Room swaps

There's a cyclone coming through New Zealand right now.  Of course, weather patterns aren't easily predicted, so although my course today in Taupo was postponed due to the weather - all we got today was drizzle and wind.  

Still, it was nice to have an empty day in front of us together and we used it well.  I did a 50 minute pilates workout, then read an entire magazine cover to cover ("woman's health" from the ipad store if you really want to know). Marty made a treasure hunt for the girls, then they made one for him.  Their first clue was "hop, hop hop is where you will find your next clue". It was meant to lead to the rabbits hutch. The girls started jumping furiously waiting for the next clue to to handed to them.  Giggle. Kids interpretation!  We did some painting, which is one of those treat projects in our home.  Kate painted the plaster mirror she got for her birthday after moulding it. Jaimee painted the leftover plaster which we set into play dough molds. Luke just painted. Excuse the paint still on him, he did a good job of it.

At 3:30 I spontaneously suggested we move Kate into Luke's room.  We had been planning on this move in the school holidays, because Jaimee has been begging for her own space for ages, Kate hates being alone and the bonus: Luke and Kate are 2 of a kind.  We figured it was worth a shot while they were young enough not to care about the boy/girl thing.  We can't afford to build rooms on, and this might be the only chance Jaimee gets at "her own room" for a while.  We had nothing better to do, so we made the kids day with a room swap adventure. They were all so excited! 

SO began 2 hours of chaos.  All 3 beds had to be dismantled, moved and reassembled. The hallway was full of screaming children playing on mattresses while Marty and I had the ultimate test of a good marriage as we moved bunks and slat beds around. 

And then another 2 hours followed of moving furniture and all Kate's special things across, rearranging the girls clothes drawers (the girls share wardrobes so all weekend clothes stay in jaimee's room except a couple of drawers of uniform, pjs and underwear essentials for Kate) and making beds back up.  Luke was begging for bedtime by 5:30pm, so excited to be in the bunks with Kate! Marty fed the kids while I finished, and By 7:30, the kids rooms were done. And so was I! Whose silly idea was this?! 

Boundaries were quickly established between the girls ("you can come in to get toys or clothes but knock if the door is shut please" said Jaimee. Kate responded: "yes you have to knock too").  The girls said prayers asking God to help them to be without the other. Jaimee ran through several times to say goodnight ("cause I'm used to being with Kate" she explained) and Kate made a few visits back to jaimees room "just to see what it feels like now". 

We have warned them they won't have opportunity to move back until we can afford new carpet in the bedrooms later this year  (in which case we have to dismantle all the beds again anyway!), but so far everyone is happy. Let's see how this goes!