Remodel is almost done, whew

The floors went in!!! The project is yet to be complete, however... The night the floors went in Chris was outside after the kid's bedtime painting baseboards. I went through our entertainment center that had been sitting outside for about 5 weeks and got rid of about half of our DVD collection. Watch out, I'm feeling purgy! I read an article a while ago about the book and method The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up... And Jac read the book and is putting the method into practice. Unable to download the book version I am cheating a little and following a guide off of the internet... You basically go through all of your belongings category by category (clothes, books, etc) Versus room by room with the goal of halving your belongings.

Isn't it crazy that that is a way to spend time? Getting rid of stuff??!! First world over here, for sure. I took 5 garbage bags to the hospice, 1 of which I was holding onto and had things on varage sale, waiting for someone to buy them. 

Now is a great time for us to get rid of things as we had everything out of the main living areas. Oh it feels good!

None of these photos were staged nor were they taken on the big camera. I'm really obsessed with all the different wood and textures going on. The trim still needs to be re-attached to the island but I just love all the different wood.

The island has random stuff on it yet again but it was not too constructiony. The doors have been open most days which means I'm a fly murderer come bedtime. Yuck.

This used to be where the giant brick mantle and propane stove were, now it houses our little office. The room is so much more spacious and useable. To the left is a pile leftover from a workday. Chris has been working on the house 9-12 daily then leaving for actual work 1-midnight. He has been burning the candle on both ends for sure. Gotta find a way to disguise the cords. 

This is what we are going for eventually, but with less stuff on the shelf and a piece of furniture to hide the printer under the table desk. 

The kids approve of the floors, we have also done our G rated versions of Risky Business, donning socks most evenings regardless of temperature so we can all slide.

Halfway done baseboards and attempting simpler/ less cluttered living. This pic was also taken prior to me mopping so it's a bit dusty.

On the to do list still: finish base boards, touch up paint, move the armoire inside, new door knob to garage (broke at the beginning of the project).

Transitional Kindergarten...

We have a student on our hands! Owen moved up from a very part time preschool to full day TK 2 weeks ago. 

We celebrated the occasion with bacon. It tends to be one of our celebratory foods around here.

It's been an adjustment for all of us, mostly him. He is having a total blast but his sleep schedule is not enough. He has been fighting bedtime and wanting to sleep in our room. We have yet to figure this out so some nights it is taking us over an hour for him to calm down. Then he wakes halfway through and wants to sleep in our room. Then up at 530 by choice...UGh. 

He has made many friends, is learning sign language, and LOVES going to school. We miss him a lot, Ara always asks where's Bubba?

School snacks

Owen continues to have specific preferences... He has come a long way in the oral aversion department, and now is one of those kids who touches his face and mouth all the time... Ugh just in time for kindergarten:(. 

Being a dietitian I truly have let a lot go with Owen to first get him off of relying on tube feeding. Then with his gagging continuing he limits himself on trying new things. Then there is the "normal" kid aspect of all this as well. I'm super stoked to say he eats an awesome variety of proteins now! The big lacking area is fruit, so I'm always attempting to sneak it in somehow. 

I made these snacks and he enjoys them! They aren't fresh but I'll take what I can get!

He will eat dehydrated peach and Apple "chips" as well as plantain chips. Apple and pear are the only fresh fruits he will eat:(.

My second batch turned out great. My first batch of fruit snacks (this go around,... I made them about a year ago) stuck to the paper... I thought I used parchment but I used waxed paper... Let's just blame that one on sleep deprivation okay?

Cut, roll, and store in freezer! These have plums, pineapple, and strawberries- that's it! I was so happy to watch him eat it, and ask for it again when I sent it in his lunch. Baby steps! I'm guessing one fruit strip has about 1/4 cup of fruit- I'll take what I can get!!

Morro Bay for a Long Weekend

Last year we started an awesome tradition of going to Morro Bay with the Aubins. Thanks to Ron who shared his beach home with us, we were all able to secure a weekend before school started. We did have this planned since February I think!

Last year the drive seemed kinda long. But then we drove to Vegas, San Diego, and Glamis. Now, anything under 10 hours is easy peasy on us Brittons. 

We left after my day of work on a Wednesday. The kids all fell asleep in a somewhat normal manner. We rolled up around 11pm. Our kids were wide awake, laughing and tooting for at least an hour after we settled down. About 4 hours of sleep that night...

Morning technology time

A misty morning spent jump roping on the beach. Just love seeing grown adults jumpin rope!

 This guy was born to play in the sand!

 More jumping photos...Lily could do a roundoff into the jumping section. Chris tried it and did pretty well too!

 Half man DOWN!

 Lotsa laughs and both kids did bail that morning.

 I was obsessed with her sleeping on me, I must have taken about 367 photos of this... She was wearing Owen's jacket after her face first bail into the water.

 Dead and alive crabs meant for fun hunts.

 Spidey moves on the beach

 Nap snoozes

 She woke soon after I transferred her off of my back.

 Pizza port with the kids~ we aren't big restaurant eaters with the kids, but I'm getting a little better. I always get anxious with it for some reason. This was great! Chris did accidentally spill about half of his soda on me, my plate, etc. It was pretty funny as the waitress appeared so quickly to clean it up I was in shock of the whole situation.

 succulent obsession was at an all time high down there

 Love the shops along Morro Bay's streets

 A little shut eye here and there

 Hadn't played chinese checkers in years! It was a hoot!

 These kids have so much fun together

 Wynt and I ran 2 miles one day, 3.5 another, and 4 another.. IT WAS THE BEST!

 Cousin pile!

 Wetsuits were rented for the ocean adventures.

 hot sandy walk to the beach

 Ara had a snack from mom and fell asleep for 2+ hours on the beach. You can see her little leg and shoe under the towel hut before I covered it up.

 We were laughing at a photo online the other night that was of couples doing this so we decided to be super lame and goofy and do it as well.

 total nerds but we were laughing hysterically

 Tired. Not a lot of sleep but lots of cuddles.

 SLO explorations by the creek

No shortage of cousin time! It was relaxing and adventurous all in one! Can't wait until next year already.