Back 2 School!!

The end of last week & this week has been back to school time for all the kids. Adjusting to the new routine seems to exhaust me. So today I am finally taking a moment to post again. Since it is after midnight I was going to wait for tomorrow, but realized the kids will all be home from school then & it is much much quieter now.

Connor & Kailey started school this past Thursday. Connor is in 6th grade & has started at the middle school. He seems very excited & feels very mature. Kailey is in fourth grade and still at the elementary school. It is funny they are growing up & yet I still want to see them all dressed up & snap lots of photos.



Caleb & Rachel's school started on Tuesday. It is such a strange adjustment for me as I just joined a carpool. Even though it will be soooo much easier for me I find myself resisting the change. I mean seriously...I don't really want to be driving them back & forth & spending over three hours a day in the car, but I am feeling sad about all that great "talk" time we had together. The truth is the added time in my day will allow me to get more things done & I will have more time for myself & all the kids as a result.

Caleb is in 6th grade and was really excited to find out that his best buddy Will is in his class again this year. Rachel is in fifth grade & was put in a very advanced classroom. When she found out she was just so nervous & complained a bit, but I also saw that she was so proud of herself. It just fills my heart to see both Caleb & Rachel doing so well. Being Dyslexic has been such a challenge for them...The Lewis School has changed their lives.



I had such a hard time getting pictures of all of them this year. They are getting too old to want me taking pictures anymore. There was lots of eye rolling & complaining. Rachel even scolded me at one point for pulling out my camera as they were walking up to the school. It has started already...I am the embarrassing uncool mom....oh no!!

So now that the kids are in school all day...who wants to come over & play?!?!

Lots of Blog Action Today!!

We have a new mini challenge posted on Scrapdragon today. Click here to check it out! We are also still accepting LO entries for Challenge #3...so be sure to enter that as well.

Also I am so excited to announce that I have a sketch featured on Sisterhood of Scrap!! This is such a fun site & a great place to get inspiration!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by.

Another New Challenge...

I am so excited! We have Challenge #3 Posted at Scrapdragon. Also, we have another great sponsor offering a prize for this one.

justletmescrapbook.com has generously offered a $20 gift certificate.

I hope all of you have a chance to come over & play and enter a layout!

It's time to catch up!!

Wow...I have fallen way behind in my posting...but so much has been going on

So maybe take a bathroom break...get yourself a drink...maybe even a snack as this may be a long post in order to catch up on everything.

As you all know My friend Gabi & I have been so busy launching our new challenge blog site Scrapdragon. What a fun adventure that has been. So I find I spend more time there than here. I am hoping now that we have the system down & some sponsors, things will settle in a bit more. If you haven't had a chance yet...go check it out...I am really proud of what we are doing over there!!

Last week I was in a course called Mastering Life's Energies offered by the Academy for Coaching Excellence. It was absolutely fabulous!! I was just amazed by the content that was offered & the courage & grace of my course mates. Life changing stuff going on there. I am pleased & excited to be starting a new phase in my life training to be a life coach with the Academy. So stay tuned to hear more about that!!

While I was busy at my course, David brought Connor & Kailey with him to Florida to visit his Dad & Willean. They had a fabulous time. I was sad to miss out on the fun.

My Dad & Marguerite helped to support me in being able to take my course by taking Caleb & Rachel for a holiday at their home in Cape May Point, New Jersey. They had a great time. The kids apparently were quite busy gardening, going to the farmers' market, & playing in the waves.

After I completed my course I headed down to my parents to spend a few days with Marguerite, Caleb & Rachel before bringing the kids back up to Somerville. The weather in Cape May was just glorious & we had some great fun on the beach. We also enjoyed a fabulous summer meal of lobster, shrimp, steamers, fresh jersey corn & tomatoes...yummy!!

Here are some great shots I got of Caleb & Rachel while at my parents' home. I especially love these photos of Rachel.







This photo of Caleb is in this little hide-away that he created in a spot in my parents garden. It was really pretty cool. I could totally see all the games & adventures this spot would help create in combination with his great imagination. Don't you just remember that kind of thing form your own childhood?

Also, while in Cape May, my Dad helped Rachel purchase her very own digital camera with money she had saved. She got a great little camera & she is very pleased with her purchase.

Here is a photo of Kailey she took with it. I can't wait to see all her photos as she learns to use all the features of her great little camera. I think this will be great for her as the camera will grow with her abilities. This is no kids camera, most adults would be happy to have one like it.
I did get a bit of scrapping done yesterday. I did a page to celebrate the completion of Rachel's first knitting project.

