The Neat Freak

Every year around this time the organization bug bites me (guess it's better than the cold bug, puke bug, or flu bug). I don't know if it's the always-too-long winter of being stuck inside staring at the same four walls, or a prelude to the spring that is right around the corner and the cleaning that will go along with it. But it's always the same. I have this urge to purge, to clean out, throw away, organize, change around. This week I have cleaned up and reorganized my "studio" (I always have to put that in quotes because it is not my term, but a dear friend's) and my overflow craft closet (no small feat). I have thrown out, recycled, and set aside a box to drop off at my LSS (they donate unwanted craft items to local Boys and Girls clubs, and schools--love that). As I write this I am thinking about the pantry, cleaning, linen, and toiletry closets that could all use an overhaul. I have a disease. I tell people that I need to be organized so that I can find things because I am just not smart enough to remember where I put things (I still manage to lose stuff, though not nearly as often as Perry). I tell myself that it's important for the toys to be in labeled bins on the shelves so that the boys can be self-sufficient in cleaning up their things (yet, somehow I am the one to clean up the playroom 97 times out of 100). So why then have I spent hours with Logan and Camden alphabetizing their Pokemon cards? Not so I can teach them how to put things in ABC order. No, because I am a freak. Why have I painstakingly separated tiny Legos by type into compartmentalized drawers. Because I am a freak. Why do some people get hand cramping from texting their friends, and I get it from using my label maker? Because I am a freak. This is feeling very therapeutic for me right now. I am feeling the beginnings of a breakthrough, a healing of sorts. Isn't admission the first of the 12 steps? Ah, this feels great. Now I am off to put my markers back into rainbow colored order.

Remember Today 3.5.08

{remember} how great it was to get outside with C & M today in the "almost spring" sunshine and warmth.

Remember Today 3.4.08

{remember} cozying down in my bed with my freshly showered boys to read books, and then falling fast asleep with them.

Remember Today 3.3.08

{remember} cherishing my two hours to myself while C's at school and M naps--these days are numbered as naps are becoming more rare.

Remember Today 3.2.08

{remember} time alone with Maddox while Perry took the older two out for a hockey game, and Maddox saying, "I no go to hockey, I stay home with you, Momma." So sweet!

Remember Today 3.1.08

{remember} having fun bowling with friends--love spur of the moment plans.

Remember Today 2.29.08

{remember} watching Logan and Camden play Gameboy and despite my despise for the toy, I love listening to and watching their interactions while playing--the cooperation, negotiation, congratulating, teaching, and conversation.

Remember Today 2.28.08

{remember} Logan's genuine happiness when Camden answered his math problems--he was amazed and proud of his little brother.

How does he know this stuff?

Here's a little conversation after dinner tonight:

Logan: Mommy, what's 60 + 70?
Camden: 60 + 70 equals 130
Me: [totally stunned} how do you know that?
C: easy, 60 + 60 is 120
L: [equally stunned with a big proud smile on his face] ok, here's a tricky one: what's 60 + 78?
C: [without hesitation] 138.

How does he know this stuff? The best part was Logan's priceless smile and sheer pride that his little brother knows this stuff.

Remember Today 2.27.08

{remember} buying 2 new fish at the pet store, and then finding the three boys just sitting in front of the tank silently watching them swim.

Remember Today 2.26.08

{remember} playing hide and seek with Camden and Maddox; glad I brought my latest CK to my hiding place in the bathtub--it took them awhile to find me, and I wasn't giving any hints!

For the love of the bean

I don't know who invented the jelly bean, but I am forever indebted to him or her, specifically the Jelly Belly jelly bean. There is no better candy on earth than the Jelly Belly bean. I have forgotten in the time since last spring just how scrumptiously fun these little beans are. I picked up 3 pounds of them yesterday and have tried to contain myself from sneaking handfuls of them at all hours of the day from 9:30 this morning--is that too early for candy? to 6:15 tonight while dinner was cooking (sshh, don't tell the boys). They were also a great snack, savored one at a time during the Oscars last night.

With 50 flavors (though mine only have 49, I wonder which one is missing, hmmm) how can you not find one you like? Some of my favorites: cappuccino, peach, wild blackberry, strawberry cheescake, strawberry jam, blueberry, and my all time fav, black licorice. Tonight after dinner the boys and I sat, each with a pile of beans in front of us, matching up our colors and popping the same ones into our mouths. We tried to identify the flavors and decided which ones we really liked. Logan's was, hands down, Vanilla Bean (no surprise here, it's also his favorite ice cream, yogurt, cake, and even Oreo). Camden liked Buttered Popcorn, but couldn't find any that he didn't like. And Maddox, well Maddox liked App-pear-cappu-cinna, lem-utti-rasp-blue-shmallow-punch (one fistful straight into the mouth)!
A picture of my beans because at this rate they won't be around much longer.

Remember Today 2.25.08

{remember} having a conversation with the boys (sans Perry) about having another baby. Maddox brought it up and they all unanimously agreed they want another baby in the house (not anytime soon, if ever!).

Remember Today 2.24.08

{remember} the boys trying calamari at the restaurant and Logan loving it--even the tentacles!

Remember Today 2.23.08

{remember} playing in the new fallen snow and having ice cream at Wendy's with the boys.

They're baaaack!

My Mom took Logan and Camden for a special overnight visit last night. It was so nice to have alone time with Maddox. We were able to play, dance, and roll around on the floor without someone mistaking it for a wrestling match and diving in for a tackle. I also came to an important realization: it's not me leaving the room that makes him cry, but rather that I have left him alone with his older brothers, and the possible terrorism that may ensue that triggers the cry response in him. He plugged in Big & Rich by himself and I actually went off to do a few things. When I returned from Target, um I mean from upstairs (ha!), he was contently watching the TV. No crying, no whining, no screaming, no shrieking. I probably could have ran those errands to the grocery store and Target--heck, he knows how to push play again when the DVD ends! He was so happy, and soaking up the peace and quiet as much as I was. But all good things must come to an end. And now, like the Poltergeist that terrorized little Carole Anne, "they're baaaack", and with them has come the bickering, yelling, running, and fighting.

