10-months ago...........................

I had an eager 2nd grader!!

She was so excited to be entering the 2nd-grade, but then something happened. The first day of school, I didn't even get my "traditional first-day of school picture." Two-weeks later, things took a turn for the worst & she didn't like school anymore. She fought us every morning & we threatened to switch teachers. THEN, it stopped!! We're not exactly sure what went on or, most probably, she was "testing" us, but we all survived!!

Now, 10-months later...........here's our little 2nd-grader!!

She's excited for summer & 3rd grade!! I really hate this time of year. I cry everytime. It makes me realize 10-months has gone by & it's gone, except my pictures & memories. My baby is getting older & it won't stop. Yesterday I told her this time of year made me sad because she keeps getting bigger & older & I wish she would just stop. She replied......."Ya, I wish I were one-year old again:)" I do too baby.............I do too!!

Sketch This 51

Wanting to scrap some of the pictures from this weekend while they're fresh in my mind. I used the Sketch This #51 sketch. I also used some Queen & Co. felt (black) that I've had for a long time. I will say I wasn't very happy with it. It already comes with a sticky back & all you do is peel the paper off. The only prob................once you peel the paper off, the different "scrolls" on this design wanted to stick every which way, instead of the pattern they were supposed to be, so it was quite tricky. In the end, I didn't lay it on the paper straight & had to peel parts up to realign. I won't be buying anymore with the sticky backing unless someone can show me an easier way to adhere it.

I'm already working on another layout, but I have thank you cards to write-up & I'll be pretty busy for the rest of the week, into the weekend. Ashlyn & Camryn have their dance recital this weekend & I can't wait for it to be over. I'm anxious for summer to be here, it's been a very busy year!

Triple the Sketch #8, not to mention, I SURVIVED!!!!!

I finished up another layout using the Triple the Sketch #8. Simple enough, but I like how it turned out. Using a Prima paintable paper, American Crafts & Doodlebug letters.

In other, more exciting news, I survived the Rockin' Birthday/Pool party!! We had a wonderful time, and best I could tell, the girls had a BLAST!!! We had over 60 people in attendance with 31 girls staying over-night. Here are a few pics!!

This first picture is of the beach towels we gave the girls as their "goodie bag." Jeannie's mom made them into these adorable elephants & the girls (including myself)thought they were the coolest things. We gave them all Sharpies so they could sign each others towels, as a momento of the weekend. The ones with animal hats were for the younger, non-dancing, kids that attended.

Here's a group picture of the "gang." They stayed in the pool until after dark!!

The 2 birthday girls blowing out their candles. I strategically moved myself to take pictures. I wanted them from all angles & am so glad I "wiggled" my way to the front of the crowd for this one.

Once again, Jeannie's mom thought of EVERYTHING!! She bought these "bubba" & "bling" teeth, which the girls thought were a hoot. Here's Ashlyn & Corrin sporting their teeth!! Ironically, they sported these same teeth for the picture I included in their invitions.

I took tons more pictures, but since they're not my kids, I can't upload most of them. Suffice it to say, we survived!!! The last of the kids were asleep by 4:00 AM with Jeannie & I keeping watch from recliners in the living room. Jeannie's mom has a clock that chimes at the top of every hour AND every 15 minutes. I did NOT sleep at all. By 6:30, Jeannie's mom was banging around in the kitchen for breakfast & by 7:15, a majority of the girls were rustling around, looking very sleepy, but wanting breakfast. I was home by 10:00, showered & gone again by 11:00 for a picnic at the beach with William's family. Home by 2:30, napping by 2:40 & sound asleep within seconds. At my sisters by 6:00 for another cook-out, home by 10:00 & in bed for a good nights sleep by 10:30!!! I was one tired pup, BUT, it was a wonderful weekend & I would not have changed a thing!!

Triple the Sketch 8 in ROCK STAR fashion!!

I guess this has sorta turned into a "weekend birthday blog post" thingy?
So, I'm supposed to be making a cake, the likes of which will make you gain 5 lbs just by looking at it (I know I've already told you this, but I felt the need to remind you.) and I also decided to make my world famous "banana pudding."
I say it's world-famous only because my sweet 5-year old nephew loves me only for my banana pudding.
You see, I made it for a holiday occassion & he promptly (this is no lie) told his mother he didn't like her banana pudding anymore.
On the next occassion I had my sweet nephew at the house, he walked in & asked where was his banana pudding.
Of course, his mother (my sil) told him how rude that sounded & couldn't he say "hello aunt bootsie" first & that I would not have made banana pudding just for him.
So, I hear..."hello aunt bootsie. where's my banana pudding?"
To which I replied..."sweet lyle, I made some just for you!!!"
To which my sil said, "Please don't tell him you made it just for him, he'll think you did."
To which I replied...."I DID make it just for him:)" And, I did & he's loved me ever since.

But, onto my Rock Star blogging for the weekend. Here's my layout for Ashlyn's birthday and I used the Triple the Sketch #8. First, here's the infamous UL paper I've been hoarding & am so excited I not only used, BUT, I also used some of this delicious Creative Imaginations paper I've been hoarding. These pictures were taken about 6-months apart, but the first was on their bday in 2007. We went to Stone Mt., GA where they celebrated mountainside w/a cake. We told them we ordered the laser light show just for them, but they didn't buy that for one minute. I probably could have found a more recent 2008 picture then the January one I used, but I loved this one the best. The right-hand side to this page will be used for signatures & sentiments from her family & friends.

Now, off to make 2 birthday cards & then it's back to the grocery store. Seems I forgot a few necessities for my world-famous, 5 lb. gaining delectables!!!

They might even be ROCK STARS!!!

Or not?

Definitely Rock Stars!!!

Happy Birthday to "my other daughter," who turns 8 today!!
We have a whirlwind birthday weekend planned.
Today, after school, the girls are going for pedicures!
I didn't even know what the heck toenail polish was at 8!
Tomorrow, family will be headed to our house for a small get-together for Ashlyn, who's birthday is Sunday.
Later that afternoon, we head over to Meemaw's house for a pool/slumber party filled with 50+ dance girls.
Can you say...................................CRAZY!!!!!

The girls are so excited & I am too. It will be fun!
So, I have a cake to make, the likes of which will add 5 lbs. to anyone that simply looks at it:)
A birthday gift to buy................because I procrastinate that way.
A layout to make.........................I do this every year for the girls' birthday. I put a picture of them from the year before & add a picture of them on their current birthday. Then I ask all the birthday attendees to sign the page. I think it will be fun for them to look back on these in future years. I'm excited about this years page because there will be 50 party attendees signing, plus I finally have a use for the Urban Lily "Rock Star" paper I bought......................oh...........................2-3 years ago & kept holding onto it for whatever reason I didn't have & low & behold...................it will get used!!!
And we have dance practice tonight.
But, it all starts w/me getting off this computer & showering!!

Adios my friends & have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.........ours has just started!!!