A Space of My Own

Not much of note happening around here in the last few days. James and I went to the library today, the gums around my new crown hurt and I'm avoiding calling the dentist, and I forgot to mention that James' Parents as Teachers meeting went very well. But, that's about it.

So, instead I'll talk about one of my favorite places in our house -- my scrap space. I love it for so many reasons, not just because scrapbooking has overtaken knitting as my favorite hobby. When we moved in almost a year and a half ago, I got my very own room, with my very own area devoted just to scrapping. Even when I lived alone in a house I didn't have a dedicated space, and just cluttered up the kitchen table all of the time.

Yesterday, I got a couple of organizational tools, and now, there really is a place for everything, and, for the moment at least, everything is in its place! I love being able to take our photos and memories and preserve them. James likes looking at the scrapbooks, too, pointing out who and what he knows. Blake is very supportive and humors me by looking at my new layouts and saying, "that's the best one you've ever done!" to each one.

I try not to think about how all of my spending money goes towards this hobby, and instead focus on the many hours of enjoyment I have in this space, and later looking at the pages of our memories.

Check out the poll!

Hey, when I've been visiting other blogs, I've noticed some have music playing. Since it's been music I liked, I thought it might be nice to have some here. But, I can also see that it could be annoying, if you don't have the same taste as me. So, vote in the poll to the right and let me know what you think! You can also leave a comment here with your thoughts on the subject. Of course, not everyone already knows my taste in music, but those who do know that it is excellent!

It's the Weekend!

On Friday, James and I had fun with our Playgroup at the Hippo Place. He gets excited and says Hippo over and over. He's still a little unsure about the climbing there, getting halfway across and then coming back down. And, he's also afraid of the hippo (takes after me, maybe, since I'm not a big fan of people in animal costumes or clowns). But he loves running around, seeing different things and other kids. And I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the other moms. The playgroup is really a fun thing for both of us. (These pictures are from earlier visits to the Hippo place, which is why Blake is there and not a bunch of other kids and moms. On this visit, I was too busy talking to take pictures.)

I've done some more yard work, and this afternoon Blake is going to join me. Should make the job go much quicker. Since neither one of us likes yard work, we will at least be out there not enjoying it together!

This morning was fun. After breakfast, James was asking for "dope". But, it's not time for the drug talk yet -- that's what he calls Play-doh. So we all got some out to play. Blake made fun of me, because I was trying to keep the colors separate. Putting them together was more fun, though. I made a snail, and then Blake made a ball and dropped it on my snail.

Well, that's the excitement here: play area, yard work, and play-doh! 'Til next time . . .

Busy Week!

We had so much fun at James' birthday party! Thanks to everyone who drove across the state (or 2) for it. James had so much fun playing with his cousins, Cameron and Landon, and getting lots of attention from the rest of the family. It was very special when all 3 boys were with their great-grandparents. I was impressed by how well everyone did without a nap (especially me!), but maybe the sugar helped. Later, the kids (and several adults) went to the park. It was a really beautiful day out.

James has been having fun playing with all of his new toys. I am always happy when he's happy, but, I have to admit, some of the toys that make him the happiest are a little loud.

Monday was his 2 year checkup, and all was well. He got his stitches out, too. It's nice to see that he healed nicely. We don't have to go back for a year, which is still amazing to me, since we had to go about every week in the beginning, due to his prematurity.

I've been busy running what seems like a million errands and getting stuff done around the house. Today I took care of weeds in the front of the house. Anyone who knows me well knows that I hate to garden. But, it looks much better, and I am trying to convince myself that it's a good workout, too.

I've also been making whole wheat banana muffins. Yum! Something good for us, tasty, and cheap to make. Can't beat that.

Tomorrow the Parents as Teachers educator comes to see James. I'm looking forward to that, as she always has fun ideas. So, the morning will be fun. The afternoon, probably not so much, as I am getting my permanent crown put on. Hopefully it will be quick and my jaw won't hurt for 2 days like it did before.

James is 2 Today!

