Summer Happiness

Summer is here, folks. That means kids are out of school and mothers across the land are descending rapidly into panic. (Just me?) My creative ideas have run out very fast. We've been swimming, coloring, painting, to the park, to the library, to a movie, run interesting errands,... and it's only been a couple of weeks.
Cue Mary Jane to the rescue! She came over the other day to deliver a little summer survival bag that contained some new snow-cone flavors, foam craft kits and more. It could not have come at a better time. Thank you so much, Mimi!
We all sat around together and assembled the kids kits. Elliet and Sadie had castles, Luke had a barn. It was interesting to watch Elliet decide to not follow the picture and take it her own direction. Sadie was sticking all her accessories on the table instead of the turrets and Luke was putting trees on the roof. But who cares! It was really fun. Don't tell the kids but I was tempted to put a tall princess hat on Princess Sophia and see her explore the castles. Animal cruelty, I know! When Elliet was done she kept going on and on about how she was a giant. This should explain her triumphant picture.

And then I had to include this photo because I thought it was funny. Elliet came downstairs and asked me what she was. Can you guess? I thought it was a pretty clever conclusion from a hat and a veil. (She actually called it a "Bee-man Keeper"

Princess Sophia

Scott had a few days off around Memorial day weekend. We talked about going away for a couple of days and asked Jeannine, our good friend and pseudo-aunt to the kids if she would like to babysit. She was able and willing so Scott and I spent some time together and left the kids in her loving care.
Jeannine is the coolest. She does so many fun things with them that they don't miss us one bit. This weekend was specifically special. They went to the pet store and came home with a Hamster, which they matter-of-factly named Princess Sophia. I have no idea where they got that name but they have loved her from day one. Especially the twins. Sadie always says in her high pitched voice, "Princess Sophia is seeeoooo ceeeuute, Mom, because she is sooooo teeeeny tiny!" or they will be really quiet for a while and I'll discover that they opened the cage without asking and Luke will have her wrapped up in his shirt like she's a sausage. I can't help but wonder what fate holds for this poor creature. Is it dark of me to wonder how her little life will end in this house under our care? Will the kids let her 'swim' in the pool one day? Will they drop her from the 2nd floor so she can 'fly'? Hm. I wait. Last week, though, I did hear them having too much fun and found... from what I gather in scared truth.... that Sadie was actually throwing her against the door. When I picked up little Princess Sophia, she was not moving. Dare I say I thought it was the end. But she is still alive! It's a miracle. I don't know if she's running on all cylinders, but only time will tell.

Fixed

The last Friday of the month there is a critical mass ride down town. The group meets at the Fashion Show Mall and ride along Las Vegas Boulevard and back. Our good friend, David, went the month before and was telling us how much fun he had. Since Richard was already caught with the 'Fixie' sensation, we told him about the ride and he came to Vegas for the weekend to go with us in May.
So the day finally came and Scott, Rich and I loaded our bikes and headed down to the mall. We parked, unloaded everything and headed for the meeting spot when my tire popped and I got a flat. Nice. David showed up right then to save the day and changed it for me. My hero! We discovered that the tires don't really fit the wheels so we deflated some of the air in them both and I crossed my fingers the rest of the night hoping it wouldn't happen again. And it didn't. Whew!
But it was so fun. We met under the pink lights of the blaring iPod ads and watched the cycling crowd slowly form. You can tell it's not a very organized event because I think we were hanging out down there for a good hour and a half before the ride actually started. But start it did! And we cruised along in a huge group up the strip, passing the crowds of pedestrians on the sidewalks and sang to the Bellagio fountains as we rolled by. It was soooo fun and we had perfect weather. There were some adventures involving angry police, hiding from the law and recovering possibly stolen goods but it made the memories better and after some late night sushi, we were happy and ready to do it again!!
Anyone interested in going this month? :-)

Spring Girl Next Door Show

I am finally getting some pictures posted from our Spring Girl Next Door show. It was a great success. I feel very lucky to have such talented friends. They really have a great eye for good design and create beautiful things with their hands.
I didn't have my camera with me so I wasn't able to get more pictures. I wanted to snap one showing the crowd. We always have a great rush of customers during the first hour and it creates a great energy. Not only is it great to be able to share our talents but it's even better to have such a savvy customer base! If you were able to attend (or have attended before), thank you so much for your support in our creative venue. We love to share it with you and hope you enjoy coming!
Now I need to get moving for the November show.....

