Here's to You, Kid

I don't have any layouts or other projects to share with you today, however I do have some great news to share on the home front: today was a momentous day in the potty training department! Holy cow, I'm so happy, elated, surprised proud of Miss Maren!

What she saw in the pot scared her, poor thing, so she cried, but the look of absolute pleasure on her face when her daddy and I praised her for such a job well done was worth it. Of course, a treat (chocolate) for doing such a big girl thing helped too!

My MIL mentioned on Monday when we picked the girls up that she thought Maren would be easier to potty train than Addison (she echoed my own suspicion that I think she doesn't understand the concept of it yet, therefore she isn't ready). So, with a renewed vigour, we're trying (yet again) to consistently potty train. I think Maren is absolutely ready. To tell us continually that she's got to go (#2 mind you), must mean its about time. And she did it! Now to make #1 in there, and we'll at least have a foundation to work from!

Here's to next time, and the time after that!

***

341* moving forward
342* that the whole situation thing was dropped last weekend
343* for some more temperate weather
344* a day for myself
345* a clean vehicle
346* growth
347* friends
348* popcorn twists
349* the impromptu game of 'eye spy' we played on the trip home from grandma's
350* new words and phrases we've learned
351* hearing Addison singing new songs (ie. head and shoulders)
352* how she's turned 'twinkle twinkle' into rap (LOL)
353* favourite summer time tv shows
354* that 'who's going to be who' is totally backwards, once again
355* that Addison is such a clown
356* that Maren is so sweet and tenderhearted

Utter Determination

A few weeks back, my family came out to celebrate Fathers' Day. Maybe it was a month ago, already. My sister and brother in law decided to come out early to celebrate, and I'm glad they did. We had a lot of fun hanging out at the park with the kids just before their bedtime. It was the perfect way for them (auntie and uncle) to play with the kids.

While we were there, Maren decided to climb up this monkey bar thing that starts at the ground and curves upwards towards the main play structure. I'm not really sure what to call it, so I've dubbed it the 'half monkey bars'. I could hardly wait to get this picture onto paper and into the girls' scrapbook album. The look of sheer determination/concentration on Maren's face is absolutely incredible. I kind of think its one of those pictures you'd find in a motivational/inspirational type poster hanging on a wall somewhere. Yeah, I think this shot is that good. Its also one of the pictures that's really making me think that taking a photography class would be so fun and rewarding.

This particular layout is based on the monthly sketch challenge over at Scrapbook.com. Its the bonus sketch for week 2, mind you, but its the only one I can share with you right now, because everything else I've been working on is for DT's. On Friday I'll have one of them to share...I can hardly wait for it. Eek!

The floral paper is K&Co (Sweet Nectar), and they're scraps; so is the yellow card stock that's matted underneath it. The pink and beige card stock (on which the navy blue is matted on) are all Autumn Leaves (Walmart) card stock. I think the navy card stock is from DeSerres, my LSS. If you haven't been there before, you should check them out- in store at West Edmonton Mall, or online.  They've got everything for your crafty/hobby needs! Its a pretty neato store. Thanks to a dear friend for the heads up!

The little bit of punch work on the pink card stock strip is with a Martha Stewart scallop punch. Rhinestones are Recollections.

Monster Jam

Good morning! Incredibly, its 9:30 am and my children are still sleeping!! What's up with that?!

It was a late night for us last night. The kids were scheduled to come home from their grandparents place. Originally, the plan was to take them out for dinner, but it didn't work out that way. We waited and waited to hear from them (to find out when they were coming), and never heard from them. So, at 5 yesterday afternoon, I finally texted Grandma to see where they were. She texted back saying they were just eating supper then were going to hit the road. Bummer.

Kyle and I were getting grocery shopping done while we waited for (as it turned out) Grandma and the kids. Grandpa had to go to work. He was able to meet up with me after my massage yesterday (yes...mmmm bliss!) and we got the grocery shopping done together. It was fun! After getting what I could from Walmart, we headed over to IGA (Sobey's) to get what I can't from Walmart- basically fruit, veggies and meat. (And a couple scrapbook albums because my lo's desperately needed to be bound!! I was afraid they were going to get mixed up if I didn't do it SOON! It was a big job, but I just.finished.it. Phew!)

Grandma called while we were in the checkout line saying she was broken down three blocks from home, and we needed to come pick up the kids. Ok! Zip home, quickly unload the Yukon, re-stock my fridge and freezer, hit up McDonalds (which I am so.sick of junk food!!! We've eaten way too much fast food this weekend. Enough already. I can hardly wait to cook a square meal tonight!) and 'beep beep, zoomy zoomy' down to Grandma's.

