Erin, Author at The Sunny Side Up Blog

Parenting

07.24.13

Quick Tip – helping kids unpack from a trip

Popping in with a quick tip today! Really quick since I’ve already stayed up WAY too late watching the season finale of HGTV Star (had it recorded and have been dying to see who won!). I need to get over my HGTV addiction. And my Pinterest addiction. And my Container Store addiction. And my turkey sandwich addiction. And maybe while I’m at it I’ll get over my planner addiction.

But that’s a story for another day.

For now I’m sharing a quick tip on how to help your little ones unpack their own suitcase after a trip. In an organized way of course. :) If you say to kids (especially young kids) after returning home from a trip “go and unpack your bag” they usually don’t make much progress. I know this because of the countless times I’ve told my girls to “go and unpack your bag” and have witnessed them do nothing more than dump their clothes on the ground and maybe move them around a bit. The reason this often happens is because they are overwhelmed by the task (or because they just don’t want to work. But for the sake of sounding like a great mom who’s kids LOVE hard work, I’ll give them {and me} the benefit of the doubt and say that they must be overwhelmed). So I taught them a simple way to unpack. This is actually how I pack and unpack my own clothes for a trip and how I sort laundry.

I have my girls take their clothes out of their suitcase and put them into piles. Time to categorize! All dresses in a pile. All skirts. Then pajamas (here’s where I always wonder why we have a bigger pile of pj’s than we do clothes?). Swimsuits go in their own pile… and so on and so forth. It is much easier for my kids to categorize everything first. It breaks the chore down into a more manageable task. Then they can get to work putting away their piles.

Here’s a pic of Ad I snapped while she was unpacking from our Utah trip last week. Once she has her clothes in piles she can grab some hangers and hang each group of clothes up together. Our drawers and closets are organized the same way (like clothes are grouped together) so once the clothes are in piles, it’s a breeze to put everything away.

Skirt pile simply gets placed in the skirt drawer.

Shirts are hung in the shirt section of the closet.

Dresses with the dresses.

You get the idea.

This way our closets and drawers stay organized and unpacking is a piece of cake!

When I do laundry, I have my girls do the same thing. I give them a pile of their clean clothes and they take the pile to their rooms and separate them into categories before they put them away. Such a simple thing to teach your kids to do, but by breaking the task down into manageable pieces (or should I say piles?) it doesn’t feel so overwhelming and the task actually gets done.

In an organized manner no less.

Most of the time.

xoxo, Erin

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Organization

07.23.13

Organized Silverware

Silverware! Talking silverware today. I organize my silverware in a simple white organizer (sharp knives in the back far away from little fingers). This has worked great. But it’s not as fun as how my mom and SIL are organizing their silverware! My plain white tray is a little ho hum compared to this…

How cute are these blue organizers!? A steal at TJ Maxx ($7 bucks each!).

My SIL has them in orange. And apparently TJ Maxx has LOTS of color options available. I am so heading to my local TJ Maxx! The other cool thing about these silverware organizers (aside from the fun punch of color) is that they have great rubber grips on the top and the bottom of them so NO sliding around in the drawer.

That is my biggest pet peeve with my make-up organizers. I love them. But they don’t have grips on the bottom and they slide around despite my multiple make-shift solutions to keep them in place. Wondering if these colorful silverware organizers would work well for make-up too? Hmmm… what else could I use them for? Pencils and crayons in the craft room? Tools in the garage? Hair accessories for the girls? The options are endless! I can’t stand it! I need my house to be finished ASAP so I can organize again! I’m having serious withdrawals.

My mom and SIL sent pics of their newly organized silverware drawers to each other via text and typed “won’t Erin be proud!”

SO proud.

So very proud indeed.

xoxo, Erin

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Home Decor

07.22.13

Decorating on a budget (fun ideas)

While I was hanging out with my brother and SIL last week (I’m really missing their sweet new baby right about now!) I asked Dayna if I could take a camera tour around their darling home. She has decorated everything so cute without spending much money at all and I love so many of her ideas! So of course I had to share them with all of you. :)

My brother made these planter boxes with just some wood and wood screws. Then he and Dayna painted them black and added some pretty flowers. Such a small project that makes a huge difference on the exterior of their house. Yea for planter boxes! I love them.

Another fun exterior project – Dayna spray painted a simple, inexpensive twig wreath from a craft store yellow (used to be brown). I love the pop of color it adds to her black front door.

