It's Summer, Play ball!

Yup, it's summer--maybe not officially, but definitely by the weather and the sports! We're hot into ball season--Callie, Cloey, Hannah and Libby--3 teams to follow, lots of popcorn to buy. Doesn't seem possible that Callie is an official t-baller this year. She's so little (and so darn cute, I might add.) Cloey is so "grown up"--you can tell she's been around the t-ball ring before--she is so much more mature this year and really a very good player. Hannah has moved up to softball with the 2nd-4th graders and looks pretty little out there on the field among the bigger players. And Libby is one of the big girls and always fun to watch how much they have improved. But with June also comes the "real" start of other truly "summer" things. It means the fair is coming and lots of work this next month to get ready for it.. It means I put up my June-July Cricut display at MB the other day and I wish I had twice the space, there's so many "cricut" diecuts out there to make! So here's to June and summer and hot weather and daily ball games and lots of summer pictures to scrapbook later. It doesn't get any better than this!!!

An Amazing Week!

Earlier this month, I went to KC with T,M, and Jenna and together with my sister-in-law Betsey , we were the Grandma, Aunt Nannys for a week. What fun we had as the "2 Crazy ladies with the Crazy little kid" as we labeled ourselves right from the start. We are "experts" on navigation, the "alphabet games", nature hikes, zoos and "pick'n up paw, paws--putt' um in your pockets!
Here are just a few of the "hundreds" of pics of our crazy little kid. What a fun week we had with you, Jenna!!

Do all Zoos really have Blue Frogs??

So, I was just wondering---do all zoos
really have BLUE Frogs, Do the goats have Indigestion?, Are the sea lions really showing off for us? I have just made my 2nd Grandma trip to a zoo THIS season already and countless others in the past--and I am to the point where I really need to look deeper into "the animals" and all the "things" about them. A couple weeks ago it was the KC zoo with Jenna and my sister-in-law. The blue frogs were there, as were the sea lions (top left, below--or was their's the bottom left, below--take your pick).
The goats were there, as were the tigers

and lions . Then this week it was the DM Blank zoo with Hannah's 1st grade class and--you guessed it--the goats, lions, tigers and Blue frogs were there, too.
You get so you compare the "habitats" of each zoo--which are most "natural", the "cleanest", the best "smelling". But all in all, at the end of the day, it turns out what you remember most is the fun you had with the "kids" (no, not goat kids) in your life! For some reason, you never out grow or get bored with a good zoo trip! Especially if you go for all the right reasons--to have a fantastically fun time with the special people in your life.--and I will always love the Blue frogs!

The Cricut Wall

The Cricut wall is Done! Doesn't look very big in the picture, but it really is quite the spread. So far getting rave reviews, with lots of "cricut" interest. The board is covered in fabric and then has plastic over it, so I can just Tape the "critters" on it and they'll come off easily. The new job is Fantabulous!!

Way too many temtations, though. At any rate, will enjoy every minute. Lots of fun people to work with--of course, they are Scrap booking people, so what should I expect!!!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Kind of quiet one for us. But the week ahead will be very busy, so I should just enjoy today. Been working on a "Cricut" wall for MB--see creations above. I had that job before I even got my paid job there. I'm going to feature a lot of my "Cricut Creatures"--starting with spring (because aren't we so ready for spring??) and featuring mostly the "Walk in my Garden" Cartridge.

I survived my first days of "work" there and really loved every minute. What a change from "nursing"!!! A really FUN change. Now looking forward to my "spring break" in May when I spend a week with Jenna and Betsey in KC and Overland Park while Trent and Megan look for houses. We're planning a week of Fun things that only a 3 yr. old, A Grandma and a Great Aunt can appreciate. So until later, hope the Easter Bunny gave you lots of chocolate eggs--Happy Easter.

Today was a changing day in my life and others!

It's been a GREAT day for me and I hope for my sister-in-law too--as she had one of those birthday's ending in 0! Those use to always be the hardest. However, I have discovered that there are even more adventures in the next decade and sometimes life just gets better. I am a year + older that B is and today I started a NEW job! It wasn't out of necessity--it's my dream FUN job that pays and has benefits.(though not the type most people work for--you know Insurance, retirement, etc.) I got a job at a Scrapbook store--my favorite SB store and I didn't even have to seek it out on my own. Now, as most of you know, I always thought I might apply there when I got closer to retirement in a year or two, but when the owners approached ME and asked if I'd like to work there part time, I couldn't resist the offer. And so today, after 40 + years in nursing (No I did not give up my day job), I'm working in retail--What a change, What a nice change.