It's James' 2nd birthday and we are so excited! He got new pajamas to wear last night, and here are pictures of him playing on his present -- the Kangaroo climber. It's a present from us, and from the money sent by Grandpa Dan and Grandma Betty. He has had so much fun with it. He did fall once, but since then has seemed more comfortable, because he learned what not to do. He slides down, then says "again" and goes around again. He also loved his balloons, playing with them and carrying them around lot. All this, and his party isn't even until tomorrow.

James has brought so much joy to our lives these past 2 years. I can't believe how much has happened during that time. It is such a fun time right now, as he learns and does new stuff every day. I can't imagine our lives without him.

Sorry about the video -- I didn't realize that if I held it for a vertical shot that it wouldn't rotate. That's why I put in the picture, too.

Joey is SO Happy!

It's the weekend, and it has mostly been pretty laid-back. A little shopping, a little knitting, a little scrapbooking. But, yesterday, my friend Tracy came by for a visit. I really enjoyed seeing her and getting a chance to talk. I miss my friends in Columbia, and need to get back for a visit. James had a blast taking her all of his toys, telling her every word he knows, and playing with the new fire truck she brought him. The happiest, though, was Joey. Since Tracy had rescued him and he lived with her for a bit before becoming my dog, he has always LOVED her. He was just soaking up the attention. Later, after she had gone, he threw up on the carpet. I'm not sure if the two are related . . .

Today is Blake's turn to visit with a friend, while the rest of us just take it easy.

I'm so Proud!

Blake went to his company's annual meeting last night and came home very happy. He brought with him some of the leftover food for us, a pot of gerbera daisies for me, and balloons for James (those have been a HUGE hit today). He also had a big check which was his prize for being one of the pacesetters (meaning that he works A LOT). AND, the BEST news: during the owner/company president's presentation, he singled out and talked about Blake -- what a great motivator he is and how he contributes to the company! Yeah, Blake!!! Of course, I knew how great he is, but I'm glad to see that everyone else knows it, too!

An Urgent Start to the Day

Last night, Blake and James had fun playing, while I had fun at Mom's Night Out. The playgroup moms went out to a new Japanese restaurant, Kitaro, which was okay, but that's about it. It is always fun to get out and talk, though. Especially when you don't have to chase a toddler at the same time. And, Blake and James built a fort out of chairs and blankets, played ball, and appeared to torment the dogs.

Then, this morning, on the way to his chair for breakfast, James stopped to reach for a toy under the fridge, and pulled out a bleeding hand. He cut himself on his knuckle, and we had to go to urgent care. The whole family went, with Blake stopping the bleeding in the car, me driving, then Blake entertaining James by walking around with him outside while I waited in the waiting room to get us checked in. The whole time, James was just great. No crying, very little restlessness. When he got 2 stitches, he made some faces and cried out a bit, but the way they had him wrapped really seemed to calm him. We were very proud of how well he did. He's doing just fine now, and as the picture shows, he hasn't slowed down. Blake taught him how to hold up his hand to show his boo-boo, but by the time we got home, he was too busy running around and playing to stay still to do that for the camera!

Blake goes to an annual business meeting/party tonight and James and I are going to relax! Ok, he's going to run around and climb and tear things up, and I'm going to chase him and occasionally read a page of Newsweek . . .

A Game Blake Liked!

Blake loves video games. I love board and card games. And there's usually not much crossover. But, he has found a few video games I like (Karaoke Revolution, Amplitude, Katamari, and Zuma), and last night we played Phase 10, a card game. He liked it! Maybe it helps that he beat me, and was pretty much beating me throughout the game, but it's a start. So, I'm hoping for more game nights. I used to play games over lunch break with co-workers, and I miss that. Playgroup moms have a monthly game night, but we tend to just talk and not play games. And James is too young. Poor Blake, he's just gotta play more games!

How and Why to start a blog?

I had been thinking about starting a blog, for a variety of reasons, but couldn't quite get started. There were too many things to decide: what to call it, what its purpose was, who I wanted to see it, etc. But, rather than continue procrastinating, I decided to just start it, and let the rest fall into place. I'm thinking that this will be a way of keeping family and friends updated on what is happening with me and my family, since I am a horrible correspondent. And, maybe it will become a space for random rants. That would be fun. To start off, here's is a picture of Blake and

me from our recent trip to Italy, and one of James as a superhero from a trip to the Science Center's Superhero exhibit.