Jump!

Today is officially the last day of summer vacation. And in classic Wisconsin style it's gray, cloudy and rainy today. Of course tomorrow is supposed to be 90 degrees. And then we could have snow in October. Go figure!

Since it's gloomy outside I wanted to share a bright, summery layout. At the last Creative Escape I won some Bella Blvd. papers and quickly put them to use! I also used some Thickers that I'd had FOREVER. I'm down to select letters but just the right ones for this title.

I wanted to include the series of photos of Bennet jumping off the pontoon so I edited them to make them nice and narrow. I kept the vertical feel on the layout to simulate the feeling of jumping.

TITLE: Jump!

Scenic View

We are celebrating the upcoming long Labor Day weekend at the cabin. It is one of my favorite places in the world. My happy place. This photo was taken this past June.

Title: Scenic View

Journaling: A common scene. My 3 girls anxiously watching Dad prep their poles to fish off the pontoon. june 2011.

Sweet Summer Sweat

A very simple layout of Ellie. This past summer she was just been a big sweaty mess. Now that I think about it- all 3 of my girls get elbow deep in the outdoors and end up looking like PigPen from Peanuts by the end of the day. Not so dainty.

Title: Sweet Summer Sweat

Journaling: 2011- a scorcher summer. You are always covered in sweat & sand. Crazy curly hair from the heat.

10 Things on Thursday

1. School starts 1 week from today. Scout can hardly contain herself!
2. I finished Bennet's back-to-school skirt last night.
3. Scout picked out fabric for her skirt. It has robots on it. Only Scout!
4. Took Bennet to the dentist this week. Great report and np cavities. Scout was mesmerized and is ready for her first visit (bad mom!) in a couple weeks.
5. Last weekend I started and finished Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It was excellent. I plan on reading more of her books.

6. Started reading A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. I'm not letting the fact that it won the Pulitzer Prize scare me.
7. Today we are in Minnesota saying goodbye to my Grandma Marvel Trunnell who passed away suddenly last Saturday.
8. I am determined to shed just as many laughs as I do tears. She would expect that!
9. On a happier note, September is coming which means new TV! Cannot wait for HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family and Cougar Town to name a few!
10. We are celebrating Scout's 4th birthday a little early with a casual party this Saturday. Mmm . . .  cake!

Shine On

When I place a large photo order I use scrapbookpictures.com They have a great selection of odd sized prints. I loved this photo and had it printed as an 8 x 12. 

Title: Shine On 

At the Pool

From Memorial Day to Labor Day I have the opportunity to work 1/2 days on Fridays. I've been taking advantage of the "free" time to do some fun stuff with the girls. A couple of Friday's ago we went to Kaiser Pool. Bennet has really started to be more confident in the water.

Then there is Ellie who is earning her TNT nickname. She loves the wading pool but also likes to make a break for the big pool! She's quick!

Sporty Girl

Last weekend I attended Creative Escape, which my friend Jess coordinates. 12 hours of dedicated scrapping (and talking, eating, laughing) time. It gave me the chance to play along with the latest Sketchy Thursday sketch. I love their sketches! A weekly source of inspiration!

 

Here is my take.

Happy Days

My favorite color is red. I love pairing it with yellow and blue. Then add a touch of gray? SWOON!

Journaling:
Life isn't always perfect, but everyday I can list 10 things that make me happy.The sound of Bennet and Scout laughing. Ellie smooshing food in her face. A job that I love. Coming home to an amazing meal whipped up by Nick. Escaping life in front of the tv. A cozy blanket on my lap. My shoulder all wet from the girls post bath hair. Documenting our life through scrapbooking. These are a few things that when you put them together make for happy days.

Each and Every Morning

All three of my girls have always been good sleepers. I think they get it from me. I would list napping as a legitimate hobby of mine. Right up there with reading, scrapbooking and crafting.

There are many nights that when I say, "Ok Ellie- get your blanket, it's time for bed" that she'll grab her tag blanket and run to her room. The other night I found her trying to crawl into her crib on her own. Don't you wish that would continue until they are, say 18 years old?

Most mornings she wakes up and has a little party with her animals in her crib. She is happy and giggly, just babbling away. She is definitely a morning person. Something else she gets from me.

TITLE: Wake Up
Journaling: This is the face that greets me each and every morning.

Sunny Summer Days = FUN with Grandma

Grandma Mary Ella came to surprise the girls Wednesday night and was waiting on our front steps when we got home. As we pulled into the driveway Bennet burst out of the car. Scout shreiked, "Mom- get me outta here!"

We went to the Mint Cafe for dinner and then caught the beginning of the Concert on the 400 Block downtown.

Thursday we drove to Green Bay to enjoy  Bay Beach Amusement Park. We went last summer and had so much fun that I wanted to make in an annual event.  

They have 16 rides. There were only 4 rides that the girls were too short to ride. Even better is the fact that tickets cost 25cents a piece. Most rides are 1 ticket but never more than 2. Can't beat that! Bennet was SUPER excited for her very first roller coaster ride. Unfortunately she was a little too short. "Maybe when I'm 6 1/2 Mom!"

When I went down the giant slide with Bennet she said, "That kind of made me feel like I had to go potty. Weird right?"


I love Ellie's face here. She was a little unsure at first, but once Scout showed her how to work the bell she loved it!
 
Molly Jo- Do you see your cousin Bennet is riding a puppy named Molly? That made everyone smile!

