What's important

...or what sparks joy, if you will.  I'm pretty good at cleaning things out as I go, but sometimes I keep things "just in case" or for "one day."  So, that is my current trial.  I'm trying to clean out the things that are not important, to make room, space, and ease for the things that are.

It's going pretty well.  My sewing craft tub in our room is what I currently have the heart to clear out.  My sister found a new thread rack for me, so that I could start by cleaning out the spools that were tucked away and wouldn't fit on my single rack.

I hung it up today, and loved it! Since it hangs, and my children don't have easy access to it, I put the threads back in color groups.  It looks so good!

However, now that I've sorted out my small and medium spools, I've found that I really need a rack for my large spools. = )  I'll go shopping* for one once the kids are back in school (and I've had adequate time to make sure that it will truly 'spark joy' long term, and not be a hasty decision (and waste of money.)

Emily found that puzzles (about Texas in this case) were worth spending time on this morning before Avia took them to see the new Lego movie.

Normally Juliet is already loaded up on the bus by the time I help Emily with her hair, but today she watched me braid Emily's hair and wanted a 'fancy' style too.

George enjoyed basking in the direct sunlight (for the first time since he came home with us.)  It was so sunny today!

In fact, the sky looked like a painting as I drove to pick up my groceries.

And sometimes a box is enough to make you content enough to sleep, at least if your name is Grace. = )

It was a nice start to our week off.  In addition to the groceries, I cleared the snow and ice from the driveway, washed the final load of laundry from Grace's weekend illness, and found that a magic eraser will take dried paint off of the kitchen flooring!

later days

*I tend to be a very patient shopper. I know that over time any thing I want will show up at a thrift shop or garage sale.  However, things that are not often spotted at those types of establishments I weigh heavily before purchasing.

Valentine's Day, Prep, & School Parties

Emily and Alice had knocked out their valentine cards for their friends during some of our frequent snow days. While grace had finished some, Juliet and William hadn't finished any.  So, Cutting it close for my comfort, we knocked out all the cards on Monday during homework time. 

Since we had extra snow days both Tuesday and Wednesday, we could have waited, but it was nice be finished.

Emily wore a special outfit, and so I did her hair 'special' too.

My current outlook on life has me not wanting to shower my children with "tawdry gifts and shallow flattery" so they were gifted a simple stuffie and pair of little Debbie heart cakes from me. 

Emily named her stuffed poodle "caniche" after my grandma Sondra's mom's dog, who looked very similar. = )

William loves his little "mike."

Grace's frog was named Karopi, since that is one of Hello Kitty's friends.  Though, when she says it, it's slightly mispronounced as "crappy." Which is entertaining for us, but we should probably rename the frog.

Juliet's seahorse is one of  Ariel's "friends." The most memorable one in the movie is Harold. So that is his name.

I'm not sure what Alice named her seal, but he would definitely be friends with a narwhal. Or maybe dinner for one?

My mom gifted them each a pair of socks, which went over super well!  Though, the twins didn't have a chance to open theirs before school, since the bus comes early.  = )

With all of the snow days, we didn't receive notice of the time for the twins' party until Sunday, and it naturally fell at the same time as the big kids' just at a different school.  Since Alice had personally invited Avia to attend her party, I tapped her to bounce to Emily and William as well, so that I could represent for the twins. = )

They were happy to see me, and I helped pass out their valentine cards.  Favorite station, the pretzel icing station:

Working together!

Juliet wanted her creation to match the one on the package.

These pictures are from my mom of the big kids' parties:

William gave Vivi a special valentine gift.  Her mom sent this picture to me last night:

If I must share William's affection with another girl, I am so glad it's one as sweet as Vivi. = )

As for my valentine, he bought me my newest plant. May I present to you George...Bush.

He joins the ranks of my other loved houseplants:

Winchester (SPN), he's a thyme plant, who I thought I'd lost, but he came back just like the characters in the show.

And [name in progress],  my beautiful succulent that came home with me from MOPS last year.

I got Billy a STEAM gift card, that still hasn't arrived. = /

So thankful for all of my valentines and the fun they provide on all the other days too!

later days