Sophia's Reading Loft

Sorry I've been a bit MIA but I've been super busy. Between teaching, being a mom, trying to get ready for Bell's craft fair, trying to promote my blog via blog link-ups, and trying to stock my Etsy shop for Christmas....I've been a little busy. Sorry friends and family. I really did want to spend time with you!

Here's a photo of our dining room so you can get a sense of my busy-ness.

One project Russell and I had both wanted to tackle for a while was Sophia's room. We want to create a reading loft in the upper bunk and pass on some toys to those in need. Here's what we pulled out of her room and closet (after doing this just under 6 months ago). Scary!!!

But once we pulled EVERYTHING out, this is what her room looked like.

I moved her clothes to the other side of the closet so we could move her dresser into the closet.

Here's what we donated to a charity that Uncle Tim helps with.

And the big reveal....Sophia could not have been more excited. It was like a pre-Christmas miracle!

Russell got a good piece of plywood cut down the size of the upper bunk.

We added her book shelf up there, which fit perfectly at the end.

We added her extra blankets, pillows, pillow pets etc. for cushioning. 

And since we moved he book shelf up, we were able to fit her princess castle in her room. 

Here's a final look at her closet (sorry the pics are terrible...lighting is everything).

Other side....

I was able to catch Sophia in action, briefly.

Dang flash! But she LOVES it! She actually spent about an hour up there while I was sewing, reading to her stuffed animals. And a dance party broke out at some point...notice her CD player on the corner.

Thanks Russell! Father of the year??!!! I think so!!!!

I think Russell made the good list this year as far as Santa is concerned!

Sophia-nese

Every child has their own phrases and sayings and lately, Sophia has been saying a lot of memorable things, so I just wanted to document them. I don't want to forget these things.

When we say I love you Sophia, she always says "I love you too, too"!

When we see something cool at a craft store, she says "Coolio". If only she was around in the 90's, she'd understand the musical reference. I asked her where she heard it (because she will always reveal who says what), and she said she came up with it. ???

"Well actually"...."You're inrritaing/frsurtating me" (yep, that's me, proud mama moment)

She'll explain something to me and go "right mama!". And of course I said yes.

"And mama, I didn't even get emotional. I just shook it off". 

And just this morning we were having a convo about using your good manners and she said that her friends at school don't use their good manners and that "she is learning these things from her husband Brody". I said "What??!!" And she just looked at me and smiled. Your husband....shesh. I'm going to be in trouble during her teenage years!

Halloween

This year, I asked Sophia early on what she wanted to be for Halloween (knowing that the previous years, we could no longer get certain costumes past a certain point via Pottery Barn). From day one, even before the Pottery Barn catalog was delivered, she said an owl. Not sure why....could be because in previous years, she couldn't be an owl because they ran out or if she knows how much I like owls. But she was dead set on it. I even suggested some princess ideas and even super hero ideas. But she wanted none of it.

So an owl she was. She got to wear her costume to school.

Once she got home, I snapped a few pics before we went to my parent's church carnival.

She was super silly and pretty annoyed by my camera. When will she learn?

Once we arrived at the chucrhc carnival, Sophia couldn't wait to get there.

She was so excited to see her Nana and Paw-Paw.

And then she went tailgating for candy.

Then she did face painting...twice. 

They had an arts and crafts area that Sophia parked at.

All that fun, worked up an appetite.

We maid it home in time to go to 2 houses for trick or treating. Originally we'd planned to do the carnival for an hour and trick or treating for an hour cause Sophia wanted to do both. Next year, we're doing one. And Sophia can pick.

The good news....no fish to kill this year! 

And see that "man" to the left. I taught him in 3rd grade at Wilshire. 

Pumpkin Carving Time

I'm kind of a little late on posting so I'll go back to last Sunday and start from there.

Last Sunday, we finally carved our pumpkins. And when I say we, I mean Russell. He's always up for my "family traditions". And last Sunday, it was pretty chilly here (maybe in the 50's).

Sophia started out interested, but do the chilly weather, was soon bored.

This is a kitty cat popping out of a jack-o-lantern. Sophia picked this pattern out.

And once the sun went down, it was even colder and Sophia abandoned ship. She came out every once in a while to check on his progress.

He let her help carve a little bit.

We've decided that maybe next year we'll skip the pumpkin carving since Sophia wasn't that interested. But we'll see. A lot can change in a year.