Day in the Life - Friday

Day 2 of this 7 day series.  :)

Liam and I woke up at around 7:30 this morning.  I fed him a bottle while I ate a bowl of cereal (I'm talented like that.. ha!).   I'm actually trying to wean him right now and we're doing good with bottles during the day.   We watched the news for a bit until the boys woke up around 8-8:30.  I put coffee on and made them cereal and we all watched cartoons while they ate.  

The older boys have been obsessed lately with the little 99 cent hot wheels cars.  I'm glad a .$99 toy can bring them so much joy, but they're small so they lose them everywhere.  In fact, Brodie lost one in the ocean this past weekend.  Anyway, my point is that they're easy to lose and we spent a good deal of time this morning searching for a car that Rylan somehow lost in OUR (Brandon and I) bed last night.  Every night he comes down and tries to climb in bed with us, and every night we turn him away or I'll go make a bed for him on the couch.  Never fails. lol.    We did find the car though, so all was well with the world again. 

Liam laid down for his morning nap at about 10 and woke up at around 11.  During this time the boys played in their playroom with their cars, and I looked online for some things for Rylan's birthday. 

After Liam woke up at 11, I started lunch and Brandon showed up at around 11:30.  I failed to mention this yesterday since it was an abnormal day for us, but he usually comes home around then for lunch everyday.  I love that we live so close to his work and that he's able to do this-  1) it saves an insane amount of money and 2) it breaks up the monotony of the day for the boys and myself.   After lunch, Brandon headed back to work and we went out back to swim.

I also think I may have finally figured out how to take pictures of people with my new camera.  I've been having to take about 20 photos to get one good one lately - good as in non-blurry.  So annoying, but now they're all turning out halfway decent... at least, not blurry.. which I'm ecstatic about.  :)

I attempted to lay Liam down for nap number 2 around 2pm and he just wasn't having it, so I took him out with me to water my pumpkin and squash plants. 

We also vacuumed the area rugs downstairs.  While I was getting out the vacuum I found a box in the closet from Pottery Barn Kids, and it was Rylan's backpack that I'd ordered a few days before.  Talk about fast shipping... Brandon found it on the porch when he came home from lunch and just stuck it in the closet so Rylan wouldn't see it.   I had his name monogrammed on and it looks so cute, and I was super impressed with the fast turnover.   I may have to talk Brodie into getting a new one.

I took it out to take that picture, but it is actually still in hiding.  He really wants a superhero backpack, so I'm going to try and find a Captain America patch to sew on it before the "big reveal"  ha!

Anyhoo, Brandon came home a bit early from work, around 2:45, and we got the boys dressed (they were all running around half naked from swimming earlier) and we went to Lowe's for a few things.  We ended up buying paint roller sleeves, a gallon of paint for the staircase, some stuff for the weed eater, and a paintbrush.  We also spent some time talking to the guy at the door and window section and left with several brochures.  We'll have to get HOA approval on design, but we're hoping to pick out new doors soon.  You can actually SEE daylight under our doors.  Pretty sure that isn't energy efficient.  ha!
We also swung through the lighting section while we were there just because I'm in the market for a new fixture over the dining table and in the entry.  I look every time we go, which is at least once a week.. so I'm not sure while I look at all anymore, but I was happily surprised to see a bunch of new fixtures hanging.

I love this one because it is similar to those found normally in a chrome finish.  This is the first of this type I've ever seen in a darker finish, which is what we would need to not look completely ridiculous.  I'm not 100% sure it is right for OUR house, but I like it nonetheless.

I found these three fixtures to be really awesome because of the blown glass look and the filament bulbs.  I'm actually considering the 3 light one for over the table, but I held the photo up in the room and I'm not so sure anymore.  It might be a little too camper-esque.

I was really surprised to see this because it reminds me of a Restoration Hardware fixture for about 5 times the money.  Once again, probably not right for our house, but still really cool.

Does it make me completely boring that I think something simple might look best?  I still haven't decided.  We could put the small one in the entry and the large one over the table.

After that we went to Home Depot, but just I ran in while the boys stayed in the car with Brandon, and I picked up another gallon of paint.  Yep, we have colors picked out from all over town, lol.

We then came home and I started dinner while Brandon fed Liam a bottle.  I fixed hamburgers and sauteed squash for on the side.  After dinner I cleaned the kitchen, the boys were sent upstairs to pick up their playroom, and Brandon took Liam out to help water the front yard.

I started painting the walls near the staircase while they were out watering, and finished up while Brandon gave the boys a bath and got them ready for bed.  It looks sooo much better than it did.   This doesn't show too much but you can at least see the color.

