The Secret Room

(Also Known As: The Club House)

We capitalized on a secret space in our new house.  There was a little cubbie door leading to the space under the stairs.  When we added a built-in entertainment center, it made access to the cubbie door impossible.  No worries.  Chad had a plan.  We asked our Master Carpenter friend (who was building the entertainment center) to build a little door that would lead to the hallway behind the entertainment center that would lead to the space under the stairs.  (Did’ya follow that?  Here’s some pictures to help:)

Here’s the “Alice in Wonderland” door in the closet.

The Hallway behind the Entertainment Center

Inside the “secret room.”  Hope you have the “signal” so you can get in.  The kids were getting nervous that I added shelves for the art supplies.  They didn’t want me taking THEIR space with “storage.”  We had kept the extra carpet from our old house.  We pieced it so the secret room would have a soft-ish feel.

The “room” continues under the stairs.

You can see the kids have taken it over.  You have to give a “signal” to enter.  If you don’t know it, no worries: Jenna will tell it to you (much to the disapproval of her brothers).

Now we can be just like Harry Potter.  We’re just not sure which kid should have to live in the “cupboard” under the stairs.

Sundays

What is it about Sundays that brings out the crazies?  I remember MANY times as a child having to run around the house to get out our "energies."  Today, that same tradition was desperately needed at the Hancock House.  I didn't care that it was raining.  That's what coats are for anyway, right?

The truth was this: The Hancock children were exploding with extra energy.  It was crazy.  It was loud.  It didn't feel like a Sunday.  They were sent out for laps.  There were several who needed additional laps.

In the end, it was just what they needed.  A little fresh air mixed with moving muscles.  Funny how that can work the "crazies" out of them.  The house is back to an acceptable state of ...Sunday.

Is This For Real?

Can it be that my little girl is turning 5? My baby is 5. Wow! Where did those years go? Man, I feel old. Yet, I’m really enjoying this stage of our lives. Life is good. Here’s some glimpses of my growing girl.

Happy Birthday Sweet Jenna! Our world would not be the same without you. You add a little more sweetness, a little more fashion, and a little more laughter to our home. Enjoy your day!

Graduation Day

My little girl graduated from preschool today. She was thrilled! She was ready to move on and ready to have an excuse to have a party.

Chad informed me that I graduated too. No more kiddos to teach preschool to at my house. Eight years of the past nine years have been spent teaching preschool. In the "off" year, I was developing preschool curriculum (spending WAY TOO much time attached to a laptop). It was "decade of preschool" for me.

Pretty crazy. I think I'll miss it.

Book Fair

Somehow I got myself roped into being in charge of the school's book fair. I'm like a kid in a candy store in a book fair...especially when it's a BOGO fair (Buy One, Get One Free). I really enjoy the book fair! Love looking at the books, being around the books, dreaming of buying the books...dangerous place for a book-a-holic.

It takes up a lot of time. I feel that I am living at the school. I'm wondering if I should just move my bed there. At least it only lasts a week.

Hypocrite

Here I sit Sunday after Sunday peeking in on blogs. Lately, I haven't had much time to enjoy this past time. However, I did today. I found myself thinking, "Oh, man! She/he hasn't updated her/his blog in a long time. Why? They really should keep updating..."

Then, I have to pull the beam out of my eye, because I clicked on my OWN blog. I haven't posted for a month and five days. Shameful!

Chad mentioned to me this week, "Remember when you used to blog. You used to blog, blog, blog, blog, blog and now...all we hear are crickets."

I guess it's time to light a candle under my "therapy by blogging" lifestyle.

H-E-R-E

Well, we're in. We're here. All of our belongings are under one roof. We've found "homes" for most of the junk, yet still have boxes with contents yet to be revealed. (Frankly, there are some that I don't want to open...)

Now that "my" belongings are taking up space in the new house, I have to say: I like the house. It has a great floor plan. It fits our family nicely. It feels nice.

We still have many adjustments to make, but that's to be expected.

I did take my youngest (my baby, if you will) to the Kindergarten Orientation this week. I'm not sure which was more disturbing: the fact that I was taking my youngest to kindergarten OR that I was being introduced to a school where I didn't know the people and they didn't know me. I gladly went on a tour of the school that was offered.

One part of the change I wasn't expecting: enjoying the drive from the "old school" with the kids. Fifteen minutes in the car right after school gives us plenty of time to catch up on the daily happenings.

It's been a crazy week. Often I wasn't sure what day/time it was. I've learned that living without a phone can be painful, but survivable (curse you, phone service that starts with a C!). We've had many angels/fairies busily at work on our house. For everyone's physical & emotional support, I've been extremely grateful.

Conference is back on. Time for some spiritual inspiration...