A Moment with Aaron and Eve:

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.

Henry David Thoreau

This quote Michael used on his blog, but I used in on photos of Aaron at the Tennessee Aquarium.


<sub>background paper from Color Me Funky by Kate Hadfield and Gina Miller, Doodle Frames by Kate Hadfield, Stitched Bloom by Natalie Braxton, Doodle alpha is Amelie By Sara Carling, leather flower trim and paint strokes by Michelle Coleman, staple from Softly Softly by KSharonK, Date Stamp from Simply Irresistable by Gina Cabrera, Font: DB Michael, Amienne, Simon Script




Background paper and bunny from Julie Mead's Love Some Bunny,
Brackets and doodles from Kate Hadfield and Gina Miller's Color Me Funky,
Vintage Frame by Katie Pertiet,
Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman,
Cardboard tear by Linda Gil Bildal,
Ribbon by Amy Martin,
Font: Jane Austen, Artistamp Medium</sub>


Eve had her hair done by our next store neighbor, Jordan. She loved having her hair done up in pigstails. She was also wearing dress up clothes that belonged to Jordan's sister, Cameron. Eve and Cameron looked like beautiful fairy princesses.


:::::::::::::::HIGH MUSEUM OF ART:::::::

The Louvre exhibit was amazing. I will post later.

Headstand

This is an old shot of my husband's grandmother, Lavone Moulton and her daughter Madeleine. Lavone loved to do headstands, whether it be the beach or the front yard. She was a hoot! (I wish this was a clearer shot, but it really shows her fun spirit!)


Loopy Loop Kit by Studio Sandra Boddington coming soon to Scrapbookgraphics!
I also used Studio Sandra's Extra Stitching.




::::::::::::

We read Junie B. Jones: Dumb Bunny in 2 days. These books are hilarious to me! The books are also relatively short, so I just keep reading. The author, Barbara Park, captures children and their personalities so well. This was an enjoyable read.


::::::::::::Excerpt from The Phantom Tollbooth

pp. 174 & 175

Milo has just been asked a question by the Dodecahedron in Digitopolis and wasn't able to answer very quickly, so the Dodecahedron said:

"You'll have to do better than that," scolded the Dodecaedron, "or you'll never know how far you've gone or whether or not you've gotten there."
"I'm not very good at problems," admitted Milo.
"What a shame," sighed the Dodecahedron. "They're so very useful. Why, did you know that if a beaver two feet long with a tail a foot and a half long can build a dam twelve feet high and six feet wide in two days, all you would need to build Boulder Dam is a beaver sixty-eight feet long with a fifty-one-foot tail?"
"Where would you find a beaver that big?" grumbled the Humbug as his pencil point snapped.
"I'm sure I don't know," he replied, "but if you did, you'd certainly know what to do with him."
"That's absurd," objected Milor, whose head was spinning from all the numbers and questions.
"That may be true," he acknowledged, "but it's completely accurate, and as long as the answer is right, who cares if the question is wrong? If you want sense, you'll have to make it yourself."


::::::::::::I spoke too soon!::::::::::::

My poison ivy has spread. I have a few places of particularly unattractive places where the cell walls are swelling and collapsing. I feel like a maple tree in Vermont. This has become a particularly unenjoyable experience. The bright side is that Noah told me in the car, "I hope it doesn't kill you." I responded, "Thank you, Noah." To whit he replied..."I mean, I really hope you don't die!"
I love that kid!

:::::::::::The Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls:::::::

We took the kids to the Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls yesterday. The weather was gorgeous and the kids loved running around. We even saw our neighbor Shelly and her son Charles, while I was waiting to get tickets at the Auarium. Michael and I have some great photos to share, but we are going to the High Museum of Art with the kids today, so I will have to post them later. We had a blast petting stingrays and having butterflies land on us at the different exhibits!

We stopped and got handmade fudge at a little shop during the day and had lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. We also stopped at Ben and Jerry's Icecream shop. Rachel had "Half-Baked" frozen yogurt, Aaron had "Chocolate Fudge Brownie", Noah and Eve both wanted plain Chocolate icecream. I got the "Black Raspberry" frozen yogurt. YUMMY!

After we took the tour down to Ruby Falls the kids got to "pan" for gemstones in a sluice set up by the kids' play area. The kids had such fun sifting through the silt to find something beautiful and shiny. (There is a metaphor for life here, I believe).

Have a fabulously...non-itchy...day!

Smiles!

Eve...

alicious:

_{Color Me Funky by Kate Hadfield and Gina Miller, Stitched Doodle Flowers and Pipe Cleanter Arrows by Kate Hadfield, Date Stamp and Staple by Amber Clegg, Cardboard Flip by Linda Gil Bildal, Ribbon by Natalie Braxton, Notebook paper with Ribbon freebie by Corina Nielsen, Font: Pea Johanna}

Text: You are a mercurial girl! Your emotions go up and down throughout the day, but for the most part you are my sweet and huggy Eveybug! This was a photo taken at Zoo Atlanta. You picked the giraffe to ride on the carousel. This photo was right before the one you told me to, "Stop! Taking Pictures!"