We got home at 10 last night, got the kids changed and ready for bed, made them some porridge for a snack (upon their request), read their bedtime stories and turned out the lights. All by 10:30. And, they slept right away, I think. I'm impressed- they didn't even nap on our way home. I think they were too excited about mama and daddy and going home. They chattered most of the way home- until it turned into fussing and whining (only on Maren's behalf, thankfully).

We were definitely tired when we got home! I had wanted to scrapbook last night, but obviously it didn't work out that way! My goal is to play for a bit this afternoon, should I decide to put the kids down for a nap. Since they're sleeping in, I might not get the chance. If not, there's always tonight!!

So, here's the few pictures that actually turned out from Monster Jam:

On our way into Edmonton on Friday, the girls fell asleep. Naturally. I was driving, and daddy turned around to have a peek at the girls, and he found Addison sleeping still hanging onto her Manny (Happy Meal toy)

I didn't get a picture of it, and now I really wish that I had. Maren had her first tumble at Oma and Poppa's house (we needed to stop there before meeting up with Grandma and Grandpa K to pick up the girls' playpens). She was walking along the sidewalk to the backyard, and tripped on an uneven piece and scraped her knee. She cried, daddy picked her up, and mama made it all better. I gave her a big hug, brought her to the bathroom, cleaned it up and put a 'doctor' on it. Then kissed it all better. As I put the band-aid on, she told me 'thank you, mama'. It melted my heart.

Then, on our way out of the house, we stopped to leave Oma a love note. She scribbled on some paper, and said 'thank you, Oma' while she was colouring. (So, I wrote on Maren's note that she said thank you for the 'doctor'). I wish I had a picture of that too, but alas, I left my camera in the Yukon. I guess there'll be many more boo boo's right?

Just gotten seated at the show.

Uncle- after the cranky pants face he pulled :)

Uncle and J (we--ok I experienced some confusion between these two boys. If Kyle and I talked about either one of them, I always had to clarify exactly.who we were talking about--they both have the same name!!)

This little guy was so.stinking.cute! He was sitting in front of us and is 7 months old (his mommy told us, after I guessed him to be 6-8 months old). He was just going nuts on an empty water bottle that his mommy let him play with, but as soon as his ear muffs were put on, he went cuh-razy!!! Just talking, and squealing and carrying on- he was such a sweet, happy baby boy! My heart really aches when I see babies like this, and husband gets all fuzzy and mushy over them. It always makes me think, 'seriously?? You're done? We could have this again, you know???' But, I never say it. Maybe one day I will, but that's truly what's in my heart.

And, of course, husbands' absolute favourite monster truck. Too bad Dennis Anderson wasn't driving, though! That'd be like the icing on the cake! We did, however, buy the girls each a Grave Digger tee, and a little Grave Digger stuffy toy. (They'll have to share it, though. We only got one).

Other than the motor x stunt team, a jet car came out and burnt a car to the ground. Literally. Pieces from it were flying all over the place, and at one point, the force of the fire coming out actually pushed the car backwards a few yards. Yeah, it was incredible!

Shortly after this, the batteries to the camera died, and I had no back ups, so this is where the pictures end. Not that much else exciting happened, other than the jet car taking an 8 second cruise down the quarter mile drag strip.

We bumped into friends (k, not really. I found out via Facebook that they were planning to surprise their boys- also twins- with a trip to see the Monster Trucks. We did manage to see them, amidst the crowd of 3000 + spectators, and I happened to see my cousin, her husband and their kids, though I'm not sure they saw me. So, small world when it comes to stuff like this!

In a nutshell, that's the majority of our weekend. Its at least the highlights of our weekend. I also got my Yukon washed and vacuumed- inside and out and we had brunch with my sister, BIL (who is in the pictures above) mom and dad. Then, we spent a nice evening to ourselves, and an incredibly quiet and too fast day by myself.

Having said that, though, I'm so happy to have my kids back at home.

On that note, its time to go. Kidlets are finally awake!

Reveal Day

Reveal day for Team B over at Lets Capture These Sketches was last Friday. You can find sketch #140 and everyone's incredible work right here.

This is my take on the sketch:

Good things come to those that wait: some of the layouts I made of the kids' twin cousins' birthday party were a bit of a surprise- I had done them for DT assignments! This is one of them. Obviously, mama and daddy are helping P and O blow out their candles.

Because there were some people in the background that I didn't necessarily want in the picture (and cropping them out wasn't an option), I decided to blur the edges of the picture to help keep the focus on the subjects I wanted: the birthday kids and their parents.

Also, reveal day for Miracle's Momma's Design Diva's was over the weekend, too! If you haven't already, you should really go and check out her wonderful blog; you'll find Sketch #21 (the latest sketch template) and the design teams' gorgeous work!

This is my interpretation of her sketch:

Addison told me, after wanting to 'jump' out of their playhouse into my arms that she loves me and I'm '...her hero'. If she ever wants to melt my heart, all she needs to do is say mushy stuff like that. I'm defenceless against it! Hence the title of my layout. I took a picture of the rock wall leading up to the playhouse to help illustrate the fact that Addison jumped out of (though I would have rathered her go down the slide instead of exiting the wrong way) the playhouse.

