Happy Birthday, Noah!

_{Yellow background by Amy Wolff, doodles by Kate Hadfield, staple by Michelle Coleman, and tag from Welli Designs at wedoscrap}

::::::::::::Ocean's of Fun::::::::::





Text: A Tuna Fish that can't carry a tune? A Star Fish that can't get an acting job? A seven-legged Octopus? A Zebra Fish with spots? Join in the aquatic fun as little Tiger Shark and his unique collection of friends discover how their differences make them each special.

STAY BACK! STAY BACK!
STAY BACK from Great White! We guard him all day! We guard him all night!

Noah was a swordfish guard in his First grade production of Oceans of Fun". Dad, Aaron, Eve and Mom were in attendance.

Song: "We're Sharks! Leaving our marks!"

Summer Collab Kit at The Lily Pad,
Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab,
Pirate Doodles and Musical Doodles by Kate Hadfield,
Thought bubble, arrow doodle and wave doodle from Dear Diary By Erica Hite,
Orange fish doodle by Pascaline,
Font: Farrah/ Mia's Scribbling/ Susie's Hand




Mom, Michael, the kids and I went to see the first showing of the morning for Shrek 3 on Saturday. The animation was spectacular. My favorite part, visually, was the wet fur on Puss and Donkey. The sub plots are always a lot of fun giving layers on meaning to this humorous adventure. I think my right and left lobes of my brain got all twisted up during a scene with Pinocchio! I think the visual homage to The Bionic Man with "Gingy" the Gingerbread Man was a hilarious! Prince Charming in his 80's leg warmers made me think of Fame. Eric Idle voicing a Birkenstock wearing Merlin was so perfect. The writers and artists seem like they grew up with me and watched the same shows, so the jokes seem crafted for me, but my kids got it on the physical comedy level. The soundtrack for the film also reminded me of some of my favorite 70's and 80's artists. The kids loved Snow White's sweet singing changing to the primal scream of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song".

Since we joke about Noah being all thumbs we will use a Noah rating system for the film today and give it 10 THUMBS UP!

::::::::::::::::::::Noah's Bowling Party::::::::::

We took Noah Cosmic bowling for his party. Noah, Granny Alice, Rachel, Carson, James, and Hayden played on the bumper lanes, while Michael, Aaron and I bowled on a regular lane. Aaron beat us both times. Noah's favorite gift was an "Omnitrix" from Granny and Grandpa Towhey, which is from the show Ben 10 on Cartoonnetwork. The Omnitrix allows the wearer to turn into one of 10 different aliens. Michael and I bought him a digital camera that we found on clearance at Wolf camera. It is a Canon with large controls, so we thought that would be easier for his little hands. He got a couple of Ben 10 action figures and some fun planet stickers for his walls. Granny Alice got him a voice changer, little pump rocket, a swimsuit and beach towel. We had a cookie cake with an alien on it that Noah didn't want to eat. He just wasn't interested. Everyone else enjoyed their pieces of cake (Eve licked the icing off her).

:::::::::::::::::::::Ninja Warrior:::::::

After the party we went to my parent's house and watched t.v. The one show we all liked was Ninja Warrior. The obstacles were pretty cool and each contestant had us rooting for them because we were amazed that they would try this stuff. The most dizzying was a barrel roll down an incline. The other interesting aspect to the show was that no one actually has to win. Another thing is the number of people who keep trying.

:::::::::::::::::::::Sunday:::::::::

Leading music was kinda crazy on Sunday. Michael made the comment that it was like all of the kids were on crack. They were all squirmy and chattery, and the older boys were literally bouncing off the walls.

We went to my Dad's house after Church and showed them my Shutterfly books and had a yummy lunch. Alice had made sweet potatoes, pinto beans with okra, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, turkey breast. My dad just got back from his second trip to Liberia on a mission trip for his church. He leaves today for North Carolina where he will be helping re-build a house for a blind lady. Later on in the Summer he and Alice will both go to Montana to help out with service there and to do some sight-seeing.

Then, we had family home evening on the opposite side of the highway in McDonough...(pronounced "McDonna" *thanks for the translation Donny and Kim :). Again, I showed off my various Shutterfly books. The kids were thoroughly filthy from playing with the dogs in the back yard and just playing around. They had a lot of fun playing with their cousins.

The kids were exhausted when we got home, but they were dirty so they all got a bath. I thought Rachel was going to disintegrate into a puddle of estrogen because she was so tired. I helped her wash her hair while she soaped herself up and rinsed. No time to read just prayers and sleep.

:::::::::::::::::::Finishing Slideshow today:::::::::

I'm finishing up the slideshow project today. I have to design the cd cover and burn it with the lightscribe printer, then create the dvd cover. Unfortunately, my color ink is running out and I can't find a replacement. I need to check a couple more stores today.

Smiles!

Celebration Time is Here! Weekend...

If the day doesn't bring you a rainbow see if you can find a six-year old to create one for you.



