Could I Have A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?

...Now, take that question and pass it through the Rachel Taylor translator...

Could I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich= I have a Science Olympiad project that I forgot to tell you about. I need the peanut butter jar for this project that I can't quite explain. I also need a dowel, rubber band and tape. I know the bus comes in 30 minutes, so I got up and got myself dressed, so you wouldn't be too mad.

"What!" put through the Victoria translator= Why didn't you tell us, yesterday, when your dad was home and he could have helped you in no time!

The news was coupled with the, "If we don't have this project for our team we may get disqualified."

Me: "Are you sure?"

Rachel: "No, well, maybe it will be alright."

I have lived with Michael for long enough to know that my daughter is speaking girl/woman speech, which expresses a lot of emotion, but doesn't have much resembling how to fix the problem. I have been learning Guy Speech, which is based on ascertaining the problem and trying to fix it.

I called Michael, at work, and had him talk to Rachel to find out what this science project entailed, then translate it to me. In the meantime I found an Ovaltine jar that would wash out easily and cleaned it up. Rachel called our neighbors and went over to borrow rubber bands. I found a long popsicle stick from my food crafting stuff for the dowel, Rachel grabbed a stick from the yard, just in case.

Michael explained to me how to use his drill and put in the drill bit. I took 5 minutes searching in his tool box, then I glanced over and saw a brand new pack of bits. I pulled out the one that seemed the right size (very scientific) and tightened it into the slot. I put a hole in the plastic jar's bottom and metal lid. I trimmed the popsicle stick/dowel and could only find my double stick tape, at first. Then, fed the rubber band through the bottom and stuck the dowel in to keep it from sliding completely through. Then, grabbed a pencil and fed the rubber band through the lid. I rummaged in the garage and came up with a roll of black electrical tape. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I covered over the double stick with electrical tape to keep the dowel on the bottom from moving.

Test time...I wound the pencil several rotations then layed the jar on it's side and the thing rolled. I was told that this was the goal. Hurrah! I had 2 minutes to spare, so I took 2 photos and grabbed a paint pen to put Rachel's name on the jar.




Rachel and Noah made it to the bus on time. They were also in a good mood.


Michael was telling one of the guys he works with, Terence, about the morning science project. Terence suggested that this escapade would be a great format for a reality t.v. show where you would have 30 minutes notice to create a complete science project. High cinema, I tell you!

.......At the same time this is going on Noah still needs to eat breakfast. I poured him some calcium enriched orange juice and asked Rachel to make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She slathered on peanut butter and jelly. Noah likes thinly applied pb and j. I grabbed 2 fresh slices of bread and remade the sandwich, while getting instructions from Michael. I cut it into 4 triangles, per Noah's request...to wit he said..."I don't think this is our bread". Put through the Noah translator= "I don't care how much food I waste, or that you have gone to the effort to make me something so I'm not hungry at school. Don't you realize I only eat chicken with ketchup and this whole breakfast idea is some crazy excuse to not allow me what I want. I will just be drinking this orange juice.

::::::::::::::::Ballet Recital Layouts::::::::

Here is a quickpage and one of mine with Eve:





<sub>Credits:

Lorie Davison's "Beep Beep Bugs" kit at Scrapbookgraphics

Darcy Baldwin's font: DJB SISSY at www.thedigichick.com</sub>

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Walking::::::::::::::

The last couple of days I have been a combination nature walk and a listening walk. As far as, the nature aspect I came across a, dinner-plate, sized box turtle heading for the parking lot. The turtle's large size indicated that he had been around awhile and might be smart enough to hold his own in suburban traffic, but I saw a turtle a couple of weeks ago that didn't survive. So, I went over to move him behind the fenced area of the park by the lake. The box turtle, quickly, tucked his bits into the shell and let out a flood of urine. I didn't mean to scare the pee out of him, but I did. I let him finish, then grabbed the sides of his shell and asked a passing walker where he thought the best place would be to put this turtle. He told me about a hole in the base of the fence a few feet away. As I was walking other for my turtle catch and release a lady with her little girl in a stroller called to me, moving quickly. She asked me to show her little girl the turtle, which I happily obliged. I tilted him all around so she could peek into his hiding face, then she pet his shell a couple of times. When all was done I found the fence opening at the bottom and laid the turtle on his tummy and let gravity pull him down the embankment. He came to rest at the roots of a tree next to the lake.

