Well, I can't call it a wrap-up, cause all the gifts are unwrapped and played with!
As predicted, the kids made out like bandits......as they should! Mom and Dad didn't do too badly for ourselves, either. Thankfully, Richard ordered his gifts, so he'd get just what he needed/wanted for his workshop. He did shop for me and got me all kinds of goodies to go with my Cricut! Loving that!!
Here are some pictures of the kids on Christmas and also our traditional Christmas cake. We had a little mishap with the cake shortly afterwards....we put it in the oven to store it. Not such a good idea, cause we forgot it was there when we preheated the oven for lunch the next day. Oh well, the frosting just melted a bit. The cake still tasted great!
I don't know about the rest of you, but Abigail is starting to have withdrawals with the Webkinz website being down. You may not have heard of this new fad going around, but pets are sold (similar to the beanie baby craze of a few years ago). But they are larger, more life-like and come with a code to a whole new world on the web. The kids can play games, feed and care for their pets, buy furniture, build houses, what-have you. The craze is sweeping the nation. If the site being down since Christmas Eve is any indication, they can't keep up with the demand on their servers.
I did promise pictures, didn't I? Well, here they are!!
Pablo
&
Skittles
We are pleased to introduce the two newest members of our family. We adopted them today....they are early Christmas presents for the kids (and us) since that was what both the kids had asked for for Christmas. We went with the intention of only getting one. Well, you can see how well that worked out. These pictures are from the shelter site, so they're not the best, and don't capture their personality. Skittles is about 8 months old and was found as a stray. She is very playful and skittish.....loves to play. Pablo is about a year old. He won us over when he came running up to Rich and wouldn't leave him alone. He tolerated Rich being not as gentle as he should have without disruption, so we knew we had to have him. Skittles was apparently rather close to the end of the line if we didn't adopt her.
So you're thinking...."how are they getting along with the dogs?" Well, so far, the dogs are in their crate and the cats are loose......Pablo has decided that a chair right outside the crate where he can tease them is a good place to rest. Skittles is just everywhere....she's a rather hyper kitty. She follows people around.......and right now, she's chosen Richard, so she's in the basement somewhere. I figure they'll all settle down once they all realize they're here to stay.
It's been a long day, so I'll close for now.
I can't believe that Christmas is SO close! Richard and I are putting the finishing touches on the shopping for the kids. I took care of a lot on Tuesday and he did a lot yesterday and today. Now, we're taking stock of what we have and seeing if there are gaps to be filled. Yeah, these kids don't want for much.
What they are wanting, both of them, is a new kitty. We're not sure where that's going to go just yet....we may just have to see what Santa decides.
In the meantime, I've also been busy making cards for Abigail's classmates and teacher. I got an early Christmas present of a software tool to go with my Cricut that just flung open the door to possibilities. You can layout all your designs on your computer screen before you cut. And you can cut with much more size flexibility with this new software. Anyway, *of course* I had to try it out, and these cards were just the thing.
The top photo is the completed project. 20 3x3 cards and one 6x6 card (for the teacher). The middle photo is an upclose of the teacher's card and the lowest is an upclose of the smaller size.
I used real red as the card base. I cut out the snow globe base from chocolate chip paper, then was able to cut out just the globe part from white cardstock. The trees are cut from green. It doesn't show well in these pictures, but there is also a layer of transparency sheet over the globe part of the card. The other part that doesn't show very well in these pictures is that I adhered the trees to the white, then ran it face down through the Xyron to make it sticky, then added glitter, like would be on the inside of a real snowglobe. Then, I adhered the brown layer to the card, the white layer to the brown, layered over the transparency and sealed it down with a product called Stickles. So, the cards are VERY glittery!
Abigail gave the large one to her teacher today and told me that she was very impressed. And the best part was that I was able to tell the cricut where and how much to cut so that I had very little waste paper to throw away.
Well, that's about all for now.....just wanted to show off my latest project and say hi to y'all! Hope y'all are having a great day!! And especially during this crazy, hectic, stressed-out time, just remember to BREATHE!!
I can't believe it'sbeen nearly two weeks since I last posted. A LOT has been going on! Richard left for work one Saturday morning, only to be back home about 1/2 hour later....he had spun out in his truck on ice.....he's fine...the truck not so much, but we're going to get it to the body shop today so they can start working on it.
We did get our tree up. Actually, Abigail did about 99% of the work. Richard brought up boxes of ornaments from the basement and she decorated the tree. She did a great job. She was very worried about balance and making sure the ornaments were evenly spread out. Too funny!
Rich was sick last week. Missed a whole week of school! And I was home with him the whole time. Abigail missed Tuesday, also, as we thought the weather was going to turn nasty. It didn't happen, but we kept her home to be safe anyway. Both kids are back to school this week and I think Rich is secretly happy to be back to a more normal routine.
I've been busy working on Christmas presents and cards. I'll have pictures to share of the cards I'm doing for Abigail's class. They're turning out super cute! Snowglobes--one of my favorites! I haven't done any scrapbooking since before Thanksgiving. Once the holidays are over, I'll get back to it. My goal was to get 75 12x12 pages done this years....so far, I have 67 completed. Not too bad, for just starting scrapping this year.
