A Christmas Story...

BEFORE:

AFTER:
THE END.

Pinch me...

I'm going through the motions, and then it really hits me- Christmas is here already. Like many of you, somewhere in my brain, I still have weeks to get ready. The reality is setting in, and I have to come to terms with the fact that half of the decorations are still packed away, I've done no real baking, and there is still plaster and sawdust everywhere you look. Well Christmas is coming ready or not!

All that really matters are these two little angels, and making Christmas magical for them. I think despite everything, we're already halfway there for this year.


Cardstock: Coredinations
pp: October Afternoon, The Paper Company
letters: American Crafts, October Afternoon
stickers : October Afternoon
Pearls: Dollarama
Glitter: Stix II
I used Diamond Glaze on the candies and cranberries, and pop dotted some of the popcorn and berries.

Have a warm and happy Christmas Eve everyone!
Erin

Merry Little Trimmer

published in Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, Winter 2010/11

Here he is! Here's a layout to go with the little story I told you about our oldest and his obsession this year about decorating the tree. This is our real tree that we'll be putting the gifts under. He spent forever emptying box after box of ornaments I wasn't even going to put on the tree. ( they all ended up in huge bunches on the bottom branches, but it kept him very busy!)

Products used:
Cardstock: Bo Bunny, DCWV Glitter
PP: Basic Grey
Felt: Fancy Pants
letter stickers: American Crafts, Adorn It
Sticker: Bella Blvd
Rub Ons: Doodlebug Designs Inc.
Die- Cut: (Merry) Cricut
Brads:Dollarama, Doodlebug Designs Inc.
Gingerbread men, candies: Dollarama
Rick Rack : Unknown
pearls: Prima "e"
Glitter: Stix II
Paper floss: Karen Foster
stamp: Autumn Leaves

8 days to go!

Every morning, the first thing out of Ethan's mouth is " Mama? My want to open my calendar!" ( his advent calendar). He loves moving the ornaments from the numbered boxes and hanging them in Santa's workshop, and he especially loves the candies hidden inside. He's good though, if there are 2 mint M&M's he'll share one with me ( one chocolate penguin? I'm not always so lucky :) ). It's due to the calendar though that I am painfully aware of just how close we really are to Christmas day.


I have been a bit productive this week, although the renovations have kept me from really decorating. Ethan loves decorating the tree- so much so that he got mad at us for finishing "his" tree in the playroom without him. The next morning, he insisted on removing and repositioning ornaments- for about an hour! Sunday we started decorating the real tree in our otherwise empty living room- (furniture should be arriving in January). Monday we baked cookies. They were the premade kind, but we had fun rolling the edges in coloured sugar.

The four of us spent time outside in the snow on Sunday. Parker likes it but gets frustrated really quickly because he can't move. It must be because he's a winter baby, but Ethan LOVES the snow; he wakes up each morning, looks out the window and yells "WOW!!... MORE (S)NOW!"
We've also introduced them to hot cocoa - or as Ethan calls it- " Hot Toclate with monsterlows"
(marshmallows). Parker got to taste a spoonful, and it was followed by sounds of "Mo! Mo!" and the repeated sign for "more".

I think we're planning on going this afternoon to get out H1N1 vaccines before the community posts close, so we don't have to trek to the clinic or doctor to get them. It's great that the kids got them already, but Mark and I would be in a bit of a bind if both of us fell sick at the same time with no family living nearby.

Before I leave for today, Here are some ornaments I played around making last week ( for this week's DT challenge on Practical Scrappers) . I used some acrylic ornaments by Clear Scraps, Peel-off's by Magenta, and Sakura Souffle and Glaze pens. I finished the edges using Glossy Accents, and some clear seed beads I found in Mark's mom's sewing box. ( It makes me feel good to use things like that especially on ornaments we'll enjoy as a family).

