THE Hanging Bed!

From the moment we made the decision to move back home to Maine, we started planning how we will fit four children into two bedrooms, one of which is fairly small. We decided it would be best to keep the three girls together and let Prince Callum have his own room. When we moved back, we had a crib, one full bed and two twin beds each with a trundle drawer. We went back and forth about how to successfully fit three girls into one room without sacrificing a lot of floor space and making the room feel cramped. Kevin and I came up with a lot of different ideas, including building a triple bunk, but after each different idea, we would come up with too many negatives.

I don't know about you, but I love pinterest. Sometimes I wish I had all the time, money, talent and resources in the world to do all the cool things on there! We came up with an idea for a "hanging bed" - and headed over to Ana-White Homemaker, a resource for building homemade furniture, etc. It is a great website! We found a family who built something very similar to what we wanted to do on this blog. We used these plans roughly, but will give you a pretty good idea of what you need to do. We also attached it to the wall a little differently, too.

The coolest thing about the bed - the cost! After paint & materials, the total cost was just around $100! Not too shabby! It took us about a weekend to build - the longest part was prepping the wood - sanding, priming, painting, etc.

First, Kevin built the frame. This was pretty easy! 

He screwed all the pieces together - with the help of Clara, of course! 

......and a little help from Callum, too! 

He was very intrigued! 

I used Bin for all of the knots in the wood, then used a Benjamin Moore Primer before sanding down the frame.
After it was all sanded, it was time for some Impervo White from Benjamin Moore.

I did the same to the planks as I did the frame. I used bin for the wood knots, then used the primer , sanded with a very fine piece of sand paper and then put two coats of paint on. 

Here is Mairead (top) and Lilah's (bottom) bed

Clara's bed 

Mairead's bedding from Garnet Hill 

The girls room 

So, we noticed some stretching of the rope, so Kevin placed a small cable to prevent any sagging of the bed, and then replaced the rope.




All in all, a very successful and fun project that looks uber cool! 

Celebrations!

This past weekend, we celebrated Clara and Kevin's birthday. It is kind of fun having their birthdays so close together! Because Clara's birthday fell on a Thursday, Kevin came home a day early to be home on Clara's actual birthday.

On Clara's 3rd birthday, she and I went out together in the morning for our traditional "Mommy & Birthday girl" date. We went shopping for all of her party decorations, shopping at the mall for her perfect birthday dress, rode the carousel at the mall together and then she chose lunch at Panera! It was a great morning together. It amazes me how much she has grown in the last year! She is really getting this whole birthday thing and it is so much fun seeing her so excited about it all!

When we got home, she put her new outfit on and I took some photographs of her. You wouldn't know it, but about 5 minutes before these photographs were taken, she was throwing a fit because she didn't want me to take any photos - let's just say she changed her mind, real quick!

On Friday, we let Mairead stay home from school so we could all have a family day together. We spent the morning apple picking and had an absolute blast! Of course we indulged in some apple cider donuts, too! Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

On Saturday, we threw a party for Clara and Callum. She and I made and then decorated her birthday cake together - once again, another little tradition for my birthday kiddos! We invited our friends for a great celebration later in the day! We had fajitas and let the kids (all 20 of them) run amuck! It was so great. Clara cried when we sang happy birthday to her - not sure what that is all about, but she cried.....Then, we sang happy birthday to Kevin, too!

Decorating Daddy's football cake :)

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend filled with lots of fun!

Our sweet Clara Belly is 3...

Happy Birthday to our sweet Clara Belly. Three years ago today you entered our little family on a beautifully clear September day. Your name perfectly fit the day and the meaning of the name has fit you just perfectly - clear and bright - I will never forget your birthday because it was just so perfect in every way.

The last year you have grown up so much. You have started to come out of your shell and show others the contagious smile and bright personality you show us at home. You definitely play hardball with others and it has been difficult for you to let them into your space. Sometimes you shut down, not talk, and just aren't yourself - I hate to use the word shy, because you so aren't shy, but you definitely acted that way. Thankfully, those times are becoming few and far between and when it does, it doesn't take you long to open up to others and show them your seriously silly and sweet, lovable side. You do things in your own time that's for sure. You don't take any crap from anyone, and if you don't want to do something, you ain't gonna do it.

In the last four months, you have really started to blossom. You will now talk to people who talk to you, you are taking dance class and loving it and actually participating, you are finally asking for swim lessons, and having play dates with your very own friend! You got your ears pierced, though mommy had to bribe you a little, but it actually worked! You finally decided that the trail-a-bike is a lot of fun and you should try it and now you love it! You are such a big girl now! Daddy and I just look at you and can't believe how big you are getting right before our very eyes.

2 year birthday photo

October 2011

March 2012

April 2012

July 2012

August 2012

You are so very smart, too. Yesterday you were watching a musical show while the big girls were at school, I peeked around the corner and you were copying the dancers on TV perfectly. I love hearing you sing. I love your big belly button. I love your blonde curls and your glowing blue eyes. I love hearing you talk. I love hearing you mimic mamma when you talk to Callum. And your temper tantrums make me laugh on the inside. I love how you figured out how to pump on the swing all by yourself. I love your drive to be independent. I love your strength. I love how tight you hug. I love when you snuggle next to me in the middle of the night. I could go on and on...and on.

September 2009 - she looks like she's in heaven... 

The one last piece of baby left in you is your desire to nurse before bed. While you don't nurse every night, you do nurse the majority of nights before bed. It's quick but seriously sweet. Last night you asked to nurse, and I made a comment about you being three tomorrow and maybe being too big to nurse, and your response "but I two!" - You were right, so mommy let you have it :) - it's hard to deny such a beautifully sweet little girl who asks in a way that just melts my heart. I know your days of nursing are limited, so I try to take in the sweetness each time because I never know when it will be your last.

Ah, Clara...how can you be 3? Time just goes by so fast and no matter how much I try to slow down and enjoy every piece of our life with little ones, time keeps moving. I love watching you  grow and change and explore, but I just love your sweetness when you are little and innocent. I have a feeling 3 is going to be a good year for you! I see you blossoming before my eyes, wanting to do things you have never wanted to do before, and it is just awesome.

Here is to another beautiful year of change for our beautifully bright Clara....Happy 3rd birthday sweet girl. Mommy and Daddy look forward to celebrating you. Hugs & Kisses. xoxo