ok it is picture day .....

are you ready?

Just a few of my new favs from over the weekend!




















Hope I don't scare you but I have a ton more pics that I love still......

contemplation

Doesn't he look much older than a tender four year old boy. He acts it too. He looks so serious here, so lost in thought.

Don't let the still picture of one split second fool you though. He can MOVE, and he can move fast!

Out of about 30 pictures I took hardly any are in focus because he could not stop moving and bouncing around. All this with no sugar lol.

I really do need to practice indoor shooting more, I am just running out of things to bribe him with.

tuesday morning....

is there a song about Tuesday morning? Or does only Monday get its own song?

It is now almost 11:00 AM and I am ready for a nap! Sadly I need to go and pick Colton up from Preschool in a few minutes so that won't be happening lol. The teacher is going to start giving Colton "homework" from a kindergarten workbook that I brought up for him. This way I am hoping that he will learn, and also he will stay occupied with that while I do Ashlin's homework with her. Right now I have Colton doing Ashlin's homework with us and it is not working! They are a prime example of sibling rivalry at its finest I tell ya. So anyways now Colton will be getting homeowrk of his own, and hopefully he will learn from it too.

The good news is Ashlin seems to be settling into school now. ALthough reading is a chore for her and a fight for me to get her to do it. She knows that when she can read a book that I chose that she will get a kitten. But that little goal is not helping because she wants to read a book and get a HORSE! ACK, can you say NOT! Talk about going for the gold hey. I wish I could get her a horse but it is not happening anytime soon lol.

It is COLD here, so I had to buy a new cardigan :D Baby blue (I actually bypassed the pink one) and all cable knit. And even though I do not use it very often it has a nice hood too. I love my cardigan! Maybe even one day I will take a picture ;)

so I am loving the new banner!

from the ultra talented Nicole!

I might be able to scrapbook but my banner skills, for lack of better word, SUCK!

Didn't Nicole do a FAB job :D I love that she used one of my flower pics, and then the way she went from grey to color - totally fits everything this blog is about.

Nicole thank you so much! I keep looking at it and I am so thrilled.

Mr Sandbox...

So what kinda of career do you think Colton could have? Do they have well paying jobs for men who like to play with dirt?

I know everyone grows up and we move on from childish things, but seriously I can not imagine a time when Colton will not be playing in the sand.

He gravitates to it like nothing else. Oftentimes he is not making anything like sand castles or roads, but rather he is just delighting in the feeling of it in his hands. He likes to watch it flow as he dumps it. And he must like the weight it gives him since he often stuffs handfuls of it into his pant pockets. (A big joy at laundrytime!)

Case in point:

Happy Saturday!

ps - brace yourself for a "few" kid pics to be up tomorrow ;)

school woes

When Ashlin started school I didn't really think there would be any issues or prolems. She did so well in Kindergarten, althought they really didn't learn anything, that I just thought grade one would be wonderful for her.

Not so.

She does NOT like it. Mornings are tense around here, and I have to force her to get dressed and out the door. She is definitely nervous about learning to read. But that aside she misses her friends. When they did the classroom child placements she was completely cut off from all of her kindergarten friends. They broke up the children into two different grade one classes, and she is in a class of almost all boys. That is a huge part of the problem. And even worse is that there are five boys that have quite noticeable behaviour issues. The teacher spends more time trying to get them listening and settled than she does teaching. Ashlin is in grade one and so far the only sheets she has brought home have been drawing straight lines - horizontal and vertical. Like hello! She learned to do that when she was three.

I am very upset at the lack of what school should be.

I have been talking to the principal, requesting (or rather demanding) that she be put into the other class. And of course the principal says that they do not do that, and anyways that other class is at full capacity. I am so lost as to the best action to do. I actually like and respect the teacher that Ashlin has now. The problem is that she is a strict teacher who gets results, so they assign her almost all of the children needing more discipline. And then they need to fill up the class so they stick a few other kids in there. And Ashlin is one of those other kids. She is overshadowed by kids acting out, and I am worried that she is being affected more than the school realizes. I just feel so sad that Ashlin is not having a wonderful school experience (so far).

Little Red Riding Hood?

Ok so I had to bribe her to put the dress on, and then I had to bride her more to brush her hair - again. By the time we were all ready to take picture it was almost dark, so I had fun trying to get my exposures right. (Big sigh here!)

But once we got settled and I told her she could do whatever she liked we were fine. She RAN! So I have a lot of blurry action pictures. I did get a few that I like though :D

Mr Pumpkin

or otherwise known as the post that should be titled - I am not a Martha!

Something crafty is in the air, I am loving this cooler weather :D

Ashlin and I made Mr Pumpkin last night. It was a joint effort. She cut out the pieces, I used my machine to sew, she stuffed and he 'rested' overnight. And then today we both did the face. Ashlin is so proud of him (and she should be!) and he even went to show and tell today!.

here he is - Mr. Preschool!

