28 Layouts in a Month

So far, I've done 28 pages this month. That's an amazing record for me! I have two more to do and I'll have completed the 30 in 30 Challenge! These are all old photos from 2002. I've got to use up my stash of old photos. The photos in the first two pages below were taken around the time of my nephew's third birthday. The last three are photos from when our good friends were visiting.

Followup to Doe-wa

I don't have much time to post today. We had our back-to-back soccer games again today. They were so close, in fact, that we asked the team manager of DS#1's team to pick him up at DS#2's game so he could make it to the warmup before his game (which was across town, of course). By the time we got to DS#1's game, it had already started. We didn't even have time to have lunch, so we had a big "linner" at about 3:30PM or so. The kids were so confused about whether or not we had lunch and dinner!

Anyway, as a followup to my last post, this morning, DS#3 became so cranky and clingy right after I had gone downstairs to make breakfast. There was no way that I could carry him AND make breakfast, and he was so distressed and crying so much, so I asked DS#2 to put the "Dora the Explorer" DVR tape on the TV. At the mere mention of Dora, DS#3 suddenly became quiet and went immediately to the living room so he could sit down and watch the show!

A similar thing happened yesterday when I was trying to help DD with her piano lesson pieces. He wanted to play the piano too, and that would have been way too distracting for her. I have a "Dora" video on ITunes that I played for him. He became quiet and actually started smiling and dancing! It was amazing! I don't advocate using TV to babysit your kids, but I can see why people do it!

Doe-wa

That is how DS#3 pronounces "Dora" as in "Dora the Explorer". That used to be DS#2's favorite show and is still one of DD's favorites. Now, it's DS#3's turn. He loves playing with the Dora van, especially since it plays music. He also watches the TV show. Tonight I turned the TV on to the Dora show. He excitedly started pointing to the TV and then wiggling his little bum like he was dancing. I set him down on the floor and he climbed onto the chair and started doing his little dance where he wiggles his bum while sitting on it. He and DD watched the show and the Go Diego Go after it, which enabled me to watch one of my own shows in the other room. I probably should have taken a photo but a photo wouldn't have done this justice. Maybe I'll take a video the next time. :)

30 in 30 Day Catch Up

I was able to complete these next pages over the last two days. That's a record for me, I think! These were all really old photos (2002) that I just wanted to get off my list. I have one more that I'll upload tomorrow. The first three pages below are from DS#1's seventh birthday party. The last two were from when we visited Houston for my niece's first birthday. I still can't get over how adorable my kids and my sisters' kids were (and still are)!



With the one on my desk, I will be caught up for the 30 in 30 Challenge this month! Woohoo!

More 30 in 30 Days Pages

I'm behind on my 30 in 30 Day challenge layouts, but here are some other pages I've done since the last time I posted my pages. I just love this first one because it shows how much DD cares for DS#3, but for once, she isn't "bothering" him.

This one has old photos from my niece's first birthday party in 2002. I can't believe how small the kids are!

These are some old photos of my friend Lisa when she was pregnant with her third child. We had both had two boys first and now she was having a girl just like me.

These are more cute photos from 2002. I journaled about how happy I was that we were back in Texas so we could be closer to my family and so the boys could grow up with their cousins.

I did this page originally as an 8x8 page that was hung in the Scrapaddict bricks and mortar store. Felicia returned it when she closed the store down.

These next two pages also have old photos (I'm trying to finally get all of those older photos into my albums) from Christmas 2003. We were visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Palm Springs.


I finished two more pages tonight. I'll have to scan and upload tomorrow.

Haircuts

Today was haircut day. DH got his hair cut a few days ago and meant for the boys to get their haircuts at around the same time, but it's been tough with all of the practices and activities. Anyway, after church, I was going to take the boys to get their haircuts.

I mentioned to DD about getting a trim because her ends were getting a bit scraggly. At first she didn't want to go, but then she decided that not only was she going to get her hair cut, but she was going to get it cut short, like chin-length. I have to admit that that statement made me pause. I decided that her hair grows fast and that she could always grow it back again. I did make her settle for shoulder-length, however, so we could still put it in a ponytail for dance and gymnastics. This was the before picture.

