the girl who is unsure

So Zachary and Ian have school pictures tomorrow and Zachary really needed a haircut. So I took him to the shop today after school and--for some crazy reason--found myself saying, "Two for haircuts."

And then, inexplicitly, I once again heard that same voice saying, "You know, just chop it all off." Granted, I think it's been a year or more since I had an actual haircut. Hmmm, longer, in fact. I think the last haircut I got was right before my brother's wedding in July of 2005. I tend to forget I need such things. My hair was DEAD, split ends, frizzy and the weight of it was dragging out the curl. So I told her to chop off all the dead stuff. And so I have this now. Not sure, getting used to it. At least I'm not so caught up in my hair that I forget that it will grow back. It WILL grow back, right? lol! It's certainly, uh, bouncier than it was before. I'm going to try blowing it out to see how it looks. I didn't buy the $28 bottle of shampoo that was reccommended to me, but I did spring seven bucks on some anti-frizz serum. So I'm going to test it out. What's the vote on this do?

the girl who is so proud!

Look at this little man on his first day of school...has it been six weeks already? He just brought me his first report card. Second grade is his first experience with letter grades and I was a little aphrehensive about the switch. I shouldn't have been. He's a smart boy, I've always known that, but he's had some self-control issues, so I wasn't too sure about how he's been performing. Well...he got STRAIGHT A's!! He's so proud! He called his GrandMary and Pa in Texas himself to tell them and has been waiting for the phone to ring so he can tell anyone who calls, lol. So if you call and he answers the phone...be prepared!

the girl who is just here

been sick. been disappointed. been angry. been confused. been hurt.

all different reactions to different things.

just letting y'all know I'm here, but not here.

everything will be fine, not wanting pity or anything like that, just lettin ya know.

the girl who is testing

what do you think?

the girl who is sharing her lessons

Lessons learned when making boob prints for a layout:

1. Lock your door. You cannot afford the therapist bill your children will run up.
2. If you do not tell your husband what you are doing, he will assume the worst.
3. Once you do tell your husband what you are doing, he will call you and all your scrapping friends "freaks."
4. Apply paint evenly--otherwise one boob will end up looking much bigger than the other.
5. Practice, it takes some time to achieve the perfect boob print.
6. Boob prints look most natural when you turn them upside down. I don't know why.
7. Do not cover the entire areola with paint, or you will end up with nipples on your creation the size of saucers.
8. The entire boob does not print--at some point compression makes it impossible to get the complete boobage on paper.
   
9. It is necessary to squeeze boobs together when stamping, otherwise you will end up with a 2 page layout.
10. No matter how many times you practice and how many combinations you try, you realize it isn't the paint--one boob really IS bigger than the other!
    

the girl who has a charmer

Just look at this face! Isn't he a cutie? and a charmer too! (yeah, I know the picture is blurry, but still...) And then he turns around and trashes something or tells me "No" and crosses his arms with a "humpf" (which is still cute, but unacceptable) and the only thing that saves him is...he's just so darn cute!

I bring this up because the past two days have been dr's visits. He had his cardiology check-up yesterday and his neurology checkup today. He is fine. He is better than fine. He is..gasp!...completely healthy! Yet, both dr's want to continue to evaluate him. will it ever end? Can I just have a normal baby? The cardiologist ordered another echocardiogram for his heart to see if the last hole has shrunk--she thinks it has since his murmur is much softer. It may even be completely closed (crossing fingers). After that, we'll evaluate, but it doesn't sound like there will be a need for surgery anytime soon. Possibly ever.

The neurologist loved him, saying he listened and followed directions better than most four year-olds who come to her office and that she was satisfied with him reaching his milestones and at how well his speech has come along. So, another checkup on him in six months and hopefully this farce will be over.

But back to the cute factor--why did I bring it up? Because he had every nurse and dr, and quite a few of the patients waiting to be seen, wrapped around his tiny, chubby finger. Smiles, "awwws", giggles, and "how cute!"s followed us wherever we went. I think I have an heir to the title!

the girl who made a card

for the poppy ink dt call...what do you think?

the girl who is submitting

Made through the first round of Last Scrapper Standing, along with my talented chicas, Island Jen and Cool Jen. Got the submitting bug now!

Just submitted this lo (left) for the Pub Calls manufacturer challenge for Arctic Frog.

And I'm submitting to the Poppy Ink design team. This is one of the three lo's I'm sending in (right).

The only problem...I have to make a card and I realized I'm card challenged! Working on it though. It's like a mini canvas for a page...it's allowing me to try out some combos.

We'll see how it goes.

Wish me luck!

the girl who is catching up

So...what does everyone think of my additions? lol, I'm learning still, be kind.

First item of importance is that Zachary lost is first front tooth. (Isn't he adorable with that gap tooth grin?) I just love the look of a little boy with a gap in front. It's sooooo adorable!