There is hidden journalling to help tell the story as it actually happened (behind the photo mat), but the journalling that's obviously out in the open is a brief heartfelt note to my sweet daughter, letting her know that if anyone's the hero around here, it would be her sister and herself, hands down. Being their mother is teaching me to be more patient, diligent, considerate, problem solver extraordinaire, creative...the list goes on. They are incredibly special and even more incredibly loved!

Well, this is all I have to share for right now. I don't quite understand why the pictures I took this weekend aren't loading to the computer. So, I guess I'll have those for you (keep your fingers crossed!) tomorrow!

Until then...

~a

Peace Out

Hey hey everyone!

Just wanted to drop in and say a friendly 'hello' before stumbling off to bed. Its late, I'm tired, and so looking forward to a day off without the twinlets (though they'll be home around supper time tomorrow night), and a much needed appointment at the massage therapists in the afternoon. yippee!

but, before all that great stuff happens, I'll be back to share the weekend, some pictures, and a few layouts! 

peace out and sweet dreams!

the Big 3-0

Just a quickie for you tonight. I'll be sharing a card with you, rather than a layout.

I'm not sure that I mentioned we'll be heading into Edmonton again this weekend. If I hadn't, we are {grin}. We are heading up there so that we (Kyle and I) can enjoy a date! I hope the weather holds off- we are going to Monster Jam on Saturday night down at Castrol Raceway, but I saw on the Weather Network that thunderstorms are forecasted for Saturday evening. Hopefully it hits after all the festivities are over! Given Marens dislike of loud noises, we opted to leave the kids at their grandparents' place (this time Kyle's dad and step-moms; they haven't gotten to see the kids in such a long time, I thought it would be a nice treat!), so they'll have a wild and terrific weekend, too! We are also celebrating my sisters' 30th birthday, which happens to be today! (I never thought, in a million years, that either of us would reach 30- or have kids, for that matter! Cuh-razy!!)

I made this card in honour of her 30th birthday. I used Got Sketch #147 again (you can see the other card I made using this sketch over here. We are planning to take her to the IHOP for breakfast on Sunday morning. Should be a good time! Too bad there's only one in Edmonton!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend! Stay safe and cool and I'll catch up with y'all again on Monday!

Gone Organic

Things are still coming out of the woodwork since we moved into this house. I'm wondering if the day will ever come that we'll be done with the "guess what I found?"s. Maybe, but probably not for a while. The thing is, we won't know its missing until the day we need it, and then it'll be 'where in the garage could it be'?

Oh well, I'm pretty satisfied that we've got everything that we need. If we're missing it and don't realize it, we probably don't need it. In my humble opinion.

That isn't the case now that we've found the blender and brought it into the house. Especially since I decided that when we found it, the poor thing would actually be put to use (it was never used up until just recently), and it would be used regularly, if not frequently.

It is used frequently now. I decided that when it found its way back into the house, I was going to start making fruit and veggie smoothies to help increase our fruit and veggie intake. Though, I still have yet to juice the veggies and blend them into our smoothies. I'm not using the stove to pre-cook carrots or any other veggie until it cools off a little. (And, on a side note, a friend of mine came across a recipe for watermelon smoothies- I so have to try it! Its simple- freeze your watermelon after chopping it up, blend them with some milk and ice, and voila! you've got a refreshing and incredibly satisfying smoothie. Hmmm....)

I wish I had jotted down what kind of smoothie this was, but I think there may have been raspberries (judging by the colour) and peaches in it. I like adding some yogurt for a little more thickness and flavour (this one was probably an exotic fruit mixture), ice and milk. The best, so far, that I've come across is cherry. Just plain cherries (lots of them), black cherry yogurt (lots of it), ice and milk. OH.MY.WORD. Heaven on earth!

The best part is, the kids LOVE their 'frozen yogurt', hence the title of my layout. Which, they're right: in a way, it is frozen yogurt. And, they think its delicious. Again they're right. Their mama thinks so, too! Oh, the simple ways to feed my children nutritious, healthy foods!

I wanted to keep this layout simple and organic, because the subject is pretty earthy and organic. I've had sheets of cardboard hanging around for ages, and I thought this would be an appropriate use for it. I used sketch #61 at Got Sketch for this layout. It took a couple of days to figure out just how I wanted to arrange everything, and as I was pondering this, an idea dawned on me to make the journalling spot my title work is adhered to, flip up to reveal some hidden journalling.

I used up some scraps to make up everything on this layout, but the card stock its all matted on. Wow, I just realized that! Way to go, me!!

Well, its began storming out a bit, so I think I should bid you adieu here.

Until next time, take care!!