Boys and Their Toys...

********************End of an Era**********

Noah and Michael have been working on Noah's last Pinewood Derby car:

****************************Cupcakes and Book Club************

Book Club time, again, for Eve's 2nd grade class. Here is a sample of the book mark I made for the kids to remind them of our meeting dates:

I used some fun graphics and alphabets from Lettering Delights .

Last week I took a box of Whole Grain Goldfish for a snack because in the book Peter goes to a birthday party where the kids get real goldfish as a present. I warned the kids to NEVER give pets as a gift at parties because the animal might be injured, or inadequately taken care of if the parent has no warning when the animal is taken home. This week I made cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting because in the book Peter's little brother, "Fudge", celebrates his third birthday with a chocolate frosted cake with yellow roses. I decided what to make at 10:30am and had them baked and frosted by 11:45am. I put extra frosting in containers and grabbed my spatula, then off to school. When I got there I promptly banged the container into my steering wheel as I tried to exit the car. They all toppled over...not pretty. I also managed to drop my bag with the book and containers of frosting in a puddle next to my car. I grabbed the book and wiped it off, then the containers and through them in the bag. I opened the container and righted all the cupcakes. Luckily, the flavor doesn't change when the frosting is mushed. I guess the moral tale to tell is take a photo before you travel.

Michael said the frosting tastes exactly like his Granny Vone's. That is a compliment, people.

********************Piano Lessons**********

Eve and I just got back from piano lessons. Her teacher was pleased as punch that she decided to memorize all 3 pages of her recital piece. She has been trying really hard. We are pleased as punch too.

Later, gators.

Down and Derby Time:

Third times the charm
Three Strikes you're out
Hat Trick
Three is a magic number



Noah participated in his Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby on Friday night. His car was designed as a melting Creamsicle. Noah's car was consistently 3rd in each heat. After the third heat Michael asked Noah how he was doing and Noah responded, "I came in third all three times. HUGGIES?!"

After the 5th heat coming in last Noah said, "This is embarrassing!" After the 6th heat he told my mom, "I'd rather eat my own poop! HUGGIES!?!" Later awards were given out for different categories and Noah won, "The Best Non-Car" category.




















::::::::::::::::::::Here Is Another Vacation Layout:::::



"The kids thought it was fun to pretend to be in the gaol because they knew that they weren't going to be a resident there for more than a few miniutes. I was happy they didn't resort to trying to figure out how to create their own shanks. I didn't want to contemplate for too long what the smell of these places were like, or the presence of vermin."

"The story of Matilda, by Raold Dahl, is a family favorite. The Trunchbull is always throwing the kids in "the Chokey" for any reason she wants."

_{Credits: Sausan Designs: Needful Things Book, Christina Renee and Shabby Princess: French Countryside, Rachel Young: Stamped Alpha, Antonio Rafello: Vintage frames, Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL}


::::::::::::::::::Out And About:::::::

We went to a Wish Day celebration for our niece, Teresa, who is in remission from leukemia. We were scheduled to go to a petting zoo, but a torrential down pour side-lined us to a nearby church. We had fun with the family and the lovely ladies who arrainged the day.

On the way home Noah struck up the "Category Game" that we started last week. The categories today included: Dr. Who, Cyberman, Yellow, Astronomy, Road Kill, Transformer, and Girl Scout cookies. The funniest one was the last category, which Michael announced as we neared our home. He said, "Photosynthesis". To wit, Rachel responded enthusiastically, "We get to talk about cameras!" Laughing, Michael says, "The next categories are "Cameras" and "Blondes". Rachel, quickly, stated she knew what photosynthesis was then gave the definition.

Off to work on some Easter layouts:

How Many Doctors Does It Take?

This was the very seriously asked question by Eve on Tuesday. I know its Thursday, but atleast I got around to posting:). Eve asked if I would teach her to jump rope. I went over the mechanics of the one foot jump, then rock to the back foot style and the two footed jump. The song I used was the classic:
"Cinderella dressed in yellow
went upstairs to kiss a fella.
Made a mistake and kissed a snake.
How many doctors does it take?"

She enjoyed trying, but we are working on keeping the rope going over again after she has jumped over.







Jumping rope is one of my all time favorite activities. I, also, enjoyed playing Chinese jump rope in elementary school. I'm pretty sure I would cause severe bodily injury if I tried it these days.





:::::::::::::::::::::WHAT!? What's That You Say?
Easter is over! I didn't hear. Some dude bit my ears off!
















:::::::::::::::::::::Layouts With Designs by Dawn Inskip:::





My daughter, Eve, asked her dad to sidewalk chalk with her and he drew her a rainbow fish. She then started her own embellishments.