Then, of course, the next big topic would be going back to school. In preparation we took the boys to have their hair cut. Yes, we let it grow out during the summer and cut it the weekend before school started.

Bad idea.

Everyone else was doing the same thing, so things were crowded, to say the least. Yes, that's all three of my boys taking up booths at the Hair Cuttery. Bim, Bang, Boom! Matthew took the longest and came out the most uneven, but he's two, it will grow back...right?

Take a good look--this is what school supplies for two kids look like, and this isn't even the wide angle shot. I understand teachers have limited salaries, but why, oh why, are there things like Plug-Ins and saran wrap on these lists? Only the fact my mother is a retired teacher and I know what it was like keeps me from saying anything, but, still--plug ins kinda piss me off.

And last, but not least, here is Mr. Zack on the first day of school. He cooperated for first day pictures, Ian did not. I will probably fake it later just so I can have a page, lol!

That's it in a nutshell--I know, kind of boring, but I can't always be living la vida loca! Tomorrow starts 8 days straight of opening shifts, then I get a four-day vacation. Not that I can afford it, but I need it. Nothing planned except some Dr's appts, letting DH take an out-of-town excursion without the kiddos and getting my scrap on.

To quote miss Island Jen (who so deserves quoting) "Love, Peace, and Scrap!"

the girl who did it!

I finally got a half-way decent picture of all three boys together! All it took was being spontaneous! Of course, I would rather this was after Haircut Day (tomorrow) and not when their hair is all wet from the bath and in their faces, but hey, they are all looking in the camera and have nice smiles, why get picky?

the girl who is random

• So Mom didn't get the kidney. Shame. I'm very disappointed, but she seemed positive about it because now she has verification that she is next in line. So there's that. It's semi-comforting, but not the outcome we wanted.

• Random conversation with Zachary yesterday. I asked him if he wanted another brother or sister. After a moment's thought he replied, "No thank you, Mommy. No thanks. We already have Matthew and Ian and they get into so much TROUBLE!!" After another moment he added, "and me sometimes too. I get into trouble sometimes." I love the politeness of it all as well as the honesty. lol!

• I've taken more time than I should off of work this week, I'm going to end up only working three days this week. But it's been nice spending this time with the kiddos since they'll be starting school next week. Meet the Teacher is tomorrow and I'm hoping Zacky gets a teacher more understanding of his personality this time. Last year's teacher kept trying to get me to get him tested for ADHD because he was bored and class and figeted alot. Well...challenge him! I can only do so much at home, when he's at school it's YOUR responsibility to make sure he's reaching his potential. So WORK with him to make sure he's not bored with the material or has something else to do when he's done. Come on, the FCAT is not the end all be all--or it shouldn't be--stop teaching to the test and start TEACHING! (This is really more about the state of the school system than specifically his teacher. She was a lovely person and I understand she needed to spend more time teaching to the average level of the class than the upper and lower ends of the spectrum, but, damnit! if he's bored with the material SOMETHING should be done besides suggesting I drug him!)

• One of the great things about spending more time with the kiddos is observing them and discovering new behaviors or quirks. FOr instance, it is completely adorable how Matthew looks for objects. If you tell him to go get his shoes he'll look around exaggerately in the immediate vicinity and then yell out, "Shoes! Where are you?" It's cute. Lately he's taken to wearing a knit spiderman hat on his head. I swear he looks like that guy from Viva la Bam! I must take a picture.

• Speaking of pictures, here's one of those typical summer pictures. (ok, maybe not. blogger is not cooperating, so you will have to hold your horses for the pics) Loving the boys and the popsicles. They each have their own style: Ian licks, Matthew sucks, and Zacky bites. (I wish I had other adjectives 'cuz I know where your mind is going, but I don't)

• Thinking of trying out for the poppy ink design team. (and btw, did you notice I just linked for the first time? Thanks Michelle! Whoa! Thats two!) I have a couple cool lo's leftover from MMM, would just need to get good photos since my scanner took a poop. Damn things are practically disposable these days. Might as well buy a new one since the printer needed more ink and sometimes you can actually get a printer (with ink) for less or about the same cost as the ink itself. Insane!

• And, on a completely unrelated to anything else note, would you like to know why fire engines are red?

Glad you asked.

Fire engines are red because fire engines have four wheels and eight men. 4+8=12 There are 12 inches in a foot. A foot is a ruler. A famous ruler was Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Elizabeth was once the largest ship to sail the seven seas. Seas have fish. Fish have fins. The Fins fought the Russians. Russians are red. Fire engines are always rushing. And THAT is why fire engines are red!

Now ask me why the sky is blue!

the girl who is still waiting

So, Mom is in the hospital, all prepped and ready to go. It's almost cruel, you know? Still no word as to whether or not she is actually getting the kidney, but she is good to go when the light goes green. It's a waiting game now.