When I was walking, yesterday, I saw the box turtle staring at a little dog on the other side of the fence. He looked like he was casing the fence for his next great escape.

As far as, the listening walk I have been interspersing podcasts with music, but mostly listening to podcasts. This week, I have listened to Astronomy Cast and they were talking about asteroids and meteorites. I have also been listening to the series "Electrons to Enlightenment: A Five Part Series on Science and Religion". It has been interesting to hear how various people view science and religion, and whether they choose to reconcile the two, or maintain them in completely separate spheres. The show has segues with "people on the street" styled comments that give a range of responses. I tend to bristle at dogmatic people from any topic. I don't, discount their veracity necessarily, but I suppose the Southern approach works better on me.

:::::::::::::::::::::Blast From The Past:::::::

As I was talking to Michael, after Rachel and Noah left, I remembered a funny incident at a Church dance when I was about 14 or 15. I had a long skirt with about a 4 inch slit in the back and a matching jacket with shoulder pads (had to have the shoulder pads!). I went to step around someone, or over someone doing a dance move (kinda fuzzy memory here) and my skirt ripped up the seam to my behind. I grabbed the split bits and backed out of the gymnasium where we were dancing. My friend ran blocker for me. When we stepped into the foyer there was a lady working on a sewing project. I smiled at her and asked if she might be able to help me. She kindly agreed. I stood in front of her, while she mended my skirt and my friend ran blocker. In a few minutes I was back in the game. I didn't do any wild dance moves, but was able to have a good time. I don't even remember who she was, but it was a nice memory out of an embarrassing incident.


:::::::::::::::::::::Preschool Graduation Ceremony:::

They are doing a little ceremony for the preschoolers in the sanctuary, today. I have baked cupcakes and I just need to frost them. My mom is coming, too. My mom won't have the chance to read this blog before the ceremony, so I can say she is supposed to be getting some special recognition from Eve's class for coming to play for them this year. Such a cool granny! Yeah, for paid vacation days and appreciative grand kids.

Take care...and best of luck on any science projects your kids might have forgotten to inform you! :)

Success!

:::::::::::::Eve's Ballet Recital:::::::::::

Everything went well for Miss Eve, the ballerina. Granny Sue, Grampa Jim, and Granny Alice were able to attend the performance with us. I was most concerned with getting Eve's hair in the classic ballerina slicked back bun. I was trying to remember what Melissa, Michael's sister, told me a few years ago for Rachel's recital. Melissa will have to critique my work, but I think it turned out okay. The only thing that bugged Eve was the costume. The sequined trim gave her the itchies. Only one little girl collapsed in tears and one got teary, but Ms. Brooke encouraged her to finish. I was so proud that Eve payed attention to the teacher and finished up with a huge grin. Here are some photos:











Eve and Granny Alice:


Rachel gives Granny Alice a big hug:


Eve doing the bunny ears behind Michael:


Eve, happily, telling Michael she did bunny ears:


Eve and Ms. Brooke:


Eve and Michael:


Eve and Granny Sue:


After the performance, Granny Alice went and cut Denny's hair and Grampa Jim's, while Michael, Aaron and I picked up dinner from Zaxby's and Chick-Fil-A. Granny Sue entertained everybody else. After a late dinner, Granny Alice gave us money to take Eve to Bruster's for ice cream. She had her, current, favorite chocolate. Rachel ordered cotton candy explosion, I got turtle, Michael ordered chocolate raspberry truffle, Aaron a brownie sundae, and Noah rounded things out with a dirt sundae. After the kids brushed their teeth we were able to get in one chapter of our reading book, then lights out at 10:30pm.

Tomorrow Eve has her preschool graduation and my mom took the day off to attend. Eve's teacher, Ms. Crystal, loves my mom and asked...begged...me to have her come on the last day. I feel so blessed from the people that I have been acquainted with through all of the kids having attended at this same preschool.

