Our newest school room....

Yes, I am nuts, and yes I like to rearrange....A LOT! I decided after the mouse invasion, and also the smell of the garage, that I didn't like it in there, so I moved us, again back inside. Now we are in the dining area of the kitchen, and so far it is working great. The kids practically moved the whole thing in there for me, which was even nicer!

Noah teaching Rachel

This should have been in the school post. I was excited to see Noah wanting to help Rachel with her letters and sounds!

1st day back to school...

Well, after taking a break off for the holidays, we started school back Monday. Everyone was excited, including me. We have been very productive this week! I was excited to see that only had to go back over their math a little, and Leah was reading better than before Christmas break. She has just taken off with her reading. In these photos she was nearing the end of her 1st Grade Hooked on Phonics set.

Noah Loves Math. I love to see how easy things come to him. I tell Clay with Leah's reading and Noah's math....if they shared a brain, we would have a super smart child!



Without the internet at home, I am a lot more focused on them....it really is much better. Noah asked me to teach him Solitaire....and I remembered how I used to play it all the time before the days of it being on the computer.
Coloring United States Maps.....another new interest of Noah's.
Rachel took this pic
Doing a worksheet on road trip across the US

Sleepover

So, last night I had been warning the kids that bedtime was approaching, and as the time was near.....Rachel came running out. "My friend has asked me if I can spend the night with her, is that o.k.....PLEASE??" (meaning Leah) and it was so cute....we just laughed....she took that as a yes, and as she was running off, I said, "O.K....do her parents say it is o.k.??" And Rachel said, "Umm, she doesn't have any parents", and takes off running. So, it wasn't long until Noah was ready to join the action. So, Clay called them in and was making a deal with them, they could have the sleepover if they were quiet, no fighting....yada yada yada...what we always say.

Well, you know me....when I saw these masks on their head....of course, I thought it was hilarious, so I ran for the camera. The whole time Leah was saying, no, don't take a picture....but I did anyway, of course.

This one just totally cracks me up!

So, I go in their room to check on this "sleepover party" and the kids were setting up a zoo....organizing ALL of the stuffed animals the 3 of them own.

The Penguins
The Panda Bears

The teddy bears from Dollar Tree...
The cats....then there was a snow dog section, an polar bear section, horse section, giraffe, dinosaur, dog, and sea life section too. YES, we have ENTIRELY too many stuffed animals....but that is truly their very favorite toy, and most of what they have.
So, I told them to call me when they got it toally set up, be the next time I had checked, it had just sort of BLOWN up! Oh, and did I mention, when I was bored this weekend with no internet I cleaned and organized EVERYONE's rooms?? I told Clay what started out as being cute.....was not so cute anymore.....

Oh, and after the room looked like this....nobody wanted to hang out in there anymore, and they were out and about harrassing us, fighting and whining, so the sleepover was cancelled.

But, even after that, I guess they went to bed around 11, we still started back to school this morning, and had a very productive day. I will save that post for another day.

One the way to the movies...

Ahhhh.....I am on the internet!!

Yes, I am a very sad person. I went a whole day without internet yesterday, and am just now on it today at 3:00 p.m. And I wasn't even home yesterday until 5, and then we had a basketball game, and then I went to Kroger, and then we made salsa, and watch a movie...and I read in between that. But all of those things I listed, I would have normally checked my e-mail after I did each of those things....and checked in on you guys to see what you are up to. Yes, Clay and the kids were all home, and I still felt lonely. Pitiful......and it is going to take a lot of getting used to. It really is lonely....like I lost my best friend......or many friends! You guys keep me company, relax me when everyone at home is getting on my nerves. Entertain me when I want just a few minute break from LIFE. Ooh and Aah and flatter me over my TONS of pics of my kids...make me feel good....excited that even though My Husband could care less about the pics I take of the kids, and the many stupid things I have to say......you guys all do. And were there for me at any time of the day. I knew if I posted a blog, within the next hour, someone would be there for me. Now, I will post my blog, go home and wonder until the next day or the next, what did you have to say??

Today I checked my e-mail and I had 17 messages. Some were junk, I am sure one was an advertisement for viagra or something...(Do you all get those obsene e-mails all the time??) A few offers for discounts to order pics, but also e-mails, pictures from Robin, several myspace comments, my cousin Jamie waiting to be my friend on myspace, and blog comments. So, I am not alone still, luckily.

O.K.....I must finish my pity party to go home and finish cleaning house. No pics on the blog today unless you want to look at wedding pics, and you can check out Clay's handy work on our photograhy blog in just a bit, I am going to post those before I leave. I don't have any family pics on this computer, and haven't quite decided how I am going to go about bringing them up here without too much trouble.

Everyone enjoy your weekend!

Bye Bye internet......

In answer to Heather's question, our rates on our internet/cable have gone up from $30 a month for both (introductory offer) to $70 for JUST the cable...and we have to have the cable to get internet b/c we don't have a home phone, and I refuse to get one. One of the joys of having your own business.....all the things involved with it, have to come out of our pocket. So, where most people get to play on their internet at work for free....well, that comes at a price for us, and did you know, that just b/c it is a business, they charge more for a phone/internet line?? Why, b/c they can. Urgh!

I know that last paragraph just sounded like a rant.....and it really isn't...just a fact of life...bills, bills, bills.....and this is the only one we can really cut out to save money around here. I am sad about this yes......but I am dealing....I just won't get to blog, read everyone else's blog, and check my e-mails 20 times a day. Which, I know, is probaby a good thing....I am sure I will have much more time to get things done....also without cable too. But, this is my way of communication, my link to the outside world b/c I only go to the office once a week, and otherwise am at home....and hate to get on the phone. So, I will just have go to the office more often. Please pray for me while I get used to this.....I am sure I will go through withdrawals....I get in a bad mood just when someone else is on her and I can't get on the computer when I want! Yes, I have issues, I admit it.

So, the kids were more upset about the cable. Noah literally cried. We unhooked it a couple of days ago as a trial, and all they have done is whine about missing Sponge Bob. So, today at Walmart, I found them 3 DVD's that were $5 each of Sponge Bob..... I was actually excited about that part of no cable!

So....I will still be blogging......just maybe not as often....so when I do, I may do a few posts at a time. We will see. I believe this is my last night of internet.......boo hoo!