Sweet and Innocent - don't think so!

Well, my not-so-sweet 5 year old got in a tad bit of trouble today! When I picked her up from school her teacher came up to me...with a look I knew meant something went wrong. {quick history - every day the kids get a sticker on their calendar sheet for being good in class} Mrs. S informed me that today Hailee did not get her sticker. Why you ask? Because she SLAPPED a girl in the face!!!!!!!!!!!!! {another history note - this girl is a trouble maker and has hurt Hailee before and always is in trouble for not minding} Apparently the girl, we'll say 'M', was bothering Hailee. Hailee asked her to stop, M didn't feel the need. So, Hailee slapped her. M quit bothering Hailee. :) Hailee had to sit in time out for a few minutes, M had an ice pack on her face (to help reduce the red mark Hailee left) and sat in time out as well.

lol

Okay, so on one hand I'm proud of Hailee for sticking up for herself. She's very shy and usually just lets other kids do whatever. But she's been cranky the last few days, reason unknown, so M must have gone too far.

But on the other hand, we don't hit. I told Hailee that when I put her in time out this afternoon. I explained that if another kid is bothering her and won't stop, then she is to tell one of the teachers. Hitting isn't the answer...that's why she got in trouble.

So yes, I'm disappointed that she got in trouble and didn't get her sticker and am beaming that she tried to resolve the issue on her own, even if it wasn't the right way!


now...for the fun part! American Crafts is our sponsor at Scrapbook Playground for the month of May! WAHOO! I love their stuff! I received blue papers so I've done one layout with Darren's picture and one using pictures of Braden! oh how fun! AC is a great manufacturer...and they were nice enough to send a great assortment. Wendi sent me the papers, a set of alpha rubons (which are SO cool!), some foam shapes, a few chipboard shapes, and a spool of ribbon! Great stuff! Working on the page of Braden today I even pulled out my own AC thicker stickers! FINALLY USED THEM!! A big thanks to American Crafts!!!!!!

Now, to get ready for Sunday. That's the day we'll be celebrating Braden's FIRST birthday! I've ordered a white cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting. It'll be topped with a firetruck! too cute. His little cake is white with buttercream...I don't think they decorate it but who knows! I'm so sad that my BABY is going to be ONE on Tuesday....where does the time go? He's almost ready to walk on his own, I've told him I'd really like him to work on this and do it BEFORE Tuesday, so hopefully he'll do this one thing for me :)

No new pictures today, but check back after the party!

Photos for today...

Just some cute pics of my kids to share!

So, Hailee sat perfectly still for Darren while he changed some settings on my camera. I couldn't believe how great it turned out. I'm so in love with this photo of her.

AND, my son can climb stairs....with no troubles. We don't have stairs in our house so I was shocked at how easy it was for him when we were at my friend Christie's house. Look at him go!

Carolyn Tagged Me!!!!

Here are the rules:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I have one tattoo on my ankle.
2. I hate looking at myself in the mirror, but am too lazy to exercise.
3. I am addicted to coffee and diet coke.
4. I have a fettish with flip flops...and pens.
5. Patience is not one of my best characteristics. Ask the kids.
6. I am happiest when shopping...spending money I don't have. lol
7. I HAVE to do something scrap related everyday!!!

The following are tagged:
1. JulieAnn
2. Sue
3. Katherine
4. Kristi
5. Marjorie
6. Patty
7. Krystyn

"The Lifehouse" - Would you like to help?

Hi Ladies,

I wanted to let you know of a new opportunity that Scrapbook Playground has decided to head up. Scrapbook Playground will be collecting scrapbook supplies to be sent to "The Lifehouse". The Lifehouse is an orphanage in the Dominican Republic run by some very close friends of my family - Doug and Paula Hodges. Over the last couple of years, Scrapbook Playground has supported the orphanage and supplied supplies when possible to the ladies who work there. They have told us that having the supplies has provided a tremendous outreach to the other ladies in the communities as they often stop by to make cards or other types of papercrafts, but obviously the supplies are hard to come by. In order to help out, Scrapbook Playground will be collecting supplies to send to these ladies. I would like to provide a new box of supplies at least once every three months. Supplies will be collected at all crops where Scrapbook Playground participates as well as collecting by general donation through the online store and message boards.

If you would like to participate:

1) You can send supplies to 136 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23320 - please make sure you mark the box or include a note that these supplies are for The Lifehouse.

2) If you don't want to mail supplies, you can add supplies to any order purchased at Scrapbook Playground and indicate in customer comments which supplies are for the Lifehouse.

3) You can choose to add an additional monetary amount to your order placed at Scrapbook Playground. If this option is chosen, the extra funds will be used to purchase the supplies that we know are needed ( adhesives, papers, rubons, etc) to be sent. Please indicate this in the customer comments on your order.

