Compassion, pre-school style.

I realized, typing the title, that Peyton is officially classified as a “pre-schooler” now.  Not that she is in pre-school..  but she is no longer a toddler.

(Sniff..)

She has been learning to be quite the compassionate soul, and that development makes this mother heart smile.

I mentioned previously that we have been introducing our children to the best things life has to offer.

(“Star Wars”,  “Indiana Jones”, marshmallow creme, and cadbury eggs..  many other good things belong here.)

Peyton asked one day to watch a Darth Vader “oooo-vie”.  The way she described it to me went something like this:

“I want to watch the Darth Vader oooo-vie when Luke Skywalker takes off Darth Vader’s mask and you see all of his owies…  how did Darth Vader get owies mom?”

I told her how he got them, to the best of my knowledge, as I have not seen that particular prequel in it’s entirety.  Something about lava and limbs being cut off, yada-yada-yada..

She responded with a sympathetic hand to her chest, “Oh!  Poooor Darth Vader…”

A similar thing was said later on, when my friend, Julie, called me, asking me about her son’s symptoms.  They sounded strangely familiar to Peyton’s recent ear infection, and he wasn’t presenting a fever.  After I got off the phone with her, Peyton paused between bites of her Lucky Charms long enough to ask who it was.  I explained that it was Julie, and told her what the situation was.

“Zach has an ear infection and Julie needs to take him to the doctor.  Remember when your ear hurt and you had an ear infection and we took you to the doctor?”

Hand to her chest, sad look on her little face, “Ohhhhh..  poor Zach!  I hope the doctor makes his ear better.”

It’s pretty sweet, seeing that she gets it.

Slice of life.

Life for me lately, has been all about the kids.

It seems like they eat all the time.

After school snacks are a must at our house.

Golden Double Stuff Oreos are usually that fare served.

While I would like to take more time doing all the things that I enjoy, I try to immerse myself in the life that I have chosen: to raise a family.

Pictures are slow in coming around these parts.  I tend to take more time in taking them, wanting them to have meaning. 

But I so enjoy these little snapshots of our life.

(I really like Double Stuff Golden Oreos too.)

(But don’t tell my younger brother, he thinks that is blasphemy.)

Go see what life is to others…

A little Spring for your Monday. *UPDATED WITH LINKY*

At my house, right this minute, it is snowing.  There is a little thunder and lightening mixed in with that snow too.  Out my front door, when I took the girls to school, there was the sun shining, but in the distance, dark, dark clouds.  We could hear the thunder and knew what was coming.  When we looked out the back door, it was so deceptive!  There was full sunshine, a little blue sky, some light, white clouds, but a totally different world out that back door.
The point in all of this..
It is springtime in Utah.
This is how I have to get my fix for Spring on days like today:
Echo Park has a new line out today, “Sidewalk Chalk”.
(Click on image for full credits.)

Spendid Fiins has Baker’s Twine, new in store today.  I love the stuff already!!
(Click on image for full credits.)

Hope you have a little Spring wherever you are!
(Hope you can find some if you are in the same boat that I am..  or sled.)
Just for kicks and giggles, here’s the templates I made for these layouts, for you, for FREEEEE!! 
If you use them, link up to this post, show me what you did with them.
Swooshy squares template.
Simple Circles template.
**I wasn’t sure how difficult/time-consuming it would be to add a linky to this post, to, you know, link up what you did with the template, but turns out it’s not so hard!
So link away ladies…
Link away.**

Fantastic parenting.

There are expectations we all have when it comes to parenting.  For some, it is about passing on traditions, maybe interests or talents, good behavior or chill attitudes.  In our house, it is all about teaching them how to appreciate good music and movies(among other important things).

This last month, what with the self-quarantining and such, we introduced our children properly to the “Indiana Jones” trilogy. 

(We haven’t yet tried on the Crystal Skull deal yet, we’ll have to wait and see on that one..)

We initially got the usual looks (disgust and pain) from the girls with this being something that is new to them, but within five minutes of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” they were hooked. 

During “Temple of Doom” we had to hold back the laughter.  Ash insisted on sitting on the other couch and the opposite end at that, and just watching her squirm during all the bug parts was entertainment enough! 

One of my favorite moments, during “The Last Crusade” came when Ilsa (the Nazi chick as we usually refer to her) was kissing Indiana.  We had tried our best to explain to the girls the politics of the situation, so they were somewhat informed as to what a Nazi was..  Lynn turns to us in shock/disgust and exclaims: “He’s kissing a Nazi!?!?!”

We find it part of our parental duty to show these classics to our children.  We could be judged, and judged harshly if we didn’t, people.

After the success with Indiana, we showed them the “Star Wars” trilogy.

(We haven’t had the need to torture them yet by showing them the prequels.)

Lynn was ecstatic to see that Indiana Jones was still working!

(Ha!!)

They loved those too, but most disturbing, loved the “dark side” a bit too much.  Love for the Ewoks helped me to feel okay again about them later.