Like I said, I kept my nursing job, as the pay at this new job is far from Great, but the in store benefits and perks will really come in handy at feeding my sometimes very expensive habit! Besides now I have an excuse to go to Ankeny and get away. I call it my "other" world. My calendar now looks like a toddlers color book. I just hope I don't miss something in the mess. I believe I'll look for a slightly bigger one soon.( with much more writing space by the dates!).

A Party of Royal Proportions!!

Well, the party is OVER, but what a Royal Party it was! I'm sure for one 3 year old, it was a Princess' Dream come true. We all had lots of fun, first making our own crowns, then "proving" we were Princes and Princesses by doing the "Princess and the Pea" test. Cinderella showed up in person. We ate Royal cake and had a Princess Ball. At the end of 3 hours, our little Princess Jenna was worn out! (and a little owly at times). All in all, however, it turned out to be a truly Royal event, with lots of Princess appropriate Presents and a Barbie Princess Cake ordered by Princess Jenna, herself!

Trial Run!

Well, we made it through the "Trial" Run, and as you can see, the "Dress" withstood all kinds of trauma! I learned MANY years ago, when you make something for a kid, MAKE IT STURDY! We had a little trouble removing it from her, because she thought she should just wear it all day! and today, party day, she probably will. Also caught her in a moment with Dad and at the park. Took her there later to run off steam. On to the "party" and lots of "magical" pictures! I bet she's wound up today--she's been waiting so long for this party. What fun we're headed for!!! More tomorrow (or soon).

I AM AN ADDICT!!!

If there is a "Cricut Anonymus" Club out there, I need to join----SOON!!!

Had a few too many hours on my hands today, Got my house all cleaned, and then was expecting my Princess to arrive--well she wasn't quite on Grandma's schedule and is arriving in DM later tonight, so I won't see her until in the morning, on her Actual Birthday day (the Big 3), so what was I to do, but more "Cricut Creatures"!!

It is entirely ADDICTIVE!! They just look so "Real", but are so easy! I experimented some with "stickles" glitter--as some others have said they use it to embellish with and it looks very neat.

Now I am just waiting for tomorrow, all the gifts are wrapped, I will take "The Dress" with me for the final fitting. The Princess awaits--as does Grandma --I guess I'm the "Fairy Grandma". Pictures of the Birthday festivities to come.

Finishing Touches

The Dress is Done and the Big day is fast approaching!. Playing with my cricut again--made the Elmo for a friends little Grandson, Carter. He's 2 and an Elmo fan! Had to make the Big Bird with the 3 for Jenna.. Oh, she's not really a Big Bird Fan--I think she's probably out grown him, but we discovered sometime in the last year or so that Big Bird's Birthday is the same day as Jenna's. So he had to wish her a happy 3rd. ( by the way BB is actually in his 40's). Can't wait to see you Jenna Marie! I Miss you so very much!

Hannah at State!

Here's a few more pics of Hannah
At the State Swim Meet

Paying it Forward

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what it will be is a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be one didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive a gift. Let's see who looks at my blog!

This and That

Well, it's been quite a week--Hannah was in her first STATE meet and did very well for a 7 yr 2 day old! Their team didn't win any big












medals, but they had so much fun, that they didn't seem to mind at all! I scrapbooked all day Wednesday with a friend at my favorite SB store. They loved my Cricut Creatures (Tinker is above) and want me to make some for the store, Now that's a project I'll LOVE!!!

It's beginning to look a little more like Spring--so today I spent cleaning cupboards and floors and the dog! I don't get in those moods often. I finished the "Princess" dress, except for threaded belt loops to keep the belt in place. Today, I beaded on 30 tiny crystal beads to the bodice, one by one, but it really increased the Princess "sparkle power" even more. Am hoping to get Ella to the Lake tomorrow or Sunday for a walk.
Next week is the BIG party! Can't wait to see my little Princess!
So maybe I can finally say "Happy Almost Spring" everyone! Have a Great St. Pat's Day next week.

Gone Cricut Crazy!

