Maryn's Impromptu Dance

Little Ones' Birthdays

Maryn is "FREE" (three) now and Kai is a big bad five. Good heavens where has the time gone? For Maryn's birthday, we spent the morning at the train park playing in the playgrounds and riding the trains. Nonnie and Papa joined us too! Then we came home and baked a cake!
Kai's turn!
We threw Kai his first real birthday party. He was delighted and revelled in the attention. The party had a dragon theme as this little man is all about dragons. I had to think hard how to not let that go toward the slaying/fighting route as we had a number of younger siblings at the party whom we (meaning the parental group) are still trying to coddle - no swords for them! :)
So I had the ingenious idea of a treasure hunt for the dragons' lairs. There were so many kiddos at the party, I divided them up into three groups and each groups had a parental guide to help them with the clues. It was a ton of fun and parents and kids alike loved it. The three lairs had a dragons (puppets and other plush dragons we've had for a while) guarding over their eggs. They were the most un-Easter Egg looking eggs I could find, filled with dragon tattoos and these little dragons that get bigger when you soak them in water.

We also played Pin the Wings on the Dragon! Nonnie made the cutest dragon. The game wasn't quite as much as a hit. The little ones did not dig the blind fold and none of them like the laughing adults - we only laugh 'cause they are so darned CUTE, but they don't get that.
The cake was particularly cool. Check it out. I found that online and knew a cake maker in town that could do it (My Goodness Cakes). I think he did a wonderful job! I love the dragon's protective claws over the egg. Marsipan doesn't taste so great though. The actual cookies and cream cake was yummy though.

Kai jamz!

House Renovations Part 4: Kitchen Progression

I've tried really hard not to get too excited about this kitchen. I can't hold back any more. Take a look for yourself. I'm out of my mind excited! Thank goodness we're moving this weekend so I can get in there and cook up a storm!

These first four photo were taken prior to demolition. These are actually quite nice quality cabinets. It was very dark and dated though.

Take a look at this doorway from the kitchen to the dining room. The changes made here are my most favorite changes in the entire renovation. (By-the-way, like the dining room chandelier??)

Demolition!!!

So, see the chandelier way in the distance? Notice how the door has been cut away and there is a larger openning from the kitchen to the dining room.

Yay! Cabinets going in!

TA DA!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

I had nightmares that I would not like this hood. I LOVE it.

The openning from the kitchen to the dining room. So much better.

Renovations Part 3, Front Porch Progression

Original front of the house. Not too bad...
Horrible green awnings gone, thankfully...
Overhangs gone and ground prepped for new cement slab...
New cement slab and footings for new post in place....
New porch framed! :)
A view down the new porch. Love it!
More to come!

More on renovations

The last time I blogged, I had fallen in love with this house. Now I'm terrified it's not going to come together. Ever. Yesterday's storm, and the resultant ceiling damage and delays for cement pouring have dampened hopes further. Still, I can only see things getting better.

Cute and quaint:

Totally ripped up. The cement for the new front porch will be poured soon. I hope.

The garage door has been taken elsewhere to get fixed up. Not sure where.

To remind you of what the back looked like:


The back ripped up:

Some walls and windows opennings are back up, thank goodness. The master bedroom walls are back up with a new openning for French doors and windows. A new doorway coming out of the family room. Kai is looking down at some of the rebar in the hole by the new family room door. I assume that hole will be filled in with cement when things dry up.

Renovations

Renovations on our "other house" have begun! A week into it and the garage is chalk full, floor to ceiling, with old kitchen cabinets, doors, light fixtures, fans, appliances. A dumpster in the back yard is getting piled high with old carpet, linoleum, wall paper (whew), wood panelling, plaster, drywall and ceiling material.

The wall/counter that separated the kitchen and the family has been ripped out and I'm suddenly in love with the house and see all the hope for it. A new opening to the family room/kitchen area will be made some day soon and I can't wait. It will make all the difference in the world.

Besides kids, jobs, home, meals and life in general, I am consumed with finding the best deal on kitchen cabinets, counter tops, flooring, lighting. Wow, I had no idea this took so long! And I am amazed how quickly I can get people to come down a few thousand dollars by comparison shopping and getting people to bid against each other.

Much more has been done, but here is a taste:

Living room



Kitchen/Family Room