I fed the baby and Brandon put the boys to bed in their playroom.  I'm hoping to head to bed within the next hour.  Liam was up a lot last night - I think he's starting to cut his SIXTH tooth, and none of us got very much sleep.  lol.  Hopefully we'll do better tonight.

:)  Courtney

Day in the Life - Thursday

For the next 7 days I'm going to document what we do each day.  I can't guarantee it will be interesting, but here I go regardless.  ha!

Liam and I woke up this morning around 6:45.  I fed him his morning bottle while I drank several cups of coffee and browsed around on the internet.

  I actually bought a new pair of glasses from coastalcontacts.com using one of their free glasses codes this morning.  I'm hoping they turn out okay.. I've never bought glasses without first trying the frames on, so I'm somewhat nervous.  They actually weren't FREE, since I'm practically blind as a bat and have to have the extra thin lenses, but it was a great deal regardless.

The other boys woke up around 8:30 and I fed them breakfast (cereal), then went to get dressed for the day.    At around 9:30 my husband came home from work so he could watch Rylan and Liam while Brodie and I went to a podiatrist to address his toe walking.

 

The appointment went really well.  We really liked the doctor we saw and Brodie had x-rays done of his feet which he LOVED.  

He's been really obsessed with bones, muscles, blood cells and everything else in his body lately, so this was huge for him.  lol.

After questions, watching Brodie walk, and looking at the x-rays he determined that his toe walking is habitual and not congenital, meaning he does not need surgery to fix it. We'll go back in a few weeks (hopefully just a few weeks.. we have to wait on insurance to process everything) and he'll be fitted for custom inserts for his shoes.  The doctor also sent us home with stretches to do for his calf muscles.

While we were at the dr. I picked up a copy of a local parent's magazine, and was happy to find Rylan's photo under their birthday page.  I'd uploaded it to them in June, for the July issue, and he was super excited to see it later in the day.  I told him he was famous!  lol!

After the doctor we went ahead and went to the grocery store while we were out. 

While we were at the store I picked up one of those net feeder things for Liam.  You cut up fruit (or whatever really) and they can chew it through the netting, so that they get the food but do not choke.  Either they didn't make these things when the other boys were babies, or I was just living under a rock then, ha!

 Liam tried it out and LOVED it.   Right after this picture was taken he had a major diaper mishap and had a bath.  lol.  So that was tons of fun.

My husband went back to work and the kids and I lounged around watching cartoons and playing with toys in the family room.

We then went swimming until Liam decided it was nap time.  We actually have a pool in our neighborhood, but even the shallow end is pretty deep at 4 ft, and I just don't feel comfortable taking all three kids there by myself.  I talked Brandon into getting this for the boys a few weeks ago and they have spent SO many hours in it so far this summer. 

Since it is only 30 inches deep, I feel comfortable floating around with Liam while they play or even sitting out on the side.   What I find incredibly funny about all this is that we both insisted on NOT buying a house with a pool when we were house shopping.  I was SO nervous for safety reasons.  Now we both talk about one day getting a built in. 

I find this setup so funny.  Its like we're the backyard version of the redneck yacht club, with a pool and an awning, but they're the foldable, put up at the end of season versions, lol.

While Liam napped the boys took turns playing games on the computer while I cleaned the kitchen and then read some blogs.  He was up pretty soon after that (the kid hates to sleep) and we all just lounged around until Brandon came home from work.

Brandon and I talked about our day and then he went out and mowed the yard while I fed Liam and then started dinner, which was chicken fajitas.  We ate and then I took the older boys into the backyard to swim again while Brandon took Liam on a walk to check the mail.  If Liam could do one thing everyday, it would be walk to the mailbox.. he loves it!

Liam took a little dip with us and then decided he'd rather swing, so Brandon did that until we all went inside and showered up for bed.

Liam fell asleep eating a bottle around 9 and the boys are currently up in their playroom watching a movie.  We're not really strict about bedtimes during the summer and we usually let them fall asleep watching movies on their futon up there. 

All in all, it has been a great day, with very little stresses.. which is honestly odd for this house, ha!   Until tomorrow - Courtney

Plate Wall Link up!

I'm sure we all have great methods on how to hang plates, but I thought I'd share my method in case anyone cares, ha!

I start by arranging the plates on the floor, trying to find a design that looks right.   It usually takes one or two times before I get it right.

I start by finding the center of the wall.  Ignore the mess, we were busy moving things around.

I then use a level to run a line of painters tape vertically up the center of the wall, and horizontally as shown.