I Can Tell Spring is Here Because...

I have
Poison Ivy. I have it on the backs of my legs and above where my gloves didn't cover my arm. It is a relatively mild case. I had poison ivy really bad about 2 years ago, so this is just a mild itchy walk in the, proverbial, park!





_{Primitive Scrapbook and Primitive Photography by Mo Jackson, Doodles by Ida, Date Stamp from Simply Irresistable kit by Gina Cabrera, Font: DB Michael, Wonton}
::::::::::::Excerpts from The Phantom Tollbooth

pp. 167 & 168:

"If everything you say is true," added Tock.
"Then, without a doubt," Milo concluded brightly, "you must be Canby."

"Of course, yes, of course," the man shouted. "Why didn't I think of that? I'm as happy as can be." Then he quickly sat down, put his head in his hands, and sighed. "But I'm also as sad as can be."
"Now will you tell me where we are?" asked Tock as he looked around the desolate island.
"To be sure," said Canby; "you're on the Island of Conclusions. Make yourself at home. You're apt to be here for some time."
"But how did we get here?" asked Milo, who was still a bit puzzled by being there at all.
"You jumped, of course," explained Canby. "That's the way most everyone gets here. It's really quite simple; every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like it or not. It's such an easy trip to make that I've been here hundreds of times."

....to get away from the Island of Conclusion you have to swim through the Sea of Knowledge. This is what Canby said about it: (p.169 & 170)

"...you can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry. Most people do."

....just a little later...

"But from now on I'm going to have a very good reason before I make up my mind about anything. You can lose too much time jumping to Conclusions."


:::::::::::::::::Conference:::::::::::::

We watched Conference over at my parents' house. The talks were inspiring. I have several to go back and highlight when the hard copies are available. Elder Holland, President Faust, Elder Uchtdorf, and Elder Eyring were just a few stand outs.

Smiles!

The Currant:

Chickens Feel Exploited Withhold Egg Production:


Chickens are withholding egg production in a show of solidarity against what the spokes-chicken says, is the unfair credit that the Easter Bunny receives on the commercial end of this Christian holiday.


The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, **American Egg Board, **USAPEEC, was worried about the effect on the economy, not just the effects on the upcoming holiday festivities. Our hardest hit state will be Ohio, which is our top producer and here in Georgia, the number 10 producer of the top ten we have heard grumblings from Gov. Sonny Perdue’s administration worrying about shortfalls in the state coffers from lack of revenue. PAAS™ thoughts on the subject are dour indeed. Their spokes person said that if we can’t get those hens to stop their protest we could be bankrupt at the end of the month. You can’t dye plastic eggs with our product, our only hope would be that teenagers would stop using Kool-aid™ to dye their hair and switch to our product at extremely low prices! White House spokesman, Tony Snow, was contacted asking how the First Lady, Laura Bush, feels about the upcoming annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House Lawn. Mr. Snow, stated, “The First Lady is very concerned that the children and parents will be disappointed if a real egg is not used in this event due to the long held tradition. She also feels that replacing a real egg with a plastic egg cheapens the whole thing.”


Some children are unconcerned with the decision made by the chickens’:
A nine year-old, Rachel Taylor, from Georgia said in today’s interview, “Yeah! I mean who eats those dyed eggs anyway after they’ve been sitting in the hot sun and had bugs crawl on them. I prefer the plastic eggs because you can put chocolate or Starbursts™ in them. I even have my baby teeth in a plastic Easter egg!” Manufacturers of plastic eggs agree. Their sales are through the proverbial roof and they have increased production this week. The manufacturers are considering having the chickens start an ad campaign using their plastic egg products. This campaign would be similar to the Chick-Fil-A™ campaign, which employs cows to have people eat more chicken. When the spokes-chicken heard about this possible ad campaign she clucked her approval and laughed. She stated, “It would be nice to get some equal air time with those crazy cows!”



When asked where this revolutionary idea came to her the spokes-chicken said, “I was inspired when the farmer’s daughter came to feed us and she was listening to that new song by Beyonce Knowles called “Irreplaceable”. When she got to the chorus singing, “You must not know about me. I could get another you in a minute.” “It was so empowering! I was thinking why does the “Easter Bunny” get all the credit for the cute dyed eggs and the holiday effigy of him in your choices of milk, dark or rice crisped chocolate! Even the cartoons have such tales about an “Easter Beagle”. I know about this because the goat was watching television through the farmer’s window, while eating some washing off the line. The other hens clucked in approval and huddled closer together and began to chant and rock in unison singing, “You must not know about me.”