This was the after picture. It's in a ponytail here, but the hairdresser cut a good 6-8 inches off. I do think it looks cute, especially because it has a little natural wave and the shorter length and lighter weight brings that out a little more. DD is so excited about it. She keeps talking about how no one at school will probably notice, but at the same time, I just know that she's going to point it out to them! ;-)

Of course, with the older boys and DD leaving the house, DS#3 fussed at being left behind. What else could I do but take him along too? He is such a character when he sees the camera! I saw him swinging from a bar and I wanted to take a picture. He saw the camera and immediately gave me this cheesy little grin!

In the meantime, DH had some time alone at home, so he decided to clean out the hall closet and our closet and lots of other stuff. Wow, I should probably take the kids out more! :)

Home or Away?

Today was the start of many upcoming full days of soccer--and we only had two games today. Remember last year when we had DD's games too? We left the house at 8:15 this morning for DS#2's game and didn't get back until after 2PM from DS#1's game. Part of the reason is that DS#1's home games aren't on the same field as DS#'s home games, although they play for the same club. No, DS#1's games are a good half-hour away from our house. It was even farther from where DS#2's game was held. Yup, we put a lot of miles on our cars today. We had to take separate cars because I am on beeper call all weekend and so I always have the potential to get called into work.

The only good thing is that we don't have any Sunday games this time, at least until the post-season tournaments on the last two weekends of November. That's right--the last two weekends, meaning the weekends before AND after Thanksgiving. *SIGH* I'm glad we enjoy soccer!

Here are some photos I took today. I just love my new zoom lens. I had to step back to take some of the closeups since the zoom lens wouldn't focus so close in, but I love the photos I got. :)

This one is my favorite one because it's an action shot and because it came out so sharp. DS#1's ball handling looks pretty good here too. He isn't one of the regular starters, so any play time is a bonus. They lost the game today, unfortunately.

I love this action shot too because DS#2 seems to really be putting his whole body into this kick. They were playing another team from their same club, so they were all wearing the same uniforms. To distinguish one team from the other, the other team wore the red pennies, which they just put over their uniforms. Unfortunately, DS#2's team lost today too.

This is such a great photo because you can see how much DS#3 loves to get into the stuff that his siblings are doing. He seems to really enjoy "playing" video games with them. I've posted another photo of him with the game controller before. This is also such a great photo because DS#2 is tolerating DS#3 getting in his space, especially when he is concentrating so much on his video game. Gotta love it when the kids are getting along! :)

This is such a cute shot because DS#3 is putting his little feet on the ball like it's a footrest and DD and DS#3 are sitting in their little chairs that I bought at Target last spring. DS#3 toppled over a few times because he kept sitting on the front edge and the chair would fall forward. Luckily, it has a device that keeps it from folding. Remarkably, he didn't get too upset each time he toppled over. He just got lots of wet grass on his legs. Boy did he ever need a bath when we got home!

Nooooo Wipeout!

Tonight, we're having "Wipeout" night. My family loves watching the reality show "Wipeout" and we had about 2 1/2 hours taped on the DVR. The show is so fun to watch together. The kids are constantly laughing, and DH and I enjoy the announcers' jokes. What can be even more hilarious is when DH and I laugh at the jokes and the kids don't have any idea why it's funny! :)

Earlier today, DS#3 was showing how well he knows how to say the word "No." DH said that he got a yogurt out of the fridge for DS#3 because he was sure DS#3 wanted the yogurt. Well, when he got the yogurt out, DS#3 said, "Noooo!" so DH put it back in the fridge, at which point DS#3 started crying! DH took the yogurt out again and DS ate it happily. When I got home from work, DS#3 took me to the pantry and started pointing to things. DS said "No" to everything I held up. I finally settled on some Goldfish crackers and he happily sat down at the table. I really wasn't sure until I set him down on the chair and he didn't cry. Once again, I can say that we can't always tell what DS wants, but we usually know what he doesn't want!