I hope to post again before Christmas, but you never know how busy things might get. So take time to enjoy the moments, and don't stress about making them perfect.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

3 years ago at midnight

I was just arriving at the hospital with contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart.
7 hours and 37 minutes later Ethan Tate Kislingbury was born, and I became a mom.
I would do it over and over and over again- (maybe more with an epidural).


Happy 3rd Birthday Little Bear!

An update and Joyride.

We spent the day today running around getting some last minute things for Ethan's 3rd birthday party tomorrow. We're having a pirate party complete with treasure chest and Pirate cake- Check out the cake my friend Bella made here- it's so awesome!

We're starting to see some light at the end of the renovation tunnel, and I hope this is the last round of vacuuming up sawdust and plaster dust ( I know it's probably not, but a girl can dream!)The windows are in, stained and trimmed. now for the oil, and clean up. The boys bathroom is still missing a couple of coats of paint, a toilet, two sinks and a counter, but it's already turning out to be one of my favorite rooms in the house (it's all about the bathtub- but I'll write about that on another day).

I'm still patiently waiting for news on my Cricut expression. It was supposed to arrive in time at my dad's house in Maine so he could bring it with him last Sunday. Now once it gets there, I'll have to arrange some other way to get it here in one piece. Maybe Santa can put it on his sleigh?! I would be soo happy if it made it here to go under the tree, or at least by my birthday.

The kids are doing fine, Ethan's an angel one minute, and testing the very limits of my patience the next. He's really starting to want to learn more grownup stuff, and loves helping Mark and I in the kitchen. Parker is turning out to be quite the imitator, picking up new sounds and words daily ( many he won't repeat again when prompted) My favorites right now are his elephant sound, roaring, and "whoa! whoa! whoa!" ( according to Parker there are 3 sounds- elephant, vehicle, and roar- if it's not an elephant or if it doesn't have wheels it must roar). Oh who am I fooling...I find anything he says at this stage darling!


Here's the layout I did last night cropping with the girls. I used some of the new Collage Press Christmas line Joyride- wow- what gorgeous papers!! fun and bold like I like 'em, but with just the right touch of distressing to add to the charm of the vintage graphics.
You can't get the feel of the whole line from the papers I used, so go check them out here if you want.

Cardstock: Bazzill Swiss dot, Bazill Basics Paper
PP: Collage Press
Letters: Prima, October Afternoon ( I've been getting a ton of use out of these babies!)
Bling: Zva ( and I used a whole flourish!!)
Chipboard: American Crafts

I must go now and test out the new tub (again) just to make sure it's all installed properly and the water still works...

from the recycle bin!?

Yep, my latest page features a sheet of cardstock pulled from the recycle bin ( I got acrylic paint on it while doing the acrylic paint challenge for Practical Scrappers.) Due to a friendly side challenge over on the PS message boards to use only scrap paper ( no cheating for the background!) and any other embellies, this is what I came up with.

I just couldn't bring myself to piece together a background , so I grabbed the full paint filled sheet. The photos were kinda "scrap" too, I had no idea what to do with them before this. I used pp from my scrap pile, as well as embellies from my catch all container. ( you know the stuff that doesn't have a home anymore, but you may use somewhere later?) It feels great to have created something from a bunch of nothing!


Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: Scenic Route, Jenni Bowlin, Sassafras Lass, My Mind's
Letters: American Crafts, October Afternoon
Chipboard: Scenic Route, Fancy Pants
Felt: Fancy Pants
Beads: Stix II
Gems, Pearls: Dollarama, Martha Stewart
Ink: Colorbox pigment ink
Paint: various
Pen: Staedtler triplus fineliner, AC Slick Writer

Christmas Cards

Any of you who know me well know that I'm mainly a layout scrapper, and don't often get into making cards. This week at Practical Scrappers the focus is on Christmas cards, and I found myself dreading making a card for the challenge. I made one flop of a card ( which got tossed this am), then, as if by magic, I made three keepers in a row!! I can honestly say I had lots of fun doing them too! Using some scrap cardstock, and 1 sheet from Basic Grey's Eskimo kisses line, I had enough for 3 cards, and lots leftover! I never thought of cards as a way to use some of the more sparkly and frilly stuff from my stash before now. Maybe this card making thing will become a habit afterall!


Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: Basic Grey
Stickles
misc buttons
Trim: Dollarama
chipboard: Pebbles, Making Memories

Multiple Mojos

It's like having multiple personalities...here are my latest 2 layouts; both very different. One was done cropping solo at home, and one done Friday night while I must have been channeling some of my friend JJ's mojo. ( I did finish it at home later, but you can really see the influence!) I have to frequently change who I sit next to at crops just to keep it fresh and exciting! LOL!

My pure mojo:


Cardstock: Core-dinations
PP: October Afternoon
Stickers: Reminisce
Letter stickers: Rose Moka, Adornit
Chipboard letters: Alexx Kesh ( covered with Microbeads)
Microbeads: Dollarama
Diamond Glaze
Gems: Zva
Pen: Copic multiliner


JJ-fied mojo:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: SEI, Jenni Bowlin
Journaling spot: Jenni Bowlin
Cardboard letters: Jillibean Soup
Letter stickers: October Afternoon
Chipboard: K&Co
Ink: Ranger, Colorbox
Paint: Pebeo

Imaginisce-maybe next time.

Here are my submissions from the Imaginisce Design Team call. I'm not too upset about not making the team, especially since fellow Mix it Up DT member Cindy Stevens made the team! WHOO HOO Cindy!!!!!


My card: I just love those Polar Bears from the Polar Expressions Collection!


My Project- A name sign for my littlest using the Wild Things Collection (and some Twitterpated). I added the rub-ons around the chipboard letters. The hippo is on a transparency so that he can hide behind the "R". Some of the letter tiles are flat, some are on chipboard, and the ones in the corners have Tim Holtz Acrylic squares over them in order to create more space between the glass and the images.





Finally my layout- I mixed up several collections on this one- Twitterpated, Teacher's Pet and For Peep's sake.


I had fun playing with all the products ( and raiding my friend Noemi's stash :) ). Overall, I'm pleased with what I created. I'm also better prepared to try out again next year!

Thanks!
Erin

Just don't read the journaling!

This week's challenge for Practical Scrappers is to use stitching on your layout. Given the recent dusting off my sewing machine has received, I was really excited to get going on this one. But things have been kinda hectic with the renos, and it totally slipped my mind. I remembered at about 12:45 on Friday night as my buddy Noemi and I were sitting in my craft room sipping lattes (rough life I know!)I knew my layout had to be in before Christine opened her e-mail Saturday morning.Leave it to Noemi to cheer me on. She said- "ok let's get it done!" and stayed with me from the first cut of paper right up until I scanned and sent the e-mail. ( which was at about 2am!)
I was disappointed that I had forgotten, but proud that I whipped up a half decent page in such a short time. Fast forward to Saturday morning- I was checking out the page before leaving for my Copics certification class at Scrapbook Centrale and then I reread the journaling WHOA! I guess something had to suffer in the speed of construction and the blurriness of the wee morning hours. I will be fixing it before adding it to the pile to be put away. ( I promise :) )

Digging back into my pile of American Crafts

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: AC Junior collection
journaling stickers: American Crafts Remarks
letters: American Crafts
Chipboard: American Crafts
Ric-rac: unknown

No this didn't even make the tiniest dent in my AC supplies, but a girl has to begin somewhere. I have now vowed to make at least one page a week using my AC, whether or not for their weekly blog challenge. Anyone else got way too much they need to start using??
I'm so happy for having won last week's challenge, and excited to see what it is I have won. My good friend Claude won a few weeks back, and was flabbergasted by all the Remarks stickers she received! I'll keep you posted when I get my package.