Her entry way is so welcoming. She painted an old desk turquoise. Then she bought a sunburst mirror at Target for above the table and it wasn’t quite big enough so she attached it to a simple, inexpensive mirror. Perfect! She also just bought that cute lamp with the yellow shade at Target. Add a simple white bird (you know I’m a fan of using a bird or two when decorating), a few magazines and wa-la! A super stylish entry way.

This is a fun photo gallery hanging over her couch. I love the way she used two frames with large black borders and two frames with large white borders. It keeps things interesting but cohesive.

And here is a corner of sweet little Finn’s new nursery. Isn’t it adorable!? The crib was a Craigslist find ($30!). My brother worked his magic to fix it up a bit and make sure it was safe and then Dayna spray painted it white. What a difference a little spray paint can make. She didn’t know if she was having a boy or a girl when she decorated this space and I think she did a great job keeping it gender neutral but still full of color and personality.

The fun Alphabet and You Are My Happy wall hangings were Target finds.

The butterfly mobile was her one splurge ($50 ordered on Etsy). I do this a lot when I decorate. Splurge a bit on one thing that you really love or that creates a focal point or stands out in your space. Then everything else around it can be inexpensive and you still have an upscale look.

Moving on to her 3 year old’s “big boy room.” This was a bookcase Dayna had that she painted black. Then she simply added fun patterned wrapping paper to the back of it. Such an easy, inexpensive way to add color and pattern to a room. The best part is how easy it will be to switch things up. She can change the wrapping paper and re-paint the bookcase to create a whole new look. Re-using items you already have in a different way is a great way to save some money while adding character and charm to a room.

Drew loves owls. This chair was a TJ Maxx find. I love decor that personalizes a space. The owl was a gift from grandma from Pottery Barn Kids. I know this because Kole has one too. :)

And here is Drew’s new big boy bed. LOVE this! The sunglasses and colors in this bedding are so fun. Especially with the blue table and bright yellow lamp (bedding and furniture found at… where else… Target!).

Then she simply hung a baby picture of Drew and added some paper lanterns from the dollar store to complete the room!

Ok. How fun is this headboard!? SO easy. A large piece of particle board from Home Depot, some quilt batting, and fabric. That’s all you need! Oh – and a staple gun. Along with someone who’s not afraid to use it.

Just like the bookshelf lined with wrapping paper, you can easily change this when you’re in the mood for a different look. I love the way it gives her room a dramatic focal point.

And I had to snap a quick picture of what was laying on the end of Dayna’s bed. Only because it reminded me so much of my own. :)

Dayna’s house is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a beautifully decorated home. By just tweaking and re-using some things she already had along with a few simple DIY projects she has created a welcoming space that totally matches her personality. I LOVE it all! Thanks for letting us take a peek into your darling home Dayna! Call me the next time you head to Target. :)

xoxo, Erin

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07.19.13

A new addition!

Well! The last few days have been eventful to say the least. We made a quick trip to Utah to finish up some house stuff (hooray for picking carpet and shutters! finish line is in sight!). And of course to hang with family.

My cute SIL is pregnant (due in a month and so thoroughly enjoying being 8 months along in 115 degree heat). She had a dr. appointment soon after we arrived and came home and casually mentioned she was dilated to a 4. What!!? A 4! I told her to pack her hospital bags. She told me the doctor said it could still be a week or two. I told her to pack her hospital bags. I also told her to get busy working on a boys name because it was going to be a boy. (They decided not to find out and EVERYONE other than me thought it was going to be a girl.) Girl name was picked out. Nothing confirmed if it was a boy. Then I made her take some pictures to show off how beautiful she looked. (Hello – I resemble a watermelon at 8 months. This is how I look at about oh…. 4 months along. Where’s the justice in that? Not fair tall people. Not fair at all. Wearing my tallest shoes in this pic!)

Dayna with her sweet Drew (Kole’s partner in crime).

And sure enough, the very next day I was taking pictures of her and Drew again.

Only this time in the hospital.

When I went to meet my new baby nephew. And to say “told you so.”

Dayna’s water broke in the middle of the night and it was so funny hearing them tell the story of scrambling to get out the door. Austin was like “you’re kidding – you’re bringing your earrings?” We were laughing. Rule #1 during pregnancy – pregnant women get to bring WHATEVER THEY WANT to the hospital. Men – don’t question. Just do as you’re told. Dayna looked amazing and I think the earrings added the perfect touch.

Plus I just don’t think my brother has the right to question his wife when he showed up in a Broncos hat and a shirt with Yoda in pink sunglasses on it. (Real classy Austin.)

