My Little Photographer Strikes Again

Jamie likes to get up early in the morning when everyone is asleep and get into things. I usually keep the camera locked up in the office, but sometimes I accidentally leave it out. This morning was one of those times. Most of the pictures are what you would expect. I have pictures of the tops of doors, the floor, and some fuzzy unidentifiable pictures. There's always the incriminating shot that gives away the culprit beyond a shadow of a doubt.

But today there was this beautiful light picture. I can not identify it's source. I'm assuming the TV, but it really turned out quite pretty.

What Does It Take to Bring in the Light?

As I set of to make this post, I glance beside me and there is a hallmark card. It was part of a gift set that someone bought me so many years ago. I have sent cards identical to this to many people over the years and now it sits there for me.

I believe we are HERE for a reason. As each DAY
unfolds, we see less of the SHADOW and MORE of the sun.

But how do you get to believe this when days just seem drowned with darkness? It really doesn't take much. It takes kind words from people who love you, it takes understanding and compassion for those around you. You're life doesn't have to change for you to begin to see the light.

I have been going through such difficult time emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. I felt alone and hurt by those who thought caring was tearing me down. Then a friends came over with her mother and her sister. I have known her for almost 16 years, but in the last few years we have not seen each other a lot due to our varying lives. They visited for a very short while and I didn't expect to really be able to enjoy their visit much since I had spent the last month crying seemingly endless tears.

They came and talked to me, sharing their stories of being where I am at various stages of their lives. Talking to someone I need not defend myself to or explain myself to was like having the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. All I needed was a little understanding. As I typed out a heartfelt thank you to my friend I cried many tears. However, for the first time in so long, they were not tears of bottomless sadness, but tears of gratitude and joy.

The greatest surprise after their visit was how long the light in my home would last. Every day I awake with optimism. I'm seeing less of the shadow and more of the sun every day.

Foam Crafts

There are a large number of foam crafts out there for kids to do. I use a lot of them. A lot of them are perfect for toddlers and can be completed with little or no help from you. You can also find them everywhere and for very little cost.

Here's an adorable little visor Jamie made with no assistance from me. The Cars sticker pack came with stickers, glue and glitter. Jamie felt it necessary to glue the stickers on because he just loves playing with glue! He's so funny.

Kidisms 9/6/08 Butterflies In Your Stomach?

Ever had butterflies in your stomach? We all know that feeling. Apparently my son does too, as well as the feeling of having bugs, crocodiles, frogs, sharks, cars, birds, and elephants. He informed me that these various items are in his body. I asked him how they got in there and he simply replied, "I don't know." Then he hushed me and told me they were sleeping. Well, this definitely explains how he can eat so much and stay so skinny. He's got a lot of critters to feed in there.

Kidisms 9/5/08

It was such a nice day. I played with Jamie and we had a good time. He's getting to be such a little jabber mouth and his imagination is just so funny. We must have dyed imaginary eggs for hours. It's amazing how many color variations he can come up with. After we were done we threw them in the floor and "hatched the eggs" and lots of colored baby birds were flying around the room. Of course, we had to open the door and let them outside so they could find some worms. It's a good thing, too, because we had no sooner got them out when the room flooded and sharks were everywhere. We had to keep our feet on the furniture to keep them from biting our feet. Luckily, the sharks didn't really want to eat us. Apparently they actually live on a diet of peanuts and water. That is sure a relief.

Flower Picture Magnets

Here's a craft that was a big hit for Mother's Day.

What you need...

Business Card magnets
Card Stock Paper
Small Photos of your children
Fake Flower Petals
glue or double sided tape

Cut a circle out of the business card magnet. This doesn't have to be perfect because it won't show.

Cut a circle out of the card stock paper.
Cut a slightly smaller circle with the small photo of your child.

Take the flower petals and glue or tape them, slightly overlapping, around the edges of the card stock circle.

When you're done going all the way around then glue or tape the child's picture in the center. Then you peel the backing off the business magnet circle and stick it on the back. Now you have a great refrigerator magnet.

This has been a great hit with everyone who has seen them. I'm getting requests from people to make them. It's so easy, you can do it yourself. These are the pictures I took of the ones I helped the kids make. I used scrapbooking photo tabs for the tape because they are already the perfect size and the kids needed minimal assistance.

Jamie's Birthday Party

We had Jamie's fourth birthday party at the zoo this year. First we met in a cabin at the zoo for the actual party. A coordinator read stories and played games with the kids, the had cake and soda, and then Jamie opened his presents.

After the party was over everyone got to go see the zoo. Most of us just went to Kids Cove to play. They have a big sandbox and a water feature the kids love to play in.

When it got close to dinner time we all left. My mother-in-law and Jamie's aunt gave us money to take the kids out to eat. We took them to the Olive Garden. They really enjoyed the food and had a good time. They were so well behaved, too.

Some of the pictures are out of order.

Kidisms II 7/28/08

Jamie's looking forward to his zoo birthday party. He said, "It's my birthday Christmas." He obviously knows there are presents involved. He says he wants a cake with "wishes". That is what he calls candles.

What To Do With the Leftover Pot Roast

Last night I made a roast in the crock pot. A local grocery store had roasts on sale half price last week and I picked up two. I fixed the pot roast the way Matt likes it last night. Cooked all night and all day with only potatoes, onions, and seasoning. I cooked it in beef broth.

Tonight for supper I heated up the leftovers with frozen mixed veggies. When it was done I used a little flour to thicken it up and added rice.

My husband wouldn't even give it a shot, but my son surprised me and ate some. He picked around the carrots and when he was done he came bumming from my bowl. Quite a success. My niece doesn't have quite as picky a palate and she ate it really good.

My honest opinion is that it was a little bland. It probably wouldn't be on my top ten list of things to fix for dinner. I probably will make it again, though, since Jamie ate it. At least I got some veggies in his little tummy.