Digging myself out

I've decided to post some before and after pictures of my cleaning and organizing endeavors. I'm looking for any motivation really, even at the risk of public humiliation! Its also just pretty cool to see what a difference a day or two of dedication can make.

This is the top of the stairs, and the entrance to our bedroom

It is also known as "The Place Laundry Goes to Die"

Here is my after shot. After I lost track of how many loads of laundry I've done that is.

As you can see, I no longer have to fear losing Ella to the laundry monster and never finding her again!

On to the next project! This one I will call: "Being able to open the dresser drawers again"

Hello 2012!

I love the new year. It always seems like such a hopeful time. The slate is wiped clean, anything is possible. I had the nicest New Year's eve celebration that I have had in  long time last night, so that didn't hurt my mood. There was a group game(which I love, and have gotten at all three major holidays this season!!), counting down, kissing at midnight, champagne toasts, sparklers and a lovely front yard fireworks display. How could we not have a great 2012?!

Goodbye 2011

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Oh well

Summer is too fun, I didn't stop to blog again this year! I give up on last year's update, I'll just post what's going on now.

Ella is going to kindergarten this year! It is a Waldorf kindergarten, and I am so so so glad. I love her teacher and I still pinch myself every time I drop her off.

 I really agree with the Waldorf philosophy, and I've known that I want her to go to a Waldorf school since she was about two, although I was interested in them before that. The problem is that they are so gosh darn expensive! Well her father and I pooled our resources, and for this year at least she is in. It is such a relief to know that she is being nurtured and cared for in such a wonderful way.

County Fair

Here is a post about last year's county fair. Andrew took Ella and I, and we rode every ride we could, some multiple times! We even paid to see the snake lady, which was funny but disappointing.

Wow! Look at Andrew's beard! Also you can see the shoes I wrote about in the last post, please ignore the mismatched socks ;)

She couldn't understand why it only drove in a circle

Ella and I both rode this one!

She loved the rides!

There were some interesting livestock displays and Ella got to pet some calves and kids. I saw a chicken coop that was perfect(!), but unfortunately we missed most of the agriculture displays. Overall we had a lot of fun, ate a lot of junk, and left sticky, exhausted, and content. 

Summertime Fun

This post is about my friend Reed, who is one of my very favorite people. We had a picnic and unsuccessful chick-a-dee hunt at Mendon Ponds Park right after I moved back to Rochester. Ella was in sore need of some new shoes so we then went to Marshalls(I think?) where Reed bought Ella two new pairs and a very coveted backyard kiddie pool.

Picnic time!

Piggy back ride

Ella half heartedly holding out her hand after we tried to entice chick-a-dees for awhile (they are hard to entice in the summer, why would they bother landing in a human hand with all of that natural goodness surrounding them?) 

Ella puppy? Yummy stick?

POOL!!!

Settling In

Okay, so next up on the last year road trip is random photos of us settling in to Rochester!

Ella trying out the carousel at Charlotte Beach

Moving can be overwhelming...

Ella playing on her slide

I just want to pause and make a note here: I originally planted a garden in Kingston since I had not planned to move last summer. When I found out I was moving, I packed all of my growing plants into boxes and buckets and drove them across the state of NY. This is a picture of me re-planting my garden, now in Rochester. Most of the plants lived! That is a testament to their original source, Regeneration CSA. Thanks Sarah!

Hmmm, Ella bird?

I sprayed myself with the hose

My silly girl LOVES tape!

My mother's poor cat is just getting used to us a year later

Ella loved this "her sized" mirror. She also crayoned all over it as proof.

Getting ready for some summer fun. Come back summer, we need you!

This one is a bit blurry but I couldn't resist it. She still feels this way about getting her hair brushed.