Kids' Room

Decorating a shared room for a boy and a girl was a huge, daunting task for me. Sure there are some ideas on Pinterest, but really not that many and as I was going through them, I didn't really like any of them or think that they would work for our small room. Most of them divide the room into two halves with a boy side and a girl side. I knew we would need a bunk bed and that makes having a distinct line impossible. 

I needed a theme that was gender neutral. For awhile I was thinking Disney, but Corbyn is kind of past the Disney stage and I didn't want Princess overload for my little boy. I finally came up with the idea of an ABC Zoo room and from there it all fell into place. I found these animal alphabet decals and basically decorated everything around them.

For this "tour" of the room, I'm going to start at the door and work my way around the room. Like I said, this is a small room and not only is it a bedroom, but a play room as well. Practically all of the kids' toys are stored in here, so it is full and a little crowded, but it works for us.

 I fell in love with these Color Bar Ledges from the Land of Nod. I ordered them not knowing exactly what I would put on them, but knowing they had to be in there! The table and chairs (originally from IKEA) came from Corbyn's old room. I took them apart, sanded them a little, and painted the wood gray to match the bed frame.

I made the chalkboard prints using this tutorial and this set of silhouette jungle clip art. I put them on blocks from the Wood Connection using this technique to give them a canvas look and feel. 

Moving on to Corbyn's corner of the room... (I didn't do a distinct line, but it worked out to have a corner for each kid.) Each years' birthday picture collage is hung in a simple white frame from Walmart. The dresser is from IKEA.

Corbyn got a new set of letters from the Wood Connection to match the font of Peyton's letters. The Greg Olsen print from Deseret Book is in this frame from IKEA.

Bookcase from IKEA, storage bins from the Land of Nod. We love these storage bins because they are sturdy, yet just the right amount of flexible and they come in a great selection of colors.

I made this Welcome to the Zoo sign with a wood plaque from the Wood Connection and elephants also from the Wood Connection. I cut the letters out of vinyl using my Silhouette. I had a ridiculous time finding the right easel to display it on. I finally found this small, unfinished easel on Amazon that worked perfectly because I could paint it whatever color I wanted.

These curtains were a major splurge from the Land of Nod. (100% worth it because they are the best blackout curtains ever and the perfect color/pattern I was looking for.) Basic curtain rod from Walmart. Temple print from an Etsy shop in a frame from IKEA. (I could have made the same thing myself, but it was for a good cause.)

Loft bed from Walmart. Bedding from Target. Mattresses from Amazon.

Frames from Wood Connection. Chalkboard print made by me. (Idea from here.)

I couldn't do a zoo theme without a few classic zoo animals hanging around. Giraffe and lion from Amazon. Corbyn got the monkey for his first birthday and it was one of his favorites when he was little (seen here).

Hippo from Amazon. Owl from Peyton's nursery (originally from Amazon). And the elephant was a gift when she was born.

Moving on to Peyton's corner...

Cube Organizer from Target. More storage bins from the Land of Nod.

Greg Olsen print and Peyton's letters from her nursery. I took off the paper and sanded the letters down and then redid them to match the new room. It was a lot of work, but Rog insisted that I could not buy new letters! I made the bow organizer from a frame that was in Peyton's nursery. I can't find the exact tutorial I used, but it's really not rocket science.

This wall was inspired by this picture Rachel posted of a corner in her house. I really wish our shelf could be close to the ground (like it is in Rachel's picture), but we just didn't have the space.

The shelf was from Corbyn's nursery (originally from Robert's). This purple is my absolute favorite color because it covers up any color in only one coat! Mirror from IKEA. I cut out the vinyl with my Silhouette. Minnie was a souvenir from our latest trip to Disneyland. (Spoiler alert: Peyton is getting more dress ups for Christmas to fill up those hooks!) 

Finally I made this necklace holder using this tutorial from Rachel.

And that's the kids' room! Lots of color, lots of fun. I'm no professional, but I kind of love how it turned out!

Five on Friday

1. I finished both my books (and before my book club too)! The Light Between Oceans was sad, but because I knew it was going to be sad, it wasn't too sad. (If that makes sense!) It was also just plain delightful. And I guess what I'm saying is, don't let the sad nature of the book stop you from reading it! Okay for Now was just as good as the first time I read it and a good one to discuss as a book club.

2. Nearly every afternoon, Corbyn and Peyton go over to the Howard's house to see if Rhys and Calla can come out to play. It's pretty darn adorable to watch them play in their little pairs.

3. On Wednesday one of Rog's classes was cancelled and he decided to skip his other one, so he could surprise us by getting home early. It was perfect timing because Thursday he was off to Wood Badge, an intense scout leader training, that goes until Saturday night and continues again in 2 weeks. I've pretty much been dreading it since I heard about it (almost a year ago), so I'm actually just happy to be finally getting it over with!

4. I put the final touches on the kids' room this week. (I'll be posting pictures and a full tour soon.) My main motivation to finish it was to be able to move on to my next big project - an advent calendar for my mini ornaments I made last year.

