Jewelry Stamping

I have really wanted to try jewelry stamping for quite some time. I have been slightly obsessed with it, and have been known to peruse etsy admiring all of the metal stamped necklaces and rings. So after doing a lot of admiring, and some research, I decided to attempt it myself.

About 10 minutes into the attempt, I realized I needed a little help. I just did not have enough hammering power in me.

For my first project I decided to make birthday necklaces for all of my Young Women at church. Each charm has one of the Young Women values stamped onto it. I had seen a similar idea on Sugardoodle, and I felt like I could attempt it. However, the project was a bit more time consuming than I originally thought. Luckily I have my trusty assistant who is always willing to help, and I only have 8 Mia Maids this year.

Here are the results: (For some reason, my new computer is not allowing me to click on pictures to enlarge them. I find this beyond annoying, and have no idea how to fix it. So I apologize in advance if these pictures do not come across well enough to see the detail. If anyone knows how to fix this problem, please let me know!)

Science Night

While downloading all of my pictures, I found these from Science Night at my kids school a few weeks ago, and realized I never blogged about them.

Science night was actually pretty cool. We started off in the Planetarium they set up in the lunch room. For some reason I have no picture of it, but imagine a GIANT silver balloon, that held 20 people, and allowed for plenty of room to stargaze. Unfortunately I was not able to go in, because Sadie was TERRIFIED of it, but Eric, Megan and Jackson enjoyed it.

Here are some pictures of our night.

Imprinting leaves into clay.

Balancing

Playing Telephone

Here is the poster Megan and another girl from her class made.

Electricity Project

This goop was made out of cornstarch and water. I'm glad I was not in charge of clean-up for this station. I have no idea how they got it all off the carpet.

I'm so grateful for fun schools. Science night was followed by movie night the next week. But much to my children's dismay, I was not fun enough this year to take them to that. I have my limits.

Back To The Blog

I have been away from blogging for so long, and have missed it. I feel like our life has passed in a blur these last few weeks, especially since I have not been documenting any of it! Mainly I have not been documenting any of it because we purchased a new computer. And since our purchase, I have not been able to commit to a new photo editing software, so my pictures have remained hostage on my camera. Well today I committed, so hence I am once again blogging. So here is a bit of an update.

Today I started month 2 of P90X. Sadly, I notice no difference in my body, but happily there are a number of things that I can do now, that I couldn't even think about doing 4 weeks ago. The first week you are supposed to take a before picture. I couldn't face this my first week, but finally committed to the process and ended up taking one. Since Eric was out of town, I had Megan do the honors. Her reaction confirmed my initial feelings, that this type of picture taking was a bad idea. Now bear in mind, I was wearing biker shorts. Ok, now take that image out of your mind. Also remember that I gain all of my weight in my stomach, which these biker shorts cut into and accentuated said weight. Well, Megan took the first picture. She then put the camera down and asked me, "Are you sure you want to be doing this?" Already so concerned with my well-being. When I explained these were not for the blog, but rather pictures that would never have a chance in hell of resurfacing, she resumed her duties.

Speaking of Megan. She has discovered the joy of doing hair on a live model. It is a good thing Sadie is a willing subject.

Now on to Jackson:

These blocks make an appearance about every 4 to 5 months, get played with for about a week, and then disappear again. But they provide hours of fun for Jackson everytime he rediscovers them.

Lastly, I will end with a picture of chocolate cake I took this weekend. I probably should not have taken a picture of it, because now that I am looking it, it just makes me want more.


This is The Great Wall Of Chocolate from P.F. Changs. I love this chocolate cake. I love the raspberry sauce. I am pretty sure I could eat raspberry sauce on just about anything.

