Happy Birthday Hon!

Just wanted to wish George a very Happy Birthday today!!

I'll have to wait to post the picture of his card as I can't seem to get it off my camera right now for some reason?!

I have been slacking on my posting and I was doing so well at the beginning of the month and then it turned into birthday/party central and I didn't have time, but I'll have to catch up on that later as I need to get ready for work! 

Yes, I'm afraid George has the kids for the day on his birthday!  We went out for dinner last night - all 4 of us.  We also went and got George's birthday present which was a new point and shoot Canon camera since he wants to take some pictures while he's doing his Olympic volunteering, but doesn't want to be packing my camera around.  He was playing with it last night already!

Nathan has a birthday party to go to today as well, so he'll be gone for a couple of hours.  I'm sure Kyle will be wanting to play his new My Sims Kingdom game for the Wii that he's addicted to!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Cheers,

Busy Day!

2 busy classes + a late night last night = one tired girl who needs sleep!

At least I came home to fabulous homemade pizza made by my mother-in-law who was taking care of the boys today!

Have a fabulous Sunday!  I'm sure we will being at our family birthday party!
Cheers,

Finally Friday?!

OK, so yes, it is Friday, but it's not like it's going to be a relaxing weekend!  I have the kids today, chores to do and then work 6-midnight tonight for starters.  The worst part about this is that I'm already tired! 

Then, I'm up early tomorrow to head off to work again for a couple of classes.  My Cupcake Quick and Easy is already more than full and the other Playin' In the Snow layout class is almost full, so it should be a fun, but busy day at work too!

My mother-in-law is coming to stay tonight as well.  With me working tomorrow and George being in Whistler for the day for his volunteer training for the Paralympics, we had no one at home to watch the kids.  They love it when she comes anyway, so it's all good!

Then, Sunday we have a family birthday party out in Chilliwack and then I need to come home and finish prepping for my more than full Monday morning card class!  It's pretty much done, but needs just a few things put together. 

Crazy weekend ahead for sure!  Hope you enjoy yours!
Cheers,

Check these out...

...just a few interesting links for today!

- an article on going paperless in your kitchen!
- a wonderfully cute Valentine's card
- some great cards by a fabulous new co-worker
- another way to contribute to efforts in Haiti

Happy 4th Birthday Nathan!!

What a crazy day it was around here for me and I'll catch up on more of that tomorrow, but I could never let this day go by without wishing my little man a VERY Happy 4th Birthday! 

He had a fun morning at preschool with his friends while Nana was here helping out watching Matthew.  I took him to Subway for lunch since that was his pick!  Played all afternoon and opened presents throughout the day it seemed.  I, unfortunately, had to go to work tonight (though it was a fun class!), but my in-laws were here with George and the boys.  My mother-in-law makes homemade pizza the boys love, so she made that for dinner and they brought cake for Nathan's birthday too!  And there were, of course, more presents too!

Can't believe you're 4 already little man, but I love you very, very, very much!

Love,

Your Mummy

A Day in the Life...

OK, so the idea for this came from the 12 of 12 blog where you'd take 12 pictures on the 12th of each month and you'd have a picture of what your life was like!  I took some pictures today though certainly not of everything that happened.  What I did notice is that I have 2 pictures of coffee and 1 of tea!  Wondering what this says about me...  hee hee

The top picture was how I started my day - with those 2 darling little faces!  And the crazy thing is that my little man will be 4 tomorrow!  How did that happen?!  In the blink of an eye for sure.  Makes me all the more thankful that I'm able to stay at home with them (even on those not so fabulous days) and also thankful that I scrapbook and blog. 

So, my day went as follows...
 - up a little after 7
 - breakfast for the boys and coffee for me
 - some time on the computer
 - lost track of time, so a quick change of clothes for us!
 - made Kyle lunch
 - Kyle read me his alphabet book from school
 - walked Kyle to school though it thankfully stopped raining
 - had a nice chat with Allison and Matria after dropping the kids off
 - walk home and then a hot chocolate for Nathan
 - Brian dropped off Matthew and Sophia since they took their Nanny to the airport this morning
 - kids played and I laid poor sick little Matthew down for a nap though it only lasted about 30-45 minutes
 - I did some cleaning up and more purging (lots of that happening lately!)

- got an awesome bit of happy mail from a friend today for my headaches!

 - Matthew had a early lunch
 - Nathan and Sophia had lunch and then played
 - laid Matthew down again
 - I got a few more things done both on the computer and cleaning wise!  Happy about that!
 - Maria was nice enough to drop Kyle off so that Matthew could sleep longer, but that didn't happen anyway!
 - we hung out and played until Brian came and got the kids
 - George got home
 - dinner was spaghetti and salad
 - I did a great job of keeping track of my food today (have lost 7lbs)
 - went out with Kyle to get one more present for Nathan (another Wii controller and nunchuk so there's less waiting and fighting!) and the blueberry muffins he wanted for his snack for preschool tomorrow!
 - stopped and got a Decaf Grande Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte tonight on the way back..  Yummo!