At the barnyard the situtation is tense where the animals have taken sides on this contentous issue. The pigs have chosen the rabbit’s side and the goats are behind the chickens. The local Easter Bunny Guild representative was on hand for comments in the barnyard. He stated that being an Easter Bunny was a noble and time honored position from, as far back as, the 1500s in Germany. “Our contract with these companies is honorable and not exploitive of the chickens at all. I mean aren’t they getting fed? Don’t they have a warm bed of straw to sleep on? What more do they want! This is a load of chicken$#!%” “You might want to say, ‘Hogwash’”, volunteered his friend the pig sitting next to him. A local pig was willing to speak to us in aninimoty to keep his, already tenuous, relationship amiable with the chickens. He stated, “I think this can be resolved quickly and fairly if the chickens were given a more promonite roll in the commercial end of things. They really are a bunch of nice peeps.”


The government has decided to send in its top negoitator in the morning. Many adults will remember him fondly and as a bit quirky. He has been in several films, a successful television show, and had his own chicken act. He is none other than, The Great Gonzo.


We can only watch and wait.


------------
Apple Computer’s and Pixar’s co-founder, Steve Jobs announced his newest venture today, PEAR. The Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif. was filled to capacity with women being the clear majority. The atmosphere in the room was electric and there was a hint of “Juicy Peach” tart fragrance wafting through the air as Jobs took the stage. Jobs spoke of the earlier success of Apple products and as soon as he mentioned the Mac the crowd clapped loudly and hooted and hollered showing their affection and approval of the design quality of the Mac.


Pear is designed for the world of digital scrapbooking. The billion dollar paper scrapbooking industry has garnered attention from all corners, and now the sun is shining on the burgeoning digital industry. The new Pear will allow digital scrappers to easily locate the different “Papers” and “Elements” they use to create their layouts digitally.
The software will allow for creating text on a path, advanced and customizable paint tools palette and drawing brushes. The Pear user will also be able to upload photos, create photo books, download songs, create slideshows, calendars, podcasts and music videos. The woman in the crowd got very excited when Jobs explained that the package included exclusive “Blinkie” making software. There will also be an instant messaging system. The crowd was sent into peals of laughter when job presented a large variety of new “smilies” created just for the new software.
The news of the Pear will, no doubt, spread quickly to the entire digital scrapbooking community thanks to the internet. Due to the Law of Unintended Consequences the unofficial tagline is: Haven’t you always wanted to have a nice Pear?!?



----------------


Lilburn GA. Mother of 4 reluctantly admits that her 6-year old son really does know everything.


Noah Taylor, a first grader at Camp Creek Elementary, was brought to the attention of International researchers after a series of cognitive tests including the Stanine (Standard Nine). He also received a perfect score on the CRCT. His teachers were astounded and immediately contacted his mother who though amazed at Noah’s test scores was quick to quip, “Yeah, he thinks he knows everything.” After more discussion his mother allowed for further testing, which was conducted at the Child Study Center at Emory University.


Scientists from Germany, Switzerland, Japan and France flew to Georgia to review data and do personal interviews with Noah. Members of the NIA (National Institute on Aging) have also been working with Noah hoping for a break through with such pressing issues as Alzheimer’s disease.


Noah’s vocabulary is littered with such words as “actually, perhaps, and technically”. Many of the interviews were administered while the little boy was putting together a robot from various discarded parts in his grandfather’s garage.


After weeks of testing and interviews with the local first grader his mother had to admit her son did, in fact, know everything.

_{Additional Credits: Glitter Pear a freebie by Gina Cabrera, Currant from the internet, Font: Century
Scrapbookgraphics Products Used: From Studio Sausan: Sing Spring kit and Happy Easter Stickers}


This was in response to a funny idea by Sylvie Wagner of Sausan Designs at Scrapbookgraphics. I had fun thinking up the articles. Michael gave me the great prompt for Noah's article.

Enjoy a bit of silliness today!

Do you suffer from...

Photo Anxiety Disorder Or Photograph Avoidance Syndrome?


Do you suffer from
P.A.D., or P.A.S.?
Don't be discouraged! Millions of people have experienced pronounced episodes of the same problem. Photograph Anxiety Disorder and its close relative, Photograph Avoidance Syndrome can be overcome.
Here are a few ways to relieve some of the stress:
1. Relax...at least the person taking the picture thinks you are interesting enough to photograph.
2. before going in public make sure that you aren't wearing anything you would find embarrasing.
3. check your face for any stray bits and things.
4. if the feelings of anxiety become to intense point out any nearby "adorable" children, which usually will distract the photographer long enough for a get away.
5. Buy your own camera and don't be afraid to use it!