Rachel was very proud to have completed it!

Well...whew...I think I may actually be caught up for the moment!!

Thanks for taking the time to read it.

A New Challenge at Scrapdragon!!

Do you need something to get your mojo flowing this week?

Well then I have some good news for you...the second challenge is up at Scrapdragon today!!



It is a sketch challenge featuring one of my sketches!



Here is the layout I did for it...

So come on over & join the fun!!

So Who is Your Inner Rock Chick?!?!

Ok saw this somewhere online & just had to do it.
I was really hoping to be Gwen Stefani...I just so love that girl.
I have to say although I don't particularly relate to Ashlee Simpson...what it says about me is pretty right on!

You Are Ashlee Simpson!

Stylish, unique, talentedYou're your own woman! "It seems like I can finally rest my head on something real. I like the way that feels"

Who's "Your Inner Rock Chick?"

So come on...let's see who you have inside just waiting to rock out?

Sun, Sand, & Surf!

Yesterday Caleb, Rachel, & I headed out for a beach adventure with Gabi & her girls.

We headed down the Garden State Parkway to exit 98 & hit the beach in Point Pleasant right next to the pier at Jenkinson's.



The day was perfect for the beach not too hot & a nice breeze blowing. The surf was a bit rough, but the kids really had a blast anyway. It was so fun watching them run up to the waves & get completely bowled over. There was lots of sand in places that sand really should not be. Rachel had to wash her hair twice to get it all out after we got home.

Gabi's daughter Ellie was a real treat for me to spend time with. She was just a love bug & wanted to have lots of time with "Aunt Wawra" So I got my complete toddler fix without all the headaches. Super fun stuff.



Rachel & Caleb made quick friends with a girl named Hailey & her family from Pennsylvania. Hailey & her sisters were experiencing the ocean for the very first time. What fun they had together.

Gabi bought Mackie & Ellie hermit crabs with all of the trappings at one of the boardwalk vendors. The girls were so cute picking out the very special one with the perfect extra shell. I am sure those little crabs will be well loved.

The best part of the whole adventure for me was the relaxed feeling of the whole day. One of my favorite things about my freindship with Gabi is how we compliment each other. We both tend to not sweat the small stuff & we support each other through the rough times without judgement.

I hope we have many more days like yesterday spent together.

Our New Challenge Blog...

I am so incredibly excited!!

Do you ever have a day when you just can't get the mojo flowing?
Have you ever had a major case of scrappers block?
Do you ever just want to have an adventure & stretch your creativity to a new level?

If any of this sounds like you then check out my new challenge blog...
Scrapdragon

My good friend Gabi & I have been tossing around the idea of having a challenge blog for about a year now. So we finally took the leap of faith & created it this month. We are just having so much fun with it!!

We have been so pleased with the response we have been getting. We are personally financing the prizes for now, but hope to have some cool sponsors in the upcoming months. So be sure to add this new blog to your favorites.

I hope to see some of you enter our challenge contests & I hope you at least stop by & pay us a visit!!

I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger

Gabi just nominated me for "Rockin' Girl Blogger" status! How cool is that?!?
Thanks for thinking I am Rockin' Gabz!!






Ok so here's how it goes. I tag FIVE bloggers I feel are 'ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER' material and then they go on to tag 5 and the group keeps growing!

Here is who I think are Rockin' Girl Bloggers:

Lauren - What a fun blog. Just her title always makes me smile. She writes so well & has a great sense of humor. Plus, she is a Jersey Girl, and we Jersey Girls have to stick together.

Nancy - One of my scrap friends. She has a great style & takes fabulous photos!!

Angela- Her art inspires me & makes me want to create things. Her blog is always so fun to read. Plus you have to check out the scrap secrets...just too much fun!

Niki - Man does this girl have talent. Check out her blog & see all her beautiful creations. I love visiting her blog just to see what cool new stuff is on there!

Sisterhood of Scrap - A great site to celebrate art. I love being a member of this great inspirational community!

I am a Sister!!!!

I am so excited The Sisterhood of Scrap is featuring me this week. Please go by & check it out.

It is a great place to get some inspiration & they have awesome challenges.

Here is the link:

Sisterhood of Scrap

Hope to see you over there!!

Swim Championships

Yesterday we had the swim championships for our summer swim league. Connor, Kailey, & Rachel were all on the team this summer.
I could not have been more proud of our kids. They all did so well.



