Welcome Home!

We were planning on having the kids over this weekend, Saturday through Sunday, but instead we got to take them for a couple of extra days. Unfortunately, the reason why we got to have them wasn't the best...poor Amy has had a rough few days (we are thinking of you and hope you get well soon)! So, in an effort to give her space for some much needed rest, as well as, give her sister Judy a break from watching 5 kids, we took the kids on Thursday instead of Saturday. It was a blessing that both mine and Jake's work schedules coincided on this particular week (which doesn't usually happen) so that we could do this. It's nice to finally be close to the kids and be able to help out when possible. So, needless to say, both Jake and I were thrilled that Emma, Abby and Nate were coming over to stay with us at our home in PA! Not a hotel in PA, not a tiny apartment in MA...but our home where they have their own place too. We have both been looking forward to this day for the past year and couldn't believe it was finally happening.

Their first peek...

I don't think they paid any attention to the downstairs. All three of them took off upstairs in search of their new room! There was a lot of thought put into what the theme for the kids room should be. It's always hard to find something that all three Marshall kids agree on, plus the fact that there a three differnt ages and two girls and a boy all in one room! However, there is one activity that all three of the kids LOVE to do and that they spent much of thier summer doing...swimming. And a place that they all love to go to over and over again...the aquarium. So, we decided to do an "Under the Sea" theme! It's bright, colorful, and fun and they all seem to like it. It's not finished yet...there are a few more projects we are working on, but this is what we have for now.

Here are Abby and Nate's bunk beds...

We decided to give Emma her own bed instead of getting Nate a toddler bed and having her sleep on the bunk bed because she's getting older and needs to start having some of her own space. She was thrilled to have her own bed

I found some cute sea creature wall stickers which worked out great for us because we are not allowed to paint any of the walls. And I made some "bubbles" that are scattered throughout the room that have all of the kid's close family members in. We wanted thier room to be a place filled with things that the kid's love and all the people who love them!

And of course there were some new toys for them to explore. It didn't take long for the girls to find the Barbies and no one had to twist my arm to play with them (I had a small fetish with Barbie's when I was little!).

And it seems as though Nate enjoys playing with the Barbies too! I don't think Jake particularly likes this, but at least he likes to play with them because they are pretty...that's not such a bad thing...is it?

Thanks to several people...Nana, Auntie Christine, Beezy, Joe, Mackenzie, Jamieson, Kelsey, Zach...the kids had a closet full of clothes, toys and books! We really appreciate everyone who gave us hand-me-downs and gifts. Without them, this closet would probably be empty! Also, a thank you to my mom who bought all the kids bedding as a very early (but very much appreciated) Christmas present.

Check back to see some additions to the room that the kids are helping me with and also...a family pet! Can you guess what it will be...? :)