:::::::::::::::::::::Iron Man:::::::::



I forgot to review the movie "Iron Man" that we saw last Saturday. Michael, Aaron, Rachel and I saw the movie in the theatre and had a great time. Robert Downey, Jr. did a fantastic job showing the evolution of Tony Stark from a self-centered, playboy, genius to a thoughtful, think of others, genius. Paul Bettany was a great character voice for "Jarvis" the interactive computer used by Stark. The interplay with the robotic devices allows for great comic dialogue and one-liners. The kids and I really liked the line, "If you try to put me out again, when I'm not on fire, I'll donate you to a community college." Jeff Bridges, who is a man with a great head of hair, is completely shorn for this film. Bridges puts on a wonderful performance, too! All the characters worked well together and stayed true to my memory of the Iron Man cartoons. Also, word of advice, if you go to the theatre for the movie, don't leave until after the credits are finished. :)

Take care! :)

Another Busy Day...

:::::::::::::::::Ballet Recital:::::::::::::

Eve's recital is this evening and she is a bit nervous. Her tights are washed and dried and she will have her last practice during school. If you would like to attend just email or call and I will give out the details, then.

::::::::::::::::Apheresis and Stuff:::::::

For Mother's Day I got up, showered, made breakfast, got Aaron up for his bath, Aaron said he felt like he was going to barf, I changed clothes, stayed home, started a book, took a nap, got hugs, kisses, two roses, 2 bars of chocolate (shared one bar), Michael went to give a triple product at the apheresis department, I called my stepmom, Alice, and wished her a Happy Mother's Day, put bickering children in time out (3 times), cleaned up the living room and my crazy desk, found the pictures mom gave me last month to give Eve's preschool class, broke the leg to my desk, proped the desk leg back in place and am hoping for the best, read with Michael for 30 minutes, went down stairs, Michael fed kids, I took the garbage out, Eve's tights, and read to kids.

Just doing a Walt Whitman...stream of consciousness kinda post.


:::::::::::::::::My Current Reading Book::::



This review is from Amazon's page:
From The Washington Post's Book World/washingtonpost.com
Death, it turns out, is not proud.
The narrator of The Book Thief is many things -- sardonic, wry, darkly humorous, compassionate -- but not especially proud. As author Marcus Zusak channels him, Death -- who doesn't carry a scythe but gets a kick out of the idea -- is as afraid of humans as humans are of him.

Knopf is blitz-marketing this 550-page book set in Nazi Germany as a young-adult novel, though it was published in the author's native Australia for grown-ups. (Zusak, 30, has written several books for kids, including the award-winning I Am the Messenger.) The book's length, subject matter and approach might give early teen readers pause, but those who can get beyond the rather confusing first pages will find an absorbing and searing narrative.

Death meets the book thief, a 9-year-old girl named Liesel Meminger, when he comes to take her little brother, and she becomes an enduring force in his life, despite his efforts to resist her. "I traveled the globe . . . handing souls to the conveyor belt of eternity," Death writes. "I warned myself that I should keep a good distance from the burial of Liesel Meminger's brother. I did not heed my advice." As Death lingers at the burial, he watches the girl, who can't yet read, steal a gravedigger's instruction manual. Thus Liesel is touched first by Death, then by words, as if she knows she'll need their comfort during the hardships ahead.

And there are plenty to come. Liesel's father has already been carted off for being a communist and soon her mother disappears, too, leaving her in the care of foster parents: the accordion-playing, silver-eyed Hans Hubermann and his wife, Rosa, who has a face like "creased-up cardboard." Liesel's new family lives on the unfortunately named Himmel (Heaven) Street, in a small town on the outskirts of Munich populated by vivid characters: from the blond-haired boy who relates to Jesse Owens to the mayor's wife who hides from despair in her library. They are, for the most part, foul-spoken but good-hearted folks, some of whom have the strength to stand up to the Nazis in small but telling ways.

Stolen books form the spine of the story. Though Liesel's foster father realizes the subject matter isn't ideal, he uses "The Grave Digger's Handbook" to teach her to read. "If I die anytime soon, you make sure they bury me right," he tells her, and she solemnly agrees. Reading opens new worlds to her; soon she is looking for other material for distraction. She rescues a book from a pile being burned by the Nazis, then begins stealing more books from the mayor's wife. After a Jewish fist-fighter hides behind a copy of Mein Kampf as he makes his way to the relative safety of the Hubermanns' basement, he then literally whitewashes the pages to create his own book for Liesel, which sustains her through her darkest times. Other books come in handy as diversions during bombing raids or hedges against grief. And it is the book she is writing herself that, ultimately, will save Liesel's life.

