Now I get to do this...

Staying home as been wonderful!  It has been 9 months now.  I get to hang with my boys, do my chores on my own time, (i've never been one to do it "NOW"(although I expect my kids and hubby to, mental note: work on that)) spend more time with Rusty, stamp more, scrapbook more, just relax and drink more margaritas!  (that's why I am not getting any skinnier)

I wanted to share a few of my fun creative projects that I made recently:

Would you have guessed this is a Victoria's Secret Bag?    It was for our friends 1st birthday party, a Minnie Mouse theme.

A birthday card for a construction themed birthday party.

For my nephew that recently turned seven.  He's a farm boy.

For my cousin who is graduating this spring.

For a family friend who is graduating.

Both grad cards, I tried to follow or at least feature the school's colors.

The mother's day card my boys picked out for me from the several that I made.

A teacher gift that I made from scraps and a used Starbuck's frappuccino bottle.  The pencils are from Target's $1 bin.

I also bought an orchid for Callen's teacher to be the main gift.  The gift bag all finished with gifts inside you can see coordinates.  The button flower on the bag says "Thanks for helping Callen bloom."  You can personalize it.  Get your's  @ http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/05/04/last-minute-teacher-appreciation-gift/  it is free.  Again I am reusing for this item.  The bag is a gift bag from a local upscale salon.  I covered up their logo with the green scrap and punched out the flower and stuck it on.  I love how the flower peeks out of the bag and all the colors coordinate.  The only thing that doesn't  match is the color of the pot the flower is in.  But you can't see that.  

I am excited to be making these fun things.  I purchased a small die-cut machine last year and it really has allowed for more creativity.  I think I have also collected so many supplies that I am more liberal with my embellishments on cards and such.

Life is good!

My wonderful mother

I am so thankful for my mom.  She is caring, giving, loving, strong, fierce, protective, funny, beautiful, gracious, polite, soft, creative, hard working, supportive, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a totally classy lady.  I love her so much and treasure the moments I get to spend with her.  Without her I wouldn't be me.  She is one of my greatest friends.  Growing up I didn't realize that could or would happen.  I am so glad it did.  

I want to be like her.  

Happy Mother's Day a little late to all moms out there.  

Hug your mom, hug your kids!  

What is blue and green all over?

Callen and Claysen!

That crazy Easter Bunny thought the Crayola washable colored bubbles would be a cool thing to leave the boys in their easter basket. 

Boy are they really colored!  Who would have thought.  But they do wash off.

We let the boys take a shower and play with the bubbles.  I should have taken more photos.  The blue and green was ALL over our tiny master bathroom.  On the ceiling, the toilet, rug, towels, walls, kids, floor, EVERYWHERE!

But they sure had fun!

Claysen the Conductor

Claysen has been attending a music class after preschool on Thursdays.  Last night was their "recital" or program.  He was excited about it all day and rather pissed that we didn't go immediately there after dropping Callen off at school.  (Funny because he usually does NOT want to go to school on his regular days).  Anyway, he got to be the conductor for one of the songs.  Ms. Jennie, the music teacher, just thinks it is the cutest thing.  I admit I think it is cute too.  He is a classic "youngest child", the entertainer!

Note: This is the first time I am attempting a video on this site since getting an iMac.  I hope it goes smoothly.  Also the first time I am really playing with my video camera and it's abilities on the iMac (PC was so frustrating!)

p.s. taking a long time to upload.  Maybe I am just impatient.  I miss the computer speed at work.  But I am too cheap to pay for the fast speed internet available to our area.

Callen is 6!!! OMG

I just can't believe it.  How is it that he six years old already?  I am proud of the boy he is becoming and scared of the things I am forgetting to teach him.  He is so loving and sweet.  I can always count on Callen for a hug and kiss.  He loves to cuddle and would still let me rock him like a baby if I didn't think he needed to learn to fall asleep alone.  He is extremely creative, assertive, strong willed and talkative.  I love him!

Callen saw the movie, "How to train your Dragon" last year for his birthday.  This year he wanted to have a "Toothless" cake.  Toothless is the main dragon character in the movie.  That is who is perched on top of the cake.  It is an action figure, I didn't feel confident enough in my cake decorating skills to master the detail he would have required.   Callen was please with the cake, that is all that matters anyway.  I tried to replicate a cliff in the ocean for the dragon to set on.  The cake was gluten free and very yummy!  

This was the first year we allowed Callen to invite school friends.  Two from his class came and two from previous classes/soccer teams.  Then we had the usual family and friends.  It was fun and relaxed.  I am glad Callen chose not to have a friend party and a family party.  It was better that way. 

We had a soccer game @ 10 am the morning of his birthday and then the party was as 1 pm.  Our families came to the game and then stayed to help get the party ready.  It was a blessing they were there to help.  Rusty was working and got home at 12:30.....whew!  It was great and I think all had fun.

Happy Birthday Callen!!!

Saying goodbye to winter

Today it was 73 degrees!!!!!  Rusty took the boys fishing and to look at some cattle.  I got to go grocery shopping ALONE! and have coffee with my dear friend.  What a way to spend spring break.  Plus tomorrow I am going skiing with my Mom, Callen has decided he is done for the season and is going to ship cattle with Rusty and Claysen is going to daycare so I can enjoy the grown up slopes!  So.... tomorrow I will enjoy one last look at winter and then officially say hello Spring and summer!    

These two puddle photos were taken a while back when it was dumping rain in the valley and snow in the mountains.  I am looking forward to enjoying that new snow tomorrow!!!!

Also I got to get away for a girls trip last weekend.  My friend Holly invited me to join her wonderful group of ladies to snow shoe in Sun Valley.  I have never been to Sun Valley or snow shoeing.  It was fun and nice to get away.  I am on the far left in this photo if you can't tell.  

Cha-Cha-Changes

So, I have been extremely frustrated with Callen lately.  He is ALWAYS arguing with me, very aggressive towards Claysen, quick to cry or throw a tantrum.  First I got some suggestions from a counselor that I trust.  Next we went to a Swedish Naturpath, on the recommendation of the counselor.  He suggested that we try a dairy and gluten free diet.  Ugh, was my first thought.  This isn't an easy fix.  But it is worth a try.  The first week I tackled the dairy free.  I saw physical results immediately.  Physical in the sense that the toilet was no longer clogging when Callen sat in there for a while.  Removing the gluten has been a little trickier.  Finding replacements for the things he loves like Oreos or making a sandwich or finding crackers that look the same as Club Crackers but are gluten free has been hard.  So much is made with wheat.  Even twizzlers have wheat.  It's the second ingredient!  But is has been 2 months now, removing the gluten has been gradual, but the difference in Callen is notable.  I feel like it is a relief, I can actually like my kid again.  So if you know of any good gluten free recipes that are kid friendly ( as in something a child wouldn't turn their nose up at) please send them my way.