_{Background paper from Canvas of Color by Gina Miller, Glitter Scalloped edge by Gina Miller, Rainbow Felt by Tiff Brady, Green arrow doodle from Dear Diary by Erica Hite, Nessa Alpha by Erica Hite, Doodle Frame with green by Kate Hadfield, Doodle Frame from Chalked Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney, Say It journaling blocks by Dani Mogstad, Font: Jane Austen/ Sketchy}

This is the last of Noah's Mother's Day Art Collection.

::::::::::::::::::So, What Happened to the Chicken? ::::::::



_{Chicken is from Happy Easter by Studio Sausan at Scrapbookgraphics}


This infamous question is asked by Michael before family reading time. The question is always directed at Noah who has biblionarcolepsy (falls asleep when a book is being read to him). Noah hasn't fallen for it yet. I filled him in on the last two chapters he missed in our current book, The Sisters Grimm, The Fairy Tale Detectives, because he had fallen asleep and the others begged to forge ahead without him. Noah was actually awake last night and working on his current Bionicle creation, when Michael asked one of his silly chicken questions. Noah rolled his eyes and said "There was no chicken!" The older kids are beginning to add an entire sub plot to the story about this chicken. There is something really great about families and their inside jokes.

:::::::::::::::Inventor Day::::::::

Aaron and I watched shows on Inventors as a part of our day. We learned about: Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, James Watt, Louis Pasteur, The Wright Brothers and Eli Whitney. Aaron was fascinated that all of these men were proficient at things at his age. I wonder if that message will sink in?


::::::::::::::Acting Debut:::::::::

Noah is a swordfish guard in his first grade production of "Go Fish". He has one line and he is sooooo excited.

::::::::::::::Vacation Plans:::::::

There are so many things to see on our route to Niagara Falls. Our planned detours should be a lot of fun. We are using Frommer's Guide and Fodor's to get the information about local spots and suggestions from ladies at Digishoptalk. When we stop in New York City I considered finding the kids an inexpensive Broadway show and Blue Man Group: Tubes looked really cool, but the ticket prices I found were $78.00 each. I wonder if they come cheaper than that? The guide gives approximate hotdog stand and pizza by the slice prices that seem reasonable. The ladies at Digishoptalk said we need to go to Serendipity's for a Frozen Hot Chocolate. I looked it up and boy that place made me gain five pounds from reading the menu.
Our current goal is finding a good value motel that we can park our car, grab a shower and easy access to Manhattan.
I'm enjoying reading about the myriad of sites going North. I hope we can structure our itinerary enough that when we want to be spontaneous we can. (This really does make sense!)

Smiles!

Mementos:

Noah created this artwork just for me! He was very protective of the painting and was upset when I glanced at it before Mother's Day. After several minutes of consoling his tender feelings I was able to convince him that I could forget what it looked like exactly. I was, Happily, surprised on Sunday when my sweet son gave me this painting of a clown. The hands are extra special because they are his traced hands. The hands are also his and my favorite color, green.
Thank you, Noah, for my Mother's Day present!

_{Sande Krieger's French Laundry Papers, Coasters, and Alpha, Borderlines 2 Rhonna Farrer's Snapshot Frames and Paint Strokes, Tia Bennett's Joined at the Hip kit. Font: Mia's Scribblings}

::::::::::::::::Epcot Bands::::::::

We really enjoyed the music at Epcot, especially Off Kilter in the Canadian Pavillion. Some of our other highly recommended music stops are Mo Rocka, the Mariachi band is fabulous, and Mazuriza (or Masuriza).



_{Doodle Frame and Music Doodles by Kate Hadfield, Font: DB Michael}

::::::::::::::::::::Insight::::::::::

Michael's blog can give you a little insight on our family and our particular weirdness.


:::::::::::::::::::It's Shaping Up:::::::::

to be a buzy weekend. Aaron has the end of the season bowling party this Friday. It will be 9 pins, no tap, which means if you knock down 9 pins it counts as a strike. We are taking Noah Cosmic Bowling for his birthday. Sunday is a big Family Home Evening with Michael's family. It is supposed to be a picnic outside with lots of different salads.

Now, to run and rustle up the children for some grub! *( just had to share this quirky thought: If I was a beetle and I had to wake my kids, then I would be rustling up the grub for some food....Hmmm?!?)

BACK TO YOUR LIVES, CITIZENS!

It's Always Somethin' :

:::::::::::::::::::Noah's Nasty Injury:::::::



Text: Noah came home from school with his hands cupped in front of him. He had a slight simian pose. I asked him what happened as I looked at the palms of his hands. He said he had been playing on the monkeybars and was only one bar from the end. He said his hands felt hot, so he looked at them and they were blistered. The teacher sent him to the clinic where they put a cold compress on his palms. She gave him a bunch of bandaids, but he doesn't want anything on his hands at all!

