G.A.T.E.

I received a survey from the school district today for Jeffrey to be tested for the gifted and talented program. They have wanted to test him in the past few years but I was hesitant. His teacher this year reassured me that the program at their school is fabulous! So.......if he passes their test then he's in.

I received an award!!!! Thank you Kym! You know how to make a girl feel special!

Why do 3 year olds have a toilet fascination?

Every other day it seems like we are unclogging one of our 3 toilets and it is getting old! I'm almost afraid to tell Mike that we've had another  incident...poor guy. Well today was no exception only this time instead of clogging the toilet with a whole roll of Charmin it was first, a brand new Club Libby Lu make up compact, (I was able to get it out w/o Mike's help) I know ewwww gross! Second, tonight after Pack Mtg. I was getting Blake ready for bed, brushing teeth and then going potty......but oh nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There in the toilet was a 3x5 card picture of Jesus looking straight up at me! I told Blake that Jesus does NOT belong in the toilet never ever ever!!!!! I thought it would be wrong to take a picture so you can imagine it for your self!

U can help save handmade!

This post is actually from my dear friend/cousin in law, Shannon. It is so well put. For all my crafty/and not so crafty friends out there this affects you!!!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on February 10, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association CLICK HERE.

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” CLICK HEREto read an article from the Wall Street Journal.

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is the most recent article of a 3 part series from Forbes Magazine HERE.

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

One thing that I have personally done is contact my US Representative. Make sure your voice is heard as well.
Henry A. Waxman
California-30th, Democrat
2204 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515-0530
Phone: (202) 225-3976

Lots of Love,
Shannon

Laundry soap video and other thoughts in my head!

OK.....stay tuned for the laundry soap video (I can't believe that I am going to do this!) Anyway, As soon as Mike can video me this week then I will put it up! Also, I will be crazy busy with Camryn's birthday party and Jeffrey and Gavin's Pack meeting tomorrow night. It is Jeffrey's last pack meeting as he will be getting his arrow of light. (Well I guess he has one more pack mtg for the bridging ceremony that they will do when we have the blue and gold dinner.) Yada yada yada!

Oh yeah, my friend Kym found a useful foodstorage site....check it out here. Thanks Kym!

My Dad and Me

Did I ever tell you that my Dad and I share a love for good ol' fashioned music? The Standards. At my wedding we danced to mostly them and of course "She's a Brick House" Thanks to Mike. Anyway, turn on your speakers and have a listen.....Dad and I also love Father of the Bride...Steve Martin, who doesn't love Steve? Enjoy! Would post of a picture but I am experiencing technical difficulty! Arghh!

A trip to the Getty

We took a bunch of pics! We never have whole family pictures. Thanks to a kindly stranger who we didn't scare off with our brood, we have this lovely shot. The Pacific is right behind us. Too bad it is in the wrong light.

Here are our amazing and gorgeous(if I do say myself) kiddos who right after this was taken got in big trouble with the security guard who came running out of a bldg and told them to not touch the sculpture! *There was tiny notice stamped in the concrete about 8 inches big that said "do not touch sculpture." Um...yeah we go around looking a the ground for such warnings....did I mention that Blake is 3 and an avid reader? What eva!

Jeff took this shot of Mike and me and it is the only decent one we have had taken in a long long time minus the ones Angela took last year.

Aren't they cute? My parents have been married for 52 1/2 years. They still look happy. The kids had so much fun with them that day.

Couldn't pass this one up.... he really was just sitting there being still and I had to capture it!

Thanks to Grandpa for taking the family picture........ummmm who are those people?? Nice maroon shirt guy with the shaggy hair! I guess they add character to our shot! Can you see Blake's face? Love it!

The interesting and beautiful water garden

Where's Jeff?

Here are the kids enjoying books on a replica of an 18th century french bed. I'd love to read there too! After the we were done with the Getty, we ate at Solley's. It is the Best (Jewish?) Deli ever! Next to Gelson's in Van Nuys. I think it was right off the 101 FWY. The service was spectacular...no really it was! They catered to the kids like you would not believe. Let's be real, a lot of times we can be a bit intrusive with our big group....our waitress Tanya was the sweetest girl. Brought us everything that she thought that we might want or need. Even gave Blake a free chocolate milk refill shhhh don't tell the boss man. So if you are ever in that part of the Valley....go check it out and ask for Tanya!