But the baby! Oh my word! He is absolutely perfect! Isn’t he!? He weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and they named him Finn. When I walked in the hospital room and picked him up I was so overcome with love for the little guy I burst into tears. There is just something about a new baby that brings so much love and happiness. My eyes were still a bit red in this picture. I sent up a quick prayer of thanks that this happened while I was in town. I felt so lucky to get to be here when this sweet little angel came into the world.

Here’s a better picture of his face. He is so tiny and precious!

And look at that fuzzy little head! His sleepy smiles and facial expressions combined with the intoxicating smell of a newborn seriously made me want another one! Right up until I went to bed at night knowing that unlike my brother and SIL I would actually get some sleep.

Proud grandma. This makes grandchild lucky #7! And he broke the 3 girl 3 boy tie.

Now boys outnumber the girls.

Proud daddy. Austin was the youngest with two older sisters so he spent a lot of time as a child forced to play dolls with us. His years of Cabbage Patch Kids and Rainbow Bright are about to pay off. :)

My favorite picture from the day. I love the look on Drew’s face…

“Am I doing this right!?”

So adorable. Seeing Drew hold his new little brother made me tear up again.

A few memories came flooding back all at once.

I love this little family so much. They are the greatest.

Congrats again Austin and Dayna! So happy for you both!

xoxo, Erin

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07.16.13

Carrara marble dreams!

I’m having a party. It’s a Carrara marble party. And you’re all invited. :)

Anyone else out there as crazy about Cararra marble as I am? I LOVE it. I actually more than love it. I can’t really come up with a word that truly describes the feelings I have for this particular stone. I have mentioned before that I didn’t put Carrara marble countertops in my kitchen. Even though I REALLY really wanted to. I’m just way too practical for that little maneuver. But sometimes it’s fun to be just a little bit impractical, right? I can’t be sensible all of the time, right? So I am sprinkling Cararra marble elsewhere throughout the house.

Like in the master shower.

And in the kitchen back splash.

And for the master bathroom countertops. I may be a bit crazy for that last move – but I can’t help it! It’s just so beautiful. Even if it is so easy to scratch and stain and make a mess of. I will be SO careful. And most likely learn to love the imperfections. Because I have kids. And kids are not SO careful.

Life is messy.

But at least it will be a beautiful mess.

xoxo, Erin

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Home Decor

07.15.13

Picture Frame Spotlight

I was looking at my aqua picture frame today (getting ready to take it down) and I started thinking about what a simple, happy little addition it has been to our living room.

I originally created our frame to become part of our Christmas card display, but it has been used so many different ways over the months!

Much more fun than using it in its original state. :)

Mostly we use it as a birthday spotlight. My kids love being spotlighted on their birthday month. Such a simple way to make them feel special.

{JANUARY} – El’s birthday spotlight

{MARCH} – Mom and Kole’s birthday spotlight

{MAY} – Ad’s birthday spotlight

{JUNE} – Father’s Day spotlight (things we love about dad)

{OCTOBER} – Past Halloween pictures

{NOVEMBER} – Thanksgiving artwork displayed

{DECEMBER} – Friends Christmas Card display

I also used it to frame our own past Christmas cards and other holiday artwork from the kids (I just forgot to take pictures each month!).

I’ve loved it because it was SO cheap and easy to make.
It added some interest and color to our living room.

It has been an easy way to display and rotate pictures and artwork each month.

And because it constantly put a smile on a few faces around here.

Looking forward to finding a happy home for it in the new house.

xoxo, Erin

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07.10.13

As of late…

The girls started Jr. Lifeguard camp at the beach. This was Addie’s first year (you have to be 7 to start) and she has loved it. Comes home every afternoon covered in sand with a huge grin on her face. It makes me laugh to think about three years ago when El started this camp. I would come home immediately after picking her up and vacuum out the car. My car is currently covered in sand and has resembled the beach for a month now and I’ve hardly noticed. Three kids. It has definitely mellowed me.

You guys. I have been going CRAZY cleaning out my house. Went through all of our paper and files…

and the girls’ school work I’m saving. It had really piled up and I was so behind on filing it. Luckily it didn’t take long because of my system for saving everything. Getting it all into albums will be another story. For another day.

I am getting rid of things right and left. It feels so good! Kenny was like “you’re getting rid of all of the videos?” “Yes dear. When was the last time you sat down and watched Sound of Music on the VCR?” My kids and husband get so stressed when I get in these clean out moods. They know nothing is safe! My motto is that unless I am 100% sure we should keep something when I immediately pick it up, it goes. No “um.. hmm… maybe… should I keep it?” When in doubt, throw it out. Less stuff. It’s the best way to keep your home organized.

