Laundry Room - Final Version

I have posted about my laundry room before (here and then again here).  But in the great flooring project of 2013, the laundry room was included in the love.  And now I love my laundry room even more than before.

I wish I had a picture of what it looked like when we moved in 4 years ago.  The door didn't even open all of the way because the previous owners had installed large shelves along the one wall that were too big to even be useful.  I literally sawed those out one afternoon when an 18 month-old Jude napped. And now our laundry room is very functional for our family and a pretty place where I spend time every day!

Here's the old floor...

And here's the new tile.  

Also loving my new little rug from Tarjay.

Happy Monday!

Five Favorites

It's Wednesday and I'm linking up with Hallie...

1. New healthy babies!  New nephews to be exact!  2!  Born one day apart!  We are loving getting pictures and videos and ichatting with our new cousins!  I'm actually quite impressed that Ellen knows baby Nate is Aunt Katie's baby and baby Wesley (she pronounces it Wes-A-lee) is Aunt Mary Jo's baby.  We can't wait to meet them soon!

2.  Onto something not nearly as amazing...  A big thanks to whoever posted the 20 minute Peppa Pig video on You Tube...and the 50 minute one, and the hour long one.  (We ditched cable in March...and Peppa went with it.)  The 5 minute clips weren't allowing me to be nearly as productive as the 20+ minute gems are!  It's the little things.  Really.

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3.  Fall clothes!  Call me crazy, but I love going through clothes for the kids (and myself) for each approaching season, making a list of who needs what, and then getting me some dealzzz on what everyone needs.  I scored big time shopping online at Old Navy.  Extra 15% off and free shipping?? Yes, please!  Everyone looked very spiffy in their new Sunday best at Mass this weekend!

4.  Pumpkin everything!  Ellen and I made pumpkin bread yesterday afternoon while Michael took a 2 hour nap (there's a favorite inside a favorite!) and an entire loaf was almost devoured after dinner.  Tis the season.  (This recipe is our fav.)

    

5.  This quote from St. Bernard that I recently came upon:

"In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary."

Happy Wednesday!

Phone Photo Dump

I'm cleaning and caulking and dusting and reorganizing our entire first floor....but here's what else is going down...

School is in full swing and my kindergartener leaves his beloved magnetic belt carefully laid out on his dresser every afternoon.  Instilling good habits here.  One magnetic belt at a time!

Someone took the scenic route in phonics...

This is one of our favorite Mad Libs to date.  Enjoy a laugh on us!

(Some spelling errors here with speed typing...)

Enjoying the swing outside - such a big boy!  And big sister helper! 

Two top teeth are f-i-n-a-l-l-y in!  Although those suckers have messed up our former quiet nights big time!  Boo!

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow....

Our new floors will start going in tomorrow!!  

Love the carefreeness of subfloor (bonus: crumbs hide well on subfloor), but ready for some long-awaited for hardwoods!  

And tile!  

And not having my house in disarray!  

And finding tomatoes on my dresser!  

And storing my sewing machine on my bedroom floor!
And using my bedroom as a coat closet!  

And climbing over boxes of hardwood!  

(Although they do make good barricades for a mobile 6 month old...)  

And finding dust drawings everywhere...although I think there are going to be many, many more of those before things are done!  

6 Months Old

Michael officially reached the 6 month mark...I can't believe he's half-way to being 1 year-old!  

celebrating Ellen's birthday

Moves: Rolls, scoots, arches back, kicks, wiggles.

Latest Accomplishment: 3 new teeth!  He cut his bottom 2 and is p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y working on his top 2 teeth.  And has already figured out how to grind those itty bitty teeth together.  

Sleeps: Still likes to nap 3 times a day.  

Diet: Wasn't too sure about cereal the few times he has tried it.  

Hangs out: In the exersaucer or any place he has a good view of the action.  (He liked watching football this weekend!)

Favorite Toys: Starting to broaden his horizon and reach for "big kid" toys.  Likes to "play" Transformers with Jude.  Also was found with R2D2 this weekend.

Talks: Babbles a lot!  Says "Da-da."

Disposition: Still very pleasant although his teeth can quickly turn his mood.

Happy Birthday Boo-boo!

*disclaimer - Ellen was nicknamed Boo-boo long before the Honey Boo-boo epidemic.

With her hair straightened ("long and gorgeous") the other day.

Our dear Ellen Anastasia is turning 3 years-old today!  Her self-esteem knows no end...she loves her "curly yellow hair" and wearing "beautiful dresses."  Every morning she likes to stand on the bathroom step stool and watch her hair be brushed and done into a ponytail, a bun, or braids like Rapunzel.  She loves painting her nails, choosing her shoes, and adding in a bag as an accessory.  She likes to play Barbies, but can also entertain herself with a pair of anything...receipts or charging cords are favorites...with one as the "mother" and one as the "girl."  She is a huge Peppa Pig fan, and loves Dora and Minnie Mouse, too.

We love you, Boo-boo!  Happy Birthday!!!  

Five Favorites

Happy Wednesday!  Linking up with Hallie today for five of my favorites right now...

1.  Sherwin Williams cashmere paint.  This paint spreads like butter and covers very well.  And it has a great washable finish to it.  We helped ourselves to a gallon for some painting over the weekend and, bonus, Sherwin Williams was having a Labor Day sale!

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2. Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Corrector Kit.  I have my share of dark spots on my face from the sun and acne scars and pregnancy and everything else and have been using the dark spot corrector and peel and am noticing the dark spots fade and a more even skin tone on my face.

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3.  College friends.  One of my housemates from college stopped by with her family over the weekend while they were in our neck of the woods and it was so nice to see them and catch up!  Of course I took zero pictures of our 7 kids playing nicely together.  Thanks for making the trip, Theresa!  

4.  Mad Libs.  My kids have been L-O-V-I-N-G the Mad Libs app and obviously think some of the stories that come out of it are H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!  The "headless bathtub" is topping the list as most comical.  And I'm thinking Jude is one of the few kindergarteners that knows what an adjective is, even though we have to remind him every time!  

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5.  My crock pot.  School is in full swing and it's so nice when dinner is 99% ready at 5 o'clock!