Conversations with Ella

Overheard this evening:

Ella to big sister Olivia: You're not beautiful.  Because you think you you're beautifuller than me!

WANNA TRADE?

Okay, friends,

Christmas is just a few weeks months away. (That sounds better doesn't it?) And, if you are like us, money is way tight this year.  So, I was thinking maybe we could help each other out.  LET'S TRADE!!

Could your daughter/niece/sister/friend, etc....use some hair bows or headbands for Christmas?  Great! What do you want to trade for them? Do you make tutus, jewelry, dolls, toys, blankets, etc.? Let's use what we already have and help out all of our wallets!!

In the comments, post what you are looking for and what you can trade for it!

Link to this entry and see if we can get others to join in.

Honestly, I am not 100% sure how this is going to work, but I thought it was worth a try! What do you think??

More of the Tour! THE BASEMENT

 

This is one of 2 finished rooms in the basement. All of the books and games are down here. We spend a lot of time here as a family.

 

Here is the room from another view. Yes, our only tv is down here. The laundry room is through the door on the left.

Here is the bedroom in the other basement room.  The kids refer to it as Tio Jose's room.

 

Don't you just love the elephant on the wall?  To the left is a door that goes into basement storage.

And Sometimes It is Hard Being the New Girl

In general, Grace is adjusting really well to her new school.  She seems to love it.  I am, overall, pretty impressed with the school.  The teachers really  seem to care about the kids. They put a lot of responsibility on the kids, but don't just push them over the cliff, if you know what I mean.


The week after Thanksgiving break, they are taking all 180 sixth graders to camp.  For a week.  As one who has been in the trenches of teaching middle school, I can say it takes a special kind of crazy to teach there.  They are going to Camp Michindoh.  Silly me, I thought that must be an Indian name.  Nope.  Mich=Michigan. Ind=Indiana.  Oh=Ohio.  Duh.....

Anyway I went to the parent info meeting last night and they said that each child chooses a bunk mate. Someone they know who be in their cabin so they feel like they have a friend. Then the teachers mix up the rest of the kids so they have opportunity to meet and get to know other kids.  Sounded good.  Except Grace hasn't been able to find a bunk mate.  Everyone she asks has already found theirs.

Oregon is very much like Norwood was.  There are not a lot of new students.  So, in the case, the new girl is left feeling left out.

Yesterday, I also went to pick up the four younger kids up from Bible Club after school (Yes, a Bible Club held in the public school!!!!)  And as we were all standing around waiting for the kids to get out, all of the parents chatted.  Except with me.

Being the new girl can be hard whether you are 11 or 43.

Can You Keep A Secret?

I just went to the bathroom, with the door open, and no one walked in, or called my name, or anything!  I love school!

The Tour....

I cannot sleep....again, so I thought I would start to give you a tour of our new home...

This is the living room, to the right as you enter the front door.  Love this room. Cannot wait until the house in Cincy sells so we can have some wall hangings!  LOL

One of my new pieces! Displays my Willow Tree statuettes as well as many of our favorite pieces from Cuba.

The piano is on the wall of the steps leading to the second floor. Pardon the clutter!!

The little girls' room

Love their closet!  

  

 

More to come!!!