Death recounts all this mostly dispassionately -- you can tell he almost hates to be involved. His language is spare but evocative, and he's fond of emphasizing points with bold type and centered pronouncements, just to make sure you get them (how almost endearing that is, that Death feels a need to emphasize anything). "A NICE THOUGHT," Death will suddenly announce, or "A KEY WORD." He's also full of deft descriptions: "Pimples were gathered in peer groups on his face."

Death, like Liesel, has a way with words. And he recognizes them not only for the good they can do, but for the evil as well. What would Hitler have been, after all, without words? As this book reminds us, what would any of us be?

Reviewed by Elizabeth Chang
Copyright 2006, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.

::::::::::::::::::Blogger Account:::::::::

My stepdad, Jim, is one of the newest members of the blogger community. I helped him set up his site and then left him to happily tweak the specifics. Next will be my mom. Oh, the excitement is tangible! :)

::::::::::::::::::Enjoying This Book:::::

Hello, Cupcake!

http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/

Take care! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

to my mom, also known as, Granny Sue!




Take care!

The Little Red Hen:

...or rather, the Lazy Cat:

Eve got to play the part of the Lazy Cat in her preschool production of the classic story of "The Little Red Hen". She loved that she got a soft costume, a cool beanbag, and she got to pretend to lick her arm. Good stuff, all!

She was so excited Michael could take his lunch hour off to see her. She was a bit perturbed that we weren't the first parents in the hall, but she forgave us with a hug later. I sat on the floor between the chairs to film some snippets. Aaron also came along to see his little sister.


*
Untitled from Victoria Taylor on Vimeo.
After the performance we all went back to the classroom where Eve, gleefully, presented me a plant and an awesome Mother's Day card. I love her little people, too cool!





Eve's friend Ethan drew a picture of them:




:::::::::::::::::Say Cheese::::::::::

<sub>My daughter and her cheesy grin.

Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Cat and Mouse
Fresh
NDISB: http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=e614c611a6d03cae2b306fb4e15b27ae
Treasures to Scrap: http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.co...acturers_id=20
ScrapScandiStyle: http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/ind...acturers_id=43
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Katie http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=18099
Jacque Larsen and Kate Hadfield: Toothy Doodles</sub>


::::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::::::


This book, by Phillip Done (pronounced Doan) was such a fun read. It is a compilation of things he has learned in his 20 years of teaching. The vignettes bring back memories of being in school and an opportunity to look at my own kids and see if they fit any of the descriptions. I think Eve is the "Barbara Walters" type that is able to give the teacher the low down on all the class activites and who isn't following the rules. The rest of the kids were a bit of this or that personality. His section on "Teaching Moments" brought me to tears when a child who was having trouble reading learned to love reading and he found out that the books he had sent home to this child's mother inspired her to go to night school to learn to read herself.
The book group was lively, today, sharing stories of being a parent, a student,and/or a teacher and identifying with several of the stories. It was so funny to hear these stories that, at the time, don't seem as humorous. Marci, our book leader for this book, met the author during his two year teaching stint in Budapest, Hungary and said he really loves kids.

This book is great for parents of children not yet school age and will give them a bit of a heads up to what is coming and how the children and parents are perceived by the teachers. For those who have children in school, you will laugh, cry and laugh again reading the antics of a year in third grade. For everyone it will jog your memory of going to school, be that good, or bad. This is such a fabulous book!

::::::::::::::::::::::Product Recommendation::::::::::

At our book group, today, I was admiring the photo book of the home owner. The book was purchased from Blurb. The quality was excellent and the options look really flexible. I'll look into a book of my own.

:::::::::::::::::::::::Girl Scout Picnic:::::::::

The final get together of the year is here. We will be meeting at the park for a pizza and snacks. The girls will be getting their last badges for the year, too.

Take Care!