These tape lines act as a guide so that the plates are all level.

In this case, I placed the horizontal row as a starting point, and then grew the design off of that.

I then just remove the plates one by one, removing the tape, and replacing the plates as I go. As you can see, I just nail straight through the tape.

Aren't those melamine Ikat plates from Target just too cute?

I also love the little pop of spring green.  I was originally thinking I would do an all white arrangement for this wall, but after doing the Board and Batten treatment with the stark blue and white, I felt this area needed a little more pop than just white.

I'm really loving it.   Here is a reminder of how this spot looked just one month ago.  :)

So much better!  Now it's YOUR turn!  :)

Please be a follower of And Then There Was Home.

Please link up to your specific blog post URL and not just your blog.

It does not need to be a post dedicated to a plate wall, but it does need to at least show the wall featuring the plates in the post.

Place a link on your post leading back here. 

Visit others and leave comments!  We all love them and the whole point of this is to share ideas. 

Thanks!  :)  Courtney

Weekend Recap and Party reminder

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!

My sister's family came into visit this weekend and we had a great time viewing fireworks on Friday..

Going to the beach on Saturday...

And, going to an Astros game Saturday night.

We're very lucky that we live in an area with SO much to do.

I love how the bay fills up with boats before each firework show. 

Liam and I at the beach before he threw his hat off.  ha! 

 Our family, after the beach, but before leaving for the baseball game

 My sister, Samantha, and Liam.

 Overexposed, but still cute.  That is my sister's stepson next to the baby in the black hat.  :)

 

 

Last night we went out again to view fireworks.. and let me tell you, we'll never do it like that again.  Next year we're either chartering a boat or we're doing it smart like these people!  LOL.

Bathroom.. Kitchen... TVs... Beds for the little ones?  Now THAT is how you wait out a 2 hour traffic jam in style.  ha!   We made friends with them toward the end of the night, and they said all the kiddos were in bed in the TWELVE bunkbeds.  Nice.  :)


Here was our crew.

I'm throwing this one in because it makes me laugh.  Man it is hard to work out with kids in tow.  Our bike ride/mommy walk time turned into whiny kids, mommy pushing everyone AND two bikes time.  lol.

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Remember, the Plate Wall Party opens tomorrow!  I hope you'll join in!

:)Courtney

Starting Wed!

I am super excited about hosting my first link-up party, and I hope you'll join me! 

This party is all about the plates.  To me, there is just something classic about plates displayed as art.  I hope you'll join me on Wednesday and link up any posts and photos you have displaying plate collections.  I think this will be a great way for us to see great examples of plate walls all in one spot.  :)

I'd also be super appreciative if you spread the word.  See you then, and Happy Fourth!

-Courtney

Yesterday's Purchases

The boys and I went shopping at Target yesterday morning and picked up a few things for the front room redo.   Michelle over at Dream Home DIY does this little thing called Inside My Shopping Bag, and I've always enjoyed reading it (perhaps because I'm nosy and like seeing what other people spend money on, ha!).  So, I thought I'd completely copy her today.  :)  If you're reading this, thanks for the inspiration, Michelle.  LOL.



What's inside Courtney's Shopping Bag..

I actually need about three more of these magazine holders, but the Target I visited yesterday only had one left in green.   If you look into the background you can see the real reason we went to the store, ha!  Yep, toilet paper.  Tell me I'm not the only one who goes into a store for one thing and leaves with a $100 debit to the account.  LOL.  Anyhoo, this magazine holder was $4.99 and was available in about 4 other colors.

 These saucer size melamine plates were only $.99 and I bought two of them to be used as coasters on our desk. 

I also picked up this four pack of 7.5 inch diameter salad plates.  $7.99 for the four pack.

And finally, something that isn't green! ha!   All of these plates are melamine, but from afar, look like real dishware.  Price wise, I'll start with the white ones first.  The small round plates and the small square plates were $1.79 each.  The larger round plates were $1.99 each and the two blue ikat plates were $2.99 each.

So, why on Earth did I buy so many random plates?  For a plate wall, of course!  Actually, I'm thinking about hosting a plate wall link up party so we call all share ideas.  Is that something any of you would be interested in?  I'd hate to host my first party only for no one to link up, ha!

I'm also thinking of doing a few day in the life posts.  One of my favorite blogs, Kelly's Korner, just did a few and I really enjoyed reading about her activities, especially since she's a stay at home mom like myself. 

Let me know what you think, please, especially about the Plate Wall Link up Party.  I'm thinking about setting it to debut sometime next week.

:)  Courtney