Side-effects: You might end up with a really cool picture you like, Family members that live far away will get to put a name to a face, you might end up laughing or smiling. You might find your self looking through scrapbooks for pictures of yourself, not just your cute nieces, nephews, cousins, grandkids and others.
_{Papers and Inked edge from Studio Chic by the Shabby Princess, Polariod by Canay, Arrow dooles from Brushy Sketched Arrows by Cindy Irvine, Designer Digitals chat freebie by sketched corners, Question mark by Jack Eckles, Paper Curls by Anna Aspnes, Doodle line by Amy Martin, Font: DB Michael}

:::::::The person in the layout is one of my brother-in-laws, Reuben. All of my BILs are funny guys. Reuben and I are the same age and have needled each other since Sunday School.


:::::::::::::Art Show and Book Fair:::::::::
Michael and I took Rachel, Noah and Eve to the school art show and book fair last night. Aaron was playing with his friend Jacob after running club. We purchased the framed artwork created by Rachel and Noah, then went to the chaotic book event. I made a list of books to purchase on Wednesday because our neighbor will be working the book fair and can get us 10% discount. The kids also want to each donate a book to their class, so I included those extra books on my list.

::::::::::::::Excerpt from The Phantom Tollbooth::::

..."There were great crowds of people rushing along with their heads down, and they all appeared to know exactley where they were going as they darted down and around the nonexistent streets and in and out of the missing buildings.
"I don't see any city," said Milo very softly.
"Neither do they," Alec remarked sadly, "but it hardly matters, for they don't miss it at all."
...
"Many years ago, on this very spot, there was a beautiful city of fine housed and inviting spaces, and no one who lived here was ever in a hurry. The streets were full of wonderful things to see and the people would often stop to look at them."
"Didn't they have any place to go?" asked Milo.
"To be sure," continued Alec; "but, as you know, the most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between, and they took great pleasure in doing just that. Then one day someone discovered that if you walked as fast as possible and looked at nothing but you shoes yhou would arrive at your destination much more quickly. Soon everyone was doing it. They all rushed down the avenues and hurried along the boulevards seeing nothing of the wonder and beauties of their city as they went."...
"No one paid any attention to how things looked, and as they moved faster and faster everything grew uglier and dirtier, and as everything grew uglier and dirtier they moved faster and faster, and at last a very strange thing began to happen. Because nobody cared, the city slowly began to disappear. Day by day the buildings grew fainter and fainter, and the streets faded away, until at last it was entirerly invisible. There was nothing to see at all."


::::::::I'm Off:::::
(there never was a truer statement!)...to work on a last minute request for a 10 minute slideshow for the Boy Scout Court of Honor tomorrow. A 10 Minute video takes awhile to make. I'm hoping for some inspiration on a song to use with the canoe pictures. So far I'm using 2 Jack Johnson songs: The 3'Rs (for a clean-up service project) and Upside Down (A love the Calypso rhythmn). I'm also going to grab a portion of Elevation by U2 for several pictures of the boys on top of Mount Yonah in North Georgia. I'm taking about a 10 second sample of the song Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight for one of the scouts who loves to show his arm "muscles". He loves to take of his shirt and is a super ham.

See ya later alligators!

Back to the Future:

<sub>Simply Irresistable Kit by Gina Cabrera, Font: Jayne Print


Background paper from an Ad Challenge Freebie by Katie Pertiet, A Day at the Zoo Monogram (Modified) by The Shabby Princess, Vintage Frame by Katie Pertiet, Leather rose trim from Gypsy Rose Elements by Michelle Coleman, Font: Jane Austen/ DB Michael, Cardboard element by Linda Gil Bildal, Staple from Softly Softly by KSharonK</sub>

:::::::::::::::Excerpts of things:::::
that struck me as HILARIOUS in my reading, so far:

The Phantom Tollbooth
pp. 104 & 105

"Well," said the boy, "in my family everyone is born in the air, with his head at exactly the height it's going to be when he's an adult, and then we all grow toward the ground. When we're fully grown up or, as you can see, grown down, our feet finally touch. Of course, there are a few of us whose feet never reach the ground no matter how old we get, but I suppose it's the same in every family."
He hopped a few steps in the air, skipped back to where he started, and then began again.
"You certainly must be very old to have reached the ground already."
"Oh no," said Milo seriously. "In my family we all start on the ground and grow up, and we never know how far until we actually get there."
"What a silly system." The boy laughed. "Then your head keeps changing height and you always see things in a different way? Why, when you're fifteen things won't look al all the way they did when you were ten, and at twenty everything will change again."


:::::::::::::::::Back to the Future:::::::::
The kids watched the all three Back to the Future movies. Michael and I would interject with the fads we participated in during the 80's. They also thought it was cool that Michael J. Fox was the voice of Stuart Little in the movies and that Christopher Lloyd was the voice of Hacker from Noah's favorite educational cartoon, Cyberchase.

