14 things ...

Today ...

1. It's raining. Hope it stops, or at least lets up, for tonight.
2. I have a monster headache. Get it? Monster. It really is a killer.
3. Happy Belated Birthday to Little Brandon, who really isn't all that little anymore. He turned 17 on October 29th! Hope your day was great.
4. Happy 19th Birthday to Alexa! Hope you have a perfect day.
5. New Years Resolution for 2009 (yes, I'm posting it way in advance): Get back on track with actually remembering birthdays, sending cards out on time, and hopefully sending gifts, too. Wouldn't that be something? I used to be so good.
6. Happy 2nd Birthday to Roxy. Haha. When we got her in January 2007, we were told she was about 8-9 weeks old, so we picked Halloween as her birthday. Bailey was busy making her cards last night and asked if we could go to Petco after school to buy her a gift. She also likes to say that she's 14, not 2.
7. Bailey is planning to trick-or-treat with her friend Lauren, and then spend the night. In the morning they have skating lessons.
8. Shawn and I are going to stop by our neighbors house, John and Kerry (they were at my birthday dinner) to hang out for a bit. I believe Tom and Amanda will be there, too. Fun.
9. Austen is planning to go to a Halloween party. No costume for him, of course (butthead!) Believe me. I tried. Still waiting to hear back from the parents to see what the overall plan is for tonight.
10. I think Kale is going to a different Halloween party. He'd be more likely to dress up, at least as something. Will have to see.
11. Bailey and I made the neat little haunted gingerbread house above. Everything comes in a kit and you just put it together. So easy and fun. She was loving the smell of the gingerbread, and then we realized that she's never had gingerbread. So we went to the store and found Ginger Snaps and GingerMen from Pepperridge Farms. She has decided that Ginger Snaps are too spicy (I forgot about that), but the little GingerMen are quite tasty. We have also decided that we need to make real gingerbread people during December. Looking forward to that.
12. I made those yummy chocolate chip cookies last night. I do this about once a week. Well, that's not completely true. Sometimes I go two weeks before I make them. They are always so good. Shawn decided last night that I need to come up with some other quick items that I can whip up in the evening, if we are so inclined to have something sweet. Well, okay. That would be every night. But we don't/won't do that.
13. I haven't worn jeans in a really long time. I kind of just live in my comfy capris, and definitely sweats around the house. I so love my sweats. I'm wearing sweats right now. I did break down and buy some new ones. So that was good. Anyway, the jeans. I thought it would be nice to wear a pair of jeans tonight, so I could wear tennis shoes, or boots. I really don't think the capris are going to cut it with either, and I don't feel like wearing flip flops in the rain. So, here's the deal. My jeans from last winter ... they don't fit. Yep. I said it. They don't fit. Too tight. Dang. That doesn't please me in the least. So, feeling a tad desperate, and not wanting to actually go buy a new pair of jeans (because really, honestly, I'm going to lose some weight!) I tried on a pair of Kale's levis and can you guess? Yep. They fit. So, at least for tonight, I have a pair of jeans to wear. Don't tell Kale. I'm not sure he'd be too thrilled.
14. Lastly, Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has a safe, fun evening.
    
    
    

Green Tangerine Challenge

Bailey and I are doing an 8-week long designer's challenge over at Green Tangerines. Each week, we go in and pick up the next challenge, and show the challenge from the previous week to get a point. For eight weeks we are focusing on friends. Week One we had to do a page that was an overview of 7 important friends in our life. And then each week, we are asked to focus on one of those friends based on criteria that GT provides, plus use a particular item that is included with the challenge. Does that make sense?

Anyway, last week's challenge was to focus on one friend who makes us feel like a kid, or who is especially funny or kid-like. Of course, I thought of Darcy because whenever we are together it's a given that my face is going to hurt from laughing so hard. I thought I'd share the page here, because I decided to use a recent picture (from the Halloween party) to go along with the golden yellow chipboard stickers I was also required to use on the page (not exactly a color I would normally choose, so that added to the challenge!)

Bailey's Halloween Party

Bailey's party was on Saturday evening. We had a lot planned, and they were quite busy! Shawn and I both loved Bailey's costume. The wig just made the whole costume. We also had a Disco Diva, a Pink Lady, a Red Devil (not pictured above), a Candy Corn Witch and a Purple Witch. Very cute costumes. Unfortunately, Bailey's wig did not last long. She was very hot and itchy.