But for all the quiet that the past 24 hours held, I can't imagine this house with anything less than these three boys filling each room with their craziness (and their toys!). And I know Maddox missed them because he asked for them exactly three times: at dinner, at bath, and at breakfast the next morning--"Where's Logan and Camden? They sleeping?" me: "No, they're at Grandma's." him: "No, I think they sleeping." me: "They're not sleeping, they're at Grandma's." him: "I think they hiding. They playing hide and seek." Guess he was in denial.

Remember Today 2.22.08

{remember} how the house sounds with three boys in it.

Remember Today 2.21.08

{Remember} how great one-on-one time with Maddox is--he doesn't cry every time I leave the room!

A work in progress

Doesn't look like much now, but I can't wait to see this finished. The journaling is all typed up (Monday through Wednesday anyway). The boys will pick their favorite photos from the days. Then it's just format the pics, print everything out and adhere it in. Oh, yeah, and a cover--still thinking about that.

Pieces of Me

A quick little project I started last night:

This is a small ringed binder I picked up at Target's Dollar Spot (can I ever walk into Target and walk by this little area?!). It was an ugly orange color (some of which you can still see on the inside cover--need to do a bit of touch-up) that I sanded and painted "baby pink" with acrylic. The torn out page from a recent Pottery Barn Kids catalog that I was using to cover up my workspace became the inspiration for the cover motif. You never know when a piece of trash will become the basis for your next creation! So I punched white circles, stamped a title ("pieces of me") and used one of the cutie owls from my Hambly rub-ons. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to use something from my stash that I just love. I have to quiet that voice that asks, "Is this project worth that really cute owl? What if you need it for another project and you've wasted it here?" I have learned that there will always be something else for that next project. Use what you love now, because before too long you'll be loving something else. Disclaimer: I only feel this way about scrapbooking supplies! Anyway, back to the book. To ground the punched circles in my title I penned rings around the outside edges. Love this very easy and effective technique. The purpose of this book (another Ali inspired project): to house the little, well, "pieces of me". It contains indexed alphabet dividers. So far I have a photo of the boys that's been kicking around my workspace under 'B', and the Starbucks cup wrap under 'S'.

From Life Artist: "It's a simple, quick way to feel like you're doing something, recording something, documenting some part of your life as you experience it. It's a book that can grow and change right along with you. It's also a wonderful way to create in a continuous way, a way to go with the flow and record what's happening as it happens."p. 44 Love it. . .

Remember Today 2.20.08

{remember} Logan and Camden falling asleep together in our bed tonight.

When inspiration strikes

I have this mini album idea inspired by, who else, Ali Edwards. Are you surprised? Anyway, I have an old board book, well a few of them, recycled from my children's book shelves. It's been sitting on a closet shelf just waiting for the perfect project. I took it out the other day and counted the pages: 5 two page spreads, plus a front and back cover. I had seen in Ali's book (Life Artist) what appeared to be a child's board book altered with acrylic paint (turns out, when I reached the end of the book and found a materials list for every project in there, that it was actually a funky little chipboard album that she covered with paper). Anyway, my sister had tried this with some trouble and I thought, why not sand the shine off the pages and cover them with acrylic paint? Then inspiration hit me, right smack in the middle of the boys' February vacation, as to what I can use this little album for: a recording of their five days off from school. So, here I sit with emery board in hand and vacuum within reach as I sand the pages. I could go down to the basemement to get a larger piece of actual sandpaper that would make the job go faster, but frankly I am too lazy at the moment to get out of my chair. I'll let you know how it all turns out. . .

Remember Today 2.19.08

{remember} savoring a quiet moment watching the boys play outside after a busy morning--love how they can find happiness and busy-ness in the smallest thing: digging in the snow and last year's grass clippings, pulling up vines, and finding nuts the squirrels had buried.

Remember Today 2.18.08

{remember} how Logan, perhaps feeling guilty after hitting Maddox, sits down to play Magnetix with him.

Remember Today 2.17.08

{remember} soaking up inspiration from Ali, now I just need to put it to some good use!

Remember Today 2.16.08

{remember} how Maddox (feeling a bit better after a long nap), after looking through his baby scrapbook, grabbed his teddy bear, climbed into the rocking chair, and positioned his bear to sit just as the two of them had in his 4 month baby picture. So cute (and smart!).

Will winter ever end?

My littlest man is sick. The poor thing has barely spoken 10 words all day. His nose is a faucet. He has a fever, and a cough that sounds like it couldn't possibly come from someone so small. I put him in the rocking chair in the playroom snuggled up with his favorite blanky, teddy bear, and "puppy", and a sippie of water so I could take a quick shower. When I got out and checked him he was sound asleep. He has now been sleeping for nearly 3 hours (something I would never let him do typically), but I just can't wake the poor little guy.

Brotherly Love

Conversation while playing Gameboy:

L: Camden, we're going to Grandma and Grandpa's tomorrow
C: I know
L: And we're bringing the dessert
C: I know
L: It's Oreo cake
C: I know
L:I'm gonna have the biggest piece
C: No, you're not
L: At least bigger than yours

Ah, brothers. Is there anything else like the rivalry they share?!

A mother's work is never done

Well, I've done it. I have officially caught up on all the laundry. This only happens maybe three times a year, so I am taking a moment to bask in the glory. Usually, laundry is in various states in my house: dirty; dirty but sorted for the wash; clean but not dry; clean and dry but not sorted by person; clean, dry, and sorted but waiting to be folded; clean, dry sorted, folded but not put away. . . You get the idea. Well, today while the boys rotted their brains on Looney Toons and Gameboy, and my sweet Maddox tried to sleep his nasty cold away, I took a bit of time to tackle the laundry. There are a handful of things in the dirty basket, because let's face it, can laundry in a household of five ever truly be caught up?, but other than that everything is washed, dried, folded, and put away. Yippee!

Of course by Tuesday it will look like this again:

Remember Today 2.15.08

{remember} how a cup of tea smells, feels, and tastes so good in the afternoon--my little bit of "Calgon, take me away."

