Can Do Attitude

Another day, another layout! Eek, how exciting!

This is the first time that Addison insisted on putting her sweater on all by herself. Both girls are able to put their rain boots on all by themselves, but they haven't tried dressing themselves- until now. And, it hasn't happened since, but I'm sure the day isn't far in the future! Heck, they even try dressing me every once in a while (putting my slippers on if they notice they're not).

This layout is based on the bonus sketch for the monthly sketch challenge at Scrapbook.com. It is a two pager, but I kept it only one, because I didn't have enough pictures to make it two pages! I loved the idea of splitting the background paper into varying sized strips, but I felt inspired to create those strips using ink instead of patterned paper. Addisons' t-shirt inspired the colours for this layout- red and pink and green. Yummy colours that scream summer (or at least summer fruit, like the strawberry in her shirt).

To make the background, I used my polka dot stamp and an SU roller stamp (called Belle- in the black ink).

The pink alpha stickers I've had for eons- they're K&Co, and the flower sticker on the journalling spot is from the sticker pack as well. I used the Close to Cocoa ink for the rest of the title work.

The 6x6 piece of patterned paper is from the Sweet Nectar paper pad (again!!)- I love the paper clip and staples that are printed right on it. The small scrap piece of floral paper is also from the Sweet Nectar paper pad. I used one of my Martha Stewart border punches for the punch work.

Both the journalling spot and ribbon are miscellaneous.

I also thought I'd share some of the fun we had at the spray park over the weekend. I can hardly wait to go back!

Moving On

Ugh. This heat is getting the better of me. Its so hot- even inside the house, even at 9 pm, that I don't even want to scrap. Bed time these days is a nightmare, too. The kids are hot and cranky, and getting them to settle just isn't fun. I'm trying to stay positive about the hot weather. Its true that we only get it for a short period of time. Its true that when we take vacations we want a hot destination. Its true that when its 32 below, all we want is hot weather again. Sounds like we're never happy with anything, doesn't it?

When we go on our vacation and want a hot destination, its mostly because we're travelling when its miserably cold outside and we want to remember what summertime feels like. If it isn't during the winter, its because tropical destinations and hot weather are synonymous. In a climate like ours, moderate temperatures are what we're used to, and if it climbs above that, most of us become irritable and cranky. (Mainly me).

When its 32 below, most of us just want (once again) a moderate temperature. The cold temperatures aren't bad, as long as there isn't wind or terrible weather accompanying it. And, its true that summer passes way too quickly for our personal liking.

But, when does hot become too hot? For me, its anything above 25! Thank goodness we've got a basement, and it stays gloriously cool on incredibly hot days like we've been experiencing. I'll never complain again about how cold it feels down there any other time of the year! Its a blessing in disguise!

I've got another layout to share today.

The story behind this layout is incredible. At least, in my humble opinion it is. Introducing Addison's 'kiki'. She loved on it fully and fiercely for quite some time. He was SO loved, that he lost his ears (bunny ears), an arm, the stuffing out of the other, and was about to lose his head. All that, and he was incredibly smelly and dirty. Washing never really thoroughly cleaned him or got rid of the smell.

When I realized that kiki was going to lose his head, I sat down with Addison at the kitchen table, and had a heart to heart with her. (And, with Cat in the Hat on tv, too. I'm not sure how the message got through with her eyes glued to the tv, but it did. Hallelujah!!)

As gently and convincingly as I could, I told her that she had loved kiki for a long time, and so well, that he was beginning to fall apart, and it was time for him to be replaced. I showed her another kiki (of the many we've got kicking around our house- and one thats as similar to her previous kiki as possible) and told her that this one was feeling left out and wanted to be loved just as much as her old one.

As sneakily as possible, I tossed the old kiki over to Kyle (who put him in my office for me), and handed her the new one. She hung onto it until bedtime, and then decided she wanted her other kiki back. That night, the entire time I read their bedtime stories to them, she kept asking for her kiki. And, as kindly and tenderly as I could, I kept reassuring her that this new kiki would love her, and it needed to be loved in return; and that the other kiki needed a break.

