For my beloved Mother

I am writing this because my mom did not like that my last post was titled "Slacker" and then never updated. I need to explain that. My camera broke and I like to post around pictures. However, I should give an update on Project Simplify. I actually did not get into it as I had hoped because the projects were actually, with the exception of the first day, the things that I had been working on around the house. Who new they had such good taste?! So, I took some pictures of my horrendously messy closet and someday I will replace the camera and post pictures of my immaculate closet (it hasn't arrived yet.)

So, for my own version of Project Simplify I have chosen to make a larger effort to remove extraneous junk around the house and garage and further build, organize and create solutions for a better functioning home. That sounded kind of stupendous, huh? So, here is what that means. First, today we had a garage sale that really cleared the house out. Most of the leftovers went to charity or neighbors. The few other pieces will be sold in the classifieds. I used the money from the garage sale to purchase shelves for the garage. That is where I will be working next. The garage needs a mass reorganization and probably further purging. Yay next week! I think the shelves will largely do the trick, but I will probably have to put in some hanging devices for the strollers and so forth. Once the garage functions for us I will begin to move some of our supplies out there so that I can better utilize our indoor storage. Once things are located where I want them I plan to upgrade some of my systems inside. Since some of these things will cost money it will take a little bit of time and shopping.

That was probably not very exciting to read, but I am excited to say that after three years in this house things are coming together. I am excited for the day when it is just upkeep. Okay, so I like change too much to expect that time to come any soon!

Now, just because I love some good pics, I am posting some randomness from before the camera's fateful fall.

Slacker

Last week was challenging at our house. I actually got a fair amount done, but not what was planned. I hardly touched my closet, and that was the trouble spot for Project Simplify. Hopefully I can handle two trouble spots next week!

Lyrics

The other day I asked Calvin to sing to Maddie. He started by singing that he didn't want to sing, but he was soon into his song and he really got into it. Chris and I busted up when we realized that what he was crooning (with a lot of passion) was, "game ooooooverrrrrrr!" - over and over = ). Time to cut back on the video games.

Project Simplify

I have decided to try to keep up with Project Simplify on SimpleMom. They will be posting a trouble spot every Monday for people to work on during the week. On Friday Before and After pictures are to be posted. We'll give it a try. I am raring to organize and reorganize (did I ever stop nesting?), and the upcoming spring and this challenge are a good excuse. It doesn't start until March 7, so, I will see what I can get done on my own before then = ).

Hale Freezes Over

Here we are after the Hale Freezes over 5k. It was a lot of fun. We aren't very fast, but we are happy to be out enjoying the race. It reminds us how much we want to be in shape!

Monkey Island!

For our preschool activity this month we went to Monkey Island and I have to say - it was awesome! Especially for only $5! This place is a little kid's playplace full of fun blow up toys for the kids to play on. Look how strong Calvin is = ). He was having a blast!

These things made me want to jump in and play too!

Christmas - at last!

Did it take me long enough to post the Christmas thing? I had some weirdness going on with the Blog for awhile (thanks Calvin for changing my fonts to arabic!), and then I was just too far behind. So, here is the beginning of the catch-up.

I didn't make Maddie sit with Santa, she was a little bit too young to care. Calvin was a big fan of the gentleman though! This picture came out so cute (thanks Melissa!) Notice the pants halfway up the calf - I think it is time to retire that particular pair = ).

Christmas day was a lot of fun. Calvin was actually excited to go to bed the night before, and that was fortunate because Santa had a big job ahead of him to prepare for Christmas morning at our house! Calvin was totally excited with all of the presents and he loved helping Maddie open her stuff too. She loved rolling around all of the paper, packages and toys. I was actually really impressed with her mobility on Christmas morning.

The pictures are all out of order. I kind of hate the way that blogger uploads sometimes. Oh well, bear with me, I don't think that I am going to change my wording for the screwy picture order. The greatest, most awesomely cool present of the morning was ... Super Mario Brothers! Wow!

Supposedly Calvin got that for Chris, but in the end it was really Calvin's present. He was instantly enthralled by that game. I think he would have been perfectly happy to have played that for the rest of the Christmas break (with a steady stream of treats brought by mom, of course!) Fortunately, there were a few other festivities planned.

We had a nice leisurely morning in our pajamas and later in the day we went to Grandma and Grandpa Lambert's house to spend some time with the greater Lambert family. Calvin, once again, had a ball with all of his cousins. Christmas was good times for this kid. The rest of us had a nice time as well, hanging with the fam and enjoying the holiday cheer.

So, this post is late in coming, but I still want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a happy new year! Merry Christmas!


(I love post dating - No one knows how late this really was!)