Role Reversal

I did this page a while ago. These photos were taken in 2004. DD was NOT happy to be on that horse and she was NOT happy to have her picture taken. On the other hand, look how cooperative DS#2 was. We didn't used to have problems with him smiling for the camera. I may be biased, but I've always thought he was very photogenic.

This is a page I just finished today. This photo was taken around the same time. DD actually almost smiled. This girl is the reason why I didn't have any professional family photos taken around this time. *SIGH* She is ADORABLE, though. :)

Compare the photos on these two pages to this following photo taken today. Notice how DS#2 is not even trying to smile. Notice how everyone else is smiling including that former non-smiler (DD)? *SIGH* I had a little talk with him tonight about smiling for Mama's photos. We'll see if he actually remembers our talk the next time I take a photo.

In other news, I took this photo because my dear sister and her family left my town today and they headed back home. The power has apparently been restored at their house, and they are anxious to be at their own house, even though school is apparently still closed until Friday. It was really nice for me to have them here. I wish you lived closer, Sis! :)

Routines

We're all starting to get into our routines. Today's routine involved greeting DD at the bus stop after school, coming into the house so she could drop off her back pack and pick up a juice box to drink, then heading off to gymnastics. Amazingly, I've been home to do this every Monday since school started. It was almost 5PM by the time we got home. DH had just taken out some Chicken Cordon Bleu from the oven. (Don't worry, DH didn't actually cook it. We had picked it up from the frozen food section at Costco this morning.) As per our routine at dinner time, DH was trying to convince DS#2 that he would like this. This time he actually ate it. DH and DS#2 ate first, so that they could leave for DS#2's soccer practice by 5:30PM. As per DS#3's routine, he saw someone eating and wanted some of what they were eating too.

Dear sis was here still today, which isn't usually part of our routine, but alas, for her and her family, her visits have become routine since last Friday. She plans to return home when she gets word that their power is back. There's no sense in going home when there isn't any power yet. A neighbor checked their house, and luckily there has been minimal damage. A tree fell in their back yard, but didn't damage their house. There was some fence damage, but so far so good. My other sister, who stayed in Houston, has been dealing with a huge roof leak, so it was a good thing that she was there when it happened. She ended up going to work today, but then leaving early to get someone to at least help with the drywall over her dining room, which collapsed yesterday. My parents finally got to go to their house today, after staying at my sister's house over the weekend. Everything was okay there, too. All in all, we're thankful that everyone in my family came out of this hurricane unhurt and without catastrophic damage to their homesteads.

Tonight, again as per her routine for the last few months, DD played with her neighborhood friend L. We have an "open door" policy at our house. When friends are over, the kids' bedroom doors stay open at all times. Despite that, when L left (he is six months younger than DD), I found his shirt on the floor in DD's bedroom. Hmmm, I could have sworn he had a shirt on when he left... :) Needless to say, I reminded her about the open door policy. I got her ready for bed, brushed her teeth and brushed her hair. She started reading a Dr. Seuss book to me. Halfway through I asked her if she had any homework, and she did! Mind you, this was at 7:25PM and her bedtime is at 7:30PM. Ugh! We're just now getting into the routine of having homework again! Luckily, she was on the mark tonight. She had to write three sentences using three of her vocabulary words. She completed it very easily, only needing help in spelling one of the words. For the word "on", she wrote, "My brother is ON the computer." She thought, at first, that the first vowel in "computer" was a "u"--very understandable mistake to make. That was the only thing she needed help on. She was still in bed by about 7:40PM--not bad.

DS#3 has his little routine too. I'm talking about bedtime routine here. I gave him his bath, which he LOVES. Sometimes I'll bathe him with his sister. Tonight it was him by himself. While DD was reading to me, he got his last cup of milk of the night. When she was doing her homework, he let me know he was ready for bed by lying on the floor next to her chair. When she went to bed, I put him in bed with her while I sang her chosen bedtime songs. He then "gave her a kiss" goodnight, which meant that he put his cheek on her lips. :) I took him to his crib after turning out all the lights. I sang his bedtime songs while rubbing his back, then I got up while humming and rubbing his back, then I quietly left the room. Before the last couple of weeks or so, as soon as he sensed that I wasn't there anymore, he would turn his head to look and then start crying. I don't know what happened, but he has let me leave quietly for the last couple of weeks. I hope this lasts!