I'll leave you with a cute Ethan-ism for today:
As he's picking through my tray of embellishments, he comes across some American Crafts Newhouse Foam Baby stuff and pulls out a big yellow duck. He says " look Mama! A rubby ducky!" ( instead of rubber ducky) I have such a hard time correcting him when he makes it sound so cute!

All matchy matchy!

Making a page with products from the same manufacturer and collection is sometimes fun because a portion of the equation already figured out for you and everything should in theory match. However, I forgot there was another way to make everything match without too much effort, and that is the subject of this week's Practical Scrappers Challenge...

ACRYLIC PAINT

I have tons of this stuff because I use it to paint, not scrapbook. The only times I've dug it out for scrapbooking was to alter the colour of chipboard.
This week I've discovered how indispensable it really can be by creating a layout with some cardstock and some basic supplies, but pulling them all together with paint.



By challenging myself to use paint, I also wound up using other things that were collecting dust such as an acrylic shape, a rhinestone flourish some flowers and bling. That makes me happy.
I just love the way the flowers turned out with silver and gold paint on them. The red ones especially.

Unfortunately I had a hard time getting a good picture of this one.

Products used:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Paint: Deco Art ( silver and gold)
Acrylic Heart: Fancy Pants ( painted)
Flowers: Prima ( painted)
Brads: Creative Imaginations
Gems: Doodlebug Design Inc.
Flourish: Prima Marketing
Letters: American Crafts ( painted)

MME sketch challenge

Since 90% of my Halloween product is by My Mind's Eye, I figured I would participate in challenge #5 on their blog. This is the November sketch provided:


This is the resulting page:


material used:
All paper: My Mind's Eye
Brads: My Mind's Eye
Felt Trim : Creative Cafe
Googly eyes: Dollarama, My Little Yellow Bicycle
letters: American Traditional Designs
Ink: Colorbox
Thread: Gutermann
punch: EK Success
pen: American Crafts

We had some very impatient trick or treaters at my house. This was before we had set out and way before anyone had any candy!
The photos after would have been very different.

What's his name again??

Here's another layout I got done on Saturday at SC. The funny thing is I had 2 separate people ask me what Parker's name was as I was doing the page. I think they thought it was Carver. Completely understandable.
Oh! I forgot to mention this was based on a Pagemaps sketch, although I can't find my printout right now to tell you which one ;)

Cardstock: Co'ordinations
PP; Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye
Chipboard, die cut: My Mind's Eye
Letters: Basic Grey, My Little Shoebox

What's at the Core of it?

Today is challenge day- dig out that color core cardstock and put it to use!
need inspiration? Check back daily at Practical Scrappers for inspiration.

Here's my Layout:

Products used:
Cardstock: Co'ordinations
rub-ons: American Crafts
Gems: Dollarama
letters: Jillibean Soup
Chipboard used under Cardstock to create shapes: Maya Road, Fancy Pants.
PS Actions: Sepia Tone from PioneerWoman Set2

a little Sass! Me Likey!!

Here's another page I started at yesterday's all day crop at Scrapbook Centrale.
I've been waiting for these papers for weeks now - ever since my pal Noemi brought them over to my place to crop. I must admit that seeing her work with the new Sassafras lines has made me a bit timid to break my packages open. She's been on such a roll lately, it'll be hard to keep up!
These pictures of Parker from the summer were just begging to be used with the Me Likey line.


Products used:
Cardstock: Bazill Basics Paper, Coordinations
PP: Sassafras Lass
Letters and stickers: Sassafras Lass
Pen: Sakura

Autumn a la American Crafts!

I decided to do the American Crafts challenge from their blog this week. I think this should be a weekly thing for me at least until I use up enough of my American Crafts stash to make room for more!



Products used:

PP: American Crafts Junior and Play collections
Chipboard: American Crafts
Letters: American Crafts Remarks
Pen: American Crafts Precision Pen, Brown

Here's my layout for the Tri-Challenge with Practical Scrappers, Frosted Designs and Stuck on U Sketches. It's a different layout for me, and I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet, but I'm really happy I got to use some of my new October Afternoon "Farm Fresh Collection".
Because my original page for the ribbon challenge already looked like it could have been based on the sketch from Stuck on U ( it really wasn’t!) I felt like I had to try and not do the same think all over again.