I have been living at our Goodwill drop off. They know me by name. :)

These are bags of some of the girls’ clothes they have grown out of. I went through all of my kids’ closets with a vengeance! The I divided everything up for wonderful people I know with little girls.

Anything we won’t need in the next two months in the kids’ rooms I’ve packed up! Empty closets!

And empty drawers. It’s strange. And so so nice.

Fabric samples for the girls’ rooms! Aren’t they fun!? I’m sure their new rooms (along with the rest of the house) will take a lot of time to decorate, but I at least want to have their bedding picked out and a plan made so that I know what color to paint their walls. Not an easy task! There are too many cute options!

We’ve been passing summer afternoons in the old back yard. Picnic on a towel anyone?

And in the new back yard. The trampoline set up is no where near done but I can’t keep my kids off of it and I’ve given up trying.

Pretty palm trees – a few pics I took with my phone running errands.

Ellie asked me last week why I never wear any of the jewelry she made me last summer. Well. Good question! So this week I have worked my beautiful assortment of beaded necklaces into my wardrobe. And I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the smile on her face when she sees me in them. New summer trend around our house.

I walked past this quote on some steps the other day – “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple.” Love that. It makes you want to smile and do something kind for someone, doesn’t it?

And just in case you weren’t frightened enough from my last post, here’s my scary little monster one more time. In his mom’s sunglasses. :)

xoxo, Erin

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Kole

07.08.13

A good buddy and a fireplace

I adore this picture because I adore the two people in it. This is my little buddy with one of his favorite buddies – our finish carpenter Chuck. Chuck is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.

Every morning when I need to head to the new house I say to Kole “it’s time to see Chuck and the diggers!” and he races to the car. Chuck is so good with Kole. He shows him his tools and saws and the two of them chat about hammers and spiders and diggers and all sorts of things of the utmost importance to three year old little boys.

Chuck’s kindness to my son isn’t the only reason I admire him. He is so amazingly talented. I explain to him what I want things to look like and then like magic! He makes it happen. His woodwork and attention to detail have blown me away. Here are a some pics of my family room fireplace in progress…

Now you can see why I adore Chuck as much as Kole does. When I picture it all painted and finished with Christmas decor on the mantel I can’t help but grin from ear to ear. :)

And a few more pics of my little man and his “diggers.” He will be so bummed the day this house is finished and there aren’t trucks and a construction crew around to entertain him 24/7. I will be a bit sad too. So may people who have worked on our house have become good friends of ours.

Kole being a “scary monster.” We play out this scene about oh… 3,728 times a day.

This outfit is a favorite of mine btw. Whenever Kole has it on I tell people he dresses like his daddy – business casual. :)

Happy Monday friends!

xoxo, Erin

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07.03.13

New scrapbook room

Since I just finished packing up the old scrapbook room I’d thought I’d share a pic or two of the new scrapbook room in progress!

If you’ve been with me a while you know about my love affair with dutch doors. You’ve also seen this dutch door leading into my mudroom from the front porch. Seriously one of my favorite things in the whole house. I just adore it!

So I had to add one more. :) This is the door to my new scrapbook room. They just installed it today!

I was at the house admiring it and Addison said, “mom – somethings wrong with that door. It’s broken in half!” Too funny! She made me laugh. I explained to her that it was supposed to be like that – that is what made it so cool and why I love it so much. She sat there with a puzzled look on her face no doubt thinking – whatever mom! Kenny doesn’t quite understand them either. It’s ok. I’m fine if I’m the only one having a love affair with my dutch doors. I’m quite sure the three of us will live happily ever after regardless of what anyone else thinks. :)

And here is a peek of the room so far! YEA for built-ins! YEA for storage for supplies! YEA for no crib and napping baby in the room!

It’s the little things. :)

This room is really such a multipurpose room and one I will be sharing with the kids. It has many names!