Okay, I've rambled enough for tonight! I'll try to post photos tomorrow!

30 in 30 Days 6 to 10

I'm still plugging away at the 30 in 30 Challenge at Scrap Shanty. This first page uses photos from 2006 when DH had to have a cardiac cath. He was so scared and I was freaking him out when I took these photos because it made him feel like this was the last time! Poor thing! I'm still glad I took these photos because then I can remember how scared I was and then how happy I was when everything went well.

This next photo is just a funny one that I took one day when DS#3 was only 2 1/2 months old. I had asked DS#1 to hold DS#3 up so I could get a full-length photo. DS#1 decided to make a funny face every time I help the camera up to my face and I even caught DS#3 making a funny face!

These next two pages have photos taken around Christmas of 2003 when we went to visit my in-laws in Palm Springs, California. The first one is about a trip to the library, and the second one is about the golf cart rides that Grandpa gave us.


This last page uses the photos from DS#2's soccer team last fall. I blurred out the faces of his teammates and their names here to protect the innocent.

That's all for now!

Hurricane Ike

Look at that monster! The projected path now has it making landfall in the Houston/Galveston to Freeport areas. My brother-in-law has been told by his company to come to San Antonio to do some work here, and since school has been cancelled tomorrow, my sister and her two kids are coming with him. Their last trip here under similar circumstances was Hurricane Rita three years ago. The car trip which normally takes three or so hours took them ten hours. I spoke with my sister a short while ago, and they weren't even to Columbus yet. That usually means two more hours, but who knows how long this will take tonight. Although I always welcome a visit from my sister, I would prefer more relaxed circumstances.

My parents will be heading a little north from their house to my other sister's house. There should be less flooding (if any at all) in that area, but at least if anything happens such as the power going out or whatever, my sister will be there to help. She and her DD will be home tomorrow too. I hope this all turns out better than expected, just like Gustav.

With all of this hurricane hubbub here in Texas, we can't forget what happened seven years ago. I'm sending lots of good thoughts to all of the survivors of 9/11 and their families.

Busy Day Off

I was off from work today. I have some vacation days I have to use by the end of the month or I lose them. This morning, I walked the kids to the bus stop. DD really wants me to walk her to the bus stop when I'm home. However, I've noticed that once we get to the bus stop, she starts walking away to line up with the other kids! Go figure!

After DS#1 got on his bus, DH and I went to the gym. I've been so much better about going more often lately--yay me! I took a step class for the first time in years. I found it interesting that the instructor appeared older and heavier than me. She seemed to have enough energy, and I got a good workout, so I was happy.

We stopped home to take our showers, then we were headed to Gymboree Play for DS#3 at 11:15AM. He doesn't do too many of the organized activities during "class", but at least he'll sometimes interact with some of the other kids and he gets lots of active play time. His favorite part is Bubble Time at the end. He can even say, "bubbles", although it sounds like, "bawbaw". I decided that's one thing I'll have to get him some time--some sort of bubble maker.

We had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. We ordered the Garlic and Cheese Focaccia for an appetizer, and it comes with this tomato mixture (I can't remember what it's called) and DS#3 went crazy when he saw it. I'd forgotten that he loves tomatoes. The only problem was that he also wanted to feed himself, so we compromised. I put it on the fork to give to him, and he took the fork from me and put the tomato in his mouth.

After lunch we went to our favorite ice cream shop nearby. We've been going to that shop since we first moved here in 2002. The owner even came out and asked us where the boys were. When we said that they were in school, he proceeded to jokingly say that he hated school. Apparently, business really drops off after Labor Day. DH and I took mental notes to visit more often. *WINK*

We got home around 1PM and I was so full that I couldn't stay awake. DS#3 had fallen asleep on the way home and DH was able to easily put him in his crib. The problem was that he only slept for some 30 minutes (he usually sleeps for at least an hour and a half) and alas, that cut into my nap time.

