Day 100 and A New Look!

We hit Day 100 this week.  A couple days behind last year.  For some reason, this year . . . this winter has just sucked the life out of us.  We've had to take a couple "mental health days".  Next year, we'll plan for this and start early to leave more time for field trips to break up the monotony.

Each day we colored in a gumball.  The kids are starting over for the remaining 70 days we have left.

 Day 100 this year wasn't nearly as fun-filled and exciting as last year, but we did do a couple fun things.  Each child was greeted with a little gift at their desk at the beginning of the day.

Butterfly received sparkling apple cider (a favorite) and a card good for a baking session with Mommy.

Bud has been wanting a Dream Lite, so he received this mini Dream Lite puppy.  Apparently, it was a big hit because he later wrote about how much he loved it in Writing class.

Sparkle received a new robe since the sleeves were shrinking on her last one.  My girl is growing too fast!

Due to some issues we have been having with a "student", we had to move a desk in our schoolroom.  I guess I'm not the only one feeling this drag.  While moving that desk, I found a note that said, "Day 100 is the worst day of my life" with lots of teary-eyed faces.  (I'm guessing this is because said child was left behind on our trip to the local coffee shop for hot chocolate in honor of Day 100.)  I was teasing with this child later and said, "Now you can't say another day is the worst day because you already said Day 100 was the worst day".  The child laughed.  However, I found a note today that said, "Day 102 is the second worst day ever."  Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus! *sigh*

Pictured below is another note I found when we decided to rearrange the whole room today.  The Knight and I were laughing hysterically when we found it.  That must have been a "terrible, horrible, very bad, no good day" for that child.  Honestly, I have no idea what Friday this was.

Once we moved the one desk, I knew we had to move others.  It ended up being a total overhaul.  But honestly, I'm thrilled!  I can't wait to get in there.  It may be the mid-winter boost we need to get us through the rest of the winter.

Here's the bookshelves and my desk area before.  Bud and Butterfly are off to the right.

This is a straight-on look of Bud and Butterfly's area before.

This is Sparkle's area (and back to the bookshelves) before.

Excuse the glare off the snow, but this is the after!  This layout has a much more open feel.  I think it will present a lot nicer when we list the house this summer. (It will need a little more de-cluttering before we officially list it though.)

Valentine's

I guess I'd better start blogging before 2014 passes me by!

We haven't been taking too many pictures here lately, but I did manage to take a couple yesterday.  I probably should take more pictures.  These kids of ours are hilarious and amazing.  Last week, Princess Sparkle made an honest-to-goodness fish out of pipe cleaners with intricate details.  I should have taken a picture of it before the cats destroyed it.  They did have fun chasing after it on a string.  She also made a tractor out of pipe cleaners for her brother.  She is my artsy one.

Princess Butterfly is all about helping others, reading and wanting to cook.  Such a sweet, precious thing.  Now Bud on the other hand . . . it's a good thing he's so cute and funny.  Boys.  I'm still adjusting.

The girls had to make valentine's cards for baking club at church.  Every year I hate the idea of giving out candy.  I hate having to sort through store-bought cards with half-dresses Princesses on them.  So we elected to go with homemade cards again, but this time we chose something easier than melting crayons.  That's a disaster I hope I never to relive.  Since Bud didn't have to make any ,he worked on a project he received for Christmas.  He painted it earlier in the week (paint up to his elbows!), and Daddy helped him put it together.

Please refer to my earlier statement about boys. HA!

And a shout-out to my hubby for the beautiful flowers and chocolates he had delivered!  I believe this is the first time he's done this since we were dating 16 years ago.  It's not his fault though.  He's selfless (doesn't want extravagant things and doesn't think about buying them for others), and he's a frugal accountant.  He can't help it! =)  He's been worked on a little bit though.  He also bought me flowers for my birthday a couple months back!  I'd love him no matter what.  He's put up with me for 17 years.  He probably deserves a medal!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

from our family to you!