Howe's Life: January 2016

January has been incredibly busy! Work for both Matt and I has been crazy and I feel like we have barely been keeping our heads above water trying to get everything done at home. In the spirit of a new year, Matt and I rearranged the living room furniture which led to a desire to paint and our first ever hiring of actual painters instead of doing the job ourselves. Brilliant idea! Our new paint is beautiful, our house looks so much cozier, and it was so amazing to leave for work and get back home to perfectly painted rooms!

Madeline decided to take some time off from dance and both girls have been going to gymnastics on Saturday mornings. They are both enjoying the classes, but Ella is having a hard time making it through the whole class without asking to snuggle and take a nap.
We had parent teacher conferences for both girls this month. It is awesome to hear about the activities the kids are doing at school and their relationships with their friends. Eleanor's teacher says that she is doing wonderfully with puzzles, learning colors, and matching shapes. Ella needs to work on helping clean up and using her big girl words instead of crying. Madeline's teacher says that she is great with numbers, paying attention, and beginning site words. Madi needs to work on how to deal with her friends with they upset her.

Matt made it through my work trip to Claremont, but Ella was in a terrible mood the whole time I was gone and the following week. She is working on molars and just can't sleep through the night (which means I am not sleeping either). Matt and I keep telling each other that once we get through these teeth we will be on the road to good sleeping and better mornings.