Right away, they decided to play some games: musical tombstones, skull relay (balanced on a spoon), and pumpkin relay (balanced on their head). They also made toilet paper mummies and played Twister. They were all very brave and tried the awful looking brain that I made from peach jello. Hahaha. I couldn't believe that they were willing. We had pizza for dinner, and later they decorated two cupcakes each. I think the big hit of the night was the white masks that Shawn had picked up for them. We took plenty of pictures with them on (both white and then later when they colored them!) They loved them. And they were quite creepy. Kale even got in on the fun, and decorated one.

All the girls spent the night and we had the usual dose of girl drama. Two girls disagreeing at one point, and one little girl missing her mom and needing to call home twice. All in all everything worked out fine. In the end I think most of the girls went to bed close to 3am. I got up several times to remind them to be quiet (ha) and to go to bed (double ha). I think when Shawn got up around 3am was when they finally thought it would be a good idea to settle down. Thank goodness. Once all the girls were picked up on Sunday, I quickly went upstairs to take a nap. I'm still tired today!

Video taken by Alexa - Virulent (Partial)

Video taken by Alexa - We Are Here (Partial)

Be sure to allow the video to load completely. As it starts to play the first time, hit pause. Allow it to load and then hit play.

Happy Birthday to Me :)

I had a great birthday weekend! It was such a treat to have family here to celebrate it with me, and to top it off Shawn had planned a special dinner that he had also invited our friends Tom & Amanda and John & Kerry to. You know me, though. I'm not one for being the center of attention, so that was a stretch for me, but I truly loved and cherished having everyone together.

Bailey had surprised me by putting this picture (that she found on google images) on our desktop. She's such a sweet girl.

Shawn originally planned to take us all to Austin's Steak House at Thunder Valley Casino, but when I discovered this, and the fact that plates run approx. $50/person I asked that we re-think the location. We decided on Claim Jumper. I'm so glad that it worked out. It was the perfect place to be able to have all 14 of us at one huge table.

The whole group, left to right-ish: Haylee, Alexa, Makayla, Darcy, Austen, Shawn, Kale, Kristen, Bailey, Amanda, Grandma Cathy, Tom, Kerry and John

Everyone came back to the house for cake and icecream. Shawn and Bailey had ordered a huge cake from Safeway that was really good. Then I got to open presents (yeah me!) I got all sorts of good stuff! Two gift cards to Green Tangerines ($200 and $40!), gift certificate to Scrapbook Station ($30!) (yes, I have a serious, serious problem, I know!), RHS Tiger's t-shirt, Halloween bracelet, truffles and handmade cards from my kids. Of course, the best gift of all was just having the opportunity to spend my birthday with people I care about.

Great show.

Grandma and the girls!

Darcy, Makayla, Bailey, Haylee and Alexa

Kale, Jordan and Jeremiah

Part of the crowd

Austen

It was so fun and exciting to see the boy's play their first show. Wow! So cool. Having Grandma Cathy, Darcy and the girls here made it even better! Club Retro was very impressed with the boys and the fact that they sold $340 worth of tickets prior to the show. Doing that allowed them to play last. Club Retro has also said that they would definitely have the boys back. After the show, we all went to Dennys and then came back to our house.

stories in hand

I just signed up for jessica sprague's free class....go here if you are interested. good things and fun times will be had for sure.

*note to Lex: I thought this might be something you'd really like! Check it out.

It's almost here...

Just two more days and the boys will be on stage at Club Retro.

Unique Twilight Album (or so I think).

Since I'm a HUGE Twilight fan, I thought it would be neat to make an album that could be used to hold photos from the upcoming movie release (meaning the pictures I take of me, and the kids going to it). And perhaps include my thoughts on the book series. I don't know. Something along those lines. (Keep in mind, there are many more pages involved in this project. I didn't want to clog up the blog with all of them). Anyway, then my eBay brain kicked in and I thought, "hhmmmm, I wonder if this would sell on eBay?" And so that's where it actually ended up (it's there now). Will have to see how that turns out. I figure I can always make another one for me.

Kinda Cute Craft and Skate Lessons.

I made these cute Halloween sticks yesterday. The picture doesn't do them justice, but they are darn cute. My favorite is the dangly skeleton guy.

Bailey and Lauren started their skating lessons this morning. The class will go for 4 Saturdays, 9:30-10:00am. They are then allowed to stay for free skate from 10:00-11:30am, if they feel like it. They have a ways to go, but definitely made some improvement today. Yeah!

Song lyrics, as promised ...

