You may have heard me mention a time or two Lucas's after-dinner-madness that usually ends up in a family-wide wrestling/brawl of some sort. Well, tonight, I was the victim. It was one of our more memorable wrestling bouts...
At dinner I made the mistake of sitting by my dear darling husband. At some point near the end of our meal, he leaned over and did some something-or-other to my shoulder, which left a mark (it didn't hurt, just left a mark). So while Iwas clearing dishes, he started teasing me that I had a hickey on my shoulder, so I (silly me, what was I thinking) starting swinging my dish towel at him. Apparently, this was cause for retaliation, because he soon bear-hugged me at the knees and picked me up over his shoulders (or at least that's what he meant to do)...but somewhere in the process of all of this, he lost his balance and started falling back and to the side, which made my left foot slide up under his knee (as it was hitting the ground). My toenail on my big toe bent right in half - didn't rip all the way off, just bent and bled. And if that wasn't enough, we both went crashing into the cabinets. You know those 'fake drawer' faces on cabinets - the ones that aren't supposed to move? Well, I somehow managed to dislodge one of those on my way crashing to the ground. Smooth, huh? It was actually fixable, but it made a loud noise. Well, I think between the loud noise and my howling about my toe, Isaac decided that I needed saving...so he hopped up from the table and ran over and cracked Lucas right in the eye. LOL! I have a defender!! It's nice to know I don't have to face the crazy man alone! Still some days I marvel at the fact that I married him on purpose!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
1st day of 1st grade (minus the pictures...sorry)
I know the grandma's were waiting for calls from Sebastian to hear about his first day of school...
But the poor kid is crashed. The whole 'full-day-of-school' thing must have taken it out of him.
His bus was supposed to get here at 8:05 this morning, and they say to be ready 10 minutes early. So, at 10 'til, we went out and took a few pictures (which I'm too tired to post tonight...maybe tomorrow). At about 8:00, he started watching for his bus. At 8:25, we were beginning to wonder a little. At 8:30 we were beginning to wonder a lot. Then finally, at 8:45, the bus came rollin' down the street. Thing #1 that didn't go quite right.
Well, fast forward to school (which I'm POSITIVE they were late for)... His school combines 1st and 2nd graders in the same classroom - they have 2 teachers that share teaching duties, and he will have the same teachers for 1st and 2nd grade. I'm not sure why they do it this way, they just do. So Sebastian, who doesn't do exceptionally well in large groups of unfamiliar people, was in a classroom full of way more kids than he's used to - most of them whom he does not know. Thing #2 that was a little tough.
Now, here's where my 'oops' comes in. Last year on the first day the school provided the snack. I thought (based on what I can no longer remember, but I swear I thought I got a note about it or something...anyway I was wrong so it doesn't really matter) that they were providing snack for them today, so I didn't pack one. Well, they didn't, so the poor kid had to go without afternoon snack while the rest of his class ate. That's a tough one! Thing #3 that didn't go as planned.
Now, fast forward to the part where he comes home after a long and tiring day. His bus was scheduled to drop off at 4:45, which is late enough as is. He didn't get home until 5:40...almost an hour late! He said the bus driver didn't know where he was going and got lost and had to turn around on some weird road (which I'm a little confused about since the same guy drove the SAME route this morning...oh well). At least he got home safely, even if he did have a rough start to first grade. Luckily, I was able to slightly redeem myself by having cupcakes with chocolate icing waiting for him for an after-school (or almost bedtime, since they got home so late) snack.
Bedtime tonight was ROUGH. He was overly tired, and feeling frustrated, and still having trouble settling down. Every time Isaac moved or made a noise Sebastian got more and more worked up, until it finally turned into a trip to the basement to tell me (through tears and sobs) that Isaac was the one who ruined his whole day because he just can't sleep very well when Isaac is noisy. That was followed a few minutes later by a trip to the basement by Isaac, who was crying and sobbing saying, "I'm sorry Mommy that I ruined Sebastian's day. I didn't mean to." Sheesh - so I can only imagine that somewhere in between Sebastian's trip to the basement and Isaac's trip to the basement, some accusations and nasties were passed between the two boys. I was just praying that Sebastian would hurry up and fall asleep so it would end, at least for the night. I haven't heard anything for at least 45 minutes, so I think they must finally be asleep.
On the bright side, at dinner, Sebastian determined that he thinks tomorrow is going to be a better day. I hope he's right, or at this rate, it's going to be a long school year.
But the poor kid is crashed. The whole 'full-day-of-school' thing must have taken it out of him.
His bus was supposed to get here at 8:05 this morning, and they say to be ready 10 minutes early. So, at 10 'til, we went out and took a few pictures (which I'm too tired to post tonight...maybe tomorrow). At about 8:00, he started watching for his bus. At 8:25, we were beginning to wonder a little. At 8:30 we were beginning to wonder a lot. Then finally, at 8:45, the bus came rollin' down the street. Thing #1 that didn't go quite right.
Well, fast forward to school (which I'm POSITIVE they were late for)... His school combines 1st and 2nd graders in the same classroom - they have 2 teachers that share teaching duties, and he will have the same teachers for 1st and 2nd grade. I'm not sure why they do it this way, they just do. So Sebastian, who doesn't do exceptionally well in large groups of unfamiliar people, was in a classroom full of way more kids than he's used to - most of them whom he does not know. Thing #2 that was a little tough.
Now, here's where my 'oops' comes in. Last year on the first day the school provided the snack. I thought (based on what I can no longer remember, but I swear I thought I got a note about it or something...anyway I was wrong so it doesn't really matter) that they were providing snack for them today, so I didn't pack one. Well, they didn't, so the poor kid had to go without afternoon snack while the rest of his class ate. That's a tough one! Thing #3 that didn't go as planned.
Now, fast forward to the part where he comes home after a long and tiring day. His bus was scheduled to drop off at 4:45, which is late enough as is. He didn't get home until 5:40...almost an hour late! He said the bus driver didn't know where he was going and got lost and had to turn around on some weird road (which I'm a little confused about since the same guy drove the SAME route this morning...oh well). At least he got home safely, even if he did have a rough start to first grade. Luckily, I was able to slightly redeem myself by having cupcakes with chocolate icing waiting for him for an after-school (or almost bedtime, since they got home so late) snack.
Bedtime tonight was ROUGH. He was overly tired, and feeling frustrated, and still having trouble settling down. Every time Isaac moved or made a noise Sebastian got more and more worked up, until it finally turned into a trip to the basement to tell me (through tears and sobs) that Isaac was the one who ruined his whole day because he just can't sleep very well when Isaac is noisy. That was followed a few minutes later by a trip to the basement by Isaac, who was crying and sobbing saying, "I'm sorry Mommy that I ruined Sebastian's day. I didn't mean to." Sheesh - so I can only imagine that somewhere in between Sebastian's trip to the basement and Isaac's trip to the basement, some accusations and nasties were passed between the two boys. I was just praying that Sebastian would hurry up and fall asleep so it would end, at least for the night. I haven't heard anything for at least 45 minutes, so I think they must finally be asleep.
On the bright side, at dinner, Sebastian determined that he thinks tomorrow is going to be a better day. I hope he's right, or at this rate, it's going to be a long school year.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Last Day of Summer Vacation!
Well, we've officially come to the close of the last day of summer vacation. Tomorrow, Sebastian starts 1st grade. He's so excited, he can hardly lay still. He has already come out of his room once to make sure I will wake him up in the morning, and once to tell me he 'can't really sleep very well.' How cute is that? I can remember being so super excited and nervous the night before the first day of school. I guess these are things we sort of forget about once we're all grown up. That's the best part of having kids - they remind me what it was like to be young.
So how did we spend our last day of no school? With a little bit of not very much. We played I SPY, the boys played play station for a while (Oh yea, over the weekend, they worked together to clean up the basement and their room, and Lucas took them to get a new PlayStation. It was like Christmas morning...they were so giddy!), I paid bills, and Lucas mowed after work. But we did go out to eat at Logan's for dinner, which is always a bonus.
Tomorrow I have my first real day of work. While I was on vacation with the kids our Pastor called and asked if I would be willing to do the bookwork for the church. About 15 hours a week, and once I figure out the details, I should be able to do at least half of that from home. Sweet set up, and I couldn't ask to work with better people. I'm super excited about it, actually, even though I wasn't looking for work when it came up. I went in last week one day to get familiar with the office and such, and one day to do a little bit of stuff with the man who is training me. This week, we're hoping to get in the rest of my training (or at least the bulk of it). Should be an interesting week...wish me luck!
So how did we spend our last day of no school? With a little bit of not very much. We played I SPY, the boys played play station for a while (Oh yea, over the weekend, they worked together to clean up the basement and their room, and Lucas took them to get a new PlayStation. It was like Christmas morning...they were so giddy!), I paid bills, and Lucas mowed after work. But we did go out to eat at Logan's for dinner, which is always a bonus.
Tomorrow I have my first real day of work. While I was on vacation with the kids our Pastor called and asked if I would be willing to do the bookwork for the church. About 15 hours a week, and once I figure out the details, I should be able to do at least half of that from home. Sweet set up, and I couldn't ask to work with better people. I'm super excited about it, actually, even though I wasn't looking for work when it came up. I went in last week one day to get familiar with the office and such, and one day to do a little bit of stuff with the man who is training me. This week, we're hoping to get in the rest of my training (or at least the bulk of it). Should be an interesting week...wish me luck!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Jad-n-Blu (more childhood funny stuff)
This is SO darn funny! Here's a peek into my childhood - check out this post on Kelli's blog!
You think that's funny? Check this out!
What kind of contract is THAT!!! ROFLMBO!!!
You think that's funny? Check this out!
What kind of contract is THAT!!! ROFLMBO!!!
4th of July Celebration
I did this layout last night for the latest digi-dare. The requirements were based on the date 8/24/07 (the date the dare was given): 8 of the same type of element (I used 8 star elements); 2 pictures; 4 words in the title; 0 journaling; 7 glittery elements (I know, there are 8 in this, but I used a stamped '4' on the one I submitted for the dare. I liked it better w/ the glittery 4, though, so when I print the page for my album, I'll print it like this.)
These pictures are from the 4th of July last year. Not much explanation needed, really. Sebastian is doing sparklers. Where are the pictures of Isaac??? He wouldn't come near them for ANYTHING! Actually, he did one (and I have 1 picture where you can see his hand and he's holding one), but it must have sparked him a little, because he didn't touch another one for the rest of the night.
Seems like the 4th is one of those holidays I'm pretty spuratic about photographic. I don't have ANY pictures from this year. We went to Lucas' boss' house for a lunch/dinner cookout, and just hung out. No fireworks, no parade, no sparklers. I know, pretty uneventful as far as pictures go, but it was a good time nontheless! The best picture years are years we go to Urbana - lots to photograph there!
Monday, August 27, 2007
This may not be funny to anyone else, but....
Hey Kelli - are you reading this? I just got the biggest laugh at your expense this weekend LOL! But let me back up and tell this story properly...