But to cheer myself up, I have to share something. You know cliche's and stereotypes? I hate them, I really do. Mainly because one is overused and one just seems like its easily avoidable. But when confronted with a cliched stereotype in person, I have no choice but to laugh (and sneak pictures). Meet my plumber, and a walking advertisment for Plumber's crack. Just say no, ladies. Just say no!

the girl who is crossing her fingers

Mom and Dad just got the call. There is a kidney coming in tomorrow morning from California and Mom is second in line for it!

It would only be too perfect, wouldn't it? I mean, I centered my whole CL lo on her treatment and the need to donate and the day I mail it off, we get the call!

Pray!

the girl who is finished!

Finally finished my MMM entry. To those who are wondering, the final entries are: Beautiful, Boy, in Hindsight, and Dirty Dishes. One girl 12x12, one boy 12x12, one me 81/2x11, and one multi-photo 2 pg 12x12. I feel badly though that the two boy ones both have my youngest. He was in the lo for Imperfect Lives too, so he's getting all of the face time! Plus the Celebrate Life one--that one turned out 100% differently than I envisioned. Now to do my supply lists and such, find a kinkos and mail it off. I swore I wouldn't be one of those postmarked on the 31st, but here I am. Damn it all!

the girl who is so excited!

I found one of my best friends from high school today! I am anxiously awaiting an email from her. I found her through her parents and I CAN'T WAIT until I hear from her! Yaaay!

the girl who is scrubbing the tub

Well, I solved the mystery of the missing Strawberry Quik. Of course, I'm not exactly sure HOW it managed to get past me, but this is where it went:

Yup, that is almost an entire box of Strawberry Quik, and there is a cup in there with the culprit(s) and yes, he was drinking his bathwater. After I took this picture I noticed how very very very dirty the tub was, so now I am scrubbing away. Well, I've sprayed stuff on the grime and I am quite legitimately allowing it to "soak in" I'll finish it soon.

Really, I will.

I have to, the plumber is coming tomorrow to repair our clogged toilets. I have an awful feeling maybe something got "flushed" that shouldn't have. Funny thing is, our landlord is not only telling us that we are responsible for the cost of the repair, but that we need to use her guy. I'm not exactly sure this is legal. Any advice?

the girl who is crying

My sister lost the baby.

Zachary does not like lasagna. Or, rather, he does not like my homemade lasagna because it contains spinach. After I told him he could pick out the spinach and eat the rest of my very special homemade lasgana, he replied, "Mommy, I wish there was some kind of magical magnet that would pull out the green stuff so I could eat the rest!"

lol!

the girl who needs a sitter

So I called the local day care to find out what their rates are. {And for the record, they aren't "rates" it's "tuition" because they have the word "Academy" in their name.} And apparently I will have to get a second job to send my kids to daycare because, after taxes and insurance deduction, I don't make enough money to have someone watch my children so I can work. I might as well NOT work, except for the little fact we NEED the second income. It's not fair. I can't keep inconveniencing my Fl Dad and my bro-in-law flaked out on us, so what can I do? I hate to advertise in the paper for a sitter because, to be honest, our wages are not likely to be high. So, I'm going to contact 4C's on Monday and see if I can get any help from there.

On the bright side, had a job interview yesterday. I honestly don't know how it went. I admit, I didn't do my research on this one, so I didn't know exactly what I was walking into. So I was surprised when the job title didn't really match up to the job description. I'll find out Monday after next. I'll admit, I don't want to be working, period. But since I have to, I really NEED to make a change in what I do, and soon. Preferably within the company I already work for. That way I carry over benefits, some seniority perks and keep my Universal passes too. I'll be looking in the jobs section of the classifieds tomorrow too.

And we have a klepto in the house. I reach for my tweezers, they're gone. Hubby goes to shave, his razor is missing. Apparently some little imp has been rummaging through our bathroom drawers and has taken off with our stuff. I suspect this one:
Don't let the innocent look fool you. This boy is nothing but trouble with a capital "T" and then some. Yesterday, he led the great Coo-Pa revolt. The youngest of the three and he is instigating them to all say "NO" to Coo-Pa. (My Fl Dad, Coo-Pa is our name for him) Now they are all on tv restriction and I'm the one being punished because without the tv as a distraction, they wreck the house playing. And, as usual, I have too much to do.

Tomorrow is my day off and I need to finish my MMM entry. But my printer/scanner has decided to take a dive, so I either have to alter my plans for the final lo, or go find someone else's printer/scanner to use. I just want one day without any responsibility where everything goes right. Is that too much to ask?

the girl who woke up to this...

I'm barely out of bed and really considering going back for a "nap" when I hear a commotion from the living room involving the boys. Shortly thereafter, Zack somes running up to me and says, "Mommy! Ian made me drink his pee!"

What a way to start the day.

Exactly how does a 3 yo "make" a 7 yo drink his pee? Well, apparently it involves wrestling and a pair of boxer shorts instead of tighty whities. I really don't want to imagine.

So the quote of the day is: "Mommy, the taste of pee isn't a taste that tastes good!"