Papermom

Made a fun paper video with animoto - just click below.

Papermom

Paper Crafting Fun

Wanted to share some photos of my paper crafting fun.

My sister in law affectionately calls these my zen paper balls.  This one is extra large.

Garlands, garlands, garlands!

Large paper poppies, this one makes people OOoo and AAaahhh

these are still my favorite

A new paper wreath.

Pretty little roses perfect for packages

Monday Loves

In honor of the hurricane. . .  Monday loves. . . .
the FLASHLIGHT....
sending love to all those peeps who are still in the dark after Irene.

A family that cleans up after a hurricane together. . .

Stays together . . .

We survived Hurricane Irene and right now I have five little helpers (well two of them are taller than me) cleaning up the yard.  Yesterday while on twitter,  I read (remarriageworks.com) that a blended family truly blends after seven - twelve years... Yesterday watching our five kids age 7-16 dress up in our clothes and pretend to be us....( it truly was hysterical) and now watching them clean the yard, I know in my heart that it is all these little life experiences that make "the blender" switch to high speed.   We are four years into our blended family cake mix, we've certainly cracked open the eggs, added the flour, mixed, stirred, and blended a bit.  I don't think we are in the oven yet and we certainly haven't licked the bowl... but we are working on a beautiful seven layer yum yum.

Hope you weathered the storm and are enjoying the final days of summer.  Tomorrow is a school night and that brings me great joy!
Have a good day!

Back to School

Yes, it is back to school for sure...
Back and forth to mom's house twice already today and
one school uniform meltdown with only 180 more to go!
I just love the last week of August!
I am having back to school anxiety and sleepless nights.  I look at our calendar for the month of September and I am not sure how we will get through the month ahead.  I seriously need to find those big girl panties and buck up.

PS - and the World's Greatest Husband typed up a Disaster Emergency Plan for our Family and bought six cases of water.  If I can get through our little blended family life with 5 kids I can certainly handle a hurricane, right?  I did request that he not take an extra shift at the hospital, just incase I can't....

Sweet Boy

I am always amazed by how much my cub scout can talk .... and talk .... and talk ..... he has the gift of gab.  All that talking before bedtime seemed to wind the poor little guy up.  He could not fall asleep.  I suggested he simply give up for the day and take a few deep breaths and say a little prayer to God.  He agreed, was silent for a few moments and then announced.  "Yeah, I told him I'll see him in the morning."  

Mass is at 10:30.    I love that kid.

Five for Friday

Five great things about today...
1.  Hard to believe but the girls start Fall Softball tomorrow....
2. We got our bus schedules... yippee!
3.  The World's Greatest Husband is going chaperone Band Camp.
4. Reading the Enormous Egg (again) to my cub scout.  Full circle moment.  I loved that book when Mrs. Baigert read it out loud in 3rd grade.
5.  I am really hoping for some energy... this house is a disaster.

Monday Love,  Loves, Loves….

Take Five

The candy bar… Take 5

A distant cousin to the Hershey bar… The take five bar is amazing… sometimes hard to find and not one of Hershey’s biggest sellers but seriously delicious!  I love this treat and you will too! Next time you are standing in line eyeing the candy below the register contemplate trying this little yum-yum.  And then you can THANK ME…

Pretzels, caramel, peanuts, peanut butter and milk chocolate… Yes, you read that right.  Enjoy!

Five for Friday

Five great things about today...

1.  The sleeping beauties are still asleep.  I am so glad I didn't let my daughter talk me into the larger version of this party.  I kept the limit to three and thank god! I would have had to alert the neighbors if it were the 10 like she wanted. 

2. Glee 3D movie today.  Although this is a treat for my daughter... I hate to admit it... I am looking forward to it too!

3. Our koo-koo for Cocoa puffs family reunites this weekend.  Yipee, it's been too long!  Our summer is winding down. 

4. I saw a school bus, I bought some uniform pants.... it's time peeps, it's time!

5. Yummo - fruit salad for breakfast... makes me think of that Wiggles song from years ago... Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy.  (You know the one!)

