May 7, 2010

Today I'm thankful for the opportunity to share my love of scrapbooking with others . . . namely the older two in our small 4-H group.

They took to it like pro's and completed several pages (not to mention using up some of my stash.  WHOOWHOO!).

While the older girl's worked on their scrapbook pages, the younger two played and rode bicycles.  They've both just recently learned to ride pretty good without training wheels, so before long they'll be bicycling with us old folks and wearing us out.

Most of my day was spent on laundry and dishes.  I've pretty much been gone for two days and they've multiplied while I've been away.  I'm ALMOST caught up.  Tomorrow should clinch it and then I can get down to more pleasant and fun things . . . like scrapbooking and photography.

May 6, 2010

Today I'm just thankful.  Thankful that I made it through the day with a bunch of 1st graders, after less than 4 hours of sleep.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. so I could finish my layout for the day, and get everything ready for the field trip.

On the way down we passed the Shrine Mosque, which I think is just a neat piece of architecture.  So I shot a picture out the window of the Jeep.

Then we met up with the bus load of kids . . .

Dave kept track of Eli,

while I kept the kids that were assigned to me in line.  Here is Bayleigh with one of her friends, pretending to be newscasters.  They were pretty hilarious.

There was a ton to do at the Discovery Center and I even found an instrument starting with an "R" here.  (If you'd like to see my "Music in May" project, just click on over to my other blog.)  This particular instrument was called a Riophone. 

The girls raced cars . . .

spun in circles until they couldn't walk (and yes! Both of them were on there.) . . .

and entertained us with silly faces.

It was a neat place and we'll have to go back again sometime (minus the other 60 or so kids in her class).  lol

After we finished up there, we all went to a local park and ate lunch.

All Eli cared about was the slides.  He had little girls hanging all over him wanting him to play with them, but he was busy doing his own thing.  It was rather funny.  In a few years, I'm sure the tables will be turned on him. 

It was a crazy busy day and I'm planning on going to bed before 10:00 p.m.  I'm cutting it close but I do believe it can be done!

May 5, 2010

Today I'm thankful for little breaks in a busy day. 

I ended up taking Bayleigh to school today, and stopping by the band director's office to photograph a few instruments before heading home.  I also had a hair appointment scheduled after lunch.  Above is my "before" shot.  Looking pretty shaggy, huh?

While I was busy taking pictures at school, Dave was off to meet with Human Resources regarding his placement after graduation.  It looks like he'll be working in one of the local clinics and doing some time in the urgent care facility.  I know he's been anxious about all this stuff, and it's finally coming to an end.  He's not going to know what to do with himself, working "banker's hours".

After my hair appointment, I squeezed in my layout for the day; and then when Bayleigh got home from school we headed south to meet up with Dave's folks at Bass Pro.

I love their decor.  So many cool decorating ideas.  Like these shotgun shells lining the base of their bathroom sinks.  Pretty cool.

I'm also fond of the turtles. 

At least they stand still for photos, without complaining about me taking their pictures.

Ahhh . . . and here's my "after" photo.  You can't really tell much in this one, but I had a ton whacked off and it's now out of my face. 

I figured while I was waiting for everyone in the bathroom . . . I'd take a few fun shots.  I love taking pictures of others in a mirror while they're not paying any attention to me. It makes for a more "real" photo.

After we goofed around at Bass Pro we headed out to eat.  I happened to notice this sign and thought it was a pretty innovative use of the number 2.  And that dude rubbing his eyes in the van . . . that's how I'm feeling right about now.

I'm glad we weren't lined up in traffic on the way back home.  (That was the OTHER lane.)  We finally made it home about 10:45 p.m. and I got the kids off to bed so I could do a little catching up.

I ended up breaking my glasses again today, so I'm stuck with contacts until I can get them fixed.  Dave picked me up a six month's supply of contacts so I may just wear them for a while.  It's easier to take pictures with contacts, than with glasses.  ;)

It looks like I'm squeaking by under the wire tonight.  It's not quite midnight!  However, tomorrow promises to be another long day.  A field trip with the 1st grade class . . . maybe I should be sleeping . . . lol!

May 5, 2010

Today I'm thankful for 10 minute cat naps.  Without one, I wouldn't have made it through the day. 

My morning was spent on dishes and laundry and then I decided to spend some time creating.  I got two layouts done before lunch and then I crashed.  Too many late nights and early mornings.  I somehow struggled through until about 4:30 p.m. But when Dave took the kids out to help plant garden, I laid down on the couch and caught a 10 minute snooze before Stacey knocked on the door.  (I truly believe my house is Grand Central.  If the phone isn't ringing, then someone is knocking on the door.)

She had just stopped by to pick up her bike, but since I was back up again, I just started supper and did the outside chores.

I fixed something simple (burritos), and Dave fixed the guacamole.

I thought it was funny when Eli asked Dave if he was making the Holy Guacamole.