_{Dawn Inskip:
Embossed Alpha
Type Cast Alpha
Land of Make Believe
Midnight Diamonds
NDISB
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=6f749e8e3eef36755bd930bff3df535c
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43
Frames by Vanilla Hush
Darcy Baldwin: DJB LENA at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17789&cat=273&page=2}

::::::::::::::::::::::::Pinewood Derby Time:::::::

Noah designed a melting popsicle car. A Creamsicle to be more accurate:





I'll post more of the car tomorrow. It has had it's, initial, orange, shiny paint job, but Michael has to drill a spot for Noah to put in the popsicle stick. It is looking super groovy.


:::::::::::::::::Here is Jasper, The Ferret:::::
in his favorite, orange backpack:


Later, Gators! :)

What Does Noah and a Tillandsia Have in Common?

First you might ask what is a Tillandsia? It is a member of the Bromeliad family and gathers its moisture and nutrients from the air. Since Noah is so picky my guess is that he is actually a bromeliad that looks like a kid. Tricky little fellow! He refused to eat any breakfast because I was out of the thick slice bread, he has approved, for French toast. He did greedily gulp down 2 tablespoons of amoxicillian (creamsicle flavored...Rachel told me). My supposition of his true nature will one day be proven by a call from Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or a Call from The Discovery Channel.

::::::::::::::Iron Butterfly::::::::::

Many of you have heard of Iron Butterfly well, Noah made one:





Technically, it would be a magnetic butterfly.

It was really funny watching him fly his butterfly around the room. So simple and, yet, clever!

:::::::::::::::::::::::Some Layouts for Dawn Inskip's C.T.:::


This is my son sailing on a nasty piece of styrofoam found floating in the lake. He had a slight contact rash shortly afterward...go figure!


<sub>Credits: Dawn Inskip: Oh Boy kit at
NDISB http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=8433f041edf1f83bc895ef3f24ea2ebc
TTS http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43


Darcy Baldwin: DJB JAMIE, DJB LIZ, DJB CINDA at The Digichick http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=21


Jan Crowley: Comic Book Junkie



These are some tasty treats from my son's Pinewood Derby a few years ago. I just came across the photos. My daughter was a great helper putting things together.


Credits: Dawn Inskip: "Oh Boy" Kit NDISB, TTS, SSS
Luisa Leandro: at Sophia Sarducci.com
Darcy Baldwin: DJB DAWN at The Digichick
Kate Hadfield: Doodle Alpha
Miscellanous Font: CK Cursive</sub>

:::::::::::::::::::Recommendation Friday:::::::

Butter
(image from internet)

Alton Brown, from the Food Network, did a hilarious show making a case for the use of butter.
I have gone to only purchasing butter in the last 3 years. I prefer the tast and texture, and it doesn't make my lips breakout like margarine. Paula Deen might give me a big old hug for agreeing with her. I don't need a hug Paula...just pass a biscuit and a butter knife! ;)

::::::::::::Tomorrow IS.....

buy a new laptop for Michael day! His 'puter has a short and the batter won't keep a charge. I must also mention that Noah flung an unopened package with a toothbrush at Michael, so he would open it for him. The stiff packaging snapped off the key for the letter "a". Noah was in time out for 5 minutes for the throwing incident, then Michael went to type something and realized the damage to the laptop. Noah was in for another round of time out. I'm going to have to get that boy a bell like they use for a prize fight.

Y'all have a great weekend!

That Was Unexpected!

If you guessed that title had to do with Noah you have read my blog a few times. If you didn't know let me tell you about our trip to the doctor's office yesterday with a short regression, to clarify, to Sunday. Noah's substitute Primary teacher noticed he kept fiddling with his right ear. She said I needed to check that out. I asked Noah if it was bothering him and he replied that it was just itching. On Monday morning he came downstairs with a bit of a whimper saying his ear did hurt. I sent him to school with a note to inform the teacher I was going to make a doctor's appointment as soon as they opened and to keep him out of any activity that might hurt his ear, like physical education. I was able to make a sick visit appointment for 2:15pm. Since Michael had a dental cleaning appointment he got off work early and said he would pick Noah up at school. I called at 2:00pm. to have them notify the teacher. When Michael got to school Noah was at the neighboring high school watching a performance by the drama class. He wasn't back until 1:50pm and it takes a full 30 minutes, on a good day, to reach the clinic. I called and was able to get a new appointment at 5:15pm.

...at the doctor's office...

Noah had no fever, but when the doctor put the (*edited)otoscope in the ear canal Noah quickly, but gently moved the doctor's hand away. We new that his ear must be pretty sensitive. It appeared to be a middle ear infection and he asked if Noah had been swimming lately, but he had not.

...Now the LEFT ear...

the doctor said there appeared to be something SQUARE in Noah's ear canal. We asked him if it was a Lego and the doctor said a Lego would be too large. Noah denied having stuck anything in his ear. MIND YOU...this comes from a kid who stuck a rubber band up his nose (both nostrils) to see if it would fit. One side was fine, but it got stuck in the other...and GUESS WHAT...not even a Lego sword could pry it out. GO FIGURE. This is also the same kid who wrapped a cord from the wood blinds around his neck when he was 3 and jumped off the couch because he was being Superman. Luckily the blinds gave way and he was left with a slight rope burn for a couple of weeks.