Chalk Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney,
Doodle frame and Zoo animals by Kate Hadfield,
Punch alpha by the Powers Sisters,
Notebook Alpha by Ash Scraps,
Date Stamp by Amber Clegg,
Cardboard tear and flip by Linda Gil Bildal,
The Ultimate Tear pack by Fhung Lie,
Fonts: Laundromat 1967/ Farrah/ Bulky Refuse Type



::::::::::::::::::More Bridging Layouts:::::



_{background paper from Little Day (QOTC) by Sausan, painted overlay by the Powers Sisters, felt flowers by Natalie Braxton from the Summer Collab kit at the Lily Pad, Chalked Full of fun kit by Lisa Whitney, measturing tape from the En Vogue kit at Scrap Artist, Staple from Softly Softly by KSharonKFont: Tk Doodle, CK Love Note, Jayne Print.}Granny and Grandpa Towhey are your biggest fans! They make sure to come to all the important events in your life. They invite you to do things with them and are eager for you to be a part of their lives. You bring them...



_{background paper from Little Day (QOTC) by Sausan, Chip alpha from the Summer Collab kit at the Lily Pad by Audrey Neal, Cluster Frames (modified) by Nancy Comelab, Black punched alpha by the Powers Sister, Chalked Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney}

::::::::::::::::::::::My Funny Brother-in-Law:::

Stephen sent me this link:
Think Geek. He knows us all too well!

::::::::::::::::::::::Comparative Religion Day::::::::

Was yesterday for Aaron's homeschool class. We had videos that introduced Buddism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity and the concept of religion. It was interesting to see the different symbols of each religion and the significance attributed to each.

Tagged Tuesday:

I was tagged by my digi pal Julie P., so here goes.
The rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question...
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!
Your Name: babyofmine
1. Famous Singer/Band: Vedder, Eddie
2. 4 letter word: Vest
3. Street: Victoria St.
4. Color: Vermillion
5. Gifts/Presents:
6. Vehicle: Buick
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop:
8. Boy Name: Vernon
9. Girl Name: Valerie
10. Movie Title: Vacation
11. Drink: Vermouth
12. Occupation: Veterinarian
13. Flower: Vanilla
14. Celebrity: Viveca Lindfors
15. Magazine: Veterans
16. U.S. City: Valhalla
17. Pro Sports Teams: Vikings
18. Fruit: ?
19. Reason for Being Late for Work: Vexed at sleeping in.
20. Something You Throw Away: Vacuum
21. Things You Shout: "Varmint"!
22. Cartoon Character: Veronica (from the Archie and Jughead Comics)


::::::::::::::::Just When You Thought You Were Safe:::::::::

Two more Shutterfly Albums came in yesterday:


<sub>Doodlebird by Meredith Fenwick, Crayon Doodles by Ida, Background paper by Rhonna Farrer, City Limits Doodle by Andrea Burns, Glassy blue brads from Movin' On by Sandra Boddington at Scrapbookgraphics, Glitter swirl from Michelle Coleman's Birthday Elements, Weather Doodle and Birthday Girl Doodle by Kate Hadfield, Font: Tk doodle by Taran Conyers, The "rose colored glasses" were from the letter "g" in 2Peas DW Summer Fun, Journal paper From Just Need to Write My Thoughts by Lauren Grier



Papers and brushes from Peachy Keen by Rhonna Farrer, Font: Jane Austen/ Hello Sark</sub>


:::::::::::::::::::My Knight in Shinging Armor:::::::

rode up on his steely grey iron horse and fixed my tire. Aaron, Evey and I went to the library to deal with my crazy dvd requesting situation. We were there about an hour and a half. The librarians were kind enough to explain some nuances of the library system to me. For example, now I know how to use the suspended request and my list functions to delay my requests, while maintaining them in an accessible form. I did end of checking out the collections on religion for kids for a comparative religion study I'm doing today, Inventors, several Eyewitness films, and a series for health on the human body. For Noah I checked out all the movies on the Transformers so we can get steeped in Transformer history for the upcoming movie. For Evey I checked out a couple of My Little Pony movies, Angelina Ballerina and Strawberry Shortcake. Rachel really likes the Eyewitness stuff, so everyone was covered.

Sooooo, we walk out and deposit the 3 plastic grocery bags and one armful of videos into the car and I noticed the front tire was flat. We were already running late for our end of the year party for Homeschool run club, but I didn't want to drive on it and bend the rim. We went back in and the librarians let Aaron call Michael at work. He took the rest of the day off and came to get us. He said I had enough air in the tire to drive the short mile home. We grabbed the stuff for run club from my car and all of us went to the park for the party.

The got to eat pizza and snacks, while the kids had a squirt gun fight on the lawn. Eve, Michael and I stayed dry and ate strawberries and brownies. The squirt gun fight was halted long enough for Aaron and the other children to recieve trophies and awards for participating the the Presidental Fitness program. Then, back to another half hour of maniac squirting.

When we got home Michael found the problem with my tire. I had run over a nasty old screw. He put a plug in the tire and filled it with air. I need two new front tires anyway since my car is front wheel drive the tires loose tread much quicker in the front than the rear.