For YEARS now my poor mother has been hauling box upon box of my things from one house to the next (I think my parents may have a moving addiction, LOL), and for almost 7 years now, (ever since we bought our first house) she has been chomping at the bit to hand the boxes over to me and get them OUT of her closets (yes, more than one closet - there are that many boxes). Well, since I was down there visiting this weekend, and since she has waited for so long (and since she cornered me in the room and forced me to stay until we had gone through every box - LOL), we went through all of the stuff she has been storing. In doing this, I came across an old school box I used to keep on my window ledge (in the house that used to be your house). It was full of really random odds and ends - a bookmark that said Becky; some Awanna ribbons; a 'Super Kid' award that I'm sure I did nothing to deserve; and even some little toothpick people and wooden-people-jewelry (don't ask) that I used to make habitually. (Oh, and one cool thing was a little baggy that had 3 friendship bracelets that I had made. The kids all wanted to wear them, so they each picked one. I guarantee when I made those back in second grade or whatever, that I never imagined my children would be wearing them.)
Anyway...I found 2 notes in there. One was hand-written in really smudgy pencil. It was from Scott from way back in the day when he was my 'boyfriend' when we were about 7 years old. He had written I love you, but then had second thoughts so sort of half-way erased it (hee hee). The second one was a typewriter note from YOU! You wrote it when you were getting ready to move back from Baltimore. It was pretty short, and didn't say tons, but the last line actually made me laugh out loud (maybe less because it was really funny and more because I know you LOL). It said, 'A joke, I wanted to be a baker but I couldn't raise the dough.' End of note. I got quite the laugh out of it...and even now, reading this post, I'm laughing again. I brought it home with me so I could show you Friday (assuming I remember to bring it along).
At first, I wasn't sure why I thought it was so funny, and then it occurred to me. Of all the things we could have said to each other in all the time you were away, we choose to communicate as though we still saw each other every day and this was just like picking up the conversation where we left off the day before. Like there was nothing else to be said, because we've said it all, so we'll tell baker jokes. Just typical goofy stuff from Mutt to Jeff (or was I Mutt and you were Jeff? - you'll have to ask your dad). Anyway, it was good for a laugh and for a moment of reminiscing.
(Maybe the funniest part of all of it was that I actually kept that note for the last twenty years. Your turn to laugh at me! See you Friday!)
For YEARS now my poor mother has been hauling box upon box of my things from one house to the next (I think my parents may have a moving addiction, LOL), and for almost 7 years now, (ever since we bought our first house) she has been chomping at the bit to hand the boxes over to me and get them OUT of her closets (yes, more than one closet - there are that many boxes). Well, since I was down there visiting this weekend, and since she has waited for so long (and since she cornered me in the room and forced me to stay until we had gone through every box - LOL), we went through all of the stuff she has been storing. In doing this, I came across an old school box I used to keep on my window ledge (in the house that used to be your house). It was full of really random odds and ends - a bookmark that said Becky; some Awanna ribbons; a 'Super Kid' award that I'm sure I did nothing to deserve; and even some little toothpick people and wooden-people-jewelry (don't ask) that I used to make habitually. (Oh, and one cool thing was a little baggy that had 3 friendship bracelets that I had made. The kids all wanted to wear them, so they each picked one. I guarantee when I made those back in second grade or whatever, that I never imagined my children would be wearing them.)
Anyway...I found 2 notes in there. One was hand-written in really smudgy pencil. It was from Scott from way back in the day when he was my 'boyfriend' when we were about 7 years old. He had written I love you, but then had second thoughts so sort of half-way erased it (hee hee). The second one was a typewriter note from YOU! You wrote it when you were getting ready to move back from Baltimore. It was pretty short, and didn't say tons, but the last line actually made me laugh out loud (maybe less because it was really funny and more because I know you LOL). It said, 'A joke, I wanted to be a baker but I couldn't raise the dough.' End of note. I got quite the laugh out of it...and even now, reading this post, I'm laughing again. I brought it home with me so I could show you Friday (assuming I remember to bring it along).
At first, I wasn't sure why I thought it was so funny, and then it occurred to me. Of all the things we could have said to each other in all the time you were away, we choose to communicate as though we still saw each other every day and this was just like picking up the conversation where we left off the day before. Like there was nothing else to be said, because we've said it all, so we'll tell baker jokes. Just typical goofy stuff from Mutt to Jeff (or was I Mutt and you were Jeff? - you'll have to ask your dad). Anyway, it was good for a laugh and for a moment of reminiscing.
(Maybe the funniest part of all of it was that I actually kept that note for the last twenty years. Your turn to laugh at me! See you Friday!)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
That's a good day.
What a day! Starting at 7:00 this morning, we hit the ground running. We met a friend for breakfast at Bob Evans around 8:30, where I ate entirely too much! I absolutely LOVE the Country Biscuit Breakfast, and can't seem to tell myself to stop eating until it's all gone! After breakfast, we visited until around 11:00, and then headed home. Our stay at home was brief, though, because we soon got back in the van and headed to the mall to get a few school outfits for Sebastian (more sales at Penny's that I was more than happy to take advantage of!).
From there, another half-hour rest at home and then off to a birthday party (I FINALLY got to see my sister's house - she's only been living there since May 2006!). After the party, we went to eat Mexican food (my favorite - ask Lucas LOL), which was a total circus act since my kids were tired and ready to be done running around. Meagan made a rice mountain under her chair, and topped it off with crumbled nacho chips. Lovely. And Isaac and Sebastian wouldn't eat their cheese quesadillas, but were more than happy to eat a tortilla with cheese dip on it (isn't that the same as a cheese quesadilla????). Anyway....
Finally back at the homestead - we started out just chillin' and playing in the yard. A little later, Grandpa headed out toward the pond, and, no surprise, the three little ducklings followed right behind. That very quickly progressed into wading in the water, which then took a quick turn to swimming fully dressed! They had a GREAT time! They built sand castles and dug for dinosaur bones and just plain played their hearts out. By the end of the night, they had hauled buckets of wet soggy sand back and forth from the water to the beach; they had soaked through at least one outfit each; they were covered from head to toe in sand; and Meagan had taken a face dive into the water (rescued by Grandma - this is about her 4th 'rescue' this summer - she's nuts!). Sebastian said, 'Grandma, this is the best thing I ever did at your house.' That's a good day.
(Slideshow at the top of the page)
From there, another half-hour rest at home and then off to a birthday party (I FINALLY got to see my sister's house - she's only been living there since May 2006!). After the party, we went to eat Mexican food (my favorite - ask Lucas LOL), which was a total circus act since my kids were tired and ready to be done running around. Meagan made a rice mountain under her chair, and topped it off with crumbled nacho chips. Lovely. And Isaac and Sebastian wouldn't eat their cheese quesadillas, but were more than happy to eat a tortilla with cheese dip on it (isn't that the same as a cheese quesadilla????). Anyway....
Finally back at the homestead - we started out just chillin' and playing in the yard. A little later, Grandpa headed out toward the pond, and, no surprise, the three little ducklings followed right behind. That very quickly progressed into wading in the water, which then took a quick turn to swimming fully dressed! They had a GREAT time! They built sand castles and dug for dinosaur bones and just plain played their hearts out. By the end of the night, they had hauled buckets of wet soggy sand back and forth from the water to the beach; they had soaked through at least one outfit each; they were covered from head to toe in sand; and Meagan had taken a face dive into the water (rescued by Grandma - this is about her 4th 'rescue' this summer - she's nuts!). Sebastian said, 'Grandma, this is the best thing I ever did at your house.' That's a good day.
(Slideshow at the top of the page)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Back to Normal
Well, when I went in at 7:00 this morning to wake Sebastian up, he was cool as could be...totally normal. No more fever. He chowed on breakfast, and even announced to me while he was eating that he is feeling all better now. Good...I was really hoping to get my hair cut today!
....which I did. I went at 11:30 this morning to get my hair cut. I've had SOOOOO many bad hair cut experiences, that I'm always a little hesitant to try somewhere new. But, I went anyway. I have had the worst hair for about a month now (long and straggly and stringy; bangs growing out - too long to leave down, too short to pull back; just plain gross!), so anything would have been an improvement. My hair is now much shorter than it was - which is probably a good thing - and it feels TONS healthier. I just have to get used to doing it (and washing much shorter hair, which is always a weird phenomenon). All you girls out there know what I'm talking about - that period of time somewhere between 2 days and 2 weeks when you learn how to do your new do so you look like yourself and not a complete stranger. Anyway, it turned out good, and I'm glad I didn't chicken out! (Hey, nothing could ever be as bad as my 'Darth Maul' hair! LOL!)
So anyway, life is back to normal - no more fever, no more crazy looking hair. Just Normal! That's a good start to the weekend!
....which I did. I went at 11:30 this morning to get my hair cut. I've had SOOOOO many bad hair cut experiences, that I'm always a little hesitant to try somewhere new. But, I went anyway. I have had the worst hair for about a month now (long and straggly and stringy; bangs growing out - too long to leave down, too short to pull back; just plain gross!), so anything would have been an improvement. My hair is now much shorter than it was - which is probably a good thing - and it feels TONS healthier. I just have to get used to doing it (and washing much shorter hair, which is always a weird phenomenon). All you girls out there know what I'm talking about - that period of time somewhere between 2 days and 2 weeks when you learn how to do your new do so you look like yourself and not a complete stranger. Anyway, it turned out good, and I'm glad I didn't chicken out! (Hey, nothing could ever be as bad as my 'Darth Maul' hair! LOL!)
So anyway, life is back to normal - no more fever, no more crazy looking hair. Just Normal! That's a good start to the weekend!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Change of Plans
Well, since I got my van back today (yea!) I was planning on heading to Grandma's house this evening with the kids. I was finishing packing (aka - throwing everything into a laundry basket) when Sebastian got up from his nap (unusual for him, but VERY needed today) and came into my room. I gave him a hug, and he was frying. So, I checked his temp - 102.7. Yikes. He was complaining that his stomach hurt and his throat hurt. It dropped a little with Motrin, but still wasn't completely gone. Not surprisingly, he didn't eat much at dinner, and he said he just wanted to take it easy tonight and maybe try driving in the morning. When that kid turns down a trip to Grandma's house, he's not feeling well. So, we got into PJ's early, and watched a movie together. I just finished tucking them in a few minutes ago - everyone crying because they wanted to watch another movie (or more like because they're all tired because they're still up at 9:30). His temp was down when I checked him before bed, and I'm hoping that a good night of sleep will help him out. Hopefully tomorrow will go as planned.
Monday, August 20, 2007
1971
I've spent the day feeling rather icky, and I've tried to do as little as possible (for totally different reasons than this weekend unfortunately). The one thing I did get done (with Lucas' help) is taking the van in to get a transmission repair. Bummer. But it appears as though it is going to turn out much better than we had originally anticipated...about $2,000 better!! Very thankful for that. Still more money than I would choose to hand over to someone else, and still quite inconvenient, but not so bad in the grand scheme of things.
Other than lying on the couch and chilling, I did manage to get another quick page done for Grandma's album. This one is pretty self-explanatory - Grandpa's birthday party, 1971. I used a template for the layout, so it came together pretty quickly. I had 5 pictures, and the template had 5 picture spots, so I went with it.
CreditsAnyway, I have been looking forward to bedtime since I woke up this morning, so I'm gonna go up and crash...think I can pay the kids to sleep in tomorrow???
