TGIF!

It's Friday!!! A very busy/frustrating week just passed and I am so thankful that the weekend is here!
Every school-morning I have two extra kids to tote along- today was one of those days that I was thinking to myself that even though it can be difficult to get 4 kids off to school- I am glad that I do because it tests my patience...in a good way. I am not among the most patient people. But today I wasn't far behind them. This says a lot considering yesterday was a really difficult day as far as testing my patience goes.
We live in what used to be a quiet neighborhood. Just in the last year things have changed so much with two new amilies who moved in. One upstairs from me and one next door. I am right int he middle of it all. And it surely tests my patience on a daily basis. The people upstaris dont put their children to bed unti sometimes after midnight. They ride bikes, skateboard, and run laps through the house at all hours of the night with loud music. Some nights I can't even think straight. I forgot what peace and quiet is. THere are 3 adults and four children living in a two bedroom apartment.
The people next door let their kids do pretty much whatever they want. So these kids think it's okay to play with other kids toys without asking and are constantly coming up onto my porch and looking into my windows. Not only do I think this is plain rude, but it's very distracting when my kids are doing homework or reading their books.
I know that I am not the only person who has lived her for a long time who feels the changes and is feeling the way I do about these two families. But I feel like I have it rougher (not trying to pity myself) but I am right under and next to all of this. My personal space is disrespected on a daily basis and I have no right to quiet at night when we are trying to get to bed at a decent hour (8:30 for the kids).

I used to love living here and even seriosly considered buying this house. My husband and I talked about living here until our kids were out of school. It's sad to see our neighborhood change like this because there are people who do not understand that this is a residential area- people get up early to go to work or school and it's not a party/hangout spot. It's difficult when you try hard to take care of your home and have friendly relationships with your neighbors but you are constantly being disrespected. Not to mention, living with people who have completely different standards for living. I hate to say that people should conform but to a degree I think that it would be a nice idea as far as consideration goes. Some people need to know when to put their big girl panties on and act in a way that doesn't feel completely disrespectful to others. But then, some people don't care about anyone but themselves.

Yesterday Jaden had his first cleaning at the dentist! He is one little boy with a lot of questions. I thought that with all those questions he might find interest in being a Dental Hygenist himself! He was completely amazed at how everything worked! And took so much interest in how to take good care of his teeth! It's nice when other people tell them all about it because he doesn't seem to believe me when I tell him that fruit snacks will rot your teeth!

Monet has had so much homeowrk this week I am beginning to thin she may be able to skip right from 4th grade to high school! Last night she did homework from 3:30 until 9:30. Of course there was dinner and a snack, and a few thing shta tse helped me with around the house but my gish- math, reading, study for 20 spelling words, AND study those little correction doodles! I am flustered at how anyone could expect a 9 year old to have enough nergy to do all of that in one evening. It makes me sad becaue with so much homework she had no time to be a kid a tall yesterday. he did work all day at school and then all evening at home. Then she went to bed in tears, exhausted and overwhelmed. We didn't even get to study all of her words either. I just coudn't keep her up that long.
we talked thoughand I told herthat she really needed to work faster- we need to work on that. And during the week, she willhave to make more responsible choices with what she chooses to do- she will likely have to study spelling words. She won't have much time to play with her new doll house or to ride her bike. Cartoons will be long forgotten once the week starts again. I feel like that is a lot to expect from a child her age. But at the same time I understand that withal lof the standards our kids have to meet, they have to be pushed. It just breaks my heart to see her have to be pushed through things instead of learning about quality and pride in her work.

I started late with the challenges over at Poppy Ink but never-the-less, I did join in with Challenge #2! Let me tell you that Heather has put up some really great prizes! Oh, and challenges too! I had a good time creating this Layout yesterday for the 2nd challenge...


We had to draw or doodle, use 5 pieces of ribbon, and use staples

I traced some leaf templates and then cut & distressed them. Before I glued the leafs down I doodled around the edges. The ribbon I sewed around the photo matte, gathering it here and there with black thread. The matte is stapled onto the background paper.

I can't wait to see what the next challenge is- and Heather's Overembellishing & Layering class which will be held on Monday the 24th at 7 pm!


Breanne has made up a blog for all of the Personal Challenges to be posted at! Mine is up in the gallery- actually all three of them!
So if you're ready to dig deep and maybe peel back some layers of the onion, this is a great challenge blog for you!

I got my SoML kit in the mail! I really can't say enough about how much I love the kits that Sara puts together! I am in love with every bit and piece that Sara has put into this kit! I ordered the add-on as well and some extra HS and AC letter stickers, which are ON SALE!! There are 6 pages of sale items, so be sure to check out the goodies!

I am really looking forward to seeing who the Guest Designer will be for October over at SoML! I can only imagine she will be fabulous!