... and here I am!  The boys are playing a little Wii Lego Star Wars (we rented this one though think we'll be buying it!) before bed and I'm enjoying my Starbucks while doing this.  Need to wrap Nathan's presents tonight and I'm almost done prepping for my class tomorrow night, but need to finish it off.  Yes, I unfortunately wasn't thinking when I was asked about my January schedule a couple of months ago, so I'm working the night of Nathan's birthday!  At least I get to spend the day with him at preschool and maybe we'll go for lunch or something.  My parents will also be here for a while in the morning and George's parents will be here in the evening and they're bringing homemade pizza and cake!  All good!  We'll be having a party with some kids coming up here soon as well.

OK, guess that's about it for this evening, but another one of those days to be thankful for where I am...
Cheers,

Scrapdango Crowned Competition

Scrapdango is celebrating 4 years, and they are doing it in style with their  “Crowned Pageant” contest.  I played last year and it was soooo much fun!

Come for 4 weeks of Crowned Competition ScrapDango style! There will be weekly pageant competition challenges that will challenge your creativity.

Each week the DT will award points for each contestant’s creation. The contestant with the most points at the end of each week will be sashed! If you are lucky enough to be SASHED, you will receive a fun prize pack!

At the end of the month, the contestant with the most points will be crowned Queen of Scrapdango and win a guest design spot, including a full Scrapdango kit!

There will be other challenges along the way as well, such as scavenger hunts, posting challenges, games, etc. These are voluntary, but they do help you to accumulate more points.

The weekly pageant challenges are mandatory. The only way you will be de-sashed and leave the Pageant is if you fail to do the weekly challenges.

To play you must visit the forums, say hello and register in the “Crowned” Thread. So come join us and stretch your creativity as we challenge you to Evening Gown, Swimsuit, Interview, and Talent Competitions!  Please make sure you let them know I sent you when you register!!

The first challenge will be issued February 1st. Sign up in the special thread “Crowned” here at Scrapdango!!!!!

International contestants are welcome to play and will receive a $6 shipping credit toward any prize they win. The balance of shipping will be that contestant's responsibility.

Come and join the fun and remember to let them know you heard about all this fun from me!!
Cheers,

New Challenges @ Challenge Masters!

There are new challenges posted the first 3 Sundays of the month at Challenge Masters, so check out the January Challenges HERE!  I just posted the Journaling Challenge for this month as well!

A New Team at Scrapperie!

There's a new team at Scrapperie and there are actually seven different teams - one for each day of the week... so you know what that means, right? A challenge for each and every day of the week and tons and tons of wonderful inspiration to choose from and jumpstart your creativity.

Without further ado, here are your 2010 Très Chic Girls:

The Layout Sketch Team
•Amy Teets (AmyTeets), Team Leader
•Angie Gutshall (my3blessings)
•Jlyne Hanback (Jlyne)
•Kory Anne Dordea (Mama2Ainslie)
•Rebecca Kvenvolden (mamakven)
•Taryn Stothart (taryngirl)
•Teresa Matz (teresamatz)
•Tonya Boone (tontaboo)

Techniques Team
•Amy Wilges (wilgeshouse)
•Rita Barakat (rbaraket)

Scraplift Team
•Shannon Morgan (paddymack), Team Leader
•Andi Dickson (randomscraps)
•Colleen Heidrich (GenkiCOL)
•Heather Lough (hlough)
•Nura Keif (Nura Keif)
•Pat Bishop (scrappinvt)

Use Your Stash Team
•Michele Brooks (Michele), Team Leader
•Alexandra Sirugue-MacLeod (alexandra s.m.)
•Annette Graham (jazzgodezz)
•Anita Mulcahey (stamphappy6805)
•Julie Kelley (JulieK)
•Kim Tupponce (Kim T)
•Mandy Koeppen (mandyk)
•Stephanie Ackerman (happyscraps)

Color Team
•Stacey Hansen (cupcakemomcolorado), Team Leader
•Jayme Downs (scrapper_jayme)
•Leah Crowe (Leah C)
•Lyla New (junqueandroses)
•Megan Aaron (megamay)

Freestyle Team
•Amy Bender (Amy Bender), Team Leader
•Andrea Tuttle (andrea21)
•Cindy Buchanan (cindy10)
•Jackie Laing (Jackie)
•Leena Loh (findingnana)
•Shannon Blinn (1scrappymom)
•Suzanne Blickenstaff (Suzanne)
•Vicki Finchum (txscrapaddict)

Book of Me Team
•Susan Alton (ladymisssusan), Team Leader
•Andrea Ancich (scrappinandrea)
•Christi Wright (Christi W)
•Michelle Christian-Chasteen (Mchris1024)
•Sue Mylde (missusem)

Congrats to everyone and come and check out all the new challenges starting on the 18th!
Cheers,

More Playing with my Bind It All!