::::::::::::::::::::A Good Knight's Work::::::::

is never done! Michael took a quick shower then went off to his scheduled apheresis appointment at the Red Cross. They accidentally missed his vein in his right arm and the fluid created a golf ball sized swelling. He called their attention to it and they fixed the problem. OUCH! He watched Mission Impossible 3, which he said was awful, while he gave platelets.

::::::::::::::::::::New Suit:::::::::::

I took the girls to Target and the grocery store, while the boys watched Transformers. Eve informed me that she liked my flip flops and it didn't bother her to have the strap between her toes anymore, and she wanted some right now. Rachel needed another swimsuit, so we picked up one for her. It is a light robin's egg blue and brown with a hibiscus pattern. It is 3 pieces, so she can get to the restroom quickly. She will wear the surf shirt with the bottom piece and the bikini top will stay in the drawer to pair it up when she grows out of it. On Saturday, Michael and I picked up a tankini for Eve. It is pink with a hibiscus pattern. The surf shirt and shorts look adorable.

::::::::::::::::::::This is hilarious::::::::

A great digi-gal, Carol, is participating in an amazing challenge about things that never really happened.Carol's blog. Her layout is so funny. I'm going to have to try this bit of nuttiness!

::::::::::::::::::::Jaw Dropping Amazing::::::::

Dream House post by Sande Krieger is BRILLIANT! She has crafted an intricate home symbolizing some of the wonderful aspects of her family. I am in AWE!

Monday, Monday...

so good to me. (Mamas & the Papas).

I hope y'all had a marvelous Mother's Day! I started the day nervous because I had to lead the Primary Children singing in the Chapel for all the moms and grandmas. The pianist started a bit early because she couldn't see her own granddaughter walking along the front. There were too many tall kids in her line of sight to me, but we were only a couple of beats behind and caught up. The second song about grandmother was adorable and the kids remembered to pause. I must have been a bit distracting because I was on the middle pew four rows back, so the kids would be able to see me. I was swayin' and gesticulating (some people who lead music call it "conducting" from what I hear)! All in all...SUCCESS!

After Church we watched a Disney movie called "Hot Lead and Cold Feet" with Jim Dale who also narrates the Harry Potter book series. Then, I went and fell asleep for a 2 hour nap. BLISS!

During the movie I created this layout:



_{background paper from Little Day (QOTC) by Sausan, Mixed flower element from Collectibles 1 by Sausan, Squiggle Fleurs by Jen Wilson, Cardboard border by Amanda Rockwell, Doodle Alpha by Kate Hadfield}

::::::::::::::::Vacation Plans:::::::::

Coming together. We have a gentlemen in our ward who lived in Pennsylvania and told us to go the Shady Maple when we get to Lancaster for a wonderful Amish experience.

I have to go feed the Thundering Heard!

Happy Mother's Day!

_{Seasonal Sampler by Shabby Princess, Fonts: DJB JEN, Jane Austen}

Never with the Times:

You have entered Victoria's Time Machine, again! Since I don't scrap chronologically you never know what will pop up. These are layouts I, recently, created for our 2005 vacation:



<sub>Staples from Softly Softly by KSHARONK, Font: DB Michael


Spring Break paper by Dani Mogstad, Alpha Doodles by Kate Hadfield, Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab, Date Stamp by Amber Clegg, Font: DB Michael</sub>


::::::::::::::::::::Vacation Ideas for 2007:::::::::::

We are hoping to do several things as we take our family North for the first time. Here are some of our beginning ideas:
Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson)

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

We are hoping to stay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a couple of days to see things such as The Liberty Bell and Indepence Hall. Michael wants us to try "whatta ice", which some people pronounce as Water Ice. This stuff is supposed to be refreshing with bits of fruit. We will also pick up a Philly Cheese Steak, which you simply order as a "Cheese wit" (with onions), or a "Cheese wit out" (no onions).

New York: Central Park, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, a baseball game at Yankee Stadium.

Then, drive over to Niagara Falls and take a Maid of the Mist tour and go over to Canada.

On the way back go through Amish country.

We are in the early planning stages, so we hope to finalize plans in two weeks.

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.

Stone Mountain Sweet Gum:

_{Background paper from Oil Papers by Gina Miller, Really Big Ribbon by Natalie Braxton, Vintage Frames by Nancy Comelab, Borderline doodle by Sande Krieger, Chocolate Notepapers by Anna Benjamin at Paper_Moons, Thought bubble from Ceres kit by Jackie Eckles, Fonts: Cats, Typical Writer, DB Michael, Date Stamp by Katie Pertiet, Botanical brushes from internet, staples by Jenn Patrick}
Text:
Stone Mountain Sweet Gum:
Pioneers once peeled the bark and scraped the resin-like solid to produce chewing gum.
The bark of this species of Sweet Gum tree is mottled with a variety of colors. The colors of this Stone Mountain Sweet Gum attracts both male and female Homo sapiens. Once attracted to the tree's bark the Homo sapiens deposit a wad of fresh gum to the tree's exterior, thus protecting it from the elements.