Materials used:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: Scenic Route, October Afternoon
Letters: Jillibean Soup, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Websters Pages
Stickers: October Afternoon
Journaling Spots: October Afternoon
Cork: Dollarama
Ink: Staz On
Stamps: I believe these are Hero Arts?
Ribbon: American Crafts, unknown
Glimmer mists in Sunflower, Pumpkin and Coffeehouse
Pen: Staedtler triplus fineliner

Try a TRI-Challenge!

This week at Practical Scrappers we've teamed up with Frosted Designs and Stuck on U Sketches
In order to be eligible for prizes you will need to meet the challenge for all 3 sites. ( this can be done all in one project, or split between 2 or 3). Practical Scrappers Challenge is to use at least 3 ribbons.

I had to laugh when I saw the sketch at Stuck on U Sketches, because my layout has some eerie similarities. Then I found out that challenge from Frosted Designs is to use an owl...If only I could replace that little bird...

Oh well, I think I may participate and do the tri-challenge myself this week ( I so need an excuse to get out some more of my ribbon!)

Another product of Friday night crop

Sometimes I'm in awe of what actually gets produced on a Friday night. I usually grab a photo, and slap a bunch of things together in a hurry and rush off to my LSS. I'm always at least 2 hours late, spend way to much time ( and money) shopping, and still manage to finish a half decent page. Sometimes it's the wonderful company that inspires me, but often it's just making it work with limited supplies. I have to stop coming up with the realization that I can create more with less, or else I'm going to have to do a major purge of my supplies soon.


This layout is part of a "Trouble" scraplift we have going on between scrapping buddies. Check out JJ's beautiful original, and Noemi's quirky take on it. We're just waiting for yours Claude! (Anyone else who cares to join, let me know!)

The Lion Sleeps...

I take the kids to a local gymnastics center where they offer classes for babies and preschoolers. This week the kids were encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. We started out all bright eyed and bushy tailed at home:


But after class, and a quick trip to my LSS, this is what I found after I pulled into our driveway:



Poor guy, went to bed without lunch, in the costume!! I didn't dare try and remove it and wake him up after sleeping for only 10 minutes. As it turns out, I should have; he only slept for an hour, and refused another nap later in the afternoon.

We're all punchy!

Over at Practical Scrapers that is- This week's challenge is to dig out your punches! Not just the basic shapes, but all those flowers and scallops, not to mention all those border punches!

Here's my layout for the week:Cardstock : Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: Fancy Pants " Rough and Tough"
Felt: Fancy Pants
Ink: JoAnn Craft Essentials, Staz On
Glossy Accents
Punches: Marvy Uchida, Martha Stewart, EK Sucess
Stamp: unknown

I think I sense some cross contamination approaching!

Oh oh! I just finished a layout with tons of ribbon on a giant spool of thread, dug out some old sewing and quilting books today , and machine sewed on a layout for the first time in my life ( can you believe that?! I'm not sure, but I think just seeing the Cosmo Criket "Girl Friday" collection turned fabric, and perusing Etsy ( also for the first time) last night has got me in the mood to do a little sewing again.

I realize now just how much I miss quilting and sewing. Many of the things I love about it are also quenched by my scrapbooking fetish. substitute fabrics for patterned paper, thread and sewing machine for my tape runner, and all types of notions for bling and embellies.

So why have I waited so long to bring real sewing into my scrapbook pages? Something in my brain needed desperately to keep the two worlds separate ( and all the tools on separate sides of my craft room). I still can't answer that question, but I think the more I venture into the blurred zone in between, the more satisfation I will get out of the creative process ( at least for now).

