There were some late nights and early starts in our first week home.  (We really need to get some window coverings for the kids' rooms!)  There was no time to sit back and relax with the deadline of Miss O's 1st birthday party on the weekend.  Lucky she was very helpful and gave me a hand to unpack!  ;-) 

We made sure the kids' bedrooms were completely unpacked along with the bathroom, living area, dining and kitchen and closed the doors on the mess in the other rooms.  I had some serious baking to do!  I really enjoy planning parties and did my best to create a special occasion for our precious Miss O under the hectic circumstances.  I was so thankful to have the help of my sister and mother-in-law!

I put to use some gorgeous pieces from Salt & Pepper's 'Dream' range to create a pretty pastel theme for the party.  My apothecary jars were trimmed with pastel stripe ribbon and filled with lollies.  The flower shaped fairy bread added some more pretty pastel colour.  My favourite chocolate mud cakes were piped with buttercream roses and I filled more patty papers with fruit balls and flower picks.

Instead of lollipop sticks, I decided to use straws and sit my cake pops down this time.  I'm really pleased with the outcome.  They were a huge hit with the kids and adults!

I made a triple layer white chocolate mudcake with fondant icing as the birthday cake.  I ran out of time to decorate the cake with anything but the number 1 birthday candle.  Thankfully the cake plate made it look a little better and at least it tasted delicious!

Sadly the outdoor kitchen bench top had not been installed so Hubby M knocked up a chipboard top covered with a party table cloth on the morning of the party.  He's such a champ!  It was a shame not to have the sink and tap for a drinks area as planned but was a great spot for the savoury food.

The backyard was not in any condition for small children to play so we decided our best option would be to hire a jumping castle and place it directly below the deck.   With very short notice Brisbane Jumping Castles came to our aid and provided a fantastic castle with a slide.  The kids had a ball!

It was a joy to celebrate the first of many special family occasions in the house with our loved ones and see the space work just as well as we had hoped.  It is definitely now our 'home'.

And seeing the happiness of little Miss O made all the hard work worthwhile!

I've been absent from the blog but those of you following on Instagram will know that we have moved home!  As you can imagine, life has been quite hectic so it has been easier to post quick pics.  But my new toy is set up now and there's a lot to catch up on!

Our study nook.

Almost two weeks ago now we had our handover meeting and received the keys to our home!  A wave of satisfaction, relief and excitement washed over me as I walked through each room.  All of the trials were forgotten and I was thrilled with the finished result.  Well, almost finished.  We were still waiting on the bathroom bench tops and some lights and the painters needed to complete the exterior.  But nothing was going to stop us from moving in now!

Master H making himself at home during the handover meeting.

We got Mini Movers in to move the contents of the shipping container back into the house and did countless trips in the cars from the rental property.  We were very grateful that some lovely friends helped with the move and the grandparents took the children for a sleep over.

The first of many loads.

I had visions of Hubby and I enjoying our tradition of takeaway and champagne on our first night in the house but we spent the night cleaning the rental property and collapsed into bed at 1am!

I only took a few photos before we filled the house with boxes.  I'll share some pics of the completed rooms when they are not so messy!

Welcome home!

Home Sweet Home!

On Monday I should have posted an update on week 18 of the renovation but I was still recovering from the disappointment of not moving in on the weekend.  That's right, we didn't quite make it.  The interior would have been fine.  We were happy to live without doors on the wardrobes, a few missing lights and a benchtop in the ensuite and outdoor kitchen/laundry.  Anything to just be home!  But on Friday the floor polishers decided that our bedroom floors really did need polishing so moving in at 7am on Saturday was no longer an option and I was left staring longingly through the french doors!   

 

Master H's Bedroom Floor

It was such a shame after everyone worked so hard all week to finish off the house.  The floors came up really well and I'm pleased with how the markings of the 'standard' grade blackbutt flooring match in with our old pine boards.



New blackbutt flooring in the study, kitchen, living, dining area.



Big progress was made on the ground floor with the wall sheeting and garage door going in plus our driveway. 

The electrician relocated our meter box and installed our outdoor lights also.  The verandah lights look gorgeous!

'Hampton Wall Bracket' from Milton Lighting

The front and back stairs were added and just need the balustrades.  At least waiting another week to move in will mean the exterior will be more complete.

So close now...