After the kids got home around 3PM, I practiced piano with DD. She was really paying attention today and was able to play her short little pieces correctly after one or two times. I get a little too frustrated with her sometimes, because she makes the same mistakes over and over again. I have to remind myself that she's only starting out and that she's only 6, but then she goes and plays it well the first time, like this afternoon, and I just know she could do better all the time.

DD had her first dance class today at 4PM. She has asked to take dance for a couple of years now, and I'm glad we finally signed her up. We got some "hand me down" dance stuff from her cousin, and she happily picked an outfit to wear today. She seemed to really enjoy it, although she complained about how boring the ballet part was, when they were doing some bar work. I just told her to hang in there, and it would get better.

We got home about 5:15PM and had time for just a quick dinner before DH headed off to soccer practice with DS#2 and DS#3 at 5:30PM. I went ahead and gave DD her bath and brushed her teeth, because we were headed to Parent Night at her school from 6:30-7:30PM. (We had one on Monday for DS#2, and one on Tuesday for DS#1.) I left DS#1 at home because he didn't want to go. That is still something new for me (to leave a child at home unattended) and I'm slowly getting adjusted to it.

Sorry for the long post! Did I say I was off from work today? It sounds like a lot when I type it out like that. Maybe it's a good thing that I go back to work tomorrow!

Wii Fit Extended Family

I've posted pictures of my family playing the Wii Fit before, especially when we first got it. On Sunday, my youngest sister C and I went to Target hoping to snag her a Wii Fit. They had plenty--yay! She was so relieved that her search was over! While we were there, my other sister M asked me to get her a Wii. C and I determined that M needed a Wii Fit also. :) Back at my house, she wanted to try our Wii Fit to make sure she liked it. This is a picture of her doing the tree yoga exercise. The three 6-year-olds decided to join in.

DS#3 didn't want to leave my arms when my family first arrived on Friday. By Sunday, as you can see, he warmed up to them quite nicely. My sister took this picture when DS#3 was sitting on the sofa just watching everyone play on the Wii. When she got her camera out, he immediately went into this cheesy smile that he sometimes gets for photos. The girls of course, did their own posing.

I miss my family already. We had a really fun weekend with them! :)

Mini Town Birthday

I was going to title this blog entry "Busy, Busy" but then I found out that I've already used "Busy, Busy, Busy" and "Busy Saturday"! I guess we must have quite a few of those. :)

The morning began with the three cousins playing loud Hannah Montana music in DD's bedroom complete with microphones, singing, and dancing. We're so lucky that the girls are so close in age and interests that they really are the best of friends. My sister got DD a "CD Boombox" so she can play her own music now. Apparently, my two nieces like to play loud music in their rooms back home, too. Now, they've introduced that activity to their other cousin.

While the girls were dancing to the beat of their own music, DH and I went to DS#2's first soccer game of the fall season. I got to test out my zoom lens again. I didn't take too many photos, but I did get a few nice action shots.

DS#2 is so funny. I showed him this photo of him about to kick the ball, and he started insisting that he doesn't hold his arms out like that when he kicks. Well obviously you do, son! *WINK* He also complained this morning about how his new uniform socks are blue (instead of black like last year) and now they don't match his black and red cleats! *SIGH*

His game was a "club friendly" one which means that they were just playing for experience and not for keeping score or anything. They played a team that they have never beaten before, but then after halftime, they played against a completely new team. Literally, the team they played during the first half moved to an adjoining field and a team that started out playing on that adjoining field came and played our team. DS#2 and his teammates were keeping their own score, of course, and his team got more cumulative points than the other teams scored on them. He was also happy that his soccer coach/trainer from last year coached them during this game. I'll have to post more on that at another time.

Back home, we got our things ready to take to DD's birthday party. DD's party was at this place called Mini Town. There are several rooms to play in. One is a beauty salon. One is a movie theatre where they were playing the movie Ratatouille. There are also rooms made to look like a disco (complete with disco ball and loud music), a grocery store, and a school, etc.