Meet "Carl" The Frog:

::::::::::In-Gathering Photo Excerpts::::

It's not the brass ring, but it will have to do. Rachel in her new swimming duds:




Rachel would like you to meet "Carl" the frog. She rescued him from an untimely chlorine related pool death:


This is an item from "Drama-In-A-Bag" where you have to create a skit with items found in a box or bag:


Rachel stated she was a "Wood Bee". She found this a very exciting thing:


Tie Dyeing T-shirt time:




This gorgeous hawk was hunting next to where we were canoeing:




:::::::::::::::::::::::Dawn Inskip C.T.::::::

Such fun new doodles created by Dawn:



My daughter, Eve, likes to dress up in her princess nightgown and mop my mother's floor. My mom thinks that is a grand idea, but Eve uses up all the cleaner in one mopping.
<sub>Credits:

Dawn Inskip: Cat and Mouse
Evitangel Collab
A Little Sunshine
Weather Station
Midnight Diamonds
Land of Make Believe
Typecast Alpha
NDISB: http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=e614c611a6d03cae2b306fb4e15b27ae

Treasures to Scrap: http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.co...acturers_id=20

ScrapScandiStyle: http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/ind...acturers_id=43

digiscrapping.net

Darcy Baldwin: DJB SISSY and DJB Another Mandy at www.thedigichick.com</sub>

::::::::::::::::::::Summer Camp Sign-Up:::::

I am close to being finished with signing up the kids for things they wanted to do during the Summer.

Rachel: 1 week introduction to Drama
3 day Beginners Tennis to see if she wants lessons
1 week Budding Authors at Mercer University

Aaron: Scout Camp

Noah: Cub Scout Day Camp

Eve: Still up in the air, but maybe ballet?

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::::::::



I, thoroughly, enjoyed going on this adventure with the Darcy's. Bebris continues her ability to weave a story that Jane Austen would be proud of, I think. Elizabeth is with child in this book and looking forward with joy and anxious anticipation to the new Darcy. The threads of the story include finding a doctor to attend Elizabeth, or use the local midwife, which is a fabulous story in itself. Another thread is finding a letter from Darcy's departed mother and it's suggestion of a missing artifact important to her. Another thread is deceit brought about for an unknown reason. Yet, another thread is a story of friendship of two woman. There is also a revealing look at the relationship of Darcy's parents.

I found this third installment my favorite, so far. If you are unwilling to let the Darcy's stay fixed in time, and yearn for another peek into their lives as they progress through time give this book a try.

::::::::::::::::::::Next Reading Book:::::::::::
This is the book I'm reading for our Friday Book Group. Every page has made my chuckle. I have never been an, official, teacher, but I have 4 kids and home schooled one of them. There is also the homework tutoring and kids at church. I was also a kid once and I remember doing some of those things or seeing other kids do what he describes. This is such a fun read.


:::::::::::::::Dentist Week::::::::

Aaron visited the dentist, yesterday. The outcome was no cavities! YEAH! But, he wants to put braces on Aaron because of the wide spacing between his teeth. BOO! Michael doesn't think Aaron needs braces. He stated that he and all of his siblings have the same spacing and they are all good looking. I did have to agree. We will still get a second opinion from Rachel's orthodontist.

Noah and Eve have appointments tomorrow. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Take care!

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."

A weekend packed with activites was had by all!

1. Michael taught the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge with Aaron in attendance.
(This badge has an overnight requirement, so the guys built lean-tos from bamboo and a tarp, then slept in them.)

2. Victoria and Rachel attended In-Gathering for Girl Scouts from Friday to Sunday morning.

3. Noah and Rachel hung out with Granny and Grandpa on Friday night and Saturday. They attended a birthday party for a friend of ours, then Granny Sue took them to see the new flick, "Iron Man".

4. Sunday, I realized Noah had a project on Australia due TODAY. So at 7pm. Michael and I asked Noah what he wanted to talk about in his project. He loves kangaroos, so he did his project on the Red Kangaroo. He used a drawing Michael had made a few months ago as the back drop, then Michael gave him the pastels and Noah made two kangaroo puppets and the shrubbery and rocks. Then, Noah typed up his report on Michael's laptop, while I printed out some Red Kangaroo photos from the internet on one sheet of paper. Those kangaroos were pasted into the scenery. Noah then grabbed the scissors and cut off the paper excess and pasted his report to the shoe box lid. He plans to ask for a volunteer to help be his other kangaroo puppet as he gives his report. He was so excited with the outcome that he said, "Mom, you want to see me practice!" I love that enthusiasm. Michael was game to be the first volunteer and they hammed it up for the camera:



Untitled from Victoria Taylor on Vimeo.






