January (well at least for a few more days)

So things here at the Little House are going fairly smoothly with Mr. Little House at home all the time. I, honestly, was not sure how it was going to work out with both of us at home, but I have been pleasantly surprised. It has been a huge treat to have him around. Isn't it great when you don't have to take care of the kids and the house all alone?

Ed (also known here as Mr. Little House)has taught homeschool at least three times already this year so I could get out a bit. I think we have rather different teaching styles, but it's good for the girls to be flexible, right? A week or so ago, we read Stellaluna and made origami bats. Oh, how the girls LOVED and PLAYED with those bats. So, yesterday I bought a beginner origami kit from B & N for less than $12. This morning we made 2 birds, 1 butterfly, 1 frog with a gimpy hind leg, and attempted an elephant. The elephant was just above my folding abilities! Anyhow, I love listening to the creative ways they play with their paper critters.

I just ordered something from Etsy for the first time! It is a bit ironic, but I am allowing myself this item as a birthday present. I know it's a week away, but the item will take that long or longer to get here. I am trying to switch to the all cash spending method. This is HUGE for me b/c I will use my debit card for any and all items even if they are $1.40 as I did for a tea today. I used to be a strict checkbook balancer, but with on line banking, I have become a bit lax, and I think I would be less likely to make spure of the moment purchases if I had to pull out cash. Back to the purchase- I got a cute money organizer with fabric envelopes. I struggled with the purchase, because I know I could actually make it myself, but I have 3 other sewing projects going, and 2 of them are time sensitive. You see why I used the birthday gift card now.

I hope to post some pics next weekend, but I am hosting a "sew in" on my birthday. I have 6 dear friends who also sew. We are going to fill up the room above our garage and sew all day. Doesn't that sound like fun? I think so. Now, I have to get up there and make it presentable (or at least decent). The girlies made a big mess last time we were up there. I was so caught up in my project that I didn't even notice until it was time to come down and get dinner together.