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a great parent/teacher conference ...

Rob and I went to Nicholas's school today for his first ever parent/teacher conference.  I was dying to hear what the teacher had to say.  I wasn't nervous about going, just curious about what she had to say.

Well, we weren't the least bit surprised by what she had to say.

• He knows his birthday, address, phone number
• He can identify different feelings
• He can recall 5 out of 5 objects when removed from his view
• He understands the meanings of inside, under, over, etc.
• He understands the difference between more/less, large/small, etc.
• He can describe a picture using sentences
• He knows shape recognition and can draw his shapes
• He knows all of his numbers and letters
• He knows all the parts of his body, but gets confused with his shoulder and ankle
• He knows the functions of body parts
• He has good large motor development (but has trouble hopping on one foot for a long time)
• He has great fine motor development and personal and social development
• He shows an interest in learning

I know, it sounds like I'm bragging ... I'm just so proud of him. 

The one thing he does need to work on is participating in group discussions without having to be asked.  I was kind of like this in school too - I would know the answers, but was sometimes afraid to raise my hand.

And speaking of Nicholas, I think he is getting a little tired of me trying to take a picture of him for my 365-day project.  Here he is on two occasions trying to avoid the camera.

 

And now for my Friday Fill-Ins ...

1. I'd really like to be a little warmer right now.

2. Damn it (or one just a little worse) is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. What a hottie, that Captain Jack Sparrow.

4. Marshmallows and fire go together like film and a camera.

5. I can go on and on.

6. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a night at home, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and Sunday, I want to win in the Super Bowl pool I'm in (shh)!

Enjoy your weekend everyone -- and may the best team win the Super Bowl!

new blackberry ...

Four years ago, when I started with the company I currently work for, the first thing that my boss made me order was a blackberry.  I was extremely hesitant about ordering one.  I didn't want to be reachable 24 x 7, especially with having a one-year old at the time.  It didn't take long to get adjusted to my BB and now, I don't know how I lived without it.   

I've had the same model for four years, but today, I received a new model ... this one.

 

And I love it ... especially all the features it has.  It has a camera and a video recorder (but requires a special card for it).  The smaller keys are going to take some getting used to, but it's my new toy.

cha releases ...

For those that are not into scrapbooking (or other crafts and hobbies for that matter), two times a year, there is a big show (CHA) where hundreds of vendors gather together to show off their new products to customers/clients/other vendors.

Some of the scrapbook releases that have caught my eye are below.

This line from Basic Grey.

 

These papers from Cosmo Cricket.

 

These papers from Dream Street Papers.

 

This line by Jenni Bowlin.

 

This line by My Minds Eye.

 

And these papers by Scribble Scrabble.

 

I'm sure there are hundreds of other great products out there, but with a quick glance at some of the vendor websites, these are the ones that caught my eye. 

I'm working from home today --- got some snow overnight and now we are dealing with falling sleet/ice.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

have you heard ...

Have you heard Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow?  If you haven't and you like the song, you need to hear it.  I'll see if I can find it to post on my playlist. 

I was catching up on some TiVoed shows this weekend and watched an episode of Jon and Kate + Eight.  It was the episode where they went to Hawaii to renew their vows.  When Kate and the kids were walking in, it was the song that was played.  The song has already been added to my iPod.

We are supposed to be getting snow tomorrow night (so they say), and according to the weatherman, it's supposed to snow from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon.  I'm kind of hoping for a storm ... I love how it makes everything look outside.  Now mind you, if we do get a storm, I won't be going anywhere.  I just want it to snow, last a day or two, and then be gone with it.

And, here is Nicholas the other day writing a "love" letter to Kaitlin and Emily (his two school girlfriends).

Gotta run to a meeting -- talk tomorrow.

the day was full of errands ...

Our day was full of running here and there.  I finally found the time to go and pick up the pottery that was painted by the kids during Nicholas's party a few weeks ago.  Here is the sneaker that Nicholas started and I finished. 

 

I would have loved to make it look a little different (with white laces), but Nicholas painted the laces green so that is what I had to go with.

We had lunch at McDonald's, ran to Michael's, then ran to Kohl's to exchange some things, ran to Hallmark to pick up Valentine cards, then off to Toy's R Us so Nicholas could use his gift card.  This is what he ended up buying ...

 

Now mind you ... this is his second set of these letters/numbers.  He wanted this set because they are different colors than his other set.  And, don't ask me how he remembers what letters are what colors from the first set, I guess he has a photographic memory.

And, here is my take on the latest sketch from Inspired Blueprints.

 

(Laura V. - these are the flowers I was talking about - love them).

Until next time ...

loving the weather today ...

I'm so thankful today for the beautiful weather we are having today.  It's in the mid-50's, so it sure beats the bitter cold weather we have been getting.  I know this is just a teaser --- I'm sure we'll be back to the normal temperatures by the end of the weekend (or sooner).

