Survival of the Fittest

When I went to my Grandma Leslie's house my number one thing I wanted to do was replant some aloe vera plants that she had in one pot. We bought some pots and soil and the next day we got to it. Being too cold to do it outside we did it on the laundry room floor. We took the small plastic pot (the kind that you buy plants in) and tipped it upside down. All the many aloe vera plants tipped out onto the floor. We brought all of the pots inside and we had five big pots and five small pots. There were eight small plants and four big ones. We picked them each up one by one and cleaned it up. We tore off the dead leaves, shook out the dirt and set them aside neatly. We threw one baby one away that had grown in but having no room got so swashed it would not have survived anyway. We picked out each plant for each pot and in the end threw away the two wimpiest ones with the other one and put one of the biggest pots back in the garage because it just worked out better that way. Then starting with the little ones we put them in the pots. We were just a little short on dirt but we got enough in each pot to last them until Grandma buys more dirt. Then I brushed the dirt off the leaves and watered them. In the end there were nine aloe vera plants on the counter and three in the garbage. Looking at them it looked like a nursery. We figured if they took the biggest one to Arizona to plant, gave one to each of Grandma's daughters in law, gave one to my aunt Tara and kept one themselves they would have two left to give away. So when we came to Diane's house we brought one with us. It amazes me how they survived. Really! They were all in there together in a pot the same size as the pots that we put the small plants in. One was so red and the next day it looked better all ready. They all suffered from not enough room and not enough water. Hopefully she will water them more. But we took care of the room situation. It was so fun!

After I finished sweeping up the dirt mom called and I told her what we did. I also told her I was just as excited to do that as I was to go to Tangled for the second time (we went again in Idaho, It's a goodn'). She said that she thinks that I can have a garden in some pots when we get home now. She said that she honestly didn't think I would take care of them enough, but she knew I was now. I'm so excited. So, over all, I saved some lives and proved I'm responsible. :)

Our Christmas Eve Party with Mom

Last night we had our first Christmas Eve party (our pretend Christmas with mom) with Lizzie and Steve. We had home made roll sandwiches with meat. Then we opened presents. The kids exchanged gifts. Lizzie and Mom did. Mom gave Steve a present and Shad didn't want a present, I guess. Then we acted out the nativity. I got a little frustrated in the middle because Kate was talking, but it was fun. Then we had carmel, fudge, egg nog and some cookie mom made while we watched Small One. It was all so fun. Elle was so adorable. She was looking around and gasping and clapping her hands and giggling. It made me think that it would be fun to be able to remember our first Christmas's. After Lizzie and Shad left we opened our presents from mom and the person who drew our name. I got and sweater from Gracie and...

Well, you all already know, but now I do, too! I got a cricut! I am so excited. I have a 12" by 6" cricut, the George and Basic Shapes cartridge, Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge and two different little pads of card stock. All mine! I am so excited! I can't wait to start using it. I'll have Diane teach me how when we go to my dad's. I have been wanting a cricut ever since I figured out what it really was. When Amy started talking about it I was like, "What? Cut paper? A lot of buttons?" But then she posted pictures and sent me cards she made using the cricut. Then I totally wanted one! Diane had a friend who sold cricuts so I thought Anna and I could combine our money and buy one that was on sale. Then Diane's friend gave her one for her wedding. I was way excited. So, I thought, "I don't need one now. I can use this." But then I thought, "But I won't have it at mom's house. It won't be my own." I finally decided that I wouldn't use my money to buy a cricut, but I still really wanted my own. Now I have my own and I didn't have to spend a cent. I can't believe it's mine! I can take it anywhere I want. When I go to college it goes, too (hopefully it will last that long)! Now I can make cards and paper dolls and vinyl lettering for the wall! I am so excited! Can you tell I'm excited? Before I got to open it, when we went to see our E.S., she came with us to our car and mom opened the trunk. With me in front mom showed her my present. The look on her face was like, "Will she like this?" Well, now everyone knows that I do! AAAAAAAAAAAAA! I do! I hope everyone else likes their Christmas presents as much as I do! Merry Christmas!

All I want for Chistmas is... an E.S.?

So, I have looked back and realized that I hardly ever play or even dress up my American girl dolls. I still love the books, but I am getting too old for the dolls. I guess I have been too old for them for a while. I just haven't realized it. I always thought that is was because I don't have enough stuff to play with them or not enough room. When really, It would take an entire room of stuff for me to play with them for hours at a time. I don't mean to sound like they are horrible and a waste of time. I still love them and I am going to save them for my daughters or nieces or granddaughters (whatever works best). I just think that I shouldn't ask for AG doll stuff or buy AG doll stuff if I don't ever use them. Money could be spent on better stuff.* So I am going to pack up my dolls, dolls' clothes, doll hangers, Felicity's accessories and the bunk bed somewhere safe and save them. And give my cardboard table and closet to Anna and Gracie. I don't just want to give them away to DI or something like that. They would get ruined!

So, today we met with our new E.S. (education something? hence the blog post title haha). We joined a charter school. It is really cool. We meet every month with our E.S. and give her samples of our work and our requests for school supplies. They give us a certain amount of money that we can spend on school supplies (all I know is it is a lot). If it is consumable then it is ours, but if it is not then we have to give it back when we are finished. I hope that everything I just explained to you makes sense. So, in order to do this we might have to shorten our trip with dad a little or go there earlier. I need to come up with a present for mom. Any ideas around ten dollars. Mom, you cannot read the comments on this. I love you all!

* Grandma (or anybody) if you have already made or bought AG doll stuff for Christmas, I'm sorry. If you have I can save it to give with my dolls or you can give it to Anna or Gracie. But if you were just thinking about it then think about something else. Sorry if that sounds mean.

Dinosaurs Are Not Exctinct

We have found them multiple times in our apartment. On the kitchen floor, in the cups under the sink and any other small place. Every time we have found one the one first to see it shouts, "Earwig!" Mom says they are as big as dinosaurs and I'm afraid I have to agree with her. They're huge. And they creep me out. Because they are so big you can see the little details. Oh, a shiver goes up my spine just writing about it. Earlier today I made some hot chocolate in a foam cup from under the sink. When I was drinking it I felt something on my lip.... You guessed it. It was an earwig. I ran to the bathroom dumped the cup out and spit into the sink. I brushed my teeth and gargled the best I could. I am so thankful it did not get in my mouth. Think on that for a while, everyone.