July 1, 2007
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Our family is busy enjoying the summer and the weather seems to be cooperating nicely. Today was warm, sunny, with a light ocean breeze. Really lovely to enjoy while taking a walk with Joe today, while the girls were visiting Gene.
The girls have started the summer reading program at the library and are busy trying to get 10 check-ins, so they can win a gift card for Barnes & Nobel. I am SO glad I have raised two kids that consider a trip to the bookstore to be at least as good as a trip to the toystore.
Around the house, I have been busy hitting area after area to do sorting and organizing that has been put off. I redid all the linen cupboards and have it logical and organized now. Then I went and did the girl’s desks, going thru every drawer and cupboard there, collecting all the crayons in one place, the pencils in another, etc. Then next I hit the bonus room where the kids keep craft things, books, etc. We have overflowed the bookshelf for the girls, so I sorted out books they no longer use and got a second bookcase to take care of the overflow. There is still work in there, but it is already a lot less chaotic. Unfortunately it has become the dumping room for orphan toys, so I still have all that to go through. Then yesterday, I went through all the stuff in Megan’s room and got that organized and sorted, taking out two full Hefty bags of trash. She is pretty easy to work with when purging. If she doesn’t play with something anymore, she easily gives it up. Becca, on the other hand, wants to save everything. Even dead leafs, dirty rocks and random pieces of twigs and shells. Everything is special and/or has a special memory. So her room is going to be more of a challenge to purge and organize. Perhaps I will wait till a day when she is with Gene and just do it. She doesn’t seem to miss things she has not seen in a long time, it is more that once she sees something again, she doesn’t want to let it go.
The girls have been saving aluminum cans to raise money to donate to the local animal shelter. This was born of an idea Becca had about six months ago.She and Megan even went around the neighborhood and collected cans from the neighbors to redeem for cash. In addition, we have been saving all the lose change in a piggy bank. We cashed it all in and the girls had earned $67! I took them to the animal shelter this week and they presented the money to the shelter. The director of the shelter was so impressed that he came out himself to meet the girls and thank them. It was very cool and then the girls had a fun time going around and seeing all the animals. They not only had cats and dogs, but we also saw bunnies, reptiles and two pigs!
Friday we took the girls to see the new Disney movie, Ratatouille, about a rat with gourmet taste, living in France. It was really cute and charming, but not filled with the silly, giggly humor of previous Pixar movies. None the less, we really enjoyed it and I am sure it will become a classic.
Saturday, Gene had the day off from work, so he took the girls early and I used the unexpected free time to work on my minis for the first time in at least a month, probably more. I devoted all my attention to trying to finish my Mimi’s Cafe. It is a piece in quarter scale (1:48) and I built it several years back, then got lazy and didn’t get the furniture and interior done. But I been working on focusing on completing a number of projects like that, that were started and I intended and wanted to finish them, but “stuff” came up. I mean what is the point of all the work that has already gone into them, to just leave them sitting partially finished on a shelf in my workroom. Anyhow, I am hoping to have this project completed in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner, and I will post some pictures. The biggest trick in summer, with the girls here almost all the time, is just finding time to myself to focus on it. I don’t imagine it will take more than a couple more afternoons to actually finish.
This next week, I am predicting a lot of long afternoons at the community pool, with our nice weather. The girls love the pool because it is not only fun, but seems to be the place to meet up with other kids in the neighborhood and make new friends. And I don’t mind the opportunity to sit and either read a book or work on needlework while they swim.
I hope everyone has a fun, safe and lovely Fourth of July!
Comments (5)
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Ah, the problem of “treasures.” Sarah’s kids each have a box that does nunder their bed for their treasures. When it gets full they have to discide what to discard in order to add new treasures. I know is is only a partial solution, since Becca has the world’s largest stuffed animal collection, but it might work for some of the twig, rock, leaf type stuff. It does feel good to get things organized, doesn’t it. It was so good talking to you last night.
Love, Mom
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Sounds like a great way to spend the summer. (Minus all the cleaning & stuff, of course, lol.)
I’m like Becca… I don’t like to give up my stuff.
What a wonderful thing they did! I think when I collected cans and turned them in, I used the money for Legos.
I had Becca’s issue as a kid. Luckily I grew out of it.
Have fun with your minis!!!!
-M
Beautiful new design, but the text is a bit small to read comfortably. Love you, Baa