The Stain Made Me Do It

The other day I went in to Sadie's room to help her make her bed. As I lifted the top comforter up I discovered a ghastly crime scene. Some secret sheet graffiti! She was inspired by a little stain from her "knee owie", she said. She could not control herself as she snuck downstairs, took a pen and returned back to her room. I found the object nearby with the lid off.
I think this was intentional. Or insanity? (I agree with both, I guess). What is this world coming to!? Must we tolerate these heinous crimes!??

Okay. So it really wasn't that big of a deal because these were super cheap sheets and I thought the images were hilarious. At least they are of happy character or we'd be doing a psych analysis.

Gimme the fanny pack

Okay. Was I not just talking about how talented Mr. Balloon Animal Man was at Elliet's school performance? Some friends of mine were telling me about these balloon sculptures hung at a party and the picture was posted on a blog we keep up on. How GREAT are they!?!? I love this idea!
That is all I needed. I am so buying a dorky balloon pump and balloons in fifty colors. Think of how cool they would look in white!

And maybe I'll make a bicycle if you're extra good.....

Graduation 2008

I promise this will stop. I have been so inconsistent with my blogging and every time I go to download photos from my camera I am reminded at how behind I am. I feel like I have had 10 days of constant goings-on and this week will be filled with catching up. The blog will reprezent so stay tuned.
This post: Graduation! Not a huge deal because the kids are wee lads but still fun because they get paraded around so. The twins had a little ceremony from Ms. Jamie. Let me tell you how this went down. I show up with the other parents 30 minutes before school time ends. They have rehearsed a little program for weeks including songs and jokes, poems, etc. So whose kids decide they do not want to do the program? That's right. So I watched the other kids graduate while I held Sadie in my lap and Lucas whining at my ankles. It was great fun. When the time came to receive their certificate, Sadie at least did that... so I got her wearing her hand print pillowcase with her teacher. Luke would have nothing to do with it, yelled at me and sat behind the kids picking his nose. Awesome. Super great for 2008!

The next day was Elliet's program at school. They had a wild animal theme and came out on the stage with painted faces. So funny. She looked about this enthusiastic throughout the whole thing but had great dance moves to accompany the lyrics. I'd post the video but know that would probably only interest a very narrow audience. My parents and brother were in town this past weekend and it worked out to have both Grandma's present (and Uncle Rich!). My Mom doesn't get a chance to see Elliet in action at school so it was fun to have her here to attend. After the singing they had a raffle, food and this great balloon-animal man making anything and everything. Um, yeah- balloon animals are the bomb. Don't you think you'd have to be pretty good to ask a kid what they want?? If it were me, I'd be standing there in my funny hat wearing my tool belt with three balloon color choices and I would look at the kid in the front of the line and say, "Alright. Here's how this works. I can make you a snake, a wiggly snake, or a stick. What's it gonna be?"
I mean, they were throwing everything at this guy: Elmo, flower, elephant, tiger, Eiffel Tower!!! Okay not really that last one but I almost said that.
It was a fun year of school! Little do they know this is just the beginning.... :-)

Seriously?

This paisley fabric for shorts?
Try shoes.
Try a blouse.
Try a scarf.
Try a bathing suit.
Try a beach bag.

But please, not shorts.
(and if you just bought this new release...... um, sorry)