::::::::::::::::::::Music Maven::::::::

Eve and I had the opportunity to spend time together on our drive to her check up and she offered her opinion on the tunes we were listening to on the radio. The first song on our journey was by Evanesence called "My Immortal".
Eve asked, "Did someone die?" (Echo from the other day).
"I don't know." (I reach to change the channel).
"Don't change it. I like it!"

The next song was by a group called The Killers. The song is called "Somebody Told Me". She told me to turn it up, up, up!

By the time we got half way to the appointment The Police song "Roxanne" came on the radio. Eve asked, "What is he saying?"
I replied, "Roxanne."
Eve: I don't like it! Turn it off!

Eve also came up with her own song this evening:

"I want to be like my mommy!
I want to go camping!
I want to be like my mommy!
I want to send e-mails!"

(She was wearing panties at the time, so my guess is that she won't make it in pop music...good thing!)

The New Family Reading Book is:

Here is a link to the website for theSisters Grimm.

This series was recommended to me by my friend Kim and is rather good at letting me know about great books. We are only through a chapter and a half and the kids want me to keep reading. Noah insisted that he didnt' fall asleep during the attack of the pixies, so I would keep reading. I told him that we would pick up reading where he left off tomorrow night.
The characters already show the menacing edge that you see when you read about the Baudelaire orphans and the crazy folks that would be their "guardians" in A Series of Unfortunate Events. The book also has the Sisters Grimm parentless, which drives Michael kinda nuts. This is our second orphan book in a row, too. Anyway, the book has a rich history from which to mine its characters. The creative possibilites are endless and it appears Micheal Buckley has done a superb job. Here is a review bySondra Eklund.



:::::::::::::::::::Check-up:::::::::

Eve goes to Dr. Maron for a check-up on her gum where he had to pull her tooth last week. She loves to see him, so the visit should go well.


:::::::::::::::::::Hand of Death::::

an explanation on this term as it pertains to Rachel. Unfortunately, for the tadfrogs and Rachel, the two tadfrogs she picked up to get a closer look died shortly after being held. Rachel was devastated by the turn of events. She decided to add a spider and a worm to another terrarium to find that both were dead when she got home from school. I hope she uses this as an opportunity to learn about species in their own habitats.

::::::::::::::::::::Noah's Question of the Day::::::::

When was Bubble Wrap invented? Well, here is the scoop on that: Bubble Wrap website.



Do you want to relieve some stress? Try this: Click ME!



Smiles!

But Wait, There's More...

Here are two more 8x8 Shutterfly books I recieved yesterday:


Heart doodle by Lisa Whitney,
Alpha by Sausan,
Zoo Doodles by Kate Hadfield,
Flourish by Erica Hite,
Paws (modified) by Rhonna Farrer


Photo frame by Erica Hite, Doodles by Maya, Susan Long and Lisa Dozier. Background paper and journal block from Tiffany kit by Misty Mareda, Alpha by Rhonna Farrer, Borderlines by Sande Krieger, Crown by CBaumann, Whimsical word blocks by Hope Wallace


Pages from a couple of the albums:

At Magic Kingdom the kids loved to pretend to be captured by Zurg. Then they had their photo taken with Pleekly from the movie "Lilo and Stitch".

Crime Scene tape from Mary Fran's Who Done It,
Arrows and Stitched Alpha by Kate Hadfield,
Color Me Funky by Gina Miller and Kate Hadfield,
Doodle Frames by Erica Hite,
Date Stamp by Amber Clegg,
Font: DB Michael by Darcy


Folded fabric template by Fhung Lie, papers from Spring Break by Dani Mogstad, Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab.



Vintage frame by Katie Pertiet, Journal paper by Catrine, Cardboard fold by Linda Gil Bildal, Doodle Alpha by Kate Hadfield.


::::::::::::::Noahism of the Day::::::::::::

To put this in context Noah and Rachel were playing a game from the Chicken Little movie dvd that had them answer multiple choice questions. Noah would insist that he knew the correct answer, so Rachel would select it and press enter. The answer was usually wrong, then she would grasp his head and give him a knuggie (sp?). She walked into the kitchen muttering in frustration and Noah took over the remote control. Then, Noah says matter of factly, "Stop Rach! If you were my age you would be just as lame!"

It Finally Came!

I finally received Rachel's book that was misrouted to New Jersey:




_{Photo frame by Erica Hite, Doodles by Maya, Susan Long and Lisa Dozier. Background paper and journal block from Tiffany kit by Misty Mareda, Alpha by Rhonna Farrer, Borderlines by Sande Krieger, Crown by CBaumann, Whimsical word blocks by Hope Wallace}

The joke about the cover of this vacation book is that we usually get pulled over:


_{Vehicle Doodles and Stitched Alpha by Kate Hadfield, Houses (modied with paint) are Kritzels by Sausan, Journaling block by Lauren Grier}

Here is one of the tadfrogs in Rachel's hand (I like to call it the hand of death, but don't tell Rachel!)