The PPP

We have a new incentive program at our house called the PPP, aka Poopy Potty Presents. These presents are patiently waiting to be opened. They were chosen with love from the dollar store, and are adorned with visions of princesses and a certain explorer that a certain 2 year old girl finds irresistible. They are also clad in wrapping paper that features her favorite of all favorites, Ernie. Really what could be more inviting? Well.....apparently a diaper is much more inviting than these poopy potty presents, because a week later they are still unopened.


I read once that a lot of children learn to go poop in the toilet before pee. Who are these children and where do they come from? And no this is not something I normally discuss. In fact the conversation is making me nauseous.

12 X 12 - February

My day starts off pretty great, when I get to go in and pick up this cute little person from her bed.

After dropping Megan and Jackson off at school, I came back home to torture myself. I started the P90X exercise program last week, and a week later I am still in major pain. The pain just moves to different body parts every couple of days. On this particular day, I was scheduled to do yoga. I am not a big yoga fan, and was so bored I only completed half of the DVD (It was an hour and a half long!) But later on I felt guilty that I hadn't completed it, so I finished the other half. And for the record, many people find the P90X guy rather annoying, but I rather like him. He is very encouraging, and tells me if I can't do something, it is no big deal. Thank you P90X guy! I really appreciate it, because there are many, many things I cannot do.

Next, it was time to pick up Jackson from school. Today was their big Valentine's extravaganza, which meant mountains of candy, cupcakes, and cookies. Jackson was very excited, and started exploring all his Valentine's the minute he got in the car.

Picture courtesy of Jackson.

For lunch, we headed over to Chipotle with Rachael, Eli and Oliver. It was such a beautiful day, and once again I was so thankful for 70 degree February Las Vegas weather that afforded us the opportunity to eat outside.

These boys, with a little Sade added in, were their usual crazy, hyper selves.

Eric called me as soon as I got home, and I thought I would document it with a picture since it is an extremely rare occurrence for him to call me during the day. In fact I spent a lot of the afternoon on the phone. Coupled with exercising, and lunch out, it meant that my house did not get clean. But it was much more fun to talk with friends, than clean my house.

After I picked the kids up from school, I did clean a bit, which included putting the placemats away from breakfast. I decided to take this picture because Sadie and Jackson currently have a favorite placemat that they insist on eating on everyday. Jackson's is the blue map of the United States, and Sadie's is Dora. Megan is finally at the age where she could care less. There used to be quite a battle between Megan and Jackson when it came to the blue United States placemat.

Eric, Sadie, and I getting ready to head out of game night at the church.

Sadie becomes more and more a Daddy's girl every single day.

What could be better than a Valentine game night, pizza, friends, and a children's class? I will tell you. No pizza. Have I mentioned that I have been anti-pizza for about 2 years now? For some reason I find it unappetizing.

I am including this picture because I find it funny. Doesn't it look like she is doing an unders adjustment. For the record she is wearing a diaper. And for the record I hate potty training!

This is my new bedtime reading material. I am brushing up on my Spanish, and am determined that this year I will actually be able to hold some sort of conversation. This is currently how my Spanish conversations with Eric go:

Me: "Eric ask me a question in Spanish."
Eric then asks me what I am sure is an oversimplified Spanish question, to which it takes me about 5 minutes to process and answer. Usually incorrectly. Needless to say I have a long way to go.

Five For Friday-Valentine Edition

1. When I think of Valentine's Day, I automatically think of the shortened version, VDay. Which in turn makes me either think of venereal disease day, or vagina day. Anyone else?

2. Yesterday I did two things for my children, that I dislike. I was going to use the word despise, but that only goes for one of the two things. The first thing I dislike is:

Baking

Why did I volunteer to bring cookies to the class parties? I could have just as easily signed up for juice boxes or chips. You know, something I could purchase. I suppose I could have purchased cookies, but last night at 8 o'clock I didn't feel like leaving the house. I also didn't feel like making cookies, but chose the lesser of two evils. However, halfway into the process I realized I was out of eggs. Thank goodness I have kind neighbors. And thank goodness most of these cookies left my house today. You know I can't have a sugar cookie within 1000 feet of me.

