Will's Loft Bed

Will's been begging for a loft bed nearly every week for the past three years.  He has a fairly small bedroom and could use the floor space that a loft bed would provide.

However,we've been putting him off for three years for one simple reason: he still sleeps like a toddler.

For those of you who may not be aware, toddlers, at least from our experience, sleep rather aggressively by moving (kicking, flinging) their bodies ALL THE TIME, ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, and fall out of bed A LOT. 

At age 9, I still never know what position I'll find Will in if I check on him when he's asleep. 

• Head at the foot of the bed
• Pillows on top of his head
• Blankets all on the floor
• Him on the floor (still asleep)
• Sideways on the bed where his head is up against the wall and his feet are dangling off the side.  

We don't even bother putting a top sheet on his bed anymore because it is a foregone conclusion that it will be un-tucked and wrapped around him or on the floor by midnight. One day about a year ago I decided that I would no longer be a slave to the person who decided everyone should have a top sheet on their bed. It was a bit of a Scarlet O'Hara "as God is my witness" moment.

However, we decided it was time because it had been a while since he had fallen out of his bed and, honestly, if we didn't do it soon, he would be too tall for a loft bed anyway.  

Here's the cover of the 15 page (two-sided) instruction booklet:

Weighing in at around 150 pounds, that's 30 pieces, not including the two rows of fasteners that went along the mattress support rails. 

Naturally, I decided to document the process.

For those of you unaware, this is Scott's "quit taking pictures and help" look. I ignored the look, at least for a little while.

 Will was a super helper on this project!

 

Now the fun really began.  Every mattress slat had to be fastened to the one beside it, in duplicate.

Nearing the end with the addition of the desk and shelves.

The existing fan and light fixture had to be removed for fairly obvious reasons.

Scottie made a trip to Home Depot and quickly installed a nice flush mount fixture to replace the old one.

And yes, I did insist that Will line that side of the bed with pillows as falling out of bed prevention devices.

To be honest, we're still worried about him flopping right over that rail. The double bed mattress he already had is deeper than most, so the rails are not nearly high enough in my opinion. I'm looking into some rail extensions to put up there just in case.

Typically, there is little that tests the bonds of marriage and familial kindness like a task that starts with the phrase "Assembly Required."  However, we managed to complete the bed in less than two hours and there was no profanity involved. I call that a win!

Now this is the face of one really happy boy!

Seventh and Third!

Our five week summer track out flew by and here we are again at the beginning of a new school year.

First a look back - first day of 6th and 2nd:

And today - first day of 7th and 3rd:

 

Love my babies-  growing up so well!

Sweets for my Sweeties.

Today I baked heart-shaped sweets for my little Valentines.

And received smiles and dimples in return!

Snowpocalypse 2014.

I'm not sure why North Carolina decided we needed to have an actual winter season this year, but I think we can all agree it was a mistake.

Regardless, if it's going to snow, you might as well be out there playing in it.

Here are some fun sights and sounds of playing in the white stuff.

Chewie had so much fun running around in the snow. He also had his first ever sled ride!

Yellow Belt with Black Stripe.

Today, both kids earned their next belt in Tae Kwon Do!

What the Second Grader Could Teach The Grown Ups...

Will wrote  this at school today. 

He pretty much nailed it.

Love, love his sweet, honest and loving heart.

Translation:
"I love November especially Thanksgiving because I get to spend time with my family and have a good meal.  Don't worry about black Friday be thankful for what you have don't push or shove or fight over a toy because that's just not right.  Don't be sad be glad that you have a family that loves you."

Minecraft Par-to-the-Tay! Making Turning 8 Great!

Oh my, where do I start?

Our sweet little man, Will, asked for a Minecraft themed 8th birthday party this year and I have to say, his parents did not disappoint.

I also have to say this is likely the last time his parents will ever attempt to pull off such a feat!

The sheer number of man, woman and child hours we put into this event is impressive.

Scott spent a couple of hours cutting swords out of Masonite with his band saw.

I spent many untold hours - and a lot of printer ink - printing out everything from signs and sword graphics, to iron on transfers for t-shirts and cupcake picks and wrappers.

I laminated over 70 sheets of paper and then carefully cut out each set of sword graphics to make them as realistic as possible.

Every guest would receive an Iron Sword, a Creeper t-shirt and a chest in which to put their mined diamonds and gold.

I used the kids as free labor for cutting, taping and gluing.

This is not typical party preparation at our house. 

At all.  

I don't think there is a single person who would routinely use the word "crafty" to describe me or Scott.

However, this time around we thought we would go all out and give Will a party to remember, much like we've done for Eliza Grace in the past. 

No one would ever call me a baker either, but bake I did. 

And colored frosting.  

And then tried to make the frosting look like grass. 

I'm not sure who I am anymore!

Not half bad, if I do say so myself!

Before the guests arrived we set up a crafting table.

And scattered welcoming signs on our door and windows.

Full disclosure: I borrowed this door decoration from a friend of Will's who had a Minecraft themed party the week prior.  When his Mom offered it, I practically squealed with delight.

 We set out our Minecraft snacks:

• Bucket of T-N-T (Twizzlers)
• Sticks (pretzel sticks)
• Apples
• Carrots
• Melon (Fruit by the foot)
• Blocks (rice krispy treats)
• Coal (grapes)

And Creeper cupcakes, of course.

We also took about 15 cardboard boxes in various sizes, hid "diamonds" in them and scattered them all over the back yard.

We set out the shirts and swords and chests for easy access.

Once we finished all the party prep, we waited for the onslaught of 13 additional munchkins.

Before we gave them their swords, each child had to raise their right hand and state that they understood that if they touched any human body part with their sword, they would lose their sword until the end of the party. I said,"Repeat after me: I, state your name."  And they DID!

We didn't plan a single structured activity during the outdoor/sword play part of the day.  And for that I'm sure the kids were very thankful!  

However, my sister, who is more fun and spontaneous than I am, came outside with a Creeper head on and threw T-N-T (Twizzlers) at the kids.  That was a BIG hit!

Kids and boxes, right?  

They had a BLAST just running around, playing with their swords, ripping open boxes for diamonds and playing in said boxes. 

Over an hour later, they'd exhausted themselves outside so we collected swords and headed inside for Lego building, toys, Minecraft music parodies and snacks.

Check out some of the live action:

We all agreed that the party was a rousing success.

Happy birthday, sweet little man Will.  We love you and are proud of the awesome kid you are and the man you will become!