Building a Dollhouse

Annabelle has so many things for Violet and Maryellen that we needed a better system for organizing them.  So I started looking for dollhouses for them.  They are hard to find, and they are pricey!  I found one on etsy for $1,500, so I decided that I would try making one.  I knew it would be hard to do it alone, so I asked Papa to help.  We worked on it over Spring Break; it was hard work, but the finished product turned out great!

This was my inspiration; the $1,500 dollhouse.

 

I purchased plans from etsy, and then adjusted them to make the rooms and ceilings slightly different sizes.  Once our plans were set, we had to get the wood/supplies from Home Depot to our house...fortunately, the Bakers helped us out and Bryan Baker delivered it for us.  Laura starting to measure. 

 

Papa sawing. 

 

Annabelle was watching from the car (because of the noise).  She snapped a picture of us hard at work. 

 

Caden and Annabelle helped by sweeping saw dust. 

 

Day one: all sawing finished.  Papa and Annabelle in front of all the pieces ready for sanding. 

 

Day two:  sanding and painting.  More clean up needed!

 

Painting is complete.  Now we just had to wait for it all to dry.  

 

Lining up window sills to hammer them in. 

Because of the anticipated weight of the finished product, we carried the pieces up the stairs to complete assembly upstairs.  Papa, Annabelle, and Nana posing during the construction process. 

 

Mommy and Papa drilling in the first floor wall and ceiling. 

 

Lining everything up. 

 

Discussing alignment. 

 

Putting the bathroom floor down. 

 

Assembly of the second floor. 

 

Getting close.  

Violet checking out her new house.   

 

Ready to move in, except for the baseboards. 

 

Annabelle used birthday money to purchase a kitchen. 

 

Caden helping Annabelle set up the new kitchen. 

 

Annabelle ended up using some of her money to purchase new beds for Maryellen and Violet, and then the green bed is now Aiden's.  And I made a Cowboys blanket for Aiden's bed. She also used some money to purchase a toilet, shower, and sink for the bathroom.  Now she is asking me to build her a couch, chair, and coffee table...Mommy needs a little break, but maybe in the next few months.

 

 

Friday we headed over to Fort Worth to see Meredith and her boys.  I didn't get a picture of the older boys, but here's a picture of Annabelle and Asher. 

 

We bunny-sat over Spring Break.  Teddy was so cuddly, and the kids enjoyed having him.

 



Annabelle's Calico Critter 7th Birthday Party

Annabelle is growing up so fast!  I can't believe she is seven.  She is such a sweet girl.  She works diligently at school and loves math and reading.  She is very social and is always lining up playdates!  She loves ballet, gymnastics, and sports!  She is 51" tall.

 



Annabelle chose to have a Calico Critter birthday party this year.  I took her to take a few pictures in her birthday dress a few weeks before her birthday.

 

Her actual birthday fell on a school day, so I took her lunch and cupcakes to share with her class.  Annabelle at the front for her classmates to sing to her. 

 

Mommy, Annabelle, and Carl Morriss during lunch. 

 

Annabelle, Violet, and Maryellen before her party.  

The whole family with the cake and dolls. 

After we got to ASI, I added the cake topper critters. 

 

Nana and Papa with the birthday girl. 

 

Annabelle and Jeffrey. 

 

Ananbelle jumping! 

 

Ready for a racing game! 

 

Blowing out her candle. 

 

Everyone lined up after the party.  Front row: Audrey Thomason, Belle Hartgrove, Lily Pace, Kaylee McDonald, Annabelle, Lily Thompson, Lily Stueve, and Caden.  Back row: Lily Stewart, Adelaide Breed, Isla Baker, Hannah Ratliff, Bailey Shannon, Elena Forsyth, Gentry Lewis, Laura Darley, Khloe Jensen, Zoe Seale and Hadley Tilger. 

Living Like Ancient Egyptians at 1st Grade Living History Day

Annabelle had her first Living History Day today, and she had so much fun!  They all learned a little more about what it would have been like to live as Ancient Egyptians.

Annabelle and Violet wore matching costumes!

 

Annabelle's class before the festivities began.  Back row: Carl Morriss, Levi Baker, Mrs. Kay, Caleb Jenkins, Sam Jeffries, Sawyer Mayo, Boone Traxel, and Kaleb Baker.  Front row: Khloe Jensen, Gentry Lewis, Hannah Ratliff, Lily Stewart, Adelaide Breed, and Annabelle Jolly. 

 

The kids listening to Mrs. Mountjoy and Miss Boyd during the opening ceremonies. 

First stop for Annabelle was story time. 

Then over to grape stomping at the "wine" making station.  Annabelle was hesitant to get her feet dirty, but enjoyed it after jumping in. 

 

A picture with Violet and Hannah after crushing grapes. 

 

A photo op with Mommy.  

 

Annabelle's class was split into two groups.  Here's a picture of her group. 

Then they headed over to papyrus ball and chariot races.  Annabelle and Hannah ready to pull Khloe. 

A quick stop for a picture with Mommy and Daddy. 

 

 

Learning Egyptian dancing.



Laura's 40th Birthday

Brian planned a small dinner with a few friends to celebrate Laura turning 40.

Ready to head out. 

 

I thought we were going to be the first ones there, but we arrived to find the room decorated for the party!  Hilary had printed a bunch of childhood pictures and put them in displays all over the table.

Robyn doesn't like sushi, but she was a good sport about trying some of the courses! 

 

Laura and Brian with a cupcake and candle. 

 

Robyn took over the singing!

 

All the ladies shared 8 things they loved about Laura to make a total of 40 things!  Vanessa sharing one of hers.

 

A pic after dinner.  Clockwise from front left: Angie Buja, Hilary Baker, Laura, Brian, Bryan Baker, Tim Darley, Evan Buja, Jim Collins, Phil Tilger, Robyn Tilger, Jenny Darley, and Vanessa Collins. 

 

A Jolly Baker pic after dinner.

 

Jollys, Bakers, and Darleys.

We purchased the 1st grade water color paper weave art project at the auction.  I hung them in the guest bedroom.

 

I went in Annabelle's room one day last week and found Violet having a spa day.  What a life! 

 

Then I came home from a meeting later that day to find Daddy getting a spa day.