::::::::::::::::::::::::Karen Lewis/Darcy Baldwin C.T.::::


My dd, Eve, playing with her Granny's hair pieces.


<sub>Credits:

Fairtale Dreams by Karen Lewis http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17901&cat=0&page=2

Font: DJB SISSY by Darcy Baldwin http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17989&cat=0&page=1

also DJB Doodl E Doo by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick</sub>

::::::::::::::::More Stuff Later:::::

I'll have Girl Scout photos, tomorrow, that will include "Carl" the frog that Rachel rescued from the pool. I will also provide details from the fantastic skit the girls and I pulled together with 1 hours notice. These are such drama queens and they put it to good use.

::::::::::::::::Eve is Sick:::::::::

Eve complained of a sore throat last night while creating puppets alongside her brother. Michael and I checked her throat and her tonsils are swollen. She refused a lozenge and liquid medicine. Around 3 she woke me up with a bad coughing fit. I laid down with her for a bit, then went down and located medicine that fit her symptoms. I took her in to our room to administer the liquid, so she wouldn't wake her siblings. Then daddy gave her a big hug for being brave and I took her back to bed and slept with her until Michael left for work.

She will skip preschool today, but go to her ballet lesson at lunch time. She has her recital next week and she is a bit nervous and a lot excited.

Take care!

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears...

...Oh, my I had such a fun time with Noah and his 2nd grade class! We went on a "Night Crawler" field trip to the Atlanta Zoo. We slept in the education building. We were able to pet a chinchilla (so cute and amazingly soft), a tortoise, a boa constrictor and an African millipede. We were shown the kitchen where all of the food is prepared and learned about the different dietary needs of the animals. I liked the Powerade, fruit cycle that was made for the gorillas, but they didn't offer us a taste. I wasn't so fond of the fish cycle for the otters, or the mouse cycles for the cats...not so tasty! We trekked around the park to the reptile house and used flashlights with red bulbs, so we didn't disturb the reptiles, too much.

In the morning, we toured the reptile house again, saw the elephants practicing their lessons with their trainer, the orangutans playing, the gorillas playing after breakfast, the pandas munching bamboo, cute little Muntjacks, lemurs, Golden Lion Tamarins free-ranging about on the ropes, and some really cool birds. The Zoo's, newest exhibit, is the naked mole rats. The have, almost, a hive mentality. They will work out who the queen is for their colony and she will be the only one allowed to have babies. They use their teeth to sense things around them and they kill vegetation because they eat the roots.
The children were pretty well behaved. There was the normal "he touched me", "She pushed me", and Noah got kicked in the ribs by a boy being silly. The boy apologized right away and Noah accepted the apology through streams of tears. All was to rights quickly. I was the shoelace monitor. Their was one little boy that must have been tying his laces wrong because they kept coming undone. The kids were so polite and would excitedly call out, "Ms. Taylor, come see this!" Noah was really cool, and not clingy. He was simply happy to have me along. He made sure he saved the seat next to him on our bus ride to and from the zoo. I did have a hitchhiker from the zoo. It was a jumping spider. Noah noticed him on my shoulder. I flicked him off and he went into the crack or our bus seat. Noah rode the rest of the trip sitting as far forward as possible.

:::::::::::::::::::::::Then It Was:::::

back to the elementary school for Kindergarten registration. Eve was excited to see two friends from her preschool class there, as well. She played with Fiona and Jayla after she finished her assessement with Mrs. Barclay (we love this Kindergarten teacher). We talked for a bit after the assessment. She was a superb teacher for Rachel and Noah. Eve got flustered when she lost site of me and began to cry. Luckily, one of the moms helping with registration knows me and pointed her to me right away. I hugged her and soothed her. Her friends had gone home while I was chatting and I was standing on the opposite side of the play area.