...back to our story...

So the nurse is sent in to irrigate the ear canal. AH, the 3rd time was the charm. A little white square shaped object came out. The doctor returned to check what it was. He took wooden tongue depressor and mashed it. He said this is definitely not wax. It feels like rubber.

...The CONFESSION...MAYBE...

Noah then has an EPIPHANY..."Maybe it happened when I had an eraser stuck to my finger nail and I scratched my ear. Maybe."

The doctor said there appeared to be little bits of the eraser still in the ear, so he gave me a homemade recipe of water and baking soda to squirt in the ear each day to wash it out.

...Positive Outcome...

1. Noah can still hear...listening is different (as we all know)
2. We got to see Dr. Pugel's get photographs of his trip to the Mediterranean and some with his new macro lens hanging on the wall.
3. Noah gets to take amoxicillan in his favorite flavor...(this one is kind of weird)
4. Though our wallet is depleted by 45 dollars from the doctor visit and cost of pharmaceuticals we have a priceless Noah story to share. :)


:::::::::::::::Old Pictures...New Layout::::



Credits: Dawn Inskip at NDISB, TTS, SSS
Luisa Leandro at Sophia Sarducci

Darcy Baldwin: DJB DAWN at The Digichick
Kate Hadfield: Doodle Alpha
miscellanous font: CK Cursive

:::::::::::::::Ballet:::::::

Eve's recital is quickly approaching. She is very excited! If you are interested in attending please let me know and I will email the particulars. It is an evening performance, no cost.

Later gators...I must make waffles.

* This is too funny. Someone pointed out my error in using the term "Oscilloscope" for what was stuck in Noah's ear, when it should have been "Otoscope". Thanks for pointing that out and I won't show Noah because he might just want to stick that in his ear when we get the rest of the eraser bits out! :) Oh, and YOU do realize I'm NUTS! :)

Pinewood Derby

Noah enjoyed the Pinewood Derby, especially coming in second in one of the heats. I have yet to see the overall results for the day, but Noah had fun, so that's a winner.


_{background paper is Jaided, arrows and hardware by Kate Hadfield, Journal papers by Catrine, Frame by Rhonna Farrer, staples from Circus Kit by Sandra Boddington at Sweet Shoppe Designs, stars from A Beautiful Mess by Lisa Whitney, Date Stamp by Katie Pertiet, Font: Thoughts/Minya Nouvelle/Ash 94/Simon Script}

Michael sent this to me and I thought it was hilarious:Click me!

Over The Weekend

Michael, Aaron and the scouts from their troop went camping overnight at Stone Mountain. The boys enjoyed a venison roast. In the morning Bro. Heaton drove over and made the boys pancakes, which Aaron claimed to eat 5.

The next event of Saturday morning was Noah's first Pinewood Derby. He was hilarious when on one heat he joyously yelled, "I GOT SECOND PLACE! WOO HOO!" We were laughing because he was so excited about just finishing. The results were taking so long that we left before finding out Noah's placement in the race. I will upload the photos later today.

Our neighbor Karen loaned us this movie:



Michael and I really enjoyed the film. We both cried and laughed. I have enjoyed Jim Garner's performances since The Rockford Files and occasionally I get to see his older show Maverick, which is great, too. He was wonderful in Victor/Victoria. He has a great mixture of charisma, wisecracking and intelligence. He has always been easy on the eyes, too. In the film The Notebook his interaction with Gena Rowlands on all levels is amazing. I also liked Ryan Gosling's scene in the movie when he argues with Rachel McAdam's character, Ali, about why they belong together and how much he loves her. It has so much energy and honesty about how hard relationships can be and, at the same time, how much all the effort is worth.
We also borrowed Lady in the Water by M. Night Shamaylan. Michael liked it a bit better than I did. The concept I got out of it was that it was important to find out what is important about you and develop it. That everyone has something important to offer, but it isn't easy to figure out.

Time to start school for the day. See ya later!

Noah's Year in Review:

_{A Beautiful Mess kit by Lisa Whitney, Felt hat from Hollie Hats by Tiff Brady, brush hand from Weird is Wonderful by Maya, Amelie alpha by Sara Carling, Journaling paper by Catrine, "why?" brush by Jackie Eckles, "Brillant" stamp by Katie Pertiet, photo reel by Mandabean, flourished doodle by Ida at Catscraps, Arrow by Mirranda Reinhardt, doodle frame from New Growth Kit by Tia Bennett, paper tear by Fhung Lie in her Ultimate Tear kit, Dymo Label by Andrea Cox, Fonts: Blueprint/Pea Lis/Ash94/Waltograph/Pea Friend}

::::::::::Pine Wood Derby:::::::::::

Noah and Michael are going to work on Noah's car design tonight at one of the other Tiger cub's house.

::::::::::Great Recipe Book:::::::::



I love Paula's personality and her Southern recipes are divine!