Work In Progress

We have talked for years about ripping out the carpet in the family room, and earlier this month we finally did it. We had joked that it would be better to just have concrete than the gross dirty carpet. Even when we carpet cleaned it would only look good for just a little while. We found a deal on hardwood that we liked so we bought it (12 months no interest, no payments...gotta love that!) We went home and immediately ripped up the carpet. The plan was that the following week would be a four day weekend with the Thanksgiving holiday and we could get the project done.

First mistake, Thanksgiving was not next week, it was in two weeks. Oops. In the meantime we ripped up baseboards, painted walls, made pictures on the concrete with chalk, broke up tile, and realized how cold and loud the room was with no carpet.




Second problem...the wood did not arrive on the scheduled day. The deliveries come on Thursdays, and our order did not get on the truck that week. Next week would be Thanksgiving and the truck would not arrive until Friday afternoon. So now our 4-day project weekend, only has 2 1/2 days. Here is what we accomplished after the weekend.

See all the potential for "glue hazards"?

I will post more as we complete the project. But we have learned that this would have been easier if we would have had more hands...someone to help Eddie, other than his kids who helped by getting in the way, stepping in glue, tracking glue, or his wife, who was trying to cook, or keep the kids from stepping in glue and getting in the way. It was definitely a bigger project than we had thought.

Turkey Day and Black Friday

This year the weather has been exceptionally nice, here are the kids on Thanksgiving morning outside with all of the fall colors and leaves. It was a little chilly, but not too bad. We have been able to open the windows on several occasions, and we really haven't had to turn on the heat too much yet.

Brian has on his very cute Turkey hat that he made at school

We went over to Uncle Dale's house for the traditional Jones family gathering. It is one of the couple of times a year that we get together with Eddie's family. I enjoy catching up with everyone. They kids have a great time playing with their cousins, especially Heidi.

Thursday night, I formulated my plan for tomorrow morning, Black Friday! We had scoped out some great deals at Walmart, so I knew I wanted to head there first. I got up at 4:30am, and got to the store just as it was opening at 5am. I headed to the electronics first, in hopes of getting a $50 portable DVD player. However after waiting about 10 minutes, in what appeared to be a totally unorganized line, I moved on. I knew I could order the DVD player online anyway. I got snow boots, coats, and PJ's. It was a success, even though there were no shopping carts, and the checkout lines were crazy. I opted for self-check, it was a zoo. The guy in front of me had a bunch of electronics that would not ring up, and had to get help, and then he had know idea, how to use the self check and it took him forever to figure out how to pay with all of his gift cards that he was trying to use. I had to get help too, because I rang up something twice, and some boots did not ring up at the right price.

My next stop was Target. In hopes of finding the Leapfrog games that were on sale for $15. I found of few of the ones that I was looking for. I was also looking for a game that they didn't have, and so while I was standing in line for 2 hours I called my mom to convince her that she needed to go shopping.

On Saturday, while Eddie worked on the floor project, I made Thanksgiving dinner for our family. I kept it simple, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and stuffing. I had made a chocolate pie earlier in the week. But the big thing was trying to make dinner and cinnamon rolls. It was much harder than I imagined. The dinner rolls turned out pretty good, but I forgot about the cinnamon rolls and they sat on the counter all day, and the yeast died. So when I made them the next morning they didn't rise (big surprise) and they were gooey! I am going to have to practice!

Mental and Physical Health Day

Brian fell while he was getting off of the trampoline yesterday afternoon. He was definitely in pain and really babying his arm. I called Eddie at work, but he didn't seem to think that it was anything serious. However, when he got home, Brian was really still complaining. We went to the office to take an x-ray. Turns out, nothing was broken, so it was just a sprain. We gave Brian some tylenol to help him sleep.

Tuesday mornings are always hard days for me to try to get all the kids up and Brian to school on time. Eddie has an early Tuesday morning meeting, so I have to do it all. I made the decision that night that tomorrow, we would all take a little break. A mental health day for me and a physical health day for Brian. I called the school and let them know that he was sick. Then we could all just take the day a little easier. Emily still went to school, but she doesn't have to be there until 9am. This was also Brian's last day before the Thanksgiving break, so we got an extra day too. Sometimes this is just what the doctor ordered.

Celebrations

On Thursday, Emily's class had a Thanksgiving feast, and the kids performed some very cute songs that they had been working on. I don't think that the feast was appreciated by most of the 3 and 4 year olds. There was turkey and mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and bread. It was very nice, but I think most of the kids would have perferred peanut butter, noodles or pizza!