OK, so I recently posted a food journal I'd made with my Bind It All and I think I mentioned that I pulled it out again after making cookbooks for my family with my mum and my sister.  I had more of the Creative Cafe coloured chipboard that I mentioned in my previous post as well, so I just took some Fancy Pants paper and used that along with some American Crafts Thickers for the title and some Bella Diamond Ice Baubles to give it a little pop.  Along with some stash ribbon I had, this was another one of those quick stash projects.  I'm having so much fun with these that I'm thinking I might start doing a few for gifts!

These are the cookbooks we did for family for Christmas.  My mum collected all the recipes and then we put them together.  Just used chipboard covered in Bazzill cardstock and then some of the Flair paper that I printed right onto.  Fairly quick to actually assemble once everything was printed!

Well, guess I'd better go do a few other things and add some more to my list of "to-dos" in my new notebook as well.  I'm using it to help keep me on track and organized for the new year since my "One Little Word" for 2010 is "purpose".  But more about that another time...

Cheers,

Challenge Master's First Contest!

Ch{all}enge Masters is pleased to announce our very first contest!! YAY!!


In the scrapping world, Ali Edwards started the tradition of One Little Word & in her words here is what it means:

"Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2010?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities."

Our first contest is going to revolve around Ali's One Little Word. You are to create a layout using your chosen 2010 One Little Word as your title & your journaling must express why you chose your specific word. Pretty easy, huh?? One only entry per person is allowed. The winner will be chosen by random draw, so this is not a contest about whose layout is the best! All layouts must be uploaded to our gallery by Valentine's Day (February 14th, 2010) by 11:59PM ET to be eligible for the draw! Please make sure "One Little Word Contest" is in your title line. I'm sorry, but if those words are not in your title line, your entry will be disqualified. This contest is open to everyone including Ch{all}enge Master Design Masters! :-)

The prize will be a $25 gift certificate to the online store of your choice. Now here's where it gets a bit interesting. I have posted a number in the admin forum on the site. When we reach that number of entries, I will increase the prize by $10!! For every increment of 10 entries after that, I will increase the prize another $10!!! The more entries we have the bigger the prize!!! So, you will definitely want to tell all your friends about this contest!! Believe me, the more entries the better!!
Have fun, tell all your friends & if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!!

Can't wait to see all the entries!!

I finished something important...

OK, so I'm on the bandwagon too as far as trying to eat better and get healthier!  My weight is a constant battle and I just have to look at this journey the same as any other adventure - one that will have ups and downs.  For me, I know one of the keys to being better about my food is having a food journal, so I decided to make something fun that I would want to actually use!

I got out my Bind It All (which I seem to be a little addicted to for projects lately!) and whip together something.  This is a true stash project!  I used some paper that I got a few months ago from My Mind's Eye and put it on some Creative Cafe coloured chipboard that I've had for more than a year!  All the ribbon was from my stash and I pulled the green Thickers, metal lettering that is ancient, and small Making Memories stickers out of my stash as well.  The circle journaling item from MME was on my table as were the flowers, button and even a flat top eyelet!  Just sprayed a little Candy Apple Red Glimmer Mist before putting the journaling spot on the front and that was it! 

A fun, quick little project that will now get used right away!

Cheers,

A Little Creativity...

I got a few minutes to play today and decided I'd try the card challenge for this month at Challenge Masters.  I got out my embossing powder and glitter for this one along with some stash!  The card needed to have something stamped, some bling, inking and an embellishment of our choice.

It was a relatively laid back day again to be honest, but it's back to the kid craziness tomorrow with my niece and nephew back again too!  The kids have all really missed each other to be honest.  Nathan and Sophia gave each other a huge hug at preschool when they saw each other and Kyle has been asking everyday if they're coming today.

George walked Kyle up to school in the rain, so I caught a break there!  Then it was my turn and I took Nathan up to preschool and headed off to my massage appt.  Feel much better again for doing that and have my appt again for next month.  Tracy dropped Nathan off from school just as George left for the chiropractor.  We had lunch and then I ran errands after George got home.  Relaxed a little this afternoon while George took Nathan for the walk up to the school to get Kyle and then it was dinner and here I am! 

George has just run up to get some groceries and the boys wanted to go with him, so he took them.  I have a few minutes of quiet to sit and type this and then it's off to clean up the living room and sweep before Matthew is here tomorrow inspecting the floor!

