Seriously?

Has This ever happened to you?

You're going through all your digital pictures... You finally find a picture that you think you look pretty decent in and what do you know?

Some idiot is making a face behind you?

And it a COMPLETE STRANGER!!!!

Paper Beads

Kaylee and I made these really cute paper beads and bracelet. I tore the idea out of a Family Fun magazine but we are just now getting around to trying it out.

1. Cut out a long triangular template. Then cut several triangles from Brightly colored magazine pages.

2. Roll each triangle around a wooden skewer and secure with a small drop of glue. Let 'em dry.

3. Gently slide each bead off

4. Use elastic beading string to weave in and out of the beads and wear your new "Earth friendly-Green" Bracelet.

The Thinker...

Black Friday Fun

Well today I was a poor excuse for a Black Friday Bargain Hunter. David and I tried to go last night to a few sales but ended up gawking at the line and then walking over to price-match two things at WalMart. This morning I didn't leave the house until 9:30. I knew I wouldn't find much but hoped that maybe a few things would be getting re-stocked. I was pleasantly surprised and it was just fun being in some of the hustle and bustle with no time limit.

So after a few hours and a trip to Casa Manana I went home with a few nice sized bags. The contents seem like a good start on Christmas shopping. Emphasis on "start."

After dinner I settled into the recliner and worked on this:

All in all...It seems to have been a very good Black Friday!

Ty's thanksgiving

Ty's Pre-K class had a little program and Thanksgiving feast for the parents.

On the table the kids had made a few little crafts for decorations. This one gets me a little tickled everytime I look at it. It's definitely a keeper and I'll get it out every year.

Ty and I had a very indepth conversation about Pilgrims. It went something like this:
Ty: Mom, the Pilgrims came to America on the Mayflower
Me: What is the Mayflower?
Ty: It was a big boat
Me: That's right
Ty: Did I come to America on the Mayflower?
Me: No, you came on an Airplane
Ty: Yeah, I guess that would be easier

Work Stuff....

David has to exhibit at tradeshows and conferences. So, he's been working very hard getting his booth ready for the large CAST (Coallition for the Advancement of Science Teaching) conference here in Houston. It was a very large conference that brought in over 7,000 people.


Part of the new booth visuals are these large stands. Of course we like using real life models....

Here's the booth all set up and ready for action! I got to go downtown and meet David for a few hours on Friday, it was neat to "work" again. The kids saw me dressed and ready in the morning and were like "Mom, where are you going?" Why are you all dressed up? It was funny. I guess they're not use to seeing me in anything other than shorts and a T-shirt in the morning. I told them you know I use to get up every day and do this.
After my few hours though it made me grateful that I get to be a stay-at-home mom!

Crazy Hair Night

Crazy Hair night at Awana is one of the kids favorite nights. It's always fun to see what everyone comes up with.

You know I love Free Stuff

Ni Hao Ya'll is having a fun Chrismtas Giveaway. You can enter yourself at www.nihaoyall.com
Good luck

Trip to the Capital

Back in August we went to Austin to visit the Capital. It was a nice evening while we were waiting for the bats to come out from under the Congress St. Bridge. However, we were disappointed in the slow trickle of bats we witnessed. We see that many at night swooping above the swimming pool.

I love this picture...They've always seem to have a special bond. and Isn't the grass green...

Ole'

All the 4th graders preformed dance skits during a recent PTA meeting. Kaylee's class danced to a Spanish song. She was right up front and did a great job

Last year of middle school

It's so hard to belive that this is Zane's last year of middle school. Seems like I was just worried about him going to Middle school. He's had a great two years and is really enjoying being the top dog this year.

Majhong

Mom & Mrs. Eva came over for the weekend. Saturday afternoon not much was going on so we broke in the Mahjong set. I was so eager to use it and Zane really wanted to learn how to play as well. So while David yelled at the TV, I attempted to teach everyone to play.
Everyone did very well, but I was concentrating so much on helping everyone else I could never remember my hand. Stacy ended up coming over and so I was able to sit and play with Zane more. However, I think he did better without me.

Here's Mom's hand when she Mahjong(ed)!

First Payin Gig

The girls were invited to Avery's birthday party. The night before the party Avery's mom asked if Kaylee wanted to do some balloon animals for the girls. Kaylee was beside her self with excitement.

We had to make a party city run and get her supplies. Then Kaylee practiced a little bit and made a sign for the girls to choose from. She limited the choices to: Ladybug bracelet, Kitten, giraffe, Monkey in a tree, or dog on a leash.

She was so cute and so confident. I love that about her!

Busy doesn't even begin to describe what it's been like around here. A better word might be exhausted. But it's been a lot of fun things! I got to go on my weekend scrapbook retreat, last weekend we went to Baton Rouge to the LSU game and our church voted in a pastor after 2.5 yrs.
We have national Orphan Sunday coming up, which we are helping to lead this year, and adoption seminar in November, plus all the usual amounts of homework, laundry and meetings. (Halloween costumes...can't forget those)

I always forget how busy October is. It comes in a close second behind May.But I'm not complaining....Just more things to scrapbook....eventually. But if I keep going on this digital kick I've been playing with, I might be able to go to my next girls getaway all caught up. That would be OK too. It would just mean more time to play Mahjong and talk.

Photoshop Friday

Over at Jessicasprague.com they have something called Photoshop Phriday......For $1 you can download a mini-kit and see a tutorial for photoshop. As long as you pay for it on Friday you can use it whenever you please. Just so happened that I had a lot of Free time this Saturday morning. David was working, Zane was out helping another scout on his Eagle project and the other kids were enjoying the weather by riding their bikes up and down the driveway.

So, I played around a little while with the lesson I learned. Now the lesson, took all of about 3 minutes to view. It said I should be able to complete the layout in 30minutes but let's just say my 30min was times about 3. The lesson was on how to do the semi-transparent photo in the bottom right corner. I succeeded and love the way the page turned out.

A funny thing happend when Mia peeked over the side of the chair. She always lights up when she sees I'm working on pictures of her. So after some initial delight she got a really sad look on her face. Then she said, "Why are you writing in cursive in my book? I won't even be able to read my OWN book." I hadn't even ever thought of that!!!

I assured her that after 3rd grade she would be able to read the book just fine.