September Acres

I was looking at Kmart today for a new coloring book for daughter for our trip next week (not that she really NEEDS one) and I wonder when they stopped selling just 'regular' coloring books? Not books with 600 stickers that cost TWELVE DOLLARS! Something slim that will just slide in the backpack; nothing that will require a visit to the chiropractor when we get home. I didn't go anywhere else to look. I figured it was God's way of telling me we didn't need one. I will go through what we have here and should be able to find a couple that will work just perfectly. $12 saved! Speaking of my trip to Kmart, I was a little embarrassed returning my $2 box of foldover lunch bags. I had to return something else a little bigger (but not much) so I figured I would take those also because I don't need them. I bought them when I thought I was making cookies for my daughter's last day of school party and I was going to individually bag them with hopes that the kids would

Be sure your children understand that "No" is a complete sentence. Isn't that great? I think it should go beyond your children; everyone should know that. That was the quote on my calendar today. "Life's Little Instruction Calendar", by H. Jackson Brown. I have been getting that calendar for years-love it. I had to remember this today when a friend asked if my daughter and I were going to watch the hockey game (we had talked about it). I said 'no'. I know she was waiting for more & I was ready to ramble on like usual. But I kept it short. I felt bad (of course). I have such a hard time saying no as I am sure other people do. And I always feel like I have to explain myself as if anyone really cares. We have had a good beginning of the summer vacation. My daughter is doing well, having fun and behaving. Most of the sassy behavior from school is fading - that didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Today we went to the

Sort of. We are back from a long weekend. It was alot of fun but always good to be home. My daughter is not feeling well (the result of too much junk food, I think.) I have lots of laundry to do plus I am still cleaning up from the cabinet painting project. I hate to leave town when the house is a mess - I cleaned up what I could before we left but there's still stuff to put away, etc. Once I clean up I will post a picture of the new cabinets. We are still getting a new counter top and I am painting the kitchen walls so it is definitely a work in progress. But, I have to say, it already looks a hundred times better. I just got a call from a good friend who has moved back to town. They were gone for over 2 years & I really thought they would be gone forever. She is coming over this afternoon with her 2 boys so we can catch up. Her older son is just a few weeks older than my daughter and the younger one is 4. I know my daughter will be thrilled to have some company t

Oh yes, this looks like the life. But my summer will not include a trip to this lovely locale. Actually, we are headed to Northern California where we will be treated to some weather in the high 60's and a little rain. So I think my daughter's time in the pool will have to be replaced with an indoor activity or two. Today was the last day of school. Hallelujah! It was sad to say good bye to friends and her wonderful teacher but I have been looking forward to this day for a while. Not as much rushing around (I hope) and when we get home from our trip you will find us in the pool everyday. I am concerned about my daughter not having anyone to play with but we will do some playdates each week so she will have company other than mine. Today was a fun day of games, food and movies. I was in class the whole day helping the teacher and playing with the kids. One of the little girls in the class said 'jiggle, jiggle, jiggle" when I put my arm up to show her something

Since Thursday at our house this is what has happened: My daughter had a dentist appointment and has her first cavity. I feel so bad. But we will get through it of course. We painted our kitchen cabinets. My husband who 'doesn't paint' really pitched in, otherwise I would still be at it. I have about 5 drawers left to finish and that will happen today. I will post photos once the drawers are done and everything is back in place. My husband and I went to see a local production of "Grease". It is always a fun show. I am amazed at how talented people are. My daughter's school had their last family picnic on Monday and the annual Kindergarten water day. It was fun but very hot (115) so we had the picnic inside. Monday afternoon my daughter and I had eye doctor appointments. All is well. My daughter's school had their Field Day on Tuesday. Another fun time but hot (108). I could do a whole post on why kindergarteners should not have to long ( a few

Laurie posted pics of her fridge the other day and I thought I would join her. Here's the front. I resisted the urge to clean it off. If am not a fan of alot of things on the fridge but with a child now I can live with it. The day will come when she won't want to put as much on there. Plus that top right hand corner is where I keep all my pertinant school info; upcoming events, newsletter, etc. Now for the inside which I just cleaned out a few days ago so it shouldn't be too horrible. I try to keep it cleaned out but every now and then I will find some yucky sour cream or mushy tomato. Yuk. So, there it is. All our secrets exposed. haha We are FINALLY painting our kitchen cabinets. I have been talking about it for years but I have the paint now and the doors are coming down. My husband's friend is changing out the hinges for us for - get this- a 30 pack of beer. What a deal that is. He has a cabinet shop so he does it everyday so it's not as daunting for him.

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day. Mine was nice and relaxing. This transaction took place over the weekend: Daughter: I have four babies. Me: Really, what are their names? Daughter: Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Alice and Melissa Me: Oh, but that's really five babies. Daughter: Oh,yeah. Those are all her baby dolls. When she got her first doll she named it Matthew, even though it was a girl. And so it went with the next two. This past Christmas came the Bitty Twins and I thought we would have two more Matthews but she chose the names Alice and Melissa - whew! This is the first Matthew. She is wearing one of the Bitty Baby Matthew's outfits. She has been dragged literally all over the world. She still seems to be the 'go to' baby when one is needed. She has started asking for the bigger American Girl Dolls but I noticed that the suggested age for them is 8+ so maybe I can wait a couple of years so she can enjoy the Matthews and twins for a while longer. Yesterday

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!! I am off to put this pretty girl to bed. Have a great weekend.

Okay, I am boycotting American Idol but I did watch it last night with my husband (that's an hour of my life I won't get back). But I tell him that I am not 'invested' anymore. Just don't care who wins. I honestly think that America should not be able to vote. It isn't a talent contest when they do. Case in point: Chris Daughtry. I should let this go - I am sure he has. :) Case in point #2: Jason Castro is still on there. What a train wreck that was last night. He is becoming a joke in our house (can you say Sanjaya?). And he always says "I don't know many of _______'s songs" Tonight it was the whole bloomin' rock'n roll category. What, I ask, does he know?? I saw Carly clapping for him last night and I know she was thinking 'I should be up there instead of you buddy'. I know I was thinking that. I thought the others were pretty good last night. We had some kind of audio problem though - you really couldn't hear the music, j

This will likely be short as I have to pick up my daughter. But I thought a break was in order so here I am. Still tons to do today but it will be there tomorrow too, right? I had my stamp club today. We meet once a month and do scrapbook pages and then shop (Stampin' up). It has been fun - I can slowly add to my scrapbook needs and I have learned some fun techniques. This is the page we did today. I thought it was so cute. And I love the colors. The small saying says 'you make my life a beautiful thing' . The marble-y technique was done on cardstock using shaving cream and stamp pad re-fill ink. It turned out great and was fun. I thought it would be fun for kids to do with whipped cream and food coloring. Not for a scrapbook page but for a fun little craft project. If anything made it into their mouthes it would be okay. Speaking of fun craft projects, I am making a list of things to do this summer with my daughter while she is out of school. She is very social a