Key Glee

Last night my cell phone stopped working. Awesome. I went to bed knowing that was one more thing I was going to have to take care of today.... so when I woke up and decided to go for a run, I didn't realize that this would be a day where I would really need it.
Ahhh. A beautiful morning. The temps have dropped a little so I thought I would get in a nice run up at Red Rock. Do you remember me posting images from this run months ago when it was dark and cold? Now the desert is lush and green and there is growth everywhere. I went up here last week for a run and was so taken with the life now breathed into the surroundings. I thought it would be cool to take pictures of what it looks like so you, my enamored readers, could see the change.
So off I go. I park, I get my key, my camera and lock my car. It feels great outside...I'm listening to good music, snap a photo here, snap one there.... so pretty.
I am just about half way through the loop (so the furthest from my car) and it happens. I drop my key. I'm in an open clearing on the dirt trail and glance down casually because it should be right there by my foot. It's not. I step back and widen my survey. Still no key. No panic.... it's a key! It's black with silver... it can't be that hard to spot on this red/brown dirt. But no. It is NO WHERE to be seen. I searched every little surrounding plant, poked the base of the cactus, raked the trail on my knees three+ times trying to sift through the loose stones in case it sunk in the soft sand. Never found it. I think I looked for over an hour. I won't go into the dramatic emotions when you are all alone in the wilderness talking to yourself, but it was interesting. I had no choice other than to finish my run and face the fact that I would probably have to hitch a ride from some stranger (spooky) or walk to the Visitors Center, use a phone (unless the stranger would give me a ride home... more spooky), call Scott and have him come get me. Luckily when I got to my car there were some land management guys fixing the back gate and I asked to use one of their phones (hooray for spotty cell service!). Scott had found an extra key at home (I thought I had lost the last one and was preparing for my day of getting a new key and a ride to my car) and came to my rescue. Three hours later I finally returned home.
Oh.... and then I spent the rest of the morning back and forth from Apple swapping my phone.
How was your Thursday? I hope it was nice.....

Misc. Weeklings

This has been a crazy week. I feel so stressed with the mental deadlines crowding my head. Is that from the end of school approaching? With extra assignments and little responsibilities to manage for school? I have Enrichment posters/flyers to get done, marketing deadlines to meet (love you, A!), Girl Next Door need-to-do's stacked up, all this needs to happen asap on top of the regular Mom stuff you all are familiar with (well, most of you).
This Tuesday night was Elliet's final soccer game for the season. You can tell she was totally into it by observing this photo. What's that? You can't find her? Oh, that is because she is on the far left looking away from the game... probably into the sky for Unicorns (oh, sorry Scott, Pegasus'). She was cute though and I brought the video camera to memorialize her field dance to and from the goal posts. Sadie and Luke were just as interested in the game... they chased butterflies and talked to strangers in the field behind us. Good family times.
And here is Sadie showing off her shoes, one of each color. She was giggling when she showed me this earlier that morning and muttered "Mo-o-m, I am SO funny"
Later that night I cruised over to an enrichment get together with some girls from our ward to watch some girly movie and eat a lot of sugar. It's a new 'group' that has started in our ward and I love the excuse to hang out with them. It's hard to fit time in to hang out and the conversation is always so fun. They are great friends and I'm looking forward to hosting next month. Any movie suggestions? If it involves romance and good looking leading men, those are good candidates. :-)
I also rode over there in the warm moonlight on.... my new fixed bike!!!! Richard started it all with his fascination and ownership of a mint green Schwinn. A good friend of ours here in Vegas has recently bought one as well..... which led to Scott getting one and now finally me. There is only one cog for the chain so the pedals move with the bike. If you move, the pedals move. It's tricky getting used to after my road bike where I can coast with my feet still. But it's so fun and I am loving it. The bikes are like little pieces of art to have fun with and customize. This shot is from a couple of days ago and I have since modified it a little more. Stay tuned! I know you're so excited!
I've tried to focus some of my time this week on more embroidery education. Frustration. 1) I don't have a lot of time and 2) it's confusing. Holy cow. This is a medium that I have new respect for. It's like learning design software all over again. Well, I mean, it is, but I didn't think it would be such a process. So here is ONE item I made after all my studies. ONE. I need to get biz-ay.

Uni-Horse

One of Elliet's more recent renditions.
I love the colors.

She's crafty

Our upcoming Girl Next Door show is two weeks away. I started this with a friend a few years ago to justify creative idea overflow and it has been so fun. Fun in that we now have a show twice a year where a group of some of my amazingly talented friends can share their brilliance and have justification for exploring inspiration. I love being able to try something new and share it with others. Plus, it's mostly a party where the house if full of frantic shopping women with yummy food and conversation.
But it's also two weeks away and I am way behind on some of my product ideas. And yet, here I sit.... blogging about it. I am still trying to face my embroidery machine tutorials so I can learn how to do what is blossoming in my brain. If I can figure it out, though.... it will be diggity dog dope. Here is a sneak peak of one idea I had. I've been playing with some paper cuts and framing them as well.... painting and sewing, more jewelry, etc.
I also saved this felt gun idea from six months ago and just found it and am making one. That is something I probably won't have an audience for. :-) But that's okay. It is cool though, yes? I can't wait to finish it. It's an art piece on it's own. Kiss kiss, bang bang!

