Rejoicing!

We just got back from the dentist!! Each boy only had one cavity!!!

I know. Great news.
(You can refer to here, to see why.)

The dentist was surprised that I was so relieved. She's new.

My only concern, though, is how do I get the kids to floss on a regular basis...

We're lucky if we get all of the kids teeth brushed twice a day.

And sticking my hands in their germy mouths to help them get those molars (the culprits), blah...I know I'll end up with the swine flu for sure.

Suggestions? (I'm not against bribery.)

All the crafty ladies (all the crafty ladies)...

I interrupt this blog to bring you some very important information...


WooHoo! Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but I do find it reason to celebrate and celebrate BIG!!! If you're new to digital or hybrid scrapbooking, this is the perfect time to jump in!!!


ALSO, Denise Beatty (aka The Queen of Scrap) is ready to be dethroned!!!! Any takers for knocking her off?


This bright, fun and cheery kit is one of the prizes for participating...
Here's my page I did using Natural Wonders...

Out of the mouth of babes...

I guess he's really not a baby anymore...

My newly four year old, Evan, just kills me sometimes. He definitely doesn't have a lack of words! His words may not be understood most of the time, but believe me...he talks!

Yesterday, I took him to get his haircut. While we were waiting, I was distracted with Anna and Evan exclaims, "Wooo, Mom! That man is really fat!" I looked over at Evan and he was pointing to a man who was paying for his finished haircut.

I'm sure my face turned bright red. But no one would have known because I chose to be a mature adult and ignore my son and lower my head in embarrassment.

Eventually, I pulled Evan aside and whispered firmly in his ear that we are not supposed to say things like that. They hurt people's feelings, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah...

But really, I just wanted to know why of all times did he decide to talk perfectly clearly?

Kids...

Uh. Oh.

Tell me to get these awful thoughts out of my head.

Tell me to stop looking into those BIG, BLUE, BEAUTIFUL eyes.

I'm turning to puddy.

Hurry. Run away. And don't look back.










No, Evan. You cannot have a puppy.
(sniff, gulp, choke, gasp for air, sigh...that wasn't too bad)

Seriously. Now.

What little girl wouldn't want to play in this room?

Notice the new Eiffel Tower vinyl. Thanks, Delilas. We LOVE it!

Anna is really enjoying having Becky around. Geeeesshhh...makes me almost wonder if Anna needs a sister...





This is a joke.

Photos Galore

It is too hard to capture every moment and every memory in just a few photos. The run down on Florida is that we had a blast. A BLAST. From Sea World to the beach and Kennedy Space Center to the water park--it was all a good time. We really enjoyed spending time with the Beatty family and would definitely vacation with them again (unless we scared them from ever wanting to vacation with us)!!!

So, here are a few (or 180) pics to show you how much fun we did have!!!

Leo

Did you know that my husband has a secret talent?

He is The Master at the Wiggle Wire.

The "what?" you ask...

The very tricky carnival game that is supposedly extremely difficult to win...which is why the prizes are always the biggest AND the best.And which is why we now own a HUGE stuffed turtle...
Which of course was immediately named Leonardo...

Which of course was promptly dressed the part once we returned home...
Welcome home, Leo!

New necklaces.

Nothing made me more excited then watching my nieces LOVE their new necklaces. I'm bummed I didn't get a picture of Kira's necklace or a picture of Taylor and Kira wearing them together!
Oh well.

Dear Leah and Laura,

Why was I such a whimp about the toilet bowl ride?

Loved it! Went on it twice with my kids!

Andrea

Sweet.

**Pre-posting**

Evan was so excited to celebrate his birthday at school!!! He decided he wanted rainbow sprinkled cupcakes and that he HAD to have a blue one.We are in Florida today for Evan's actual birthday. He will be having breakfast with Elmo and friends and his "best girlfriend" at Sea World. I'm sure it will be a fun and special day for him!!

We are so proud of our Evan and how much he has "grown" over the past year! He is so loving, so moody, so sweet and so kind. Happy Birthday, Ev!

K

I thought craft Saturday was a success, but now I'm left with 3 unfinished projects!!! I did, however, just finish my "trash to treasure" project. Thanks, Melanie for pulling this one together. I love my "K" and all of it's meaningful junk!

(Eiffel tower, charm from Grams Chiapelli given at our wedding, a trumpet, guitar, house key, keyboard key, triskel, hair bow, hidden mickey, a teardrop,...all significant things to our family.)

Next up is my ottoman...I can't wait to finish that one!

TOOT! TOOT!

Eeeeeeekkkkkkk....In the world of digital scrapbooking there are only a few things that could make me squeal. One is being recognized on the blog Gallery Standouts...

Check out my cheesy, lovey-dovey layout here. And you can buy this fabulous-o kit made by the even more fabulous-oo Erica Zane here.

Pssssttt...Pass it on...WAAD

This is in honor of our friend Grant. Coming from the field of Early Intervention, I know that early detection can make a difference. Please make yourself aware.



Watch for the Red Flags of Autism

(The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for atypical development, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.)

In clinical terms, there are a few “absolute indicators,” often referred to as “red flags,” that indicate that a child should be evaluated. For a parent, these are the “red flags” that your child should be screened to ensure that he/she is on the right developmental path. If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter

• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter

• No babbling by 12 months

• No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months

• No words by 16 months

• No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months

• Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age

*This information has been provided by First Signs, Inc. ©2001-2005. Reprinted with permission. For more information about recognizing the early signs of developmental and behavioral disorders, please visit http://www.firstsigns.org or the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/actearly.

I don't know...

...but maybe toilet water does something special for your hair?

(my charming daughter, washing her hair)

On the Road again

Have I ever mentioned that I do NOT love road trips? I used to love them...when I didn't have kids. Now the thought of riding in a car for 13 + hours with four kids, whining, movies, etc...brings on a migraine.

I'm sure it won't be as bad as I envision and that I'll be happy once I'm in sunny Florida, but in the meantime, I'm going to grump and complain my little heart out.

Pray that I survive and that my family survives me!!