Prepare for Awesomeness...

:::::::::::::::::Family Reunion Layout:::::

These photos are from last year, but I just finished the page. Here are Spencer and his parents:


_{Credits: Catrine's Explore Solids and doodles, Kate Hadfield's Doodle Frames and Heavy Duty Staples, and Spring Fling Collab (retired), Meredith Fenwick's Caution brushes, Something Blue Studios Teeny Tiny Alpha, Jenna Desai's Calendar brush, Font: Trashed}

:::::::::::::::Some Fun With Expressions of Life:::::::::





<sub>Credits: Dawn Inskip's Expressions of Life

New Beginnings

Weather Station

NDISB
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php...oducts_id=2864
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.co...oducts_id=1552
Scrapin Scandi Style
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/ind...acturers_id=43
Font: DJB DAWN by Darcy Baldwin @ www.thedigichick.com</sub>

::::::::::::::::::::Kung Fu Panda:::::


Michael and I took Aaron to see Kung Fu Panda on Saturday. What a goofy movie. I giggled and guffawed a lot. The scene with Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman's characters with the dumplings and chopsticks was hilarious. The opening monologue is a riot, too! Mantis and the acupuncture scene hurt my sides. Funny stuff! I enjoyed the message of the movie that there is no secret ingredient, but to believe in yourself.

Jack Black's timing makes me laugh. He reminds me of Robert Downey, Jr. with that wonderful bit of sarcastic wit that makes them endearing and clever. As Po says in the movie, "There is no charge for awesomeness." Oh, but they will make you pay to see the film, sorry!

:::::::::::::::Errands:::::::::::

I have a few things to do today, so take care, peeps! :)

Taste the Rainbow

::::::::::::::::Some Recent Layouts of Family Events:::::



<sub>Credits: Jacque Larsen and Rachel Young: Good Day Sunshine collab
Font: DJB Dawn/ Inspired by Template by Darcy Baldwin at www.thedigichick.com
Kate Hadfield's Doodle Frames
Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady's Wordy Bits Vacation



Credits: DJB Kira/ Inspired by template by Darcy Baldwin at www.thedigichick.com

May Collab kit for The Lily Pad featuring Amy Hutchinson, buttons by Kate Hadfield, painted art element by Natalie Braxton.

Emily and Angela Powers "Label It" alpha, and alpha from Art Nation Blossom kit

Date Stamp by Amber Clegg and circles by Jenna Desai


Credits: Jacque Larsen/Amber Clegg's Pocket Full of Sunshine
Jacque Larsen/Rachel Young's Good Day Sunshine
DJB Silje and DJB Sebastian

Credits: Jacque Larsen/Rachel Young's Good Day Sunshine
Jacque Larsen's Home Tweet Home
Natalie Braxton's Hoo Do You Love elements
DJB My Dear Marsha and DJB Sissy</sub>

::::::::::::::Pocketful of Sunshine::::::

I'm really enjoying a recent song by Natasha Bedingfield called "Pocketful of Sunshine".

::::::::::::::Cheeseburger in Paradise:::

I saw this funny thing in our local paper that allows you to dress up Jimmy Buffet. It's pretty funny.

Take Care! :)

Do They Have Decorating Personal Trainers?

If they don't already Eve is up for the task. The minute I brought her home from pre-school, yesterday, she was saying, "It's time to finish the cake." Repeated for 10 minutes until I gave in and pulled everything out and iced away.




For you cake afficionados I realize that there are several errors on the finished task, but half the battle is to know what needs to be fixed. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!).


::::::::::::::::::::::Make Him Laugh:::::::

Here is the first layout I've finished as a guest C.T. for SCARLETHEELSmedia:

Text: Noah used the old "pull your left leg over your shoulder trick" to get Spencer to laugh.
Then, Noah used the "make silly noises trick".


