12 on the 12th- February 2014

{a collection of twelve little things going on in our world this month}

1.  Probably just like everyone else in the Midwest…. despite humidifiers in the house, we are dealing with bloody noses, chapped lips, itchy skin, and clothes that crackle as we take them off. Can't wait for slightly warmer weather! This winter has just been rough.

2. We have been helping out a friend this week and watching her one year old while the normal sitter is on vacation. Katie has loved every second of it. I have really enjoyed watching her in a nurturing role. It has also been SO nice for Katie to have a playmate. I am typing next to them right now while they play on the living room floor.

3. The "Frozen" soundtrack is a favorite around here these days. Sometimes I don't think I can take the cuteness of watching Drew sing along. He gets so into it if he thinks nobody is watching.

4. There is SO a reason they are called "terrible twos." Someone is getting pretty feisty these days.  She threw a tantrum at the mall last Sunday that rivaled any public tantrum I've ever had the unfortunate reason to deal with.

On the other hand, she can be the absolutely sweetest little thing in the universe. She is all about kissing on me and saying things like, "I so proud with you, mama! You do a good job!" and "Awwwww, mama. You is so nice to me." Yesterday she said to me, "I need a mama. I need a mama because I can't open my own yogurt or Laughing Cow cheese." Glad she finds me useful. :)

5. Basketball season has begun for Luke and he is playing on a team with classmates for the first time ever. I love getting to know more of the other parents in his grade level and I love that these are going to be long-term relationships. These are the same boys he will continue to play with in multiple sports from now until high school. Between all of the moves we've had and a struggle to find the right place for him last year in terms of sports, we have been on many teams. And being on a team together is an intense friendship- you spend a lot of time with those people (parents and children) for six to eight weeks and then, at least for us in the past, it is over and you never see them again. It will be nice to change this pattern.

6. Just an odd thing to share because I think it is interesting- there is someone who friended me on Facebook a while back and since then, I've noticed her kind of copying my status updates. It is the weirdest thing. I post something and then, within hours, she posts something really similar. The first time she did it, I thought it was a coincidence. The second time, I kind of scratched my head. The other day, the third time, I decided that I find it pretty odd. Not a big deal, I know, just not something I've ever before experienced.

7. Have I shared that Gracie is in a book club at school?  Her wonderful teacher runs an optional book club on Thursday afternoons and Gracie has been really enjoying it. I can't wait to borrow this idea someday when I return to the classroom.

8. My oldest two have Friday and Monday off this weekend. No complaints here, but it really feels like we never have five- day school weeks anymore.

9.  I am still smiling thinking about an interaction between Katie and Drew this morning. Drew said to Katie, "Katie, enjoy me while you can. I leave for school in twenty-five minutes."

10. I go through spurts when it comes to feeling creative and crafty.  I spent the entire month of December and the beginning of January crafting in every spare moment I could find. The past couple of weeks, I seem to have no ideas or interest.

11. Someone I know very, very well is getting ready to turn 37. I am having a hard time waiting to give him the present that I finished for him last week. He hinted (and hinted) that this homemade gift is it something that would make him very happy, so I can't wait to share it with him.

12. This scene makes me happy-

Ever since we converted the front room of the house into the "art room"- as the kids now call it- this is where I find my four much of the time. (Can you see Katie on the chair next to Luke? And Gracie is out of the picture reading on the end of the couch.) The room has become everything I hoped that it could become. We draw and do art projects and work on homework at the table. We play games and puzzles on the rug. The kids read on the couch. I have a desk in the house again and, consequently,  one spot to keep all of the "stuff" of parenting four kids- all of the school papers and reminders and sign up sheets and invitations and calendars. The dining room table has been clean and open and ready for meals and the kitchen island is no longer constantly covered with paper and pencils. It has been wonderful for us.