first guest walked through the door!  As I was walking some of the moms out, I realized I had left everything else just sitting on the table and forgot to style it.  When I walked back outside, I saw that Kaylee had taken charge and set everything up in her own way.  She did such a great job that I didn't even touch it.  That little girl is going to surpass her mama's party skills in no time! :-)

For favors, we made Mermaid Wands with real starfish (took them off a starfish garland I found at Michaels, painted 1/4" dowel rods and hot glued them with ribbon) and Mermaid Bubble Bath.  They were a hit and surprisingly inexpensive!

Two of my favorite elements on the lunch table were the burlap table runners and cute seahorses that I found at Michael's on clearance. I used metal buckets left over from Tyler's party and wrapped them in tulle to hold the centerpieces up.  The girls were in charge of filling the little glass vases with sand, adding the purple flowers, and spreading the beach marbles and seashells across the tables.  They loved helping and it was so cute watching them!  For lunch, we had sandwich roll-ups, sea cucumbers and crab legs (carrot sticks), starfish muffins, goldfish crackers, and sea pearls (purple grapes).  I reused my glass bottles from last year and still love them just as much!

I planned lots of activities to keep the kiddos busy. The water bucket race and seaweed limbo were the only activities that we did as a group, the rest were set up as stations for the kids to do as they pleased.  I definitely expected there to be a favorite, but the kids seemed to have fun with all of it! That's a good sign, right?

We definitely squeezed a lot of fun into two hours... and my two beautiful girls had such a wonderful time with their friends.  I, of course, loved every last chaotic minute of it!  The sweet smiles on my girls' faces just made every minute of planning totally worth it.  And we're already dreaming up next year! (Stay tuned. :-))