The beginnings of tile

Everything's still very messy, but we have progress! I'm not sure if you can tell from this picture, but we're making built in shelves where there was just a wall. We'll end up losing a little of the hall closet space but I think it will be worth it.

I'm excited that I found tile for a really great price that still looks great. It does in my opinion anyway! (and it is my bathroom and my blog so I guess I get the final say!)

There's a closeup of the accent tile.

Hello, you beautiful little piece of my oil rubbed bronze handle. I love you already.

I told you it was still messy. Work resumes at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

They said they were going on an adventure

Dusty Brown is the Color Now

Here's the progress from the first day. The pink tile turned out to be very stubborn. Whoever picked it out so many years ago must have wanted it to stay forever because they put it down with a couple inches of cement. Everything thing hanging on just about every wall in the house either fell off or was crooked because of all the banging and pounding. Wow.

Interesting to see what's behind the walls. I was hoping to find something cool so we could be on that show called "If Walls Could Talk" on HGTV. Maybe next time.

The tub refinishing man just came a little bit ago to start the tub.

But then he left because our contractor told me wrong. Apparently, you should do everything else in the bathroom first and then have the tub refinished.

Major bummer since now the tub people are a couple weeks out in their scheduling. Hopefully someone will cancel or another company can come sooner. This tub is the only one in the house. We have the (smallest ever) shower in the yellow bathroom but the three younger ones can't use it. At least it's not summertime so they won't be sweaty and gross. Lots of sponge baths may be in their future.

These things are never easy, are they?

I Love Pink

....but not so much that I want it all over our bathroom.

Pink is finally on its way out!!!

Here's a picture of the bathroom before we bought our house:

And then here are a few pictures I took this morning after taking everything out and the demolition was about to begin.

When we first looked at our house, I thought the tub just needed a good cleaning. Wrong. It needed much more. I'll look a little closer next time we're house hunting! I don't think the picture shows how bad the tub is. Lucky you.

It's been a long (almost) two years to wait for this day. My house is currently covered in dust from all the work, but it's going to be so worth it! By this weekend (hopefully), we'll be doing a happy dance. (Okay, I admit it - I'm already doing a dance now!)

Ag Days

Last weekend my mom and I took the kids to the fairgrounds for Ag Days. It was free and fun. That is all. Because what else do you need?

I think John David felt great kinship with these little pigs.

I cannot keep food in this house. (not the good stuff anyway!)

If we ever decide to get a cow for our backyard,

I now have a three year old who can do all the milking.

The people selling baby ducks for only $2 were just cruel. Of course all of my kids wanted one! (No, we did not get one.)

John David tried to ruin my picture, but I think he just made it more memorable. =)

Quote of the Day from the Sullivan House

"I'm not poisonous, Julia!!"

(John David said this in complete exasperation when Julia was bothered by his touching.)

Family Game Night

A couple of weekends ago we had a family game night.

It involved the lego gamed "Creationary"

some pizza

and some homemade "Maggie Moo" creations.

It was Joshua's turn to clean the table.

Basically, the game is like pictionary except you build things with legos instead of drawing a picture.

There were lots of snuggles and hugs.

I'm pretty sure that John David randomly chose to build something different several times during his turn. No wonder we couldn't guess the answer!

Daddy was very, very precise in his building. Like, annoyingly precise. ;)

On my turn I had to build a pyramid. At first I thought I had an easy one, but then I started. Legos are not for the faint of heart, dear friends. My little pyramid was surprisingly difficult. (Do not make fun of me until you have tried it.)

Here are some sweet sisters enjoying their ice cream.

Whipped cream anyone?

John David got more than he bargained for.

At least Julia knew it was coming!

Daddy had to show them how it's done.

Joshua wanted a turn too!

This is what Friday nights were made for.

(Well, that and staying up late to watch a movie after the kids are in bed because you know you can sleep late the next morning. That's pretty good too!)

Before and After

I have very, very fond memories of eating my grandma's homemade cream puffs when I was growing up. They were soooo good and we didn't get them often - partly because we lived far away and I'm guessing partly because they were a lot of trouble. I know they're trouble because I made some yesterday!

It wasn't my grandma's recipe (I'm still waiting on my aunt to send it to me - hint, hint!) but it was from my Southern Living Cook Book and that's one fine book. I believe I could improve them a little, but for the first time I was pleased!

So, here's a before shot:

and the after shot:

And they were totally from scratch. Go me!

Best Buddies

These two are best buddies.

For hours every day they play and play.

I really am super blessed.

The laundry basket is often a boat or a cage or a spaceship.

I love these guys!