Yup he is SO excited! He was up early, and got dressed all by himself. Then he started harrassing me to go, and we still had an hour to go. That was so hard on both of us. He even was happy to let me take pictures, as long as I didn't ask him to stand still lol


He ate all his snack, painted a few pictures, played in the sand and just enjoyed himself. I am still upset that he is not eligible to go to Kindergarten since he is so ready.

and then there is Ashlin. Ready to go - she loves school. UNTIL you bring up learning. She has a huge issue with learning to read. Her teacher even called today since Ashlin was so sad in school. And her problem was she was sad because she doesn't want to learn to read. I am lost on this issue.

I don't want to learn to read.

Just how do I answer that? Ashlin was so excited to go to school, and she still is. There is one problem though.

She doesn't want to learn to read.

I do not know if it is because she doesn't know how or if there is another reason. But I don't kow how to answer her when she tells me that. I try and encourage her and emphasize how important it is. And the teacher she has is a real hard nose teacher and is expecting her students to be able to read soon. I am happy that this teacher values reading, as I do, but I just feel bad that Ashlin is feeling the pressure.

I never had a problem reading, it just came easy to me. Colton is getting it already too. Ashlin seems to have a problem with it. She is just not grasping it. I am sure if I was her I would be a bit worried too.

In the meantime I feel lost since I really don't know what more to do to help her. I have even told her that once she learns to read she will be allowed to play on the computer more and it is not much of a goal for her. She just really could care less about reading and that is her downfall. If she is not interested she will not try.

Any ideas?

At the Fair!

There was only to bouncy rooms but my kids were happy enough to feed the horses, pet the goats and eat ice cream treats. I took over 200 pictures in less than three hours. I need to start scrapping bigtime!!!

My son, the incredible dirt boy...

It is a well known fact in my circle of friends that my son loves dirt. He loves to sit and play in it. Often times he just lies down and lets it run thru his fingers, usually while singing away. And it is not uncommon to see a cloud of dust arise when you hug him. He is known as "dirt boy".

He reminsd me of PigPen in the old Charlie Brown comics. A little dust swirl follows him sometimes.

Today Colton founda straw, and he was out there just blowing away. He was mesmerized by the little dust clouds. He is a very much cause and effect boy.

And just a word of caution, never lick your hands while you are playing in the dirt.

If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?

On the ocean, with a great view and a long sandy beach.

What's your favorite article of clothing? My chennille cardigan.

Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? hmm it is all about strong presense.

What's the last CD that you bought? omgosh it has been way to long to even start to remember.

Where's your favorite place to be? Home.

Where's your least favorite place to be? Hospitals

What's your favorite place to be massaged? I could care less as long as I am getting one!

Strong in mind or strong in body? are you asking or telling?

What time do you wake in the morning? 7ish

What's your favorite kitchen appliance? My griddle :D

What makes you really angry? Mean people!

If you could play any instrument, what would it be? I would actually love to play the guitar (or piano)

Favorite color? uhm it constantly canges

Which do you prefer, sports car or SUV? CAR all the way.

Favorite children's book? "I love you forever"

What is your favorite season? Like them all except the sloppy sping thaw.

What's your least favorite household chore? cleaning the bathtub

If you could have one super power, what would it be? I thought I was Wonderwoman???

If you have a tattoo, what is it? Don't have one

Can you juggle? Sure I juggle my kids, my hubby and my time everyday.

The one person from your past you wish you cold go back and talk to? My sis.

What's your favorite day? Anydays is good to me as long as everyone wakes up in a good mood.

What's in the trunk of your car? Hot Pink inner tube, car windshield cleaner.

Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? Sushi - but only the California rolls.

Thanks for looking, and I tag - Stayce!!!! (just to help you get your blog off on the right foot lol

first day of school....

Ashlin was so excited, she didn't even have a hard time getting up way earlier than she was used to. Getting ready was a breeze since she has been waiting for this day for weeks and weeks. She really missed her friends over the summer.

So all was going fine, until I said it was time to go. She wanted to go, that was not the problem. BUT she wanted us to drive (it is only 2 blocks). So what else could I do but take a picture of her pouting ;)

I am so happy to report that she got over that quick and her first day was a huge success. She was so happy to get to see all of her friends and even seems to like her new teacher. They split up the grade ones into two classes and she is seperated from all of her friends but I am thinking that might help her be more focused in class. And thankfully they get an hour lunch so she can socialize then.

Tomorrow will be the first day that she goes ALL day. I don't know who will feel more lonely without her - Colton or I. I am kinda hoping that absence really does make the heart grow stronger and maybe her and Colton won't fight as much since he won't see her all day.

We can only hope it works that way.

just playing with my camera...