Incredibly by the time lights out came around, she was fine with moving on. We haven't had an incident yet. She's never once asked for her old kiki, nor has she clung to the new kiki we gave her. Who ever would have thought that would be as easy as it was?!

I haven't scrapped about Maren's conversion yet, but she willingly traded in her old kiki for another one. Incredibly. And, when her kiki gets smelly and dirty enough, she asks for him to be put in the 'machine'. Mind you, she doesn't like when he's away from her, but she does like it when he's clean.

Isn't that cool?!

(And actually, now that I think about it, breaking the kids of sucking on their soothers wasn't an issue, either. I got to the point where I was so fed up with them going missing, that I stopped looking for them. When all of them were 'lost', that was it. They've never asked for them, fussed over them, or even acknowledged them if they happened to see them again. Because, as things always go, they inevitably showed up again).

This particular layout is based on the bonus sketch for the monthly sketch challenge at Scrapbook.com. The patterned papers are from a 6x6 pack of K&Co paper called Sweet Nectar (its one of my all time favourites, I think), except for the orange (though it shows up yellow) card stock.

I inked the red paper with Riding Hood Red (SU) using a sponge dauber; I inked the orange patterned paper with More Mustard ink (SU) the same way (the orange card stock is inked with the same ink). The script font in the hearts was stamped with a SU set (that I don't know the name of; sorry), and in Cajun Craze ink. The 'so' in my title work was stamped with the same colour. That stamp set (alphas) are from Michaels; and the floral paper is inked in Old Olive ink (SU). The blocked alphas are inked with Old Olive ink, as well.

The clear rhinestones I added are from Recollections at Michaels, and the white ribbon was clearance at Walmart.

Finally, my journalling is written with a yellow journalling pen from Michaels.

Tomorrow I'll be back with yet another layout! Stay tuned!

For now, I'm headed out on to the deck in an attempt to cool off!

Watery Bliss

How is everyone enjoying their weekend?? We are having an absolute blast with this hot weather (literally!!) The kids and I headed out to the spray park yesterday- along with daddy- to cool off, and it was soo much fun! The absolute favourite (not necessarily amongst my children, mind you) is this giant tub that fills with water and when it reaches a certain level, it tips spilling water onto a mock roof. Everyone would wait anxiously underneath it for it to fill with water and spill onto them. If you wanted to get wet, that was the way to do it!

Rotary Park was a chaotic zoo yesterday. Everyone was out enjoying the rapids, the pond, the spray park, and getting annoyed with the construction that's also going on at the gates to the park. Oi. But, your reward, once you make it through construction and find a parking space is pure, watery bliss! 

I got a tiny bit of sun yesterday- not as much as I felt like I had, but I am happy. I'm slowly roasting to perfection! 

We will be heading out again this afternoon, I think, with daddy in tow, and the girls' little playmate P. We've (her mama and I) been trying to coordinate a play date for over a month, but with P's mama's work schedule, it just wouldn't cooperate! Now that her busy month is over, and her routine should settle into something a little more human, they'll get the chance to play, and we'll finally have the chance to visit. Yay!

I've got a layout to share with you today:

One of the joys trials of sibling hood is fighting. Fighting over toys, over daddy, over mama, over anything and everything they feel is unjust and unfair. Its also one of my banes of existence! Their screeching- even if its playfully- and not intended to be due to frustration- always makes me hold my breath and wait- for crying, or the sound of skin slapping skin. Not usually in that order, either. 

Before this picture was taken, Maren and Addison were playing in their swimming pool in the backyard. I don't know what they wound up fighting over, but Maren had something in her hand that she ended up using as a weapon against her sister. Yup, that's right. She hit Addison with whatever item it was. 

I don't always think of it- and I'm trying to get better at it-, but I always try to affirm to my kids that its ok to get angry over something. But, its never ok to let your anger get to the point where it boils over and you feel as though physical force is the answer. In other words, hitting is very bad. Especially if its with something that isn't your hand. Also, getting that angry isn't good, either. 

So, as a result, Miss Maren got a time out. I sat her down in one of her Adirondack chairs on the deck, and told her not to move until I said so. I feel bad, because I feel like I kind of missed something when I punished Maren and gave her a time out, and not her sister. I think that's what the tears in this picture are really about. She feels like what I did wasn't fair. I didn't see what caused the fight to begin with; I explained to Maren after her time out that the reason she got it wasn't for fighting with her sister. It was for hitting her. 

