my little free spirit

Source: lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com via Leigh on Pinterest

Ella's pre-school haircut

We are getting ready to start school around here. The school room is almost organized. The curriculum is on its way. And Ella has a stylish new hairdo to start second grade.

Homeschooling is going to give our family the time and simplicity it needs to be more calm and more happy. I will post more on that later but I think this poster sums up what I hope to teach my kids.

even a beagle needs eye care

This is Toby, one of the kids' playmates. His owners sent us this picture and we got a kick out of it . . .

Happy 10th Anniversary!

Now that we live in the country, it was time to trade in the commuter for a truck! Kyle loves it and it was fun to go on our first vacation in it this weekend to Lake Roosevelt. Happy Anniversary, babe! Love you! Thanks for taking such great care of our family!

My new neighbors

So we've traded in our river view for the country. My new house is in the middle of these pictures. Carrots on one side and wheat on the other. You would think they'd be relatively quiet neighbors but those farmers get up early (along with their tractors, trains, and planes . . . no joke.)

We have been working on the house for a month straight. I. am. Pooped. And so is Kyle. Sometimes I am like, "HOLY CRAP WHAT DID WE DO!" but then I try to dig deep and have some vision and patience. There was a reason we picked this place; sometimes it just takes a little work to make a house a home.

As for the kids, they love it. Lots of room to run around. Lots of frogs and trees and things to explore. Yesterday Kate put a grasshopper in my bed so "he could be cozy." Then he spit up on my new, clean white sheets. (Who knew they did that! Disgusting!) Anyway, I am sure I will have some good stories soon.

Best part: Kyle is only 3 minutes from work. That is our kind of commute.

Remodel Glimpse

We aren't quite done, but here's a glimpse of before and after. Hopefully you can tell which ones are after.

PS Remodeling is a whole new monster when you live in the middle of nowhere. For example, I have driven 100 miles in every direction and can't find real-looking fake plants. So if anyone has a great online resource for those things please share :)

kate cut her hair, etc. etc.

Kate is keeping me busy. Here is a recap of the last two weeks:

-Had to go to the ENT doctor to remove popcorn seed from her ear

-Cut her own hair off and now has a cute A line

-Stole a paint sample and decorated the front door of our new house

-Ruined my mother's day present, a sweet pair of ray bans, by chewing on them (what?!!)

-Stole the sugar bin and sprinkled "white fairy dust" all over the house

-Ruined my very ergonomic, very irreplaceable office chair. GRR.

I guess all I can say is Kate is not going to sit on the sidelines, she is going to really LIVE. Even with all her madness I love her and am glad she is mine. I am just hoping she channels some of that energy into sports or school or her pet frogs which is an entirely other post in itself . . .