(That “dark side” is a treacherous thing!)

Now I have the desire to find them all vintage Star Wars shirts.  Wishing that we still had all of our old Star Wars toys..  especially the Millennium Falcon.

(I know I am not alone in this, am I siblings?)

Along with these great, and most important of teachings for my offspring, there is also the teaching of how to fully appreciate Cadbury Creme eggs. 

And Jet Puff Marshmallow Creme.

Hey, it is just being a responsible parent.

Some Carina love.

Today is another designer spotlight at Jessica Sprague.

Carina Gardner has me wanting to go and buy more fabric.

(Because she does that too.)

But I have this silly rule…  I can’t buy more fabric until I do what I intend to with the stacks (and stacks and stacks) that I already have.

(Sigh.)

But once you see here papers, you’ll understand my frustration.

(You’d think it would make for some serious motivation, but then the time element comes in…  can I buy and stack some of that?)

I will attempt to make it easy on you (and to enable a bit), go buy all of her “essentials”.  I love it all.  She even has stitching!! 

(For those who might have a slight addiction like I do.)

Not to mention, her store is 25% off through this Sunday.

(Ahem..)

And then, there is a freebie here too.

And not to go on and on and on over here, not meaning to take up too much of your day, not to toot my own horn too much, but somebody out there likes me!

Being part of the community at Jessica Sprague has blessed my life with some pretty special friendships, and I treasure every single one of them, but this particular friend has made my day!

(Kisses and hugs and more kisses to you Miss Monica!!!)

P.S. Click on the images for full credits, mmm-kay?

10 Happy Little Things.

This has to be my favorite project yet for MPS.

(Although the top secret project was a blast..)

I made this book with my own two hands (and my printer..  and Photoshop..  and my trimmer, and glue..  etc. etc.)  but isn’t it cool?!  Just paper and other stuff..  and I made it!!

(With help and instructions..)

I am just in love with it.

I learned somethings though:

I have more than 10 things that make me happy.

Like, WAY more.

And they aren’t little, not in the least.

I also learned that the colors that I did this book in, make me very happy and make me feel very creative.

(Maybe that is why my room is in these colors?)

So indulge me for just a minute…  okay?

Good..  scroll on!

  

Paper yo-yos!!  How can one NOT be happy with a paper yo-yo?

 

So are you resolved to take this class next time around?

I mean, c’mon?!

Supply list:

Papers from Crystal Wilkerson

“Sweet Summertime”

“Playground”

“Funky Fresh”

The glitter papers used as the sticker bases are from “Bristtish Designs”.

(Some papers have been re-colored to stay within the set color scheme.)

Font: Pea Matt & Kari

Other junk this book wouldn’t be possible without:

Staples, sticky jewels, dimensional foam adhesive, Tombow Multi adhesive (that I would marry if I could, go buy some, it is that AWESOME!), ribbon, “Electric Blue” Glimmer Mist, “Chandelier” Glimmer-Glam, “Broken China” and “Fired Brick” distress inks, tissue paper, my good old printer and computer combo, punches, trimmer, and scissors.

More fun with MPS.

We’ve done a couple of hybrid layouts already for class, I am just a little behind as wiping snotty noses takes precedence here lately.

I know that this one is a year ago, but hey, when they say a “celebration”, this was it.  I was so happy to be 30!

Details:

And here’s the second one:

Something more recent from this summer.

P.S. I just had to add a new category to my tags..  “hybrid scrapbook layout” (!!!!)  There will be more of these for sure. 

A little template for your Tuesday.

That’s right.. it’s Tuesday again and that means another “Template Tuesday” is upon us.

Here’s where you can get it, and here is what I did with it:

All papers and elements are from The Queen of Quirk- “You are Here” full kit.

The alpha is another goodie from The Queen of Quirk- “Aubergine”.

Staples are from Splendid Fiins.

And that stitch..  well that is from this brush class.

(Take it.  You won’t regret it, I promise!)

Font: Pea Matt & Kari

Happy Spring!

It’s just the start of the celebration here..

I was in the mood to bake something cute (and tasty of course) the other day, so I let the first day of spring be my muse (and excuse).

I really wanted to make fondant butterflies.  They are such a sweet, easy touch to any cake or cupcake, and the girls love them.

And the fondant contains marshmallows.

(I have a real thing for marshmallow lately..)

I use this recipe, and I have never gone back.  (It was part of an inspired message one month from my visiting teachers..)  It is just as easy, cheaper, and more tasty than your boxed variety.

And it has marshmallow in it…

(Have I said that already?)

If you are lazy, well then, here’s the recipe:

Marshmallow Fondant

• 8-ounce bag of marshmallows
• 2 pounds of powdered sugar (also called confectioner's sugar or icing sugar; you won't quite use all of it for this recipe)
• 2 tablespoons of water
• vegetable shortening (Crisco) for greasing hands and tools

Put the marshmallows and water in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for about two minutes. The marshmallows should be puffy but will still hold their shape. Stir thoroughly until smooth.