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Unproductive
Aaaaaahhh! I have 2 new pages done that I SOOOO want to share with you, but I can't... not yet anyway. I used new products by Genevieve, and they aren't being released until after the 31st. So as soon as I'm allowed to post, I will.
Well, with the house to myself, I've been taking some time to just chill. Other than straightening up and doing one load of laundry, I haven't done much of anything productive. Yesterday I went to Dairy Queen and got a blizzard, then I came home and scrapped until about 11:00. Then I went upstairs and watched 2 episodes of Dog Whisperer before crashing.
This morning I got up and went to a meeting at church, which was more like a sit-around-and-chat-athon. After that, I had lunch, paid Sebastian's soccer registration, and then went SHOPPING! I never really get to do that - at least not in an enjoyable way. It was nice to go with free hands and nothing but time. I got some good deals at Penny's - 50% off everything I bought. I also found some jeans that fit me really well, and I got shoes buy 1 get 1 half off. Garage sale money well spent! LOL! Tonight I had some really lazy-man's dinner (microwaved TGI Fridays in a box), and came downstairs to scrap some more. Now I'm going to go start a movie and watch that until it's over or I fall asleep - whichever comes first.
Maybe tomorrow will bring something more productive, but I'm not promising anything.
Well, with the house to myself, I've been taking some time to just chill. Other than straightening up and doing one load of laundry, I haven't done much of anything productive. Yesterday I went to Dairy Queen and got a blizzard, then I came home and scrapped until about 11:00. Then I went upstairs and watched 2 episodes of Dog Whisperer before crashing.
This morning I got up and went to a meeting at church, which was more like a sit-around-and-chat-athon. After that, I had lunch, paid Sebastian's soccer registration, and then went SHOPPING! I never really get to do that - at least not in an enjoyable way. It was nice to go with free hands and nothing but time. I got some good deals at Penny's - 50% off everything I bought. I also found some jeans that fit me really well, and I got shoes buy 1 get 1 half off. Garage sale money well spent! LOL! Tonight I had some really lazy-man's dinner (microwaved TGI Fridays in a box), and came downstairs to scrap some more. Now I'm going to go start a movie and watch that until it's over or I fall asleep - whichever comes first.
Maybe tomorrow will bring something more productive, but I'm not promising anything.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Redeemed
Just a quick post tonight.... I just wanted to say the kids redeemed themselves today. I was a little nervous to go to the grocery after Tuesday's Wal-Mart episode, but we went anyway. There were moments (aren't there always?), but all in all, they behaved like humans. I wasn't embarrassed - not even once - not even a little. They were actually pretty good, and quite helpful at times. Needless to say, I was relieved.
Let's see...other than that, not lots to report. We had a friend and his son (and their dog, which Lilly loved *with a hint of sarcasm*) over for dinner tonight. That's about it. The kids and Lucas are leaving me for the weekend. So, I'm hoping to maybe get a few scrapbook pages done. And maybe even SLEEP. Now that sounds like a plan! Speaking of sleep, I'm off.....good night!
Let's see...other than that, not lots to report. We had a friend and his son (and their dog, which Lilly loved *with a hint of sarcasm*) over for dinner tonight. That's about it. The kids and Lucas are leaving me for the weekend. So, I'm hoping to maybe get a few scrapbook pages done. And maybe even SLEEP. Now that sounds like a plan! Speaking of sleep, I'm off.....good night!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Check
Yesterday at dinner, Lucas asked Sebastian what he would like to do together for the evening. I would imagine that Lucas was thinking something along the lines of baseball, or a bike ride. Sebastian's answer? 'Chess.'
So, after we ate, they set up their chess game. I headed down to the basement (to post on my blog). About fifteen minutes later, Lucas came down and asked me to Google something for him... 'Can the king attack in check?' Well, we found out that yes, the king can capture the piece that has him in check, but that's not the point of my story. The point is that my six-year-old, within fifteen minutes or so, got his daddy in check in a chess game. Lucas was ultimately able to get out of it, but he had to consult the 'rules' to do it. I was so proud of Sebastian (although slightly humbled, because he's now better at chess than I am). What a smarty pants.
So, after we ate, they set up their chess game. I headed down to the basement (to post on my blog). About fifteen minutes later, Lucas came down and asked me to Google something for him... 'Can the king attack in check?' Well, we found out that yes, the king can capture the piece that has him in check, but that's not the point of my story. The point is that my six-year-old, within fifteen minutes or so, got his daddy in check in a chess game. Lucas was ultimately able to get out of it, but he had to consult the 'rules' to do it. I was so proud of Sebastian (although slightly humbled, because he's now better at chess than I am). What a smarty pants.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Where's the 'Invisible' Button When You Need It?
10:00 this morning - we left the house an hour before story hour so I can run to Wal-Mart for diapers and wipes, which I'm running dangerously low on. We got out of the van and headed into the store. Since we were only going to be there for a minute, I skipped the cart and let all three kids walk. We headed straight to the back, grabbed what I had come for, and headed to the front to pay. This is where it all began. Isaac and Meagan were about 20 feet in front of me, and since they were running, the gap between us was widening. I called for them to stop and wait for me. Isaac listened and stopped right away. Meagan didn't. So now there's me, about 35 feet away from them, hands full with a big bag of diapers and a big box of wipes (Sebastian at my side). Then there's Isaac stopped in the middle of the isle, looking back and forth between me (where he was supposed to be) and Meagan (who was still running away). In a split second, his head turned back and forth between us a few times, and I could see the wheels turning.... what to do, what to do? Then, as quickly as he had stopped, he took off running after his sister. He jumped in front of her, and stopped, facing her, arms and legs spread wide to try to block her forward progress. Then, at the top of his lungs, he yells, 'Stop running! Mommy said stop!' Equally as loudly, she yells back, 'No Isaac!' 'You have to, Mommy said!' 'No Isaac!' Then it happened... He barrel hugged her and tackled her to the ground. He then grabbed her by the hand (while she's still laying on the ground) and starts dragging her by the arm down the isle toward me. The whole time, she's kicking and screaming 'No Isaac! Stop it!' while he's screaming, 'Mommy said we have to stop!' I couldn't decide whether to laugh or hide! I was definitely wishing, at least for a brief moment, that I could somehow turn invisible, and no one would know these were, in fact, my children. But, since no invisibility button was to be found, I approached them as calmly as I could (not wanting to add to the scene they were already making), and put a stop to the madness. It was actually pretty funny, but also thoroughly embarrassing!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Zoo Trip
Spur of the moment, we decided to take a trip to the zoo today. We went to a zoo nearby that we've never visited before. It was an easy, relaxing day. The kids were great, and the zoo was nice and shaded, so it wasn't even hot. The kids got to ride ponies, which was a big deal for them...can never get enough pony rides! Then they saw the camels and wanted to ride them too. But I just wasn't so sure that Meagan would hold on, and it's a long fall from the top of a camel's back. So we passed on the camel ride. But they still had a great time. Only problem was that it seriously interfered with Meagan's nap time, and she only ended up sleeping for a total of about 15 minutes in the van. Oh well, she made it through the day okay - a little more drama than usual toward 8:00 tonight, but she made it. Here's a cute picture of the 3 of them...I'll spare you pictures of animals - I think all zoo animals pretty much look the same!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
2 Pages
I did 2 pages today! That's what happens when you turn me loose to scrap after over a week of down-time! I did a quick page for Grandma's book...another Christmas page, which was just as difficult for me as the first one. (Don't know why holidays are so difficult for me). The pictures, from the best I could tell, are all from 1967 Christmas.
The second page is of a game the boys made up one day back in April (see, the grass is still green and thick!). The game was called 'mission' - I think I might have blogged about it. ??? Anyway, I like how it turned out. Both pages have a pretty graphic feel - especially for me. I'm not usually a graphic-style scrapper. Ah, well, as long as it turns out okay, I don't care what style it is.
The second page is of a game the boys made up one day back in April (see, the grass is still green and thick!). The game was called 'mission' - I think I might have blogged about it. ??? Anyway, I like how it turned out. Both pages have a pretty graphic feel - especially for me. I'm not usually a graphic-style scrapper. Ah, well, as long as it turns out okay, I don't care what style it is.
Journaling: You'd never know it from this picture, but the two of you, at this very moment, are deeply involved in a thrilling game of 'mission.' This spot in the grass, on the side of the hill, on the side of the house, is your 'thinking spot' where you collaborate, deciding what is to be the next great mission. Will it be 'run to the front porch then touch Mr. Clark's tree then jump off the slide' or will it be 'climb the first pine tree then touch the shed then crawl under the bench'? So many missions...The possibilities are endless, which must be why you've been at this game for hours.
Friday, August 10, 2007
The old is new again
Wow, I've been HORRIBLE about blogging lately. This week, I blame my computer...it crashed AGAIN, and I've been waiting for Lucas to get it fixed. After a new power supply and a new mother board, I think all is well, and I'm back in business.
We had company this week too! Grandma H. came up and stayed with us. We had a great time - story hour at the library, followed by lunch at McDonald's and the play land after lunch! Plus, a fun painting project (which I still have to finish - gotta glue their pictures down). The kids had a ball! Always fun to have family visit!
Then today was the first day of my garage sale. It went fairly well actually. I was pleased. It was worth the effort of setting up in the crazy humidity yesterday. So here's what happened yesterday while I was setting up...
When Sebastian was 18 months old, he got a train track for Christmas from Keary. He LOVED that train, and played with it all the time...ALL the time. But, as time passed, the train set lost its appeal, I guess, and Sebastian moved on. The train has been packed away in a storage box since we moved here. I got it out yesterday, cleaned it off, and set it up to put in the garage sale. I figured it hasn't seen the light of day for nearly 3 years, so it was time to let it go. Well, as I was setting it up, Meagan took notice of it, and started checking it out. Not five minutes later, she was deeply involved in an exciting game of choo choo train. She didn't care that the thing doesn't work right anymore...she LOVED it. Soon, the boys came out and started playing too. They spent nearly 2 hours on the garage floor playing with this old train set (which left their legs from their knees all the way to the tips of their toes completely black and nasty...it took half the stack of baby wipes just to wipe them off enough to go from the garage to the tub). They begged and pleaded, and gave their best puppy dog eyes, until I took the sticker off the train set and moved it out of the garage sale. So this morning, first thing, they were all out on the front porch playing with their newly rediscovered train set. The old is new again. I love that!
We had company this week too! Grandma H. came up and stayed with us. We had a great time - story hour at the library, followed by lunch at McDonald's and the play land after lunch! Plus, a fun painting project (which I still have to finish - gotta glue their pictures down). The kids had a ball! Always fun to have family visit!
Then today was the first day of my garage sale. It went fairly well actually. I was pleased. It was worth the effort of setting up in the crazy humidity yesterday. So here's what happened yesterday while I was setting up...