Remember Today 2.14.08

{remember} Perry coming home 'early' to celebrate Valentine's Day with us--he brought dinner from one of our favorite restaurants.

Valentine Creations

Some fun gifts for Valentine's Day:

Pop top can filled with Dove chocolate hearts: Use a safety can opener to cut off the bottom of the can. Remove contents and wash and dry can thoroughly. Cut strips of patterned paper to wrap around can (regular weight, not cardstock, works best). Cut or punch a circle approx 2" in diameter and snip off one edge approx 3/8" (this will fit under the pop tab). Adhere papers, tie ribbon on tab, and fill with goodies. Flip over and use four small beads of hot glue to fasten the bottom back on the can. Embellish as desired (here a heart).

$1.00 Target mailboxes: Gotta love the Target Dollar Spot. This is actually last year's design because in my rush to package this year's up, oh at about 6:30 this morning, I forgot to snap pictures. Thank goodness I saved a sample! Cover the body of the box with 12" patterned or stamped paper cut to just shy (like 1/16") of 4". The trickiest part: measure up 3" and cut a 1"slit. Then punch a square or circle at the end to allow for the flag. I didn't do this here and you can see a bit of the mess (probably why I saved this one as a sample). The rest is just trace and cover (the two ends), embellish (the flower, and words) and adhere. Don't forget a cute something on the flag. Again, filled with chocolates--is there anything better on Valentine's Day?!

Love Letters

In honor of Valentine's Day, Camden's preschool class is doing an adorable unit on letters. Every day for the past two weeks Camden has come home with a letter for someone. On Monday it was Maddox. The letter read, "Dear Maddox, I love you. I love you. I love you. Love, Camden" Tuesday's letters were for two friends from his class last year that are in his same classroom in the morning. These letters stayed at school for delivery. On Wednesday, Camden came bounding into the car asking, "When will Daddy be home tonight? I have a letter for him." After much pleading he called Perry and worked his sweetness to get Daddy to come home before bedtime (an amazing feat!). This letter read, "Dear Dad, I love you. Love, Camden" I volunteered in his classroom on Thursday. The letter he secretly wrote while I was there read, "Dear Mom, I love you. I love you. Thank you. Love, Camden" He later told me the "thank you" was for coming to his classroom. Monday brought another note for Daddy: "Daddy, I love you." On Tuesday, he carried two envelopes to the car. One for our neighbor, and if I had time to steam it open before it was delivered, I would have. The other for his big brother: "Dear Logan, I love you. I want to play with you when you get home from the bus. Love, Camden." How much sweetness and love can one little body hold?!

Remember Today 2.13.08

{remember} a snow day + hot chocolate + no where to be = a fabulous day!

Remember Today 2.12.08

{remember} how totally sweet and filled with love Camden is!

Remember Today 2.11.08

{remember} Logan coming off the bus with a bag of pops. He earned Star of the Week for good behavior on the bus. Two things he said: It was easy, all you have to do is sit. I want to share these with Camden & Maddox. That's my guy!

Remember Today 2.10.08

{remember} the fun we had at the MOS! Family time is the best time.

Who knew a ball of yarn could be so much fun?

"I did" came the reply from my 4 year old. And he did; all three of those boys did. From playing catch at karate the day before, to running in circles while holding two ends, a simple ball of yarn provided endless hours of fun. The boys found the ball given to them from my good friend Kayla (let's just say a knitting project gone awry) this morning and immediately set to work unravelling the entire 30 miles (just an estimate) while running from room to room, upstairs, downstairs, and everywhere in between. Was I freaking out with the web of yarn through every inch of the house? Heck, no: I was doing dishes, changing 4 beds worth of sheets, and throwing in a week's loads of laundry. And when the ball of yarn had been exhausted, I handed them each a pair of scissors and a ziploc bag and told them to snip and collect it. The clean up was just as fun as the play! Sorry, Kayla, that we could not salvage any of your yarn ball, but thank you for giving me a chance to get some Saturday morning chores done!

Remember Today 2.9.08

{remember} when the creative juices are flowing, pour yourself a mug full.

Remember Today 2.8.08

{remember} watching Logan and Camden's smiling expressions as they watched Curious George's silly antics.

Remember Today 2.7.08

{remember} how much fun a simple whoopie cushion can be for three young boys.

Their little world

My four year old started a conversation about death today during lunch. I'm not really sure how it all began. Perhaps it was in regard to my upcoming birthday and how old I am getting. He seems to be very interested in how old everyone is, and specifically how old he will be when others reach a certain age. He might have been talking about how old people are when they die. He retrieved a framed picture of his Nana (my grandmother) who was in her 80's when she died, and spoke about how old she was in the picture, and how old she was when she died. Then he stated quite definitively that "babies when they're first born can't die." I asked him why they can't and he matter-of-factly replied "it's not allowed." Oh, their little world of innocence and happiness, their world where only the old, after having lived a long and full life, are allowed to die. Then he asks me, "Is death forever?" me; "Yes, yes it is forever." him: "For always?" me: "Yes, for always. When you die, you don't ever come back." him: "Unless you have a magic wand, right?" It broke my heart to tell him that there is no magic wand. In real life, there is no magic wand.

Remember Today 2.6.08

{remember} some nights it feels good to just curl up in front of the tv (and this is OK).

Remember Today 2.5.08

{remember} Camden asking if the dinosaur he will see at the museum would be in a cage.

Remember Today 2.4.08

{remember} Walking into Maddox's bedroom and finding him and Camden snuggled in his bed with Camden reading him Green Eggs and Ham.

Remember Today 2.3.08

{remember} the Patriots lost the Super Bowl, and had their first loss of the season--heartbreaking (even for me, the non-football fan).

Remember Today 2.2.08

{remember} how great it feels to clean the whole house (well, most of it) in one sweep--thanks Mom & Dad!

Remember Today 2.1.08

{remember} despite knowing no one bu the birthday boy, Logan didn't think twice about me leaving him at a birthday party tonight.

