Project... kids creative space

Several months ago... I mean several months ago... I was talking to a girlfriend of mine on the phone.  At the time I was trying to come up with a design for a creative space for our kids but I was having a hard time integrating my then tall-black-and-contemporary-bookcase that held all the kids books (a bookcase I no longer loved) when she said something that gave me a great idea.  I would make some short bookcases to house their books (sell our other bookcase that really didn't fit anywhere) and integrate a table top of sorts for a place for them to color, paint, cut and do whatever their hearts desired.  And this space was born.  After several months of shopping, creating, working and some awesome help from my Dad (who installed the light and dimmable switch down low for the kids, helped me secure my bookcases and put together the table) it was finally done!  Just ask my husband; like most of my projects it took entirely too long but as always is a labor of love.    

 The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE their space!  If I don't see them they are usually down on the table coloring and cutting; and making a HUGE mess!!





I found the "Color Outside the Lines" canvas at Hobby Lobby and knew that it was perfect for this space.  My mom thought it was sending mixed signals to my kids but I love it!


I personalized the desk by modge podging their names on the front and then I used polyurethane over the top when I did the rest of the desk.  I had no idea how possessive they'd be about everyone sitting in their own spot.  Briggs likes it because then nobody gets in his space; and he's pretty particular.











When I was in Montana in August I hit up a few thrift stores and antique stores where I got all the containers (old blue tackle box, silver candle stand, green tool box, glass cups etc) to hold supplies.


I also added some old school papers on the underneath inside of the table top just for fun!





At one of the antique stores I found this old-school paint set. (inside)


Talk about inflation.  New, this cost only $.79 cents and I think I paid $6.00.  Totally worth it though!Ethan especially loves the crazy scissors and has several times thanked me for them because they are SOOO fun!


I found some old rulers at a thrift store


I bought these at JoAnnes and each of the kids has a place to put projects in


When the table was first finished (end of September) I noticed that if they colored on both sides of their paper that it would leave horrible crayon marks on the table so each of the kids made a fun placemat to color on.  It has helped tremendously.
 I also bought the bench at an antique store in Billings.  It couldn't have worked out better!  It is one of my favorite things about the space!

I bought this frame at Hobby Lobby and thought it was fun for the desk.  My mom helped me make the word "Create" (and a few others) on her cricket machine.

I made a cork board using a frame that wasn't being used.


Several years ago my Mom made the "Hansen Family Art Gallery" for our kids and I haven't had the perfect place to put it until now.  I think it worked out perfectly.


I love the space!

9 months!!!

Our little Sterling boy gets more and more fun as the days go by!  Some fun facts/milestones about Sterling this month:
He now has five teeth; three on the bottom and his two front teeth have been coming down for a few weeks nowHe loves food... still.  He's added finger foods to his diet and he is getting good at feeding himselfHe sleeps from about 6:30p.m.-6:30 am each nightHe loves to play with his toys and put everything in his mouthHe's standing up on everything and has fallen several times; including fallen on our stair landing twice.  After that he has avoided the stairs pretty wellHe even let go of holding on the sofa while standing; then sat downHe loves for me to lay down and put him up on my legs and bounce himHe has a bright smile that makes our dayHe sits on his knees and likes to bounce on the bedLoves to sit and play in the bathThinks his brothers are hilarious
He doesn't like being hungry... being tired... or having a dirty diaper
Other than that he's such a fun little guy!  
Here are some bath photos.  Every kid has to have them right!?!?!?!  Well, we can now consider it done ;-)
















This is his excited face!  He is so funny!

What a cute little bumbo!!  He just got done with a big dinner and a bath so his belly is super full!  I couldn't resist!

Flag Football

I decided I better just start putting my pictures on here because the month is getting away from me.  Here are some photos of Briggs last football game... well, there aren't really any great ones of the game, it was cold and I got a little distracted between needy kids, timeouts and runs to the car.  But it was a fun season.  Cory coached a few of the games and it just so happened to be the only game I had my camera and we took a team photo.

Briggs loved playing and I can seeing him becoming stronger and better each year!  My boys love sports!  There is not much more to say about that!  Probably his favorite time playing was the game before this where they played a night game with lights.  Briggs said it reminded him of when football teams play in high school.  Oh, and of course, weekly snacks and drinks!


Pre-game warm up!


Happy boy!


So goofy!!  This is her silly face!


Ethan loving his little brother!


Sterling wanting nothing to do with that toy.  Now, I remember... he was tired!


A pre-game performance!











A little chat with Spidey!


I'm sure he's looking at Grandpa Hansen right here.  When he looks at him, this is about all he Sterling gives him for an expression.  It's kind of funny!


Brooklyn being silly with Grandpa

Beautiful fall night...

Here are some photos I took this week.  I was loving the warmth of the sun and wanted nothing to do with being inside!  I got a kick out of Brooklyn reading this American doll magazine that showed up in our mailbox.  A little weird since we don't own any dolls ourselves or subscribe; but she loved it!







So intent!  She didn't even know I was snapping photos all around her!





The boys had their friend Eja over and were playing football.  I got some fun ones of the boys!


It's what brothers do...




Brooklyn had to get into the mix.  She's a tough little girl!

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE these!!




BEST BUDS!!