When Sebastian was 18 months old, he got a train track for Christmas from Keary. He LOVED that train, and played with it all the time...ALL the time. But, as time passed, the train set lost its appeal, I guess, and Sebastian moved on. The train has been packed away in a storage box since we moved here. I got it out yesterday, cleaned it off, and set it up to put in the garage sale. I figured it hasn't seen the light of day for nearly 3 years, so it was time to let it go. Well, as I was setting it up, Meagan took notice of it, and started checking it out. Not five minutes later, she was deeply involved in an exciting game of choo choo train. She didn't care that the thing doesn't work right anymore...she LOVED it. Soon, the boys came out and started playing too. They spent nearly 2 hours on the garage floor playing with this old train set (which left their legs from their knees all the way to the tips of their toes completely black and nasty...it took half the stack of baby wipes just to wipe them off enough to go from the garage to the tub). They begged and pleaded, and gave their best puppy dog eyes, until I took the sticker off the train set and moved it out of the garage sale. So this morning, first thing, they were all out on the front porch playing with their newly rediscovered train set. The old is new again. I love that!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Her big girl bed
A few weeks ago we took Meagan out of her toddler bed and set up the full bed in her room. She was just not sleeping well in the little bed anymore. Every time she rolled over she practically fell out of bed, so I figured it was time. Thankfully we have had a full size bed stored in our basement for quite a while (like, ever since we got married). It has taken me a while, but I have finally found a blanket and some white sheets and bed skirt that matched and didn't cost a fortune. I took a few pictures, and thought I'd share. I thought a few of you - especially the grandma's - might like to see how it turned out.
Feminine Side
Well, I'm now a few days behind on posting this (see my last post for further details LOL), but I still had to share. I was sooooo happy! I usually don't get more than a few minutes without a Meagan-shadow during the day - especially when the boys have their own game going and she's being excluded. Well, I've been trying to encourage her to play independently while I do housework, but usually she's just not interested. Well, I was folding clothes in our room, and she wandered out into the hallway. A few minutes had passed, and I realized I hadn't seen her for a while. So, I peeked around the corner in the hallway - no Meagan. I looked in the boys' room - not there. Then I checked in her room, and there she was sitting in her closet playing baby dolls! Of all things - BABIES! She was undressing, 'giving tubbies,' feeding, and rocking them. She tucked them into the crib once, but decided it was too crowded for both of her babies. So she emptied out her blanket drawer and made up a bed for them on her floor. Each baby got a pillow, and she sat down and read them a book for bedtime. How cute is she!?! She's still rough and tumble, and may never be the girliest girl in the bunch (which is more than fine with me), but my daughter has finally found a glimpse of her feminine side!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
My Husband, My Hero.....Again
Well, I haven't posted in a few days because Wednesday, I think it was, I had a computer catastrophe. The boys had been playing 'making zoo' while I was folding laundry. Isaac came running up the stairs and says, "Mom, Sebastian did something!" which usually means he accidentally opened up a new tab in the browser, or he's accidentally gotten onto the 'print' screen or something. It's never really anything worth worrying about...so I didn't worry about it. Later that night, however, I went to my desk, all ready to start scrapping, but the computer wouldn't turn on. Hmmm...that's odd. Maybe it's unplugged? Oh well, I'll look into it tomorrow. So, I went to watch a movie instead.
When Lucas came up to bed, I told him that I thought maybe the boys unplugged my computer on accident, but he didn't seem so sure that was the problem. Low and behold, the next day he looks at it and determines that my power supply had gone bad (which, I guess was probably not so very difficult for him to diagnose, since it was actually glowing while the computer was not turned on). Well, Friday after work, he headed up to Circuit City to get a new power supply. Got it installed, only to find that my mother board was locked up.
Today at lunch he says, well, I'll just get a new mother board and reinstall Windows. (EYES BULGE, LUMP FORMS IN THROAT, PALMS SWEAT...well, not really, but I knew it wasn't good). Um, Honey-Dearest....."YOU CAN'T REINSTALL WINDOWS UNTIL YOU RECOVER WHAT'S ON MY HARD DRIVE! ALL OF MY LAYOUTS ARE ON THERE!" Yes, I know about the importance of backing up, but no, I haven't backed up for a while. Why? Well, because whenever I'm at a point to back up, he's gaming, and the man nearly has a coronary if I cause lag on his computer while he is playing. And I just don't think about it during the day.
So, his crazy computer wheels start spinning in his head, and he figures out something that just might work...He puts my hard drive into his computer and transfers the files to his computer. As far as I could tell, everything was there. The only thing left is to do the same for my second hard drive ... just in case. WOOOO HOOOO! I love being married to a computer junkie! Even though some of our conversations sound an awful lot like the Peanuts teacher (whaa whaa whaa whaa), it comes in handy when I do stupid things like not back up for months!
When Lucas came up to bed, I told him that I thought maybe the boys unplugged my computer on accident, but he didn't seem so sure that was the problem. Low and behold, the next day he looks at it and determines that my power supply had gone bad (which, I guess was probably not so very difficult for him to diagnose, since it was actually glowing while the computer was not turned on). Well, Friday after work, he headed up to Circuit City to get a new power supply. Got it installed, only to find that my mother board was locked up.
Today at lunch he says, well, I'll just get a new mother board and reinstall Windows. (EYES BULGE, LUMP FORMS IN THROAT, PALMS SWEAT...well, not really, but I knew it wasn't good). Um, Honey-Dearest....."YOU CAN'T REINSTALL WINDOWS UNTIL YOU RECOVER WHAT'S ON MY HARD DRIVE! ALL OF MY LAYOUTS ARE ON THERE!" Yes, I know about the importance of backing up, but no, I haven't backed up for a while. Why? Well, because whenever I'm at a point to back up, he's gaming, and the man nearly has a coronary if I cause lag on his computer while he is playing. And I just don't think about it during the day.
So, his crazy computer wheels start spinning in his head, and he figures out something that just might work...He puts my hard drive into his computer and transfers the files to his computer. As far as I could tell, everything was there. The only thing left is to do the same for my second hard drive ... just in case. WOOOO HOOOO! I love being married to a computer junkie! Even though some of our conversations sound an awful lot like the Peanuts teacher (whaa whaa whaa whaa), it comes in handy when I do stupid things like not back up for months!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
So, the trick is to trick them
For days now I have been trying to get the boys to willingly play outside - get fresh air, exercise, do something other than sit. All of my efforts have been greeted with 'It's too hot.' 'I'm bored.' 'I don't know what to do.' 'How long until I can go in?' ... Nice.
Knowing full-well that today was supposed to be in the nineties, I braced myself for grumbling when I suggested story hour at the park today. To my surprise, I was greeted with excited cheers and enthusiasm. So, we packed up our lunch, got dressed up in our play clothes, and headed out at 10:45. We were at the park until almost 2:00, and left only because I knew I had to lay Meagan down for a nap.
But that was not the end... Once Meagan was down for the count, the boys - get this - asked to go back outside and play. On the hottest day we've had for weeks! So, I set up the snake sprinkler, and they had a blast. We took a snack break for ice cream bars, and then swapped the sprinkler for the slip-n-slide. When Meagan woke up, she joined in. Finally, at 4:30, I turned off the water and forced them to go in. I was afraid they were going to get overheated, or that I was going to melt...whichever came first. But, FINALLY, a day of normal kid activities, full of fun and energy and make-believe and imagination. I guess the trick was to trick them into forgetting how much they didn't want to be outside.
Knowing full-well that today was supposed to be in the nineties, I braced myself for grumbling when I suggested story hour at the park today. To my surprise, I was greeted with excited cheers and enthusiasm. So, we packed up our lunch, got dressed up in our play clothes, and headed out at 10:45. We were at the park until almost 2:00, and left only because I knew I had to lay Meagan down for a nap.
But that was not the end... Once Meagan was down for the count, the boys - get this - asked to go back outside and play. On the hottest day we've had for weeks! So, I set up the snake sprinkler, and they had a blast. We took a snack break for ice cream bars, and then swapped the sprinkler for the slip-n-slide. When Meagan woke up, she joined in. Finally, at 4:30, I turned off the water and forced them to go in. I was afraid they were going to get overheated, or that I was going to melt...whichever came first. But, FINALLY, a day of normal kid activities, full of fun and energy and make-believe and imagination. I guess the trick was to trick them into forgetting how much they didn't want to be outside.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Version 3
Okay, as soon as I posted that last post, I got an idea. I made a few changes, and I think I like this one much better. What do you think?
Under the Mistletoe
I admit, I've been putting off scrapping Grandma's Christmas pictures. I just don't scrap holidays very well. I started working on this last night and didn't at all like what I had done. So I started all over again today (perk of digital). I'm still not completely sure about it. I can't decide if I like all the flourishes in the corners. But Sebastian said he likes them on, so I left them for now. Also not sure about the background color - is there too much neutral showing? Should I change the background color all together? Any opinions? I'm open for suggestions. Anyway, this is Grandma and Grandpa under the mistletoe in 1963.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
...
I spent a lot of the afternoon today pricing things for a garage sale that I'm having at some undetermined date, hopefully in the near-ish future. Mostly I priced my paper scrapbook stuff and whatever baby stuff is laying around that I haven't already gotten rid of. Sebastian was devastated when he saw that I was getting ready to sell scrapbook stuff. "But Mom, I like our scrapbooks. I don't want you to stop making them." I explained to him that I still do scrapbook pages, but that I use the computer instead of paper. He still seemed a little sad, but was at least not on the verge of tears. It's good to know that he likes his books that much. At least they won't go unappreciated. Hopefully.
Other than that, the kids drove each other, and therefore me, crazy today. It was a day of random accidents and lots of screaming and fighting. Sebastian and Meagan both took a nap today, though, which alleviated some of it. Still, by the end of the evening, they were all back to getting hurt by tripping over thin air, so I stuck them in bed right at 8:00 and put a movie in for them to watch. Hoping for a better night of sleep tonight and a less stressful day tomorrow.
Other than that, the kids drove each other, and therefore me, crazy today. It was a day of random accidents and lots of screaming and fighting. Sebastian and Meagan both took a nap today, though, which alleviated some of it. Still, by the end of the evening, they were all back to getting hurt by tripping over thin air, so I stuck them in bed right at 8:00 and put a movie in for them to watch. Hoping for a better night of sleep tonight and a less stressful day tomorrow.
Monday, July 23, 2007
DONE
DONE! I finished my book around 6:30 this evening. Meagan took a long nap today, which let me get ahead a little, but I must admit, I read through play time outside and read while I made dinner (which was less than mediocre LOL), and read when I went to the bathroom, and any other chance I could. Last night I stayed up until 1:00, knowing I would pay for it this morning, but I just COULDN'T put it down. There was so much information to take in, and each chapter ended with just enough to not be quite enough, and I had no choice but to read on.
So more than once this afternoon I sat in my living room with eyes full of tears, at one point I was bordering on bawling... And after reading the whole story, all seven books, and thinking on it now for a few hours, I am completely amazed at her ability to weave so many details together. Just to see the ultimate weight of seemingly menial decisions that characters make throughout the stories, all coming down to the end events. I'm very impressed with her writing abilities, to say the least. She is an amazing story teller. And I find myself, just a little, wishing to believe that Ron, Harry, Hermione, the Weasley's and the others really exist somewhere...much the same way I felt after reading the Lord of the Rings. Let's just say, I'm already considering reading it again.