I had to admit to my guilty pleasure too since that's what I'll be doing tonight!  I'm a bit of a reality TV junkie and The Bachelor is starting again tonight with Jake from the last Bachelorette.  I quite liked him, so we'll see what this one brings for him!

Better go clean up the living room while things are quiet around here!
Cheers,

The Boys Are Back!

I sure do miss my little guys when they're gone!  It was nice getting out for dinner last night, but also nice to have them home again today.  Since the boys were at mum and dad's for the night last night, George and I headed out for Indian food for dinner and it was soooo good!  It wasn't like we were out partying all night or anything, but had a quiet night together.

I always find it strange when the boys aren't here since part of my nightly before bed ritual is checking in on them and tucking them in again.  The good news about them not being here though is that George and I got to sleep in and had a 10 hour sleep again!  Not bad considering it's my second 10 hour sleep of the new year!

I was at work today and managed to get some class prep done for an upcoming class as well, so that was all good.  Mum and dad brought the boys to work so that I could bring them home and it was good to be able to give them a cuddle!  We had a fairly short night by the time we got home and had dinner since I wanted them to be in bed at a good time for the back to school routine in the morning.

George is off tomorrow again for his alternating Monday off, so he gets one more day!  Then, we'll all be back into our routines by Tuesday...

Better go get some sleep!
Cheers,

New January CCAYR Challenge is Up!

This was a quick card I did as part of a card tag for WeScrap last month with the fabulous MME Colourful Christmas line of paper and accessories.

Some of you saw that I made the Christmas Cards All Year Round team last month, so I wanted to share that the first challenge of the new year is up!  I know you feel like the season just ended and you want a break, but if you do 5 cards this month - any cards - you'll be entered to win this...

Please upload your cards to your blog, a gallery, or Photobucket and remember to give the EXACT links to see them.You can do 5 of the same cards or 5 different ones (as long as they follow the current challenge) If you do 5 of the same, please show us a pic of them altogether. Thanks!

You need to let them know in THIS POST when you have completed the 5 cards to be eligible for the prize.  Good Luck!

Cheers,

Welcome 2010!!

And what a great start to the year it's been too!  I'll first start with last night though since that was a lot of fun too.  George only got off an hour early, so I ran out to do a couple of errands quickly when he got home.  After doing those, I stopped at Tim's to get a coffee when I noticed it was still open.  Right beside that was the Rogers we usually rent movies from, so I decided to pop in to see if there was anything I thought George and I could watch together after the kids went to bed.  Well, I hit the jackpot!

I was looking for Mario Kart or The Star Wars Lego, but both were out.  I happened to spy the Cars one though and figured that would be a hit and was it ever!  Good thing I rented it for a week and we might even have to go out and look at buying this one!

My other winner was Wolverine that neither of us had seen.  I knew at least it had Hugh Jackman in it even if it wasn't great!!  I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it though.

As well as that, we did a cheese fondue for dinner with all kinds of goodies - bread, cauliflower, broccoli, chips.  George also did chicken wings of course.  Had to have a little meat in there.  The kids thought is was a lot of fun and we had a good time sitting around in the living room eating.

George also pulled out another treat for dessert - chocolate fondue with apples and bananas for dipping!  Talk about winning over a 6 and 3 year old!  The boys went to bed about 9 and both in Kyle's room since they like sharing a room now, but we finally seperated them about 10ish when they still weren't asleep!

George and I popped in the movie after the boys went to bed and literally, as soon as we turned it off, we heard fireworks!  We knew it was midnight!  We had our New Year's kiss and pretty much called it a night - such party animals I know!

Now, the best part of today I think was that as a result of the boys being up later last night, I woke up at 8 this morning and the house was QUIET!  No one was awake though Kyle was up shortly after.  George got up with the boys and I slept for another 2 hours making my first sleep of 2010 about 10 hours!  Gotta love that!  Welcome 2010!

After I got up, George went back to bed believe it or not!  He slept and the boys played with the Cars Wii game again.  After everyone was actually up for the day, we went to McDonalds (after lunch) to the play area to get them out of the house on this rainy day and wear them out a bit.  George and I had a coffee and a quite enjoyable chat!

We then actually stopped and did a little shopping and I got a paper shredder for a good deal and we got a couple of storage containers for toys (Lego) for under the boys' beds.  Can't wait to organize that!  I have already managed to shred about a half a garbage bag worth!  Small things make me happy!

And these are my boys at bathtime tonight!  They were so funny trying to make bubble beards with practically no bubbled left in the tub!  A fun end to a great start to the new year! 

I feel like I have so much more to blog about here like some the changes I'm hoping to make, a recap of last year, a little about my word of the year, and so on, but it'll have to wait for another day! 

Happy 2010!

Cheers,