Ideas for our little boys' new room

It's hard to plan what to do in our house without have even walked through it, I plan to take things slow as we will be living in this home for a long time.  I do still want to do something fun for the boys' room.  

I have been debating a bit on what to do since I am planning on having them share a room when I move in, but will separate them at some point.  Any twins' moms out there - when did you put yours in their own room and how did that go?  Right now it just doesn't seem to make sense.  I think they would feel a little lost, they would probably spend more time trying to get out of bed to see what's happening with the other and they share everything, including clothes.  So i just think it is best right now to keep them in the same room.  So here are a few ideas I have in mind, but we will see how it all comes together!

I picked the Tickle Monster book for my inspiration.  The boys always loved this book and I love the colors, so I want to use these colors for the room. 

I really like the stripes on this wall, so I am thinking of doing something similar with the Tickle Monster colors.  Just one wall though - I'm sure it will be a fun project:)

I saw this bedding at Target this week and bought it.  I might run across something I like more, but I think if we do the stripes on the wall, the bedding should be pretty simple. I might add a fun color of sheets.  Or if I was a really cool mom, maybe I would buy some Thomas sheets.

OK - so use your imagination on this one and we'll see how it comes together.  I had an idea and then saw this picture that was exactly what I was thinking.  I thought Keith might be able to build a huge box that could fit in the corner and serve as headboards.  I think this could be the best set up for the room, since both boys could still have a wall to lean against and it would leave a lot of floor space as well.  

I think we will continue to use the Ikea dresser they have been using.  Then I found these beds online, I'm thinking about buying.  I think the drawers would be nice for extra storage.

So that is my idea right now, who knows how it will turn out!

 

Sandbox time!

Finally a few wonderful days and we have our sandbox ready to go!  Too bad the weather isn't looking so nice for this weekend.  If you need the really good sand, they have it by the bag at Babies R Us. 

We have a couple of hard workers!  It's been nice getting the outside toys out to change things up.  Carter has been doing some serious mowing! 

We took the plunge and...

bought a new couch this weekend!  I've always wanted a sectional and if you have spent twenty minutes with my boys, you would agree leather is the way to go! 

I have been hunting for the right one for a while now and hadn't really seen any I was in love with.  I was looking for a good mix of contemporary, but still pretty comfy, something the entire family could snuggle up in.  I saw this couch last week and it was 20% off all week, so I started feeling the pressure to buy it while on sale.  We hesitated a little bit because the seats are really soft, so we are hoping they don't wear too fast.  So we finally bought it on Saturday.  Keith worked really hard to negotate the lady down for a good hour, unfortunately he did not succeed.  I guess we got the 20% off.  We had to pick right away which side we wanted the chase on, which was hard since our new livng room does not exist.  I think we picked the right way.  Ours will be a really dark chocolate brown and apparently it takes 4-6 months, so we will likely have a couch before a home!

I'm a bit speechless

We have not been at our new daycare for long, probably five weeks.  On Monday when Keith picked up the boys he was greeted by the regional director telling him they had fired the director, who had been working there for 20 years.  We both liked her and were surprised because she had been there for so long and a little concerned wondering why.  We were watching the news last night and saw the story unfold!  I'm so disappointed by this news,  I think the director did the right thing.  I would have paid more monthly to help this family and would like to think if I were in the same situation as this family that somebody would help me out.

Here is the link to the story.

http://www.kcci.com/video/27471551/detail.html

We have a hole!

Today they dug the hole!  YAY, now it's real!  I think the boys thought all the dirt was pretty fun!  Next time I will plan on NOT wearing dress shoes. 
When building a house, you definitely have to make a lot of decisions.  In general, I think these types of decisions are fun, I love looking at house stuff.  But when you know you will be stuck with your choice for a LONG time, it adds a little pressure to your choice. 


On Sunday I had to make two quick window decisions- to have these colonial grids or the double prairie grids.  We went with the traditional colonial, I think it adds a nice little touch of character to the house front.  One of the bedrooms I had a choice where we wanted the windows because it was on the corner, surprisingly, that is a tough call- it took me a while!  I was glad they only wanted my input on one room.  Keith is working on guessing where the plumbing for the basement bathroom should go.  We aren't finishing it for a long time, but it is much cheaper to have the plumbing in place now, opposed to tearing up the floor later on.  Again, tough call!  We really have no idea where we will really want it in 10 years.  I told Keith that maybe he can take a year by year approach to finishing the basement, next year framing, electrical the next....you see the pace we are looking at:)  I think it will be a little boy war zone for the next few years.

Right now....

 The boys are almost 2 1/2, here is what's happening with them....

Carter loves wearing pull-ups and thinks it it really cool to try to keep the star (if he stays dry), he also insists on wearing underwear over his pull-ups.  Dylan is cool with regular diapers?

I know the boys are ready to be potty trained, big sign is at times they will walk back get a diaper and bring it to you and lay down to be changed!  We really need to make this a priority soon. 

We watch a lot of Mickey Mouse, Dylan is obsessed!  REALLY!

We are going through a "me do" phase, they are so persistent about doing things themselves.  For example, we will walk inside, then we will have to walk back outside so they can open the door on their own and go back in. We re-do a lot of things these days so they can do it.

Dylan just showed us some pretty sweet dance moves, he must have learned them at daycare.

Cheerios and waffles are the most popular thing in the morning, and of course they have to do their own syrup and half the time the waffles are still frozen.

We need to lock the doors because they will just walk right out the front door!  And they are starting the figure out the locks!

Carter is really into band aids and wears one about every day.

