Bathroom Remodel

Because the previous owners had a custom built (and ugly) countertop right over the top of our toilet, we had to take it out when the toilet needed repair in our master bathroom.  One thing led to another with this project.  We easily got the counter out. We thought it would be a simple fix to just get a new vanity for the sink cabinet.  We would have to custom order one to fit so we bought an inexpensive sink/cabinet combo.  The trick was that we had to cut into the kick plate at the bottom for a heat exchange vent.  Nate made the cut and we discovered once we fit it into place that the vent would then be in the middle of the floor instead of under the sink.  We had our friend from church come and reroute the vent and fix the ceramic tile.  Our bathroom still is not done.  We need to add the baseboards, paint, and then change the light fixture.  Unfortunately, we've run into a problem with the light fixture.  We need to get an electrician to move the wires over about 6 inches to be even with the new medicine cabinet.  Then, we will need to patch up the previous light fixture hole.  Anyone in the family experienced with this?  We'd love to have you visit! I can't wait for the bathroom to be complete.  Of course down the road I would like to get the cracked tiles in the shower replaced and a new motor for the whirlpool tub.

Here is the project in photos so far!

 

 

Terrific Kid Award for Elyana in February!

Elyana was selected to receive a Terrific Kid award during her school assembly. She was so excited. I am very proud of how easily she has adjusted this year to a huge new school. I've really seen her blossom tremendously this year. I love that mom and Elyana look like twins in the below photo!

December and January Art Class

This December I had an art show for my students at their Christmas program. It was a huge success and I received a lot of compliments on their art. Here are some pictures:

Me before I left for the show (I've lost 25 pounds!)

 

In January I am teaching on primary and secondary colors. I will them explore with my students tint and shade. Here is a neat idea I got from Pinterest, but expanded the idea to include all shades of the rainbow. I used a square punch on paint sample cards. I designed the columns on my computer. I will have them play around sorting a stack of the colors during their playtime.

 

 

Winter Break and Christmas

We thoroughly enjoyed our winter break. The girls and I went ice skating at the Recreation Center, saw a movie, went sledding, got Mikayla's ears pierced, and decorated gingerbread houses. We are all bummed to head back to school tomorrow.



Elyana's Gingerbread House



Mikayla's Gingerbread House (given to us by Julie)



Christmas Eve



Opening presents on Christmas morning!



Bagels and hot chocolate after Ice Skating!

Ears Pierced!

Elyana even ice skated at a friends house. Mikayla helped.

 

Early December

We had a busy yet good December. We toured the Mayowood Mansion, bell rang for Salvation Army, did lots of shopping, made cookies, and attended my nieces beautiful choir concert in Appleton, WI.

It was a late night and Elyana was a bit sleepy.

Too bad this one was blurry. It is a precious photo.

Present opening at Sophia's house. Elyana was given an Easy Bake Oven!

Nate playing Minion Life board game.

I was able to spend some alone time and wish my sister Merry Christmas.

The girls mischievously decorating cookies.

Making traditional Swiss dubas (doves) at Grandma Jones house with Aunt Nancy.

We made 81!

Decorating for Christmas

I decorated for Christmas early this year as I was hosting a Christmas work party at the house on the 2nd of December. Here is Elyana "helping."

Bathroom Remodel!

In November, my mom and I remodeled our half bathroom. (Okay, Nate helped too when I was afraid of messing up.) We replaced the countertop and faucet, updated towel bars, added an antique mirror (from Craigslist), and painted. I really like the results. It wasn't too hard to do. We need to do our master bathroom next.  The countertop was laid right over the top of the toilet so there is no way to open it to fix it. A few inexpensive changes really go a long way when it comes to updating things.


Before (faucet was leaking and chipped)



After!