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!

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!"

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}

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!

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.

Parking a Car:

My sister, Tracy, sent me this hilarious game. Click for the game
It is just parking a car, but I get the biggest laugh trying to adjust the wheels and parallel parking, or backing into the space. If you hit a car the game is over, but, at least, you don't get a ticket, or hurt anyone! In "real life" I usually back into spaces, which is considered a guy thing in America. Michael has to do this for work and he has always preferred to back in because you are in better control of the situation when you leave. You are more likely to see anything that runs in front of the car. If I can't back in I try to pull all the way forward in a pull through space. Anyway, this game is fun...give it a try!




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

Great news on the birthday front. My stepmother, Alice, purchased a family pass to:

I'm so excited to take the kids! I really love to catch a glimpse of Kuchi with her twins and I would like to see the new baby Panda. Terry Maple was such a great advocate for clean and healthy zoo animal populations. I also like to see the elephants all covered in Georgia red clay!

A Few More Layouts:

Text: Noah enjoyed our day at the Zoo in Washington, D.C.
In this photo he seemed to really be communicating with the gorilla statue!

_{Layout Credits: Monkey Doodle Doo by Robin Carlton and Christie Lyle
Fonts Used: Shabby Princess' A Day at the Zoo monogram/Amienne/Weathered SF}



If you ever have a reason to come into a small fortune and get to go to Disney World I would recommend a visit to Animal Kingdom where they have the Lion King Performance. The singers are fun, the acrobats hilarious and the fire juggler is amazing!


_{Layout Credits: Monkey Doodle Doo by Robin Carlton and Christie Lyle, Round Stamp Brush from Emma's Sundress Kit by Michelle Coleman}

Here is a layout of my Senior Prom photos. I have to say that I had a wonderful time at my prom with my friend Eric. He really liked to dance and he liked to joke around.


_{I used Mo Jackson's Primitive Scrapbooking, Crepe Paper Flowers}