Newest Bolander Employee

Ryan visited Evan's office one day about a year ago and when he did, he stopped in the President's office.  The president's name is Mark Ryan.  Mark took out a business card, scratched out his name Mark and added Mackey after Ryan.  Under his name, it says President.  Ryan to this day believes he is the 'boss' of his Dad's office.  When we left for the airport last week, Ryan quickly settled into Evan's chair and decided that he could get used to his office! :)

Spring Cleaning

I am a little over halfway through my spring cleaning. It takes forever, mostly because I like to go through everything really well and I don't get long periods of time to work on it. Last weekend I tackled the laundry room and the foyer. I was going through the laundry room closet and realized that with our 9' ceilings on our main level, we had a lot of wasted space above our shelf and way too much stuff piled up on there. I took everything out, sorted through it, and got rid of anything that was too small or that we no longer wanted/needed. There was a lot that still fit the kids that I wanted to keep, so I had Evan install a shelf above our current shelf to add some much needed storage. SO MUCH BETTER!

Funny, I remember thinking when we moved into this house (Kyle was 2 when we bought it) that we had so much storage room. Now, quite the opposite! Amazing how much 3 kids and all of their 'stuff' changes your perspective!

Just a portion of the things that needed to go back into the closet:

Wasted space above my shelf:

Evan installing the new shelf:

New shelving, prior to putting things back into the closet:

Much more organized space, yeah!!!!

My little goofballs!  The only time they want to help me spring clean is when it is time to get above the foyer closet to dust!

Jewelry

I filled a few orders and also made a gift for a good friend of mine.

This necklace is for my friend, Rebecca.  We met years ago online, through a support group I created after we lost our daughter, Olivia, in 2003.  While I have never met Rebecca in person, I feel like I know her and the others on my online board more closely than I know many of my 'in real life' friends, given the circumstances that brought us together.  Next weekend, Evan and I are flying to San Antonio for his annual demolition convention and Rebecca is driving from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to meet up with us.  I can't wait to meet her in person! :)

Waterpark Weekend

We celebrated my Mom's birthday waterpark style this weekend at the Venetian Waterpark in Maple Grove's Holiday Inn and Suites. It was our first time there and we were pleasantly surprised. It was a beautiful, clean hotel with a great waterpark area for the kids. There was a large pool that was perfect height for Carter to be able to stand in, with 4 basketball hoops in it. There was also an obstacle course, two large (fast) slides, a kiddie pool area, and a hot tub. It received a thumbs up from both boys - they decided the only things missing were a lazy river and vortex pool. I guess you can't win them all! ;)

Happy

Birthday to you!

Happy

Birthday

to

you!

Happy

Birthday

Dear

Grandma,

Happy

Birthday

to

you!

And 

many

more! :)



Family Fun Night

We celebrated Family Fun Night (Hawaiian Night) at Carter's Preschool this week.  They had a dance, craft room, movie/playdoh room, photo op area, and a snack room.  It was a fun night.  To top it off, the kids won a raffle prize and we also brought one home for Grandma - score! :)

Valentine's Day

The boys are always so excited for Valentine's Day.  Although it is not a big holiday for me, it is so fun to see it through their eyes.  We put out M&M candy at the top of the stairs outside their bedroom door after they went to bed.  When they got up the next morning, they followed the trails of M&Ms to their hidden gift bags.  They were so excited!  :)

We finished off the day with our traditional heart shaped pizzas from Papa Murphy's and a relaxing evening together.  It was a fun day!!!

Carter's "C" (next to the trail of M&Ms leading down the stairs):

Ryan's "R":

Hard to see in this picture, but each boy had a path of M&Ms to follow down the stairs:

Carter excited about his Super Hero Legos:

Ryan checking out his card and iTunes gift card:

Their loot:

Boys' Bathroom Makeover

Last weekend my Mom and I went shopping for a more grown up theme for the boys' bathroom.  The boys and I have been discussing this for a while, since they have a duck theme in there from when we moved into the house when Kyle was 3.  It was definitely time.  When I told the boys we were going to do it, they both dissolved in a heap of tears - they did not want me redecorating their bathroom.  We proceeded to paint it and redecorate, all the while I had a feeling of dread in my stomach.  I felt terrible for taking away their 'ducky' bathroom they obviously wanted to keep, even though during previous conversations, they were ready for an older theme.  Anyway, we put it together after the boys went to bed one night.  They got up the next morning and both shouted "wow - this is the best bathroom EVER!"  I felt like I dodged a bullet there...glad they like their new bathroom!

BEFORE:  bright yellow walls and duck theme

Evan rolling on primer to cover up the yellow walls:

Having their bathroom torn apart meant taking a bath in our tub, which is like a party for them!!!!

AFTER:  Hoopla theme

Their favorite part of the new bathroom?  Personalized cups!  :)