2012 Gift Exchange

Craftaholics Anonymous 2012 Winter Gift Exhange

Don't you just love it when you find a blog that is so chock full of great stuff you get excited seeing the updates in your inbox. I can't be the only dork who gets a little excited when they see a "Silhouette giveaway" or some awesome DIY that is not only Eye candy but you can't wait to give it a try or post on Pinterest.
I LOVE Linda from CRAFTAHOLICS ANONYMOUS.
Her blog is just that happy place for me! I finally jumped in and joined the Handmade gift exchange that she hosts twice a year. I knew I'd be super busy with ETSY but I had time so I jumped in.
I couldn't decide what to make so I made my partner in the exchange 2 gifts. I just couldn't help myself!!! I loved to read and discover everything I could about my partner so I collected key words from her blog and some of her favorite sayings from Pinterest and made her spiral word art, printed it on fabric paper and ironed and sewed it onto a pillow! Then I made her the initial of her first name in rope and handmade flowers.

 

Just won a Pile O' Fun!

I just won a Pile O' Fun from Rhonda's Design Studio!! Whooo! Maybe after the kids go back to school I will be able to get back to what I love the most. Pictures of my kids as they grow! I realized the other day when I happened upon a photo of my kids when they were little (they are now 14, 11, & 9) that after we moved from FL to MA I still don't have pictures up on my walls. That was in '07! I need to get back to what I love. I've turned my craft into a business and unfortunatly I've lost "that lovin' feeling" but I really need to get it back. It's my therapy. Well the universe must be telling me something because I entered a contest to win a stash of scrap goodies and I found out today that I won! I'll take that as a sign. How about you? Have you lost that scrap edge? Are you printing your pictures? If not, how about you join me in getting back to what you love.
Check out
http://www.rhodadesignstudio.blogspot.com/

McK and VictoriaKids in Nana and Pop Pop's poolPrestiaville!

It's been over a year since my last post. I am ashamed to say I am still not scrapping. I am busy doing tons of letters and cool stuff for Alice's Attic but as far as getting those photos on paper, not so much. Digital camera's definatley make it easier to forget to scrap. I think to myself, I can print pics whenever I'm ready. With rolls of film you get them developed and there they sit ready to be made into beautiful pages. I keep deciding I may as well digital scrap at least my pics would get utilized. It would be so much easier and so much less mess! Ah, who am I kidding? Nothing could truly compare to the real thing. There is no comparison to blinged up pages filled with texture and ribbon. I know they will be a prize to behold to my children when they grow older and a gift to them when I am no longer here. So for now, the pictures wait in the Queue for someone to rescue them from digital land and make them a tangible object. But for now, visit me at the Attic and see what I've been up to.

April Showers . . .

The Girl Scouts helped clean the Carousel

It's only April 3rd and I think it has rained every day so far. There are still no signs of Spring. Just a little while longer, we all hope.

"Hey, look what I can do!"

April happenings. Jillian and McKel have been going through classes at church. There will be a ceremony at the Easter vigil and McKel will make her first communion, while Jillian will basically be baptised, make her communion and be confirmed all in one. She was never baptised so it is as if she is a convert. While McKel has already been baptised so she will make her first communion. Easter is the next day and we will be doing our annual egg hunt at the park the Bossey, Johnson, Whelan crew. We've been shopping for dresses to attend all the soup suppers, scrutinies, etc. at the church. Also in April is vacation. We will be saving our fun for May though because Dubba-D is taking us on a cruise to Bermuda!!!! She has been shopping up a storm with all kinds of new clothes and dresses for the girls.

As for scrapbooking, I am still not partaking. I never, ever, thought this would happen to me. There is just not enough time in the day or energy left in me after working at the school and dealing with the kids. We still have boxes in the basement and we've been living here now for 6 months. Shame on me. Basketball has finally ended, our team finished in 4th place and soccer is now underway. McKel is playing both travel and intown so that means soccer on Sat and Sunday every weekend. I took a job helping a realtor with her open houses. I start this Sunday. See, I told you theres no time!!!! Haaaaa. Happy Spring

Let it snow, let it snow, snow, snow, snow!!!

I Believe I can Fly
What a winter so far! It's March and the snow keeps coming. The kids are having fun, but it is teeth chattering cold out there. Today it is 16 degree's. We will appreciate the warm weather just that much more when it gets here. So far this year is going great. The kids are doing good in school. We are past the year milestone since daddy got sick, we are almost done with winter and we are looking forward to Bonnie coming to visit for a couple of weeks! I am still not back into the scrap mode which is truly frightening becasue I didn't think it could ever happen but it has happened. Someday I'll get back to my hobby.

Jillian thinking, "I can fly" as she sleds down a thick sheet of ice behind our house. All this ice finally did melt. It took a long time because of the cold weather but most of it melted. There are still large piles of snow around town that will take a long time to finally melt. Maybe by April!

McKel gives it a whirl with a good push from daddy of course.

I've stopped, what's up with that?

Did someone say cheese?

Sledding up at the Village church. Now that is a hill to fear!!!!!

Here I come move out of the way!!!!

Walking back up the hill is half the battle

Bottom of the Hill and so much fun.