Scrapbook Room
Mom’s office
Kid’s homework room
Art/craft room
Computer room

Anything messy that we want to leave up for a while will happen here! This room is located right off of the kitchen/family room. I wanted it close to the main living spaces so that I could be working and still see the kids, or so that they can be doing homework while I’m making dinner, etc. There will also be a table in the middle of the room that is still a work in progress. Next to having a real yard, I’m probably more excited about this space than anything else. I’ve been dreaming about it for 15 years or so. :) I’m still debating the wall color and color for the dutch door. Fun homework for this weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, I hope you all have a fabulous 4th of July! If you are traveling, be safe. This is the first year in a while that we will be staying put for the 4th. I will miss seeing family, but I’m looking forward to a BBQ with friends and a day with Kenny home from work. And some time to finalize paint colors before the painters start on Monday. Bonus. :)

Happy Independence Day!!

xoxo, Erin

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07.02.13

Scrapbook Room Pack Up

Once upon a time I set up a lovely scrapbook space that looked like this. It was organized and a perfect place to work on my albums.

But sadly, life got busy and my tidy space soon started to look like this.

And this.

Shudder.

Truth be told, this space never worked well for my scrapbook/office area because it was in a corner of Kole’s nursery and the only time I could realistically work on my albums was when Kole was napping. Didn’t really think that one through. :) So it soon became a dumping ground for any and everything. I knew this room would take hours to sort through and clean out and organize and pack.

So last Saturday Kenny took the kids to the San Diego zoo (Kole’s first trip!) and while they were visiting the panda bears and monkeys, I went into attack mode.

I grabbed this little packing sack and a set of boxes (my best friends lately), turned on some music, and went to work!

Two hours in and making progress. It doesn’t look like it, but it was progress nonetheless.

Project Life Organizational Tray? Don’t mind if I do. :) I ordered several of these on-line to help organize my PL supplies.

Perfect little compartments for journaling cards!

Love them! Everything in a happy little spot. Makes me smile just looking at this picture. (You can find them here.)

Good-bye labels! It will be a fun day when I pull you out again!

I was sorting, organizing and packing completely uninterrupted. Listening to music and totally in my happy place. Then I went to take this picture down off of the door. {Ellie drew it when she was four. I remember it like it was 10 minutes ago. She told me a story about a bee and I told her it was a masterpiece and taped it on the nursery door. I’ve almost taken it down several times but then I’ve just smiled and kept it up.} Suddenly I was very very sad. Saying good-bye to this house feels a bit like I’m saying good-bye to my babies. It’s a phase of my life that is ending and while I don’t want to go back and re-live it, it makes my heart hurt to know it’s over. I took it off the wall, wiped a few tears away and turned up my music in an attempt to cheer myself up and keep packing. I’ve had several moments like that this month and will most likely keep having them until we’ve moved. It is an emotional time for me. A mostly happy time. Just with a side of sadness.

I also came across more of the girls’ art. I’ve been saving my favorite pieces to frame in the new house. I just love the colors in this one! Not to mention the adorable ducks.

Still had pictures up from last December! So I took them down.

And put up a few I had on hand. Just so the walls won’t be totally blank for the next two months.

I started moving everything into the hallway.

And after a good five hours of blood, sweat and tears (k – maybe no blood, but definitely sweat and tears) I had the whole place wrapped up and packed up. Whew! What a chore.

I tossed a lot and only kept the things I know I’ll use. Felt so good! The boxes were HEAVY so I slid them in the hall and waited for Kenny to do the rest. I’m always the packer and he is always the lifter.

Then we made countless trips to our storage shed. We’ve been visiting the storage shed a lot lately. And goodwill. Slowly, one room at a time, I am de cluttering and packing away the things we can do without for the new few months. It feels so good to simplify!

The rest of the room still looks like this.

I will have to gear up for another emotional day when I say good-bye to the turtles.

xoxo, Erin

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06.27.13

Give and take (new house pics)

So you may have noticed my blogging time these days is LIMITED to say the least. Summer is all about survival, right moms? And this summer feels especially that way for me. We are about two months away from having the house finished and ready to move in and every day that is pretty much all I’ve been doing. I go up to the new house first thing in the morning. Take a break at lunch. And head back up until Kole’s therapy at 3:30. Sometimes I have the kids with me. Sometimes I get a sitter. Sometimes Kenny works from home while Kole naps. Sometimes I don’t know where my kids are. Do I have kids? I can’t remember. My brain is clogged with too many things to recollect. :) Actually the kids are having a ball and love being at the new house. They are getting so excited to move because of a certain little surprise that came in the mail last week…

Testing out the new trampoline! This is hands down the best money we’ve spent so far. Looking forward to the hours of entertainment it will provide!

