Beach Day

Kent and I are trying to take the boys to the beach lots this summer. We bought a great pop up tent large enough for all of us, especially Hux. Although it was overcast and not ideal tanning (ha, yeah right, those days are over), we all had a good time. Boeing and Daddy made a great sand castle and Hux enjoyed his thumb. Hux is so content with his first trip to the beach (Zuma) Getting ready for a sand castle competition Love my boys! Lunch on the beach, yum! A great day.

First Time Out With My Boys (Solo)

Finally Huxley was deemed worthy of joining in on some of our many outings. Until this point, someone always stayed home with him, keeping germs at bay until he was a bit rough around the edges. When that day came, to go do something outdoors with Boeing's Rinaldi School, both Kent and my dad were unavailable. So, I did what most mom's do and took both, alone! It was pooring rain, but the field trip did not get cancelled. It did not rain too much out in Moorpark where the farm is, so things were looking good on that end of town. Luckily, when we got there, the skies had stopped crying and opened up for a very fun morning at Underwood Farms. My girlfriend took these pictures, as I did not think I could handle the addition of a camera! Boe and his Ladies! Their boots all came off when they were lifted onto the horse; so cute! Ah, sweet baby Huxley! It really is such a cute farm; where else can you stand under a wood plank with a goat crossing over? Our class, those that came out in the rain!!

Working on My Photoshop Skills

A few summers ago I got volunteered to make invitations for my sister (and my) friend's wedding. Not knowing what I am doing, it took a very long time, however, I think in the end she got it how she wanted it. It would be great to find some time to take a class on Indesign software, I hear that is more friendly for the kind of work I am always trying to do. Just wanted to remember some of the invitations I have made from things I have seen and liked. Front of Reply Card Back of Reply Card Christmas Party For our friend who says there are always monsters in his room. Saw this on a web site and practiced making stars in Photoshop. I don't scrapbook, totally not my thing. However, a forever friend's shower invite asked everyone to bring a page. I made this in photoshop and printed it onto heavy cardstock. Sorry scrapbookers, just can't do it! Perfect example where Indesign would be a better program for me to use.

Mother's Day Project

Mom pinned this cute wood print on Pinterest with a hint later to a friend in hopes I would make it for her family room. When we were upset about something growing up, she would always assure us that things would eventually be OK. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but we would soon be feeling better about whatever was currently causing us grief. I still remember that today when I am having a bout of distress. So, using some of the other tutorial post on transfering font onto wood, I was able to pull it off. Best part was that everything was already here at the house. At first I was going to ask Kent to get some berch wood to use, but then I stumbled opon a beautiful (yes, that's what I'm gonna call this) piece of wood in the garage. It was just the right size and only need a nice hit with the electric sander (my favorite tool in the garage). No project gets past Boe, my little helper. Luckily he is not offended when mommy just "finishes up"! Found the font for FREE on dafonst (Wrexham) and whipped this up on Photoshop to the size of my wood. Then I just started in the corner and made 8X10 sections to print. Taped them all together to etch onto the wood (traced over the outline of the font real hard to dent the wood underneath) and then penciled in the final paintable area. Not to hard so far! Painting underway. This part took FO EV ER! With a toddler and a new baby, it seemed lucky if I got a few letters done daily during nap. Oh, decided to put tape down as a guide to get the center letters straight, as the etching thing is not exact. Worked! After painting, I busted out some 120 grit sandpaper to rough up the paint, and used the electric sander, again, to distress the edges to my liking. Not too bad. Happy Mother's Day to the best mom ever. Thank you for everything you have taught me. I hope to be as great of a mom to my boys as you were to the three of us turkeys! Love ya!

School Field Trip to LAPD Helicopter Hanger

A couple of weeks ago Boeing's school went to the Los Angeles Police Department's Helicopter Hanger to see all of the cool stuff. The kids had fun climbing in and out of one of the helicopters, but I think the parents got the most out of the visit; very interesting! GrampE and Daddy were able to come this week! Kids in the lobby-super interested in what the officer had to say (hee hee) Copter came in just for the kids to look inside. Comparing boo boo's while waiting to climb into the helicopter. Inside! Scary thought! Group shot, kinda. These kids never wanna all cooperate at the same time!

Just Hanging Out

Hux and Daddy time! The Boys and GrampE Hux getting a little nakie outside time; Boe getting some (more) digging time. Caught a caterpillar. Boe wanted to "hold his baby".

Always Something

Seems I am always working on several projects at one time. Funny, because it makes me absolutely nuts to have little messes here and there, which is exactly what is happening. Cooking, crafting, playing...hope these are memories for the boys that we were a creative family, with the TV almost never on (been a few weeks without it now). Eating Ants on a Log for the first time! Quinoa Cakes and Marinated Beans from Pinterest Homemade Baked Vegan Doughnuts (requested by Auntie Amy) Art experiment, because Boeing is always asking "What color do you get when you mix ________ with ________?" I put the primary colors into sections of an ice cube tray and then let him use an old medicine syringe to mix the colors. After mixing, I let him shoot the colored water onto watercolor paper. He really enjoyed it. This was also good practice with dexterity, as he had to slowly pull the water up and not spill the rest. Look at that concentration. If I remember, Huxley snoozed through this entire activity while he was snuggly in my moby wrap. A little swinging after finished art experiment. Daddy made this tire swing from an old motorcycle tire. Finished off with a little train play (or should I say train crashing, as this is Boeing's current favorite way to play trains). Teacher appreciation gift similar to one I saw on Pinterest. Had to recreat my own, as we got larger candy bars. Yummy!