A New Year

We have enjoyed the first few days of 2015. Steven was able to take Friday off and so he had a four day weekend. As we were taking all our Christmas decorations down on the first, Steven made a passing comment about painting our living room {We've been in the house for 1 1/2 years and ALL of it needs repainting, but we've only done a couple of rooms so far...}. The next thing I knew, all the furniture was in the middle of the room, pictures and nails were off the walls, and he was taping the 36 window squares. 

So, we spent the second day of January painting. But we had some great helpers that only increased the paint time by a few hours:). Seriously, Reese is a hard worker and always wants to help us with whatever "work" we are doing around the house. Several weeks ago as he was recovering from the flu, he literally asked me if he could pick up pine cones in the yard. I had to make him stop and come in!

The second also brought about "second Christmas". We had a few presents that didn't make a December 25th arrival, so Elle got to open her gift.....

Good news is she's very excited. Bad news is, she had it for one day and then we had to take it to the shop. Only because she decided she DID want to play it left-handed, so Steven needed a little help with that process. We are looking forward to some great tunes on the mandolin! 

 

In other major news, and thanks to a big roll of bubble tape in the ole Christmas stocking, Grady learned how to blow a bubble. And cross his eyes. And look at the bubble he blew with his eyes crossed at the same time. Major talent here. And I think Reese is doing a headstand on the couch.

We ended the our Christmas vacation with a little bowling with friends. Who could all be siblings. Who I look at and think, who are you and what have you done with my babies? I'm back to school tomorrow for a teacher work day. Then all the kids come back on Tuesday. It's been a wonderful break!! Happy New Year!