Decorating A Tween Boy Room

We have slowly been getting our house together over the past several months. There have been projects in various rooms but no complete overhauls yet. I suppose there will be a year update in the works. But today I thought I would share pictures from Zac's room. We spent Mother's Day putting the finishing touches on our tween boy's room. It has been a struggle to find the perfect, well, everything for him. I've been frustrated by the lack of appropriate room decor for our ten year old boy. It seems you either have to go with cartoon characters or super grown up metro when decorating a boy's room these days. My son really isn't into satin sheets. He thinks that is a bit girly at this age. I guess you could always spend a grand at Pottery Barn unless you like things like food and electricity! Things have been on hold while I've searched every store in a 20 mile radius looking for the perfect bedding, wall decor, and al the extras. 

We did a lot of repurposing with Zac's room. I guess the general theme has been archeological. More fitting would be Zac. The theme of Zac. Which equates to boy stuff. He loves science. Anything natural occuring in our world interests him. He has collections of rocks, sea shells, leaves, animal skulls, you name it. I can't help but let him collect these things because it is oh-so-important to him. He is also interested in the way things move and are built. I wanted to utilize his collections of random earthly things in his room. Even though, it isn't anything spectacular I'm really happy with the way things turned out. We have a few things left to do, like a new bed, possibly some shelving, and hanging his US Map. It's close enough for a reveal though.

The world map became a fixture in Zac's room when my husband deployed on a MEU a little over a year ago. We would mark all the ports with pins. It was a great visual for my son to see where dad was and what he was doing. I would suggest it for any elementary age child who is having difficulty with deployment, especially if mom or dad is mobile during deployment.

This is the country coming out in us. No home is complete without a dead animal decorating it ;)

I've seen a lot of use of clipboards lately in decorating. I love it. This serves as a reminder for important school work, vocab words, states and capitals, or permission slips that need to be signed right before bed. That is the only time we can sign important school notes, right? Ten minutes after they are suppose to be in bed. I just love that! And I love how his room turned out. It's so perfect for him.

House Inspiration

Are you ready to talk house stuff? It has been awhile. I'm starting to get excited about house stuff again. We went into freeze mode for a few months with Christmas becoming a priority. Our kids like gifts so we thought we should buy some. Which means we don't buy anything else until we've crossed off the entire list. 

March is around the corner and life has slowed down a bit. We have been thinking about renovations. The big question is What to do next? What is worth doing when we consider reselling. My husband loves thinking about renovations and doing the work himself. I'm not really sure where I stand. It's fun but overwhelming. I care more about paint and furniture. He is more about tearing stuff up and replacing it. He thinks we are going to pull up all the carpet in our downstairs and replace with wood flooring. He says it's going to be easy. I'm not really sure what the easy part is??? It sure doesn't sound easy! I would rather watch. I can be the cheerleader. I can hand him stuff. I'm hoping that is what he means by we. 

He is focused on the floors. He wants to replace the floors soon. We were a little unsure about our color so I suggested going to some nearby model homes for inspiration. Visiting these model homes is like stepping right on a real life Pinterest board. Everything is perfect. I have so much fun going through these homes and getting ideas. I'm sure you remember my first post and second. Wouldn't it be great if these model home tours were like a thing? A ladies night out thing where they served wine, appetizers, and teach you how to decorate your home? I would so be on board.

We went to a few tracks. I took some pictures. This is one of my favorites. I love the built in shelving. I think this would work in our red room. We haven't quite figured out what to do with the space. I would like to make it into a reading room but not sure how much we would use it. I've thought about a craft room. Again not sure how much we would use it. Maybe a sitting room? I think we would use a sitting room. I think. It isn't an urgent decision since the flooring is going in first. But it would be nice to have a plan.

The next thing we saw in almost every house is tile work in the bathrooms. I love it. I want to put it in the kids' bathroom. The colored tile adds a little something extra. Their bathroom is almost identical to this one so it's easy to visualize how it would look. I'm not sure about colors yet. Right now we have monkeys with green and brown. I think my kids are outgrowing cartoon characters.  