::::::::::::::::Frozen Lettuce:::::::::

Michael decided to do an impromptu experiment with the lettuce I froze to feed the tadpoles. He grabbed the lettuce and invited Rachel and Noah watch him lob the lettuce into the air. The lettuce, thanks to gravity, came smashing in lots of pieces all over the concrete. Done repeatedly it creates lots of little pieces of lettuce. AHHH! The joy of science!


::::::::::::::::::Good For Some Laughs::::::::

Here is a link to a crazy cartoon site Web Cartoon

My Own Particular Idiom:

Excerpt from Monty Python and the Holy Grail:
Sir Lancelot: No, no, sweet Concorde! Stay here! I will send help as
soon as I have accomplished a daring and heroic rescue in my own
particular... (sigh)
CONCORDE: Idiom, sir?
Sir Lancelot: Idiom!

****I love the word and concept of "idiom".




<sub>I was just having fun with idioms!

Background paper from Midnight in the Garden by Kay Miller,
Mermaid by Mo Jackson,
Space Doodles, Stitched Number and Pirate Doodles by Kate Hadfield,
Fonts: Piracy, Sketchy, Texas Hero, CK Good Point</sub>

New Layouts of 2003 Vacation:

Here are some layouts I completed for a vacation album from 2003:
*(I will edit tomorrow with the credits for each layout).



<sub>Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab, Painted Flowers by Lisa Whitney, Scalloped Edge from Simply Irresistable by Gina Cabrera, Weather Doodle by Kate Hadfield, Snapshot frame by Rhonna Farrer


Giddy Up kit by Mary Fran, Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab, metal and doodle flowers by Kate Hadfield, Journal papers by Catrine, and Hardware Doodles by Kate Hadfield



Cardboard overlay by Linda Gil Bildal, Kraft paper by Gina Cabrera, Arrow and Hardware doodles by Kate Hadfield, Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab


Vintage frames by Katie Pertiet and Nancy Comelab, Stitched Flowers by Natalie Braxton, Gratitude paper by Jen Wilson, postcard by Christine Honsinger</sub>







*************Movie Review for Spiderman 3************

The movie was pretty good, but could have edited out about 20 minutes of character development for Peter's turn to the proverbial dark side. More time put on the symbiot from space would have served better. The cgi folks did a great job on styling Venom. The Sandman story was interesting, but again I think the third story would have been far more interesting had the pulled in the story of Dr. Connors, the one-armed, research professor. Dr. Connors has been in all 3 movies and we have a bit of background on his relationship with Peter Parker. If you haven't read anything about Dr. Connors he is doing research on regenerating limbs by using his invention "the recombinator" and experimental lab lizards. In a "surprising" turn of events he uses the recominator on himself to regrow his missing arm only to be turned into.....(shock and surprise) a lizard man monster guy thing. See, I told you this story is much more interesting!

The funniest part of the movie had to do with the recurring cameos of Sam Raimi's friend Bruce Campbell. He add the perfect bit of levity.

Overall, the film was adequate and I will have to simply use my imagination to replace the bits I would have changed.

WARNING! This Post Contains Talk of...

CHOCOLATE!

Yes, I am enabling you today! As Shakira sings, "...My hips don't lie!"
Let me tell you about a yummy new product that found its way into my home thanks to the nefarious calorie laden schemes of marketeers and my Kroger coupon printer. It is these yummy bite-sized morsels:




I was checking out in the self checkout line and I immediately recieved a coupon for a free sample of the new Dibs product. I let Aaron run over to the frozen foods while I scanned my items. He came back with two choices, Chocolate of cookies and cream middles. I let him choose. As soon as we got home he sat down and ate a few. He said, "You want to try some mom?" "No. Thanks for asking, though."

WELL...about an hour passes and I decide why not try them. They were so YUMMY! Now, I wonder if Shakira would like to try some?!?



::::::::::::::::::::New Music Download::::::::

I just downloaded the song "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. I actually had never heard the song before and my streaming audio is buggered up for some reason, so I used the Victoria proven formula (well it's proven to be about 50% effective) of looking up the lyrics and banking on the fact that I like a particular person and or groups sound. Here are the lyrics I found posted on azlyrics.com:

"My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big


----When I actually heard the song I cried. This is a beautiful and sincere song. I highly recommend this as an uplifting song!


:::::::::::::::::::Tadpole Release Day::::::::::

We started with nine cute little tadpoles and ended with 7. Michael and Rachel released them in the neighbors creek now that they were more frog than tadpole. We also felt that was the best thing because Rachel's fascination with them led to the demise of tad-frog one and tad-frog 2. She was rather devastated, so we just felt like it was safer for her psyche to free the frogs.

We are now left with partial custody of a cocooned tent catepillar. Rachel shares custody with a neighbor down the street. Rachel tried to fill another terrarium with a spider and a worm. They both ended up like tad-frog 1 and tad-frog 2. It's good that Rachel wants to be an author. I think it's safer for everyone involved!