Earlier in the day my mom had taken Eve to school since I was at the zoo. Then, she and Grandpa Jim returned to read a couple of Scottish tales and my mom played the chanter for the Eve's class and the neighboring class. I heard happy reports from, Eve, a teacher at the school and both grandparents!

:::::::::::::Dawn Inskip C.T.::::::::



brand new collab by dawn inskip and heather manning ° evitangel °


also Embossed Alpha set 2 by Dawn Inskip


NDISB: http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php...acturers_id=58


Treasures to Scrap: http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.co...acturers_id=20


ScrapScandiStyle: http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/ind...acturers_id=43


www.digiscrapping.net


Font: DJB MESSIE AMANDA by Darcy Baldwin at www.digichick.com


Brick overlay by Jenna Desai



:::::::::::::::Karen Lewis and Darcy Baldwin::::
Check out The Digichick for some cool stuff. Also, with National Scrapbook Day, Digital Freebies is having a 50% off sale.


:::::::::::::A Happy Birthday::::::

My mom and stepmom gave me gift certificates to Cake Art for some more fun design classes, I got great cards and phone calls from family and friends. I got to hangout with my youngest boy at the zoo, got beautiful flowers from my hubbie, went out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner with my mom, Jim and the kids. The restaurant folks sang to me and presented me with a sopapilla with a green candle...too cool!

::::::::::::In-Gathering:::::::::::

I'm off in a little while to a Girl Scout trip with Rachel and a gaggle of giddy girls. This should be an adventure!

Update

Hey all! Thanks for those who called and emailed about my dad. I just spoke with my stepmom for another follow-up. My dad is home. The doctors found that he was negative for cardiac enzymes, which indicate a heart attack. He passed his stress test and blood work. They are uncertain what caused his excruciating pain. He woke up with his jaw numb and his left arm completely numb, the other day. He has been in pain for about 2 months, but doesn't complain about things. He is a worker and is always up early to do things and for him to complain it has to be pretty horrible. My sister, Katherine, has made an appointment for further tests with another physician. They will try to determine what could be causing his symptoms.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your prayers and kind words!

:::::::::::::A Walk in the Park x 2:::::

I did my 4 mile walk, yesterday with a little bit of sprinkling rain. The clouds blew away and the sun came out shortly before I finished. Then, when Michael came home from work he invited me to walk with him. I wasn't going to pass on a chance to walk and talk with my sweetheart, so I donned my shoes again (my fabulous 7eeee's of joy!) We had a 4 mile walk to the park, around and back. We discussed the podcast of the wave/particle duality from Astronomy cast and extrapolated that to a comparison on evolution and creationism. Light walking topics, indeed!

For today's walk I listened to Astronomy Cast discussing "Space Junk" and "Detectors". I don't only listen to podcasts; I also love a bit of Earth, Wind and Fire to get the feet going. :)


::::::::::::::Another Layout for Karen Lewis' C.T.:::::




My daughter using her hands to eat her potato salad because she didn't want to bother any one to get her a fork.

Total "Mom"-Sense Collaboration Kit by Karen Lewis & Danielle Engbretson

http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17958&cat=0&page=4

Curly Swirly Alpha by Karen Lewis: http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17723&cat=0&page=2

Font: DJB KIRA by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=21
additional font: Another Typewriter, CK Double Mou

:::::::::::::::Getting Ready::::::

The overnight Zoo trip is tomorrow and the weekend has In-Gathering for Rachel. Michael will be teaching a Wilderness Survival class for the Boy Scout merit badge. My mom is such a blessing for helping out with Noah and Eve while I'm gone! Thanks, MOM!

:::::::::::::::NSD::::::::::::::::

National Scrapbook Day is May 3rd and there are going to be amazing sales and freebies around the digital community. Check out www.digishoptalk.com forum for some great information. Dawn Inskip has made an amazing collaboration kit with Heather Manning that will be coming out for NSD. Y'all will love it! Anna Benjamin will be having a new gorgeous kit at scrapbookgraphics, Darcy Baldwin and Karen Lewis will be having some AWEsome stuff at The Digichick. Keep your eyes peeled for all of the cool designs for preserving your memories, or just an exciting creative outlet!