Rachel who could not make practice all summer due to the summer program she attends at The Lewis School still mananged to finish n the top half of all the girls in her age group in her three events. She swam her fastest Backstroke time ever!! She even finished 9th in Breaststroke which is her least favorite stroke. GO Ray Ray!!



Connor who only a few years ago could barely stand to have his face in the water swam both Freestyle & Breaststroke. The most thrilling thing is he has been nervous about diving off the block, but yesterday he conquered his fears & dove off the block for the first time. Woo Hoo...Go Connor!!!



Kailey had a fabulous day as well. She actually made it to finals in both Breaststroke & Butterfly. She now has a chance to swim in the finals tonight and has a chance at a medal. Go Kailey GO!!!

It was a great day to be their mom. They all swam their personal best...who could ask for more!

Hillsborough Fireman's Fair

Just this past Wednesday I had the rare opportunity to have a night just with Rachel. Caleb was sleeping over his buddy William's house & Connor & Kailey were having dinner with Lynn.

Gabi, Harel, & the girls were going to the local fireman's fair in Hillsborough so I thought what a fun special thing to do with Ray. So Rachel & I headed off for our adventure.

It was really a great time. Rachel got to be the center of attention & she was loving it. She was absolutely fabulous to be around. We laughed so much!

It is funny how different the kids are when they are on their own & don't need to battle for my attention.

Sisterhood Challenge #7

Challenge # 7 The Journey called LIFE
The "walk of life" is a journey. Some journeys are exciting and full of fun and laughter...Others are heart-breaking, but yet a great learning experience. Sometimes we will say that at least we got to where we wanted to go, we reached our destination. But, you know, the journey is what gives us all the memories that we scrap from day to day.

Angie's challenge was to scrap a journey.

If you want to try some of these challenges go check them out on Sisterhood of Scrap

I made this layout yesterday for on online newsletter for The Untamed Scrapper & realized that it really is about a journey for me that led me to the life I wished for.

Here is the journaling in case it is too small to read:

When I was a little girl I always dreamed of having a
big family and being the mother of four children. When
people heard me express this wish they would often
say, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get
it.” So here I am many years later and I did get my
wish. Fortunately I am grateful and feel blessed
by it most days. I must admit there are a few
moments when I think to myself...is this what I really
wanted? After those moments pass
I realize it is what I really wanted. I
love my blended family. I love being a
mother of four. I love that my house
is filled with love and energy. I am
glad for my youthful wish and I am blessed that it
came true.

Sisterhood of Scrap Challenge #9

I love this challenge...I had so much fun with it. Loved using the chipboard & stickles. Thanks Gabi!!!

I decided to do a layout for my book of me about "my job" as a SAHM.
Here is the journaling:

Since December of 2005
I have taken on a new job. It is the
most demanding job I have ever had.
I need to be a jack of all trades & the
job requires many skills. Sometimes I
think there are jobs I would enjoy more,
but I am sure there aren’t any more
rewarding.


If you are looking to give your mojo a boost, go check out this site & join the fun!

Sisterhood of Scrap

"Summer Stroll With Sisters" Challenges

Well I have been having fun working on challenges for Sisterhood of Scrap today. I completed Challenge #2 - These Feet were made for Walking!!!


I also completed Challenge # 4-Follow the Leader!!!


I had fun with these today...I hope to get to some more.

If you would like to play...go check it out!!

Sisterhood of Scrap

Gardening Help

I have been working on getting the front gardens in shape. I have a master gardener who comes about once a week to do some weeding & help me to learn what things are & teach me how to keep it looking good. Well after we got the one front bed cleared out I needed to purchase a few more plants. Caleb & Rachel came along to the garden center & we got a few items. We had a great time looking through all they had to offer & choosing what plants we thought would work well.

When we got back I pulled out the shovel & my gloves & got ready to get to work. Just as a started to dig Rachel came up & said, "Can I help?" I was thrilled that she was interested & was really happy to have some company if nothing else. It was about 90 degrees out & humid so not exactly the best weather to be doing that kind of work.

She was so into it that I actually didn't have to do much of anything except supervise. You have to love that. She was so thrilled with being able to do it. Since they were planted she has been going out to check on them & water them as needed. I love that she has some pride & ownership of her work in the yard. It is really starting to look great!

10-Day 10K ~ Caardvark Challenge

For the past ten days I have been making cards for a ten day challenge sponsored by:

Caardvarks

I am seriously card challenged. I have a card phobia as a matter of fact. I love to scrap & make all kinds of things with paper but when asked to make a card I panic. It may seem silly to all you seasoned card makers, but for me it is a real fear.