I've been thinking about a bold color. Perhaps a shade of blue like the one below. I love the lime green as an accent color too. Although it might be a little too Seahawks for my kids though. My Broncos fan won't be to keen on Seahawks colors. It's a little to fresh in his mind. I've been considering grey and orange or grey and some bold blue color. Hmm...

Here is another quick change up for the kids bathroom. Drawer knobs. It adds a little something. Our house is so cookie cutter right now, we really to need to spruce it up with simple changes. 

Possible master bedroom colors. The orb lights are starting to grow on me. They are definitely trending now. The orb lights were in every house in almost every room. We might have to add one somewhere in this house.

I initially loved the cabinet color here with the stainless steel. However, I'm starting to lean towards black cabinets instead. Our flooring would be the color of the cabinets and we would have a darker color on the tiled backsplash. I'm guessing this will be happening in the next year. If the Marine Corps keeps my husband home. 

I took this picture for inspiration for our loft. I initially wanted a study space but my kids have rebelled against the idea. They do their homework at the kitchen table. Now I am thinking about creating a family space. A place where we can all be even if we are not doing the same things.  I want the oversized clock and the square coffee table for sure. 

We have so many ideas now for the house. We are going to be busy with lots of home reno projects! I am going to be the very best cheerleader for my husband while he executes every single one of them ;)

Tales From The New Home {Week 16}

After a few weeks off, I can report we are back in business. We have a few in progress projects. We were at a stand still for a while because of so many factors. The weather was unbearably hot. Our schedule was crazy. And we were living on one income. Now everything is coming together. The weather is amazing lately. The next few weeks are (partly) unbooked. And I'm back to work. We very fortunately are expecting company at the end of November. Company always tends to light a little fire under ya! The office which has been my catch all needs to become a guest bedroom by Thanksgiving. Which means deciding paint color and buying furniture. Exciting, yet nerve wrecking! I have to make decisions... by next Sunday. 

Our main focus has been re-seeding the back yard. And by our focus, I mean my husband's focus. I've been pumpkin patch-ing and Las Vegas-ing while he has been Home Depot-ing and well heck, he went to Vegas too! But he did all the hard labor when it came to the back yard. I give him credit. He tilled the whole space and planted grass seed. Everyone warned him to cover the seed or the birds would eat it. But he is hard headed and wouldn't hear it. He didn't cover his grass seed for about a week. Sure enough, we had new birds coming to visit us the entire week and inviting all their friends. I even caught our resident hummingbird feeding off the ground. Yes, they were right again. Cover the grass seed! The birds will eat it.

Here is a break down of what has been happening. Husband took out the pavers to expand the backyard another two feet. The palm tree in the corner still remains but needs to go. Our friends are taking them but we have to coordinate the when of it all. Two men in charge equals a year of humming and haa-ing. You all know it does! Women just have a way. They really do!

We put the boys to work picking up the broken pavers. They hate it but I like it. I just don't think kids get taught the responsibility of house work anymore. And I'm as much to blame as anyone. It really has to be a conscious decision for me. I tend to let my kids be kids but the philosophy doesn't help them much. Honestly. High demand, High reward. It gives you the best results. I promise.

We added a little yard over there and lost some here. The old pavers which could be saved went to the opposite side of the yard. We have a row to add but it's coming together. Not a finished project but soon.

Someone loved that my husband didn't cover the new grass seed right away. He was lounging in that nasty pile of dead grass for a week. Dogs are weird!

We also took a day and organized the garage. "Nicole" style. We took everything out and put it all back in. Greatest feeling ev-vah! We bought a great industrial shelving unit from Costco and it made a huge difference. I wish I had taken a picture after. 

I know you are all digging that deer head. It's great when I get to explain it to young children who randomly pass by. In some states, the dead deer head hanging in my garage wouldn't catch much attention. In California, it is a different story. You will never know how much I tolerate over here with this guy! 

Even his precious baby had to get out of the garage.