Too many Skippy Jon Jones books.  lol  I love reading them too.

While I was outside choring, I snapped a few pictures of the garden . . .

and played with the sunshine.  (I really should get a Nikon for shots like this, but for now my Canon will have to do.)

Eli got to talk to Dave's folks on the phone this evening and I can't believe he actually sat still for a few moments.  Usually when he's on the phone he is a pacer.  Back and forth, back and forth.  He must have been tired from all the gardening.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a super busy day.  I meet with the band director at school for a few more music photos, I get my hair cut in the afternoon (FINALLY!), and then after Bayleigh gets home from school, we're heading to Springfield to meet up with Dave's folks.  I'll have to work hard at squeezing my layout in, and keeping the tunes rolling.  I guess I'll try to make it to bed BEFORE midnight tonight.

May 3, 2010

Today I'm thankful for sunny skies, warm weather and having Dave back home on a more regular basis.

While Dave weed eated around the house this morning, I cleaned all the bedrooms, and did laundry.  And right after lunch, he took Eli to pick up some concrete blocks, which left me free to do my second workout of the day in peace . . .

and enjoy the great outdoors . . .

while I was mowing the lawn.

It was starting to look like a jungle out here.

I finished up right before they got back home, and just before Bayleigh got off of the bus.

Eli was excited to show me his red tongue and tell me about his adventures riding a horse, at the farm that Dave had picked the blocks up at.  He was so excited I couldn't get a good shot!  lol

While Dave was getting things prepared to take the kids to the park, I took Eli around the yard pointing out a few plants . . . like my Crepe Myrtle that is starting to green up; and then they were all off and running again. 

I grabbed a shower, and got out just in time for the insurance adjuster to show up regarding our hail damage; and was busy helping him until a few minutes before Dave and the kids got home.  I had hoped to squeeze my layout in while everyone was gone, but I managed to muddle through it right before supper.

Another crazy, busy day . . . but it was oh, so nice to have a little break from my parenting duties today. 

May 2, 2010

Today I'm thankful for good friends and good times.

Teaching Sunday School this morning was a little rough.  I didn't make it to bed until a little after 3:00 a.m. last night.  (Eli had a leg ache.)

And the kids were running in overdrive.  (*YAWN*)  But we made it through the day. 

My friend Nancy came over to visit right after church, and shortly afterwards, Eli took his nap, while Bayleigh watched a few cartoons and I finished up my layout for the day.  Then my (ex) sister-in-law stopped by to drop off a few things and she stayed and visited for a while. 

Later this afternoon, my mom came and picked up the kids, for a visit and I got down to business.  Dishes were calling my name and I went out and did the chores, while they were away.  The sun was at just the perfect angle, so I came back in and grabbed my camera for some fun outdoor shots.

Wild strawberry blossoms . . .

and sunlight filtering through the trees . . .

casting shadows and light . . .

into all the right places.  I love playing with light and shadow.

Of course, I didn't get far without my entourage.  This guy here likes to climb my pant leg every time I stand still for a millisecond . . .

and the rest of the crew never is very far away.

But Butterball (I mean BANDIT) is still my favorite.  He's frisky and fun to play with and he's one seriously spoiled outside kitty.

It's been another busy day and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down any time soon.

May 1, 2010

Today I am thankful for ENERGY!  I burned a lot of it today.  After four hours of sleep, Eli woke up early and in turn got me up on my "sleep in" day.

So I just jumped in and got busy with my 'Music in May' project, and my layout for the Layout A Day challenge.  I had both done by 9:00 a.m. and then I headed off to a neighbor's house to photograph her accordian for my "A" photo of the day.

After I got back to the house, I started washing the bedding, and getting everyone ready for a trip to the school carnival. 

Mom wanted me to go to the green house with her today, so we decided to detour through the carnival for a few moments, so the kids could play.  I'm thinking I need one of those things in the photo above.  The kids would have played in there for HOURS if we'd have let them.

It was a busy place and we didn't stay too long, before we headed out to pick up some more plants for the garden.

We traveled through a Mennonite community and made a stop at one of their bulk stores.  They even had scrapbooking stuff!  I thought that was pretty neat.

To get there, we had to cross this highway in progress . . .  personally, I don't think this is progress at all; but that's just my opinion.

On our way south, we spotted a field full of camels, so on the way back home, I found a spot off the side of the road, got out and took a few pictures.  (This isn't something you see everyday around here.  lol)  As I was standing taking pictures at the fence, several cars slowed down, and when I finished and pulled back onto the highway, I noticed another car had pulled in, where I had been parked, so they too, could get out and take a picture.  I thought it was rather humorous . . . kind of like a chain reaction.

We didn't beat the rain home, but I did catch a lull in storms and caught the faintest hint of a rainbow.  It faded VERY quickly, so it's not easy to spot in the photo above, but it's there none the less.

It's been a busy, busy day and I'm hoping to get to bed at a decent hour tonight.  Wish me luck!