Saturday Movies:

Aaron, Rachel, Michael and I went to see this movie:


The Last Mimzy

This is from imdb.com:
The future is trying to tell us something.
Plot Outline:Two siblings begin to develop special talents after they find a mysterious box of toys. Soon the kids, their parents, and even their teacher are drawn into a strange and sometimes terrifying world.


We love SciFi stuff and this was right up our alley. The plot was really cool and the flow of the story went well. The actors were likeable. I especially liked the father, played by Timothy Hutton, who though busy, was quick to take time off for his family. The children did a great job with showing wonder and just being a regular pair of siblings. Joely Richardson, as their mom, was a woman who was genuinely worried about her kids and didn't no what to do. The addition of Nepalese mysticism was fun. This is a great movie for all ages.


My mother took Noah and Evey to see this:


My mother said that Noah and Eve laughed a lot, especially at some scene where one of the turtles skateboards. I was told that there was a kissing scene at the end, but luckily Noah and Eve had their eyes covered!

::::::::::::::::::Camping::::::::::
Michael, Aaron and the Scouts went camping at Mount Yonah in North Georgia. They had a great time and I hope to post pictures tomorrow.

ARGH!

Bullying is a specific type of aggression in which 1) the behaviour is intended to harm or disturb, 2) the behaviour occurs repeatedly over time, and 3) there is an imbalance of power, with a more powerful person or group attacking a less powerful one (Mayo Clinic, 2001).

Delwyn Tattum and Eva Tattum (1992) proposed the following definition: "Bullying" is the willful, conscious desire to hurt another and put him/her under stress."

Wikipedia Definition
Aaron is being bullied by a boy in the neighborhood. The boy is Aaron's age and visits his father who lives in the same neighborhood with his ex-wife. This boy has gotten in Aaron's face and said, "Wanna fight?!" while Aaron tried to shy away and get into the house. I caught this boy doing it as I was coming down my driveway about 6 months ago. This boy is friends with the boy right next door and they pal around together. A couple of months ago they threw rocks at Aaron as he rode his bike home. Michael told the boys that hitting Aaron with rocks constituted assault and that police would be called next time. Soooooo, just yesterday Aaron was came in the house and said that another boy, who he didn't know, was walking with the neighbor boys shoved him and called him the "F*** word and they would kick his a**!" I immediately went outside and saw the main bullies dad standing on the porch. There is only one house separating us, so I called over asking if there was a friend over with his son and he said yes. I told him what happened. In a cocky tone he said that the boys said Aaron had shoved one of them and tried to pick a fight. (Keep in mind Aaron is skinny as a rail with no muscle tone!!! AND there were three boys walking in a pack together!!!) I told the boys father that in fact several months ago it was his son that I witnessed with my own eyes and ears try to pick a fight with Aaron while Aaron was just trying to walk home. This "man's" response was inane! He said, "Well, I heard about stuff your son did in Elementary school!" WHAT????????!!!!!! As soon as, he saw Michael drive up from work he scurried into his house for a few minutes only to come out and talk to a neighbor across the street. It is interesting that this "man" has no problem with his son bullying my son, nor talking trash to me, but the moment my husband arrives he shows his true stripes. I suppose I will spend a lot of the summer in the yard monitoring the goings on. Unfortunately, this bully's mother lives at the other end of our large subdivision, so it offers quite a large territory for Aaron to have to deal with as he goes back and forth to other friend's homes and the library.

On a side note: Aaron has to deal with a young man at Church who has anger management problems and tried to pick a fight with him all through Sunday School. I got a phone call from the teacher who praised Aaron for the way he handled the constant needling. Aaron let it roll off his back and kept participating with the class.

Aaron has his faults, as we all do, and he drives me crazy with some of the things he does, but he doesn't deserve the junk he has to deal with from this neighbor boy, his equally childish father and the rude kids that follow suit.

::::::::::::::Camping:::::::
Michael and Aaron went camping shortly after the bullying incident and I received an e-mail that they got to the camp safely. I talked to both of them this morning and Michael said Aaron's back was sore from the hike and we should look into getting him an internal frame pack because Michael's old external frame pack was just inadequate for comfortable hiking.

::::::::::::TMNT::::::::::
This stands for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles are right up there with Ben 10 on Noah's scale of way cool heros. They both often sport Noah's favorite color, green. BONUS! Eve often thinks whatever Noah likes is cool, so she will probably go to the new TMNT today with Noah and Granny Sue.

:::::::::::::Another Zoo Atlanta layout::::::



_{Background papers by Jen Wilson (Meaningful Bonus papers),
Fonts: Jayne Print/ DB Michael,
Stitched Blooms by Natalie Braxton,
A Day at the Zoo Monogram (modified) by Shabby Princess,
Staples from Softly Softly by KSharonK,
Bent frames by Nancy Comelab,
Giraffe doodle by Kate Hadfield,
Cardboard flip by Linda Gil Bildal
Scalloped ribbon from Simply Irresistable by Gina Cabrera}

Welcome, Elliott!

