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8.23.2013

sawdust and bunk beds

It all began with us realizing the girls' room was going to be quite crowded with three beds on the floor. Bunk beds seemed to be the answer, but not "just any bunk beds" would do.  From there we searched google on ideas for built-ins and then my personal engineer spent hours designing on Google SketchUp.  Finally the plans were complete and it was time to get started!

One night in late January, the lumber fairy made a deposit in our playroom.


On February 1, Kylie and Darcy spent their last night in the girls bedroom in a factory made bed.


On the morning of February 2, Ian and our friend Jeremy started "operation bunk-beds" in the girls room...or shall I say Ian and Jeremy began under the leadership of their foreman?

honestly, he the cutest little assistant carpenter ever?  Within a few minutes of the first cut, my big boy was decked out with all his tools and his hard hat to come and be his daddy's right hand man.


They worked...

and they worked...


and they worked some more.


But the project would not be finished that day...

The next day Jeremy was needed by his family, so Ian kept plugging along.  Along the way he gained some new little assistants in the process.  And you know how added hands *may* slow things down...just a smidge or two.

After the start Jeremy and Ian got the first day, it all likely have been done in a just a few days' work if Ian were working solo.  However, in character with what I admire about him, instead he embraced having four little assistants.  And now my kids now how to use a power drill, measure, use a framing square, staple with a pneumatic nailer and sand rough surfaces with the best of them.





After working weekends and many late nights in the month of February, the project came to a temporary halt while I went to China.  Both my mom and Ian's mom were coming to be with the kids during the day so Ian could work and the girls needed to vacate the guest room for Grandma M.  Thankfully the beds were in a temporarily usable state at that point.


love the feature of the grown up sized spot at the top of the stairs, perfect for reading bedtime stories!
The beds were functional, but not quite finished yet.  Finally, when the kids and I took a road trip over spring break at the beginning of April, Ian took the time to prime and paint the structure...this time without the help of little hands.  Gloss paint, hardwood floors and elementary kids don't make for a good combo ~ or at least we're pretty sure they wouldn't anyway.

And finally, the finished product.


It certainly took a lot longer than either of us anticipated to wrap up, but I wouldn't trade speed for the memories my children will have of creating bunk beds with their dad.


10 comments:

Laurie said...

It's a PALACE!! Oh, Kristi, I just love everything about it! The stairs are my favorite part! And the pictures of the kids helping Ian were priceless. Life would be better if we all just slowed down and let the kids help (when possible, of course!) Job well done... can't wait to see Natalie sleeping in them.. in just a few short weeks!!

Amy Murphy said...

They are beautiful! Simply amazing! What a wonderful gift for your girls! You have a talented hubby!

Emily said...

Oh. My. Word. Spectacular!

Pam

Di said...

They are absolutely fabulous! Congratulations to Ian, Jeremy and the kids! I am sure that the girls will have many adventures on those beds.....

Joy said...

Absolutely beautiful! Excellent craftmanship! Looks like a perfect place to make many wonderful memories.:)

Glenda said...

Ian, you're one talented Daddy!

Heather said...

That is amazing! It looks like something out of a magazine. Perfect!

Jodi said...

Wow! Those beds are fabulous! Good job to Ian!

Ally said...

saw these on your fb page. Boy is that the coolest bed ever. Dad scored BIG brownie points for this :)

likeschocolate said...

Those are the coolest beds on the planet. Way to go dad! I am getting so excited for you guys that you are going to bringing baby girl home so soon.