Here they are performing one of the songs they learned. I love the cute headbands they made.

Here are the words to one of the songs: "I'm a little indian on the go, here is my arrow, here is my bow. When I go a hunting here me shout; bears and buffalo you better watch out.

They also listed things that they are thankful for, Emily said she was thankful for Christmas and Valentines Day? I think we better work on a few things.

Brian's school held an Arkansas Day on Friday. The kids wore t-shirts that had an Arkansas theme. Brian wore his Arkansas Razorback shirt. They also brought different food items that were made here in Arkansas. Brian brought Skippy peanut butter sandwiches, made on Arkansas bread, with Arkansas honey. It was a great way for the kids to learn more about our state

I also read to his class after lunch. They were really good and I read two of The Alpahbet Adventure books, Cat in the Hat, and Bear Stays Up For Chirstmas.

Brian went to a classmates birthday party on Saturday. Meadow, had her 6th birthday party at her house. When I dropped him off there were lots of loud, screaming girls. I think he was a little imtimated, but I was finally able to leave. They made this very cute frame, and I put his school picture in it. I am not sure if he had fun or not? It is hard to let your baby grow up, and go to "drop off" birthday parties of familes that you have never met.

Emily Goes to the Dentist

Today was Emily's first trip to the dentist. I was a little nervous about how she would do, but she did great. For her first visit, she was younger than Brian had been, but I was concerned about her thumb sucking, and a tooth that looked like she had chipped it.

The dental office that we just recently switched to is great with kids. The dental hygienist explained everything to Emily and was very nice. The dentist is an awesome guy! He is willing to spend time talking with you and calmed all of my concerns.

Emily got to pick from the treasure drawer, and chose a pink "Boots" from Dora, and also received a kids meal from Chick-fil-A.

Field Trip

Today was Brian's first field trip at Pulaski Heights as a Kindergartner. The class rode the bus downtown to the Children's Museum. I volunteered to chaperon, and I was assigned Brian and his two friends Calvin and Al. The boys and I toured the museum for a little while before the presentation of Tribal Trails. The kids got to learn about Native American Culture through storytelling and dance. Then we had more free time in the museum before meeting to walk to the park for lunch.

Here is my group playing at the park after lunch. It was a fun day for the kids, and I enjoyed helping Brian's class.

Follow Up To The Ranch Story

A few months back I wrote about getting lost in the middle of Oklahoma. We thought we may have found the ranch where The Pioneer Woman lives.

Today I met Pioneer Woman in person, and yep...it is the Drummond Ranch. Technically Pioneer Woman does not live right there, it is actually where her brother in law Pesky Tim lives, their ranch is west of this, but close enough right? She was in Little Rock at the SuperWalmart on Highway 10 for her book tour.

Pioneer Woman wrote this little cookbook, and had it published and today it is #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list. She is currently doing a book tour. My mom got me the cookbook for Christmas and had it signed last week in Denver. I still wanted to meet PW and have her autograph my picture. Her husband Marlboro Man was there, he was walking the line, signing books, taking pictures and answering questions.

Luckily, I arrived early, before the line got too long. Even luckier, Jennie from church was already in line, so I got an even better spot in line and had friends to talk to. It helped to pass the time, entertain the kids, and it was comforting. So thanks for hanging out with me!

Here's proof that I met PW, even though the picture of me is really bad, (I think I was mid-sentance), just look at that cute baby!

Here is PW's account of her evening at the "Wal Marts"!

One Of My Proudest Moments As A Mother

This year has really been a turning point for Brian. He has started to participate in singing and sharing time at church. Even Sister Hubbard noticed one week when Brian was doing a great job singing and pointed it out. It made me smile.

Today was really the capstone. We have been practicing for the Annual Primary Program that is coming up next week. Each child has a small part that they get to say. I had gone over Brian's part with him, but I didn't have high hopes that he would stand up and give it. But sure enough, last week, I helped him and he repeated it perfectly. After church I wrote down their parts and helped Brian read his. He did great.

During practice today, when it was Brian's turn, he got up and read his part perfectly. He did a great job. My heart was beaming, I was all warm and fuzzy, and there were almost tears in my eyes. I also saw Sister Hubbard smiling too.

This is the first year that he has even stood up. In years past he wouldn't even try. Emily won't get up this year. But I know what to expect...maybe in a few years.

Fuzzi Bunz Giveaway

One of my favorite Bloggers, Rixa over at Stand and Deliver, is hosting a Fuzzi Bunz giveaway. Head on over and enter. I love Fuzzi Bunz and I hope I win!