In the name of all things sewing, here is a link to a cute blog I've discovered called Sew Inspired. I'll leave you with my "Crafty" layout featuring the giant thread spool ( I know the ladies thought I was crazy trying to explain it Friday night!). I'd love to post my layout with the actual sewing, but it'll have to save for next week's design team reaveal on Practical Scrappers.

On pins and needles...

I just sent in my design team application for Imaginisce. For some time now, I've stayed away from applying for any manufacturer design teams. My heart just didn't seem to be in it. It's possible it was just because the right team hadn't come along!
Although I would love to be chosen for this one, if I'm not, I can honestly say I had lots of fun creating layouts and projects and experimenting with such happy product ( I've never met an Imaginisce critter I didn't love!).

Here's a layout I didn't submit using the new "Let's Roll" collection. It was all I could do not to build a traffic light out of buttons LOL!

I must be nuts!!

Before nap, Ethan tried to "aquire" the card I had just finished and was photographing for the Imaginisce Design Team call. He said ( clutching it to his body and running away from me) " My give Murpy card!" For those of you who haven't yet met Murphy, he's Ethan's beloved stuffed monkey. ( here's an older layout featuring Murphy).
He's had him since birth, and has taken him everywhere.
Once I carefully pried the card from his little clutches, I told him we could make a card for Murphy after nap. He then replied " YOU get card for Murpy!" ok! ok! I give- "Mama will make a card for Murphy while you are sleeping ok?"
So, with Parker refusing to nap ( and wrapped around my leg) I created this less than exciting card for our friend Murphy.



Inside it says:

Mr Murphy,
Today Ethan asked me to make a card for you. I think he wanted to let you know how special you are. Thank you for being such a good buddy! We love you!


what a crazy mom!!

Use office supplies on your scrapbook page!

You know there are oodles of scrapbook supplies out there for sale that mimic the look of office supplies, so wouldn't it make sense to just go ahead and use... uh...Office supplies?! This week's challenge at Practical Scrappers is to do just that. I used a mix or "real" scrapbook embellishments ( some that look like office supplies) and "real" office supplies. It was a challenge to keep it looking fun, but I'm pleased with the outcome.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
PP: Pebbles
letters: Jillibean Soup
paint: Liquitex
Ink: Staz On
Labels: Creative Cafe
Reinforcement stickers: Buffalo
Mailing Labels : Avery
CD sleeves: Memorex
correction pen: Bic
Paper clip: Acme
felt trim: oops I forget!

the punkin patch

Ask my almost three year old what he did today and he may tell you that he played with his friend Luke's truck this morning, went for a bumpy tractor ride( like the ninky nonk) got "punkins" at the "punkin" patch, and that Mama made him really yummy hot "ocolate". ( oh and he may mention like he did to his dad that his little brother woke him up from nap).

We would all however have to agree that it was a great fall day!

An Apple a Day...

Here's the layout I started a couple of weeks ago at crop. Noemi had to almost slap my hands to keep me from adding anything else- She was right.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
pp: Jillibean Soup
letters: Basic Grey
Leaves: BBP
Stickers: Reminisce
Chipboard: American Crafts
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Journaling spot: Jillibean Soup
Ribbon: American Crafts Elements

I love Fall

I love Fall! I love cool days, fantastic shows of colour on the trees, the excitement of upcoming holidays, hot drinks, fireplaces and warm sweaters. ( I also love putting cute hats and coats on the kiddos and not worrying about sunblock for a change).

Just check out these cuties! Unfortunately I can only take credit for 2 of the three. Those are my boys Ethan and Parker, and their BFF; our neighbor Luke.

All shopped out!

We returned last night from a long week-end in New Hampshire. It was a great combination of Thanksgiving celebration/tax free outlet shopping and quality time with friends and the kids. We're tired, but had a blast. There is nothing like crisp fall mountain air to make a girl go way overboard buying fleece footed PJ's for her kids! :)
I missed the reveal of my first challenge for Practical Scrappers, but was pleased to see the week-end posts when I got home.