Text: Aaron, Rachel, Noah and Eve were excited to welcome their newest cousin, Elliott. Aaron was especially good holding him. Elliott's mom, Melissa, looked great after her Cesearean section, but was experiencing a lot of itchiness due to her pain medication. Matthew, Elliot's dad, was suffering from a bad back and allergies. Elliott fussed only slightly and after a few good burps settled right down and fell asleep. Welcome Baby Elliott!

_{Mo Jackson's Boxer Thirteen,
Gina Cabrera's Simply Irresistable Mega kit,
Baby chipboard on ribbon by Shabby Miss Jenn,
Don't Be Negative by Gina Miller,
Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman,
Fonts: Jayne Print, House Sitter's Club}

Noah took the visit to see baby Elliott as an opportunity to quiz Matthew on, pretty much, everything. Well as Monty Pythoners say: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" Noah wanted to no what part Matthew took in helping bring Elliott into the world. Matthew told him he had helped by giving support to his wife and various other things. Noah told him that wasn't good enough. Yep, this is Noah in his normal form. He also was certain about the directions for getting out of the hospital, which was opposite of the posted signs. To Noah those signs were wrong and he was right. What a troll, sometimes, but cute.

Here is a layout of my niece Haley:

Haley enjoyed hunting the Easter eggs at Granny Alice McClure's house. Aunt Katherine made and dyed a dozen hard-boiled eggs for the kids to hunt, but the kids refused to eat any of them! Uncle Michael liked hiding the eggs in the trees.



Spring Basics Plain Paper by Cindy Irvine at Elemental Scraps
Sketchy Brushes Painted Flowers by Cindy Irvine at Elemental Scraps
Doodle Border by Kate Hadfield,
Template freebie from Janet Phillips,
Bunny and Cracked Easter Egg by Mary Fran,
Fonts: DB Michael at blueflombingo, Jodishand


::::::::::::::Still Reading:::::::
The Phantom Tollbooth. I will post some of the quotes from the book because they are so profound, but I have to finish the taxes and do some cleaning.

Smiles!

Mei Lan:

The kids enjoyed seeing Mei Lan curled up in a little ball as she took one of her many naps. They also liked the Panda hand stamps.
_{Background paper and ribbon from Genuine Spirit by Michelle Coleman,
Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman,
Don't Be Negative strip by Gina Miller,
Cloud 9 brush, staple and tack from Cloud 9 by Fhunglie,
Flip Cardboard Overlay, Star paper, Prong, by Linda Gil Bildal (Star Bazar kit),
Cluster Frame (modified) by Nancy Comelab,
paper flower from Timeless Beauty by Angie Miner,
Brush from Extraordinary Everyday by Jen Wilson,
Font: Wonton}


::::::::::::::::::Rachel's Country Kitchen:::
Opened this morning. Rachel took pre-orders last night. She asked me to wake her up at 6:30am, so she could cook for everyone. I patted her head and told her it was time to start, about 5 minutes later she came down. She had a great time pouring and flipping pancakes. She also made me a fried egg. Rachel made sure everyone had the drink they ordered and she finally sat down to eat her own breakfast.
Now that Aaron and Rachel are becoming more proficient cooks we are going to have to open up our own Kitchen Stadium and have some chef battles!

:::::::::::::::::Elliott Glenn::::::::
arrives today! Elliott is our newest nephew. He is being delivered by scheduled Cesarean and I hope all goes well. He joins four beautiful sisters. His parents are good picture takers, so I'm hoping for pictures soon!

::::::::::::::::Spring is Here::::::
I can tell because of my sinus headache. The flowers are gorgeous and the weather is nice, so I suppose I'll just take some pain-reliever and enjoy the day!

All Tied Up:

Hooray for Noah! He learned to tie his shoes! I'm so proud of him!


Amber Clegg: Date Stamp
Nancy Comelab: Cluster Frame
Kate Hadfield: Doodle Alpha, Doodle Border, Birthday Boy
Doris Castle: School ALpha
Fhunglie: Cloud Nine clip element
Natalie Braxton: bead Element, Get the Point arrow
Linda Gil Bildal: Arrow Element
Font: Ash94, Teacher Kim
Gina Cabrera: Background paper and heart element from Simply Irresistable
Summer Simmons: Mardi Party border element

I will edit to add more photos later.

Pretty in Pink:

Aaron, Rachel, Noah & Eve enjoyed a day at Zoo Atlanta. We learned that the dark pink band that we thought was the flamingo's knee is actually their ankle.