I have a new favourite photo of Colton. Out of a mini photo shoot this morning here is about the only one I really like. He is such a goof yboy, and getting him in a semi normal pose is an odd occurance lol.

then again I think he looks good in black and white too ;)

I think scanning took longer than creating....

I swear it took me forever to get a good scan of this layout, and even then I am not to sure I am happy with it.

I went all out for this one, I think I am usually pretty basic about my scrapping.

Now it is time go have a shower @ 2:36 in the afternoon lol

that late night blogging thing again...

I get so introspective after dark, and the kids are asleep. Perhaps the quiet lets me finally think.

and right now I have a sudden urge to go and get the pickles....

so I can't remember what I wanted to say.


maybe I am not as introspective as I thought?

Just a quickie,

before I go have a desperately needed anp I wanted to share a project I whipped out. I was working with these papers last night and made a newsletter layout, and then I realized I wanted to do sometging similar for Ashlin's room.

So here it is, an 8 x 8 canvas with her and her cousins. It is a bit softer colors in real life though.



I might be taking a better picture later, I will see how I feel after m nap. If the colors being a bit off is still bothering me than I will get the camera out again ;)

so my Sunday list is now...

my Thursday list (it is Thursday right?) and I have accomplised ONE thing. Yay go me.

I am such a bad procrastinator, it is a habit I can not seem to break.

on the bright side I did get my little tin finished with the September kit from MC
This will be for Ashlin to put pics of her and her school friends from the 2006/2007 school year. I might try and take some better pictures since it is a bit overexposed.

I am really trying to learn my camera. But along with that I need to learn Photoshop. I tell you Nicole is amazing with Photoshop, thank you Nicole for your picture & photoshop help!!!!!

feeling scrappy....

For my dear friend Stayce.

I did this with her September kit (awesome kit BTW!)

now I am off to create with the little tin, I actually have an idea for it. Which of course may or may not work out lol

just another manic monday

(sometimes I really miss the 80's)

yet another weekend gone.


I have a huge list of tasks/errands that I need to do.

Phone calls.

I hate making "important" phone calls. I always forget something inportant, and of cousre my children have th elittle inner sensor that goes off as soon as I get taken off hold - and then they NEED me!

Bills to pay.

I have two different swimming lessons times for the kids, and the middle of one I need to leave and go to a meeting. For the preschool that will be my sons home for yet another school year.

Did I ever say how upset I am that he just missed the cut off date for Kindergarten.
He is SO ready for Kindergarten.

That is one of my phone calls to make, the school board. I must keep saying to myself "kill them with kindness!"

Do you ever feel like one of the mothers whose list of to do never gets shorter, and no tasks ever get the 'done' check.

The good news is I thourougly enjoy watching the kiddos learn to swim.

Ashlin had her final Swim Meet last thursday. She had three races, and she won FIRST in two of them. ANd a second in the third! I am so proud of my little mermaid (as she likes to be called)

ok I am rambling....


maybe I should not blog late in the evening.

my first "non-auto" picture...

Ok so I have had my camera since Christmas 05. And I hate to say it but i have never taken it off any of the automatic settings. I have wanted to but it seems so daunting to figure it all out. My manual alone for the camera is 207 pages of number and symbols I know nothing about.

So I have decided to learn how to really use it. May I present my first picture in the manual field of photography. I was playing with the aperature here, kinda cool. I have SO much to learn, and sadly Colton was not interested in me taking his picture this morning.



But I am just so impressed with myself that a picture appeared. I was expecting to just get a big blurry bunch of nothing....

better or worse?

ok just playing around. But opinions would be awesome :D

What is better - A or B?






so what do you think is better? Is it good that I cropped out his sneer (he could be called the boy of many faces) or keep it like that. And the color is a bit diff. Did I do too much adjusting?

kids - close up..

I have a feeling I am really going to miss the Summer and the natural lighting. I am just loving the picutres I am getting recently. So far I only use the auto settings on my camera and I am pretty happy with my pictures. Do you think I need to learn manual photography at all? It seems so overwhelming.

All I need to do is get my PS reinstalled and add some cool brushes, I miss using brushes on my pictures. Darn Arcsoft won't work with them :(

my son is pretty crazy....

can you tell he LOVES to jump in the pool?

and the HS goodies winner is....

CAMMY!

Congrats Cammy -I hope that you like using Heidi Swapp stuff :D Thanks for playing!

And yes the papers in the MC Sept kit are a Sassafraslass Playtime and Dreamtime mix. I have seen the kit ladies and it is cute!!!

"found paper"

so the DT at Memory Creators did our first monthly inspirations and the theme was "found paper". I am glad that we did it since I created a layout about Colton that I just love!!! Of course I think any layout that I finish is my favourite one, till I make a new one. Is anyone else like that????

Anyways here is my little charmer:



I love that handwriting font! It is from 2peas and this one is called Pea Olsen.