So more than once this afternoon I sat in my living room with eyes full of tears, at one point I was bordering on bawling... And after reading the whole story, all seven books, and thinking on it now for a few hours, I am completely amazed at her ability to weave so many details together. Just to see the ultimate weight of seemingly menial decisions that characters make throughout the stories, all coming down to the end events. I'm very impressed with her writing abilities, to say the least. She is an amazing story teller. And I find myself, just a little, wishing to believe that Ron, Harry, Hermione, the Weasley's and the others really exist somewhere...much the same way I felt after reading the Lord of the Rings. Let's just say, I'm already considering reading it again.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Book Worm
Well, I wish I had something fantastic and interesting to tell you, but since I've had my nose buried in a book since Saturday morning, not much to report. Friday was the Harry Potter release, which I have had on my calender for MONTHS. Nicole and I had planned on going to Meijer to get the book Friday night/Saturday morning, since it went on sale at 12:01. When I went next door to see her, though, she looked awful (sorry, Nicole, if you're reading this - but I know it's nothing you don't already know). She was having a noticeable allergy attack, and her eyes were nearly swollen shut. Yikes! I could tell she didn't feel like going anywhere. So, I went solo. I was worried I would be bored just standing there by myself. But I had forgotten my seeming ability to talk to almost anyone. So, by the end of the evening, myself and three other ladies were having a great time laughing and talking, making predictions about the book, and discussing our children and whatever else came up. We drank 'pumpkin juice' that the Meijer employees were handing out, and tried to scheme up ways to steel the guy's Harry glasses from his back pocket without him noticing - all in fun, though (no real steeling took place!). It was 12:30 when I got home...not bad, I guess. I got there at 10:45, and the line was already absurd, stretching more than 2/3 of the way down the long aisle to the back of the store. By the time they actually began handing out the books, the line wrapped all the way to the back on one side of the store, across the back of the store, and back up toward the front on the other side. And that was just in our rinky-dinky town. I was glad I showed up when I did, or I would have been waiting for quite a while!
So, I've already started reading, OF COURSE! I have put it down for meals, bedtimes, and a few play times. But I took full advantage of nap times both yesterday and today! And guess what I'm doing when they go to bed? I'd say right now I'm about a third of the way through the book.
But can I just say that my husband is FIRED! He turned to the back of the book and started reading it OUT LOUD to me. Enough that I know the names of a few people that make it all the way to the end...that I wish I didn't know, but what's done is done. I must say that for one or two of the names I was relieved...I'll leave it at that because I know some of you are reading it too, and I don't want it to be spoiled for you like my darling husband spoiled it for me. (wink).
Anyway, off to DQ for ice cream treats and then kids in the tub and then a family movie and then bed, and then MORE READING! I just can't put it down for long! It's not the first time in my life that I've been accused of being a book worm, and I'm sure it won't be the last!
So, I've already started reading, OF COURSE! I have put it down for meals, bedtimes, and a few play times. But I took full advantage of nap times both yesterday and today! And guess what I'm doing when they go to bed? I'd say right now I'm about a third of the way through the book.
But can I just say that my husband is FIRED! He turned to the back of the book and started reading it OUT LOUD to me. Enough that I know the names of a few people that make it all the way to the end...that I wish I didn't know, but what's done is done. I must say that for one or two of the names I was relieved...I'll leave it at that because I know some of you are reading it too, and I don't want it to be spoiled for you like my darling husband spoiled it for me. (wink).
Anyway, off to DQ for ice cream treats and then kids in the tub and then a family movie and then bed, and then MORE READING! I just can't put it down for long! It's not the first time in my life that I've been accused of being a book worm, and I'm sure it won't be the last!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Art of Living
I did another layout last night. Another one of Meagan (it's a good thing I have a girl to scrap all of these girly designer products I've had to use lately). Journaling says: "In so little time, you have perfected the art of living." This picture is of Meagan from August '06.
Park Pictures
Well, finally, I've taken the time to take some pictures of the kids for their 2-yr and 6-yr pictures (and 4 1/2-yr). We went to a park nearby this morning and found a spot with trees and a nice backdrop. Pictures of the boys went fairly smoothly. I started with Sebastian, and then Isaac, so by the time I got to Meagan, she knew just what to do...sort of. She sat right down on the spot by the tree, just where her brothers had been sitting. But she apparently missed the part where they were looking at the camera and sitting still and smiling. Hmmm...so I took several pictures of her, and got almost nothing worth keeping. She was either looking down, or away, or she was in a blur of motion. I got one picture that was sort of okay. I'm going with it. Makes me glad we didn't suffer through a portrait sitting, though. I can just imagine how pleasant (and never-ending) that would have felt.
After pictures I let the kids play on the playgrounds for a while. But it was already creeping up on being uncomfortably hot and humid. Around noon, we left and headed to get something for lunch. Thus ended the highlight of my day. The rest has been spent in what feels like a non-stop battle with the boys. The only reason I even have a few minutes reprieve for blogging is because their sitting on their beds in silent punishment right now. Let's just say they've earned an early bedtime. Hoping for a much better day tomorrow.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Layouts
I have a few layouts I've done in the past week. With the kids being gone and all, I've had a little extra scrapping time.
Here's the first one. Back in March, the fire department visited their Motor Development class. They got to sit in the fire truck, spray the hose, and all that good stuff. 
Layout #2 - from Meagan's birthday party. I used Karen Lewis's new kit - Cupcake Cafe. Journaling: Meagan, what kind of cake do you want this year? "Choo choo" you reply. Are you sure you don't want something else? 'Choo choo' you answer with certainty. Choo choo it is then - Lady to be exact - the pretty magical purple engine. Grandma made a big cake for everyone else, but you got your own special cake.
Layout #3 is also from Meagan's birthday party. Isaac and Sebastian played t-ball with Daddy and Shane (and Tina I think). I love these pictures of Isaac. He's such a fun little guy - he sure loves his helmet! Journaling: you took full advantage of having both daddy and shane around for meagan's party. you got out the tee and your glove and started up a game of t-ball. but let's face it. it's just not t-ball if you're not wearing your helmet.
Harry Potter
So Deidra, in case you're wondering, here's my take on Harry Potter...
I thought it was a great movie - very entertaining. However, compared to the book, it seemed like they played Harry Potter Legos...they took all the story pieces apart, and put them back together in whatever order they wanted, leaving some of the pieces laying on the floor. It seemed like the general story line was the same...at least they accomplished the same general end and all...but they had things in a strange order. Did you think? And while I didn't mind most of their changes, there were a few that bugged me - like blaming Cho (who knows why that bothers me?). But, like you said, if you take the movie alone, separate from the book, it was quite entertaining. I will definitely go see it again before it's out of theaters.
We saw it in IMAX 3D. The IMAX part was sweet! But I really didn't care for the 3D. It hurt my eyes....but I can't even look in my kids' view finders very well, so I don't know why I didn't expect it to bug me. Oh well. It was worth it to see it that big, and with such a clear picture and awesome sound!
Only 1 more week until the book!
I thought it was a great movie - very entertaining. However, compared to the book, it seemed like they played Harry Potter Legos...they took all the story pieces apart, and put them back together in whatever order they wanted, leaving some of the pieces laying on the floor. It seemed like the general story line was the same...at least they accomplished the same general end and all...but they had things in a strange order. Did you think? And while I didn't mind most of their changes, there were a few that bugged me - like blaming Cho (who knows why that bothers me?). But, like you said, if you take the movie alone, separate from the book, it was quite entertaining. I will definitely go see it again before it's out of theaters.
We saw it in IMAX 3D. The IMAX part was sweet! But I really didn't care for the 3D. It hurt my eyes....but I can't even look in my kids' view finders very well, so I don't know why I didn't expect it to bug me. Oh well. It was worth it to see it that big, and with such a clear picture and awesome sound!
Only 1 more week until the book!
Vacation
Wow, has it really been almost 2 weeks? Sorry!!! We've been on vacation! Woo hoo! Last Thursday we loaded up the kids (each with their own suitcase, plus another suitcase for Lucas & me...that was fun to stuff in the back of the van), the movie players, the wagon (which took the place of the spare seat in the back of the van), and lots of sunscreen and headed to Mom & Mike's boat. We got there around 7:15 (pm) and checked into our hotel - I was not about to try sleeping on a boat with Meagan, world's most accident-prone child. Then we headed out to get dinner. We tried TGI Friday's, but it was PACKED, so we went to the East of Chicago pizza buffet instead. It was actually pretty tasty, and WAY more relaxed than TGIF's would have been. With all five of us in one hotel room, we had a late night. By the time Lucas & I got cleaned up and got things in order for the morning, it was 11:00, and all three kids were still watching TV. Finally, by 11:30, everyone was asleep...that's way later than their typical 8:30 bedtime, and I knew that the morning would come all too soon.
By 7:30 we were up and getting dressed and packed. After breakfast at McD's, we headed to the Point! Since we were staying at a Cedar Point hotel, we got into the park an hour early, so Grandma & Grandpa took the kids, and Lucas and I headed to the Maverick....awesome ride!
It was a hot day, but thankfully their air-conditioned boat was nearby. We headed to the AC for lunch, and for breaks every now and then. The kids had a great time, though. Sebastian and Isaac rode their first roller coaster - The Woodstock Express. Sebastian LOVED it, and headed straight for the Jr. Gemini. Isaac was a little less enthusiastic, and sat out the second ride. When Sebastian got off the Jr. Gemini, he asked if he could ride one that went upside down. !!!! Sorry, kiddo, you're about 6 inches too short for that still. Maybe in a few years.
It was a long day. We left around 9:00 at night and headed to other Grandma and Grandpas. This year Grandma was brave enough to take on all three kids for their week-long vacation. So, Lucas and I left Sunday morning (and headed back to Cedar Point for a day of big people rides), and the kids began their summer vacation with Grandma and Grandpa. They've done lots of swimming and playing. They went to the zoo yesterday, and to a museum a few days ago. We are heading down either tonight or tomorrow morning to pick them up. I miss them!!! Can't wait to see them!
In the mean time, Lucas and I did some work around the house, cleaning and painting the walls while no little fingers were around to smear the paint. We also got Meagan's wallpaper replaced from where she tore her boarder off the wall during nap time one day. And even with all that, we've had some time for 2 movie dates - Transformers and Harry Potter (I bet you can guess who picked which movie LOL). But, our quiet time has come to an end. Vacation is over, and soon life will be back to normal. Can't wait!
By 7:30 we were up and getting dressed and packed. After breakfast at McD's, we headed to the Point! Since we were staying at a Cedar Point hotel, we got into the park an hour early, so Grandma & Grandpa took the kids, and Lucas and I headed to the Maverick....awesome ride!
It was a hot day, but thankfully their air-conditioned boat was nearby. We headed to the AC for lunch, and for breaks every now and then. The kids had a great time, though. Sebastian and Isaac rode their first roller coaster - The Woodstock Express. Sebastian LOVED it, and headed straight for the Jr. Gemini. Isaac was a little less enthusiastic, and sat out the second ride. When Sebastian got off the Jr. Gemini, he asked if he could ride one that went upside down. !!!! Sorry, kiddo, you're about 6 inches too short for that still. Maybe in a few years.