:::::::::::::::::::::International Scrapbook Day:::::::::::::
Is today. My mom gave me some birthday money for my digital hobby, so I am off to check for deals. It is shop or try to figure out how to make the monster slideshow I have created stop crashing the program. Argh!

Have a festive Cinqo de Mayo!

Evey and Shostakovich...

Tonight as Eve and I were driving home from a baby shower NPR was playing Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 as performed by
Lisa Batiashvili, violin and the New York Philharmonic. The radio was still on the station because I had wanted to listen to Says You ,but we missed it because it aired the same time as the baby shower. ANYWAY...the music begins and Evey says, "This music sounds like someone is dead. Who died? It is so sad."
I thought her interpretation of the music was so well put. In a review by ."Evan Stephens he says, "...the hugely popular Violin Concerto No.1. Together, they represent Shostakovich in his most disturbing symbolist vein of composition."

She often says similar things about how music makes her feel. She also likes to listen to classical music and Church music, which is easy to do for her when the other kids aren't clamoring to change the channel. I asked her if she would like to take violin lessons and she said, "I don't like to go where people will look at me. It makes me scared." She understands the concept of a recital and that music is performed for audiences. She really articulates herself, so well!


:::::::::::::::Shutterfly:::::::::

I've recently made several 8x8 purchases from Shutterfly during their sale + Free shipping. I have recieved 3 out of 4 books from my initial order. Unfortunately, Rachel's book was sent to Atlanta, but rerouted to Alabama, then to New Jersey. I'm supposed to give the mail one more day and if it isn't delivered call for a reprint. Rachel is the one most excited...wouldn't you know!

I really like the look and size of the book and Noah and Eve have had a great time looking at their books and showing their friends.



Background paper and frame from Misty Mareda's Tiffany kit, Squiggle Fleur by Jen Wilson, Painted Butterfly by Amber Clegg, Vines by Julie Mead



Background paper from Studio Chic by The Shabby Princess, Robot from Anna Benjamin at Paper Moons, Space Doodles by Kate Hadfield, Arrow from Dear Diary by Erica Hite.

Aaron's book is at my mom's house, so I will post a photo of the cover when I get it back.

I had fun designing the covers. I hope you think they are as super D duper as the kids do. (I didn't watch Barney at all today, so I wonder why I'm using his vocabulary?)

************************Goaded Into a Purchase::::::::

Aaron used the line, "But it will make Eve feel better!" We were at the story picking up her prescription yesterday and Aaron saw the Pink Panther cartoon on video and pleaded with me to get it, so Eve would laugh and feel better. I wonder if Aaron is some undiscovered Urban Shaman? Quick call Frontline! I caved, but I wanted to, so does that make Aaron really more of an enabler? I remember laughing really hard at the Pink Panther and I wanted my kids to see the show. They also really enjoy Rocky and Bullwinkle. My favorite parts of those cartoons are the fractured fairytales.

::::::::::::::::::::Medicine:::::::::::::
I just finished giving Eve her Amoxicillan, so I'm off to bed.

Smiles!

One Year Older and Wiser Too?

Wouldn't that be nice! The day didn't start out well due to issues with Aaron, but it improved slowly.

Aaron made me some yummy pancakes for my birthday!






For my birthday dinner my mom made reservations for us at Longhorn Steakhouse. Michael ended up grabbing the tab, which surprised my mom. She bought me my own copy of The Phantom Tollbooth. She also purchased William Wilberforce's book Real Christianity. There was also a lovely check for digi stuff!

:::::::::::::::::::Quiz of the day::::::::::

The following pictures of Eve reflect what fact?

A. She has tickets to the front row of Nascar at the Atlanta Motor Speedway

B. She chipped her tooth while removing a bottle cap from a soda bottle

C. Running for Little Miss Trailer Park 2007

D. Had her tooth removed because the neighbor boy is too rough

*(Answer at the end of the entry)








Eve had her tooth pulled this morning and was a complete angel. Dr. Glenn Maron in Atlanta did the procedure. His dental assistants were really kind. The sedative they gave me to administer to her acted quickly. She then was given nitrous oxide. The procedure only lasted a few minutes. She got one stitch to close up the skin. Her speech was slurred and she was pretty out of it for the first hour. She developed the hiccups right after the procedure, so with the slurred speech she sounded like a whino with an empty bottle of ripple from Joe's Package store. I expected her to break into some Irish Pub songs at any time. She also wanted to stay at the doctor's office because she really liked them.
One of the assistants wheeled Eve out to the parking deck and waited for me to fetch the Queen Victoria Family Truckster. On the walk out to the parking deck I asked her about their dental team's recent trip to Ecuador to do surgeries. She said they preformed about 72 procedures and would liked to have done more. They are looking into going to Colombia in February for their next trip to help the poor.
Eve has a follow-up with Dr. Maron next week. She was prescribed codeine for the pain and amoxicillan to prevent infection. She is allowed liquids and soft foods for the first two days.



