The Bunk Beds

Bunk Bed Project ~ March 2014

 

Leif spent all of his spring break in Fairbanks working out of his dad's wood shop building bunk beds for the kids.  He truly enjoys wood working and since his dad got his shop up and running, Leif and his dad have built, a dresser, chest of drawers, TV stand, bookshelf and now the beds.  The project was inspired by the idea that Lukkas was in desperate need of a bigger bed and when we have company visit  Sister doesn't have to be 'displaced' as her bed was the spare bedroom's bed.  One evening Leif was browsing wood working projects online and came across the plans.

With long days,

hard work,

and help from Pope (Leif's dad), the project began to take shape. 

Since the kids and I did not join Leif until later in spring break, we missed being able to take pictures of the cutting out of everything.  However, we did get in on the sanding!

Okay - so really the kids got to sand a piece of wood that was not part of the actual beds, but they don't know that. ;0)  

Leif sure did enjoy being able to share his passion with the kids.

Next - time to put it together before stain is put on. 

The kids thought it was pretty fun to stand inside the frame, but they understood that it wasn't quite ready to sleep on yet. 

No job is completely done until clean up is complete.  Okay- let's be honest, all the kids really do was spread the saw dust all over the garage, but it kept them entertained for a good 15 minutes!

The kids and I headed home while Leif finished up the stain and letting it all dry before he brought the beds home.  As the kids grow older, the beds can later be separated into individual twin beds.  

The beds look AMAZING and soon were the favorite place to be.

Sister is very much a routine girl and when things change she has a hard time adjusting.  I wasn't sure how she was going to do with so many changes: 1) new room - prior to the beds, she was sleeping in her own room 2) - having brother in the same room and 3) sleeping on the top bunk.  

Well... I think the picture can speak for itself

The kids did great their first night in their new beds.  Sister likes to tell brother a story and brother likes to say sister's name over and over again in the morning to wake her up.  We do have to take the ladder out at night because brother can climb up to the top bunk by himself and well... we don't need him pestering Sister all night. 

We still need to finish the the caps for the post on the bed, but I'd say the project has been great for the whole family - but mostly for Papa.