Credits:


Darcy Baldwin: DJB Kira at The Digichick
SCARLETHEELSmedia: Word It: Friendship an Funky Playground exclusive
Graphical Papers and Painted Nature at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Shabby Miss Jenn: staples from Old Letters lil kit


:::::::::::::::::Copernicus' Secret

I, thoroughly, enjoyed reading this presentation of Copernicus' life by Jack Repcheck. The flow was even through the book and never had the "dull" stigma of history biographies. The snippets of first hand documents was enough to reflect the attitudes of the times about which he was writing. Copernicus was a Canon in the Catholic church and an astronomer. This combination of religion and science remains a volatile combination to this day. Copernicus did not have a problem marrying the two, so to speak, because he found God in the perfection of the mathematics and design.
"In the preface Copernicus boldly asserts his theory that the earth moves around the sun, but he also states that the fear of being "hooted off the stage drome me to almost abandon a work already undertaken"." p. 168 I really like how Repcheck summed up Copernicus, "...it all started with one obscure man who lived in a backwater place, worked by himself with primitive instruments and labored as few had before him with no direct gain. He was an original..." p 196.

::::::::::::::::::::::::My Next Book::::::::::



I love Paula Deens laugh and her personality!

Smiles, Y'ALL!

Three Day Weekend

Here are a couple of layouts I completed using Shabby Miss Jenn's new Valentine inspired designs:




This is my sweet little nephew, Spencer. His personality and beautiful eyes just get you every time!
Shabby Miss Jenn: Love Shack, Frantically Folded (Trashed), staples from Old Letters Lil Kit
Jen Caputo: Torn paper template
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MANDY, DJB KIRSTY, DJB SUSANB1



This is my daughter, Evey, and she can turn it on or turn it off upon her whim.


Shabby Miss Jenn: Love Shack, Brackets Bright, Signature Alpha Uppercase, Signature Alpha lowercase
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MANDY

:::::::::::::::::::::::Three Day Weekend:::::::

Means visiting cousins and grandparents, so we will be running around later this afternoon. This weekend we are going to see Twelfth Night at Shakespeare's Tavern. It should be a lot of fun!

Later, gators!

Saturday is a Special Day...

...it's the day we get ready for Sunday!

Just wanted to throw in some primary lyrics.




My nephews and BIL. The little boys were both wearing onesies that said "Monkey Business" and they are such cute little guys.

Monkey Boys:


_{Chalk Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney
Rubberbands, Stitched Alpha, Doodle Alpha, Pirate Doodles, Animal Doodles by Kate Hadfield
Piled Higher by Christina Renee,
Torn Edge template by Jen Caputo
Font: DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Felt flower from TLP's Summer Collab kit (Natalie Braxton's piece)}

::::::::::::::Just When You Thought It Was Safe:::::

Niagara Falls, Layout 1~


_{Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab
Font: Stickybet / DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Travel brush stamp by Sande Krieger at Twopeasinabucket}


:::::::::::::::::::::::Devil's Advocate? ::::::::::::

While reading The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil by Philip Zimbardo the author made this observation:

"We had also experienced 'groupthink.' Once I, as leader, believed the rumor to be valid, everyone else accepted it as true. No one played devil's advocate, a figure that every group needs to avoid follish or even disastrous decisions like this." (p. 99)

My husband, Michael, plays devil's advocate in conversations. It often unnerves people because they think he is trying to start an argument. In actuality, he really enjoyed debate club as a teenager and likes to take the opposite position so that what ever topic is being discussed is seen by all possible angles. He doesn't necessarily subscribe to the point of view from which he is speaking. His point is to make the person espousing some particular view point to really understand why they believe what they are saying and be able to back it up. Even with the kids he will preface his responses with "I'm not trying to argue...but why do you think that. Or, what made you come to that conclusion?" He enjoys discussing politics, religion, astronomy, ecology, geology and sewing. He really likes to know what people think and he likes these conversations because it helps him better define what he thinks.

I thought this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon apropos:


:::::::::::::::Movie Today?::::

We are going to try and see the new Harry Potter film today, if possible.

Smiles!

Bridging:

Frame by Kellie Mize.

Rachel has moved up from the rank of Brownie to Junior in the Girl Scouts. Granny and Grandpa came for the the bridging ceremony. The girls were nervous to speak in front of the adults. The only down side to the event was the copious amounts of goose poop on the grounds around the lake where we were holding the ceremony.

We made sure everyone got a bath when we got home, which no one fussed about due to the goose situation.