I don't even know what to say!

I've heard people say that technology is cold and empty..... but the way I see it, it is warm and an incredible way to meet and connect with amazing people who are now friends.

I received an award today! My first ever! Thanks Shannon! (Also known as Lily Haven visit her site here ! )She is such an awesome person that makes you feel easy. Her blog is filled with her beautiful family and gorgeous custom creations for little girls that you can buy here.

I have met some amazingly talented and sweet people who are not in my physical day to day life but none the less really are part of it! I love reading all about them and enjoy posting comments and reading the ones posted for me. I love sharing my life with so many. What a wonderful way to connect!


Proximidade is described as follows:'This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! 'This blog award should be sent to your favorite eight bloggers and they, in turn should forward to eight of their favorites. You should include the text for Proximidade (above) in your announcement blog.

Please check out my list of (only) 8 bloggers. There are so many great ones out there. I am thinking that I will send this award on to the ones that "speak" to me in one way or another. I am an eclectic person and this list reflects it!


And the award goes to...........

The NieNie Dialogues (top of my list for a reason)

Lindsay (this girl has a gift for writing)

V & Co. ( a mom doing it all)
Present Past Collection (she shares all her secrets)
The Cottage Nest (entertaining wit and good taste)

Sadie Olive (amazing photography and home)

Freckled Farm (I want to move next door to this one)

Talia (an honest girl who shared her most embarrasing moment and an inspiration)

Fun with Play-Doh

I got 6 pounds of Play-Doh for under $3! You can't beat that.....Here is what Camryn made.

Blake and I were having fun making his name.

Valentine ideas anyone?

Our girls at church are going to an assisted living home for Valentine's day (well really the Tuesday b4) and we are going to singe L- is for the way you look at me...by Nat King Cole. They are going to do a cute little skit thing with it but I also need some more ideas....anyone ever go and do anything like this b4? We are going to make old timey valentines and pass out some sugar free candy and chocolate. I think I need one more idea for entertaining them. I know they woud love to talk to the girls but, I don't know how comfortable the girls are with just that. I am open to any ideas ......even you too lurker:), leave a comment thanks!!

Look at Jeffrey's new hair cut! And check out my Pemberly Court blog...there's something new!

Be sure to check out Pemberly Court ( my shops blog) see the link to the right??? You know over there------------>

There is something brand new and so dang adorable I am thinking of ways to make one for myself to wear around the house while I sip on soome yummy herbal tea.......Hmmm
Leave me a comment on that page and let me know what you think......(of course only if it is nice) LOL


Gavin and Jeffrey playing Club Penguin. Gavin almost always has to be on the phone with a friend while playing so they can always know what is going on....strange! These two boys are like best friends. It makes my heart so happy to know that they really love each other. If Jeffrey goes out side then Gavin follows and they share their friends.

The new do. Dad got upset at Jeffrey for not keeping up with his "high maintenance" hair and decided to shave it all off except for a Mohawk part. He was tired of Jeffrey's hair always sticking out this way or that way. I pleaded with him to not touch his hair but when he makes a decision it is final. "Yes Sir!" Jeffrey really likes it but I think it will have to disappear by Sunday for church.

Look who got her ears pierced!

Today for church I did a Sweedish inspired braided up do. She looked so darn cute!

You have to look closely as I didn't want them to be too big for a 7 year old!

I begrudgingly let Camryn get her ears pierced last weekend. We were at the mall exchanging some shoes for Jeff and she saw the earring poster at Club Libby Lu (which sadly they are closing all their stores at the end of the month:( ) I told her we would think about it as I still had to discuss this with Mike. He quickly said "sure!" I wasn't so sure though....she is growing up so fast. The girls were so sweet that did the job. After picking out the studs she wanted they asked her how she was feeling. She was a little scared and they wrote that down on the certificate along with who all she brought with her. They did both ears at the same time...good thing as I don't know if she would have let them do the other. They counted....one........twoooooo...click! They didn't make it to three! She didn't eve cry! I think she wanted to but we were all so excited for her and the girls made a real big deal about how great she looked. So....on the part of the certificate where it says....after my ears were pierced I felt..."happy!" Here a few pics I took of her just a few minutes ago! ( I feel so behind)

You just have to see this!

