Our next project.. Ella's room!Gavin's room is really done! REALLY!!!! The fan is up, the glow stars on the ceiling are up and the little party lites under his bed are up! I feel so much relief! I love his room and I love how we all worked on it together and I LOVE that it is DONE!
In addition, we re-arranged Ella's room, moved out the last of the jungle features and brought in her furniture (even though it has not been refinished yet). This really helped us get a better idea of how the room will work and what we need to do to get her bed put together properly. We bought an old 1920's dresser and bed set for her at a yard sale and the bed is not the same as the current standard size so it will need some modifications. Bringing it in and setting it up was the only way that Andy and I could figure out what we needed to do! Now, we feel energized and excited about tackling this next project. If only I could decide on paint colors! Andy is going to start painting next weekend, so I had better get with it!
We had our yard sale and what we didn't sell was carted off to the Goodwill. My patio is back (and boy does it look BIG) and we made $128! We hoped to make enough to buy bikes for both kids and if we go with the less expensive models... we did it! We sold Gavin's old bike, so he gets first pick and Ella has her heart set on a Barbie bike. Toys R Us, here we come! We also sold the dresser and night stand that the kids had in their bedroom - which is why we had to bring in the unfinished dresser. I was not willing to have Ella's clothes on the floor for the next couple of weeks (or months)!
The kids got to go to the Circus with Gramma Sharon and Grampa Jack while Andy and I continued to work around the house. We also got to run errands, shop for a couch, get some decorating ideas at some new model homes and have dinner together! Andy got the garden planted while I took the kids to church on Sunday and then we all went down to Bellflower to shop for some Dutch goods at the Holland American market. After that we stopped in Little India to have a snack! It was a fun and very productive weekend! I feel rejuvenated and energized!
I have a TON of work to do for my classes and I have to study for the CSET (which is completely freaking me out) but ... there is nothing I can do but WORK. Work hard and be persistent and focus. That is the hard part, the focus. I feel torn between my job, and the house and the family but I know that right now, I just have to work on the class work and then I will have time for all of the other stuff. So, my nose will be to the grindstone for the next couple of weeks and I will have to let some other stuff go. (oh, darn.. when I just started to feel on top of things!) Off I go!
Here are some pics of our little garden!
My herb garden- sage, cilantro, parsley, basil and thyme! The kids planted marigolds in between!
The rows of corn!
We also have, red bush beans, sugar snap peas, carrots, cucumbers, and white and orange pumpkins.
Some tomatoes from seed and some plants. There are sungold, San Diego heirloom, Giant Steak, and Cherokee Purple and some other funky kind that Andy got!
Walking into the bedroom. (Well, I guess you CAN see the fan...)
The loft bed. The only drawback to this, is that I cannot kiss him goodnight, which I miss, but it gives him so much space!
Underneath the loft is his library and reading chair, which he is in, every night!
Below his window is this cubby unit with his "treasures' and cd's.
The big map, corn snake and parrot have found a home!
She sat on a statue of a Llama and thought it was pretty funny!
Let's go fly a kite!
Gavin, taking some time out from his day in the ocean!
Trying to pull the plungers out of the tar!
Tar bubbling up out of one of the pits outside.. cool!
Two weeks ago, we became the proud and beaming Godparents of Alexander Rosario Bono. The ceremony was beautiful, held in the Methodist Church surrounded by friends and family. The party afterwards was big, and loud and full of Italian accents and food. We have been welcomed into this family and are basking in the glory of our new connections with them. We look forward to many years of friendship, love and partnership as we join with this family to raise our children and be the best that we can be. 
Alex is the sweetest baby. He was happy and cheerful all day long, he slept peacefully in my arms during the entire church service (after his big debut) and awoke with a crazy, questioning look on his face. He seemed to be thinking, "Hmmm, I wake up in a church with some strange lady holding me, and wearing a dress. What is going on here?" I told his mother that it sounded like a bad night in Vegas. (I know, very irreverent for church.. would you expect any less from me!?) He was delightful and seemed to love all of the attention. He is a BIG boy at almost 20 pounds and only 6 months, so holding him was a great workout.
We were exhausted after the long weekend of cooking and setting up, partying and then cleaning up and tearing down. It was a good tired. We can't wait to see that little guy again and watch him grow and learn and love. I am thrilled that we get to have a "third" baby, and that I don't have to stretch out or lose sleep at night (sorry Giac and Kate!), but more importantly, that we get to share the love in our hearts with another wonderful little person!