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halloween 2008 ...

I just returned from Nicholas's first Halloween parade at school.  Everyone looked so cute.  Nicholas is a doctor this year (very easy costume).

Here is my handsome doctor (let's just hope that maybe he grows up to be one).

 

A close-up ...

 

With mommy ...

 

And daddy ...

 

Here he is in the parade (along with his "two" girlfriends).  He is holding Emily's hand (the one that got hurt the other day), and Kaitlyn is behind Emily in pink.

 

And here he is amongst the crowd ...

   

Can't wait for trick-or-treating tonight.

Enjoy your night everyone!

on to the next book ...

I finished reading "Nights in Rodanthe" this morning and can thoroughly say that I really enjoyed the book.  Yes, I did cry (like I knew I would), but it was a good story.  Now I just need to see the movie and see how much it compares to the book.  I wonder if I'll be able to hold back the tears watching the movie since I already know what happens (probably not).

My next read is this ...

 

I've been wanting to read this for awhile now, but I can only read one book at a time, so here's my chance.  I saw the movie trailer the other night on TV and thought I better start reading so I could try and finish before the end of November when the movie comes out.  I'm told it's going to be tough to put the book down, so, we'll see.

Everything else is quiet on the home front.  Halloween is tomorrow and I'm looking forward to Nicholas' parade at school, and then trick-or-treating in the evening.  I'll be sure to post pictures.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

so proud of him ...

On Monday when Nicholas' school was about to end for the day, and during clean-up of the classroom, his friend Emily (she is all he talks about) fell on a box.  According to Nicholas (and Rob), she was in bad shape (her eye turned black/blue and she was very upset).  Nicholas was right by her side (holding her) until her mom arrived.  When her mom got there and it was time for them to leave, he got her coat and book bag for her. 

I am so proud of him - he completely understands the meaning of friendship.  His friend was upset and he stood right by her side.  I hope as he grows up he continues to have so much compassion for those that he cares about.  I'm sure Emily will always remember his comfort and kindness.

Last night I was able to create two layouts from the two latest "Inspired Blueprints" sketches.  My first layout is about Nicholas opening the "one" gift that wanted for Christmas last year.  He was so excited when he opened that Digital Arts Studio (still constantly plays with it).

 

This layout is just about two different lighting views of our tree last year.

 

Gotta get to work now - enjoy your day everyone!

pumpkin carving at our house ...

Last night was dedicated to our annual pumpkin carving tradition.  When we went to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago, we got two big pumpkins to carve (one for me to carve for Nicholas, and one for Rob to carve).

Here are some pictures of the process ...

Rob drawing where he wants to cut the top.

 

Cutting the top ...

 

Taking the "guts" out (Nicholas thought this was disgusting - I don't blame him) ...

 

Carving out the designs ...

 

Nicholas wanted his pumpkin to have an "Emoticon" face (so not related to Halloween at all, but EASY to carve).

 

And here is Rob's "very detailed" witch.

 

And, look what it was doing here this morning ...

 

Snow in October --- NOT READY FOR THIS!

Hope you are all having a nice WARM day!

got some creating time in ...

We had our Mom's Group Halloween party this afternoon and the kids had a blast.  They got to paint mini pumpkins, decorate cupcakes, color paper pumpkins, play, get read Halloween stories to, and hang out and be kids.

I didn't want Nicholas to wear his costume for this year because I'm sure that he would have gotten paint all over it.  Instead, I put him in a Yankee's t-shirt, hat, added some makeup under his eyes, and he was set.

 

I was able to get some scrapbooking done this evening.  Finished Week Two of Design Your Life (too bad they are on week four).

 

 

Now I'm off to clean the basement because the mess from Nicholas is giving me an ulcer.

Enjoy the evening everyone!

lucky lottery tickets ...

The other day I purchased a $3 rub-off lottery ticket --- here has what my luck has been like since then ...

• Bought $3 ticket - then won $3
• Bought $2 ticket with my winnings - kept $1
• Won $4 with that ticket
• Purchased another $2 ticket - kept $2
• Won $10 with that ticket

Should I keep buying tickets --- maybe I'll hit really big!!!!

On another note, I wanted to share with you the pumpkin that Nicholas decorated in school on Wednesday.  They used stickers for the face instead of paint (very smart thing to do with 4-5 yr. olds).

Here is his pumpkin - so cute!

 

And for my friends/family local to NJ/PA, I'll be participating in a Quarter Auction this Sunday representing MemoryWorks.  Doors open at 1:00pm.  If you would like further information, please send me an email.

Have a great day everyone!

loving this book ...

I have this thing that if there is a movie that I want to see and there is a book also out there based on the movie, I need to read the book first.  Right now, I'm reading ...

 

and loving it.  I've heard from many people that the movie is a must see (a definite chick flick).  I was also told to be sure I had a box of tissues sitting next to me while watching it.  Okay, so that means I'll be watching this when it comes out on DVD or on DirecTV so I can cry in the comfort of my own home (don't want to be doing the nasty cry sitting in a theater).

