Paper Popsicles

I don't like the Friday Fill In's this week so I'm going to skip it instead of forcing out lame answers. So I'll post some layouts instead. I am lucky enough to be serving as a Guest Designer over at Paper Popsicles this month.

Time Well Spent
Photos of Scout at the cabin Memorial Day Weekend. The little bling rhinestones don't show up very well on scans.


The Little things in life are the Big Things
Nick snapped this photo of Scout and me on Easter Sunday. I love those stolen moment shots. Thank you Nick!

A Life Defining Year
This photo was taken in Japan nearly 15 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long.

JOURNALING: 1994- fresh out of high school I spent a life changing year in Nagano, Japan. I think back 15 years later & I am so proud of myself. Proud for traveling 6000 miles from home without knowing the language. For believing in myself enough to embrace every opportunity & try every crazy food. It took alot of courage & I am so glad that I had that courage because it made me the outgoing, try anything, adventurous adult I am today. I realize that I can be more & do more than I give myself credit for. If I can survive that I am strong enough for whatever life throws at me. IN MY BUNDAI SCHOOL UNIFORM. KYUSHU ISLAND. OCTOBER 1994

Woo Hoo Wednesday (June 17)

We had a pretty mellow Woo Hoo Wednesday yesterday. We went to Michael's to pick out a craft to make Nick for Father's Day. I did give him a hint that it's pink. Bennet told me that pink is his favorite color :)

After a quick run through the grocery store we came home and had dinner. Then we made a bee line to Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. I must be getting old because when my order of 2 kiddie cones and 1 small cone came to $3.43 I had to ask- "How much are the kiddie cones?" 89cents each. When Nick worked there they were free to both dogs and children. Oh well.

Since I can't share our Father's Day craft project yet I'll post some current things about the girls.

This girl. . . is 3 1/2 on Sunday. Closer to 4 than 3. How is that possible?

She . . .

Makes us laugh. Here are some of the conversations I've overheard lately.

Over Dinner:

Dad - "I keep banging my head on this code and can't figure it out"

Bennet - "Oh Daddy that's horrible. Horrible"

Out of the blue:

Bennet to Me- "I like you Honey"

(I cannot supress laughter. Where did Honey come from?)

Me to Bennet - "I like you too Sugar"

Repeat the phrase and giggles over and over.

She is developing a knack for voice over work. The other day she said, "Perry the Playpus. What are you doing here?" In a spot on Dr. Doofensmertz voice from Phineas & Ferb (cartoon).

She is very concerned about who bought things. "Mom- who bought those power poles with the farting boxes?" (the farting boxes is a whole other story). "Mom- who bought those cars?" "Mom- did you buy this music box for me? Oh thank you Mama"

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This girl. . . is nearly 22 months old. Right now she is the age Bennet was when she was born. Now that is crazy!

She. . .

Is a monster. A happy, climbing, growling, monster. As Nick says, Bennet is matches and Scout is gasoline.

Loves cats and dogs. She squeels with delight.

Would eat a whole wheel of cheese if we let her. She really digs cheese.

She will come and grab your hand and lead you upstairs at night when she's ready for bed.

She wants to do everything that Bennet does. Wear sandals, use the same cup, eat the same food.

She is starting to have more words. Granted they are words that only Nick and I understand but that counts :)

Home Sweet Home

A couple of weeks ago Bennet brought this project home from daycare. I thought, "Hmmm. . . aren't we a little young to be going through our goth/all black stage?" Then I read the caption on the bottom of the page and nearly peed my pants from laughter.

I guess our darling 3 1/2 yr old is subconsciously trying to tell us something :) Perhaps she is channeling her inner Ally Sheedy in 'The Breakfast Club' - "My home life is unsatisfying"

Grandma Mary Ella

I love my mom. I am lucky enough to have a very close relationship with her. It's pretty much been like that from the time I was little. Now both of my girls are building a special relationship with her too.