5. Last night the kids got to stay up with me watching BYU play UCF at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was a depressing game (we lost 24-31 in overtime) and even more depressing is the fact that we can expect our future games to be just as depressing. So much for the undefeated season we were hoping for!

Seven on Sunday

(Let's just pretend I posted this last night like I had planned and not this afternoon like really happened!)

1.To celebrate the arrival of our fall weather, we had Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup for dinner Monday night. It is our absolute favorite soup and we have been waiting rather impatiently for its return to our menu rotation. I'm telling you, this soup is the stuff dreams are made of!

2. Rog's night classes started - meaning we don't see much of him Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Tuesday night he doesn't even come home. He sleeps at my Grandpa and Grandma Ririe's house because with a late class Tuesday night and an early class Wednesday morning, it just doesn't make sense for him to come all the way back to Spanish Fork. It's going to be a hard few months, but somehow we'll make it through. (Thank goodness for my parents living so close and being so willing to help out all the time!)

3. The kids and I went to the Health Department to get our flu shots on Wednesday. Peyton did great - she didn't even cry. But the second she got her shot, Corbyn started to cry and tried to run away. It wasn't exactly pleasant, but we got his done! After we went to the Provo Macey's to pick out a treat. I think their favorite part was the fun shopping carts they have there. Too bad our Macey's doesn't have this kind!

4. At the suggestion of my good friends, Megan and Rachel, I started reading The Light Between Oceans a few weeks ago. It is excellent and I haven't been able to put it down. Only problem is I was supposed to be reading Okay for Now for my book club this coming Wednesday night. I've read it before and I'm halfway done rereading it. I'm thinking I can still finish it in time if I really put my mind to it!

5. I made this Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow to take to one of the ladies I visit teach who had a baby last week. It was delicious - the perfect fall treat!

6. Friday night we played Utah State and it was just about the worst game ever. Not only did we lose (20-35), but Taysom Hill (our star QB) broke his leg and is out for the rest of the season! The best part of the game was the Cougar Tail (complete with a photo bomb from Jared).

7. We had a wonderful conference weekend full of breakfasts with family (Phillips on Saturday and Riries on Sunday), crafting galore (Halloween Tin Can Luminaries, picture display for past Halloweens, and a few things for the kids' room), a treat exchange (our contribution was Monster Munch and Reeses Pieces Puppy Chow), and uplifting messages. True to my word, we did not leave Spanish Fork which was so so nice!

And then it was Fall!

We had a super rainy day on Saturday and now it is finally feeling like fall around here! 

BYU football had a bye, so we kind of didn't know what to do with ourselves. 

We canned peaches...

And rode scooters around Grandma and Grandpa's basement.

And then I watched the General Women's Conference with my mom at her house, so we could work on projects while we listened. I get more out of it that way. President Uchtdorf hit it out of the park with his talk! And I finished this little Halloween craft.

While we were watching it, my dad, Rog, and the kids watched the Wizard of Oz. We've been trying to get Corbyn to watch it for the past year, but he never wanted to because he thought it would be too scary. They had to force him to watch it, but he loved it and so did Peyton. Now it is their new favorite - they've watched it every day since then. And the Wizard of Oz toys I bought last year have been very popular to say the least!

To finish off the weekend, after a regular, busy Sunday, I finally got around to having Rog take a picture of my growing belly at 14 weeks and 4 days.

Hello second trimester and hello fall!

Five on Friday

1. On Monday Peyton was lucky enough to get a free balloon while we were running errands when Corbyn was at preschool. I should have asked for one for Corbyn because of course he was crushed when he saw she had a balloon and he didn't. The next day he was still whining about the balloon, so we stopped to get him one on the way home from preschool (and Peyton the lucky duck got another one). Best $2 I ever spent.

2. Rog changed our air filter and somehow in the process flipped a switch that turned off our air conditioner. Soon after we noticed that our air conditioner wasn't working. He tried flipping that switch a few times, but it didn't seem to solve the problem. So the next day we had someone come look at it. Sure enough it was the darn switch after all. In case you were wondering, that was not the best $59 we ever spent. To make things worse, he tested our Freon while he was here and said it was low and would need refilling in the spring. Awesome.

3. My mom and I had planned on canning peaches on Wednesday, but I didn't get around to buying the peaches until Wednesday morning. We soon discovered they were not ripe enough, so we canned 10 half pints of peach jam and decided to wait on the others. At least the day wasn't a total waste.

4. To our great delight, a new season of NCIS has started and along with it, NCIS New Orleans. As Rog served his mission in Louisiana and spent a large portion of his 2 years in New Orleans, we have no choice but to watch that as well. Tuesday night laundry folding just got a whole lot better.

5. Even though it has still been hotter than hades here during the day, it has been cooling down quite nicely in the evenings. (We're supposed to get some actual fall weather this weekend and I cannot wait!) We've been pulling the slide out front and letting the kids play after dinner. But even with the slide, bikes, and scooters, their favorite thing to do outside lately has been to play with the Duplo Legos. Something they could do inside, go figure.

A Hot One!

Jared and Cailey were out of town last Saturday meaning we had 2 extra tickets to the Virginia game. After Corbyn's epic meltdown when he didn't get to go to the Houston game, we figured we'd let the kids use those tickets instead of trying to sell them.

