Promised Fluff And Stuff...

:::::::::::::::A Walk In The Park:::::::::::

At lunch today I walked from the house to park, and back. It was a bracing walk due to the cold temperatures. Fortunately, my toes were happy to be in their new big square box.

After the walk I drove to Eve's preschool and had to wait out in the hall for just a few minutes because the girls were having dress rehearsal for their upcoming ballet recital. All the girls were excited to wear their costumes and all shrieked when we, the parents, walked in, to not look up at the front where Ms. Brooke had their costumes. Such excited little girls!

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



My oldest DS, Aaron, with a Blue Morpho on his shoulder. He was thrilled!

Credits:
Font: DJB NICOLE by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick

Dawn Inskips: Colour My World kit coming to NDISB,
TTS, and SSS on Friday!
Typecast Alpha
Font: Ck Cursive

NDISB
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=6f749e8e3eef36755bd930bff3df535c
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43

My family and I having fun petting stingrays and small sharks at the Tennessee Aquarium.



:::::::::::::::::::::::::Suspence and Sensibility


This book by Carrie Bebris is her second in the series of mystery stories using the well-known characters from Jane Austen's works. The main characters are Elizabeth Bennett Darcy and Fitzwilliam Darcy the beloved couple from Pride and Prejudice. Bebris writes in wonderful Austenian style, so as you read you are comfortable with the characters and the atmosphere she creates...or continues in this series. This book is like Nick and Nora Charles meet The Picture of Dorian Gray. The creepy Sir Frances Dashwood is introduced to the reader immediately, then comes into play later in the book. We also get to "witness" the budding romance between Kitty Bennett and Harry Dashwood.
I liked this book a bit more than the first. The supernatural underpinnings of the books are expected, now, and Bebris explains the historical background to the stories she weaves in the this much beloved couples' life. This was an engaging read and I enjoyed it. If you want Austen with a twist of the supernatural give this book a try.

Later, gators!

Friday...

not a clever title, but I'm using my creativity elsewhere.


<sub>Dear Diary kit by Erica Hite, paw doodle by Rhonna Farrer, Borderlines by Sande Krieger, Negative Stripes by Gina Miller

Be Trusting by Kim Christensen, Font: Misproject

Spring Break by Dani Mogstad, Nancy Comelab's Cluster Frames, Doodle Arrows and Weather Doodles by Kate Hadfield, Sneakers by Anna Benjamin, Date Stamp by Amber Clegg

Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab, Journal paper by Lauren Grier, Font: DB Michael</sub>





Here are some other titles we have watched an by this group that we enjoyed:
Othello, Macbeth, King Lear
Titus Andronicus, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet
Learn Nutrition
Writing Basics
Biology
Sociology
Grammar For All 1 and 2
American Government 1 and 2
Finance: the basics
French 1 and 2
Learn Personal Finance


:::::::::::::::::::::Ali Edwards::::::::

Interview with Ali Edwards found in the Scrap Girls Newsletter:
(Excerpt):

8. If you could change anything about scrapbooking, what would it be?
I think what I would really like to change is the misconception that the people who do this are the ones with tons of time on their hands. Come on! Everyone is busy; everyone has stuff going on in their lives. Creating is really a lifestyle choice.


:::::::::::::::::Experiment:::::::::
Michael, Noah and Rachel did an experiment on Thursday night and I am making a layout of their experience. I will try to post it tomorrow. They were so excited.


::::::::::::::::When I Am Old:::::

If that isn't already a loaded statement from an adult I'm not sure what would qualify. My mom set herself up last week by asking the question, "When I am old can Granny come live with you?" All four of the children were in the room at the time and Aaron, Rachel and Eve gave Granny Sue a quick reply of, "Of course, Granny you can come live with us." Eve added that she could sleep in her room because she had two beds. Noah on the other hand replied, "Why would you want to do that?"
If I got that last line wrong send me a correction, mom!

Tagged:

This is a blog first for me, but my friend, Janna, tagged me and these were the guidelines:

In a new blog post, list and write about 5 to 10 methods you use to create original posts. At the start of your post, tell your audience (briefly or at length) what you are doing with the “Be Original” Project and link to the project. Link/track back to the blogger who tagged you for “Be Original” Share your “Be Original” methods with your own audience Pick as many bloggers as you want and “tag” them to take part in the fun…After all, that is how a meme works (a unit of cultural information transferable from one mind to another). Sit back and learn from the discussion.”


1. I blog about the books I read to my children for “Family Reading Time”. This is a book I usually review at the end, unless I am overwhelmed with excitement and post mid-book.
2. I also blog about any personal books that I am reading.
3. I like to include layouts of events my family and I have done together, and to mix things I up I usually don’t do anything chronologically.
4. I also like to create layouts that show my quirky sense of humor and often involve extended family members.
5. I include funny things my kids’ say. For the most part, I post what my son, Noah, says because they tend to be the most off the wall.
6. I throw in some homeschool supplemental curriculum ideas.

You're supposed to tag someone, so if Anna would like to do this it would be cool. Her blog is always original.



::::::::::::::::::::::California Condor::::::::::


Our kids were fascinated by the California Condor at the Grand Canyon. They also participated in The Junior Ranger Program, which was a lot of fun.

Journal paper by Catrine,
Staples by Michelle Coleman and KSharonK,
Doodle frame by Kate Hadfield,
Negative Frame by Gina Miller,
Leather ribbon from Giddy Up by Mary Fran,
Bird overlay from Scrap Girls,
Background paper from Springbreak by Dani Mogstad, Date Stamp and tab by Amber Clegg,
Fonts: DB Michael by Darcy at blueflombingo/ Distress.


::::::::::::::::::: Another Layout from the Tennessee Aquarium:::::::


_{Background watercolor paper by Susan Long, Scalloped edge by Gina Cabrera from Simply Irresistable kit, Date Stamp by Mindy Wade, title and patterned paper from Dear Diary by Erica Hite, Cluster frame by Nancy Comelab, Font: DB Michael by Darcy at blueflombingo}

Smiles!

Taxi Driver:

That is my duty tomorrow. I will be shuffling Aaron and Noah off to their respective birthday party festivities (after I pick up a gift for the honorees).

Michael and the Scouts had scheduled a 30 mile bike ride, but there is a severe thunderstorm coming tomorrow, so he had to cancel. He will be going to work, instead.

Today's weather was 70 degrees Farenheit and the kids climbed the Japanese Maple in the front yard and played...played...played. Eve was plumb tuckered out on the way to Friday sleepover night at Granny and Grandpa Towhey's house. She finally woke up to have an evening meal of grits. Ahhh! To be a little Southern girl!

:::::::::Butterfly Surprise:



I went to the Tennessee Aquarium and they had a butterfly exhibit. One landed on my hand! So Cool!!!

_{Dear Diary kit by Erica Hite, Painted flowers by Lisa Whitney, Font: Pea girly girl Script, Mia's scribblings, Pea Jean}

Michael really loved the expression on Rachel's face when the butterly lighted on her hand.
WOW! Butterflies make me smile!

Happy Easter!

_{Sausan's Easter Stickers and Sing Spring Collection, Tiff Brady's Sunshine Felt}

:::::::::::::
And on the spiritual side:

Matthew 38:6 "He is not here: for he is risen..."

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

Some quotes that impressed me today:

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Helen Keller


A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.

Benjamin Franklin



Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

Guillaume Apollinaire

:::::::::::::::::A smattering of photos from our week:

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!