Making our School room

So in preparing for baby #3 we switched some rooms around in Jan/Feb.  What was our living room became the playroom, then what was the playroom became the living room b/c it was the first room you  see when you come in.  With that switch, it gave us a more hidden playroom, and also gave us more walls, where I could hang up school stuff.  With the pregnancy and such this past year, I never concerned myself much with the playroom.  We did school in the kitchen table.

When August hit, I decided that I wanted the playroom to play 2 roles, 1 of playtime and 1 for school.  I have their school books in there already, and there was a whole wall I could put school posters and whatnot.  So I went to work on transforming the playroom into more of a schoolroom:

1. I purged 3 full trashbags of toys.  2 I sent to goodwill, the other was just broken toys/trash that I threw out.  I also threw out a LOT Of the kids artwork, my oldest draws a LOT and I just can't keep it all.

2. I reorganized their toys and made sure everything had a home.  It was amazing how great having less toys feel.  I wanted to purge more, but it would've gotten to the point that the kids would've noticed stuff missing. lol

3. I organized their book shelf with their reading books, games and puzzles.

4. I organized their school bookshelf and got everything arranged and ready for back to school.  I have baskets on one of the shelves that has different things, like pencils, pads, hands on activities and such. The kids are fully aware they are NOT to touch that shelf w/out permission.

5. I bought a dry erase board, some posters and a corkboard for our wall and got to decorating it, making it more of a "school" feel.

We've been working on their playtable, which is a bit small, but works for now.  School time def goes smoother being in a school setting, and I'm able to use the board daily to teach them.

I had bought the alphabet last year at wal mart for $1.  I bought the corkboard for $8 with 40% off at Joann.  I used leftover paint and fabric and decorated it b/c I hate the plain corkboard. lol I also made a point not to make it pink b/c hubby complains there's pink everywhere.  The "READ" poster above it is made by daddy, based on his book.

The whiteboard was bought at costco. I'd like something a bit bigger but for now this works.  I had the 2 8x10 frames from the $1 store.  I printed the THINK from pinterest and I made the subway art on the left with school related words. 

 The school section.  The rest of the room is just toys.  Eventually we'll have a house that will have a separated school room.  Till then, this works and school is going so well for both girls!  I love our room and the girls get so excited, they always set up their school stuff on the table the night before.  

The rest of the playroom: 

Busy bees

We have been busy here!  Our sweet baby boy is 12 weeks old today!  Time has been flying.  He is truly the best baby!  He's been sleeping through the night since 6 weeks, and last night was his first night in his crib!  Mommy was sad he wasn't in his bassinet next to me anymore, but he's getting uncomfortable in there b/c he's so big, so as hard as it was to leave him in his room, I know he's way more comfortable in his crib.  He slept through the night and had no issues!  Best baby ever!!! :)

Last week we also started school.  We started on the 19th, big sis in 1st grade and little sis in preschool. Big sis and I are really enjoying 1st grade.  She's doing really well, and I can already see how much she's learned in just 2 weeks.  We're working hard on her handwriting and reading skills.  My hope is that she'll be reading on her own by the end of the year.  She is dying to read on her own.  I haven't been pushing her b/c she doesn't do well with change.  But now she's really working hard.
Little sis loves to "do school" with us.  Though she's not a fan of work books like her sister was, she loves hands on activities.  So I have found a ton of preschool activities for her thanks to pinterest!  She loves puzzles, so we've done that along with some other stuff.  Hopefully soon we'll be able to get her interested in work books :)

Last year we didn't have a school room.  We worked in the dining room table.  I didn't really like it, but it worked.  This year, I decided to transform part of the playroom into a school section.  It has been so much better, and having the "school room" I think has helped all of us be much more productive.  Our plan is to get a bigger school table, but for now this works :)  I'll post more about that later! 

To my little love

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY  to my sweet little love!

  You light up my life in ways that I never thought possible :)  Your little smile has always made any cloudy day so much sunnier.  I love you so much and I'm so thankful God made me your mommy!  

I may be dealing with lots of emotions as you turn 3.  It feels like only yesterday you were born!  And now you are turning into such a beautiful and amazing little girl! I can't wait to see how God uses you as you grow! 

Aug 3rd 2011

Dearest baby girl, 

Today I sit here thinking back to 3 years ago.  Mommy had gone through 9 months of anticipation.  Your pregnancy wasn't the easiest for mommy, so by the time your due month came, I was ready! :) I was anxious to meet my sweet baby girl, though nervous to introduce you to big sis.  

Your due date was August 11th, but we scheduled your birth for the 3rd.  When that day came, we woke up super early to head for the hospital.  We dropped off your sister at our friend's house, that was so hard to do b/c we'd never been apart.  We then headed to the hospital and I was so nervous to meet you.  The doctors and nurses started getting me ready and I started getting more and more excited to see you.  When they started the c-section I kept asking them if you were out yet.  We had music playing and everyone was so excited.  When you were out I could hear you cry, the doctor said "wow where were you hiding her?" You were bigger than anyone expected, at 7.15 lbs and 20 inches.  The first thing I asked was if you had hair.  They said you had a head full.  Then they brought you to me, a beautiful baby girl, they took off your hat so I could see your pretty black hair.

All that was 3 years ago.  I can hardly believe my baby girl will be 3 in a few days.. You are growing into such an amazing sweet girl.  You've always been a mama's girl and so shy, but lately you've been coming out of your shell and been more outgoing, but not always.  

At 3, you love to color, play with baby dolls, play with doll house, love to wear dresses and look like a princess.  You love My little Pony, are obsessed with TMNT, love Frozen... You try so hard to be grown like your big sis and are working on doing things more independently.  You still have a favorite blanket that you have to carry around and sleep with.

Your smile completely lights up the room.  When you smile I have to grab you and squeeze you tight!  Your eyes are big and beautiful shade of hazel/greenish.  I've never really been able to tell what your eye color is, but they are so sparkly and I get lost staring at them. 

I'm so thankful God made me your mommy.  You are such and amazing little girl.  

Happy 3rd Birthday baby girl!!!!!!