It was a long day. We left around 9:00 at night and headed to other Grandma and Grandpas. This year Grandma was brave enough to take on all three kids for their week-long vacation. So, Lucas and I left Sunday morning (and headed back to Cedar Point for a day of big people rides), and the kids began their summer vacation with Grandma and Grandpa. They've done lots of swimming and playing. They went to the zoo yesterday, and to a museum a few days ago. We are heading down either tonight or tomorrow morning to pick them up. I miss them!!! Can't wait to see them!
In the mean time, Lucas and I did some work around the house, cleaning and painting the walls while no little fingers were around to smear the paint. We also got Meagan's wallpaper replaced from where she tore her boarder off the wall during nap time one day. And even with all that, we've had some time for 2 movie dates - Transformers and Harry Potter (I bet you can guess who picked which movie LOL). But, our quiet time has come to an end. Vacation is over, and soon life will be back to normal. Can't wait!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The little spit!
Isn't there a term that goes something about spitting in your eye? I don't know...maybe I'm way off. Anyway, tonight after dinner, we were all caught up in one of Lucas's wrestle/tackle/romp/tickle/whatever else attacks that he tends to get into after dinner. This, by the way is a favorite game for the kids. Mommy - that would be me - is not such a fan. But I'm still forced to endure, because, for unknown reasons, I willfully chose to marry the man. And he's bigger than me, so I generally can do nothing about it and am forced to participate. Well, the boys had gone running crazy out of the kitchen to avoid an attack from Daddy. With no other targets available, he tackles me to the ground and pins my arms. Just at this time, along comes Meagan, who jumps on us and starts play hitting Lucas to make him let go of me. I got my arms free and grabbed her. I held her up above my head (mind you I'm still on my back in the middle of the floor). She laughs and giggles and yells (with glee, I thought), 'Mommy Mommy!' Then, without warning, she SPITS in my eye. Well, my reaction was to put her down and wipe my eye. She runs off full speed, laughing at the top of her lungs...she has now found a new and improved way to get free from the tickling game. Great. We have a spitter!
Legos
I almost forgot to tell you... Sebastian has already gotten impatient, and has spent his Harry Potter savings. LOL! We were heading up to Target and Lowes last weekend to run a few errands. We had a duplicate gift to exchange, so we took it to Target. Well, they didn't want to give us store credit for whatever reason, so we had to get something else right then and do an exchange. Sebastian decided he wanted to put the money from the gift towards his Legos, but he was still about $40 short of the Harry Potter Lego set. Well, sitting right beside it on the shelf was a skull castle set that had a 'way cool' dragon and lots of people. It was $50...just what he had to spend. He was sold! No need to wait for Harry. He just got the skull castle instead. (I still fail entirely to understand how those kinds of things are attractive to boys, but they seem to be??). It took him 2 or 3 days to get the whole thing put together, and now the castle is sitting on the very top of our toy shelves (so Miss Meagan can't get her sticky fingers on it), ready to be played with whenever the mood strikes him. I think after taking so long to build it, he's now kind of tired of looking at it. So it may be a week or so before he's in the mood to actually play with it LOL!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Sleep tight
What a gorgeous day we had today! After church we went on a bike ride, so Lucas could test out his new bike. The parking lots behind our house were empty, so the kids had free reign over them - a dream come true for the boys! They were ramping curbs and speeding from one end of the lot to the other. Later in the afternoon, we played basketball, followed by a little t-ball / baseball. Meagan insisted on wearing a bike helmet while batting - maybe because yesterday she got cracked in the head by her brother with a bat (plastic bat, so nothing too bad). So, needless to say, she looked a little quirky! But whatever works for her...she surely isn't our first quirky child!
Tonight was a scrapping night for me. I'm still trying to get caught up on layouts for my designers...June was a bad scrapping month for me. Oh well, I can only do what I can. But I was able to get one done at least tonight. I actually had to do it twice because I had it almost finished and my computer ran out of RAM (?????) and crashed on me. So quite a bit of my progress was lost. Oh well, I like the second version better, so I guess it worked out okay anyhow.
Credits
Tonight was a scrapping night for me. I'm still trying to get caught up on layouts for my designers...June was a bad scrapping month for me. Oh well, I can only do what I can. But I was able to get one done at least tonight. I actually had to do it twice because I had it almost finished and my computer ran out of RAM (?????) and crashed on me. So quite a bit of my progress was lost. Oh well, I like the second version better, so I guess it worked out okay anyhow.
Credits
Friday, June 29, 2007
Glimpse of the future
I've had a glimpse of the future - all of the schedules, the sports, and activities - YIKES! Today is the first day for me all week that I haven't had somewhere to take someone for daytime or evening activities. This has been a busy week for us! Monday was what ended up being Sebastian's last t-ball game (Wed. was called due to lightening). Tuesday we had story hour in the morning. Then Tuesday night kicked off a 3-day sports camp at church. Sebastian did soccer, and quite enjoyed himself. Each night was 2 1/2 hours long, though, so it pretty much commanded the evenings. But, lots of fun, and well worth the time! I'm looking forward to a bummy day around the house, just catching up on stuff that needs to be done (like laundry for starters! Sebastian told me yesterday that their clothes hamper "reeks" *LOL*). Gonna try to pay bills today. Maybe I'll get some more scrapping done tonight...or sleeping...that sounds good too!
As an update - still no new news on any moving, etc., for those of you who might be wondering. I'll keep you posted.
For now, I'm off to switch the laundry around and figure out what to do next. I'm feeling like there's way more to do than I can get done today, and I sort of struggle to prioritize when I'm feeling like this. So I guess I'm just going to have to pick SOMETHING and DO IT! Wish me luck!
As an update - still no new news on any moving, etc., for those of you who might be wondering. I'll keep you posted.
For now, I'm off to switch the laundry around and figure out what to do next. I'm feeling like there's way more to do than I can get done today, and I sort of struggle to prioritize when I'm feeling like this. So I guess I'm just going to have to pick SOMETHING and DO IT! Wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Play day
Another busy day in the books! This morning we went to the park for library story hour. Today was sidewalk chalk day, and they got to decorate all the sidewalks all around the park. Then we stayed afterwards and ate lunch with some friends of ours. The kids had a great time playing, and I had a nice little bit of grown-up time (with the occasional interruption) with some of the other moms that I've gotten to know. We left around 1:00 or so. It was so stinking hot today, we just stayed inside for most of the afternoon. But this evening was the first night of Mega Sports Camp at church. It's a free sports camp for kids between 6 and 12. They can choose between soccer, basketball and cheer leading. Sebastian chose soccer. So they were out on the fields for 2 hours (but they had plenty of snacks and drinks for the kids to help them handle the heat). I had Meagan and Isaac with me because Lucas wasn't home from work yet (and actually, it's now 10:30 and he's still not home...my poor guy). Anyway, trying to keep the two of them occupied for 2 1/2 hours was interesting. Towards the end we were in the gymnasium area where they were doing the cheer leading (it was air conditioned in there - soccer and basketball were both outside...so we went for watching cheer leading). Meagan had the BEST time! She was imitating all of the big girls, and she was jumping and spinning, and clapping, and whatever else she could think of. It was hysterical, and she drew quite the audience. I must have heard 'oh, she's soooo cute!' at least 50 times. What a little ham! But then when all the kids came back in to have their wrap up time, I was struggling to keep her quiet (well, failing is actually closer to the truth). She wanted to keep running and playing, and wanted nothing to do with sitting quietly and listening and watching. So, the last 20 minutes or so was a juggling act (which I'm quite used to by now, but that still doesn't make it easy). Other than that, though, we all quite enjoyed ourselves.
I took some pictures at the park, but I'm entirely too tired and lazy to do picture stuff tonight...maybe tomorrow if I get a chance. For now, I'm off to shower and go to bed. Later taters!
I took some pictures at the park, but I'm entirely too tired and lazy to do picture stuff tonight...maybe tomorrow if I get a chance. For now, I'm off to shower and go to bed. Later taters!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Mother of the Year
Well, one game down, one to go. T-ball tonight was just the kids and me. (Lucas wasn't feeling well, so he stayed home and took it easy.) I hurt my chances of winning the Mother of the Year award by forgetting the water on a 90-degree day. Oops...maybe I'll win next year (LOL)! Again, they pitched to the kids 3 pitches before getting out the tee. Tonight Sebastian didn't have to use the tee at all! His first hit, he hit straight to the first-baseman. But, since there are no outs in their league, it didn't matter. His second hit came on the third pitch, and he hit it almost from the ground. It landed just between pitcher and second base. Not bad. His third hit, he hit on the first pitch and cracked it! He was so proud of himself. And I videoed tonight, but of course was chasing Meagan during his third hit, and so didn't get it on tape. Oh well. Again, hurting my chances for Mother of the Year. Sheesh.
When we got home, we had water and ice cream. Mmmm. Then, the kids and I went outside to play. It was a late night - we were out until 9:45. Then we came in and did bath time, so they were up until after 10:00. That's late for them considering their usually in bed before nine. But it was worth it. The boys played with Sebastian's new Lego kit while Meagan rode every bike/truck/car/anything with wheels she could find. After we cleaned up toys, the kids 'helped' me water the flowers by running through the hose water (at 9:30 at night!). By then, lightening bugs were out, which was a new experience for Meagan. So, of course, we spent the next fifteen minutes chasing, and sometimes catching, lightening bugs. We also saw 2 bunnies travel through our yard, which the kids absolutely loved. It was all I could do to keep Meagan from running after them. It was a good night...I'm hoping the late night pays off with sleeping in tomorrow! (Keeping my fingers crossed!)
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you - Suzie especially. We made a trip to Target today to pick out birthday stuff with Sebastian's birthday money. All together he had $35. He had originally planned on spending it at Barnes and Noble, but since we were in Target already he decided to just look at the toy aisles. He had a list a mile long of stuff he wanted, but he couldn't decide for sure on anything. He did end up getting one Lego Star Wars kit with the money from Suzie, but he decided to hang on to the rest of it. He found a HUGE Harry Potter Lego kit that he wants to buy, so he's saving his money. It's $90! Only $65 left to go...so by his 8th birthday he'll be able to afford it! LOL!
When we got home, we had water and ice cream. Mmmm. Then, the kids and I went outside to play. It was a late night - we were out until 9:45. Then we came in and did bath time, so they were up until after 10:00. That's late for them considering their usually in bed before nine. But it was worth it. The boys played with Sebastian's new Lego kit while Meagan rode every bike/truck/car/anything with wheels she could find. After we cleaned up toys, the kids 'helped' me water the flowers by running through the hose water (at 9:30 at night!). By then, lightening bugs were out, which was a new experience for Meagan. So, of course, we spent the next fifteen minutes chasing, and sometimes catching, lightening bugs. We also saw 2 bunnies travel through our yard, which the kids absolutely loved. It was all I could do to keep Meagan from running after them. It was a good night...I'm hoping the late night pays off with sleeping in tomorrow! (Keeping my fingers crossed!)
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you - Suzie especially. We made a trip to Target today to pick out birthday stuff with Sebastian's birthday money. All together he had $35. He had originally planned on spending it at Barnes and Noble, but since we were in Target already he decided to just look at the toy aisles. He had a list a mile long of stuff he wanted, but he couldn't decide for sure on anything. He did end up getting one Lego Star Wars kit with the money from Suzie, but he decided to hang on to the rest of it. He found a HUGE Harry Potter Lego kit that he wants to buy, so he's saving his money. It's $90! Only $65 left to go...so by his 8th birthday he'll be able to afford it! LOL!