Happy Birthday Scotty

Today is Scott's Birthday! He turned 36 today. Scott is not one for attention or fuss so I thought it quite appropriate to blog about it to the world. He is the worlds hardest person to shop for and his family can attest to this since it's common practice to openly include receipts with his presents. But guess what! This year I got him something he actually kept! So that made me feel good. Life goes on so we couldn't do much special celebrating today. He still went to work (but with a stomach ache/flu thing going around) and had youth activities tonight so this weekend we'll get some celebrating time in with his family. We all love him and I think he had a good day over all with fuss from his work and home families. Scott is so funny and fearless. I love his sense of humor and ambition. He is a great Dad complete with very accurate zoo animal sounds and songs on the fly. He also gets embarrassed and bristles when I compliment him so I will save him the humiliation of public praise. But I hope you had a Happy Birthday, S! I'm so glad you are mine.

Scott is a lover of lemon cake so I tried this recipe. Even though Scott wasn't feeling up to tasting it tonight, I couldn't resist seeing how it turned out. It was delishee, yo(s)! I highly recommend giving it a try if you likey da lemon. I confess I added a little twist and put some coconut in the batter and on the top with the frosting (Ina's influence. I'm cursed forever) and it was SO good. Since he turned 36 we topped the cake with 3 + 6 candles. Which basically came down to each of the kids getting three candles to put on top of the cake. Which should have been a happy task but little arguments still ensued. Ahhhh... big sigh. Good family times. Too bad I don't have any happy pics of him blowing out the candles since he went right to the couch when he got home.....

And lastly I wanted to include this. A couple of days ago I found him in the bathroom like a sneaky little kid shaving his head. He thought it would be funny to sport a faux hawk for the weekend so I grabbed a picture of it's short life span. He had this peak going down all the back of his head, too. I am the bad one because I wanted him to keep it until he went to work this week, but he shaved it before church on Sunday so he could set a good example for the young men. Whatevs!

Yes, please!

Um.... I want something.
My poor computer must know. I feel a little guilty as I type this confession and hope it doesn't retaliate by freezing up or something.
She's been good to me, my old tried and true G4. But my eyes are wandering and I am peeking at new models. I think I have had me lass for seven+ years. It's time, right? I pass the new beauties in the store but haven't really taken a closer look until recently. Blame my Dad. He gave my Mom a brand new iMac with a screen the size of an RV. The desktop is a beautiful image of the earth from outer space. Hello Major Tom! You can practically step right in there and start floating away in those vast 24 inches of monitor. And that's another thing... 24 INCHES!? That is huge! I have been sitting here with two of my rulers together trying to see where I would fit such a thing. Forget function. Me wanty! Donations welcome....

iMAC USERS-PLEASE ADVISE: I can order it preloaded with iWork. Looks like Apples version of MS Office.... which I have and have liked. Have you used it, liked it, should I get it or stick with Office?

Mommommommommom

Lucas: "Mom"
Me: "Yes, Luke"
Lucas: "Mooom"
Me: "Yes, Luke, what?... what is it?"
Lucas: "Um.... Mom?"
Me:"Luke! I'm listening... What do you want?"
Lucas: "Mooooom Mom Mom Mom"
Me:"LUKE! Look at me! What what what??? You say 'Mom', I said 'What'! What is it?!"
Lucas: "Mom... Um... I want.... Um..... {grin because he just realized I was listening.... and forgot what he wanted}.... Um.... Mom?"
Me: Walking away to scream into a pillow
Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers I know, and especially my own. What a job we have. And I won't get mushy or negative since, you know, it goes both ways.
Mom, I love you! You are a fabulous (faboolos!) mother and friend. I am so grateful for the canyons of perception you exposed us to, the humor and creativity, the expression and wisdom, etc. I wish I could be home with you now to honor you properly. Since I can't, I will focus public attention on the Tayve-Tayve.
LOVE YOU!
And to my friends who listen, inspire and advise.... don't leave me. You are priceless. Mmmwah.

