New project

I think I've mentioned a time (or a thousand....) that our house is tiny. We also don't have a garage or basement. We have two storage sheds, one of which is small and packed with the bikes and lawn mower and tools, and one which is big enough to serve mostly as an extension of space for our house and to store camping stuff. That leaves our attic for all the stuff we are saving, keepsakes, holiday decorations, etc. And our furnace is up there. No big thing. The problem has been that thus far our access to the attic has been a small hatch in the ceiling and a ladder that is not quite tall enough. So for me (or the furnace repair guy) to get up there you had to climb to the top of a ladder and then quickly step on top of a precarious book case and use your arms to pull yourself up into it. Not safe and not quick and easy. We usually have a pile of stuff waiting to be put up there because it's such a pain to do it.

Well. As of today that problem is solved! We put in one of those swing down ladders which feels like living in luxury. It's so easy! Now, why did it take us 7 years to figure this out?

Also, in related news Peter nailed himself into the attic today and I un-nailed him without hesitation. Pretty good huh? There have been a few home projects we have done together where I would have thought a bit before letting him out.

Someone(s) you love

With no school today, we took advantage of the free time to see some of our old play group friends. Now that all the kids are in different schools, and most of us moms are working at least part time, we don't see each other very often. But when we do it's always sweet and fun and just remarkable how big all these kids have gotten. I remember many days of sitting around each other's living rooms drinking coffee and nursing our oldest babies. Then there were days when at least one of us was pregnant with a second and our toddlers were wildly tearing apart someone's house while we sat and drank coffee. And then there's now, where the play is a bit more civil and we sit and drink coffee and chat. It's such a blessing to have these friends and these kids in our lives.

Sweet

Sweet things as of late:

The kids have been playing together really well. For awhile now, in fact. I'm sure it won't last forever but I'm enjoying it.

See those hearts on Miss E's door? Those are some of the ones we made for Valentine's day. She has specifically asked that we not take them down.

We finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and tonight we are letting Miss E stay up late to watch the movie. She's already started reading the book again on her own. She LOVES the story, the characters and keeps asking me if there is any possible way she could head to Hogwarts when she turns 10.

Mr. T still comes in at 7 every single morning to give me my "morning cuddles". Friday night we watched a movie (Mars needs Moms) that ended up being too scary for him and he came up at 10 saying he was scared. Peter was at work so I asked him if he wanted to sleep in my bed for the night and all night long he was pretty much glued to my side, just like he did when he was a baby. That kid is sweetness embodied.

This isn't really sweet but see those magnetic blocks they are playing with up there?  I've said it before and I'll say it again - BEST TOY PURCHASE EVER. You have to get the 100 piece set and they are a bit expensive but my goodness, those have got the most use over the last few years of any of our toys and both the kids play with them almost daily. They are the perfect size to make houses and hide outs for lego people and doll house people and matchbox cars.

Drink

To Miss E and I this is "soda". We take whatever citrus we have on hand (in this case blood oranges), juice them, add ice and club soda (and in my case sometimes a little rum) and voila! Soda. Mr. T doesn't like it because he thinks the club soda is "spicy" but he'll drink just the plain juice. If we have grapefruit, I'll add a little sugar but oranges are usually sweet enough on their own. I'm so thankful neither of my kids like soda. I didn't grow up with it and it has never been a problem for me but Peter did grow up with it and for him, quitting Dr. Pepper has been like quitting smoking. It's such a crazy addiction. He's gotten so much better now, really a million times better, but it's been a long road. I hope that by not having it in the house, and not having the kids drink it on a regular basis I will save them from that pain down the road. For now though, Miss E and I like our own "soda".

Water

It's baaaackkkk...... The rain is here. Keeping everything all damp and green and Oregon-like. This is what the windshield of my car looked like as we waiting in the car line to pick up Miss E after school. I've been trying to get there more often to pick her up because thus far I have not been super happy with the bus. Every time it comes by the house kids are screaming and standing in their seats and throwing stuff out the window. She tells me that they play music on the bus (which is fine...) but it's stuff like Lady Gaga which is not exactly appropriate for this age. Both of those things are kind of annoying but not really a huge problem. Then. Around Christmas time she told me that the bus driver gave little presents to a few of the older girls on the bus. And then I keep hearing about him teasing them about boys and such. Now, I don't know what's going on and I haven't been on the bus or met the driver but that kind of creeps me out and seems super inappropriate. I'm guessing that Miss E would never even talk to him seeing as he's an adult she doesn't know but still...ick. So, I'm trying to get to school more so she doesn't have to take the bus home in the afternoon.

Something New

This is the little terrarium that I got for Valentine's day. Cute isn't it? Now I just have to figure out where to hang it. And how to take care of it....

Happiness

Since Peter was working yesterday, we celebrated Valentine's day today. We're a pretty low-key couple so it wasn't a big deal. He bought me a lovely little tear drop terrarium, and for him I vacuumed the dog hair out of our bedroom, cooked dinner and bought doughnuts. One might argue those are all things I should be doing anyway, but "great housewife" has never been on my list of describing terms. We also got wild and crazy and watched an episode of Big Love after the kids went to bed - pretty much like we do every night when he's home. (except not always Big Love, obviously). Speaking of Big Love, what's up with those crazy mormons? They almost make polygamy look good. Extra women to help with the housework, cooking and childcare? Not so bad. Peter will tell you that the LAST thing he needs or wants is a few more wives and about 6 more kids but I don't know...maybe I could convince him.