Out in the Yard
I finished another layout for Grandma's book today. I'm slowly getting caught up on scrapbook projects. These pictures were taken somewhere around 2000, as far as I can guess from comparing to other pictures that were dated. I know yard work pictures aren't the most exciting. But I love that the 2 of them shared these kind of moments together and just enjoyed what they were doing. I guess truly sharing a life with someone is sharing the mundane as well as the monumental. (gush!)
Friday, June 22, 2007
Yin and Yang
Today I learned that one 20-minute bike ride can do amazing things to highlight the contrasts in personalities between Sebastian and Isaac. We started off at the foot of our driveway. Our mission was to ride down our street, head to the road that runs behind our house, and make our way through the parking lots and back. Simple enough. We all started out together (Meagan in tow behind me). Immediately, the differences began to shine through. Sebastian went full speed down the driveway and flew into the road with hardly a glance for cars. Isaac walked his bike to the very foot of the driveway, climbed on, looked two or three times for cars, and then cautiously pulled out onto the road. Sebastian sped as fast as he could down the street, making sure we all knew he was in front - he was the fastest - he was the leader. Isaac pedaled along at his own leisurely pace, content to stay behind or beside me, talking to me and to Meagan through the whole trip. Several times I had to call to Sebastian to come back and be patient - 'You're getting too far ahead,' I would say. Several times I had to look over my shoulder to make sure Isaac was still with me. Once, he had actually stopped to check something out on the side of the road (while Sebastian, of course, was still going full-force ahead of us). As we passed other people, Sebastian sped by them without so much as a glance. Isaac watched everyone we passed, and for those on foot, he would slow down and wave at them until they waved back, making sure to say hello. Isaac noticed several things along the way - certain flowers, birds, bunnies. Sebastian was a blur.
As I was in the bike ride process, I was just trying to stay balanced between Speedy and Poky. But as our ride came to an end, and we were just going around in circles at the end of our road a few times, I realized how very different the two of them are. They are put together in completely different ways for completely different purposes in life. Sometimes difficult for me to balance, or figure out for that matter, but very cool nonetheless.
As I was in the bike ride process, I was just trying to stay balanced between Speedy and Poky. But as our ride came to an end, and we were just going around in circles at the end of our road a few times, I realized how very different the two of them are. They are put together in completely different ways for completely different purposes in life. Sometimes difficult for me to balance, or figure out for that matter, but very cool nonetheless.
Falling behind
Well, I feel like I'm falling behind in just about everything at the moment - housework, bookwork, yard work, scrapping, and blogging. We've had lots of stuff going on, and very little time for much more than the basics. I managed to steel enough time last night to finish a layout for one of the creative teams I'm on. I did this layout using Karen Lewis' new 'Out of This World' kit. At the rate I'm going, it feels like it will be forever before I get caught up. Oh well, one thing at a time...starting with this layout, I guess.
Journaling:
the robot shirt. a gift from tina, summer ‘05. size 3T. a wardrobe staple for the past two years. to be worn only with orange mesh shorts, if possible. to be worn as frequently as possible. you absolutely adore this shirt. but now it’s ‘07, and you have outgrown this priceless article of clothing. more than once you tried to convince me it still fit,but, really, it hardly goes over your head anymore. sorry, buddy, the robot shirt has to go. we’ll keep it. i wouldn’t dare part with it for good. but, let’s pack it in a special box with other special things we want to keep. then we can get it out and look at it any time you would like. plus, we’ve got lots of good pictures of you in your coolest shirt ever. i’ll even make a page about it for our scrapbook. how does that sound? good? good. And if we ever find another cool robot shirt in a store, maybe we can get you one.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
This n That
Since Lucas moved the computer back down to the basement (at my request - and I love him for it!), I haven't been at the computer much. Maybe because of computer location, or maybe because our lives have been crazy & busy and I just haven't taken the time. Whatever the reason, it's been 4 days since I've posted anything. (oops, sorry).
Well, Monday we had t-ball again. Sebastian actually CAUGHT a ball that was coming straight at his head. He didn't flinch. He didn't just stand there. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing, and he moved his glove to the ball and caught it! Woo hoo! Evidence that some progress is being made! While the game was going on, Isaac and Meagan kind of wandered around, straying a little, but not too far. At one point, I looked over at Isaac, and he was holding hands with a little girl walking through a field of unmowed 'flowers.' This, however, was the same little girl that ran up and kissed Sebastian at the beginning of the t-ball season...I smell trouble! LOL! Seriously, though, it was just harmless friendship hand-holding, but it was funny anyway. What cuties!
Lucas is off seeing the world again without us. He's in our old stomping grounds for training this week. I thought of going with him, but Sebastian would have missed both of his games, and he's already going to miss one next week. So we opted to stay home. So it's been a pretty quiet week with Daddy gone. Last night the kids & I went to dinner at Applebees, where we played a stimulating game of I spy. I swear Isaac could play that game for hours. It makes me think of my grandpa. When we would go visit them when I was little, he and I would sit on the side of their house and play I Spy for what felt like forever. How is it that that game never gets old to a child? How is it that my grandpa had the patience to play it for as long as he did? These are things I may never know the answers to.
Anyway...another game tonight, and maybe a DQ trip afterwards? Maybe. For now, we're going to head next door to go swimming and just take it easy.
Well, Monday we had t-ball again. Sebastian actually CAUGHT a ball that was coming straight at his head. He didn't flinch. He didn't just stand there. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing, and he moved his glove to the ball and caught it! Woo hoo! Evidence that some progress is being made! While the game was going on, Isaac and Meagan kind of wandered around, straying a little, but not too far. At one point, I looked over at Isaac, and he was holding hands with a little girl walking through a field of unmowed 'flowers.' This, however, was the same little girl that ran up and kissed Sebastian at the beginning of the t-ball season...I smell trouble! LOL! Seriously, though, it was just harmless friendship hand-holding, but it was funny anyway. What cuties!
Lucas is off seeing the world again without us. He's in our old stomping grounds for training this week. I thought of going with him, but Sebastian would have missed both of his games, and he's already going to miss one next week. So we opted to stay home. So it's been a pretty quiet week with Daddy gone. Last night the kids & I went to dinner at Applebees, where we played a stimulating game of I spy. I swear Isaac could play that game for hours. It makes me think of my grandpa. When we would go visit them when I was little, he and I would sit on the side of their house and play I Spy for what felt like forever. How is it that that game never gets old to a child? How is it that my grandpa had the patience to play it for as long as he did? These are things I may never know the answers to.
Anyway...another game tonight, and maybe a DQ trip afterwards? Maybe. For now, we're going to head next door to go swimming and just take it easy.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
YOU dum dum!
I wouldn't be doing my job as a scrapbooker if I didn't get this documented. This little phrase - 'you dum dum' - has infiltrated every-day life at our house. Meagan (with help from her brothers) latched onto it after watching Night at the Museum. There's this talking statue head that calls everyone dum dum and he (it??) is always wanting gum gum. Well, Meagan's most favorite game in the entire world at present is to point at each of us in turn saying in the cutest little voice 'YOU dum dum.' She entirely expects a rebuttal, and will repeat herself over and over until the accused responds with 'No YOU dum dum.' This game can (and often does) go on for quite some time. It almost ALWAYS shows up for every family meal, and makes frequent appearances at random times throughout every day (along with Little Bunny Foo Foo). Once we were in line at Meijer and she pointed to the man in line behind us and said plain as day, 'YOU dum dum!' I knew what she said. He did not. He looked at me for translation, but I totally played dumb (me dum dum! LOL).
So anyway, the other day we were outside snapping pictures, and I tried to get a few of Meagan. I said, 'Meagan, look at Mommy,' and she looked straight at the camera - perfect little smile...until I pressed the button to take the shot. At that very moment, she snuck it in there - finger pointed straight at me - YOU DUM DUM! This picture is the result. Gotta love her!
Journaling: thank you pop culture. namely 'Night at the Museum.' without you, my sweet 2-year-old would never have learned this fantastic phrase. we would go through every meal in peace, without any finger pointing and name-calling of any type. life would be dull without you...dum dum.'
Friday, June 8, 2007
ix-nay the ig-pay atin-lay
Aw, snap! No more pig latin for secret 'over their heads' talk for Lucas and me. I got busted today! We were discussing giving them back their play station. Lucas had told the boys they had earned it back and he would set it up for them today, but he didn't know where I had put it. So, not wanting to reveal my hiding spot (for future use and all), I told him in pig latin. 'in-ay u-thay oset-clay under-ay y-may ants-pay.' I had hardly finished my last 'ay' when Sebastian chimes in, 'You said it's in the closet under your pants.' Aw snap! Luc looks at me and says 'ix-nay the ig-pay atin-lay.' At least it wasn't a discussion of birthday presents or something like that. And we already can't spell things over his head. What's left?
So, the boys have successfully managed to earn back their play station, and they are happily playing away down in the basement. At least that should give me a good quiet 'nap' time to myself. (wink).
(I moved the kindergarten picture slide shows to the bottom of the blog, in case you're looking for them. I'll leave them up for a while, then I'll probably just post links to them so you can get back to them if you want. They just take up way to much room on here. But I guess grandmas & grandpas and such like to see the pictures, so I'll do it for them!)
So, the boys have successfully managed to earn back their play station, and they are happily playing away down in the basement. At least that should give me a good quiet 'nap' time to myself. (wink).
(I moved the kindergarten picture slide shows to the bottom of the blog, in case you're looking for them. I'll leave them up for a while, then I'll probably just post links to them so you can get back to them if you want. They just take up way to much room on here. But I guess grandmas & grandpas and such like to see the pictures, so I'll do it for them!)
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Last day of Kindergarten!!
Yesterday was Sebastian's last day of kindergarten! (as I wipe a tear) We started the morning off with pictures outside. We got pictures on his first day, so we may as well get pictures on his last day - to see how much he's changed and grown. I told myself I wouldn't cry - and in the morning, I did fine...until the bus came. I got a little choked up, maybe a little teary eyed. But I wouldn't say I cried.
Nicole was nice enough to watch Meagan and Isaac for me in the afternoon so that I could go spend the day at school with Sebastian. It was their field day, and I just didn't want to miss it. When I walked into the class room, he was super excited to see me. They were all getting ready to head out to the field. We headed out as a class. They were split into groups of about 6 or 7 students each. I followed behind and watched, and I noticed that his teacher always had someone at hand. It didn't matter who it was, but it seemed like everyone wanted a turn at her side, and she was more than willing to oblige. I could tell that, although I'm sure every moment of her job is trying, she does it because she loves those kids. She's a sweet lady.
The first even was the 100 meter dash. At each event station they had a 'hot dog' spray painted on the ground where the kids were to stand and wait when it wasn't their turn. Hot dogs....soooo, Sebastian and two of his friends decided if they were standing on a hot dog, they must be ketchup, mustard, and pickle. Leave it to Sebastian. Anyway...they had several events...