Just me being real

I just made a meatloaf for dinner and should be peeling the potatoes, but while I was loading and washing dishes my voice started running through my head. Not some kind of crazy, commit me, I'm losing it voice. My Blog voice. It's this little voice that starts spewing out all kinds of stories and things I could write about on my blog. I love that voice. I feel like I have lost it for a week or so, and I probably will every month (the only thing I hate about being a woman). I read in Life Artist that everyone goes through cycles of creativity, and that you should embrace this and work with it, knowing that if your mojo is gone, it's not gone for good. I also love knowing that this is the real me: the one who loves playing with her kids, loves creating, is balanced, free flowing, calm, patient, centered. Not that crazy, uptight, uncomfortable-in-her-own-skin, screaming banshee woman whose ugly head rears itself monthly. I need to remind myself of that often.

Enough about all that. Yesterday, I took a mini creativity field trip from my own desk chair and landed on the anthropologie website. Found lots of inspiration--colors, patterns, textures. Makes me want to whip out the brushes, dust of a canvas, and shake up some acrylic paint.

PS I love the Wye Valley Dress, and feel a field trip to the mall coming on just so I can try it on. Chill out, Perry, I won't be buying it: there aren't any garden parties on my calendar!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is the cover to the card organizer I made for a class. Found the design on a card on SplitCoast (my go-to place for stamping ideas and inspiration) as well as the directions to create it. Loving my Bind-it-All!

The inside: one sheet of 12x12 double-sided cardstock creates each page which has pockets on both sides for storing cards by the month--super easy, fast, and fun!

Remember Today 1.30.08

{remember} Maddox, for the first time, telling me about a dream he had after waking up from his nap: "Guess what I did? I put on my Christmas jammies."

Remember Today 1.29.08

{remember} watching Camden play outside in the snow with his friends while waiting in the parent pick-up line a school.

Remember Today 1.28.08

{remember} getting a hug from Camden after a "not so great Mommy moment."

Remember Today 1.27.08

{Remember} that everday holds so many stories--make time to live in the moment, record the stories, and cherish the memories.

Remember Today 1.26.08

{remember} somedays you have to push extra hard to do something for yourself--do it, it's worth it!

Free Scrapbooking

This page was created with freebies I downloaded from the internet this week. A scrapbook page that didn't cost a penny! I could get used to this (and Perry could, too!).

Notes from the Sick Bay

I have a bit of cabin fever after being home with my sick children all week. The poor guys have had fevers, headaches, stuffy noses, coughs, chills, sweats, stomach pain--the whole gamut-- since Sunday. It began with Logan, who of course didn't complain of anything until the ride home from a friend's birthday party at 6:00 Sunday night: from the backseat, "I've had a headache all day." Temperature of 101. Like clockwork, Camden starts the fever about 24 hours later. I'll spare all the details, but this is one nasty bugger of a virus. It just won't quit. On Wednesday night, Logan finally got himself off his bean bag chair and wanted to dance around the family room with me. Whew, it's finally over, and he's bouncing right back. He made dinner for us (pasta, Ragu, and frozen garlic bread--right up there with his ol' Dad's culinary expertise!). But, nope, fever of 104 in the middle of the night, and crying on the bathroom floor at 4 am because his legs are too weak to stand. This week has held a whole lot of tv watching and video game playing, lots of snuggling on the couch, and laying on the floor playing toys. I've managed to stay virus free, at least so far (though Perry, who's not home with them 6 out of 7 days a week, is not feeling well). Isn't there a saying, "Mom's don't get sick." Let's hope there's some truth to that!

Needless to say, I'm a bit behind in my blog, but I did fudge the dates on my Remember Today entries, and at least got them caught up. Haven't been able to do anything creative all week to speak of, so am hoping to kick out, or at least get started on a page tonight. That is if I don't fall asleep on my keyboard first. ZZZZzzzzzz

Remember Today 1.25.08

{remember} Friday night pizza gives me extra time to spend with the boys --no cooking and little clean up!!

Remember Today 1.24.08

{remember} after a week of being stuck in the house with sick children, a little girlfriend time is the best medicine.

Remember Today 1.23.08

{remember} it's ok to lift the rules on tv and Gameboy when the kids are sick (for the sake of everyone's well-being!).

Remember Today 1.22.08

{remember} it's awful when your children are not feeling well.

Remember Today 1.21.08

{remember} how nice a hot towel after a shower feels (thanks, Camden!)

I am an artist

I've been totally engrossed with Life Artist. In an effort to absorb so many of Ali's inspiring ideas, I will share some of my favorites so far:

• Celebrate the everyday (already doing this in my "Remember Today" posts--yippee!)
• Let go of perfection
• Cultivate a creative lifestyle
• Scrapbook rule free; it is ok; just be; let it go
• Get to work making stuff; using supplies, not hoarding them, is freeing
• Create in a way that reflects you at this very moment (don't wait until that perfect idea, or think that something better will come along to make a layout right)
• Post the words "I am creative" or "I am an artist" someplace you look everyday
• Keep cool ideas and inspiration in a notebook (love this! starting this, more on it later)
• Take a creativity field trip: bookstore, antique shop, walk in the park, etc
• Go beyond the scrapbook page to create life art to display; use something found at a yard sale, flea market, antique shop
• Go through a stack of photos (old or new) and jot down notes. Take your time and go deeper than the surface of the photograph
• Take a class: pottery, knitting, photography, writing, painting. . .
• Use alphabet index dividers to create a "little things" album about yourself or someone you love. Use 4x6 dividers and a hole punch with binder rings and add to it continuously(will be doing this one)
• Layouts don't need to have photos

All this in just the first 2 chapters!

Remember Today 1.20.08

{remember} how important making together-time for me and Logan really is.

Remember Today 1.19.08

{remember} how good it feels to set aside the chores to just "be" with the boys, and a reminder that I need to do it more often.

Remember Today 1.18.07

{Remember} the way Logan did the "yes" gesture with his arm when I walked into his class to be Mystery Reader. Missing teaching. . .