And, it breaks my heart when she does this, but when she's mad at me for giving her a hecking, she won't hug me or let me give her a kiss. I've found that if I just let it be for a bit (after her hecking), she's more willing to let me hug her and reaffirm to her that I love her. Probably because she's forgotten about it, and what I say then is kind of mute. Or, is it? Is that just a natural part of parenthood, or am I really a big, mean ogre? 

The journalling in this layout is pretty mushy. I think if you click on the picture, it will appear bigger, but I'm not sure how easy it is to read it:

"My original plan for this layout was to highlight the "mom-isms" you'll encounter as you grow, but instead, I just want to affirm that you are TRULY and INCREDIBLY loved- no matter what happens, whether discipline, disagreements and otherwise. There will always be love, trust, forgiveness, hugs and kisses. I am learning, just like you are. I just hope you never doubt our (my) love for you and how crazy proud of you we are!"

Growing up, my sister and I never heard our parents tell us how proud of us they were (I know of only once that dad told that to me). They say that we, as humans are more prone to remember the negative over the positive, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. We didn't hear much positive stuff from our parents; I am trying to change that with my own children. I tell them often how proud I am of them; how beautiful, how sweet, how wonderful they really are. I will not call my children names, and I will try my hardest to do everything in my power to build up their self esteem rather than destroy it. 

(That paragraph could be its own post- multitude of posts- detailing our childhood and how its affected me as a child and now as an adult- and a married adult at that, too. Maybe one day I will, but not now). But, every time I try and write something positive for my children, my own upbringing is always in the back of my mind. I hope I don't fail my children as a parent!

There is also hidden journalling on my layout. I pulled it out and snapped a picture of it so you could see. On this journalling spot is the story behind the picture. Its a personal little note to Maren,:

"In this particular case, Mommy gave you a time out for hitting Addison- with another object. I want you to learn that hitting is never ok- even if you're upset."

I kept the papers natural and earthy because first of all, the kids were playing outside, so it just seemed right to use papers that reflected that, and secondly, I liked how muted and soft the colours were. I felt as though the picture would take centre stage then, because of Maren's brightly coloured bathing suit. I didn't want too much to compete with it. 

Maren and butterflies are synonymous. I've mentioned her love of butterflies before, and if you've been following me for a while, you'll know that! So, it only seemed natural to add butterflies to her layout. I think they work beautifully here! (They're K & Co). 

The inspiration for my layout is for July's Monthly Sketch Challenge at Scrapbook.com (week one). To see where I posted it, and everyone else's' beautiful work, come over here.

Meet me back here tomorrow to see another layout I completed recently. Hope you enjoy what's left of your weekend!

**

341* the spray park
342* not burning
343* improving my 'tanning' skills
344* having the opportunity to head over there again this afternoon
345* play dates!
346* that the spray park opened (officially) on Canada Day
347* the beautiful country I live in (speaking of Canada Day...)
348* Rotary Park
349* time to chill as a family
350* a babysitter for next weekend

Escape Artists

Remember how I mentioned that the kids escape artists broke out of the house?

I very vaguely mentioned that a few people in the neighbourhood helped me. The direction I took when I set out to look for the kids was the wrong one; as I walked around the corner nearest our house, there were a bunch of men that had (I think) just gotten off work, standing in their driveway talking. I asked them if they'd seen the girls, and out of the kindness of their hearts they asked me if I needed help looking for them. Bless their hearts! All of them, except for one, helped me look for the girls. (I don't know how many of them were standing around talking. I think, in the fuzziness of my brain, there was three, but I'm not 100% sure).

When I did find the girls, I found that they had taken the opposite route that I thought they had, and the owner of the house they were lurking at was out on her front porch hanging out with them. I had come back to the house to make sure they weren't in the basement and just ignoring me, and when I confirmed they were gone, I grabbed the keys to the Yukon, and jumped into it. I just didn't know how far they'd gotten! The owner of the house was gone before I even had the chance to thank her. And, I didn't get the chance to thank the guys that helped, which is why the cards are being made! (After thinking on the baking overnight, I've decided that I'm going to buy Timmy's gift cards instead; if someone has an allergy, then they won't be able to eat my baking! I think its safer this way).