Next, add about 1 1/2 pounds of the powdered sugar and stir with a spoon well greased with the Crisco. The homemade fondant at this point should be a very sticky dough.

Thoroughly grease your hands and work surface with the shortening and knead the fondant, adding a little bit of powdered sugar at a time until the mixture isn't sticky anymore. If it's sticky, add more sugar. If it's dry and tearing, add a teaspoon or two of water and knead it in. The homemade fondant recipe is finished when the dough is pliable and stretchy without tearing.

If you won't be using the marshmallow fondant recipe right away, cover it with a little bit more Crisco and wrap it well with plastic wrap. Seal it in a bag and keep it in the refrigerator, where it will last for several weeks.

You can color and flavor it like you can the nasty boxed kind too.     

After I have colored parts, I roll it out with the help of lots of powdered sugar, and use my tiny butterfly cookie cutter to cut out lots of little butterflies.  I will lay some flat to dry, and others I lay over the edge of a thick edged platter to get that about to take off look. 

I pinch off a small piece of the yellow fondant and roll it like a short snake, then pinch the end for the body.  One year, I got all detail oriented and used my fingernail to make little lines for the segments.

Then you leave them there to dry.  The thinner your fondant is rolled out, the quicker they dry.

I attach the bodies to the wings by pipng a little bit of buttercream using the smallest tip I have.

Then they can go onto cupcakes…

Or a cake…

 

We teased the girls, telling them that we couldn’t eat the cake until 5:21 pm on Sunday (the OFFICIAL start of spring).

Surprisingly, they waited patiently!

Some yummy for your Monday.

Happy Spring!!

(More to come on that subject later..)

For now, here is some gorgeous stuff to get you started on a great week of digi/hybrid scrapping/crafting.

(More to come on that “Hybrid Crafting” part too.)

First up:  Cosmo Cricket “Lil’ Girl & Lil’ Boy” Papers and Elements.

LOVE them.

(Click HERE for full credits.)

And then there’s more Splendid Fiins.

(LOVE HER!!)

This time around it is border bits that go with the “Brilliant” collection.

You should already know of my love for that line..

(Click HERE for full credits.)

Go check out what else is in store today..  have some fun with your Monday!

Taking an inventory of sorts.

There are 3 sick kids at my house.

We have been dealing with all different levels of sickness for roughly 35 days now.

(On and off, of course.  It feels constant though..)

2 fevers (currently).

3 trips to the doctors.

(One of those was for a dislocated elbow.)

2 prescriptions.

3 co-pays.

2 boxes of Kleenex.

2 containers of Clorox wipes.

Who knows how many rolls of TP.

Lost count of how many doses of cough meds/Tylenol/Ibuprofen have been administered.

Infinite amount of nose wipes.

1,462 cries dealing with boogers falling out of a nose.

Too many hours of missed sleep.

Too many hours to count for snuggles and movie-watching.

Not sure how many books have been read either.

Ounces of liquid are not able to be counted right now.

The humidifier has been filled about 9 times.

Bubble baths happen, on average, about twice daily.

Gallons of soup.

Dozens of grilled cheese sandwiches.  (A few loves of bread worth.)

Caffeine consumption is at least one can a day (depending on how many lost hours of sleep there were the previous night).

Not sure how many cans/bottles we have gone through, but I do know that we (I) have used one large and one small bottle of vanilla syrup.

(It goes well with the caffeine.)

4 days of school missed (between the two school-aged girls).

Naps..  seriously, I can’t count those.  I know that I haven’t gotten my fair share though.

Model magic has been really cool here. Yup, model magic, pipe-cleaners (or chenille covered wires if you want to be fancy), and markers are cool things to be played with.  I’ve gone to JoAnn’s twice now (armed with coupons) to buy the stuff.  This last time, I bought the big guy of model magic.  Hopefully it will last us a while.

2 weeks of church have been missed.

I have a feeling there will be one more.

(At least.)

2 parents who are reeeaallly starting to feel it.

Another Family Adventure.

A week ago, the last day the Utah State Legislature would be in session, we went to the state capitol, kids in tow, to have an adventure.
(And to see grandpa.  It was a long day for him.)
Lynnie got to sit on the floor with Grandpa for a bit.  Ashley kept turning him down when he would bring Lynn back out.  So Lynn kept going back in.
Ashley wanted to have a turn when she saw that Lynn got a cupcake and some soda.
 
But we kept ourselves entertained..

Peyton was trying to be so ladylike..

Merrill would patiently wait for Lynn while I ran around taking many pictures, showing the two little girls what cool things are there.

I learned that it is VERY difficult to keep two young girls entertained (and quiet) in the gallery.
It is even more difficult to get nice, sharp pictures while trying to keep my camera steady, with the zoom all the way out, in low light, while trying to entertain two young girls (and keep them quiet)…  in the gallery.
   
Loved the natural frames that exist there.

Loved all the details as well.
 
Perfect way to end our adventure…