Make a Chair and Take a Seat

While connecting with my digi scrap buddies I ran across this: Post-it fun layout which struck me as hilarious that this fella was such a great sport.

Leila and I made another trip to IKEA to pick up the things we had picked out previously for the guest room. Here I go again with the flat packs. This comic sums it up well...

It truly is like that. Everything looks gorgeous in the store. And even more gorgeous when you look at the price. "I can have all this for that price?" But then you bring it home and after putting in every blessed screw and tightening each and every piece of pressed chip-board with your blistered hands...it doesn't look so pretty. Nevertheless, there I was. So, before and after guest house pics coming soon.

Page 66!


Credits.

In a messy mood.

Interesting compilation if you're in the mood for sad. The most "exquisitely sad songs ever".
Page 65 of Luke's Baby Album: Papers by the awesome Sara Ellis at Hooked on Digi Scrap

Freedom isn't free. Happy Memorial Day.

Pre-Memorial Day

A visit from our neighbor's grandson Jayden meant conversation about monkfish and the Gorilla comic series with our afternoon tea.

After having resolved steadfastly to work-out each and e-ver-ee day I celebrated with a:
which was better than I remembered them being.

A few more unsuspecting flowers at my mercy:


Luke's always been a snuggler, Leila's always been a bustler. So when she's feeling a little sick, we cherish the cuddles. Here's a rare moment:

Nap and Scrap

Saturday afternoon naps
means mama gets to scrap.

Marathon

How
long
?
Six
am
until
eight
pm
as
the
only
adult
with
two
toddlers
at
home
long.

Looks like a lycksele summer.

A trip to IKEA with Leila this morning to gather ideas for kitting out the guest house. (Really just an area behind the garage to which the previous owner slapped some drywall and plopped in a toilet -- no pun intended).

Because it would match much, is washable, cheap and goes well with colorful pillows which I have a slight untapped festish for, I have my eye on this:

And besides who could resist a name like LYCKSELE LÖVÅS.

Also picked up this clever candle globe/urn for $4.99


and some color from Target.

Summer 2007 Memory No. 1

Mini water balloons in the backyard.

By the Water (on the Tin and in Southend)

It struck me today how sweet it was that Rob stores his tea in this tin that he brought from his hometown to America.

A few snapshots of Southend-on-Sea, England.

Twenty-Two Months Today

So of course I have to do a layout commemorating:


I used Terrell Sanzone's awesome Girly Denim kit available at HODS.

Fess up

What is the one thing you could change about yourself?
For me:
I wish it wasn't so important to me that everybody liked me.
I even want the plumber, grocery clerk and deli counter woman to like me.
Not just think, "Oh she's a nice lady". Like me.
Why does it matter so much?
I'm getting annoyed with myself.

What's yours?
Fess up.

Tis the season of the jacaranda tree. A sea of purple as I drive down the 55. This one is at our local park:

First checkouts from our new library: a combination of photoshop techniques and winnie-the-pooh.

Regina

When I am queen I shall decree:

• Some precious subject who thrives on organization will develop a royal floor cleaning service that will come in and clean all floors of the kingdom in one fail swoop. This shall be cheap but effective in getting up each morsel of play dough, cereal slush and playground residue.
• Femininity will win out over comfort. Yes, even for mothers of small children. (The royal subject will keep in mind that not all body shapes are suitable to the crop box pants paired with crocs. Please.) Actually, no crocs allowed in the kingdom - just to be sure. Same goes for lint that tenaciously clings to one's bath mats after a wash and twistable art sticks that easily make marks everywhere including dining room rugs.
• Cost of living shall be cheaper in the royal state of California so relatives and friends of residents of that now ludicrously expensive state can come and reside in close proximity to their loved ones comfortably.
  
• Vacations to exotic islands and far away lands (with supervised extra curricular educational art, music and play classes for kids sprinkled throughout) are encouraged, in fact mandatory.
• As are personal assistants.
  

Like Schweitzer, Hepburn and Gere

After taking the Temperment Discovery System Test by Keirsey at the Leadership Team meeting at our mom's group, it would seem I'm an Idealist Healer. So my leadership role will be restocking all the children's diapers and wipes and other such supplies each week as they run low. I've heard the best leaders are the best servers. Here's my chance to test that theory.

Take the test if you're so inclined. It's interesting to find out how you tick.

Nano and Pecans

Mother's Day affection and crafts:


My dear Rob bought me a nano. I didn't think I'd be jumping on the iPod train for a while. But he enjoys his no end and wanted me to share in his grooviness. So sweet.

Leila picked up my phone and said, "Hi Daddy, it's Gina."
And later: "Want toast with peanut butter on it?"

Exploration:


Family Night Placecard:


TV online.

Triple Syllabledom

ba(1)na(2)na(3)

Banana.
Luke's first three syllable word.
Today.
We're being happy.

One must wear the appropriate eyewear for one's Seuss readings:

We found another great park this weekend with ducks aplenty. Leila helped a new playground buddy bury "Brocciflower", her brachasaurus, in the sand.

Leila asks, "Do you want a popsicle?" And smiles like this:



Some monkeys jumping on the bed:



Some beautiful wallpaper for your desktop.
A good article for making your life a little easier.

Tagged by Felecia!

So...random things about me...

1. The clothes in my closet are grouped by color.
2. About 90% of what I read is non-fiction.
3. I have a southern accent.
4. I played the flute in the marching band during high school.
5. I kind of don't mind some opera and I kind of don't mind some country music.
6. I'm both a goal and list-a-holic.
   
7. I am free indeed.
   

Bazzer, James and Cat

Bits of today:

• Listening to a little Barry, Brown and Stevens.

• While putting a necklace around her wrist Leila exclaims, "nice watch".
• Exchanged numbers with mama of 2 year old sweetie at the park. Scouting for playdates.
• Exchanged numbers with autism mama at Luke's therapy session.
• Leila and I also explored the cheap and cheerful Kohl's. Nice tops.
• A catalog came from Body Central. Those prices!! Must try them out.
  

Update: the first layout using Dale Ann Cubbage's stunning April in Paris kit.

Veggies, business plans and omega 3

Rob's working on teaching Leila her first latin phrase: quid pro quo.

We had a blast with Clare and boys. (The boy kissing Leila in the last post is Jet, Luke's first and best friend.) Clare and I drafted our entire business plan for Alla Toscana. Except the financial part. Is that important?

Fresh from the bath:


My little sweet boy eating his strawberry flavored DHA Junior Omega 3 Oil caplets as if they were candy:



Meanwhile, his sister enjoys her Oreo.


Movin' to the beat of the veggie tales:



I'm a new design team member! I get to make pages with the cool designs of Dale Ann Cubbage. And she made a blinkie with my name on it!