Remember Today 1.17.08

{Remember} how Maddox never tires of watching Big & Rich, asks to put it on 4 or more times a day, and then turns the tv and DVD player on and pushes play all by himself--so stinkin' smart!

Life Artist

I got it today--Ali's latest book Life Artist. I've only had a chance to thumb through it and already I am in love. It is chock full of inspiration, not only for the scrapbook pages and art Ali has created, but for the eloquent words that describe her approach to scrapbooking and her philosophy on life in general. This is so where I am right now: living life, letting go, being real, creating, telling, the here, the now.


I think this book will make a great companion to Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, a 12 week program designed to help you find your creative muse. I see some similar themes: letting go, embracing imperfection, taking creativity field-trips (Julia calls these "artist dates"). I picked up her book at my church book sale for a quarter! I like to think it was divine intervention! I'm off to curl up in bed and begin my creative journey.

Remember Today 1.16.08

{Remember} Logan sharing info about an upcoming school art show--love how he's showing interest in things outside of our little world at home.

Remember Today 1.15.08

{remember} Maddox went poops on the potty today! Second time in under two weeks, but this time he sat there like he knew just what to do.

Conversations with Einstein

This morning I had a conversation with my middle that went something like this:
him: Mommy, what's 5 plus 8 plus 8?
me: 8 plus 8 is 16 and five more is 21. Why do you ask?
him: Because there's five grams of protein in my granola, and 8 grams in my milk. But I have double milk, one in my cup and one in my cereal. So that's 5 plus 8 plus 8. 21 grams of protein.
Are you kidding me? Do you think Einstein's mother had these conversations with 4 year-old Albert?

Note: Reading the nutrition labels is nothing new for my two oldest. It all started last Spring when their Dad went on this health kick with whey protein. The three of them would analyze the nutrition labels for protein, sodium, sugar, and fiber. One day Camden's teacher brought him to the car and asked, "What's going on with the nutrition labels?" Apparently he was insisting on reading the labels in order to choose the snack with more protein. It was a bit of an obsession. But then again, anything that interests this child becomes an obsession. I like to call it passion.

Somebody Stop Me!

I had a list a mile long of things to do tonight (I won't bore you with the details), and what have I been doing instead: surfing the internet for digital scrapbook stuff (it's all your fault Jenna!). You would not believe the amount of stuff for this exploding niche in the scrapbooking world. And lots of it is free--who can pass that up. When I get a chance I will post a list of links to some great sites that offer digiscrap stuff so you can check it out for yourselves (and so I can have a handy reference, too). So much for getting to bed early! And so much for those cards I should be making for my upcoming workshop.

Remember Today 1.14.08

{remember} Camden saying, "It's fun playing with Logan." completely out of the blue while sledding outside.

Shopping Anyone?

So after the day I had yesterday, I came home from work, fed the boys lunch and announced that I was going to the scrapbook store to do a little shopping. Shopping, without anyone in tow--pure Heaven! I browsed every single item in my LSS's tiny but jam-packed shop, some of them twice over. I found lots of stuff I wanted like acrylic stamp sets from Fancy Pants Designs and Basic Grey paper packs. But, alas, reality crept in (along with Perry's face when the credit card bill comes in), and I escaped with just the essentials: binding coils for my new Bind-It-All (a Christmas gift from Mom & Dad--thank you, I am loving it!!), the Bind-It-All idea book, a bottle of Shimmerz, and these adorable rub-ons from Hambly Screen Prints. I am so into these little owls and birds--brings me back to The Partridge Family and Tootsie Pop commercials. Anyway, so much fun to take my time, browse, and soak up the inspiration. And the best part about it? I returned home to my little Maddox opening the door for me, squealing, and hugging my legs (what could be a better welcome home than that?), and Perry saying, "You're back already?" Next time, I'll make sure I'm gone longer!

Are these not the cutest?! "Come on get happy. . ."

Remember Today 1.13.08

{remember} after a rough day, a couple of hours shopping for scrapbooking supplies is the best medicine.

Remember Today 1.12.08

{Remember} that after a rough day together, it was very therapeutic to build Legos with Logan.

Mama said there'd be days like this

Today was not my best Mommy day. Ever have days like those? Days when your patience is pushed to the edge, then you're dangling by your white knuckled fingertips, until finally you fall off. Days when it takes every ounce of your self control to not haul off and give your child the smack that he very much deserves. Days when your throat actually hurts because you screamed so loudly. That's the kind of day I had today. If you've never had one of these days, please tell me what meds you are on because I definitely could have used them today. Thankfully these days don't occur very often. Perry was spending his first Saturday of "busy season" at work, and I just was not prepared mentally and physically. My two oldest whined, demanded, disrespected, and conspired their way through the day. When I attempted to discipline one (mostly my middle), the other (mostly my oldest) would butt in in his defense. They demanded milk, whined for lunch, and said things like stupid, shut up, and even crap (yup, my 6 year old, thanks to Surf's Up). So after a day subjected to his older brothers, my youngest says to his father tonight, after being reprimanded, "I don't like you, Daddy. Shut up." So what do you do after a day like this? Put the twerps, er kids to bed, pour a glass of wine, take some time for yourself, then creep into their bedrooms as they are fast asleep, kiss them, whisper that you love them, and say a prayer to God that tomorrow will be better.

Soups On

There's not much I love about the cold winter, but delicious, hot, steamy soup is definitely a perk of this dreary season. Here is one the boys requested for dinner tonight:

French Bread Pizzza Soup from Taste of Home "Heartwarming Soups"

2 cans diced tomatoes (I like DelMonte Petite Cuts)
2 cans Campbell's tomato soup
3 1/2 c water

Bring this to a boil, reduce heat, simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Mash with a potato masher.

Add 3 1/2 oz pepperoni slices quartered, 1 each red and preen peppers chopped, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1/2 t sage, 1/2 t oregano, 1/2 t basil.

Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until veggies are soft.

Laddle into oven-safe bowls. Top soup with a slice of toasted french bread and shredded mozzarella cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remember Today 1.11.08

{Remember} how good Pilates makes me feel!