What do you think? Do all the dt layouts for this inspiration encourage you to go and scrap?

the Summer of Swimming

so a couple more weeks and our pool will be closing. I am so sad. Both of the kiddos have learned so much and are both loving the swimming. Sometimes I hate so much that I am such a small town and we lack a lot of kids orientated activites. Other times I am grateful that we are in such a small community, it does afford us a slower, perhaps even gentler way of living.

At any rate though, that is not how I am feeling today. I am totally going to miss the summer swimming in the pool and the lakes. I know my kiddos will too.

the Sept MC kit is peeking out!

Oh this kit looks super cute!!!!

http://www.memorycreators.com/forums/

look at the picture along the top


I hope I get my kit soon so I can play and scrap!!!!!!

Any visitors who correctly guess the pattern paper line and post in the comments by August 15th will be be entered into a draw to get an RAK of HS Journaling spots - 1 pack of each Circles, Tabs and Thoughts themes fresh from CHA 2006! (only 1 winner will be picked) Be sure to check back on Aug 16th to see who will be picked!!!

So start guessing!

is it that bad...

that it is 2PM and both of my kids are still in jammies???? But on the bright side they are comfy, and I have less laundry to do :D

I was busy creating a layout today. Woohooo. I had another picture printed but as I was cleaning my scrap area I changed my mind. I had this one printed for a while but just needed the right mindset to do it. Oh and surprise surprise I am getting back into the "inking" stage. Every edge needs to have something done to it. It is an addiction lol

Anyways I used the Aug Memory Creators kit and just did it.



I am sooooo excited because I just know Stayce at MC is sending me Septembers kit soon (right) and in the pizza box I am going to get the NEW Basic Grey and I am sure that I am going to order the new Cosmo Cricket and more from her. I am even hoping that my Heidi Swapp goodies I ordered are in there!

I love scrapping :D Almost as much as I love shopping for the supplies!!!


ok now that I have closed my store and little ol hubby is buying all my supplies (not that he has any idea how MUCH he is buying :D I am off to scrap and use my goodies so I can buy MORE!)

A Scrapping sort of Weekend

So I have been making more of an effort to take pictures of my kiddos. No matter what and even if there is messy and faces dirty. That has been hard since I have an issues of Ashlins har always looking ratty. I am sure it does not help that my mother makes little comments about her looking like no one cares for her since her hair is messy. (Obviously an issue with me since I always mention it!) Anyways I was less stressed this weekend and I managed to scrap while the kids crafted downstairs with me. Imagine that - they got along!

So first I did a simple layout of Ashlin, messy hair and all.



just kinda sliding into the mojo easy like, so her layout is all about her. Now for Colton's layout I was feeling even less stressed and I wanted to really create. So his all about "more" This was the same day as Ashlins picture.



It feels good to reconnect with myself. As a person I find that I need to create, it is good for me.

And I took some super cute pics of Ashlin that I can't wait to scrap!

{think before you speak}

I had a huge long post typed out, but of course I backtrack with everything and decided sometimes too much honesty is not a good thing. Of course that is one of my major flaws, I edit myself to much. So here it is - short and sweet. :)


I am taking a break.

Wish me well, and please send energizing thoughts my way. I really need them.

We have a "swimathon" tonight. The swim coaches will be at the pool for 12 hours, from 7PM to 7AM. And the kids are welcome to stay as long as they can. Poor Colton got up at 6AM this morning so I think he might fade out pretty quickly, I can only hope that two or three hours of swimming will tire him out anyways. Ashlin on the other hand got up at 6AM for a bit and then went back to sleep until 10:30AM. I think she will last for a long time. We need to take blankets nad jammies. I can not say that it is my idea of a fun night (I don't like mosquitos!) but Ashlin and Colton are so excited. I am charging my camera battery and cleaing out my memory card so I can take as many pictures as I want :D

I do feel kinda bad that I did not raise any money through pledges for Ashlin and Colton. It is kinda hard when everyone I talk to is trying to do the same for their kids too. The joys of living in a small town is everyone fundraises and no one really does that well.

I am sure that I will have a ton of pictures tomorrow :D

I managed to scrap a layout of Ashlin and her fav things. I used the August MC kit and it was fun! I have been sewing on my layouts again, well that and sanding. I need to go and buy more sandpaper even. I have been scrapping so that I can buy lots of new goodies from CHA and not feel to guilty about all the old stuff I have.

Anyways here is my layout from the MC kit:



oh and the first kit layout from the MC kit too:




Isn't shopping a wonderful thing!

I have a blog?????

A blog that is sadly not used or updated enough!

I have been having a rough week or two. Even eBay is not interesting to me. I am just to tired to really do much of anything. But I have been scrapping. I do believe scrapping is my quiet time, perhaps my rejuvenation.