Dylan has to get into the driver's seat every day that we get in and "drive"

They are doing much better with daycare and drop off doesn't take too long. Tonight I asked them if they liked it and they said "yay"

Carter is funny because in a quiet little voice he is always repeating what you are saying, almost just thinking outloud.  I will be telling Dylan no about something and then I hear a little echo repeating what I am saying.

They love to roll around in blankets, I don't know why, but it is non-stop!

They are always saying they "need"... I need to go outside, I need to drive, I need waffles....

Carter generally will only wear Thomas PJs, his belly is about ready to bust out of them!

They are so fun to read books to, they repeat a lot of the story

Dylan is a bigger helper, he loves to get you things and help

They seem to have a lot of conversations with each other often.

Bananas have been popular lately

They are loving the nice weather, I have a feeling we will be outside all summer.

We have been riding their little bikes, they are doing really well with them.  Keith said Dylan has been picking up the speed. 

I've been telling them they need to give their pacis to Jennifer's baby, hopefully it works!  I think it will work for Carter, Dylan, I'm not sure. He is really attached and carries those things around like they are his friends.  Sometimes in the morning when they get up, Carter hands his over to Dylan.

They just keep talking more and more and are getting to be such big kids.  They string 5-6 words together and are using a lot of I, me (A LOT) and you.

Sometimes they will refer to something as "my brothers", which always makes me laugh.

I think we experience a lot of terrible two moments, they blow up pretty easy on little things, so that makes our job hard!

I know what you are thinking and I TOTALLY AGREE!

That these blog backgrounds are getting out of control!!!  So I have been wanting to change up and update the entire thing for about 6 months now, needless to say, it hasn't happened.  Then my background expired and I have been doing these quick fixes that don't look so great!  I'll move an update towards the top of my priority list!

This weekend!!!

We had a BUSY weekend!!! 

Friday night we went to watch Donkey basketball, yep... that's right, donkey basket ball!  It was a fundraiser, Keith kept telling me, no way, they aren't bringing in real donkeys.  They did!

Saturday I was on the go all day!  We went to Polk City in the morning for one final pre-build meeting, then after we got back to Baxter, my mom and I went to Des Moines for a bit of shopping and hit up Homemakers.  I have been searching like crazy for a new sectional, still no winners!  Saturday night we met up with our friends Kristy and Ian and their daughter Bri to take the boys bowling for the first time!  They seemed to really like bowling.  Dylan got into it a little more than Carter.  A bit dangerous for little ones with the ball return, Kristy and Ian definitely helped us in keeping track of everyone. 

Today we took advantage of this GREAT weather for a while and played outside all morning, then we were of to DSM for many stops:  Nebraska Furniture Mart to check out appliances, Lowes, Slumberland, Toys R Us for the good sandbox sand and a handful of other places.  It was a lot of stops for two little guys.  They do seem to enjoy opening and shutting all the appliance doors.  Then we met with ou realtor in Ankeny to write our official offer!!! 

They will dig it on TUESDAY!!!  And they are still saying 90 days, so that puts us in a home early July. 

This is how we roll....

This is the feedback I got when I tried to help... no shot helping two year old!

CLASSIC!

The cool thing about being "Mom"

When I get home or pick up the boys they get so excited and yell mommy, mommy, mommy!  One day this week at daycare, they were looking out the window when I got there and instantly started jumping up and down when they saw me and pointed me out to all their friends and teachers.  Then of course I get many great hugs!

At night time both boys give me "BIG hugs" and super sweet kisses.  Dylan is funny, he will be all tucked in under his blankets, but then still has to give me a big hug and kiss and will stand up and give me the nicest hugs and kisses.  Carter will do the same, but tonight, he said covered up, so he didn't want to stand and pulled me in for a big kiss!  Such little sweeties at times when they want to be! 

Getting Closer!

GETTING CLOSER!!!  We still have a few tweaks with the floor plan. This is the first we have seen of the front elevation.  I'm not completely in love with it yet, maybe just a matter of shifting some brick around and adding a few details.  Looks like a lot of roof right now. 

I HEART THE WEEKEND!

Weekends go by way too fast!  We were pretty busy most of the weekend.  Friday night we went to dinner with my family at the Big Steer. 

Saturday I got to hang out with a few of my best friends from high school!  My friend Kaylan was back from Indiana, so we got to see her little guy, Miles!  He is getting to be a big boy and is a little cutie!  It was a lot of fun catching up with all of them, I wish we could all get together more often.  My friend Sara has a camper and her little boy is about the same age as my boys, so we are going to try to do a camping trip with them this summer.  I think the boys would have a blast! 

Saturday night we took the boys to the circus!  We were pretty excited about this, but weren't blown away by the show!  We were hoping for lots of animals.  The boys did think the elephants were pretty cool. 

Today was a lazy day.  I tried to get some laundry and a few things done around the house.  Keith is traveling this week and had to leave this afternoon.  Last I talked to him, he was delayed in Memphis, so hopefully they take off soon.  He won't get back until late Wednesday, so I'm thinking it will be a long week.  The pace at the new job is picking up quick and I have a few deadlines to hit this week, so after I finish this post I have a bit of work to do and should go to bed! 

{daredevils at two...I think this confirms they are mine!}

Wordless Wednesday

Playing at the park

Keith told Carter this wall was for big kids, he said, “no big kids, for Carter Dylan.”

You know you watch too much Mickey when...

You know you watch too much Disney when..Keith told me this funny story about the boys last week. They were eating Cheerios and they were very focused getting just three Cheerios onto their spoons at one time and then would say “Mickey”. Then Dylan had a huge pile on his spoon and said “Mickey Clubhouse.”

Here are a few pics of Carter being so kind to my brother's dog.  They are starting to get a little better with dogs!