Friday the 13th...

So I totally didn't notice the date until just now. Heck. Frankly, I'm impressed with the fact that I remembered that today is Friday. :)  Anyhow, just a few random things to share:

1. I did it. I <gulp> joined a gym. Okay, not really joined. I signed up for a "starter" program...six weeks of basically a trial membership. But, each week I also have a consultation with a personal trainer to teach me how to use the machines and how to exercise smarter and give me homework and all that. I figure if that can't get me into a routine and motivated it's not worth joining anyhow, right? I start next week.

Incidentally, this was all brought on by the swim lesson debacle. Did I tell you about the swim lesson mess? Ah, yes, I did. At least partially. You see, after that first week, I ended up just taking Noah out of swim lessons altogether because they couldn't find room for him in the level he should be in and wouldn't let him in any of the other levels (all very understandable, though frustrating due to the poor customer service situation). So, Asher continued going and I started looking for other options for Noah. Turns out the gym just a few blocks away offers swim lessons during the summer for non-members. Who knew? And, of course, while I was in there signing him up, I got roped into thinking about this Quickstart thing. Because, really, if I'm going to be there two days a week anyhow for the next month or so and if I sign Asher up also, that means I only really have to worry about Micah and I can then workout while the boys are occupied either with swim lessons or in the child care area. Which brings me to my next topic...

2. So, today we went to the gym so that I could finish the paperwork for Asher's swim lessons and for the Quickstart program. (Earlier in the week, I'd signed up Noah and managed to not make an impulse buy on the Quickstart thing...instead taking a few days to consider. Yay, me!) While I was taking care of that stuff and getting a tour of the place, I put the boys in the child care area to see how that will go...they're not really used to stuff like that and wanted a bit of a trial run. As I expected, they did fine. In fact, Noah and Asher can't wait to go back. Why? Well, in the bigger kid area (ages 6-12) they have a number of Wii's of course.

Yes, as I type, they're both updating their Christmas lists (yes, we keep them year-round around here to save me the headache of constantly telling them "no" in toy stores...instead, we simply tell them to put it on their list...helps with prioritizing also, lol). They both, obviously, want a Wii. (I should note here that we have no video games at all in the house. That has been a deliberate choice, as certain boys...certain oldest boys...are a wee bit obsessive when it comes to things like that.) We'll see how this goes. To date our policy has been that they're welcome to play approved games when we're out and about, we just don't own any. I may have plenty of "help" with my motivation to exercise more, eh?

3. Micah, who had to be separated from his brothers (and this is the only real down-side to the whole thing) played in the little kid area just fine. When I picked him up and we walked next door (really there's only a half wall dividing the two areas but Micah can't see over it) to pick up his brothers, he discovered what they'd been doing. And was immediately jealous. This is how that went:

Micah: "Me want to play! Me want to play like brothers!"

Me: "I know you do, Micah. I'm sorry, though. You're just not big enough yet."

Micah (immediately, without even blinking): "Me is growing! Me is growing every day!!"

How do you argue with that? ;)

4. Finally, on a non-gym note, the boys and I picked this up at Hobby Lobby earlier this week (using the weekly coupon it was just $9). (Sorry for the bad pic...too lazy to take a better one today.)

 

Assembled it this morning and they set to work coloring. I'm thinking this should keep them busy for awhile, eh? 

So. What did you do this Friday the 13th? 

A new resolution...

I was wonderfully surprised earlier this week to find an email in my inbox from an old high school friend whom I haven't seen in more than 10 years but have wondered about often. It was a fabulous gift and a good reminder. I've been rather embarrassingly slack in my personal correspondence of late. Once upon a time, I was really very good at writing letters and keeping in touch...honest. I used to know everyone's birthday and send little cards because knowing they'd enjoy getting one made me happy. I'd send postcards just because. I loved writing letters. And then. I had kids. And life has never been the same. I'm sure some of you can relate. :) After kids, simply remembering their birthdays and helping them learn their letters seemed enough of a chore.

So, while I'd like to think I've still made a decent effort at keeping in touch with people, I've come to realize that I'm much more likely to reply to someone than to send them a letter or email out of the blue...the very thing that used to bring me such joy. And that makes me a little sad. Because I really do love sending mail and taking the time to make it special. Maybe it's because the boys are finally getting old enough that I'm finding myself with a little (a very little) more time to spend time on things without interruption. Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic. Regardless, I am hereby resolving to write actual letters more often...actual notes just to say hi rather than shooting off quick answers to direct questions. I am setting myself the goal of writing a "real" letter at least once a week. I think I'll invite the boys to do the same. I'm so excited!

