Words To Live By

My take on the Big Picture Scrapbooking Festival

I took part in a great class(that was free might I add) at Big Picture Scrapbooking last week. Each day we got a new word that we were to incorporate into our layout. Most women did a 6x6 mini book. But, I went all out and did 12x12 layouts for each day. I am using this as a platform to teach my kids some things I really would love for them to learn in their life and use as they grow. So each day I used the word as my title and then journaled a small amount. The bulk of my journaling will be on separate pages in the book. My hope is that as these subjects arise in life (most already have many times) I can use this as a tool for teaching them these values. 

Day 1

Share

Journaling reads: May you always share a love like this.

 

Day 2

Wonder

Journaling Reads: May you always take time to wonder

Day 3

Less

Journaling reads: May you always remeber that sometimes less is more.

Stay tuned for the rest of m layouts!

Crafty With The Kids

I'm just tickled to see my kids enjoying a hobby that I love so much. So, imagine my delight when they both want their very own smash book like Mommy. So about a week and a half ago I set all my projects aside and made two mini smash books for the kids. Theirs are 5x7 in size and perfect for them to"smash" all the goings on in their lives. Some nights we sit together and all work in our own books. I can't get enough of it!

 

 

 This one is Gracie's, very girly and fun. I made a pen holder out of ribbon

 On the inside flap I placed this envelope for her to keep all her little do-dads she is "smashing" with.

 This is her opening page

 I used lots of odds and ends of pattern paper that I have had around forever. (FYI Its a good way to use up old stuff so you have a good excuse to get some things!)

 This one is Mr Quintin's. His is the same just used Boy paper.

 I am One Lucky Girl!

I LOVE the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, and by love I mean I sing it at the top of my lungs around the house. I got inspired to make a page using this song. Doug makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world so therefore it is very fitting that I make him the  subject of my page.

In other lucky news....

I am so excited to tell you that I will be guest designing at Scraptastic Club this coming winter! I in some really great company with other awesome designers and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. it makes me feel like a very lucky girl!

Finally Friday

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you think...ahhh finally Friday. I'm ready for a good weekend and then a fresh new week? It has been a week like that for me. Nothing to earth shattering happened, but nice fresh start to a week would be welcomed with open arms.  So, to commemorate the end to this lovely week lets have a good long version of....

What I Know For Sure

 This expression from Olivia melts my heart. I love it to pieces!

 4 year old boys can fit in Rubbermaid totes

 Stuffed animals really enjoy a good showing of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Just ask them, I'm sure they will tell you all about it. The dinosaur is the most chatty)

 This is how much Olivia loved the Zoo

 Q's tongue has taken on a life all its own

 Bare feet are the best!

 Water fountains to splash in are cool, even when your 9!

 Creme Brulee from Archer Farms at Target is to die for....I recommend it for all!

 It really makes my day to see my children enjoying a craft I love so much.

 Keep Calm and Carry On

This is sometimes my mantra to myself. As one child spills milk all over the floor, another comes rushing in with a massive bloody nose and the third, well thankfully she cant walk yet so she can't be far. While that's all going on you can find this being said over and over again in my mind.

 

Recently I stumbled across a whole slew of new twists to this little slogan. There's one out there for everyone! They made me smile so I HAD to share them with all 11 of you reading my blog.

(Side note: I did some research and found out that it originated in England as a poster run by the government during WWII)

For the Blogger.....

 For the Wine Drinkers.....

 For the cupcake Lovers.....

 For The Shoppers.....

 For The Travel Buffs......

 For Those that love Photography....

 

And this by far made me giggle the most!

For those who just can't image staying calm......

Hope I made You smile!

Mommy Monday

Kids With Allergies

I Have kids with food allergies.....lots and lots of food allergies. I have looked far and wide for a good cake recipe that we can all enjoy. As I placed my last little sweet pea in her bed I decided to get back to searching for her birthday is right around the corner and the girl needs a cake! So to my plesent surprise shortly after midnight tonight I found this little jem of a place! 

Babycakes

Its a bakery in NYC that has cupcakes and baked goods meant just for peeps like me and my kiddos! Free of all my little ones allergies! No wheat, no eggs, no nuts, no dairy, no gluten, no soy! Not to mention their reviews are outstanding...so they must be tasty! Then be still my heart.....they have cookbooks!  So now I don't have to have their cakes shipped to my house (although that does sound a tad bit easier) , I can make them here at home! I will be sure to let you know how it goes when my books come to my doorstep. I can't wait to make my little Olivia her first birthday cake! :)

Boy: A Noise With Dirt On It (Plus a Challenge)

Boys are funny people....4 year old boys are VERY funny people....4 year old boys are VERY dirty funny people!
I used a stamp that I NEVER thought I would use on this layout...as you can see above it is a square frame. But, I think its fun to use things I never thought I would. In fact my goal is to keep pulling stuff out I will "never use" and find a way to make it work. Below you can see I used it three times on the layout. So whats something you never thought you would use, but you have? If your answer is nothing I challenge you to use something soon!

My little stinker....

and I have been awake since 5am. She is getting a mouth full of teeth so her clock is way off. So, how can we make this super early morning a bit more fun? Why, by sharing a layout about her!


Ive really been into ink, blotches, sprays, splatters you name it! So of course this layout has some ink on it.

I hope you enjoy. While you are just waking up to take a look at my blog I am sure Olivia and I will be ready for a nap.

What I Know For Sure
Dance Competition Edition

If you have the opportunity to alter a regular t-shirt when you are 9 the rule of thumb is bring on the bling!

After a long day of dancing it's always good to cuddle up with your little brother.


There is only so much four year old boys can take of a dance competition until they try to sleep in the corner
Olivia has teeth and she knows how to use them

When asking a four year old boy to show you something...you never ever know how he will go about it. (Iasked to see the butterfly)

A formal dinner with 8 and 9 year old girls is very very cute.


This is how we all felt after a long week. It was fun but WOW! are we tired!

Another layout to Share.

In between unpacking boxes and summer events I have been scrapbooking quit a bit. For nothing but to simply keep my sanity.


I love this picture of Q on our last Disney Trip. Its a story we talk about frequently with him. He of course recalls none of it, but believe me it will be one of those stories that we will tell him over and over through the years....especially when girls come around. He he he :)

Where Have I Been?

We moved into our very own home! I have been very busy settling into our new home. I am sure I will be back to blogging very soon. :)

Last week we did a lot of this....

by we I mean I did the make-up and the hair and Gracie did the rest. She had seven performances in a 5 day time span. She was sad when they were all over, but never fear the National dance competition isn't far away! Mommy needs some rest before that happens.
And here is a layout featuring some of her regional competition photos! I'm really happy with the way it turned out!