The challenge this week is lace cardstock- Here is a layout and a card I did. Why don't you dig some out of your stash and show us the creative things you can do with it!


Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Lace Cardstock: KI Memories
pp: Sassafrass Lass
Foil Tape: Berry Plastics Corporation
pen: American Crafts Precision pen
Journaling Spot: Fancy Pants
Chipboard letters: Dollarama



Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Lace Cardstock: KI Memories
Stamp: Sandy Lion
Ink: Colorbox
Letter stickers: Doodlebug Design
Other: Glossy accents, HP transparency sheet

Now designing for:

I was very sad to have the Mix it up Blog close down this month, as I was having so much fun on the Design team. But life changes and evolves for all of us.
Imagine my surprise to be contacted by Christine at Practical Scrappers to become a member of their design team. She was looking to fill a spot early, but the call is still on for new members if anyone is interested!!
I was first introduced to this fun blog by my friend Claude. The challenges are based on the idea of using up items we all already have in our scrapbook stash in new ways. ( Don't worry Nat*, it'll just help me make room for new stuff! LOL!) Now I know a few people who could benefit by using some of the "collectibles" sitting in their stash...Yeah you know who you are! Come join a challenge!

* Natalie is the owner of my beloved LSS Scrapbook Centrale- she carries EVERYTHING, or can usually get it in on request

Chatterbox

Awhile ago I remember admiring people who were able to record the cute things their kids said on scrapbook pages.(My friend Claude is particularly good at this). I couldn't wait until my eldest actually started talking in sentences instead of demands. Now that he's become a little chatterbox, i've been jotting some of the stuff down in my agenda, but not doing so well at getting it onto a scrapbook page. Hopefully this page is a start of a new trend, because this is really the stuff I want to remember weeks, months and years from now.

This is why I scrapbook.

This page was so much fun to make. Yes I scrapbook to preserve our family's photos and memories, but honestly, I mostly do it so that I can have fun with products like this!
These are both my boys at around the same age ( a year)- just a fluke that I got them both with cheerios stuck to their faces!

Last Hoorah for MIU!

Well, this is it, the last Mixer at Mix it Up. I didn't know at the time I created this layout that it would be our last challenge as a DT. I'm sad that it has to end, but I'm glad it is with this page- my favorite by far.
If you have a chance, please stop by and get involved in the last mixer with us, or just come and leave a comment for Melanie and all the talented design team ladies. The pages this week are phenomenal!

Thanks!
Erin

A Year Ago Today...

I lost 8lbs 9oz, and got another beautiful baby boy.


Happy Birthday Doodlebug!!!

We had a party on Saturday, where Parker was absolutely spoiled rotten! ( You only get to be one once I guess!) Just look at all the toys!

I tried, but I couldn't fit in the Little Tikes Cozy coupe from Grandma or the Mega Blocks table from Mama and Daddy. Thank you everyone !!!

I made a little cake for us to have tonight after dinner, but we ran into a little hiccup...

I left the house around 3:30 this afternoon to go have the boys hair cut, and spend a bit of time at the "toot-toot store" (Chapters). My low tire pressure gauge had been lit for the last few days, so I decided to stop ( in the pouring rain) to fill the tires. All was well, except when I left the gas station, I noticed the light was still on. Mark came and met us later at Chapters, and we decided to go grab a bite at a local restaurant. It was pretty late when we left, and I wondered if both boys would even be awake for cake when we got home. We got everyone packed up, and Mark headed off to his car. I almost died when I went to pull out of my parking spot and could barely move. As I feared, the front passenger tire was so flat, it was off the rim. It was all I could do to pull into a parking spot. ARRGGGGHHH! Flag Mark down, transfer car seats, kids and paraphanalia...Parker screaming from exhaustion, Ethan worried and sick. Needless to say, Mama took the little ones home, and got them bathed and tucked in without cake. Daddy returned home an hour later on the spare tire.

I think I would have rather given birth again ! LOL!

Good night!