quite book

I have been working on a quite book for the boys. to be honest I wasn't quite prepared for how long it would take, or how much it would cost. But, I have had a lot of fun and have learned quite a bit, so it was worth it in the end (plus the boys love it, so I guess that helps :) I can't quite figure out just why half of the pictures are sideways though, but there is a baby that is in need of attention, so I won't take the time to fix it.

these blogs are where I got the ideas,http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/07/quiet-book-templates.html

http://craftychiclyric.blogspot.com/2009/07/girls-quiet-book.html

http://quietbook.blogspot.com/

http://modestmaven.blogspot.com/2009/05/sew-quiet-book.html

http://naptimejournal.blogspot.com/2009/04/quiet-book-ideas.html

although the fish one was all mine, and all the "extras" it wouldn't be my project if I didn't get carried away.

freezer paper shirts

picture of a gnome shirt that I made for bear using freezer paper. The picture is one of the gnomes that my brother gave to me.

And this would be a shirt I made for Daddy-man. Proof that the man is spoiled and incredibly luck to be married to me.

this is where I got the how to do
http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/08/tutorial-freezer-paper-stencil-makenna.html

her blog is my new fave.

welcome to the century of the fruit bat

o.k. so it's not the century of the fruit bat, It's just a quote from Mr. Pratchett.

So Daddy-Man came to me today and asked me to design his portfolio. He's all trying to butter me up saying things like how awesome I am, and how talented I am. What I want you to know is just how not awesome I am feeling about this.
Sure, I have all sorts of ideas, but getting them out and put down on the computer? AHHHHH! I don't know if anyone else gets like this, but when ever I am introduced to a new form of technology, I FREAK! I get this icky panicky feeling. The computer program shall remain nameless in case I start cursing at it at some later date. I know that tons of people can use unsaid program with ease, but when Daddy-Man starts coaching me, I just want to cry (nothing against Daddy-Man, the same thing happened when my father tried tutoring me in math) And this a big deal. Our future could be riding on this. I don't know why I am not an uber genius on the computer. My Brother and Father are both what you would call "Computer Nerds" Daddy-Man and all the Brothers-in-Law are mini computer nerds (mini because they can't do the hacking, not because they are little, that would be my mom who really is a mini computer nerd :) I am just glad that I can type, occasionally without looking at my fingers. If I had been born a couple of decades earlier, I probably wouldn't even be able to do that. Now if I had been born later, maybe we would have done more in computer class than play Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.
Anyways, wish me luck. and if you don't hear from me soon, that means that I smashed the computer out of complete frustration.

no t.v. week

What was I thinking? That pretty much sums it up.
During the long winter break, the boys became addicted to the television. In my defense it was freezing and half of the days were red air days. Sure they also were playing with legos or coloring along with the t.v watching, but no matter what they were doing, the t.v had to be on. So between parental guilt and a concern for their little minds, we decided to see if they could go a week without t.v. (yes there is some bribing) Now here is the what was I thinking part. Every single day has been a red air day. Not just any red air day, but the kind that you start hacking and wheezing just looking out the window. So that means no bundleing up and playing outside. (Monkey is mildly asthmatic and Z-Dog has been sick) Lego's are awesome, but they can only last so long. Books are there. Art projects get done. Fighting is often. There has been a swimming party in the giant bathtub every night (huge mess and soggy swimsuits everywhere) No computer or Wii too. There are only 2 days left, but it is the weekend. I just may have to go spend money just for a reason to get out. McDonald's playland is out of the question, gross. Hooray for Joyschool, 1st grade, dentist appointments, cooking class, church and institute. I have finished my book from Daddy Man, taught a friend how to make hair things, made some for my self. Listened to a lot of Pandora radio (mostly the Disney station), so there has been a lot of dance breaks.

A book lasts longer than a dozen roses.

My huzzy-bunz is amazing. I got a package in the mail today and it was a book from my favorite author that daddy-man ordered for me. Some girls get flowers (which I love, don't get me wrong), but my man buys me books. Now every time I read it, or rearrange the book self, (which happens a lot, I love organizing the Terry Pratchett books whether it be alphabetical or chronological or according to the characters, who knows I get weird ideas) I will think of that cute man. Plus I don't have to feel guilty for throwing away some dead flowers, or try to hang them to dry (which I can't stand) and let them gather dust. Unless he gives me alive flowers, I really like that too.

breakable objects and other christmas items

For some reason, I got it into my cute little head that glass ornaments and glass plates would be prefect gift ideas for family and friends. I ended up etching the initials of some friends onto the ornaments and I was brave/foolish enough to let the boys stuff them with feathers. We had a lot of fun and only broke a few. (I ended up breaking more on my own later on) They were pretty cute and I may end up making them next year for my own tree.

I also ended up making more of these plates for my side of the family and some of the families we go to church with. These were less fragile(thank heavens) So far my glass etching projects this winter has reached a total of 46 items. That's 21 ornaments, 13 vases for a wedding, 11 plates and a glass cake pan for my mama. I am officially putting away the etching cream and taking a break.

I saw the plans for this cute wreath made out of scrapbooking paper on some local daytime news show. If I could remember which one, or even which company sponsored it, I would post a link. But I can't, I think the fumes from the glass etching cream have gotten to my head. This is the near finished product. There ended up being so much glitter and sparkle that every time I walk past it I smile. Man, I love glitter. It was pretty easy. All I had to do is cut out a few hundred leaf shapes and push pin them into a Styrofoam wreath circle. It took a bit to do it, but it was easy and fun. And hey, It sparkles!

birthdays

We have had a couple of birthdays since the last time I was on here. Bear turned 1 and is the cutest little monster ever. He reminds me quite a bit of my brother. No wonder my mom lets Brother get away with so much. There is a twinkle in Bear's eye just like Brother's. You can just hear Bear's thoughts "Yes I know what I am doing is naughty, but gosh darn it I am cute, so you will just have to let me get away with it." And most of the time we do. I am in so much trouble.

I had so much fun making these cupcakes. I got the recipe from the Hello Cupcake Cookbook, my new favorite. http://http//www.hellocupcakebook.com/ Bear loved them so much, he ate 2. I made a ton, but lost all the pictures. Luckily my cute neighbor had taken a few of the one I sent over to her.

Today is Z-Dog's 7th birthday. Last night we had a huge party with a bunch of his friends. The theme was legos. We borrowed a TON of Legos from our friend and all the kids loved them. We had a couple of games and pizza. It was amazing how quiet 13 kids can get when they are busy building with legos. Other than the utter exhaustion I felt after I was done, it was actually an easy party to plan. The legos pretty much took care of the whole evening. Those little blocks are just amazing.

Z Dog is an amazing kid. He is ultra charismatic and super smart. He loves to read, a fact that I am so excited for. He has tried starting Harry Potter, but I asked him to hold off for a little bit. I am anxious to share my little book collection with him. I have been collecting all the books I loved as a kid. He has started Sideways Stories from Wayside School, one of my favorites.