Oh Baby!

My dear friend whom I have known for over 20 years called this evening to tell me that she and her husband are pregnant. Being pregnant is a huge enough deal, but what makes it even huger for them is all that they went through to become pregnant . I (and many of the people I know) am fortunate enough to have had no trouble conceiving. Heck, I just have to breathe the same air as my husband and two blue lines appear on the stick. But Marci and her husband have had numerous surgical procedures, countless doctors visits, and hundreds of injections to finally be able to say that they are having a baby. I am thrilled beyond words for them!

Doesn't show well in the low res pic, but the top tab says "dream come true" and the bottom right reads "wonderful"

Remember Today 1.10.08

{Remember} how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who make me happy.

Remember Today 1.9.08

{Remember} how much I can get done when I don't watch tv. TV free for the year, save for a bit of news to fall asleep to.

Spring Teaser

I love a few warm days sprinkled among the frosty days of winter. That taste of spring is just what I need to recharge and to feel like I can get through the rest of the winter. The boys and I took walks, rode plasma cars, played street hockey, and made snow soup with the puddle in the driveway. Of course, with all the outdoor play, the inside of the house kind of falls to pieces: dishes left in the sink, laundry in every room, toys strewn about, sand-covered floors. Ahhh, spring. Guess that's what spring cleaning is for. My youngest sees some grass and wastes no time getting the mower out. Like father, like son!

Trying to do a bit of potty training around here. Don't really think it's going too well!

Remember Today 1.8.08

{Remember} how great a little springtime feels in January, and how my body, mind, and soul needs it to get through winter.

love reading, love Amazon

I ordered more than $70 in books from Amazon tonight. Here's what I got: 2 books on the human body because my middle has declared he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. I don't doubt this career path for a second: he has always been very interested in people's boo-boos from the smallest of paper cuts, to the wound left by the surgeons on his grandfather's hip after a replacement. My oldest nearly passes out at the mere sight of blood (takes after me), and my youngest won't allow me to touch him if I have a BandAid on my hand. Sometimes I put a BandAid on just so I won't have to carry him up and down the stairs! I also bought 4 Dr. Seuss books because C is beginning to read and Green Eggs and Ham is his book of choice. I ordered my oldest Book 1 in the Spiderwick Chronicles series. He announced tonight that he only wants to read chapter books like me, and then went to bed with a flashlight in one hand and a Laserbeams chapter book in the other. I love that! I don't care if my boys turn out to be great athletes, if they're the most outgoing, or the most artistic, but I really want them to have a love of reading. Then, of course, I had to get a little something for me, and was thrilled to see that Amazon had Ali Edwards latest book Life Artist.

Remember Today 1.7.08

{Remember} that Logan's New Year's resolution is "to learn more about the world" (and play more video games, but I'll forget that!)

365 Memories

"Real happiness comes in small poritons, day by day. Take pleasure in life's little treasures for they are the most important in measuring happiness." ~Author Unknown

Once in a while I get a great brainstorm of an idea. This seems to happen less and less frequently since having my children, but none the less here is my thought for 2008: I want to do a layout, or maybe an entire album of 365 things I want to remember about 2008. These may be anecdotal memories of each day, or a life lesson learned. And I can use my blog to log them all! Join me in making 2008 a year to remember: grab a blog, journal, or just a piece of paper and make note of the little treasures each day holds.

Remember Today 1/6/08

{Remember} how great it feels to get together with family for Sunday dinner.

Scrap First, Clean Later

I have been making lots of "me time" this week. Of course, none during the day so it's resulting in some very late nights, or should I say very early mornings. As sleep deprived as I may be, I don't regret a second of it. I have done three layouts in two nights--something I haven't done in at least three years. Sure, the Christmas decorations are all still up (even the pizza delivery guy commented that I ought to take them down). The tree came down last weekend: my husband's doing. If he had his way it would come down on December 26th. Wait, if he had his way we wouldn't have a tree at all! Each year that goes by I get closer to going fake. The darn needles--it's amazing there were still any left on the tree. On day two, our trees always stop drinking, by day four the tree has noticeably lost its bright green color. And by the end of the first week, it has shed more needles than there are hairs on my entire body. This happens every year, despite cutting 4 inches off the trunk right before sticking it into the stand. This year I didn't think the tree was even going to make it until Christmas. I had visions of a completely needle-less tree on Christmas morning, and even briefly contemplated taking all the lights and decorations off, trashing the tree, and putting up a new one.

Anyway, the tree made it through Christmas, as did I, and now all our decoration boxes are strewn about the family room (Perry insisted on getting them out of the attic tonight, but then plopped down on the couch to watch football). And here I sit alternating between Andes candies and Baked Lays creating my second digital scrapbook layout using, for the first time, Photoshop Elements.

I'm not thrilled with the page: I am limited by my small collection of digital stuff. I do however love this picture, and I love how with digital you can make the image larger than you would with a printed photgraph.

I guess that's all I'm up for tonight. Now that I think of it, I should have cleaned my bathrooms and folded those two loads of laundry tonight. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Remember Today 1/5/08

{Remember} how Maddox is transfixed to the Big & Rich DVD, clapping his hands over his head, strumming his guitar, and wiggling his hips to the beat of the music.

Remember Today 1/4/08

{Remember}: how fun our Friday pizza and movie night tradition is.

Inspiration Everywhere

I am feeling incredibly inspired and motivated right now. Maybe it's the New Year, or being able to look at my Jan. issue of CK twice today (waiting at the doctor's office sans enfants & while the boys played at the Y because I took them out in the frigid 10 degree weather when I thought they had a swim class that doesn't start until next week). The January issue is packed with tons of great ideas if scrapbooking is part of your New Year's resolution. Here are a few I pulled out today:

1. Make a layout with predictions for this year. Fun to look at at the end of 08 to see what came true.
2. Use mini glue dots and glitter to create a cool background.
3. Recycle your junk mail into cool elements for your pages.

