Jara is an Author

Jara's teacher is amazing and had all twenty of her students write/publish their own "Adventure Story."  It makes me tired just thinking about it.  A lot of hard work was put into the process of publishing their books.  They brainstormed, created the first draft, edited, created the second draft, edited, illustrated and FINALLY published.  Jara's book had three stories:  Halloween, Ballet and The First Day of School.  I loved the detail she included in her book such as a dedication page and an "about the author" page.  Jara was able to have an author share and read her book to the class, answer any questions about her book and party afterwards.  May this only be the beginning of her illustrious career as an author!  Momma needs a new pair of shoes.

May Day

 Once upon a time I taught this dance to first graders...

now I am watching my own little zebra "move it, move it."

The one in the fluorescent pink zebra shirt.  Note: if you want to be able to easily spot your child in the herd dress her in a noticeable color!  Not only does this work for May Day but for other activities that involve crowds.

I was impressed with her moves and lack of shyness.  

These two little monkeys were having a good time as well!

Long Live Spring Break

Jed's spring break.  Somewhere in a little place called Aspen.  

Part of me was happy for him, part of me wished he would freeze his...off.  Well good thing it wasn't too long of a trip this time because we did go skiing in a place that does not involve snow too!

Why would you ever want to ski in the snow, when you can ski on glass! Jed may have been warmer than I was actually.  I don't think I have ever braved swimming in April, it was freezing.  I thought I wasn't cold until I realized I was NUMB!!! For the record, when you are numb, you do not feel cold.

Basking in the sun

A UTV ride with friends. I need one.  

Finding nests at the reservoir.

A little game of catch.

I must say this was one of my favorite Spring Break's in a long time.  Much playing, much relaxing, not so much serious beeesiness.  Perfect.

Egg Hunt

The bunny fun was abundant this year.  Elise ate a whole chocolate bunny, everyone got new swimming gear in their baskets and not one child was too permanently stained from egg dye to go to church on Sunday!

Fair

I hate the fair.  There I said it.  I'm waiting for the lightning.  I suffer for the children, and the corndogs.  American Gothic couldn't describe my joy over the fair anymore perfectly.  Okay, I guess it wasn't that bad.  Blazing hot and sweaty but the behavior exhibited by Elise kind-a made me wish we were a family of traveling carnies.  I've never seen such model behavior exhibited by the little minion.  She was happy, content, absorbed and made a smokin' awesome quail button.  (Did anyone else go in the NDOW tent?)

And I think I need a pink whale in my back yard.

Or maybe a purple one.

The bonus of the fair was Jara's ballet performance.  She was unhappy with her performance and so upset afterwards.  Nonetheless, I found great joy in watching her beautiful self so gracefully dancing.  I tried to explain to her that I was simply happy to see her on stage, being brave, dancing in front of lots of people.  Seven-year-old Joshlyn probably would have pee'd her pants in fear and ran for the hills.  (I'd like to think that was a comforting/motivating thought for her but I think the funnel cake may have proved more calming than any sage wisdom/advice.)  Ballet is hard!  Plus I do not believe the fair is the most optimal venue for a classical ballet performance!  

Fifty Something

I don't know if we ARE the fun or we ruin the fun!?  

The balloon boy

The littlest boy

The evil, plotting two-year-old's

And the birthday gift.  

Jed rescued a kitty from the slammer. 

 Penny has perpetual grumpy cat face and meows like a chain smoker.  She slinks like the Cheshire cat and puts up with the children so she's a keeper, unless she doesn't start killing rodents and then she might be back in the slammer, having violated the terms of her parole.

Happy Birthday Dad!

March Madness

After we bought our house, before we had ever moved in, I was gunning for a new master bath.  However, we were in a hurry to get in and already had enough projects to take care of, and it wasn't a necessary renovation just an aesthetic one.  Or so we thought.  A few months after using the bathroom I noticed the squeaking of water under the floor of the shower, then it started to smell, then I started to panic when I would use bleach to clean the shower and it was still emitting foul odors.  Out it came.  I have the pictures to prove the ecosystem that was forming under the shower, but I prefer to block it from my memory.  A snowball effect happened after that.  Tub. Vanity. All. Had. To. Go. Then I just went crazy and added a sparkly wall to make things pretty.  

Before-Vanity, a glimpse of the  jetted-tub.

My new life goal is to rid the world of jetted tubs.  A nice idea.  Not very sanitary.  Cutting open the pipes confirmed all the internet conspiracies against these bubbly, disease-ridden objects used for cleansing!  Images too graphic to share.  Don't worry I'm sure your tub is safe.

Before-old shower

The crusty mouse we found in the wall of the shower.  The least graphic picture I can share with you.  

Yup, it was that bad. 

Before-the ugly dresser Jed brought home for free last summer that I banished to the garage.  To cut costs after learning the vanity would have to be replaced, I reassessed it's purpose/value.

During-The best was the gaping hole where the plumbing was being reconfigured. 

 I can still smell the cement dust looking at these pictures.

AFTER-

Ahhh!  Vanity turned out.  Thank you Annie Sloan chalk paint.  And I know what is under that tub!

AFTER-

The shower.  We still have to finish up the wall/outlets and paint job but the shower is done.  I love the glass doors.  Glass doors with shower guard, which means I can skimp on the squeegee, once in awhile, and it won't be destroyed.  Genius for lazy people.  Jed loves the rain shower.  He's tall.

While the tile guys were here we figured we'd have them put up the kitchen back-splash as well.  Green glass.  I told Jed I wanted glass tile and he brought me home four or five samples, I've never made a decision so easily in my life.  When I saw these little goodies it was love at first sight.  Hopefully we still love each other in ten years.  (The risk of color.)

There is more to the story.  As in, we also needed a little bump in the wood floor fixed that ended up in half of our wood being ripped up.  Not the best day ever.  

Plus we did the front yard, a post for another time.

Lesson learned-too many projects at once is not the best idea.  March madness resulting.  If you saw me walking around talking to myself or crying you'll now know why.