_{Ribbon and flower doodle by Rhonna Farrer,
Flamingo Doodle from Wild One by Kate Hadfield,
Doodle Frame by Holly McCaig,
Staple from Xmas Magic by KSharonK,
Doodle Alpha from Sing Spring by Sausan Designs,
Font: DBMichael by Darcy at Blueflombingo,
background paper from Shabby Baby Bumpers by Christine Honsinger}


The kids and I went to the Zoo Atlanta, yesterday. The teachers were having a work day. The weather was gorgeous. We stayed until 30 minutes before closing. I got the kids an unlimited ride pass and I could ride with them for free. We rode the train twice and the carousel three times. We also got to see Mei Lan napping on her little tree curled up like a ball. Wow, she's a cutie! I will post photos later.

Today was burn leaves and twigs day. We have reclaimed some of the backyard and cleaned up some a lot of the construction mess. So, we are heading off for some Mexican food for dinner.

On Belay!

Belay On! Climbing! Climb On!

These calls are familiar to all rock climbers. Rachel and Noah got to use them on the climbing wall at R.E.I. on Saturday. Noah only got up about 10 feet, but Rachel climbed and tagged the top. She was very scared, but bribery went far. I told her I would get her the new Barbie movie if she got to the top and Noah said he would give her .30 cents. It may have been the Noah's pennies that did the job?! We were all proud of her and Noah and Eve thought she was cool.

The initial reason for going to R.E.I was to get Michael's belated birthday present. He picked out a new down sleeping bag. My parent's paid for half and we got a 20% sales discount from a mailer. Now Michael can be a little bit more comfortable when he goes camping.

Here is a layout of my ultra silly husband:



_{Frame by Nancy Comelab,
background paper is Artsy Fartsy by Lisa Whitney,
Doodle Circle and staples from A Beautiful Mess by Lisa Whitney,
Doodle Arrow and Doodle Alpha by Kate Hadfield,
Cardboard Overlay by Linda Gil Bildal,
Date Stamp by Amber Clegg,
Doodle Corner from Designer Digital Font Challenge,
Note paper heart from Simply Irresistable by Gina Cabrera
Font: DBMichael from Darcy at Blueflombingo}

Happy St. Patrick's Day:

_{background paper is Harriet's Parlor from Paper-Moon designs by Anna Benjamin, Frame from Mardi Party by Summer Simmons, Shamrock Swag by Doris Castle, Water colors by Carrie Bombria, Journaling blocks from Say It by Dani Mogstad, font: DW Michael by Darcy at Blueflombingo}

Have a fun holiday!

Easter Egg Hunt Confusion:

This is a kit called Somewhat Daisical by Cindy Irvine over at Elemental Scraps, the folded template is by Karah Fredericks, the alpha is from Sing Spring by Sausan Designs at Scrapbookgraphics, Vintage frame by Nancy Comelab, the font is DW Bunny Hop from 2Peas

Rachel went around re-hiding the Easter eggs she found and looked at us like we were seriously disturbed for laughing. She was so adorable. She loves to hear about what a serious kid she was. She never laughed out loud, but she would suffer a smile now and then. I think she was trying to determine the best course of escape or trying to determine if Pi actually has an ending number. I guess we will never know!

:::::::::::::::Aaron::::::::::::
is feeling much better today. After his friends got home from school he went and played pool.


:::::::::::::::Blue at the Mizzen::::
I finished the reading this book today. I am starting to have mild anxiety realizing there is only one book left, 21. The book only has 3 chapters, which was what was left on Patrick O'Brian's desk when he died. Argh, I feel like a group of my rowdy sailing buddys are about to die. Almost like they are a group of dear friends who moved away, but never write. I'm sure there is a name for this form of psychosis. There maybe many writers out there that can illicite such feelings of intimacy, where you feel like the proverbial fly on the wall, but I have found few. O'Brian wrote using my love of history and wove in the tales of the sea that I am completely ignorant. If feel like the character, Dr. Stephen Maturin, when he has sailed with Capt. Jack Aubrey for years and years, but can't get the hang of sea terms, or parts of the ship. It has been a wild ride and I have looked forward to each turn of the page.

:::::::::They're after Me Lucky Charms::::::

I will try and post a couple of photos of Noah in his cool Leprechan mask. The mask is comes complete with a buckled hat and a curled red beard!

I've Been Invited:

by Cindy Irvine at Elemental Scraps to be part of her Guest Creative Team. Cindy was very complementary.


_{Sunlit Whispers kit by Cindy Irvine at Elemental Scraps, Cardboard Flip by Linda Gil Bildal, Rusty staple from Softly Softly by KSharonK, Font: Powell Antique, Hello Sark}

This photo has my mom standing in the front yard of the house built by her father. She and I both loved to wander around and collect rocks. She told me she had quite a quartz collection, but her mother disposed of it on a day of thorough cleaning. The street that fronts the house is named Doris Street after my grandmother.
The house is still there, but with a subdivision all around it. I practiced driving whenever I got a chance when I would visit my grandmother. I loved the way the pebbles and the sand would sound as they ground under the tires. It was an interesting crunching and sliding sound.