Five good things for me... how about you?

Sixth Grade Besties...

Giggles, silliness, and sixth grade sleepover fun, that is the stuff that dreams are made of – well not exactly for the mother chaperoning.  It’s not looking good for a restful night.

My daughter (age 11) is hosting her first “real” slumber party and it is non-stop laughter.  Three besties have joined her for night swimming, birthday cupcakes that nearly killed me (a post for another day), presents, goodie bags, music, dancing and movies.  I am not sure there is a bed time… but hey, you only turn 11 once.

It has been one of those nights that has made my heart sing and ache all at the same time. 

It’s hard to believe we are entering sixth grade, middle school heartache, headache and hopefully opportunity are all just days away.  This little summer bonding session is the stuff that memories are made of.  I remember being in sixth grade and giggling over Rick Springfield  and although earlier today my daughter did sing Jessie’s Girl while listening to the new Glee CD,  the tween conversation of today is about Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez… the names and faces have changed, the gossip and giggles remain the same.  Tonight is sort of a right of passage for my daughter… I see the childhood play slowly being replaced by pop music, movies, truth or dare and tween culture.   It’s bitter sweet for me… saying goodbye to  Polly Pockets, Barbie and My 

Little Pony only to replace it with a cell phone, Tiger Beat magazine and Bath and Body Works products simply seems too much to handle right now. 

And a new chapter begins….

L.Y.M.T.Y.K

My kids and his kids have been on vacation with their other parents for what seems like an eternity.  My two are on their way right now... only 45 minutes and I will be showering them with kisses.  We all reunite on Saturday.  Funny how a little down time and distance makes you want to kiss them from head to toe with the biggest heart ever!  I can't wait until they pull into the driveway.

Yesterday while gushing about our kids to a girlfriend we both commented on the sweet things our kids (sometimes) say.  How we hang on to those moments and savor every syllable.  When my cub scout left on his trip he yelled, "This is harder than I thought"  I yelled back, "What is harder than you thought?"  he replied, "leaving you!"  All week I have thought of that phrase over and over.... My daughter texted me "I am in the same state as you" when her plane landed.... again a moment which makes me love them more than they know.  Which in our family we affectionately label as ----- L.Y.M.T.Y.K.  I believe my mom started signing cards like that when I was in college.... now I do if for my kids....  it certainly captures the role of parent.... they have no idea how much love and care we have for them - they know our love, it's comfortable, they appreciate our love but until you have your own little buggers.... you just don't know how deep it flows, how unconditional it is and how it's a love affair that is refueled with little statements like "This is harder than I thought."


Love You More Than You Know.....

Monday Loves

Monday Loves....
I love, love, love WET PENS.... yes, you read that right... wet pens.  pens where the ink flows like a river strong, bold and all inky-dinky-doo!

I love the Uniball Vision Elite pen only in bold.  Sometimes I can use an entire pen in a week!  It writes in a thick line (although it comes in a micro flow as well)  it doesn't smudge, never spotty or light... it is my favorite power pen!  And BONUS when I visited the website I learned the ink comes in a few fun colors like pink, purple and orange!  I am headed to staples to stock up!  Oooo la la! Love, Love, Love it!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

Paper Peeps.... It's been too long.  I am so sorry that my blogging love has been lacking.  I think of you and this blog more than you know... finding the time to organize, type and share has been a challenge.  but here I am here to unveil the new lovely look.  What do you think? like the new digs?  I can't quite adequately explain how a bloggy re-do feels.  I was very anxious, I know what it feels like to click and not see the "look" and "feel" that you have come to know.  I was also nervous that I was going to lose information and totally screw up the format.  I am not a techie.  Honestly, if I knew how easy peasy it was to do... I would have done this long ago.  Yippee!  A new Paper Mom look!  
Leelou blogs makes wonderful designs.  Check out the site and grab some Leelou goodness!  It will make your heart sing!