 We finally got grass. I hope the HOA is happy. Our wonderful neighbor loves to fill us in on all the gory details of the HOA police. I guess the citation lady is pretty active in our community. Which makes me giggle a little. Have you all seen the Over The Hedge movie? I'm picturing the crazy HOA lady in my mind. My neighbor tells us as long as you write your apology letter (we did) then you won't have to pay (we didn't). However, when you skip the letter you will pay the fine. Noted. Gotta love a neighbor who has the dirt!

I should be back next week with all the details of what has happened after this weekend. We are in need of a major house clean. I'm not sure it needs it. I think it's more my preference. The older I get the more obsessed I am with having a clean organized house. Sadly, it doesn't happen easily. Other than that, I have plans to hang with my family and get ready for Halloween. Which probably means a trip to Target for Trick or Treat candy. Yippee!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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Tales From The New Home {week 12}

This post is going up way to late on a Sunday evening. But I want to document as much as I can about our time in the new house this first year. We have been so busy playing and parenting and doing the whole life thing. Not a lot of time has gone into the house thing.  We kind of committed this weekend to the house and made a lot of progress.

July 2013

Our house when we first moved in. The haphazard planting in our front flower bed drove me crazy. I debated for weeks about taking the rose bushes out. I'm not a fan. They are all placed randomly throughout the front. Finally decided to pull 4 rose bushes last weekend.

October 2013

Post-rose bushes. The goal is to create symmetry without having to completely redo the flower beds. I don't mind the trees there but you can tell one is full and the other-- well not so much. I tried to even them up as much as possible but there is still a big difference. 

Removing pavers in the back yard

The biggest project has been landscaping the backyard. Little by little. We have expanded a few areas where pavers had sectioned off and filled in other spots where there was a random bush or plant. Right now, our backyard looks terrible. Literally, worse than when we moved in. Always a work in progress.

Lime Tree August 2013

Do you remember when we made the huge mistake of massacring the lime tree? I still get sick thinking about it.

  

Lime Tree October 2013

Well, the tree has made quite the comeback. I think it's going to make it!

The Office (July 2013)

Once upon a time this room was empty and I wondered what I would do with the extra space in my home???

The Office (October 2013)

Well, this happened.

You like???

The one project always needing to be done...cleaning this beast of a home.

Fours hours to clean the downstairs only. 

I miss my base house. 

Tales From The New Home {week 10}

Apologies for taking the week off. Mr. Fix It was away at training and I was holding things together here by the skin of my teeth. Ok, it's never that bad when he is away for short trainings. But I tend not to blog about his away time when he is away. Defaulting to OpSec on that one.

I had a big list of things to do while he was away. Some were small around the house type jobs and others were big... like removing an entire palm tree solo. You have my permission to laugh. Needless to say, the tree removal didn't happen. Partly because we had an insane heat wave for 10 of the 14 days he was gone and partly because removing trees is not for the faint of heart. I didn't realize this when I added it to my To Do List.

Which leads me to the newest revelation for us. I asked my husband to turn off the sprinklers while he was away. In case one of those sprinkler heads broke off again. I did not want to mess with replacing one. I promised in vain to water the lawn daily. I think. Mr. Fix It says I said daily. Well, I may have skipped a few days. And then the heat wave came. Then some grass started to die.

It happens.

Most people understand... Just not the HOA. That's right. I got us in trouble. We received our notice in the mail stating we were breaking Section IV and something with an 8.4 and some other number. Failure to keep our lot attractive. Opps. Now we need to maintain the small section of grass that has turned brown  with fertilizer. And return our intent to correct in writing within 10 days.

And never ever break the rules again. Yikes!

Tales From The New Home {week 8}

Two full months in the new house. I think we can be settled now. My office is still a modge podge of boxes and misplaced items. I need to figure out what the room will be. I like the idea of a guest room but we don't have a lot of overnight guests. Other options include office, craft room, or storage room. Still thinking on that one.