This design for this card is based on Sketch #147 over at Got Sketch? The inside of the card will house the actual 'thank you' sentiment and a heartfelt note. I am so glad this is such a family oriented neighbourhood!

Heart.Attack!

Oh! It was an eventful afternoon over at our house. To make a long story short, the kids ran away. While I was in the bathroom. I thought they had just gone downstairs, so I didn't rush, but when I saw the front door ajar, I nearly had a heart attack.

There are some wonderful people in our neighbourhood, and although I wasn't able to say 'thank you' in person, they'll find a plate of banana bread and a thank you card on their doorsteps tomorrow afternoon when they come home from work.

Thank God they hadn't gone far, were safe and unharmed, and I found them quickly. I should have known; they were at this one particular house that obviously stood out in their minds: there is white washed rock lining either side of the sidewalk. Of course the girls would remember that and want to play over there. That's where we (myself and a few other very kind gentlemen) found them.

At one time, there were child proof locks on the front door, but somehow, for some reason, it got taken off. Today, it was put back on!

In other news- happy news!!- it is finally reveal day over at Lets Capture These Sketches. You should head on over there, and see all the fabulous layouts the girls completed! There's two teams, so Team A posted theirs first. That doesn't mean, though, Team B wasn't able to play along! And, play along I did! (Just a subtle hint that I'm on Team B)

Here's my take on the sketch:

One last layout celebrating the twins' twin cousins' first birthday. Its so cute, but they seem just sooo confused by the item that's in front of them (their birthday cake). O especially cracks me up- she's such an expressive little baby! And, in that little face, the entire Murray side is evident. She's our grandma, re-incarnated. At least, her face was put on little O. 

**

    326* Slower, quieter days

327* the finished waterbed frame

328* Monster Jam

329* and having the chance to go!

330* the chance to be a part of another fabulous design team

331* home made baking

332* the fabulous groups I'm a part of at sb.com

333* shorter hair

334* covered-up-whites

335* that there's finally a spray park in town

336* an "outlet"
337* they are safe
338* they are unharmed
339* we live in an a.maz.ing neighbourhood
340* that at least Maren understands the magnitude of what happened

**

When I began crying when I told them to never do what they did again, she began crying, telling me she wanted to go to bed. (She says that when she's cranky or feels as though she's in trouble). I told her she didn't need to go to bed; I was just happy that we were all together again, and that nothing bad had happened to them. I've been telling them a lot recently that if mama lost them, she'd be very sad; and, sad I definitely was. More like sick. I can't even describe the pain my heart felt when I realized they were gone and I didn't know where they were. I honestly don't know if I breathed until we were all at home.

I did, however, tell Maren she did a really good job of thinking ahead--she put her rain boots on before leaving the house! Incredible!!

All that matters is that we are all together, and no one is hurt. Thank goodness!!!

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Well, another weekend has come and gone, and this week is nearly over already, too! Its insane how fast time can go. We are planning to head out to Monster Jam in a few weeks; it'll be Kyle's weekend off, my sisters' birthday, and another action packed weekend! The only difference is it will be a kidless weekend. Whoo! There'll be a ton of pictures, so stay tuned!

Here's what we did last weekend:

Addison saying hi to Grandma Lou

 Maren saying hi to Grandpa Gord

I honestly wish I had a better picture of this. Kyle's waterbed frame got a new lease on life- the stain that was on it was stripped, then it got re-painted and antiqued! Our room (once it gets cleaned up and reorganized- there's a ton of stuff in there that the kids aren't allowed to touch that I'd love to put elsewhere in my house) should be featured in a magazine. Seriously. I'm that in love with it. It.looks.ama.zing.!!!!

Another shot of our bed and window. With the waterbed frame in our room, now, its tiny. The bed eats up the majority of our bedroom! I want to take out the dresser, which is at the foot of our bed (I have only about a foot or two of space between the foot of the bed and our dresser), and install an organizer inside our closet. I might make over the dresser (because its ugly and horrid looking. I will not indulge you with pictures. I'm ashamed of it lol) and work it into the closet organizer somehow, but for now, the plan is to one day get a closet organizer. I like the ones that Crappy Tire carry, but I want to have a breeze through Ikea and see what they offer.

