Creating. 59/365

This is the right way to spend a weekend! Crafting all day long. Today the three of us are working on art journals. These on-line classes from Dina Wakley called Art Journaling 101 & 102 are so much fun. We watch the instruction on the computer in our craft room and when inspiration hits, we start creating.

I'm not sure if this is what we would have been doing all day, though. The furnace that heats the lower level is not working again. The part needed to fix it had to be ordered and won't be available until next week. With the temps dipping into the low 30s tonight, the upper level furnace will be working overtime just to keep the second floor warm. Maddie wore her winter coat while eating lunch [on the lower level] this afternoon.

Taking a break. 58/365

This bird was camped out on the railing of our deck this afternoon and it's friend was sitting just a few feet away. Once I sneaked outside to try to get a better shot, they both flew away.

Stumpy. 57/365

This guy doesn't like having his picture taken. As soon as I snapped this one, he took off across the school yard and hid up in a magnolia tree.

One Step Closer. 56/365

Jordan is one step closer to having her insulin pump. Yesterday the pump and all of it's accesories arrived from Medtronic. Today we had the insulin pump training. Over the weekend we'll have to take on-line "insulin pump school" and then Tuesday she'll have her pump installed. She is so excited she can hardly contain herself.

Mardi Gras. 55/365

You'd think the girls had been to New Orleans the way they were preparing for Mardi Gras today. Good thing we don't ever throw away any jewelry related items.

Pocahontas. 54/365

Pocahontas hails from this neck of the woods. Her father, Chief Powhatan, has a nearby town named after him. I knew when we moved here I'd get a much needed lesson is history. I'm just happy to know my children are enjoying these history lessons just as much as I am.

I am a proud mama. 53/365

My youngest goofball daughter. She is constantly making us laugh.

We love our books! 52/365

This is another of our favorite places. Our local library is so incredible - an area just for teens, an area for kids, and a the whole upper floor for me. The place just feels comfortable and though we've never stopped in, there is a coffee shop at the entrance.

Officially a Virginian? 51/365

Last week I obtained my Virginia driver's license and today I received my Virginia license plates. I guess it's official - we're Virginians (that doesn't really sound right, does it?). Just look at the number of plates one gets to choose from. This is one window full of options. There is another one with just as many more options in it at the opposite entrance. We chose the Jamestown option because we recently learned that in 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of 104 English men and boys began a settlement on the banks of the James River, earning the distinction of being America's first permanent English colony. I still wonder why children are taught that the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock were the first American settlers.

Reese's Puffs. 50/365

This is what dinner looked like tonight. She has to measure her food in order to properly calculate the amount of insulin she needs. She claims she didn't want to dirty another dish by transferring the cereal to a bowl. I am grateful for that. Since we measure everything now, I am constantly loading and unloading the dishwasher!

This makes me smile. 49/365

These two little guys were purchases made on Cary Street Monday. Everytime I walk by them, I smile. Just look at that face and those shoes on that sheep!! Mr. Monkey is supposed to go in Jordan's room, but he's too cute to put in a bedroom.

Sign of Spring? 48/365

Found this little guy hanging out at the mall. Maddie noticed him (or her) because of how "fat" he is. This bird isn't missing any meals this winter, that's for sure.

Cary Street. 47/365

Since the girls were off from school today, we did a little shopping today on Cary Street. We had never been down there before and very much enjoyed the shops we visited. We'll have to take Aunty Rachel there when she visits us. All around this little area of town there are very old houses. This is a photo Jordan took of one of the cute side streets.

Love this place, too. 46/365

Stopped at Whole Foods tonight to get bagels for the teachers' breakfast in the morning. The kids are off school tomorrow, but the teachers have to work. I love the floral department at Whole Foods! And the produce department! And the bakery! This is another of Maddie's photos. I think she was trying to get creative with the angle. I do like the pink hue of these hydrangeas. I also like the pussy willow in the background.

Chocolate. 45/365

Maddie made this incredible dessert plate for us tonight. She came up with the idea, picked out my new square footed cake plate, melted the chocolate, cleaned and dipped the berries, arranged the goodies on the plate, and embellished with kisses, M&Ms, whipped cream, and sprinkles. Watch out Martha Stewart!!

Valentines. 44/365

This is the pile of love notes Maddie received from her classmates today.

Play Rehearsal. 43/365

Maddie and I went to Jordan's school play rehearsal today so I could help with costume alterations. This proved to be better than expected because we got a sneak peek of the play and were able to photograph some backstage antics. This photo was taken by Maddie of Jordan peeking through the curtain after rehearsal ended.

Guest Photographer. 42/365

We're trying to get so much done before Valentine parties that I didn't take any pictures today, but Maddie grabbed the camera out of my purse when we were at the post office. She's only four feet tall so she has a different prospective than I have. Here I am mailing Valentine and Ebay goodies. Because I didn't send much for Christmas, I'm trying to make up for it at Valentine's Day. I love the kiosk at the post office!!

I {*heart*} Target. 41/365

Gotta love Target! Not only do they have all kinds of cool stuff to buy, they offer a play area for the kids, too.

Hippey. 40/365

This little guy is very important to us. Wherever Maddie goes, Hippey goes too. Except to school this year. There were so many fire drills in the early part of the school year, Maddie didn't want to risk leaving Hippey in school if there really was a fire.

Thanks Donna! 39/365

Thanks to Donna Downey, I felt inspired to organize my craft room. She has a video entry on her blog where she took her camera all around her work room and explained how she got herself organized. Mine hasn't been organized since I left Texas, but I think it will be by the end of the week. IF my girls don't suddenly feel the urge to create.

Bedtime Snack. 38/365

This is the usual evening snack. Plain old vanilla for me and the girls prefer chocolate chip cookie dough. Regardless of the flavor we are all in agreement it must be Breyers.

Raggedy God Doll. 37/365

This arrived in the mail for Jordan along with a few other goodies for Maddie and Me. Isn't she the cutest little thing?! My sister made this doll for Jordan to be a little bit of happiness when her diabetes is getting her down. Little does Rachel know that this doll is a little bit of happiness any day of the week - for Jordan AND the rest of the family. Thank you Aunty Rachel!!

Progress. 36/365

I guess that's what you'd call it. I call it depressing.

Market Day. 35/365

We're never ahead of schedule at our house. Jordan announced late last night that Thursday is Market Day in Spanish class. Any student that wants to sell something can and students can buy items with the Pesos they've accumulated during the past nine weeks. Last time Jordan sold friendship bracelets - they were a huge hit. This time she's selling "Little Dudes". Since we got such a late start - I sewed eyes, Jordan sewed everything else, and Maddie stuffed them - there are only 15 of them available. If they go well, she'll get a jump start on the next Market Day (I hope).

Winter Wonderland? 34/365

What a difference a day makes! We woke up to snow this morning. Unfortunately, not enough for the county to close the schools. Besides the roads were nice and warm from the 65 degree day yesterday so it was smooth sailing all the way to school.

65 Degrees Today. 33/365

What a beautiful day we enjoyed today! It was a teacher work day so the kids were off today. We did a little shopping - checked out an antique mall (prices were way too high) and hit a couple of old favorites. Maddie wanted to earn back some of the money she spent so she washed the car for me. Just in time for the rain/snow mixture we're expecting tomorrow!!

Slumlord Millionaire. 32/365

Our first ever family Monopoly game that we actually saw to the end. Two days worth of board game fun and Maddie won! This is what her "portfolio" looked like at the end.