This week has been hot. 102. 103. It's September, right? An East Coast friend posted a picture in long sleeves, pants, and boots on Facebook. I almost cried. Southern California is notorious for skipping fall. My favorite season, of course.  September is here and I am just now running the air conditioning all day. Doesn't seem right.

The house continues to keep me busy with cleaning and organizing. I should say re-organizing, thanks to my three children. I had to make some returns to Lowes this week and stopped through the paint and flooring sections. The inside walls need a new coat of paint. We put painting off when we moved in due to my indecision. Our second major project (after the backyard) is replacing the flooring downstairs.  We are switching from carpet to laminate (wood). I picked up two samples of the colors I would like.

My first option for paint/flooring is:

Yellow walls.

Acorn or Maple flooring

The second option is:

Gray walls.

Dark flooring.

Which combo do you like? I have wanted gray but I think the yellow/maple combo is more me.

Before I sign off I have to share a (blurry) picture of my little engine that could. Do you remember the massacred lime tree? Here is the latest photo update on its recovery. We have blooms. I think it is a good sign!

Tales From The New Home {Week 7}

Bills, bills, bills. That sums up my morning. Our $33.00 water bill tripled this month. Our inside water usage stayed the same but the outside quadrupled. I'm not sure the jump is normal. I thought I read somewhere when those jumps happen suspect a leak or broken line. We turned off the automatic sprinklers and hopefully we will see a change next billing cycle. I've taken it upon myself to water the lawn with the hose. The old fashioned way, I guess. I would love the au natural way but rain doesn't seem to be in our forecast. It has been terribly hot and humid this past week. I miss my Oceanside weather!

Mr. Fix-It has a new project. The backyard. The drainage back there is terrible, like non existent! He is planning to insert a french drain and re-sod the entire backyard. There are a few more projects included but I am sharing the two majors ones. I'm a little afraid about how this is going to turn out. I have a lot of faith in Mr. Fix It but drains are kind of a big deal. Someone with no experience could possibly make a mess... a big mess. Fingers crossed.

Digging the trench for the french drain.

Total DIY project. Please do not attempt this at home.

Little drain pipe with a big cap.

Because that makes sense.

Little drain pipe leading to nowhere.

Because that makes sense.

Ok, I am needed in the backyard. 

Mr. Fix It is probably breaking some child labor laws while "supervising".

If you enjoy reading this blog, please vote at the link below. Adventures of a Semper Fi Family
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Tales from the New Home {week 6}

Half way through our second month in the house. Wow. It feels like it has been longer. Months at least. Not much happened around the house this week. Busy work schedule for my husband and a school switcheroo for the boys. We felt the brunt of school overcrowding in the state of California. A big reality check for living off base. I never worried about anything school related because my kids always went to base schools. The majority of the students are military kids. The spots are typically open for military kids throughout the year. Living off base, we have to all but compete for spots at our "home" school. I do not like it.

We have spent the past week going from one school to the next and then being threatened to switch teachers again. A complete mess which has finally settled. The kids and I are happy with the outcome and loving their new school. I think the boys like it better than our "home" school. I do not foresee us returning this year.

Back to the house, Mr. Fix-It did manage to take out another overgrown shrub and a mess of vines from the front wall. Things are really improving.

I have been slacking on decorating. The office wall is lined with pictures and decor.  Out of pure desperation, I decided to put nails in pre-existing holes and hang my pictures.

Yes... it looks awkward... but anything else would require me to make a decision. I cannot make decisions about house stuff. Too stressful. Seriously, my friend had to pick out the paint for the kids' bedrooms. My husband arranged the furniture in our master. I am totally inept when it comes to houses. I will learn.

I do not have anything else to share about the house. How about a tour of our local park and community center? All are within walking distance from our house. We really lucked out on location!

I love all the space. A place to play, a spot to relax, and the pooch gets to come along too. There is a little something for everyone!

If you enjoy reading this blog, please vote at the link below. Adventures of a Semper Fi Family
http://voiceboks.com/top-50-military-mom-blogs-of-2013/
Thank you!