I just spent the past 2 hours playing around online. I followed a Photoshop tutorial (also from CK) to create this:Doesn't look that great here, but the concept is to create a focal point within your photo by framing a portion and desaturating the background. I am now beginning to grasp the whole Photoshop layers thing: this project has 6 separate layers in it--yikes! Could I do it again? No way, but that's what tutorials are for! I also downloaded an adorable scrapbook planner to print out. If you check out this project, be sure to get Brenda Arnall's downloads from her blog as mentioned, too.

Well, the night is still young, and if I want to at least get started on a layout I better get off this darn computer!

Remember Today 1/3/08

{Remember} to take time for myself everyday--Doctor's orders (he's the best!)

Late Night Ramblings

The best part about a New Year is buying a new calendar. I always wait until after the first so I can get mine at half-off--I'm cheap like that. So yesterday, while out with the hubby and kiddos I ran (literally, and through the snow, too!) into Borders to snag my calendars for 2008: a page-a-day with lines that I will use as a journal, and a smaller blank page-a-day I like to use for my scrapbook sketches (at the end of the year I have 365 page layout ideas.). Yeah, not 365 finished scrapbook pages, just the ideas for them, so that in the following year I can have on my list of resolutions to catch up on all the pages I didn't scrapbook the year before (and in my case, the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that. . .). I have come to the sad conclusion that I will never be caught up in my scrapbooking, at least not while I am still snapping 50 photos a week of my kids (who said it was a good idea to get a digital camera?!). But what the hay (or is it hey?. . .hmmm), it's a new year and I can embrace my imperfections (and let me tell you, not being caught up in my scrapbooking is the very least of them) and know that I've got exactly 362 days left in 2008 to make myself better.

Remember Today 1/2/08

{Remember} that Logan came home from his first day back at school after the holiday break and said, "This was the best day of school ever--it was better than all the other days!" This a day after he declared he hated school and didn't want to go back.

New Year's Resolved

I love a new year. It's a fresh start, a new chance to be a better person, a rebirth of sorts. I have been thinking about my New Year's resolutions since early December and here is what I resolve to do in 2008:

1. Spend more quality time with my children and husband (better let Perry in on this one!)


2. Make more time to be creative (aka, spend less time watching tv)


3. Read more (aka, spend less time watching tv)


4. Keep up with my blog


5. Spend less time watching tv (really, I don't watch tv all that much, but I do use it as a crutch on the nights where I am too tired and unmotivated to do anything else--generally one week once a month. You know what I'm talking about ;)


6. Organize my recipes (this one's been on my list for about 5 years now)


7. Keep in touch better with friends--send cards just because.
   

Gosh, I feel like there should be more. Maybe it's best to keep it realistic. I'll keep out the eat healthier, exercise more, give up chocolate. Yeah, those will be broken by January 4th so it's best not to set myself up for failure!

Cheers and Happy New Year!

ps. Here's a little doodle I made using my new Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet (a gift from my in-laws)--very fun!

Santa's Workshop

My scrap space has turned into Santa's workshop as I am busy making lots of gifts, although I don't have the luxury of all the little elves. My little elves are fast asleep in their beds because that is the only time I could possibly manage to get anything done. I have tried to make a quick card during the day, and it nearly never turns out well. Usually, it results in my youngest climbing all over my lap reaching for anything sharp, messy, or delicate. Once his hand lands in the ink pad and smears over the cardstock and his arm bumps the mini brads all over the berber rug I generally decide it's not worth a little creative time. Instead I retreat to the table with him and the playdoh and take my frustrations out on the smushy clay--very therapeutic! Anyway, I totally digressed here. The purpose of this post is to show some pictures of what I have been busy making the past few weeks (ok days, what can I say, I am a procrastinator).

Teacher gifts:

These are 5x7 and 4x12 acrylic frames turned upside down. The monogram is a chipboard letter covered in patterned paper. The name is computer printed and fit into a bookplate from Stampin' Up!'s hodgepodge hardware kit. Ribbon fastens this to the frame. The calendar, stamped post it notes, and monogram are adhered with Terrifically Tacky tape.

*****************

Gift Card Holder:

I made a slew of these cute little holders using coin envelopes (sized perfectly to fit a gift card). Cut cardstock to 2 3/4 x 11; score at 2 3/4, 3, 6 7/8, and 7 1/8. Image is 2 1/4 x 3 3/8 matted on 2 1/2 x 3 5/8. Fasten the coin envelope to middle inside panel. Stamp, and fold sandwiching the smaller end between matted image and longer panel.

All these gifts have been delivered/handed out. Whew--check that off the enormous "to do" list!

The Big Snow

Today, after a few small snowfalls, we had our first big snowstorm of the season with over 9 inches of snow. There was no PM preschool, and they released school 2 hours early, something that hasn't happened in over 20 years. It started around noon and by 2:00 there were several inches on the ground. My oldest got off the bus at around 3:20, and of course the boys wanted to go right outside in the smack middle of the flying snow to play. There were five minutes of gathering up all the gear: hats, mittens, coats, snow pants, boots, extra socks, and scarves times 3. Ten minutes for figuring out how to fasten the straps of the snowpants so they actually stay fastened instead of sliding out of their buckles. Seven minutes of cramming feet into boots while keeping pant legs pulled down and tucked in the boots and snow pant legs up and pulled over the boots. Jackets on, and zippers pulled. . .uh-oh forgot to ask about the bathroom. Zippers down, jackets off, snow pants unfastened. Now, snow pants back on, jackets on and zipped, mittens-check, hats-check, scarves-check, hoods-check. All this times 3, plus me. Thirty minutes later we head out into the nor'easter. The older boys had a blast, sledding down the backyard, shoveling, falling in the snow, and catching flakes on their tongues. The youngest was content to sit in the sled quietly watching as the snow just drifted down on top of him. Good thing I was paying attention or he may have been completely buried in a matter of minutes. In less time than it took to get all their gear on, the two younger ones wanted to go back inside. But not my oldest, he stayed out until it got dark. And he didn't catch flakes just on his tongue, he caught them on his lashes people refer to as "rakes". I guess they're also shovels, too.