1 - 100m dash, 2 - softball throw, 3- sponge shuttle (a race to transfer sponges from one bucket to another), 4 - mystery game (good ol' golf ball on a spoon relay), **insert potty break here** 5 - obstacle course, 6 - water fill game (boys against girls - boys won), 7 - rest station (Popsicles and tug of war - is that resting?), 8 - soccer challenge (which Sebastian kicked butt at, by the way), 9 - high jump (which Sebastian totally cheated at by first jumping on the mat and then jumping over LOL), 10 - sack race, 11 - tire bowling (no picture of that, but pictures of Sebastian & friends at that station), 12 - big ball race (hysterical), 13 - T-ball blast, 14 - 100 meter hurdles (2x4's on cones LOL), 15 - deep sea dive (get 1 marble at a time out of a little pool and run and put it in a bucket - but I guess that name was too long for their tags).
He had a great day. So did I. He laughed and played and just truly enjoyed the day with his friends, his teacher, and me. It was so worth being there. I am so grateful I was able to go. All day I was doing great - no tears, no sadness, no choking up...good. Then, as his teacher handed out final folders, year books and report cards, she dismissed those whose parents were there. Sebastian put his folder of stuff in his book bag one last time. Then this...
Sebastian: 'Goodbye Mrs. Long. Thank you for being my teacher.'
Mrs. Long: 'Goodbye Sebastian. I'll miss you.'
Sebastian: 'I'll miss you too.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me tomorrow when you don't have school?'
Sebastian: 'Yes.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me the next day too?'
Sebastian. 'Yes.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me this summer while you're playing?'
Sebastian. 'Yes. I will remember you always.'
I turned and faced the wall as tears swelled and ran down my cheek. What a sweet heart that little boy has. How much love he has for those in his life. He will not be little for long. When everything else changes, as it inevitably does, I hope his heart stays the same.
The slide shows above are of his last day. The first slide show is before school. The other 3 are done in order - all of the events that I listed above, pictures of friends, etc. I had too many pictures to fit into one slide show.
Nicole was nice enough to watch Meagan and Isaac for me in the afternoon so that I could go spend the day at school with Sebastian. It was their field day, and I just didn't want to miss it. When I walked into the class room, he was super excited to see me. They were all getting ready to head out to the field. We headed out as a class. They were split into groups of about 6 or 7 students each. I followed behind and watched, and I noticed that his teacher always had someone at hand. It didn't matter who it was, but it seemed like everyone wanted a turn at her side, and she was more than willing to oblige. I could tell that, although I'm sure every moment of her job is trying, she does it because she loves those kids. She's a sweet lady.
The first even was the 100 meter dash. At each event station they had a 'hot dog' spray painted on the ground where the kids were to stand and wait when it wasn't their turn. Hot dogs....soooo, Sebastian and two of his friends decided if they were standing on a hot dog, they must be ketchup, mustard, and pickle. Leave it to Sebastian. Anyway...they had several events...
1 - 100m dash, 2 - softball throw, 3- sponge shuttle (a race to transfer sponges from one bucket to another), 4 - mystery game (good ol' golf ball on a spoon relay), **insert potty break here** 5 - obstacle course, 6 - water fill game (boys against girls - boys won), 7 - rest station (Popsicles and tug of war - is that resting?), 8 - soccer challenge (which Sebastian kicked butt at, by the way), 9 - high jump (which Sebastian totally cheated at by first jumping on the mat and then jumping over LOL), 10 - sack race, 11 - tire bowling (no picture of that, but pictures of Sebastian & friends at that station), 12 - big ball race (hysterical), 13 - T-ball blast, 14 - 100 meter hurdles (2x4's on cones LOL), 15 - deep sea dive (get 1 marble at a time out of a little pool and run and put it in a bucket - but I guess that name was too long for their tags).
He had a great day. So did I. He laughed and played and just truly enjoyed the day with his friends, his teacher, and me. It was so worth being there. I am so grateful I was able to go. All day I was doing great - no tears, no sadness, no choking up...good. Then, as his teacher handed out final folders, year books and report cards, she dismissed those whose parents were there. Sebastian put his folder of stuff in his book bag one last time. Then this...
Sebastian: 'Goodbye Mrs. Long. Thank you for being my teacher.'
Mrs. Long: 'Goodbye Sebastian. I'll miss you.'
Sebastian: 'I'll miss you too.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me tomorrow when you don't have school?'
Sebastian: 'Yes.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me the next day too?'
Sebastian. 'Yes.'
Mrs. Long: 'Will you remember me this summer while you're playing?'
Sebastian. 'Yes. I will remember you always.'
I turned and faced the wall as tears swelled and ran down my cheek. What a sweet heart that little boy has. How much love he has for those in his life. He will not be little for long. When everything else changes, as it inevitably does, I hope his heart stays the same.
The slide shows above are of his last day. The first slide show is before school. The other 3 are done in order - all of the events that I listed above, pictures of friends, etc. I had too many pictures to fit into one slide show.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Rain or Shine
Well, I got my wish...t-ball was rained out yesterday. I just wasn't feelin' it, know what I mean? I wasn't in the mood to haul everyone to the fields to sit in the gloomy, overcast, chilly weather. I was wishing I knew a rain dance or something (LOL) but I didn't end up needing it. It POURED. So, no t-ball. Yippee.
Yesterday afternoon we went on an errand-running trip to the post office (to mail Sebastian's birthday invitations) & the library (to return books - and get new ones). It was NOT raining at that time, and the 2 are pretty close together. So we just walked from one to the other. It was quite an enjoyable outing. It was nice to be out in the fresh air just spending time together. And I had 2 people give compliments - one at the post office and one at the library - about how well behaved the kids were being. (Who, Meagan and Isaac????) That's always nice. It's nice to hear that I haven't screwed them up yet (LOL)!!
Other than that, not much to report. We had a pretty quiet day. I sat down last night and tried to scrap, but ended up on message boards and browsing the internet instead. Oh well. I did put some finishing touches on a page I mostly did about a month ago. I still don't know how I feel about it - I did it off of someone else's layout sketch, and I don't typically work so well with sketches. So, maybe it will grow on me overall. But I love the pictures of the boys. Sebastian was just 3 and Isaac was 1 1/2. Oh, the 'little' days. Where have they gone?
Yesterday afternoon we went on an errand-running trip to the post office (to mail Sebastian's birthday invitations) & the library (to return books - and get new ones). It was NOT raining at that time, and the 2 are pretty close together. So we just walked from one to the other. It was quite an enjoyable outing. It was nice to be out in the fresh air just spending time together. And I had 2 people give compliments - one at the post office and one at the library - about how well behaved the kids were being. (Who, Meagan and Isaac????) That's always nice. It's nice to hear that I haven't screwed them up yet (LOL)!!
Other than that, not much to report. We had a pretty quiet day. I sat down last night and tried to scrap, but ended up on message boards and browsing the internet instead. Oh well. I did put some finishing touches on a page I mostly did about a month ago. I still don't know how I feel about it - I did it off of someone else's layout sketch, and I don't typically work so well with sketches. So, maybe it will grow on me overall. But I love the pictures of the boys. Sebastian was just 3 and Isaac was 1 1/2. Oh, the 'little' days. Where have they gone?
Journaling: Why is it that hard to get one decent picture of the 2 of you? Is it too much to ask for you to both look at the camera at the same time? Just for amoment, could you both sit down? Leave your hats alone? PLEASE!!
CreditsSunday, June 3, 2007
Cousins
Here's another layout to share. I had a very pink and purple kit to work with. I love the colors & the paper, but didn't have tons in the way of pictures to go with it. So, I started looking through pictures to see if I could find something I've yet to do anything with. I have all of these pictures that have gone unscrapped, but I've looked at them so many times that I now sort of overlook them. Well, I found this picture of Meagan and Carmen at Meagan's first birthday party. I've never scrapped it because Meagan is making a less-than-pleasant face in it. But, I guess it is what it is...so I used it anyway.
Credits
Journaling: true, this is not the 'happiest' picture of the 2 of you. but what can you expect after a long afternoon of partying without napping? some day, sooner than we know, the 2 of you will truly be able to enjoy party days!
Credits
Saturday, June 2, 2007
House of Flying Daggers
Guess what happens when Daddy falls asleep watching a movie while Mommy is in the basement scrapbooking? The boys watch the still-playing movie and begin to imitate it. Unfortunately the movie was House of Flying Daggers! LOL! So now my boys are flying around the house with swords babbling "hung chu ku do wa" and other nonsense. Occasionally, English will prevail in phrases that sound something like this: "Ow! Mom, he hit me!" or "Isaac, no throwing swords!" The only other sounds heard are giggles and thumps (from jumping and hitting the floor). Next time, hopefully he'll fall asleep to a documentary on sloths or something.
This is Home
Larger ImageI finished this this afternoon. I had taken a bunch of pics of details around our house that are unique to the house because of us for one reason or another - you know, what makes it a home instead of a house. Always living under the threat of a move, I just wanted to make sure I captured the details and special things about each of the homes we live in.
Journaling:
Top left corner: 'We may move a few more times before all is said and done. But homes are not made with houses, but with family and the memories shared. and for now...this is home.'
around the edge: '[our address]; the deck we built Memorial Day '06; Mothers Day flower '07; our Charlie Brown tree; the garden we planted spring '07; landscaping we did when I was 8 mos pregnant '05; JFK rose; clematis; vacation boots with hens and chicks - a gift from the boys '06; birdhouse the boys built with Big Grandpa.'
Credits
Friday, June 1, 2007
Surprise!
Yesterday morning, I came downstairs, and the first thing I saw was a note from my husband that said he loves me and he had something for me. Ooooooo, I love surprises! And I LOVE notes from my husband! The day passed as usual. He got home as I was making dinner. He sat down at the computer and started browsing the internet. In the middle of cooking and chasing after the kids, I had forgotten that I had a surprise waiting for me. As I was getting dinner on the table, the doorbell rang. "Stay here," he says. Well, I was curious, but I don't like to ruin surprises, so I stayed. And I stayed. And I stayed. I didn't hear him in the living room anymore. I was starting to wonder if he had left. ??? Finally, although I didn't want to spoil the fun, I peeked in the living room...not there. Hmmm... Then he calls down from the basement, "Come here." How did he sneak past me and get down there so quietly? (Maybe he really is a ninja! LOL) So, I headed down the steps. When I got down there, he took me around the corner and pointed me in the direction of my scrap desk... A NEW WIDE SCREEN MONITOR! My broken 'thermometer' has officially been replaced! Yay! What a great surprise! And I'm proud of him for pulling it off!
1959
I finished another layout last night for Grandma's album. This page took me about 4 tries to get anything I really liked. I only had 2 pictures from 1959, and they had nothing to do with each other. That made it a little difficult to put the layout together. But I guess it turned out okay. No journaling, other than I've 'hand-written (LOL)' the information from the back of the original pictures onto the filing tabs behind the photos in the layout. One is from Thanksgiving '59 and the other is a visit with family.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sebastian's dinner time prayer tonight:
Dear God, Thank you for this food. Bless this food to our bodies. And please send food around the world to all of the people who don't have food and are dying so they can eat. In Jesus name, Amen.
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