This week is Christmas parties at school and wraping up before the holidays. Abigail doesn't even have homework this week....no spelling words or math sheets. What kind of school does she go to, anyway? LOL! I'm also back at work, which is nice to be in that routine again. And getting the paycheck again will be nice, too :)
Well, I think that's about it. Christmas is right around the corner, so I'm sure I'll have lots more to post (and more time) once the holiday is over! Peace and good wishes until we visit again!
Boy, it's been a while since I stopped in to chat. I took the kids and met Richard at his office on Saturday for their big Toys for Tots carnival. The kids had a blast. They got pictures with Santa that turned out, in a word, AWESOME! But, y'all don't get to see them yet...they're going in the cards.
Instead, y'all get to see what I was *going* to use for the cards this year. A picture of Abigail and Rich in front of our new Christmas tree. It's a pre-lit tree, so that's fun. Still no decorations on it, but hopefully this weekend!
The kids are getting very excited about Christmas. When we went to see Santa, Rich wanted to know when he was going to get a gift from him. Abigail just asked for an I-pod. We told them both that Santa reviews wishlists with parents to make sure the kids get *exactly* what they want. Oh, and he also asks before bringing live pets. Both kids have been asking for a new kitten. We'll see what happens with that. I'm not sure Rich really understands that Smithers is gone, because he keeps asking to go to the vet's office to visit her.
I've not been doing much stamping or scrapping lately. I've been trying my hand at quilting. When I have a finished project, I promise to share it with y'all.
It's getting cold here....we woke up to frozen rain peppering our windows this morning. Made for a slow drive to work/school because the roads were so slick. Many, many accidents. We were very careful to avoid one, so for that I'm very thankful! It's dry now, but it's C-O-L-D! Haven't checked the weather yet for tomorrow...will have to do that before bed.
Hope all of you are enjoying these posts and glimpses of our lives!
Weloday, the pediatician's office called to let me know that the varicella vaccine that we've been waiting 3 weeks for was *finally* in, so I made plans to get Rich in so he'd be all caught up. Turns out Abigail needed one too. She was right on the cusp of when the doctors were trying to decide if a booster would be needed or not. She fell in the didn't get one category, so I once again rearranged the schedule so I could take them at the same time. And heck, if they're already crying, why not give them flu shots, too? So, all three of us got one of those today. Funny how the kids get a pass for a meal at Applebee's and the parents get the middle of a donut! LOL!
Last night, Richard surprised us all by setting up a pre-lit Christmas tree while the kids and I were at swim lessons. It's so pretty!! And, tonight the kids cooperated enough for me to take a picture by the tree.....for the cards....so, once my cards are sent and people start receiving them, I'll post the pic here, too! LOL!
Tomorrow Richard's office is sponsoring some sort of party to encourage donations to Toys for Tots. I've heard rumors that Santa will be there. Rich is expecting there to be a present for him. We're working on explaining to him that this time, the presents are for the kids whose parents can't afford presents. But, he's going through a stage where it's "all about him"...we are all hoping he outgrows it soon!!!
Other than that, not much going on here today. It's fiercly windy and cold out, so the kids are bundled up in their winter coats anytime they head outside. The dogs take care of their business quickly so they can get back inside. So, I think I'll sign off for now, but wanted to post something to get myself back into the habit of posting more frequently.
Oh, and to those that are awaiting Father/Daughter dance pictures, they have finally been ordered. My guess is that they'll be ready for pick up next week, so they will be delivered soon!
I know it's late, but I hope you have a good night and sleep well!
Just a quick shout out to our daughter Abigail who is EIGHT (8) today!!! I can't hardly believe it!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABIGAIL!!!!
Here is what I came up with last night. I'm actually pretty happy with it. It's the first time I've really gotten to play with this set. I traded away a business set I won't use anymore to get a really cute set called "Very Punny". This image has words under it, but I just wanted the ladybug, so I only inked up that part. And I had a very specific color theme going, too :)
I really need to get on here and do a more formal update, but tonight isn't going to be the night. I haven't forgotten about this place, just haven't had time to sit and figure out what I want to say <wink>
Kids are in bed, I think Richard is either in bed or close to it, and I'm heading that way myself.
I did get a chance to stamp one card tonight. I think it turned out really cute. I'll have to post it tomorrow so y'all can see for yourselves.
Today, I also went shopping and picked out some gifts for a special girl who's having a birthday on Thursday. We are trying not to go overboard since Christmas is right around the corner. I'll share what she's getting *after* her birthday, just in case she takes a peek here. She's going to love it though, and it was all Richard's idea. I just need to find one last piece of it, and it will be *perfect*!!
Until later......Jen
Just wanted to take a moment to pause and say goodbye to Smithers. Her kidneys failed her and it was time to let her go and live without pain. We hope that she is able to find our pets that have gone before her to be comforted during this time. She went peacefully in the arms of the little girl who fought so hard to let her have a home with us.
I had forgotten until today, but she was a an absolute granting of a wish. I remember it was abuot this time of year in 2003, when we still lived in IL. Abigail was set on getting a cat. She wanted one so badly that a couple of days earlier, she'd even wished on a star to get a cat. And one day when we came home, there was Smithers, sitting on our front porch, looking in. Baxter was looking out and not barking at her. That in itself was surprising. Abigail convinced us that we needed to take her in and take care of her. I don't know now if she even remembers making that wish on a star and having it come true, but it proves to me that there is still magic in wishes made by little girls.
Smithers, you will always be remembered and have a very special place in our hearts.
