Entryway and popcorn removal

We have a tall front entryway, close to 18 feet tall! So when Heather said she found a new chandelier, I knew we were in for a project!

 While I was "up there", I might as well scrape off the popcorn texture from the ceiling.

 I'm not a fan of popcorn texture, to me it makes the room feel dark. Just look at how dark this ceiling is from the shadows of the texture, it was time for the popcorn to go!

 The entryway transitions into the upstairs hallway which is full of popcorn texture and the notorious "boob" lights

 Since I would be scraping the ceiling I wanted something more sturdy to work from rather than an extension ladder. My father-in-law suggested I build a platform. Anchor a cleat above the front door and above the stairs and then run 2 x 4's to make a platform and then put some OSB down to make a sturdy surface to walk around on. Once the project is over, fill the dozen screw holes from the anchor boards and it looks better than ever!

 So that's what I did. The thing is, if you build a platform that is 12 feet up in the air in your front entryway...your kids will want to "explore" it!

 My helpers climbed right up and made sure everything was in order for me to work on the ceiling and the lights!

 Two thumbs up from G!

 Scrapping went really well, I didn't even need to get the ceiling wet, the popcorn just scrapped off. Here is a picture of about halfway through, you can see on the ceiling where I have scrapped and where the popcorn remains.

 Another view and the chandelier, which we have named "5 lights"

 I bought this scrapper from Lowe's for $18, a garbage bag attaches to the scrapper and it catches about 85% of the popcorn, so there is still a little mess, but this thing works like a champ!
Here's a link to the scrapper: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homax-Steel-Paint-Scraper-Common-12-in-Actual-12-in/50183393
(I'm not sponsored or affiliated with Lowe's, I'm sure other hardware stores carry a similar scrapper, Lowe's is just close to my office)

 After the popcorn was removed, I gave the ceiling a coat of ceiling paint and then swapped out the chandelier.

 We went from old 5 lights to new chandelier, it is lighter and brighter than the old one!

 Platform came down and i filled in the holes.

 And I hooked up the wiring correctly...it lights up!

 Swapped out the "boob" lights in the hallway for these lights, here is the hallway ceiling without popcorn!

 Holes patched and painted and all lit up!

 A transformed entryway

 Another view of the finished project.

Spring Break - Yes Day

A while ago, we checked out the book "Yes Day!" from the library, it's a story with a simple premise, the answer to anything is yes. Since that book, our kids have been asking when they could have a "Yes" day.

 Well, with spring break looming, we were trying to decide on what to do and where to go, flights were too expensive and driving is limited to about 3 hours with 3 kids under 7...so we were in a pickle. Then Heather had the idea, one day of spring break, each of the 3 kids could have a "Yes" day! Started with some books on the couch, it was cold for March, but they asked if they could wear shorts and t-shirts?..."Yes" 

 Can we bring all our Lego's downstair and build a giant city?..."Yes"

 Can we have breakfast pizza and cinnamon rolls for breakfast?..."Yes"

 Can we play Wii?..."Yes"

 Can we go to Climb Iowa?..."Yes"

 Trigg climbing hi!

 G making his way up the wall

 Working his way up

 Trigg made it to the top a couple different times!

 G had a ton of fun at Climb Iowa

 and made it pretty high up the wall

 After Climb Iowa...can we get spinning drinks?..."Yes" (those are frostee's from the gas station, the boys call them that because they are always spinning when we go into the gas station!) This wrapped up G's "Yes" day.

 Later in the week, Trigg had his "Yes" day, it was a lot of playing Wii, which I didn't take more pictures of them playing video games...Trigg then wanted to go for a bike ride with Dad

 ...we rode about 4 miles!

...to the ice cream shop!

 We then met the rest of our crew at the park on our bike ride home.

All in all, we had great "Yes" day's. They were mainly filled with video games and candy, which I guess is slightly reflective of our daily lives because as parents we limit their screen time and sugar intake!

Snow, snow, snow

We didn't have a white Christmas this year, but once the snow started to fall, it didn't stop till March! We had a record breaking February with a total of 25.1 inches of snowfall! We made the most of it at our house. We got this fun spray bottle to add food coloring and water to make snow paint! The kids grab shovels and made tunnels and trenches through the front and back yard!

 G showing off one of the tunnels!

 He can slide right through!

 The trenches were the perfect width to take a sled through!

 Getting lined up...

 and away he goes!

 Trigg was the "master planner" of the trenches, adding lots of trails through the yard!

 So much snow that we could sled down the steps of the deck!

 As the snow started to melt, we headed out to Saylorville for a nature hike!

 Found some ice formations!

 And fully enjoyed the outdoors!

All this snow has made for a long winter, we have loved it but we are definitely ready for Spring!