Mismatch, makeup, and paint

Is anyone even still out there?  Time seems to fly by and then I realize it has been 2 weeks again since I updated this.  Of course I don't have a lot to write about from day to day but a lot happens in 2 weeks!!  Let's see, Andrew had his first basketball game last Saturday and so far has made a basket in each game he has played in.  He moved up a level and the goal is now 8 1/2 feet and there are some big kids at this level.  I think it's 7-8 year olds but there are some big 8 year olds these days!  The kids have adjusted well to being back at school and back at Lisa's house in the mornings.  I haven't quite adjusted because there is just so much work to be done.  The first grade team plans together on Wednesdays but there are some big projects over the next couple of weeks and I am also rearranging the classroom that I am in and redecorating it.  I can't say much but I am (along with others as they have time) packing up all the stuff that is in the room that belongs to the other teacher and I am making it my own.  I've only changed one bulletin board and moved 2 tables and it already looks like a first grade classroom.  When I finish it I will add more pictures.  It looks much different than the other school that I was at.  This school was built in the mid 80's so it is very old and in desperate need of updates.  I'm finally used to the orange cabinets but believe me it took a while.  I wasn't sure if I could handle being there at the beginning.  I was really sad that I didn't get the job at Andrew and Grace's school and then here I was in this old school with kids that are really, really low.  Now, I can't imagine leaving!  I adore my kiddos now.  They are tough but it's been a rough year and I'm trying to turn it around.  They are already acting better.  They are smiling more and laughing and a few of them will even hug me.  The first week I was there they didn't smile at me.  I was so sad.

Anyway, moving on!  Many of you see my updates on facebook so you are up to date on everything and this may bore you ;)  well except the next picture!

 Scary?  Yes!  She had about $10 to spend and chose some little girl makeup in the toy section.  We are working on using less makeup although I assure her she looks beautiful! 

These pictures are from mismatch day at school.  Andrew wore 2 shirts that didn't match and then our awesome friend (babysitter) did his hair half mohawk, half combed down.  It was actually Grace's idea!

Here is Grace's mismatch outfit.  Not a single thing matched.....even her hair had one braid and one ponytail.  She looked adorable.  I didn't see her until after school and she changed before I could get a picture so when I finally convinced her to put her outfit back on she messed up her buttons but I guess it works for mismatch day also!

This picture is just because I thought she looked so cute that day with her braids!  We were in line waiting for Andrew to come out.  She comes out about 10-12 minutes before he does.  I will never understand why they come out so much earlier and just sit and wait for their parents to get there.

 This is the master bathroom and it was in desperate need of an update.  The wood cabinets were so dry.  It is hard to keep cabinets in good shape out here.  They dry out so quickly.  I used to oil them twice a year and sometimes more but it didn't matter.  So, over Christmas break I painted the cabinets.  I had painted the walls last summer thinking I would have time to finish when the kids went to school but I ended up getting that long term job so it never happened.  Also, last summer mom and I took the shower doors off and I am so much happier without them in there.  They were so hard to clean and just ugly.  

I painted the medicine cabinet to match the wall.  I really wanted to get rid of it but it didn't happen.  I'm going to frame that giant mirror and change out the light switch cover to white.  I really like the way it looks now.  I;m sure I have a before picture somewhere.  Maybe once it is complete I will add a before picture.  Next, I want to finish painting all the baseboards and doors white.  Everything in our house was a very ugly off white....almost yellow.  It drives me crazy.  

Well, that's enough for one post.  I have a lot of fun Disneyland pictures to put on here.  We went 3 times in the last couple of weeks and have quite a few character pictures.  Hope everyone is having a great new year!  I can't believe January is almost over!