<sub>Quote by Captain Crewe "I believe that you are...and always will be my Little Princess." from A Little Princess

Live for the Joy kit by Kay Miller Designs,
Ribbon Stitches and rivited ribbon by Natalie Braxton,
Flourish (modified) by Ida,
Faux Jewels by Shabby Princess,
Cluster Frames (modified) by Nancy Comelab</sub>

::::::::::::Aaron's Shutterfly Album::::::::


Frame by Gina Miller,
Book Cover: Space Doodles by Kate Hadfield,
Background paper by Jessica Sprague

::::::::::::::::::::::Spencer::::::::::::

My awesome nephew, Spencer, had his palate surgery a couple of days ago. He is doing well. His folks say he is getting pain reliever every 4 hours, but he needs it every 3.5 hours. Poor little guy!

::::::::::::::::::::::Librarians:::::::::

Do they have a hit list? If they don't, will they make one just for me? I have 179 video and book requests and they are all coming in. The librarians have to separate the dvd and the case until check out due to theft issues. I am surprised how quickly all of my requests came in. Their is a group of videos for earth science, comparative religion, the Middle Ages, Physical Science, and the ones Noah will be so psyched to get...Transformers on dvd. I thought it would be cool to do all the Transformer back history before the movie this summer. For Eve I requested the dvds for Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony. So it seems that I have most of them on hold. I wonder if I should send Michael to pick them up because one of the librarians thinks he is a hottie? Hmmmm...I'll have to weigh my options.

::::::::::::::Passionate Minds:::::::::::



This is my current personal reading book. Here is a synopsis from Amazon.

Brave Sir Spencer:

_{Best Medicine daily dose kit, Stitches 101, and brush frame from the Gratitude kit by Jen Wilson, Scibbly Alpha by Sandra Boddington, Bent Frame by Katie Pertiet, Hand Drawn Arrow by VHF, Paint Strokes from Gypsy Rose Kit by Michelle Coleman, Font: Tall Paul/Pea Jenny Script}

Text: As most everyone knows Spencer had his first Surgery last Tuesday. This one was to close his lip and form his nostril. Laura and I were both quite anxious about the surgery, and were somewhat unprepared for how dramatic the change was in our boy. The physical change might have been easier to handle if he hadn't come out of surgery in a completely altered state. This was due to the combination of anesthesia, pain, and the medicine to treat the pain. His voice (for lack of a better word) was completely changed, and in obvious distress.
Spencer healed quite quickly, he was off the narcotic pain killers by Saturday, and his personality had begun to return. Friday he had started smiling again, resembling the face everyone had already grown to love. As of Sunday, I think both Laura and I had gotten used to the change in his face. He is now almost completely off of the pain killers, and doing well.
by Marcus J. Taylor


:::::::::::::::::::Watching for This:::::::::




SanDisk SDMX3-2048 Sansa M250 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
SanDisk
This is my attempt to have something to listen to when I go walking...by myself...in a crowd. Michael supports my efforts for sanity, so he will kick me out of the house for a daily walk to, around and back home from the park.

Happy Born Day:

_{Birthday Boy kit and Doodle Arrows by Kate Hadfield, background paper by ClikChic Design Team, blue birds by Holly McCaig and Karla's Doodles}


::::::::::::::::Girls' Night Out::::::::::::
Michael freed me from the children for the evening, so I called up my mother and she agreed to accompany me to a dinner and a movie. We did a quick stop at Moe's, a psuedo Mexican fast food place, and grabbed some dinner. Then, we went to see Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. I love to be in the theatre in time to watch the previews for up coming movies and this is one I am really looking forward to seeing: Amazing Grace's movie site. The movie is about the British slave trade and the background to the song Amazing Grace. The cast and film look amazing! I plan to take Aaron and Rachel to see the film, too. Another intriguing preview was for the movie Fracture with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. Back to Music and Lyrics...


from the start of the film my mother and I were laughing. There is a wonderful and absurd 80's pop style video with Hugh Grant and 4 other guys as the band "POP". The clothes were hilarious and the acting was, appropriately, cheesy! Hugh Grant's quick quips and one liners just flow throughout the film. So, here are a few criteria you may want to use if you wonder about plunking down money for this flick:

1. Did you love MTV when they actually played Music Videos? (that would be in the late 80's)
2. You enjoy quick humor, a.k.a. one-liners
3. You love it when Drew Barrymore combines flaky character traits with brillance and sincerity
4. Ultimate death of plants by drowning doesn't turn you off.
5. You have a protective streak for musical instruments.
6. You need to laugh.

::::::::::::::::Surgery Day:::::::::::::

Spencer, my sweet nephew, is having his first surgery to repair is cleft lip, today. He will have an overnight stay at the hospital. I hope all goes well! It is nerve racking to have the surgery team come get your child. I remember it vividly from when Noah had to have surgery to repair his hydrocele.