One of my Mom's favorite phrases while we were growing up was, "Have I told you yet today. . " She never had to say the "that I love you" part because we knew. She always tells Bennet and Scout "I love you to the Moon and back" They associate it with her. When I say it to Bennet her reply is always, "Just like Grandma Mary Lella right Mama?"


I made this simple little floating frame to hang in Bennet's room. I LOVE alphabet stickers so it was easy to find supplies in my current stash. There are little rhinestones at the top near the 'i' and by the heart on the bottom. LAYOUT: Simple Joys
I did some machine stitching around the edge. I did fussy cuts for the flowers. I cut the stems apart and did some handstitched stems as well.

JOURNALING: You & your Grandma "Mary Lella" have a special relationship. You love spending time together- reading books, playing games, and giving lots of hugs & kisses. I love seeing you the two of you loving each other.

Photo taken at Dick's Main Tap (I can't remember the new name), April 3, 2009, Elk River.

Friday Fill Ins

1. I grew up thinking that marble cake was Marvel Cake. My grandma's name is Marvel and I thought it was her cake :)
2. Bloglines was the last website I was at before coming here.
3. Why don't you take a chill pill? (I have no idea where that came from)
4. A glass of red wine and a hot bath helps me relax.
5. Thanks for the memories Elk River Area High School. I graduated 15 years ago and have fond memories!!
6. People with limp handshakes is very off-putting.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a traffic free drive north, tomorrow my plans include testing out the new pontoon and Sunday, I want to wish my sweet niece Molly a very blessed baptism!

Woo Hoo Wednesday (June 10)

It's no secret that both Bennet and Scout are energetic, on-the-go type of kids. They are rarely at rest unless they are eating a snack and mesmerized by Special Agent Oso. A couple of months ago our daycare providers husband Mark said, "Wow- I thought Bennet was active but Scout's just crazy" My response was, "Well- maybe if we have a third that one will be mellow" to which he jokingly responded, "You're crazy to want 3 with these two!"

Yesterday at the library during WooHoo Wednesday his words came ringing through my ears! I decided to take the girls to the library for some fun new books. This mama is getting tired of the regulars at home.

It was a little bit of chaos. Like letting the tigers roam free during feeding time. Scout was running up and down through the aisles, looking at books, taking them off the shelf, running some more. Then she found some poor unsuspecting baby boy in a stroller. Poor kid was hugged, loved, touched. She really likes babies. Bennet kept herself busy in the play area while I chased Scout. Of course Scout bolted for the main part of the library and while I was retrieving her Bennet lost sight of me. Scared her a little bit.

They have an old clawfoot tub covered in carpet. That was a big hit!

By the end of our little visit I had Scout on my shoulders. It was the only way I could check out our books. I don't know how the octomom does it. Of course as we're leaving Bennet tells me she has to go potty. She has impeccable timing. As we're leaving the bathroom she starts to pitch a fit because she wants to have a drink at the drinking fountain. Well- with 6 books under one arm and a squirming 21 month old under the other it wasn't happening. I tell her that I can't pick her up. I'm sure the staff were more than happy to see the loud-mouth family leave. Bennet cried and whined all the way to the car only stopping to say, "Ice cream cone please Mama"

Are you kidding me? :)

Scrapbook Madness

I figured I could share some of the layouts I made recently. Enjoy!
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Life Lesson
Journaling: We learned early in our relationship that laughing with each other & at each other was part of what made us happy together.

This photo was taken at our engagement party in 2003.



Joyful, Exciting, Fantastic Snow

Odd to make this in summertime but oh well. Photos from a snowy day in March. Used my scraps with my circle punches. It scanned really bright white oops.

In My Heart

Journaling: I love being you mom. The way you see me just makes me feel so happy. I am so proud of the little girl you are becoming. I see parts of a younger version of me in you and that is so cool. In my heart you have a special spot. A spot where our relationship grows as mother & daugther- as friends.

I'm proud of this photo. I set up the tripod and took it on self-timer