Still Here

In case you think we've disappeared, I though I'd write a quick note. Summer is going by way too fast! Most of you know that we have been in the process of designing a home and hopefully building it some day. Last month we met with a construction loan broker and ever since we have been working hard. A week ago I decided it was time to really start getting the house ready. I spent about 3 days stuffing as much stuff as I could into a 10x10 storage room. I'd love to put even more in there, but ran out of space. It's not bad though. I managed to keep the most important stuff towards the front at least. It could be about a year before we have access to everything in there. We'll hopefully list the house in the next week or two. Our plan is to have the new home done by next summer. If we are able to sell this house before then we'll just live in a rental. J is not excited about that part, but we both decided we'd feel better getting the house on the market sooner rather than later.

Since getting all the stuff in storage we've been working on quite the repair list. J has some trim and baseboards he needs to finish up. We have to put new closet doors in the kids rooms. Plus all the touch up paint, etc, etc, etc. We've taken good care of this house though and put plenty of love into it. I can't imagine anyone walking in and not loving it. Okay, maybe I can, but I will miss it.

The kids have reached the point that they are ready to move. We've been talking about it long enough. They are mostly excited to get into a better neighborhood with more playmates to choose from.

Once we get the house ready to list, I'll take some pics and put them up.

Scaredy Cat

We had Dish Network installed last week. While I was working on the computer, the tech was installing the receiver. I realized I hadn't seen Fefe for awhile and this is what I found:

Fefe wanted to be with me, but she was too nervous to be around the installer. So, she went in the garage and just kept an eye on us through the cat door. Funny thing is that the lights were off in the garage too. Silly girl.

Last Day of School, Yippee?

It was a very sad/happy day today. I love it when the kids get out of school, but I've found myself on the verge of tears all day because of Gales Creek closing. The board votes Monday so we'll find out then for sure. I feel so bad for Brother B's teacher. He was truly great with B and it is so rare to find a male teacher in elementary schools these days. Sadly, he is a victim of the stupid seniority rules of the teacher's union. I remember when the kids first started, one of my friends described the school as a real gem. She was so right. It is too bad every school can't be this small and friendly.

Loofa's kindergarten graduation.

Picture Addendum

I was browsing through a professional photographer's website the other day and realized I really have a lot to learn when it comes to processing photos. I really should devote more time to it, but Lightroom does simplify it quite a bit. Check out this before and after:

I think I'm improving :) I'd love to take a lightroom class, but it costs $230! Not sure I can justify that with how little I actually use my camera.

2011 Family Pictures

After months of leaving my photography equipment up, we finally did family pictures this evening. Enjoy!

Way too many vampire shows lately.

Muscle men.

Behold!

Loofa is funny and Ephant is about to get grumpy.

Pinewood Derby

Brother B made some strides this year and managed to finish in the middle of the pack. That made him a bit happier than last time.

The Alarm Clock!

He receive the award for Official Pace Car (get it?)

Ephant's aforementioned science fair (for which she received an A!)

Yes, I know, we've got to do something about those bangs.

We Love Our School

Most of you have probably heard that our superintendent wants to close the boy's elementary school next year. Out of a 7.5 million dollar budget gap it will save them 380,000. It's tough what they are trying to do, but Gales Creek is such an excellent school that it seems a shame to do so. Parents are still fighting it pretty hard and the final nail isn't in the coffin yet. The good news is that they will let us attend the other good school in our district next year if GC isn't open. Brother B is very sad. I had initially told them I would homeschool next year instead of sending them back to Fern Hill. Brother B really liked the sounds of that. I had to tell him tough luck since Dilley is an option. He hates having to make new friends all over again, but at least he'll have friends there from GC. He adjusted so quickly to GC anyways, I have a feeling he'll adjust just as fast at Dilley. Loofa pretty much doesn't care. One week he hates school, the next week he says he loves it.

Ephant just finished her first science fair project. I'll put pictures of it up once I get them. I feel like I'm back in school with how many projects I'm having to help on. One of the other cuts for next year is the strings program. I'm going to have to get Ephant private lessons as a result. In some ways I'm glad the district is being forced to do with less. I just wish they were a little wiser with their cuts. Some of their priorities are fairly skewed.

Random picture from my last girl's night out:

Krispy Kreme is still the yummiest.

Killer Cat

Make sure your sound is turned up and the room is quiet.

Guitar Hero

Loofa is finally old enough to play guitar hero! It is his current obsession, along with referring to himself in the third person. When he first started out he just used his thumb to hit the keys. He got pretty good at it. He's been working on using all his fingers lately, but I took this video of him mostly using his thumb. He gets pretty intense. Most mornings he wakes up, gets dressed, eats breakfast and brushes his teeth super fast so he can have time to play before school.

The Gray Tooth is Gone!

As some of you might remember from 3 years ago, Loofa decided to kill a tooth. He slammed it again this year in February and a month ago. Some hidden part of his subconscious must really hate that tooth.

This morning we were driving to school when he mentioned a bump on his gum. As soon as he told me where it was I knew it was the dreaded abscess we had been warned about. Luckily it didn't look inflamed and it wasn't really bothering him. I scheduled an appt for him this afternoon with the dentist.

Apparently the gunk had been there all this time, but since his permanent teeth were pushing down it was pushing the gunk out. Doc gave us an option of just waiting and keeping an eye on it or pulling the tooth now. I told him it was up to Loofa. Loofa wanted it out! Mostly for the tooth fairy money. It was a simple process, numb the gums and then twist the tooth out with pliers. Both kids scored from the prize closet and now the teeth fairy has to remember, again, to visit tonight. Hopefully Loofa won't abuse the permanent tooth when it comes in.

The tooth fairy has been very busy in this house. Loofa lost his first tooth a few weeks ago. Not to be outdone, both Brother B and Ephant lost one around the same time. Thankfully Fefe is too young to be losing teeth. Is it bad that the teeth fairy sometimes stops by in the middle of the day when the kids are at school?