Note to Self

Last week I spent an afternoon at my parents' with my children acting like wild animals (isn't it funny how they choose just the right times to act up--the sermon at church, the checkout at Target with a teacher from your child's school behind you, a playdate at a friend's whose children could have played the roles of Jane and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins). Anyway, this time my boys' crazy antics paid off. My Mom, having total pity on me, called to offer me every stay-at-home mother's dream--an afternoon off! Well, today was my big day. I dropped the two youngest at my parents' and walked (ok, ran) out the door. I found myself humming the tune "Born free, as free as the wind blows. . ."as I started my car engine.

Where to go first? My finally finished Christmas cards sat in a shoe box on my front seat, so I headed to the post office to get them off in the mail. The line was out the door, but that didn't deter me. I had no one whining at my side that they were hungry or to pick them up. Life was good. And after about five minutes of not moving a single step, I was beginning to wonder if this was the best use of my precious time. I didn't even have a magazine to read. Five more minutes ticks by, and the line has finally moved a couple feet. I tick off my mental list of the other stuff I want to get done in my afternoon, check out my options for stamp designs on the jumbo wall poster, daydream about what all the packages everyone is having shipped out might contain. Fifteen minutes in line. I'm beginning to think that standing in line with my kids would have helped pass the time, or at the least kept the other customers entertained. Finally, after 20 minutes, it is my turn at the counter. I assuredly request two books of stamps and an extra ten to mail my 70 cards, pay, and head to the counter to start afixing the postage. Wait a second, did anyone else just catch that? Did I just stand in line for 20 minutes only to buy the wrong number of stamps?!? I shove the 50 stamps I bought into my shoebox and walk out the post office door the line is still spilling out of. Note to self: If I find myself standing in line at the post office for 20 minutes with nothing to do, don't spend it daydreaming. Calculate the correct number of stamps I will need so I can get the darn cards in the mail!

Back to the car, and onto stop number two: Walmart. I generally don't shop at my Walmart--it's dirty, smelly, and always messier than my kids' playroom on its worst day. But something I saw on Amazon had me in a panic the night after Thanksgiving. A few of the toys on the boys' lists were nearly double what they were advertised at Target and Walmart. I decided to be a smart shopper and order the items from Walmart.com and have them shipped to the store free of charge. I received email notification just yesterday the the items were ready for pick-up. I wait in, surprise!, another line. My turn comes quickly and the clerk goes into the depths of the back room to retrieve my packages. I pick at my fingernails, read and reread all of the safety recall notices on the bulletin board, examine the array of gift cards, and wish I had brought a magazine to read. Fifteen minutes later she emerges with my boxes. Note to self #2: The whole point of ordering online is to not have to stand around waiting for your packages to arrive. Next year, just pay the money to get them shipped to the house--it's worth it!

Well, by now I am over an hour into my afternoon, and all I have to show for it is five toys. I'm feeling a bit disgruntled. I scury home, hide the boxes, and contemplate whether or not to drive three towns away in search of another Christmas gift: the ever elusive and out-of-season sand and water table before my 6:30 PTO meeting. Yeah, I have enough time, and when would I get another time without the kids to do this. Back in the car, and back to more waiting--this time in rush hour traffic. Are we seeing a theme here?! I walk into Toys-R-Us, and wow, no line at the customer service desk. I head over to the outdoor toy section in the next aisle to find the item I want in the catalogue, and then go back to customer service. Two minutes, that was all it took me, and now the line at CS is 4 customers deep. This is just not my day. Waiting and more waiting as I am shuffled from one clerk to another. And nope, they don't have the table in stock and can't get one for me from another store. One cell phone call to my husband and that table is ordered online. Note to self #3: Skip the stores, and just order online or let Perry do all the shopping next year!

Now, I'm rushing off to PTO with a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts for a bagel and coffee dinner. My afternoon of freedom wasted on waiting. I can look on the bright side, at least my kids had fun with their grandparents!

Digital pictures

After I put the kids to bed tonight, I braved the freezing 20 degree temperature to snap a couple of pictures (ok 40 or so--it's not easy to hold a camera when you're shivering) of our home lit up for the holidays. Here's one of the shots after a little digital doctoring: This is not the first time I braved treacherous elements for the sake of a photograph. This summer, in the midde of a fantastic lightning storm I grabbed my metal tripod and metal camera, went out my front door and snapped photos of the lightning. My heart was racing, adrenaline pumping, and after I got this shot I thought, "Yeah, now I'll get struck by lightning and be killed and everyone will wonder what the heck I was doing outside in a storm. But then they'll see the picture I got and they'll say it was all worth losing my life!" Alright, so I didn't die, but I did get one of the coolest pictures:

I am just loving my digital camera that we bought earlier this year. My husband thinks his basketball hoop is the best 200 bucks he's ever spent. But I have to say my camera is the best money I've ever spent (okay, the best thing I've ever bought with his money, seeing as I am a volunteer, not-for-profit, stay-at-home mother who gets paid in kisses and high fives). Granted out of the hundreds of pictures I take every month, only about 20 are any good. The amount of money that we've saved in film developing alone has more than paid for the camera. The boys have become quite the budding photographers. My middle has taken photos of everything from his Pokemon cards, to his artwork, to you guessed it, the toilet while it was flushing. Now even my youngest will walk around asking "Where's the camera? I wanna take a picture of you." In 25 years, we'll be glad that we've captured so many moments on film. Now, if I could just get the video camera out a little more often. . .

I was born in the 1900's

Top Five Signs You are Getting Old:

5) Your children have to remind you of your exact age because you always seem to knock a couple years off your life.

4) Cutting the greys out of your hair is just not, well, cutting it. It may be time for a dye job.

3) You take a 50 minute exercise class and feel its effects for an entire five days.

2) Your four-year-old tells you while you're flossing his teeth "Oh, Mommy you're getting a little beard!"

and the number one sign you're getting old:
1) Your six-year-old asks you if you used the word " 'tis" when you were young because "you lived a long time ago, in like the 1900's."

These last two happened just this evening as a matter of fact. . .from the mouths of babes!