It's 2009

Angels Jillian and Emma at the Christmas Pageant
DubbaD and Jal at Jacobs

Ok, so I'm a little late but "better late than. . . you know the rest. So far we've had some heavy snow and coooollllldddddd! Like 9 degree's cold. Snow has been on the ground since the first snow storm. Layers upon layers.
Kids playing in a huge snow bank after a storm




We are finally starting to settle into our new home. We have a lot of work to do yet but it's starting to feel like an old shoe. I can't wait until the summer when I can sit on the porch and watch all the goings on while enjoying some nice weather.

Ler at work

The kids are doing good in school. We have past the one year anniversary of Billy's unpleasant hospital stay. We are so grateful. Basketball is well underway. McKel has really stepped up her game this year. She is one of the consistant high scorers on the team, go Kel!

Ler in her car being goofy

We are now at Feb. vacation. We aren't going anywhere but are looking forward to a break from school. Nothing too exciting just enjoying everyday life. Valentine's parties, sports, friends, school, etc.

Sledding in the Village

Holiday Season

Just seeing if your paying attention


Hello again. I was thinking how cool blogging can really be. Years from now my children can look back at this blog and get a snapshot of their life, as told in real time. Ok, so it's a very, very, small snapshot but how cool. It's kind of a diary of life.

So, not only are all my babes off to school they are all another year older. 11, 8, and 6. Billy is doing great in Kindergarten and mama couldn't let him go so I got a job working at the school. I get to see all three of my kiddo's every day. It is a huge eyeopener and a blessing to see them in their environment at school. There are also a few other kids that shall remain nameless that make my life difficult at school but kids will be kids. I am working as the lunch/recess monitor. So much for my degree, lol. McKel had a fun bday. Her friends came over for a scrapbook get together. Billy's bday was a family party and my precious Jillian chose to have a date with me instead of having a party. That is true love. The love I get from Jillian. Most people don't understand how passionate she is. We had so much fun. A table full of gifts awaited her when she woke up. She got to open a few before school. She had a cupcake party in her class. Then when she got home I took her to dinner at Margarita's. They gave her a sombrero. We ate and then they sang to her and gave her fried ice cream. She had a huge smile on her face and we both enjoyed so much being able to spend quality time together. After dinner, we went to the movies to see HSM3. I got her a kid pack. It didn't come with a slush but I bought her one seperate and she was sooooooooooo excited. She was queen for a day. When we got home everyone yelled surprise and she got to open the rest of her gifts. I Have the funniest picture of her passed out in the car. She was exhausted.

A couple of days later was Thanksgiving and we had a family party for her. Dubba D gave her a beautiful lamp for her room. Cindy as always gave her really cool stuff.

The kids had a little Thanksgiving program at school. Billy's was in Mrs. DeiCicci's and Jillians was in the cafetorium. McKel had a feast with the fifth grade team that I missed because it was at the same time as Billy's.

Thanksgiving was a blast! Mr and Mrs. T came with Michelle, Steve, Ber, JA and all the kids. Cindy, Jeannie, DubbaD, Lisa, Mark, Theresa, Chris, Alyssa, etc. all came. We skipped the town bonfire though so we could hang out and visit.

Bye, bye, baby

First Day of School 2005
Goofy Goobers 2007
Goofy Goobers continued

McKel and Jillian first day 05

Billy in 2005

My heart is wrenched. Tomorrow is the day. Well, sort of. Tomorrow is the first day of school. It's McKel and Jillians official first day of the first day of school. We came last year in October so the girls just slid into their classrooms and daily routines as the newcomers. McKel had to be the last kid on the roster the whole year, despite the alphebetical order. Now they get to start anew just like everyone else in the Brand new school!

We took a tour last week and it is incredible! The place is huge. The views are to die for overlooking Boston Harbor. It's the same school I once went to but it has been renovated. The kids are very excited about it. Jillian is in the new wing.

Billy has a meet and greet tomorrow at 11:00. We go in and see his classroom, meet his teacher and new friends. Thursday he has a half day and then Fri. is his first full day. I think they're doing a great job breaking in the parents, uhhhhmmm, I mean kindergarteners. When we left FL in October I was still rocking him at night and reading him stories before bed. He was still in his crib as a toddler bed. Now he's off to kindergarten. Geez, don't blink too long. He'll be in college before I can say, "look both ways before crossing the street". I tried to savor every moment. I got one more year than most. I guess its time to close this chapter of our family book. "The pre-school years". I've dreaded it for a while and now it's time. I am so happy for you Billy. I hope you love school and meet wonderful friends that you will keep for a lifetime. Hello Big yellow bus. By, bye, my Baby.

She actually smiled!!!!!!!!!!!

and I've got proof! I just wanted to pop in and share some photo's from last weekend. McKel actually smiled for the camera. I got some decent photos of her. Can you even imagine?



We went to Dr. Micheli's party. It was great to bring the kids. No sitter required. and we didn't have to drive far. We went down to the beach and I got tons of pics of the kids playing and skimming rocks. We enjoyed hanging out at his "beach house" and getting to know everyone better. I especially liked the part about Doc being a former Rugby player for 25 years and about his daughter playing on the U.S. Team at the Olympics!!!!! Doesn't get much better than that. He had an olympic gold medal encased on the wall but I think that was from being on the committee.

Hope you have a great summer. Only 2 weeks left.