Holding hands on their own as they wait in line. Melts a mom's heart.

And if Bay Beach wasn't enough on it's own, we went to the pool when we got home. We spent a little under an hour there, but the girls LOVED splashing with Grandma. Ellie was in bed by 6:15, Bennet and Scout followed by  7 p.m! A fun, busy, summer kind of day!

10 Things on Thursday

1. Today the girls and I, along with my Mom, are off to Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay for the day. Photos to follow.
2. I deep cleaned our mini-van, otherwise known as the Mom-mobile, last Friday. It was Disgusting with a capital D.  I wonder how long I can keep it presentable.
3. As I was cleaning I came across some crayons that said non-toxic on them. Were they ever toxic? Or do they just put that on the label so us parents don't freak when our kids eat them?
4. I tried Sweet Potato fries for the first time this summer. They are so delicious.
5. Last week I finished reading The Wednesday Sisters. Meh. It was ok. It's a nice, light book but I just couldn't or wouldn't fall in love with the characters.
6. Right now I'm reading The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. It is absorbing and excellent.

7. I went to my first Zumba class at the YWCA this week. It was tons of fun. I got a great workout and could actually move the next morning. I'll be going again!
8. Nick and I spent last Saturday afternoon/evening in Eau Claire where I went to college. I have a very special place in my heart for those friends I made in college. They are so much fun!
9. So much fun that we ended up at the Seahorse singing karaoke.

10. On Saturday I am going to the 2nd Creative Escape organized by my good friend Jess. 12 hours of dedicated scrapbooking? Yes please!

Hands On

I make no secret or apologies about my love of grid style layouts. There is a Grid Challenge this month at Inspired to Scrap so of course I was on it! I printed small photos of Scout from our trip to Wildwood Wildlife Park back in June. It was a fun way to fit alot of photos on a single page without it being overwhelming. I did some machine stitching in some squares as well. For the title I did a little play on words and put the Hands on top of the On.

What I Love About You

I made this layout for a combination of challenges. Sometimes I think I use a solid kraft cardstock base too often. So- I challenged myself to use all patterned paper on this layout. I also participated in the Something Old, Something New challenge at Inspired to Scrap. The new product is the yellow woodgrain Bella Blvd. paper and pink Lily Bee alphas. The old are the black mailbox alphas. I bought those when Bennet was about 6 monhts old so those are at least 5 years old. LOVE using what I have.

Nick thinks he looks angry in this photo. I disagree. It's just the look he has when he's listening to a conversation. Just letting his wheels spin.

TITLE: What I Love About You

One Month From Today

One month from today Scout will turn 4. It really snuck up on me. I feel like she barely just turned 3. This photo is from one of our weekends at the cabin earlier this summer. I just wanted to capture some of things she's into right now.

TITLE: Almost 4

10 Things on Thursday

1. This Saturday Nick and I are going to Eau Claire for the day/night to remember a college friend who is not longer with us and celebrate his life with those friends that are.
2. We are starting to plan Scout's Despicable Me themed birthday party.
3. Our favorite "kids are in bed" shows right now are Torchwood, White Collar and BurnNotice. (I still watch Big Brother alone)
4. Eleanor had her 18 month check up this week. She a happy and healthy little girl. 34 inches tall and 29 pounds. She is tall!
5. Last week I finished Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It was an excellent book. I highly recommend it.

6. Right now I'm reading The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. It's a nice light summer read.
7. My repaired camera came back last week Just in time for my work fundraiser (YWCA Wausau's Guys Who Grill
8. Speaking of Guys Who Grill, I won $300 at the raffle last weekend and I'm treating myself to a new lens.
9. Oh- and last but not least. . .  Nick, along with his co-chefs Matt Woodward, Terry Mann and James Mearden won BEST OF SHOW at Guys Who Grill. Their menu included: Flank Steak Sandwiches, Pancetta wrapped scallops, stuffed portobello mushrooms, Cornbread with veggies and chorizo, Pound cake with Nutella, raspberries and vanilla ice cream

10. I am addicted to Angry Birds. Yes- I was sucked in.

Fresh Cut

I've made no secret about how much Bennet's long straggly, snarly, Rapunzel inspired hair has driven me a little bonkers this summer. Couple the tears that come with the tangles with the fact that she's also growing out her bangs and you have a hot mess.

Well, yesterday morning she decided that she DID in fact want a hair cut. "Can I get a Cute Little Bob Mom?" Um YES YOU CAN!  I jumped at the chance before she changed her mind. I called JCP and took whoever they had. Her stylist happened to be the same woman who cuts Grandma Barb's hair. You can imagine her excitement over that. She had to call her when we got home!

We cut it up to her shoulders so she can still pull it up if she wants. And according to her she had her bangs trimmed- "She trimmed up the tips Mom". She's all ready for school.

I asked Scout in the morning if she wanted a hair cut. She told me no. Of course once we get there she wanted one. I should have known. Luckily for her, Nick was with us and was able to take her to a different salon in the mall and have a trim as well.

One Month From Today

It's August 1 (Happy Birthday Megan!) already? When did that happen? School starts one month from today. Bennet will be in all-day everyday Kindergarten. She loved 4K last year so she's ready to be with the 'big kids'.

I did this layout as a part of a Layout Tag challenge at Inspired to Scrap. I always love seeing the original layout morph throughout the process.

TITLE: Head of the Class