Preschool Pumpkin Art!

What a day!  It has been so crazy here weather wise!  Windy and blustery to say the least.  Good news is that I still managed to get out for a walk even today. 

Was sort of a funny one with George being off and then me being on preschool duty (helping out), but without Nathan there!  He still hadn't been on antibiotics long enough for the bronchitis to come today, so I just took Sophia.  We had a fun morning and then I came home to the news that the meeting I was going to have in the afternoon was cancelled, so I wasn't exactly upset about that.

Puttered around here with the kids this afternoon while George went and did the groceries for the week!  I then went and got Kyle from school and dropped him off and kept going for my walk.  Planning on a fairly relaxing evening and some class prep for later in the week!

One of the things we did do this afternoon though was pumpkin art!  Nathan's preschool teachers were kind enough to not only let me bring home art for Nathan, but sent one for Kyle too!

This was what I spent part of the morning at the preschool doing - helping kids paint and make Jack O Lanterns, but with "sparkles" (aka glitter) of course!  Messy and fun!  Kyle had as much fun as Nathan!

Oh they're crazy!  And I love them to bits!

Hope everyone here is staying warm and dry!

Cheers,

Pumpkin Patch!

Well, it's that time of year for pumpkins, goblins and ghosts!  However, it's also the time of year for germs.  Unfortunately, I've got a nasty headcold and Nathan has bronchitis we found out today when we took him to see the dr!  Not good, but hopefully he'll be feeling better in a couple of days now that he's on medication for it.

Anyway, we did have a wonderful preschool trip to the pumpkin patch this past week.  It was a trip through a working farm where they grow the pumpkin too, so the kids had fun seeing the animals and machines and things too. 

I had to laugh because we were told that we could have a pumkin, but it had to fit through this hole or we'd have to pay more.  I told Nathan and he proceeded to find the biggest possible pumpkin that would just barely get through the hole!  I actually had to turn the pumpkin at one point to get it through.  He's quite excited!

Looking at these pictures, I realized that I didn't manage to get a picture of Brian and the kids.  He got a bit of time off to come on the field trip and I know Sophia and Matthew loved that!  A good time was had by all!

Well, gonna go relax for the rest of the evening!

Cheers,

Working on Changes...

Well, I'm not sure why, but I wasn't quite ready to tell everyone what I've been working on, but I think now's the time.  I've been working on.... ME!  Yes, I finally went back to Weight Watchers in July and have since lost 33lbs.  I'm no where near close to being where I want to be, but I'm proud of the accomplishment and happier for it.  I have more energy and just feel good about making better choices for myself and being a better example for the boys. 

The top picture was Summer 2009 and the bottom one is early Sept., but I can see the change even there.  Can't wait to see more change and see myself in more pictures.  I made George a deal that when I lose 50lbs, the reward will be a family picture that I can feel better about!

Making good changes that I can live with... for life.  I'm getting daily exercise just with walking though I'm looking at maybe going to a gym just because it's getting dark so much earlier now.  Making better food choices and less of them!  No rocket science - just real life!

It's an interesting journey to be on though seemingly different from the last few times I've done it.  I feel ready this time...  Ready for change.  Enjoying the process too. 

Here's to making changes and feeling good about it!

Cheers,

New Class Calendar!

If you're local, just thought I'd let you know the class calendar for November/December is up and you can see all the fabulous samples in the store.  So much to choose from if you're looking to make some Christmas cards or work on a little project of some kind!

Check it out HERE!

Here are mine...

Frosty Fun (running again)

Winter Joy (running again)

Jovial

Merry Christmas from Echo Park

Wishes Come True

Traditions

Snow Day

2011 Calendar from Basic Grey

Come and join me for some creative fun!

Cheers,

The Wiggles...again!

OK, I think with today's concert, I will have officially seen The Wiggles more than any other group!  More than U2, more than The Eagles, more than John Mellencamp...  Yes, the Wiggles!  Amazing what you do when you have kids.

When we heard they were coming a little while ago, I figured that Nathan would want to go, but that Kyle wouldn't this time.  Thought he might think it was a little kids thing.  Was I ever wrong!  Hes as excited as any of them.  I had to put a sticker on the calendar after we got the tickets so they would stop asking me when it was.  We're also going with Tracy and Brian and the kids.  George didn't want to go, but I can't really say as I blame him.  I asked if he wanted to take the boys today and I could stay here and get some prep for classes done, but that was a no-go!  I really do enjoy watching the boys and how excited they get though.

Well, going to run for now.  Will update about Thanksgiving later as we had one dinner last night and will have one here tomorrow night!  So very much to be thankful for...
Cheers,

Christmas Cards All Year Round!

October Challenge!

Hi Everyone! The countdown is on...Christmas is just 3 months away. I hope the inspiration at Christmas Cards All Year Round has helped you with all your wonderful Christmas cards.

The October challenge is going to be a card that has stitching (real or faux) and distress the card in some way....anyway you like.

*Remember if you do 5 cards this month following the challenge, your name will go into a draw for a prize at the end of OCTOBER! (this challenge CAN be combined with any other blog or forum challenges that you do this month.)

This month the RAK is another great stamp set!

Please upload your cards to your blog, a gallery, or photobucket and remember to give us the EXACT links to see them HERE. 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 picture of them altogether. Thanks!

***Also, if at least 20 people create 5 cards we'll pick a second winner!***

Can't wait and see what you create this month! Have fun!

Cheers,

Happy October!

OK, so a little late, but better than never?!  I really don't know (*once again) where last month went.  We just seem to be so busy these days what with school, preschool, Matthew and Sophia being here 5 days a week, karate, Beavers starting, etc, etc that I can't keep track.  One day just seems to blend into the next...

So this past week has been one of those where everyone seems on the verge of a cold, but I'm good so far.  I made sure I got lots of sleep last night.  Slept through my alarm and was woken up by Kyle this morning at 7:30 after sleeping 10 hours last night!  Mum arrived shortly after with Matthew and Sophia and the craziness was on.  Nathan slept until about 7:45 too, so it was a little rushed this morning, but we all got where we needed to be on time and now I'm relaxing with a Starbucks iced coffee and Matthew is playing.  Quiet...

It was nice having mum here yesterday.  She was in helping Trace since Brian was out of town last night and then she helped me since I needed to take Kyle to the orthodontist - yes, already!  He has some issues that the dentist recommended be looked at by someone else, so that's what we did.  I basically walked out having spent about $1000 and he's only 7 and that wasn't any braces!  He needs a full orthondontic workup and then he'll probably need about 6 teeth pulled and a special thing put on one of his back teeth to help it come in straight rather than into one of his other molars.  He's missing 2 adult teeth (hereditary and I'm missing one), but that will be dealt with later.  Fun times!

Kyle and Nathan also asked if I'd take "special" pictures of them, so here they are...

Nice eh?!

Cool kid!

I have a very full class to teach tonight - 18 people!  Well, there are 4 people that aren't actually going to be there because they asked for kits, but it still means 14, so it should be fun.  This is the second time I've taugh this class and all was good last time, so we'll have to hope for the same!  It's a fun Christmas card class called Snow Much Fun.

It's going to be a busy weekend too!  Work Friday night, dinner at mum and dad's Sat night, going to see The Wiggles (again!) on Sunday and then we're hosting George's family for dinner here on Monday!  A crazy fun-filled family weekend!  And we can only hope the weather is as gorgeous as it is today.  Beautiful...

We're also thinking about Opi today...  Hard to believe it's been a year since we lost him. 

Well, a million things to do and not enough hours in a day as usual, so I'd better get moving.  Have a fabulous week!

Cheers,