I really started this Blog because of my

Love of S'booking --but I never really ever talk about my SB accomplish -ments. Well, last weekend, I took 2 days worth of Cricut Expression Classes from 101 to Advanced. We learned a lot about all the feature buttons,
tons of other cuts, Nothing really

about making "Cartridge" Things, but it made me want to come home and really use my cricut for all the fun things it can do. So I got out my Pooh Cartridge and my Sesame Street one (both are the font versions of each one) and started creating. I thought the cheerful Elmo would be perfect to greet people to my fun SB room, and the other two just followed. Each one took less than 30 min to create, but they are so neat. We did learn you should NEVER make these elements in a size smaller than 3 in, because of the detail work. These are the largest size I could make on a 12 x 12 mat. Now I'm in Love!! and I still have more Pooh and SS, Tinker Bell, Cars, Hello Kitty, etc to play with. Of course I wish I had the Princesses --Gee I wonder why!

BUTTON, BUTTON, BASIC BUTTON!!!

Sometimes you just have
to get back to Basics, so that
is just what we decided to
do in our last 4-H meeting. We all-kindergarten to seniors learned a basic life skill--How to fix and repair small problems with our wardrobe, including sewing on Buttons. Here are my 2 adorable Grand daughters, H and C, both 1st Graders , in the act of sewing (second pic), and with the finished product! H even took her fabric home and sewed on 2 more buttons and took the whole thing to school to show her class. As a reward for learning this skill, each 4-H'r received a small home sewing kit and the "Gold Button Award". And you know what, this turned out to be one of the most fun meetings we've had!

Just a can-can skirt away!!

You all remember the Can-can slip--right?? Well the Princess dress is just a can-can skirt from being a true "Princess" Dress! I sent a pic to J. to check out--but as luck would have it their phone and internet lines got CUT just this morning by workers working on a water main!!! It might not be back in service til Friday--Talk about bad timing! Oh well, the pictures are sitting in her in box when it does come up. Now on to magic wands and glittered castles and other Pricess things. This party is fast coming together from both directions--Wisconsin and Iowa!

Talk about Persever-
ance and Practice! My little almost 7 year old Grand-
daughter, H, has all the
Positive qualities it takes
and then SOME!!! She was
so excited last night when
she told me her swimming
relay team had won the sectionals and was going to STATE!!
Now, you have to know this is her FIRST year on a swim team--in fact it was just last summer that she was swimming freely without a "belt"! H always has high expectations of life experiences and Always sets her standards High--often so High we adults that Love her so much feel she may not accomplish them in the often short time frames she sets for herself. This was one of those times!
Here she is --first year on a swim team (only since last fall), only 6 years old, swimming with 8 year olds, not knowing much about meets and official turns and strokes--but falling in love with the "butterfly" stroke and deciding early on that she WAS GOING TO STATE! Not an easy accomplishment in your first year! But here we are, back to the beginning--you have to know the make-up of H. Pure determination!!! She has never done ANYTHING halfway---she works harder and with more concentration than Anybody I have ever known--she is focused on the Goal--and NOBODY is going to convince her that she cannot do it!!! And as she goes for the goal, she always has a huge smile on her face! She is such a happy, carefree, adorable person! That's my H in a nutshell--and what does she end up proving to ALL of us??----well, she's going to State---with the 8 year olds--and that says it all!! Way to go H.--we Love You and we KNOW you can DO IT!!!!
And by the way, her older sister P, is also on her way to State. She is a beautiful swimmer and will go far. Good Luck to Both my Awesome Girls.

The Making of a Princess!
When my almost 3 year old granddaughter called to ask me to make a "Princess" dress for her 3rd "Princess" Birthday party--what could I do??? So here is the most beautiful princess at her first "fitting"--and as you can see, she is definitely feeling the part! Of course, she now calls for updates on the progess of the finishing touches--all the "Bling", hems, etc. I promise her it will be done--because who can dissapoint a Princess--not this Grandma!!

I have taken many pics of Ella "sqirrel watching" from her favorite perch on the couch--but on this day I had a really good laugh when I also noticed she had her two favorite "buddies" up in the window to watch, too. That's "Coonie" on the left--he's her "bed pal" and really only a threadbare piece of a once red and white racoon animal and on the right is her new "Cooner" that we are trying to get her to replace "Coonie" with! So far NO Luck! She wants them both and there's no convincing her to get rid of Coonie! Oh well, we all have those absolutely valuable "things" we'll Never part with. Meanwhile, you 3 fat squirrels beware! There's a whole group watching you play! --and that Cooner is giving you the-----"tail".