*Answer D

Hey Rachel! Tell Us a Story!

This was what I heard on both evenings in our cabin at Ramah Darom in Clayton, Georgia. The girls would ask Rachel to tell a scary story, then tell them something funny. I thought it was great that she was the Troop Storyteller.



There were almost a hundred swallows.



Rachel and her troop playing at pass the Hula Hoop without breaking their hand holds.


Rachel on the obstacle course:


Rachel with a couple of her friends in their own canoe:


Rachel with her Troop and another group of older girls called Cadets. They are playing a slap game called "Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky":



The weather was beautiful and gloriously mosquito-free! The host Troop 1717 was so polite and really wonderful young women! Our cabins were spacious and located about a 3 minute walk away from the cafteria, lake and activities.
The first night, during check-in, we watched Narnia and played trivia games. Since the activities were occurring similtaneously I went between both. I played Disney trivia with 1717 and Four Square. When one of the girls said she was bored I asked her if she would like to learn "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Japanese and she was happy to do so with about ten friends. The girls were so cute trying to learn.

We got to go canoeing, which was exciting for the girls. We saw a Canada Goose with two of her goslings. The wind was strong, initially, and Rachel's canoe had to be but on a short tow rope. Once in the middle of the lake the girls did great. I helped one of our girls named Jenny learn to paddle.

The girls also took every free moment to do skit practice. Our skit was a Snow White Remix, which fit the Fairytale Remix theme of the In-Gathering.
Cast:
Snow White: Samantha
Narrator: Sabrina
Evil Stepmother: Emily
Mirror/Sleepy Brownie: Rachel
Doc Brownie: Jessica
Sneezy Brownie: Jenny
Happy Brownie: Lauren
Bashful Brownie: Taylor
Little White Riding Hood: Julia
(Cousin to Little Red Riding Hood)

The skit begins with our narrator announcing that our scene opens with the Evil Stepmother in her Castle.

Evil Stepmother: "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who sold the most Girl Scout Cookies of them all?"

Mirror: "I hate to tell you this, but Snow White did. All she sold were Thin Mints.

Evil Stepmother: angry, "That Snow White! I'm going to poison her with these store bought cookies!"

Narrator: "Meanwhile, Snow White is sweeping at a house that she shares with some Brownies."

Snow White: (She is busy sweeping, then she stops and rubs her stomach) "Boy, I'm hungry! I wish I had a snack."

Door bell rings.

Stepmother: Hello Snow White. Taste these good chocolate chip cookies. They are very good. They have no fat. They have no calories and they're 'proteinish'"!

Snow White eats the cookie and falls to floor as the narrator runs behind her with a pillow to soften the fall.

Narrator: "What the narrator can't be part of the fairytale? Sheesh! You guys are picky!"

Enter the Brownies singing "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to camp we go!"

Sneezy Brownie: (in between sneezing says) "What's with Snow White sleeping on the job?"

Happy Brownie: (Leans down and gives Snow White a hug) "Maybe Snow White could use a hug?"

Sleepy Brownie: "I don't know. Let me lay down and think about it." (she lies down).

Bashful Brownie: "Hey, Doc! What shall we do?"

Doc Brownie: "It looks like she ate some store bought cookies.

Narrator: "Meanwhile, Little White Riding Hood, Little Red Riding Hood's cousin, was delivering some Girl Scout Cookies to her grandmother and happens into the Snow White story."

Little White Riding Hood: "This must be the wrong fairytale. This isn't grandma's house at all. This is nice. I haven't been to this neighborhood. Maybe they will want some Girl Scout Cookies?

LWRH rings the bell on the pretend cottage door

Little White Riding Hood to Doc Brownie: "Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?"

Doc Brownie: "Yes." She takes the box of Little Brownies and opens the box and feeds one to Snow White. Snow White wakes instantly. All the brownies are thrilled and rush to hug Snow White.

All the Brownies shout: "She's alive!"

Snow White runs over and hugs Little White Riding Hood in thanks.

Narrator: "And they NEVER paid the three fifty!" ($3.50)

That last line was my idea and it made me chuckle quite a lot! The crowd laughed at the right parts and enjoyed the skit. Our girls did not have to read from any papers and they had fun, especially Sabrina our narrator. She loved delivering that last line!

We praised the girls for preparing so well and working together. Julia's mom, Karen, brought some great props that included a crown and a dress.







This was a short hike from the lake:



The girls got to make fun foam frames as their craft. We also got take a short hike to a spectacular waterfall! One of the young ladies in charge of the hike got over heated from running between stations. Luckily, Rachel had taken a new Propel water drink and was able to give the young lady her drink.

After the hike and a potty break it was the 2+ hour drive home. Taylor's mom, Dawn, led the way because she had a G.P.S. in her car. The girl's were well behaved and tired. And of course, I heard, "Rachel. Tell us a story!" from Sabrina and Jenny.