An unexpected lesson

First, I'll start by saying I forgot my camera last night. BOOOOO!!

Last night we worked our first shift, ever, at the CCT Gift Wrapping Station. I cannot express to how much both girls enjoyed themselves. They could not get over being in a space full of wrapping paper, bags, bows, and tissue paper of all sorts.

Then Ms. Betsy gave us a lesson on bows. We learned how to wrap the ribbon around the package, add premade bows and semi-made bows. I think Chloe's favorite package wrapped was a pink paper with black polka dots, then topped with a black ribbon and bow. Jesse's favorite was a puple paper, with a darker purple ribbon, then a lavender bow. They were both very pretty!

Today, I needed to go to that "box store" (as John is now referring to it) to get some things the commissary didn't have. On the way, we stopped off at Lowe's. Last night we were using some awesome scissors, so I asked where they were bought. Lowe's. But they were bought a couple of years ago. Guess what?! They were still selling them!! Yeah!!!! At the "box store", we found some ribbon and bows.

I don't think we bought enough ribbon.

Not only are they adorable, but they work GREAT!



Jesse HAD to have her picture made; Chloe refused.



Eager to get started

I know I haven't caught you up on everything since mid-November, but I just have to let you know what is going on here.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, John decided to start painting our living/dining room and the kitchen. He was going to start painting during his up coming week off, but then he decided to start last week. Last Monday and Tuesday, he painted the living room. Last night he started working on the dining room. Today, he finished painting the bay window walls. He said he was going to stop, but now he is painting around the door of the stairs.

Of course, this has not been easy considering we had already decorated for Christmas. What were we thinking?! But we are all in love with the color, think sky blue...simply stunning. I'll post pictures in a couple of days when everything is put back where it belongs.

Right now I'm fighting off the urge to start my list of things to do while we are out of school. I have quite a few things to do inside, mostly the kitchen, but because of the painting I'm unable to start. It is giving me an itchy kind of feeling, which is why I'm posting (something is getting done at least).

Okay, I have to start getting ready to leave the house. The girls and I are going to CCT's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" this afternoon. One of our favorite people, Anthony, is Charlie Brown and I cannot wait to see him. He was awesome as Clogsworth and the Mayor; this one should be awesome!

Mrs. Trish!!!!!!!

We need your email address. We did get your note, and we'd love to respond. LOL And we MISS you so much; it seems like such a different place there with so many new people. Jesse is still loving it though and Chloe is looking forward to starting next fall!

Hopefully, we'll hear from you soon!!!

November 18th...

will live in infamy. LOL  I had some great friends in high school. However, life goes on after high school. You say you are going to stay in touch, but some move on, some move then return, and some just stay. And somewhere along the way you lose track of each other. Then Facebook arrives!!!

Oh, how wonderful FB can be in aiding to find lost friends...that you actually want to reconnect with. lol  That is exactly what happened on November 18th. After twenty {cough, cough} years, four of us found ourselves in an unexpecting restaurant for three hours! Oh, I did feel bad for the other patrons, well, a little bit. We had such a great time and I really hope we can do again, much sooner!!

I cannot begin to tell you how many hugs there were or quantify the laughter, but we had the BEST afternoon!! And I really appreciate John letting me spend an ENTIRE day taking this trip. Thanks, Babe!

Mom's Birthday

We celebrated my Mom's birthday a month ago. I will not say how old she turned. ;)

Pictures from Halloween...

yes, I do know it is December 8th! lol  I've had a lot going on lately. I'll try to catch you up, but don't expect much until Tuesday.

Here are the girls just before going out to trick-or-treat. This was the first year we stayed on and went around our own block. There were only a handful of homes giving out treats, but they were really GIVING out treats! Their buckets were full after just, maybe seven houses. Insane!! They had such a great time and they immediately started planning for next year.

Our vampire bunny and a dead Cleopatra!

The Friday before Halloween we had a Halloween party with a couple of homeschool families we know. (Mom you'll want to see some of these pictures!)

We had so much fun that day. The kids voted on who had the best costume (of course the baby won!), a relay race (okay, several of them), then the kids created their own stage show at the stage in the park. And the food! So good!! We cannot wait to do it again for Christmas. :)