Let’s All Throwdown At Prom:
Break it down!
You look good in that dress. You got your hair did.
We’ve been waiting all our lives, the time is now!
Tonight, is the night, you’ll never forget. Keep on, Keep on, Keep on pushing forward! X 2 Hold on, Hold on, to what you love! X 2
I only pretend to love you, to get what I want!
It’s finally here, this night will never end.
Tonight, is the night, you’ll never forget. This time will be the last time.
Keep on, Keep on, Keep on pushing forward x 2
Hold on, Hold on!
And here we go! Go!!!!
We are tonight’s entertainment!
We are tonight’s entertainment!

The Violent Years:
Live right now, Live right now, Live everyday x2
Live your life, live your life like it’s your last day x2 it’s your last day!
What would you do? Attempt to do? If you could not fail, could not fail. I’m through with you. You’d do anything. All this pain and misery. Not a care in the world.
HAHAHAHA. GO! Let’s do this. Let’s freaking rumble. I’ll break your face!
I will not give into this. Will not give into this! X4
What would you do? Attempt to do? If you could not fail, could not fail. I’m through with you. You’d do anything. All this pain and misery. Not a care in the world.
Everything we had, means nothing, just leave it, and walk away.
Everything we had, means nothing, just leave it, walk away! X2 (screams)
1 2 3 GO!
Everything we had, means nothing, just leave it x2 JUST WALK AWAY!
All these tears you have caused me, I’m through with you. All the I love you’s are now goodbyes.
Broken me down! I hate you! You ruined everything x2 (I am through with you)
I am sick and tired. You ruined what I am. (I am through with you). I am sick and tired (I hate you!) I am through with you.

Auditions

This was Bailey yesterday morning, out the car door at 7:50am to get to her auditions for the school play No Strings Attached (aka Pinocchio). Last year, as a 3rd grader, she was able to participate by being in the song/dance numbers only. This year, as a big 4th grader, she can have a speaking part. She'd like to be the fairy, or Collodi Cricket. What happened to Jiminy, you say? I'm not sure at this point. Haha. I believe this play is based on a very old book, perhaps one that existed long before Disney's version. I'll let you know what happens. *fingers crossed*

Makayla's Twilight Invites

Okay, so I've been waiting for Makayla's invites to arrive in Menifee before posting this, because darn it ... I posted Alexa's before hers arrived (because apparently the USPS has issues) and I really wanted Alexa to see them in person first. Dang it all. Anyway, Makayla's are now lost out in USPS-land. Heaven knows when they'll arrive, although I'm sure they will at some point, so I thought I would just go ahead and post this here. Since Makayla is such a Twilight fan, Darcy asked if I could whip something up for her birthday party, which I believe will be planned around going to the movie when it opens in November.

Shawn's new toy and Sunday fun

Shawn broke down and bought himself an iPod shuffle. He's pretty excited, and can be found walking around the house or even sitting on the couch (with the tv on), with headphones in listening to his tunes. I mean iTunes. Ha. Still amazes us what these little gadgets are capable of doing. Cool.

I took Bailey and her friend Lauren to the movies on Sunday. We saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I have to admit, I wasn't exactly thrilled, but it was actually pretty cute. The boys tagged along and saw Lakeview Terrace. Shawn was at home, sitting on the couch, listening to his iPod. Haha. Just kidding. He decided to stay home and mow the lawns.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Getting ready for Halloween

Bailey and I decorated the inside of the house last weekend for her upcoming party (Occtober 25th). This is our dining room table.

Yesterday, Bailey and I worked on her invites for the party, while the boys were recording. It's hard to see in the picture above, but there's a finger, with a ribbon tied around it in the box. So cool and creepy.
Here's a close-up of the box.

More recording ...

As you can see from the picture, they were pretty excited. Just kidding. This picture was actually taken on Friday, when we went out and took more band pics. The recording took place on Saturday. All day Saturday. They were able to record two more songs. Check them out here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=401758588 . They are called Let's All Throwdown At Prom and The Violent Years. We're really excited about these, because Kale's voice, actually sounds like Kale's voice. Cool. Like Virulent, you need to listen a few times for them to grow on you. Trust me. They will. Let us know what you think. : )

Bad Blogger Award goes to ...

... Alexa.

I was ready and poised to say "me", and then I realized Alexa has not blogged since something crazy like September 7th! What the heck? I thought I was bad! Teehee. Just kidding, Alexa. I'm sure you're swamped with school and life, and new puppies and all that good stuff. I do miss your posts, though.