The Mini Man Cave

For the last couple of months, the boys have been asking to share a room. They were sleeping in each other’s room for some time after the most recent hurricane, and decided they liked that better than staying in their own rooms. We weighed out the pro’s and cons of moving them in together- they do get along really well, Nolan’s room was plenty big enough for 2 kids, we could have a designated guest room and Chris could have his office to himself. So, we decided to go ahead and make the transition. And, in true Smith fashion, we took this project on riiiiiight before Christmas. Because there’s not enough going on that time of year!

Here’s what the boys’ rooms looked like before the big change…

This was Nolan’s room when it was still “Nolan’s room.” It is a nice sized room so it made sense that they would go into that space.

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Ok, this was during the transition. It’s not usually quite this much of a hot mess.

Here was Brady’s room, which has turned into our guest room.

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We decided to stick with the boys’ full sized mattresses that were not that old, and got the boys a full over full bunk bed. They LOVE it. We are using Brady’s old dresser and bookshelf and Nolan’s old dresser is now in the guest room. There was a lot of re-arranging during this process figuring out what would fit where. We also painted both spaces and added a cool feature wall in the boys’ room. Here’s the work in progress pics…

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Feature wall in progress…

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We first started painting the room that light blue color you see, but realized it was too baby-ish for our big boys. *tear* So we ended up re-painting it a darker “denim blue.”

Here is how the boys’ room looks now!

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I love how this wall turned out! For now we have Nolan’s big old train table taking over this space, but eventually I hope to put in some sort of desk or maybe Lego building station.

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Brady is on the top bunk because OMG Nolan can’t be trusted up there.

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That little train print was purchased at the Strasburg Railroad during our time in Pennsylvania and it always makes me smile. The boys will have this in their room FOREVER if for nothing else because the custom framing was ridiculously pricy and I’m getting my moneys worth whether they like it or not!

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Love their little rockers that my Grandma bought them!

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Hello toy storage under that bottom bunk!

So far the boys are really loving sharing a room. I get such a kick out of hearing their little conversations at night…pretending to be Star Wars characters, acting out football games, and recounting the day’s events. Who knows how long they’ll love living together, but for now, it’s adorable!

And, Chris is loving having an office to himself. He just purchased a new desk and is planning to install hardwood floors and make it his own man cave. (Little known fact, Chris HATES the phrase “man cave.” So naturally I call his office a man cave every chance I get.) Enjoy your new man cave, honey!

We also did a quick paint job on Brady’s old room and turned it into a guest space. Btw, so sorry to our guests we had over Christmas who were surely breathing in brand new paint fumes as we finished painting it 2 days before Christmas. Aaaahh!

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Can we talk about how sweet this little yellow chair is in the guest room nook? Shout out to my neighbor Cynthia who was giving it away. I love the pop of color!

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This was taken right after we finished painting (before I got the cool yellow chair and moved this gray one back where it originally belonged!) Notice the window open desperately trying to get rid of the fumes. 🙂

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Recap!

Brady’s room is now the guest room-

 

And Nolan’s room is now the mini man cave-

 

Stay tuned to see how long the boys want to share a room. Lord willing, I will not be spending next Christmas break putting it all back how it was!

ChriSMITH 2017

The holidays with a 4 and 6 year old boy have got to be just about the sweetest thing ever. Yes, life is busy and chaotic, but there’s something about a child fully believing in the magic of Christmas that makes you want to slow down and enjoy every little moment. I love all the traditions that we’ve created with the boys that they now have begun to remember and look forward to. I love that we are now closer to extended family so we can share these moments with them. I even have started to love that freakin’ Elf on the Shelf. (Well, I love how much my kids love it!) Here are some pictures from the last month of all our festivities and adventures.

Decorating- this took forever this year…especially with the kids “helping.”

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Chris’s handiwork on the fireplace looked so pretty with Christmas decorations.

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My aunt gave me this hutch this year and it was my favorite spot during the holidays because of how pretty the Nativity looked on it!

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Under the Christmas tree- any cat’s favorite spot.

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Watching Rudolph, decorating the tree, reading Christmas books- all the holiday magic at once.

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Putting up our Gator ornaments in the dining room. Look how nicely I ironed our table cloth. Ha!

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That’s it. Stare at the T.V. while putting on ornaments. No big deal…I’m going to re-arrange them all when you go to bed anyways!

The Elf…man, did my kids love looking for her every morning.

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Fun traditions…

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Picking out our Christmas tree at our church tree lot.

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Nolan’s first time on a horse at our neighborhood’s annual Winter Fest.

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Neighborhood’s Winter Fest…Brady’s face! lol

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Our family’s Christmas party at my Aunt Claudia’s beach condo.

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Brady hard at work helping to build a sandman.

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Nolan focusing so hard to paint our thank you cards for our annual St. Jude fundraiser.

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Making Christmas cards for classmates. This was the first year Nolan could write his name on all the cards!

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Decorating Gingerbread houses. AKA icing/candy eating game.

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“Baking” Christmas cookies. Thank you Pillsbury! (When you’re busy, some things have to go. Homemade cookies weren’t happening this year.)

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One cookie for Santa, four for me.

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Nolan’s Pre-School Christmas pageant. Look at his little nervous face! But, he rocked it!

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I could EAT him up!

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Using up our Sea World passes before they expired. The boys love it there.

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Nolan’s class party. I am going to miss these sweet parties with crafts and cookie decorating SO much! Sidenote: Why is his stuffed dolphin at the party? Who knows!

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Celebrating Brady’s half birthday. 6 and a half!

Christmas week events…

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My dad and Pat came to town before Christmas and we enjoyed some really warm Florida temps!

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On our way to Christmas Eve service. 

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My boys walking into church.

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That time Nolan “accidentally” took the whole box of candy canes when the pastor was handing them out. 

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Turns out I bought ALL of the cheese at Publix for the holidays. Oops.

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Keeping our pizza on Christmas Eve tradition alive!

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We made Ina Garten’s “Easy Sticky Buns” for Christmas morning. How easy is that?

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Brady’s Christmas theme- weaponry and adventure. Sigh. 

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You’ll shoot your eye out, kid. 

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Chris being every dad on Christmas, assembling toys.

After Christmas moments…

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Just being goofy

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Two of my college besties came to visit us!

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Gator girl kiddos are the cutest!

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Cute couple alert! Brady was in love with my friend, Lucila.

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Ikea during the holidays….whoa.

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A few lazy moments here and there. (She’s not allowed on the furniture. Oops.)

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Chris loves making pasta with the boys when he has time off!

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Chris loves eating pasta all the time. 

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New year’s eve dinner. Who’s ready for 2018 and carbs?!

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Daily chaos and weird stuff going on. 

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A little NYE apple juice toast/chug.

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It got COLD in Florida!

The holidays did not disappoint this year- I only wish they could have lasted a little longer. Now onto those New Year’s resolutions- just as soon as we finish all the pasta leftovers.