At least I always have a good helper.

3. The second thing that I despise, or you could even say I have extreme hatred for is:

Glitter

For some reason Santa had a mental lapse in judgement, and brought Megan make your own glittered butterfly cards. Both Megan and Jackson determined that they must make these to give to their teachers for Valentine's Day, so I acquiesced, and in turn have glitter covering my house for at least the next 2 months.

4. Last month I found a photo web-site that gave me 29 free Valentine's cards just by creating an account. So I signed Eric and I up, and received free cards for Megan and Jackson. I was rather excited about these cards, and enjoy how they turned out.

However, when I showed Jackson he did not share my enthusiasm. Instead, he burst into tears. So in lieu of ruining his Kindergarten Valentine dreams, I purchased some HotWheels Valentines from Wal-Mart, and everything was once again right in his world.

5. Megan and Jackson's school truly has THE BEST crossing guards on the planet. All last year, and until a month ago we had a crossing guard named Mr. Bill, who we all loved. We were very sad to lose him, but were more than delighted when Miss Lil took his place. She gets to know the kids, and has been know to give them little treats after school. Today was no exception. This morning she had a basket of Valentine's Day cards and candy to hand out to all of the kids. She goes the extra mile, and is fab-u-lous! It was also heart-warming to see all of the kids coming to school loaded down with valentines and treats to share with their classes. I love when people participate in a holiday!

"Do you have any fun Valentine's plans?"

Five For Friday

1. Check out Meg's injury from playing a rousing game of tetherball. You think her eye looks bad? You should see the tetherball.

2. Sweet potatoes smothered in brown sugar and butter are still healthy, right?

Eric and I went to Claim Jumper this past weekend. What I really wanted didn't come with a sweet potato, but my craving was so great, I ordered something I didn't even want (the 1/2 chicken), just so I could have one. Looking back I probably should have just ordered one on the side, but $6 for a sweet potato, seems quite extravagant doesn't it?

3. Today marked the 100th day of school. Jackson's teacher threw them a party, and I think went the extra mile by having snow delivered (by her husband)! They built a snowman outside, and each were able to bring home a snowball. Sadie even got one.

4. You may remember that Megan is apt to leave the house in a crazy outfit most days, but Jackson is usually pretty conservative. That is until a few days ago, when we headed out to dinner and Jackson came dressed as Luigi. Of course, we also had Megan the gangster with us.

5. I am no longer a member of Costco. That's right, you heard me correctly. I AM NO LONGER A MEMBER! I am not angry at Costco, this was simply a budgetary decision. A decision I regret everyday. Today especially, since I was out of both toilet paper and garbage bags. It was difficult, but I stayed strong and bought what I am imagining to be a poor substitute from Wal-Mart. I will keep you updated. But one of you reading this, must be forewarned that the minute I run out of paper towels, you are obligated to go to Costco and purchase me some. I just can't face that reality.

Day 3's The Charm

Would you like to see what day 3 with no Wii for a certain 5 year old boy equals:

A Clean Room! I knew he could do it.

And just for fun, look at my little baby Jackson, taken before he had any responsibilities, except of course, for being a mama's boy.

Monday Miscellany Miss Sade Edition

Yesterday Eric's brother Derek stopped by. We told Sadie, Uncle Derek was coming, but since Derek sounds almost the same as Eric, Sadie was quite confused. She kept saying, "Uncle Dad's coming?" Really, she is just plain irresistible.

She now finds it extremely funny to call us all by the wrong names. This morning, she greeted me by saying, "Hi Rachael", and then busted up laughing. She also thinks it is hilarious to declare herself to be a boy. I will say something along the lines of, "How's my baby girl?", to which she responds, "No, I'm a boy!" Followed by giggling.

When I asked her to pose for a picture, this is what she gave me:

Like I said: Irresistible