::::::::::::::Empathy::::::::::
Noun: 1. Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives.

This morning as I was frantically getting Noah ready for school because he wanted to make sure the bathroom was clean (he had cleaned it very nicely before going to bed)and I broke my thumb nail. His shoes are a pain to wiggle on to his heal and the thumb nail sheered at a funky angle. I said, "Ouch! I broke my nail!" Noah replied, "I know how it is to break a nail. I have broken a nail before." It sounded so mature and I felt, momentarily, like I was in the presence of some self-help guru.


:::::::::::::::Camping Trip:::::::::::::::
Michael has the photos on his laptop, so as soon as he puts them on my computer I will show some photos of our frigid camping experience. Luckily, Michael made some awesome Dutch oven meals. He made chicken chili, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Silver turtles, which had hamburger, onions, potatoes and carrots.

Happy Birthday, DENNY!

My big brother's birthday is today! Yeah for Denny!


::::::Introducing King Spencer:


_{background from Bohochic by Michelle Coleman, Felt crown from Hollie Hats by Tiff Brady, Frame from Snapshot Frames by Rhonna Farrer, doodle scepter by Tia Bennett, Lable Brush by Michelle Coleman, sun doodle from the internet, Font: Black Adder ITC, Times New Roman, Porcelain}

My nephew, Spencer, is so adorable. He had a double ear infection last night, but he has such a mello personality we didn't realize he was sick. What a tough little dude!

The kids had fun playing with their cousins. They are all growing up so quickly and it is fascinating and bewildering to watch the process.

I really like how the children are, usually, unsuccessful at playing the aunts and uncles off against their respective parents. Every one respects the rules set up by the individual families, so if a child asks an adult, or an older child to help them with something from another family that person makes sure it is okay with the child's parents first. For example, we are trying to make sure Eve says please when she would like something. She wanted a brownie last night and I had related a story to my sister-in-laws about Eve's refusal to say please at home for a treat she wanted, which she never got because of her stubbornness. The other part to them keeping her from having the brownie was their positive encouragement to all the other children and adults who asked politely. Eve finally caved to the positive peer pressure and said please and Aunt Laura happily gave her a big brownie, while Aunt Shelene and I congratulated Eve on her good choice.

I'm off...to pick up Aaron from his friend Jacob's house, then on to Denny's party.

All Things Are Possible, Pass the Word!

Lisa Whitney's Beautiful Mess kit, and Linda GB's Star Bazar Kit, Font: Typeset/Teacher Kim

Snug as a bug

My new nephew, Spencer, swaddled on his dad's tummy.



_{A Golden Afternoon Kit by Sandra Boddington at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Fonts:: Cathy/Book Antiqua/Artistamp Medium/Quiggly Wiggly
Miscellaneous:: note paper from Something Blue kit by Sharon Kenearly from her blog, Staples by Sandra Boddington from her Circus Train Kit.
Inked edge from Scrap Artist's Carefree kit.}

One of My Nephew's and Check Out Eve's Knees:

_{Background paper: Water Color by Susan Long,
Fall Doodles from Ida at Catscraps,
strip of kraft paper from Sandra Boddington's Paisley Kit at Sweet Shoppe Designs,
Date Stamp Vol. 3 by Katie Pertiet,
Inked Edge by Robin Cabana,
Torn Paper from Fhunglie's Ultimate Torn Paper Pack
Snap Frames by Rhonna Farrer}

::::::::::::::Eve's Knees:::::::::::::




I suppose this cuts Eve out as a future leg model!??!


:::::::::::::::::::Science Rules:::::::::::::

The Science Discover Museum

This is where Noah wants our whole family to go. He was playing www.pbskids.org and on the Curious George page they had some cool videos that included children playing at this museum. He looked back and asked me how far away it was from our house and I said about 3,000 miles. So, Noah asked how much 6 plane tickets would cost. I said it would be pricey, but we would try to go in a few years. Michael said he would put it on our future itinerary.