(BTW, I do intend to continue utilizing email in conjunction with this new resolution. Much as I love the feel of a letter in my hands, I'm fully aware that email provides the instant gratification that the impatient me craves. So, I may mix in an email letter here and there...the intent really is to actively send a greeting to some unsuspecting person in my life...to bring the smile that the email I received earlier this week brought to me.)

Oh, and speaking of happy mail, I'm rather proud of myself today. Finished the birthday invitations for the party we're having at the end of the month. It'll be a joint party for Asher and Micah (both their birthdays are in July)...with a bubble theme. I've got some fun plans, don't you worry...great photo ops hopefully. :) Anyhow, the invites turned out really cool. I printed them on transparencies, rolled them up, tied them with "bubble-like" ribbon and added a little bubble wand. Fun!

 

I've already started gathering party favors and supplies. Now, just wish me luck with all the kids! :)

Oh. And don't forget about that giveaway I'm doing for anyone who links me to some work inspired by the Album in a Year column...remember, totally doesn't have to be an actual month in review layout, just anything inspired by any part of it.  

Album in a Year?

So. Have you been keeping up with your Album in a Year? I fell behind a wee bit but am back on track now. Without further ado, here is my layout for April:

 

And here is May:

 

So...have you used any of the ideas, title blocks, or sketches for your own layouts? I'd love to see what you've been doing! Note: obviously this stuff was designed with the Album in a Year in mind, but I know some people have been using parts for projects all their own that have nothing to do with months in review...I'd love to see that as well! Link me to your layouts either in the comments here or shoot me an email (use the contact me thingie over on the left). For each layout you share, I'll enter your name in a drawing for a little bundle of goodies. I'll do the drawing next Monday (June 16) at midnight(ish). 

End of year picnic!

Just a quick note...had our homeschool group "End of Year" picnic earlier today (Sunday). While the weather threatened to disappoint, in the end is was beautiful...sunny with a slight breeze and not too hot. We had a great turnout this year (about 30 kids and their families...a portion of our total group). The kids signed each others' tee shirts, we took a group photo, relay races and games were enjoyed, food was eaten and water balloons were decimated in short order. :) Fun times. Here's one of the many pictures taken...just me and Micah competing to see who could balance these Squidgies on his/her head longest:

 

That's all for now. Stayed tuned tomorrow for a couple of layouts! 

27...or 33...

Happy sigh. Today was one of my best birthdays. I woke up to the smell of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen. My lovely hubby, having listened to me for the last month or two bemoan the fact that we have no Taco Time here in CO and, thus, no Taco Time crisp meat burrito (which I've been craving for some reason lately), decided to make me homemade crisp meat burritos...along with some very tasty fried tortilla type things with cinnamon and sugar...yum!

So...I sat and enjoyed my delicious meal whilst admiring the beautiful flowers my mom sent me yesterday and the orchid Nathan gave me last night...and Noah and Asher each brought me the cards they'd made for me (Asher also declared that his gift was one of cooperation today). A bit later my sleepy Micah joined us and wished me an exuberant "happy birthday!" I then spent the afternoon running various errands...BY MYSELF. Ah. The bliss of shopping without three boys in tow. Serious good times. In addition to more mundane errands, I also managed to squeeze in some time at my local scrapbook store and pick up a few things at Old Navy.

After heading home and unloading, we all went out to dinner (crab legs for me, of course!), where I uttered three sentences I never thought I'd say:

"Please don't try to melt your crayons in the lamp."

"Don't color your chicken." and...

"Stop eating the menu."

You just can't beat entertainment like that...provided, of course, by Micah...in between his flirting with the college girls in the booth behind us. Afterwards, we did some browsing at Barnes and Noble (looking at local travel books in preparation for the vacation we're hoping to take in July) and came home to a wonderful fruit torte "cake" and ice cream. Happiness. :)

Sure, it wasn't the most exciting day in history or anything, but it was great to me...just the break I needed and it completely made my day that Nathan came up with the crisp meat burrito thing all on his own and even woke up early to go get supplies and everything. (Note, in years past, I've almost always had to remind him the day of my birthday...I think it may stem from him blocking out the date since I dumped him on my birthday twice before we finally got engaged, LOL!) Plus, this weekend is the first two day weekend he's taken since March...another added bonus that made today even better!

Oh! You want to know about the title of this post? Well, Noah very smartly remembered that I declared that after 30, birthdays for women go backwards. :) He then calculated that I should be 27 today, right? Yeah, okay, can't fool time but sure can adore the boy for playing along!  

Well, tomorrow we have our annual homeschool group end of year picnic...so I'm sure there will be pictures. Keep your fingers crossed that the 20% chance of thunderstorms doesn't amount to anything. :) I've also managed to finish a few layouts and will post those as soon as I remember to take a picture of them while it's daytime. ;)