For our tailgate, we had pulled pork sandwiches and ice cream because we knew it was going to be a hot one!

I had been mentally preparing myself for the heat, so I was able to grin and bear it. But the kids were just plain miserable. Luckily Grandma had stayed close to the stadium, so she came to save them a little before halftime. Next time we'll bring them to a game that isn't so hot!

The second half was a lot more enjoyable with no melting children, a snow cone, shade for the 4th quarter, and a win (41-33)!

Ironically Sunday was cold and rainy which worked out well because I had planned to make Tomato Basil Soup for dinner. Instead of church we attended the Ogden Temple Dedication and got to enjoy another Sunday with dad home.

Five on Friday

1. Last week I needed to spend a couple more dollars on Amazon to get free shipping on an add-on item. I bought the Talking Words Factory for the kids and it has been a huge hit! They want to watch it every single day and are always singing songs from it.

2. I picked up the kids' Cosmo Kids Club tickets and shirts while I was up in Provo for my doctor appointment. Corbyn's shirt isn't too terribly large, but Peyton's is ginormous on her. That didn't stop her from wearing it all afternoon over her clothes and to bed that night as a nightgown.

3. I saw that maxi skirts were $15 at Downeast Basics this week. Remembering that there will soon come a time when my regular pants don't fit, but maternity pants are too big, I ordered a few so I won't look like a slob wearing pajama pants all the time. They came yesterday and after trying them on I am thinking I made a very good decision.

4. This week has been oh so hot and not at all like the autumn weather I feel like we should be enjoying. So instead of making pumpkin treats, I spent the week eating popsicles and lemon ice in our air conditioned house and making ice cream for our tailgate party tomorrow.

5. This weekend Wood Connection had a housewarming party at all of their stores to celebrate the opening of their Layton store. My friend Kelli and I went this afternoon and then on our way home we stopped at Swig to try their famous sugar cookies. I do have to admit that was one delicious cookie and the perfect way to finish off a fun afternoon.

Baby Phillips #3

We are excited to finally share our big news! Peyton won't be the baby of our family for much longer... Baby Phillips #3 coming March 2015!

Baby's official due date is March 25th (which ironically enough was my due date, although I came 3 weeks early on March 5th)! He or she will likely be born on March 18th (when I'm induced at 39 weeks). I'll be 13 weeks tomorrow and I'm more than ready to have the first trimester behind me in another week. I've definitely been nauseous, but have only thrown up a handful of times (after swallowing my prenatal vitamins - life has been much better since I bought gummy ones).

I'm pretty positive it's a boy based on how sick I've been (and how sick I was with Corbyn versus Peyton) and the initial feeling I got when I found out I was pregnant. We'll be happy with either although I'm a little terrified at the thought of another 10 pound boy! I could already tell you the names we have picked out either way as well as how the nursery will be decorated, but I'll keep that a secret for now just in case we change our minds (like I did with Peyton).

We tried to wait a little longer to tell our families than we have in the past. Although I told Diana early because I had a question for her and then Jared and Cailey asked about it, so I told them. We finally told my parents at the tailgate last week. I replaced the fortunes in fortune cookies with a fortune of my own using this tutorial. Turns out they already knew because my mom saw a note Rog had left on a shopping list to the pregnant lady... Oh well! We told Rog's parents while we were talking to them on FaceTime the Sunday before we told my parents. 

I was totally overwhelmed with the number of likes our announcement got on Facebook and Instagram. Close to 100 people "liked" the picture and many more commented on it on Facebook. Same story on Instagram - many likes and comments. I didn't expect such a large response because it's probably not all that surprising that we're having another one - Peyton will almost be 3 when this one comes! It was nice to feel so much love through social media.

I was delighted to find out at my first appointment (at 9 weeks) that my doctor's office routinely does an ultrasound at the first visit now. So I got to see the little heartbeat fluttering on the screen and then hear it again today at my 13 week visit (beating away at 160 beats per minute).

We are so grateful to be experiencing this miracle again and can't wait to welcome another baby into our home in March!

Weekend Adventures

Friday night was our wards' Fathers and Sons Campout.

Rog and Corbyn had a great time eating hamburgers and hot dogs, roasting marshmallows, and doing all the regular camping stuff - including sleeping in a cold tent.

What campout would be complete without a Batman photo shoot?! (Corbyn lost his cape for awhile and recently found it, so his love for it has been renewed.)

Back at home Peyton and I took dinner to our friends who just had a baby, went to the park to swing for awhile, did bath time, and then finished off our girls' night watching Cinderella.

In our ward it's technically the Fathers and Children Campout (so Peyton could have gone too), but we prefer to do it this way.

On Saturday we went to dinner at 5 Guys because I needed a night off from cooking. And then we went to Riverwoods to check out Chalk the Block. No surprise, our favorites were the Disney ones!

We didn't get to stay too long because we had to rush home to make it to the adult session of stake conference. 

We finished off the weekend with regional conference. We got to hear from Elder Scott and Elder Nelson and enjoyed having Rog home all afternoon long - a rare Sunday treat!