Take care and smiles!

Phone Call

Scary news this morning: I received a call from my niece, Jessica, to tell me that my dad was at the hospital due to a heart attack. She gave me the cell number to reach my stepmom, Alice. She answered and she was in such a flustered state that she had just missed the exit for the emergency room. She said she would call me, as soon as, she knew anything more. I called Michael and my mom to let them know about what was going on. I went ahead and took Eve to school, then took a walk to the park. When I returned Alice had left a message to return her call. She said that the doctor's are uncertain if it was, in fact, a heart attack. He was still in emergency, but would be admitted for more tests. She said she didn't need anything, but to call her later. My dad is a tough old rooster.

:::::::::::::::News of a Different Sort:::::::

Karen Lewis has invited me to her creative team and I have been working with some of her colorful and clever designs. Here are a couple:




<sub>This is the start of a Mother's Day Album of things I do with my children. I love the retro look!


Total "Mom"-Sense Collaboration Kit by Karen Lewis & Danielle Engbretson


http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17958&cat=0&page=4

Curly Swirly Alpha by Karen Lewis: http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17723&cat=0&page=2

Font: DJB DAWN by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick

http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=21

additional font: Another Typewriter


My daughter playing with one of her cousins!



A Month At A Time Date Stamps by Karen Lewis at The Digichick

Lil’Miss Kit
http://digitalfreebies.com/store/ind...737333c6b75b1e

DJB JENNA by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick</sub>

All catch up with the weekend information later.

Take care!

Ponder

I love to get the kids to pose like the statues we come across. Here is a layout with Eve playing along:


_{Credits: Swirl Therapy by Jofia
Font: DJB JENNA by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Shabby Paper by Weeds and Wildflowers
Frames by Christina Renee and Katie Pertiet
Acrylic letters by Michelle Coleman from Emma's Sundress}

Smiles! :)

Nuture Nature?

:::::::::::::::::::Atlanta Botanical Gardens Layout:::


<sub>Dawn Inskip: “A Secret Garden”, “Fresh”, "WEATHER STATION", "Land of Make Believe" , "Embossed Alpha set 2"


Also her Type Cast Alpha


NDISB http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58

Treasures to Scrap http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20

ScrapScandiStyle http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43

Font: DJB Mandy by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick</sub>


::::::::::::::::::::Small Accomplishment::::::::

I never thought much about the lable section on the posts. Then, I realized that they are pretty handy dandy. So...I have finished labeling all of my 548 posts to make them more accessible.

::::::::::::::::::::Stolen Recollections:::::::::

from my mom's blog: "From time to time, I ask one of the grandchildren, if they will take care of me when I get old and over the years I have had some interesting answers – everything from an exuberant, "Yes, of course, Granny" to a more thoughtful response from Noah recently. When I asked Noah about the care and feeding of Granny in the future – his response was "well, it all depends…. Will we be living at your house or at our house? I prefer your house because you have Cable." That perk is definitely a strong consideration for almost 8 years old. I shall have to keep that satellite dish no matter what!

Noah also has lots of opinions about his favorite food (at least at our home) GRITS. It has to be just right and served in the proper dish. It has to have just the right amount of cheese – not too much – not too little. He has incredibly sensitive taste buds, too. If he is deeply engrossed in the latest episode of BEN TEN and the ALEIN FORCE, I note fewer comments and larger consumption. Noah gives Victoria a bit of a hard time because he tells her that she doesn’t make Grits like Granny Sue and he refuses to eat her grits. Well, last week, he was not exactly happy with my offering and he commented, "Your grits taste just like my mother’s." That was not meant as a compliment. Maybe Noah will grow up to be a Food Critic."

Thanks for posting this, mom! :)


:::::::::::::::::::::Walking:::::::::

The temperature was nigh unto perfect, today! I found a bird egg to show eve that had fallen from some unseen nest. She dropped it and broke it within 5 minutes. The bluebirds are one of my favorite birds to spy in the park. Least favorite... would be dog poo.

::::::::::::::::::::::Yard Work:::::

It is time for the mowing of the grass, or rather...I better get it done because all of the neighbors have theirs looking trim and tidy.

Smiles and take care!