Sunday, April 29

New Additions




The Thompson Chicks have arrived!  They've yet to meet their sister, Scout, but the kids and I (not sure about Paul) are all thrilled!!!

They are resting comfortably in the garage. 

I'm trying not to get too attached.  They've got a few months ahead of them here before we're sure they are a good fit.



Wednesday, April 25

just chasing rainbows


I have spent several hours over the course of the last week cleaning out this girl's room.  She is a collector, to put it kindly.  This is the kind of girl who finds treasure in everything, not just art like above!  And who am I to judge...one person's trash is another person's treasure (NOT!)

I've been doing a lot of sorting lately.  Since the recent rains and basement issues (check out this video), many perishable items have been relegated to the main floor of the house.  It's forced me to, yet again, find a place for everything in an orderly fashion.  I actually really enjoy organizing, but is the timing ever right for big projects like this?

And to be fair, it hasn't just Lena's room that has had another overhaul.  The boy's room, the school book shelves and even my closet haven't escaped purging.  This leaves me with such an overwhelming dislike of stuff in general.  I don't like stuff at all!!!!!!!!  I find it stressful and when there is clutter, my mind just can not rest.  It is probably very type A, but a well organized bathroom cabinet leaves me with such a peaceful feeling, even if just taking out hairpins.  Sadly, I could go on extolling the virtues of organized cupboards.

One positive of all the basement purging (I'm sure there is more, at least the local thrift store would agree as we've dropped off many bags of donations) is that we've finally hung pictures up on the walls in the remaining rooms of the house.  They likely aren't in their "final resting places" but I have to admit, it does feel more homey.  And I'm glad the frames and pictures aren't just resting on the basement floor waiting for a nail.

In fact, the piece of art above will soon be hanging on her wall.  It's one piece of her 7th birthday present.  Framing her own art for her very purpley room.  I think she'll really enjoy it.  And one more funny note....she picked out a chocolate bundt cake for her birthday cake when we have family here next week.  But, she keeps calling it a button cake...funny girl.

Tuesday, April 24

Wednesday, April 18

oh yes, she did

objects in camera may move faster than they appear

Lena has quiet time in her room each afternoon for an hour.  The quiet comes, mainly, from separating the kids into different corners.  It is needed for them, and for me.  PJ & Lena take the chance to play with the toys in their room, and Jack and I usually each take a couch, our island, and read or catch up on e-mail, etc.

Sometimes Lena takes a stowaway into her room.  I remember doing this to dear old Jasper, too.  I only allowed the torture to continue until pictures were over...then we disrobed the prima ballerina.

Monday, April 16

the grass is always greener




Could you hear our victory yelp when we discovered that Jack, at a whopping 80 lbs., was now heavy enough to hold the seat down on the riding mower? That means THAT BOY CAN MOW!

Like most new things and kids, he was thrilled to do it. Spoiler alert: we'll revisit that enthusiasm in August, eh!!!

Too busy to stop and pose for Mama's pictures (or I forgot to teach him how to break?)!

The down side is, I love to mow! I should be teaching these kids to do the jobs I DON'T like to do. You know, the ones...they don't involve sitting for long periods with my own thoughts and not being disturbed!!!

Sunday, April 8

ol' blue eyes




People are always saying "Here comes the boy with the big, blue eyes". 

It doesn't strike me, though, as I look at our kids all day with those clear eyes.  When I look at the dog with her big brownie eyes, then it strikes me as something different.  But with PJ's dark hair framing his face, maybe his peepers are more noticeable.

He still remains the baby of the family, for sure, even though he is growing like a weed these days.  I don't know if PJ is really that funny, or if it's just that the other four of us love laughing together at (with?) him.

The other day after he finished in the bathroom, I said "Pull your pants up".  To which he replied, "You pulled them down, you pull them up".  It was so funny to tell that story to Paul as well as to Jack & Lena and laugh about it over again.

The other thing he is very well known for amongst us is having to be HEARD.  He gets so angry if he's trying to tell us something and another talks over him.  He says "No, GUYS".

It's good to write these things down.


Tuesday, April 3

Collage

:: New Smyrna Beach : 2012 ::


There were so many pictures to choose from!  I'd like to write out some of the memories and accompany more pictures.  And now that I have my laptop up and running, thanks to Paul!!!, I'll get on that!