This is the coolest thing. This site had a challenge where you find an old photo of yourself and recreate it as close as possible. It was called Young Me, Now Me.
Here are a couple of examples but it is inspiring me to try this myself!
Anyone up for it?

Pitter Pat

I know. So old news if you are following this mania. But in case you haven't seen it yet, click the poster to watch the first trailer.
I have no shame in this fascination. It is thrilling and extremely romantic and I think the movie will deliver. Locals?? THINK. Who has a connection that can get us some early early preview before it's open to the masses December 12th? I really think it's going to be as bad as the Beatles.

**Take note of the following juicy details:
-Look at how voraciously he is looking at her when he says he's been 17 a long time. Holy yummy....
-That curly side smile Edward gives Bella after she says she is not afraid of him and he scoops her up and away. OH. MY. GOODNESS. My mouth is watering.

May Monday

Wow! I think this has been the longest I have EVER gone without posting. Tsk tsk to me. My poor, starving audience... I give my deepest apologies.... to the chirping crickets in the empty seats before me.
But really (monologuing never hurts), I know it's been ever so long and wish I had some exciting tale to defend my cause. Would you believe me if I said I was doing the usual... trying to save the castle (my house) from utter destruction and protect my love (worldly possessions) from the three headed dragon (my children) using honorable enchantments (yelling, bribing, begging) but gave up and escaped (went to Women's Conference)? That basically sums it up. Normal busy stuff. The kids started swimming lessons last week and end this week and are having lots of fun. Elliet scored three goals at her soccer game on Saturday.... THREE GOALS! And Scott said they weren't accidental. He said before the game all he did was have a little chat with her about how it's not mean to take the ball from someone, that it's part of the game. Later on she just took the ball from some kid on the other team, dribbled it down the field and smacked it in. The best part is he said she just watched it roll in, turned around on her toe and skipped back like it was no big deal. So funny. I wish I could have seen it... though, even if I was in town I wouldn't have been there. Managing 4 year old twins there does not a party make. So way to go, E!
And yes, I went out of town for a couple of days with some friends to Womens Conference.... and, I confess, to also go on a little date with my youngest brother and see another concert Friday night (Cut Copy anyone? Can you say Fabtastic?!?). And no, there was NOT a class at WC on acting your age or growing up, so don't ask. Like, gag me with a spoon. As if.
The conference was great. It's always hit and miss with the classes but we caught some great ones, ate, shopped and talked late into the night. A much needed 'refueling' before returning to the castle and see what mess the kingdom had become while I was away. :)
No other spectacular events. I snapped a few random kid moments within that time that needed remembering.
Do you remember those folded game stars you would make in Jr. High? And I can't remember specific games but I do remember they were particularly fun when you wrote boys names inside that you liked and you would hope that the game would end open on your favorite.... Oh. Just me? Well, anyway.... Picture Elliet by my side while I am at my desk, breathing down my neck with boredom so I folded one up for her and Sadie, added some red lips and talked in a great middle-aged secretary voice. It was really funny.
Last week Elliet was supposed to be cleaning her room... and she did a pretty good job for the most part, though I did find this arrangement on the desk. So who remembers doing this!? I want comments, people. Because I remember annoying my mother by doing this very thing and, of course, at the time I saw no harm in my method. Asking me to clean up defaulted to my dolls world as well so I would sit for hours organizing their furniture and clothes, matching all the shoes and putting them neatly on the dolly shelves, etc. I know! Wipe your sweaty brow. It was difficult work! I would be so proud, call my Mom to come and see and she'd find me sitting in my clean spot on the floor in front of my shelves with nothing else done. Er... sorry Mom. I guess it really does come around.
And lastly, having church at 2pm comes with a price. The 'Sunday' movies get old and crafts ensue. This is one Elliet did on her own. Well, the mask anyway. We did the crown a few days before but let me tell you, that was impressive to see her come around the corner with a feathered mask. Not bad! Now go clean up.

Things to come this month: Mothers Day (!), Birthdays, meetings, (more concerts!), appointments... I feel slammed but some of it is for our upcoming Girl Next Door boutique at the end of the month. Time to get my handmade groove on. I have lots of ideas and just need time. No big deal. I'll just swing by Michaels and pick that up. That's easy to come by, right? Fo shizzle, dog. (Learned that on the down low at WC)