I was working on getting my scanner back up and running last night (only took three hours).  I had to download the driver from the HP website to reinstall everything since I can't find the CD for the printer/scanner.  Now that it is back up and running, I'll now be able to scan some pictures to FB (you know, the "oldie but goodie" ones from high school and the years before.

I felt so guilty the other day when I got home from work and Nicholas told me he missed "Beach Day" at school.  He was supposed to dress comfortably, bring a beach towel, sunglasses, etc.  Instead, Rob dressed him up and he looked like this (I still need to teach him to take pictures that aren't so blurry) ...

 

Doesn't he look like he's about 8 or 9 years old?

And, on to Friday Fill-Ins ...

1. Oh, I am so glad it is Friday!

2. I'm one who loves changes, big and little.

3. During downtime at work, I surf the net.

4. 50 degrees in January; are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be anywhere but working.

6. My apple corer is my favorite gadget.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to WalMart, tomorrow my plans include going to Toys R Us with Nicholas and Sunday, I want to relax!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

cute little stamps ...

I was browsing through one of my scrapbook magazines today and found these cute little stamps by 7Gypsies, and they are under $10 ... what a bargain.  I'm going to have to look for the clock/date stamps.  With Nicholas's love for clocks, this would be great for layouts.

 

 

And, this is the amount of snow we got the other day ---

 

Just enough to make everything look so pretty.

For those that were asking (and thank you), Nicholas is feeling better.  He hasn't complained about his ear since Monday.  His eye is still a little red, but that is because of the sinus infection.  You would never know that he was not feeling well ... it definitely doesn't stop the little bugger from running around like a lunatic.

Anyone else watching American Idol?  They have had some great ones (and NOT so great ones) audition.  Can't wait to see who they finally pick for the top 24.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the day!

i was supposed to go in ...

I got up at my regular time this morning ... 5:30am, got showered, ironed my clothes, got dressed, etc., and then Nicholas woke up with a crusty-shut eye and an earache.  So, I called the doctor's and made an appointment for this afternoon.  His eye seems to be cleared up (thank goodness), but we are still heading out this afternoon to make sure everything is ok.

On Saturday, Nicholas and I did lots of running around ... Borders to pick up his favorite new book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," went to Michaels, went and got his MUCH needed haircut, then went to the food store.  At Borders, I picked up this ...

 

I still have other magazines to read first, but I'm sure glad I was able to find this one.

Have lots to do today before the trip to the doctor's later. 

Enjoy the rest of your day!

sad to hear the news ...

Simple Scrapbooks Magazine will be no more after their May/June issue.

 

I'm so sad to hear this news ... I've been a subscriber since its first issue came out in 2002.  I've taken classes at CKU and CKC taught by Stacy, Cathy, and Elizabeth.  There are so many great talented woman who are in charge and who contribute to the magazine whose worked I've admired over the years.  I'm going to really miss getting this magazine in the mail, but I will look forward to reading their material in the Creating Keepasakes magazine.

Yesterday, we had a visitor in our backyard ... so glad to see that Rob picked up the camera and took a few pictures.

 

I was also able to capture some "friends" in our yard the other day (can you see the deer).

Have to go for now --- I have to book my trip to Chicago.  I'm going next month for a few days on business.  I'm not looking forward to experiencing "Chicago" weather, but I'm planning on getting together with one of my "blogging" friends, Traci.  We became friends a little over a year ago through this great world of blogging - can't wait to meet her in person.

Today, I'll leave you with my Friday Fill-Ins.

1. Enough with the bone-chilling weather.

2. I've been craving to scrapbook for a few days now.

3. Nicholas makes me laugh.

4. I wish I could go to where there is LOTS of sunshine next week.

5. My Aunt has been on my mind lately.

6. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing a puzzle (hopefully), tomorrow my plans include taking Nicholas to get a haircut and Sunday, I want to enjoy being with my family!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

i've seen 86 out of 239 films ...

I found this fun quiz in a post on Facebook.  I thought it would be fun to go through and mark the movies that I have seen and see what my outcome would be.  Here it goes!

Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list.

( ) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 4

(x) The Princess Bride
( ) Anchorman
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(x) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( )The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 9

(x) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3 (or whichever of these movies is always on Comedy Central)
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 11

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
( ) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 15

(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
( ) Robots
Total so far: 18

( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG
Total so far: 24

( ) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber
Total so far: 25

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 30

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 37

( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
(x) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 45

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
( ) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 50

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 57

( ) X-Men
( ) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original, not Lindsey Lohan)
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 64

( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 67

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 73

( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 74

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 77

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
( ) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
Total so far: 78

( ) Kill Bill vol 1
( ) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
(x) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 79

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
( ) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
( ) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 82

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal

Total: 86

Now Add them up and...

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life.

 

So,  according to this, I have no life.  However, to tell you the truth, I haven't seen a movie or gone to the movies in a really long time.  Would love to know what your outcome is!