Our bed is not a water bed, if you're wondering. We're just using the frame for it. I l.o.v.e. how high it is!!! I love that I get to crawl jump into bed, instead of literally laying down in it. Ugh. It was like getting into a car that feels like you're dragging your hiney on the road while you're driving. Climing into our bed is like climbing into a lifted pick up truck. I LOVE it!!

Haha. Addison pretending to be a puppy

Addison and Grandpa Gord switched hats

My dear friend and I plan hair dates for every couple of months- our hair dresser does our hair at the same time! She's so sweet!  I've been meaning to take a picture of this for eons for Project 365, but haven't done so until now! We had our last appointment on Saturday.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Miss Addison's first crush! Hee...(last time he was here visiting- the day this picture was taken, she actually cried when she thought he left. It made me giggle, but I also thought it was too stinking cute!!!)

Annnnnd the girls' favourite past time these days: horsey rides!!! Haha--I LOVE the grin on Kyle's face!!!! I can hardly wait to scrap this picture!!

Here's my latest layout. Addison has no problem going off and playing on her own. In fact, I'm quite sure that she prefers it, for the most part. We'll often find her sitting quietly on her own, either watching tv, or playing sweetly by herself. For the longest time, it worried me, because I thought she was displaying anti-social characteristics, but I don't worry anymore. I'm happy that she does this. She has always needed her down time, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It worried me, because her sister is the complete opposite. She always needs someone around. Leave her alone for a few minutes, and she'll go wandering around the house looking for either mommy or daddy. There are days that the constant attention wears me out, and I wish that she was a little more independent like her sister, but I LOVE that their personalities are so different. There's nothing wrong with Maren loving and craving social interaction at all. (Part of me actually thinks its because Addison required so.much. attention during their first year, that poor Maren was starved for it. Now that Addison doesn't require it as much anymore, Maren's getting her turn).

Besides, who doesn't like cuddle time with their kiddos?

This layout was created using the July sketch over at Canadian Scrapbooker, and was submitted for the sketchy challenge there. I made my own background- the navy blue paper didn't come printed that way- I stamped it using Whisper White ink (SU). Looks pretty, doesn't it? As I was stamping this particular background, I began thinking of another way to stamp backgrounds using that particular stamp, so keep an eye out for variations of this in other layouts!!

The hot pink, blue gingham and light pink papers are all from Creative Memories, and are the very first items that I ever got that was scrapbook related. You know how long ago that was?! Like 13 or 14 years ago! I don't know why I hung onto those paper strips for this long, but they came in useful on this layout! I wanted to pick up the colours in the picture I used- pink, navy blue and yellow. (On the bunny's pink gingham ribbon, there is yellow flowers). On a side note- someone gave us that bunny at our wedding. It was Easter weekend in '09, and it fit perfectly, considering what weekend it was. (I also  had Mini Eggs hanging on a tree, which ties into the easter theme). Anyways, we don't know who gave it to us (still)- not that it matters. It now belongs to the girls!

The journalling spots were created using a stamp and Whisper White ink (again), then fussy cut. I fussy cut the banner on which the sticker is adhered (which is K&Co), and the yellow ribbon and tag are miscellaneous. The tag was stamped in Night of Navy ink (SU) using a polka dot stamp that I bought from Michaels', then I used a dauber to ink the edges of it. I can't remember where the pink felt heart came from. I have a feeling its a dollar store find, actually. The sentiment? Don't know either. LOL Lastly, the flowers are Prima.

One

...and the birthday goodness continues! This layout is based on sketch #146 at Got Sketch? I rotated it so that it would work with the photo that I wanted to use. All the paper I used here are scraps (yay!!), except for the base black and white card stock. The size of the photo (cause I know y'all are wondering what size it is) is 5x10. Cool, huh? I loooove using over-sized photos!

That's all for now, but I'll be back later with another photo post. We had a busy weekend around here- the in-laws were up visiting for the weekend. We played hard and got another home project done! Whoo!

Pictures to follow!!