::::::::::::::::::Girl Scout Cookies Aftermath::::::

Mom, Michael, Rachel and I combined to sell 220 Girl Scout Cookies. The cookies we purchased were gone in 4 days because Michael put them up high and told the kids they had to slow it down. I went to the credit union to exchange small bills for larger ones so that the "Cookie Mom" wouldn't have to count $770.00 in ones, fives and tens. I also had to allow time for the checks written to me to clear the bank.
When I presented the money to exchange to the teller she said I could count it out to her however I wished, but that she would have to re-count it. I counted everything into piles of $100.00 for convenience. When she did her count she came up $20.00 less than my total. I just stood their without saying anything and allowed her to re-count. She came up $20.00 less, again. I just kept standing there (I had counted that money 7 times, so I know what I had given her). On her third count she caught her mistake. I smiled, politely.
The money is now in the hands of the Cookie Mom and I am left with 35 boxes of cookies to send to the troops. Now I wait to find out the address of where the brigade is to be deployed so we can send the boxes.

***After all of the fundraising my mother does for my children...EVERY YEAR...I jokingly told her that when she passes on the title of the obituary should by "Death of a Saleswoman". She laughed and hardly agreed.

:::::::::::::::::::Sick::::::::

Aaron felt yucky all day yesterday. When I returned from Girl Scouts he leapt from the couch and ran passed me screaming, "Mom, I don't want to throw up!" I dropped everything on my desk and ran up the stairs after him. Unfortunately, his lack of desire to throw up was unconvincing to his stomach. He was able to relax enough to lay down and go to sleep. He fell asleep in his glasses, but I left them on encase he needed to be sick again and I didn't want him running head long into the wall, or kill himself on the mound of Legos on the floor.


:::::::::::::::::Spring Weather:::
is here and I need to put down some pre-emergent on the lawn. I also would like to get a gas trimmer, so I can get the weeds in all the areas of the yard.

:::::::::::::::::Cuba:::

My dad should be coming back from his mission trip from Cuba soon. He usually gets some good photos and he always has a great story. He has been all over the world doing service.

:::::::::::::::::Tie Shoes:::
One day it is exciting and new and the very next day it is common place. Amazing!

My days with Aaron:

are a lot like this:




::::::::::::::Stupendous News:::::::::::

Noah learned to tie his shoes! I had to use the word stupendous because if you are a Calvin and Hobbes fan you are aware of Stupendous Man!
Back to the subject...I took Rachel to get her bangs trimmed, so while Noah, Eve and I waited the time was spent in lacing practice. Noah was born with sausage shaped fingers, so his dexterity is minimal. He has always loved to tie things together with multiple knots. One day he, accidently, tied a bowline on a bight successfully attaching the rocking chair to another chair in the room. Unfortunately, shoe tying has alluded him until yesterday. Noah practiced with his flat laces, which are the best in staying still and tied. I abhor the round laces, which were probably designed by the same heathen who created pantie hose and dark meat chicken...Oh, the rant...
Calm down, Bessie!!!
Noah told me his teacher would have a party the day he figured out how to tie his shoes. He asked me this morning if he should go to school with his shoes untied, so he would be ready to surprise her. I said no. I explained he would end up like his favorite robot, Iron Giant, with a big dent in his head from tripping over untied laces and then he would forget how to tie his shoes. He agreed with this line of logic and happily tied his shoes.

My Aunt Wilma:

Singing:



and Playing Harmonica at her 100 Birthday Party:

Noah Wisdom of the Day:

"It’s sort of okay to spread germs to your own family."

This piece of medical wisdom was in response to me saying it was okay for Noah to go to school with the start of his cold. I told him to make sure he washed his hands and coughed into the crook of his arm to keep germs from the other kids and the teacher, while at school. He said he should probably stay home because it isn't nice to spread germs to other people. Rachel and I laughed and told Noah that we appreciated his willingness to share germs with us, exclusively! If you are infectious and you know it clap your hands! (Then, wash them, of course!)


I got this envelope from Anna Benjamin's site: Paper-moons

I got these blog quizzes from Janna's blog

Your Vocabulary Score: A

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

Your Element Is Water

A bit of a contradiction, you can seem both lighthearted and serious. That's because you're good at going with the flow - but you also are deep. Highly intuitive, you tune in to people's emotions and moods easily. You are able to tap into deep emotional connections and connect with others. You prefer a smooth, harmonious life - but you can navigate your way around waves. You have a knack for getting people to get along and making life a little more peaceful.

What's Your Element?