4) Lastly, if you would like to donate directly to the Lifehouse, you can do so by using this address ( a tax deductible receipt will be sent to you):
Daystar Baptist Missions - The Lifehouse
PO Box 1193
Barboursville, WV 25504

If you would like to learn more about The Lifehouse, you can read about it here: http://www.dbmi.org/newindex.php?sec=ourteam&cat=ministries

Thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide.
_________________
Wendi
Scrapbook Playground
www.scrapbookplayground.com

Holy Guacamole she did it!!!!!!!!

NO TRAINING WHEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She taught herself! Well, here's the story. After Hailee's 5th birthday in January, Darren took her training wheels off and told her she needed to learn to ride a 2 wheeler now. She wouldn't have anything to do with her bike. Nope. Not a thing.


Well, over the last few days she been sitting on it and using her feet to sort of "scoot" around.


Today Darren tried to help her...she ALMOST threw a fit. He put her on it, held the handle bars and walked around the cul-de-sac with her. She wouldn't put her feet on the pedals. I told her that if she didn't let us help, she wouldn't learn to ride, and that we'd have to donate her bike to someone who would use it. (MEAN mommy, I know) She didn't like that. I asked if I could help her.

Yes.

Okay, here we go. I hold the seat while she steers (right INTO my car I might add). I explain I'm holding her up but she has to "drive".


We get onto the road from the driveway and she tips over (because I let go). When I told her she did it herself for a minute she got excited.


So I did it again. LOL.


Well this time she says "let go mom". Okay....I suppose it's time for mommy to let go. She went about 4 feet on her own!!!!!!!!!!! She tipped. I got her foot unstuck and tried to hang on.


This time I get "MOMMY, LET GO". sigh. Okay.


Well, she's now been riding her bike for the last 45 minutes. A couple of tumbles, no cries, no blood so all is good. Getting it started is her hard part, but once she's going she's gone. We are so proud of her.


As a reward she gets to go pick out a brand new bike.

Could it be?

a word? I think so! lol At least in Baby Talk it is :) Yep, Braden has said a couple words. Hi. Darren and I were in the office with him and I waved and said "hi"....he said it back! and uh-oh. that's the cute one. he did use both syllables once (and Darren heard that, too!) but now when you say uh-oh to him he looks on the floor and says "uh". One syllable and I'll take it! lol I'm convinced he said bye but he won't do it in front of witnesses so no one believes me....soon I'll have proof! lol





Hailee thinks it's neat. Every sound Braden makes she turns it into a word. "Mom, he said 'blup'." Wow, that's great honey! lol

(the view from my rear view mirror!)

Hey, if you're ever in NJ go see a friend of mine....all the info is here: www.piecesoftimeonline.com You might just find some fun stuff!

Happy Easter!!!

Hailee did a great job decorating eggs with her Hello Kitty Egg Kit!

The kids were WAY spoiled by the Bunny this year!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!!!!!

DESIGN TEAM CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DESIGN TEAM CALL!!!!!!!

Scrapbook Playground is currently looking to add some fresh talent to our design team. Design team term will be for 6 months.

DT Responsibilities:
1) regular and consistent participation on our message boards.
2) Participation in site activities: online crops, posting challenges, etc.
3) Monthly projects for manufacturer sponsors ( 4-6 each month)
4) Willingness to help out with newsletter articles or online crops, contests, etc.

To Apply:
Please email the following to wendi@scrapbookplayground.com
1) Full contact information
2) Link to an online gallery
3) Link to message boards where you are currently active ( please provide username)
4) A short description ( 100 wds or less) telling us why you would like to be a part of the team and what you have to offer.
5) 3 of your best projects - 2 layouts and one altered item
6) list of design teams that you are currently serving on as well as any that you have recently applied for.
7) Link to your blog ( if you have one)

Please upload one other favorite project to the gallery at www.scrapbookplayground.com in the dt applicants gallery.

Applications are due by midnight EST, May 1st. Winning applicants will be notified by May 5th.

My baby!

He turned 11 months old yesterday! One more month and we'll be having his 1st birthday party!!!!!!! He started out so laid back, taking his time learning everything...NOW he's into EVERYTHING, learning quick, and really catching up! He's signing to us now. He signs: eat, more, all done, and occasionally he'll sign milk. So nice to finally know what he wants (we had Hailee signing at 9 months).

and of course his business means less "me" time. I'm always having to get him away from the fireplace, out of the dog food, away from my scrap stuff...it's never ending! I only get to scrap when he's asleep, yet I'm amazed at how much I actually get done. I'm learning to be quick and simple with my layouts! lol

Hailee now allows him to play with her. She still has to watch what she leaves around, but she lets him TOUCH her horses now, big accomplishment on her part! When he gets into stuff she doesn't want, she picks him up under his armpits and puts him where she thinks he belongs! ha ha

.....they're growing so fast. Time just goes by before we know it. **sigh**