Hope everyone is enjoying their day - so glad that tomorrow is Friday!

trying so hard ...

I'm trying so hard to keep up with my "Design Your Life" class from BPS; however, I'm already behind.  I was able to get two layouts done last night.

Here is a layout from Week 1 --- a layout about my friendship with Suzanne.

 

And here is a layout about Nicholas for Week 2 ...

 

I took the day off from work today.  I plan on getting some housework done, since I never have time during the week or weekend to get anything done.

Enjoy your day!

one red dot and go fish ...

Nicholas thanks Aunt Susan for this book ...

A Kindergarten-Grade 2–A graphically bold pop-up book that entices readers to find the one red dot that is hidden on each paper sculpture. Going from 1 to 10, Carter creates a visual hide-and-seek game, ranging from flip-flop flaps to fluttering flicker clickers that really click to orbs that tower above the page. Bold primary colors and a silver-black text give the book a very slick, modern feel.

And for these cards ...

 

We have already read the book about 50 times and have played Go Fish about 20 times since Saturday evening.  Nicholas even won a few times at Go Fish.

We spent Saturday evening at my dear friend's house celebrating little William's first birthday.  The theme was cupcakes.  It was a BEAUTIFUL party and I'm so glad that I got to spend some much needed time at the Morris residence.

Here is the birthday boy eating his "red velvet" cupcake.

 

Here are Nicholas and William playing the piano together.

 

Ryan and Susan - I'll be putting a CD together for each of you so you can have the "almost" 100 pictures that I was able to capture during the day.

And --- for anyone enjoying warm weather today - can you send me some of that sunshine.  It was only in the 30's here this morning and I had to scrape my windshield.

Stay warm!

i, i, i - some interesting questions ...

You know how much I LOVE these things ... found this over on my friend Jan's blog.  Here are my answers.

 

I am: looking forward to playing bingo tonight with my best friend Suzanne.

I think: we're going to have a good weekend.

I have: to go to the bank before this evening.

I dislike: rude people.

I miss: my dear friends in Florida.

I fear: losing a loved one.
I feel: lucky that I'm going to win tonight.
I hear: the clocks ticking.

I smell: root-beer in my glass.
I crave: alone time.

I cry: at sappy movies.
I usually: spend too much money on scrapbook supplies.
I search: blogs / facebook constantly.

I wonder: if Nicholas is having a good day at school.

I regret: never really getting to say goodbye to my Grandmother.
I wish: I would get pregnant.

I love: my family.
I care: about my family and friends.
I always: am looking at my blackberry.

I worry: about my families health.
I am not: a fan of talking on the phone.
I remember: the days of being in school - not having a care in the world - my grandmother's homemade chicken soup.

I believe: everything happens for a reason.

I sing: in the car.
I don't always: check the oil in my car.
I write: down who I need to get a card for before going to Hallmark.

I win: at LCR.
I lose: on rub-off lottery tickets.

I listen: mostly to country music.

I don't understand: why there is always so much traffic on the highways.
I can usually be found: in the basement scrapbooking.

I need: to win the lottery (big time).

I forget: to give phone messages (on occasion).
I am happy: when my family is happy.

 

And, I'll leave you with a picture I took the other day of Nicholas.  The sun was casting lots of shadows, letting me capture this ...

 

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone - and wish me luck at bingo tonight!

You know how much I LOVE these things ... found this over on my friend Jan's blog.  Here are my answers.

 

I am: looking forward to playing bingo tonight with my best friend Suzanne.

I think: we're going to have a good weekend.

I have: to go to the bank before this evening.

I dislike: rude people.

I miss: my dear friends in Florida.

I fear: losing a loved one.
I feel: lucky that I'm going to win tonight.
I hear: the clocks ticking.

I smell: root-beer in my glass.
I crave: alone time.

I cry: at sappy movies.
I usually: spend too much money on scrapbook supplies.
I search: blogs / facebook constantly.

I wonder: if Nicholas is having a good day at school.

I regret: never really getting to say goodbye to my Grandmother.
I wish: I would get pregnant.

I love: my family.
I care: about my family and friends.
I always: am looking at my blackberry.

I worry: about my families health.
I am not: a fan of talking on the phone.
I remember: the days of being in school - not having a care in the world - my grandmother's homemade chicken soup.

I believe: everything happens for a reason.

I sing: in the car.
I don't always: check the oil in my car.
I write: down who I need to get a card for before going to Hallmark.

I win: at LCR.
I lose: on rub-off lottery tickets.

I listen: mostly to country music.

I don't understand: why there is always so much traffic on the highways.
I can usually be found: in the basement scrapbooking.

I need: to win the lottery (big time).

I forget: to give phone messages (on occasion).
I am happy: when my family is happy.

 

And, I'll leave you with a picture I took the other day of Nicholas.  The sun was casting lots of shadows, letting me capture this ...

 

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone - and wish me luck at bingo tonight!