For all of my church friends and family and anyone who likes to save money by making your own food for your family and/or shopping on a budget for groceries (who isn't now a days.) You have to check out this brand spankin' new site that my mom just told me about today! Thanks mom! It is after midnight and I can't get enough....well, I did take a moment to share this with you b4 I forget and get busy with tomorrow! ( I'm rambling and remember if this doesn't make total sense...it is after midnight!) http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net/ These girls make food storage fun! I'm not kidding! Check out all the videos they have done on cooking with your food storage! Check out their link to the right!

Make your own laundry detergent

What??? I know it sounds weird but, I made my own laundry detergent. It is so easy and cost effective in a rough economy or if you have sensitive skin like our Blakey does. For the past years I have been using all of those "Clear" detergents and Blake is still having some skin issues. We can only use certain moisturizers on his skin and he can't stay wet (lik swimming or a bath) for too long or else he gets a rash every where. So, I decided to try this out and see if it makes a difference. So far so good! I've been using it for about a month or so. I saw it here but used this recipe instead. I think I might make my own video and put it on youtube. (one that isn't so blah) I'll keep you posted!

Christmas at our house!

How cute and silly?

Don't know where Blake's Santa pic went to. But he had fun opening all his gifts. He loved this Cars Lightning McQueen set and baby Fur Real Parrot.

Jeffrey found what he has been dying for! A gagillion thousand piece Star Wars Lego Set that costs more than a Nintendo DS. It's a good thing that Santa's Elves makes those...I don't know how he would be able to afford it all for all the Star Wars mega fans out there. It's just plastic pieces!!!!!

A brand new Bike for sissy! Beach Cruiser style. Notice her cute vintage style kitten and puppy P.J.'s? I just love 'em!

GG looking at what Santa brought him....a Nintendo DS Guitar Hero version.

Each year on Christmas Eve we open 1 gift each (which is always P.J.'s) then we read first, Twas the Night Before Christmas followed by reading in the Bible St. Luke Chapter 2, about the birth of Christ. This year Jeffrey read the Night b4 Christmas to us all and did a great job! He read with such enthusiasm that we all listened...even Blake! We videoed him reading so maybe Mike can figure out how to put that on here!

Our traditional family Christmas Eve dinner....Christmas Ham with potatoes Au Gratin (from scratch) Hawaiin Rolls (for Jeff and Mike) and the best ever green beans with a touch of bacon! We don't do a ton of variety due to the fact that it is just the 6 of us and the kids don't eat like adults. Except when it comes to ham.

A Family visit.

We were so happy to have Mike's Grandma, Aunt and Uncle, Cousin (click on cousin) and her cute family here to spend a late Christmas and early New Year's with our family. We had a wonderful lunch that Mike made. He did it all! Carne Asada, guacamole`, sweet corn cake and fresh hot tortilla chips and more! This picture is proof that I should retouch my make up b4 we take pictures! Oh well, it is what it is! (Maybe I should have had Mike photo shop me!)

A day out with Mike and our friends!

Yes, that is my fat face!!! It's the price I pay for taking the picture my self! (Horable angle)

Yestday was spent shooting!!! Yes, I learned how to really use and load our guns. (We did get a babysitter so we could really let loose.) I feel like I can now handle myself in any situation....if I ever have to which is probably rare. My arm and shoulder are so sore from the shot gun! I didn't do too bad at hitting the targets either! I didn't dare shoot the 30-06 (30 ot 6)! That is the daddy of all shot guns. No thank you! But all the guys were brave and went for it! We were with our neighbor's son who just returned from a tour of Iraq. It was quite something to have a soldier there and show us girls how to handle a hand gun. Next time we will take the kids (they loved shooting the 22 rifle) So Tow families and Kim families....hope you are ready! For any of you who may have concerns about the kids, Mike is as safe as it gets when it comes to kids and gun safety! Just thought I'd throw that in! (I know some of you reading this are thinking about it!) :)