Our new neighbors on one side just moved in and our new neighbors on the other side are in the framing stage. We lucked out big time with our neighbors. Nicest people! We love them all! The kids have been having a blast on the new trampoline. This isn’t its final destination of course (and the kids weren’t allowed to jump high and w/o adults right there until it’s a bit safer!). I especially bonded with one of my neighbors last week when I learned she doesn’t love to cook. We stay up late emailing each other pics from houzz.com and she mentioned one night that she needs to learn to cook in her new kitchen – that she’ll feel bad just serving up plain pasta and cheese quesadillas. I laughed out loud and responded that we had plain pasta for lunch and quesadillas (cheese tortillas my kids call them) for dinner that day! Too funny. Clearly we are kindred spirits. Kindred spirits who need to take a cooking class at some point. :)

Anyway! Back to the trampoline. They just dropped it in the hole in the ground today!

It will have grass all around it. A much safer landing pad.

Kenny and I have been having a bit of a discussion this week. And by discussion I mean disagreement. :) These are the stairs leading up to the house. Inside the house I kept everything straight – straight lines and edges – no arches or curves. But the yard I wanted curvy – winding paths, etc. I love the way these stairs turned out. They are curvy and free flowing just like I pictured them.

I chose a light grey flagstone to go on the stairs and the porches. I thought this material would be used for the whole stairs.

But Monday I pulled up and they were starting to put the stone we used on the house in the front of the steps. I wasn’t so sure about that. It looks too busy to me. I was going to have them stop and change it to the flagstone but Kenny wasn’t on the same page. He loves the stone on the steps. And so does every other person whose opinion we’ve asked.

So I lost that battle! And I’m ok with it. This process has definitely been a give and take and really my husband hasn’t had an opinion about much. So I told him I’m happy to give him the stone steps – and anything else he wants for the yard. Just don’t mess with my kitchen. :)

We are 2-3 weeks away from grass and flowers and I can’t wait! I know it will make such a huge difference. Everything is so neutral right now. I’m ready for some pops of color!

I’m also so excited to start sharing inside pics now that the cabinets are in! I just have to wait a bit because things are so messy at the house right now. And everyone working on the house keeps covering floors and counters and cabinets to do tile work. I’ve told the crew that they are making it awfully hard for me to take pictures of everything. I know it’s a real concern for them. :)

This weeks’ homework has been moldings, shutters, hardware, paint, lighting, and wrapping up backsplashes. I have also been starting to think about bedding for my girls’ rooms. That has of course inspired a total room design plan. Ellie presented me with this yesterday:

I love the “working desk” in the corner for her to draw.

Totally doing that at some point.

I’m also sort of ok with the color scheme:

Purple wall. Hot pink bed. Turquoise rug.

I can work with that.

Then she informed me she also wants panda wall paper. And not just hot pink bedding, but it needs to be hot pink My Little Pony bedding.

Clearly there will have to be some give and take in this space too.

xoxo, Erin

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06.24.13

Last Day of School

Hello friends! I missed you all last week! Quick snapshot of the kids’ last day of school. It was a good day. Fun and emotional for me. My girls will go to a new school next year and while I’m excited for new friends and a new beginning, it’s also hard to say goodbye to a school we have loved so much. Kenny keeps telling me the girls will be fine switching schools. It’s so close to our old one and they make friends so easily. I remind him it’s not them I’m worried about. :) I will miss seeing so many faces I’m used to seeing each day.

Walking to school with grandma.

My mom seriously saved me coming the last week of school. It was still a circus, but so much more manageable with her here. Thanks again mom! I know the week wore you out. Please rest up and come back again. Soon. Like next week. You think I’m kidding, don’t you. Well I’m not. :) I still have plenty of Diet Cokes in the fridge!

El’s class kept their backpack in the hall all year. Love the portraits of them.

My girls had such good teachers this year. Seriously amazing teachers. The kind you never forget.

I became so close with both of them and can never repay them for all they did for my girls this year. I cried saying good-bye. Not just a sniffle, but a full on cry. Wish I could say that was a first for me.

Loved helping with Ad’s Hawaiian class party. My darling friend put the party together and did an amazing job.

All the moms went in on group gifts for the teachers but I still wanted to get them a little something to say thanks and enjoy the summer!

Towel, People Style Watch, sunscreen. Beach/pool necessities!

A quick and easy summer gift that is always a hit.

After the girls’ parties it was time for my little man’s preschool performance. When I walked in the room he was so excited to see me that he ran to sit on my lap and wouldn’t go back to his chair to sing. :) I finally got him back with the class and then he put on quite a show. This boy makes me so happy. I get such a kick out of him.