I'm not going to post pics of her blowing out her cake because her name is in very large letters on top. I will, however, report on how she had to blow maybe four or five times before all of the candles were out. I made a comment about how maybe we wouldn't be serving that part of the cake (since she probably ended up spitting over it). Instead, here is an adorable photo of DS#3 in the grocery store with a basketful of yogurt and milk! He had so much fun and behaved very well considering this party was during his naptime! :)

Only five people from DD's class made it, but we had a few more from DD's class at the other school, plus family and some neighbors. Twenty-five kids were included in the fee, and only twenty kids were there. Everyone that came commented on what a fun place this was, though. Even DS#2 had fun. He played outside mostly. They had this area with several plasma cars. Here is DS#2 playing there with one of our neighbors. They also had an inflatable playground and a jungle gym. Mini Town was a really fun place!

We went to church tonight just so we could take our time tomorrow. I really enjoy it when my family comes to visit and I'm glad my kids love it too. No time to scrap for tonight, but hopefully I'll get more done tomorrow! :)

30 in 30 Days 4 and 5

I'm trying to keep up! If it wasn't for my friend Jen challenging me directly, I would have gone to bed already instead of scrapping! This first one uses a photo I took of my parents earlier this year. Everyone in the family loves their monthly visits! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

This is a quick one I finished tonight. These photos were taken in 2002. Wow, that was a long time ago! I miss my cropping friends back in Illinois!

Today, my Mom arrived with my sisters and my nieces. They will be attending DD's birthday party tomorrow. DS#3 has been benefiting from a lot of attention from the three 6-year-old girls. He loves baths, so when he heard my sister ask, "When should we give the girls baths?" he started heading up the stairs. You can see that one cousin is soaping up his leg, and the other cousin is washing his hair. I told him that he should enjoy getting to bathe with three girls. DS#1 said, "They're six years old. It doesn't matter." I responded by asking him, "When does it matter?" DS#1 was smart enough not to respond. ;)

30 in 30 Days 2 and 3

I'm very pleased to say that I've been able to create two more scrapbook pages in the last couple of days! My primary motivation is the 30 in 30 Challenge over at Scrap Shanty I mentioned before, but I also have some challenges from Scrapaddict and Playground of Memories that I have to catch up on.

This first one uses photos from November 2002 when we were trying to potty train DS#2 without much success. See that smiling face on that fully clothed body that is sitting on the potty chair? Obviously, that photo is just for show! :)

This next page uses photos from April 2007. DS#3 was about 2 1/2 weeks old and I was going stir crazy in the house, so we took a family walk--our first family walk with DS#3. I had to take a photo of the page instead of using the scanner because it was so lumpy.


Next, I have some news! DD is growing a new tooth--her first permanent tooth! It's still a little small, so I designated it in this photo with an arrow. DH "found" it yesterday morning when he was checking her teeth after she brushed them. She's been so excited that she shows everyone her new tooth! I think she's probably shown her whole school class by now! The bad news is that NONE of her teeth are loose yet. Oh well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it...

As for other news, my Mom decided to cut DS#3's hair on Sunday. I really wanted to get it cut, but I was trying to decide if I was going to do the cutting or take him to someone else. Mom just started cutting, so I helped her out by trying to finish. It's a little uneven, and this isn't even a good picture of it, but I think he looks pretty cute anyway. :)

Notice how his shorts don't match his shirt? Well, when I took this photo, I had only been home for two hours and I had already changed his poopy diaper twice! After another hour, he had another poopy diaper, so I decided to go ahead and give him his bath before he had another one! He is currently sitting in my lap playing with my ZIG markers--preventing me from reaching the keyboard very well!

I hope I can show off another page tomorrow. Wish me luck! :)

30 in 30 Day 1

I can't believe I actually finished another page! I joined the September 30 in 30 Layout Challenge at Scrap Shanty so I've got to keep this up all month. My friend Jen put me up to it. :) I hope I can get some creative juices flowing and not get too stressed about it. I tried to do this back in January and I got lots done, but DH said I was a little "snappy".

Anyway, this page uses a photo from last January when an ice storm rolled through South Texas. DD is holding up an icicle, just in case you can't see it. School was cancelled and even my place of work told everyone to stay home. That icy feeling would feel good about now since it's been in the low 90s for forever!