So when a friend Penny brought this challenge to my attention I just had to give it a shot.

I don't love all the cards I have made, but I think I may have let some of the card fear go. So I guess it is all good!

Take a look at all ten of my creations...not too shabby for someone with a card phobia!!

Almost 10

I did this LO for a blog challenge. If you want to play check out this site...

Sisterhood of Scrap

I love this picture of Rachel she is just curled up in the back of the van. When I see her in pictures like this I can almost see what she will look like as an adult. In moments like that I just want to give her a big squeeze & whisper, "you don't need to grow up so fast!"

Live Earth: The Concert for a Climate in Crisis

On 07/07/07 David, Caleb, Connor, Kailey, Rachel, & I all piled in the van & headed over to Giants Stadium to be a part of the Live Earth Concert. It was an amazing day full of incredible music. I was surprised by all that I learned about how we could do even more as a family to decrease our negative impact on the planet.

If you are interested in what is is all about, please go check out this website:

LiveEarth.org

You can see what your carbon footprint & you can pledge to answer the call & make a commitment & sign the Live Earth Pledge.

Here was the line up of bands that we got to see:
AFI
Akon
Alicia Keyes
Bon Jovi
Dave Matthews Band
Fall Out Boy
John Mayer
Kanye West
Keith Urban
Kelly Clarkson
KT Tunstall
Ludacris
Melissa Etheridge
Roger Waters
Smashing Pumkins
Taking Back Sunday
The Police

It was so incredible to see all of those musicians in one day.

I did not take pictures in the concert. The pictures are from our tailgate picnic in the parking lot before the show.

Celebrating the Fourth!

We spent another year celebrating at the Fazen's annual 4th of July Party. It rained off & on, but that didn't seem to take away from the festivities. This year we brought our friend Gabi & her two girls. It was super fun. There was plenty of good food, friendly people, a neighborhood parade & plenty things to keep the kids interested.

We always have such a great time & it is always hard for the kids when it is time to go home.

A Piece of My Personality...

I was kind of tired of the old look of my blog. It was just one of the blogger templates without any of my personality added.

So today I played around & made my own header & customized one of the templates to compliment what I created.

I am pleased with the results. I feel it now has a piece of my personality added.

Hope you all like the new look!

Got Ink?

I did this LO of Rachel's airbrush tattoo she got in May. She thought it was the coolest thing. It lasted about a week.

I did this LO for a blog challenge. If you want to play check out this site...
Sisterhood of Scrap

They have some cool challenges...really fun stuff.

A New Look...A New Me

I have been having some fun lately searching the internet for scrapbook challenges. I found a bunch this week.

Here is a layout I did as an answer to one of these challenges. I had such a great time with it. This layout is for my "Book of Me." This scrapbook is my art journal where I put pages that are just for me. I use it as my journal. I have always tried to do traditional journaling never could get into the routine of it. This type of journal really works for me. I am drawn to working on it & it is a joy instead of a chore.

Thanks for looking!!

I have been Tagged!!

I have been tagged!

My seven Facts:
1. I am addicted to scrapbooking
2. I will be 39 years old in July
3. I went to Japan on my honeymoon.
4. I owned a hair salon in my early twenties.
5. I am learning to play golf...anyone wanna play?!?
6. I have my belly button pierced
7. My husband and I are dart players.

The people who I am tagging are:
1. Nancy http://www.myfiercewonderings.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle http://www.scrappyshel.blogspot.com/
3. Meghan http://meghansmindlessmuttering.blogspot.com/

I would do more....but I really am new to bloggin & don't have anyone to send it to yet.

People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

Ray's T-Shirt Quilt Project

Sometime in April when I was busy sewing costumes for The Lewis School's play Peter Pan, Rachel got this great idea. She suggested that she would like to recycle some old t-shirts & rags to make a big comfy patchwork quilt. We have worked on this quilt off & on since then.

We are happy to announce that the quilt is finally complete today. I must say it came out pretty cool. Both Rachel & I had never done anything like this before so we figured it out as we went along. I would say it was a huge success!!

A Brand New Smile

Today was a big day!

Kailey got her braces off. It took a little less than 45 minutes total to get them off & get her new retainer.

Kailey kept licking her teeth. I am sure it felt wierd to feel them after such a long time.

She has a beautiful new smile...just check her out!