Decisions, Decisions

I really thought we had everything picked out and there weren't going to be any more decisions. Turns out I was wrong! We just finalized landscaping yesterday, upgraded the closet light fixtures yesterday, changed the color of the island, and now with the trim meeting tomorrow I'm overwhelmed! Alan says I over think everything and I agree, I just don't want to mess it up. House building is more work than I ever imagined. Everyone told me it was, but I thought I was organized enough to handle it. It turns out it isn't just organization. It's really figuring out how you will use the space before you live there so you can make sure it works for what you need it to. I suppose you could just sign the contract and make your basic selections and show up 6 months later to sign the papers, but then what would be the point? I really hope when I get there, all this thought and planning will pay off. The house was beautiful the way it was, but increasing the functionality will hopefully save time later. I only have 24 hours to figure out the closet and pantry situation!

I've been hunting for a bed for Kate and finally found it yesterday! I'm so excited. Now I'm on the hunt for a full sized bed for Will.

Will and Monty

Will was the line leader last week, so as a reward he got to have the class 'pet' Monty the Mustang come home for the weekend. he had to bring him everywhere and then bring a picture and add the details to Monty's book of memories. Well, Monty got to go to Will's haircut, so I even made him his own little cape. The class thought the photo was really funny.

Will, Kate and Monty looking out Kate's Window

Kate showing daddy her belly so she could be tickled....

Will and Kate walking on their board balance beams.

Will in the house...

Front Entry of the house.

Daddy and Kate in the living room.

Kate and I had been at the house on Friday at noon after going to the doctor and the sheet rock was still in piles. Sunday morning Alan got and email from Joel saying they had started the sheet rock so of course after naps we headed out there to take a peek. We were shocked when the entire house was sheet rocked! it looks so awesome. It's pretty nice to actually see the rooms now. This week they were going to be doing the 'mud and tape' and then texture. We have a trim meeting scheduled for Friday.

Blown Blanket Insulation

And In goes Insulation! For the blown blanket insulation, they put this fine net type cloth and staple it on the studs and then make a small hole in the material and spray in the insulation. It seems packed in there pretty tight. The next day they loaded in the sheet rock!

So after painting Kate's surf board I got out her bedding to make sure they looked good together. Kate decided to crawl up on the table and lay on it. Right after this picture I attempted to rub her back. I got hit and she said "NO! Mommy!"

Toys R Us

We decided to take the kids to Toys R Us last week. We needed to get ideas for Kate for her birthday, Will's friend has a party coming up and we owed Will a couple toys for good behavior. Unfortunately they found the power wheels right away and the trip was blown. Kate spent the entire time going between the Black Escalade and the Pink one. Thank goodness daddy is getting a 3 car garage!

A BIG THANK YOU!

The most exciting event of the week was Will's Jog-a-thon at Meadow Lane. First, I was so excited to see Will at school! I miss the little guy and it was fun to see him with his friends. The event was so well organized and the kids did such a great job! Will ran around 11 times in 30 mins. Pretty darn good considering mom forced him to wear pants since it was 62 out that morning but pretty warm by 9:30! Here are a few of the pictures. The girl in pink pants is Marta - the little girl that sits across from Will. This is also the little girl that Will used to sit next to and got moved the first week of school for talking too much! :)

House update

Ok, it was not really a good house week. There was a lot of confusion as to exactly where and how to install the piped correctly for the radon system and of course it all must be completed before final inspections. The great news is that Joel is awesome and made sure we get it correct and was really nice about getting it re-done. Friday they had the plumber out there fixing it and now re- inspection are tomorrow, insulation Tuesday and Wednesday and "load sheet rock" on Thursday. I don't know if that actually means they start on it on Thursday but at least it will be there! Alan and I went to Acme Flooring this week and picked out hardwood floors. It's really hard to pick out something that depends on nature and could be miles from the sample you see in the store. I'm really more of a "this is exactly what I want" kind of girl! Emily had some really good recommendations and I think we are going to love our floor - at least I hope so.

Me Me and Halloween

Kate is finally talking a lot more. She's always been able to say a lot, she's just never really talked without being asked a question. This morning we were laying in bed and she looks and me and says Me Me. This is Kate talk for Mickey Mouse. She actually left Will and came out just to watch Me Me in the living room. Later in the day she actually brought me the remote and said Me Me. And the battle for the TV has just added another contender. New house better hurry up. We only have 2 TV's here!

This is Kate's Halloween costume! Minnie Mouse!

It even has pink sparkly shoes!

Project time....

Like I said, it's time to get moving on this house! I look the rare opportunity on Saturday to sneak out with my sister and hit and antique mall. Something I really never thought I'd do but it is seriously fun. It's like a challenge to see how many things you can spot that either mom or one of the grandma's had. I was on the hunt for a nightstand for Kate's room. I failed on that one, but did spot a great boggie board - aka mini surf board. Hey, we're in Kansas, it's all the same!

This morning Will and I sanded the puppy down. Later, Will and Kate primed it. Actually 1/2 of it. I forgot it was outside and need to go pick up my mess!

I haven't decided on a main color for the board yet. I just ordered a special Japanese masking tape off Etsy last night, so I have to wait to see those colors to decide. Then I'll buy a hibiscus flower vinyl at the Uppercase Living party I have on the 28th.

** The picture of Kate standing was picture 9999 on my new camera, which means I've taken 10,000 pictures since the 2nd or 3rd week of May. That may explain why the computer hard drive is almost full.