Spencer Pages:

<sub>Papers, tag and doodles by Fee Jardine in her baby boy workshop forum, paper tear by Fhunglie's Ultimate Torn Pack, Fonts: Occidental, Stan's Hand


Papers and ribbon from Fee Jardine's baby boy workshop forum, movie items by Tabby Lewis from her blog, Felt star freebie from Holly McCaig, word blocks and inked edge from Studio Chic by Shabby Princess, White inked edge by Robin Cabana, Font: Chalkdust


papers, alpha and staples from Fee Jardine's baby boy workshop forum, paper tear from Fhunglies Ultimate Torn Pack, clock brush by Happy Robyn, Font: Artistamp Medium</sub>

X-9 Fireball and sweet Spencer:

This is a photo intensive post and I may edit this later today if I can get some layouts finished:


Noah loved learning to sand his boat and was excited to paint it, too!

This is Noah's cool dragon sail.




Sooooo close!

Aaron had the hang of the correct angle and blowing pressure right away!










:::::::::::::::::::::::Sweet Spencer:::::::::::::::::::











Marcus talks to Eve about patting Spencer's head gently.

Where is that cord?

Well, I have pictures of Spencer and the Rain Gutter Regatta...on the camera. Michael has misplaced the uplink cable. I will try to get some photos up tomorrow.

:::::::::::::The Rain Gutter Regatta:::::::::::

The only mild fiasco of the evening was the rain gutters weren't sealed when the leader poured water into the gutters. Nothing like a quick trip to the hardware store for some quick sealing caulk material to get the heart a pumpin'!

This was only a hiccup in the grand scheme of things. The boys all did a great job on their boat designs. Noah's was green with a sort of flame job and a dragon on the sail. He was quite sure of speedy victory. I suppose he hasn't read about the superstition of sailing men which goes that if you announce your victory before it has been won you tempt fate and will most likely be defeated. It is merely a superstition among sailors, but this night we weren't to prove it false. Noah lost both of his heats. He is a rather forceful blower and that sent his sail side ways and he could never get the hang of slow gentle blowing.

There was little plastic medallions for the boys (Noah wanted metal...there is no pleasing this kid...trust me)!

::::::::::::::::SPENCER:::::::::::::::::

After the Regatta we called to see if it was okay to visit Spencer and his parents at the hospital. They said sure so we loaded the Queen Victoria family truckster and brought our rambuctious crew to meet their new cousin. Spencer is a sweet and mello baby...so far. I can't vouch for future behavior, but he was a doll while we were there. Rachel was so excited to hold him and so was Aaron. Eve was shy and Noah was being a loud mouth. (Can you tell he was getting on my nerves?!?)
Spencer's little head was full of handsome dark hair and he had the cutest little round head. He also has a cleft lip and palate, so I was interested on how to bottle feed him. Marcus had mastered the feeding part and was a great teacher for anyone who wanted to learn the method. Eve wondered why his face was different and we explained that Spencer was fine, but just needed a couple of things sewed up. This had to be explained to Noah, nicely at first, then a bit more sternly in the hall because he didn't seem to get it.

I got to change Spencer's diaper. I know most people hate that part, but I feel it is a cool thing because you are able to help a sweet baby be comfortable again after a bit of a nasty experience. I can only imagine that babies simply can't figure out why the end opposite their head explodes every once in a while...and "hey, can't somebody get that nasty stuff off me?" Projecting...I know!

::::::::::::::::CHIMNEY:::::::::::::::

My dad made a lot of progress on the chimney yesterday. One of our neighbors, Art, came up to offer my dad any assistance should he have something heavy to lift. Art also commented that he liked the new house color and then realized it was just the primer color that is put on the Hardiplank. I laughed because I like the primer color, too!

I got to help dad by using the wire brush attachement on his drill to sand the rust of the chase that goes on top of the chimney. I really enjoyed cleaning that thing.

While my dad worked on the house I worked on pulling wild raspberry vines and trimming edges. My dad brought his gas powered weed eater. Boy, I like power tools and lawn equipment.

::::::::::::HIGHLAND GAMES:::::::::::

Mom and Aaron are going to the Highland Games today and Aaron really likes watching the games. I hope they have a good time.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome, Spencer!

My new nephew is here! I'll post photos soon:


_{Circus Train kit by Sandra Boddington,
Star doodle by Ida,
Notebook paper by Tia Bennett,
Clock by Happy Robyn,
Postcard by Kristy Ann Nerness
Font: Panchanka Px, Mama Script, Stamped Dsg, Artistamp Medium}

::::::::::::::::
I'm off to the Rain Gutter Regatta...photos later!