Will's Room

Will's room is a bit more complecated. It's not like you can just go to Pottery Barn and just pick up a science room, and really if I could I probably wouldn't like it because what is the fun in that? I've been to every science themed, science supply, and teacher supply store website trying to find exactly what I want for his room. The good thing is that he loves all sort of science so I can go in lots of directions. I'm still deciding how to arrange his room and what furniture I can fit in there, but I think the most important is going to be a shelving area for all of his treasures. I've already bought a geology kit and a fossil kit. We are getting him an aquarium and 2 hermit crabs for Christmas and I think we are going to hit on a little stars/planets/moon items too. I've picked out the comforter but I'm patiently waiting for the plaza pottery barn kids' friends and family event in mid October so I can get 20% off. Yes, I'm Dutch. I did however have to spring for the overpriced sheets on ebay which just happened to be perfect but of course discontinued!








Constellation sheets! Perfect! Thank you crazy Ebay seller that had nothing better to do then buy almost sold out items from PBK's and resell them to those of us that have better things to do for ridiculous prices. You are lucky I love my boy.

Kate's Room

KT's Surfer Girl themed Room...Still of course a work in progress!

This is Kate's bedding - I really liked all of the colors - I'll be able to use pretty much any color to decorate with and of course I love the fact that there is bright pink. We are working on a surf board to match, Julie brought back a shelf from IKEA and I think I have Alan talked into helping be build a custom bookshelf/window seat for her, oh and I found some great palm tree vinyls for the wall. Now I just need to find the perfect and reasonably priced big girl bed!

Excitement

We started looking at houses in May of 2009, knowing we wouldn't start this until Alan got a new job. So far I really haven't gotten too excited because it's always been so far away. Summer flew by and now we are already 1/2 way through September which means this house is going to be here before we know it. I'm finally feeling the excitement and as I'm seeing the house come together I'm getting a good feel for what we are going to need and of course what I want. For some reason the want list always far exceeds the need list. Since we will be handing the lender all that money at closing (ouch!) and then moving just before Christmas (hopefully) we've just started picking up stuff here and there so when it's time to move we are all set. Of course the most fun is the kid's rooms! I've been thinking about those for months prior to even signing the contract. I love to decorate kid rooms! After much though I've chosen a tropical beach/surf theme for Kate and Will has chosen a science theme.

Another week another upgrade...

Things on the house seemed to slow down a little last week but every time we stopped in, there was something new that we hadn't thought of. The wires for the thermostats were installed, the tray lighting in the master bedroom, the last few lights in the bathroom and a few more electrical outlets. Yesterday we had city inspections on the house and all of the mechanical systems. Sweet! There were a few changes that needed to be made so Joel has the trades coming out today and tomorrow to make the adjustments and Thursday will be re-inspections. Friday we'll be starting insulation and next week drywall! CRAZY! We are about a week from a house with walls that you can't see through. We decided to insulate the garage and upgraded to blown in blanket insulation. It will be cool to see that completed. I don't have any pictures this week. Nothing too thrilling happened. We did go through the house and take good pictures of everything so we should be able to find walls and avoid wires a little easier one they get it all closed up.

A co-worker just commented that it's not going to be fun moving right before Christmas. I disagree. I'll crawl the entire 30 feet of the storage unit and pull out the Christmas tree and we can celebrate with just a tree, thank goodness for a pre-lit tree, and the new house if I have to. I'd MUCH rather do that than have to deal with Alan in the apartment at Chistmas!

Milestones

Kate is such a doll and stubborn like her dad. She was pretty attached to her "babas" aka bottles until we just got rid of them about 3 weeks ago. Yes, yes, I know. Anyway we went from Babas to cups in 3 weeks. Good job girly. Up next.... potty training! :0

If you think this is bad, you should see the other girl.... :) Will and a girl ran into each other in PE. Nice Will, days before school pics and you have a shiner. Oh and it actually got worse than this!

Deanna Rose

What better to do on Labor day when it just happens to be beautiful out? Check out some animals!

Kate checking out the "ishys" and turtles

Kate wouldn't leave the bunnies.. (that gigantic white thing is a HUGE bunny)

Katy and the Moo

Will love the bottle goats and riding the pedal tractors

Kids and the baby goat..

Waiting for Will

A long weekend project

I found a great chest of drawers that I wanted to refinish for Kate's room. Too bad it was too big to fit in Alan's SUV. So, I searched for another project and ended up with this great table. It will go in the playroom to be used by the kids for coloring, drawing, or anything I don't let them do on my table! I just completed the first of 3 coats of polyurethane and due to a storm is in the bathroom with the fan on. ...nice.

Already getting some use out of the table!

Mid sanding. And now I even own my own sander!

Last week seemed like 2 and that even included a sick day! There was a lot of progress on the house. The HVAC is complete and so is the plumbing. They delivered the kid's showers earlier in the week and on Thursday they delivered our tub (I love it!). They are working on electrical, there is quite a bit completed already and a little more to finish it off. They marked all of the phone/cable/HDMI etc. stuff too, but nothing is started on that. Oh and we even got garage doors installed! We of course visited the house often. They are making a lot of progress on the other houses on the street too. Lots of construction. It's getting hard to get all the way down to our house during the day with all of the construction equipment out there. We continue to meet more neighbors which has been SO much fun. One night we met and dad and little boy who was just a bit older than Will. Will had a blast and didn't want to leave. He even took the boy in the house to show him his room! - SO cute! Another night we saw Mark and Jackie and family out there (3 doors down). Will loves playing with their youngest daughter Julianne. She's a doll and a lot like Will. Then we met another couple that moved there a year ago and they couldn't say enough great things about our builder and the subdivision and then we met Sarah and Brandon who have a 2 year old daughter (and Kate's future buddy). So many great people out there, we can't wait to move out there. So here are a few pics for the week. Not as exciting as the house going up, but very important progress none the less. Hopefully Joel can give us a good estimation for closing soon!