Scotty Beats Me in a Staring Contest

Baby Dancer

I wonder if she will grow up with a passion for dance.

Baby dancing to Biggie

All about the kids

Paula is scowling at me, after I asked her if she was all done and ready to leave the Training Table restaurant. Apparently she wasn't finished with her mac n cheese. Her facial expressions are priceless. 

Thanksgiving was coming up, and I had bought Paula a sweater. I took Scotty to pick out his sweater, and he explained to me that he wanted a shirt like his dads, with a bow tie. Below is what he found, loved, and begged for. At home he tried it on and told me he was so handsome. He had fun taking the vest on and off. He wanted me to take his picture, so I asked him to stand in front of the white closet. He explained that he needed a ledge to rest his elbow on. 

Paula is quite the character, she is very good at finding ways to entertain herself. One of them is dressing up. Heels, glasses, purse, phone, scarf, and whatever else she can find to accessorize with. 

Paula will even pretend to dance with her baby doll the way her dad dances with her. She asked her baby, do you want to dance, then twirled it around in the air. 

We went to take some family photos which I will post on here soon. Here is one that Jeff snapped of Scotty. It's just such a cute picture of him. He had a lot of fun playing with his cousins this day. 

Paula's new bed

We just got Paula her first toddler bed a few days ago. She can freely climb in and out of it as she pleases. For the most part she's been pretty good about staying asleep in we bed. Last night however, around 2 AM, I heard a lot of clanging in her room and then her door slammed shut. This is what I found when I got up to check on her.




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Mom and Dad's New obsession with Instagram

Jeff and I have a new found obsession with Instagram, an iphone4 app. We have been taking pictures of seemingly insignificant items, and they are turning out so nice, we have instargram where you can play with the color tones.

Jeff and I have gotten a lot of followers on our instagram photo's and a lot of likes on our different photos. 

I just wanted to share some of the photo's we've taken many of them are taken in New Mexico ABQ. We were there visiting a good friend of mine, when we really tuned in on our instagram kick.

Sasha's pictures:

(This balloon I made everything but the balloon black and white, the original is a great picture too)

(Some strangers bike outside a random coffee shop, people probably wondered, why are you taking a picture of his bike?Answer is because I'm just so cool like that) 

(I saw this angle, this building, shape etc was just so unique I had to snap it)

(This is an insignificant stump! Nothing special about it, until you capture it from another angle)

(Our American flag is so beautiful, no matter it's condition, it's angle, etc.)

(Just another traffic light)

(I snuck through a gate to take this picture. I'm a rebel) 

 (Our flight home was bumpy, and beautiful, see the sun hitting the plane, yet the clouds are so brutal?)

(Another angle on this strangers, awesome bike)

Jeff's pictures: (coming soon)

Story Time With Dad

THE PAGEMASTER

I love listening to Jeff read to the kids, he is so animated, he pauses to recap with Scotty ensuring that he is following along and understanding the story. Surely this will help his future reading comprehension. 

He also is very handy in explaining the definition of words Scotty is unfamiliar with. 

Paula has joined in, she's got just enough attention span to sit through most of the reading time.

Sometimes it seems tedious after a long day to take the time to read a story with the kids. Maybe that's a normal feeling. However the feeling I get after taking the time to read to the kids is priceless. 

Seeing Scotty's excitement is priceless. It seems he feels so loved after a story. 

That is definitely worth 30 minutes of our day/night!

Posted By: Mom

You've been Booed!

The phantom ghost has come to town To leave some goodies... I see you’ve found. If you wish to make this a happier fall... Continue this greeting, this phantom call.
First, post this Phantom where it can be seen, And leave it there until Halloween.
This will scare other Phantoms who may visit. Be sure to participate, you don't want to miss it!
Second, make two treats & two copies from
www.BeenBooed.com
Deliver them to two neighbors, try to stay calm. Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt ... And make sure they put their Phantom Ghost out!
Next, you have only one day to act, so be quick! Leave it at doors where the Phantom hasn't hit. Deliver at dark when there isn't much light... Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!
And last, but not least, come join in the season. Don't worry, be happy, you need no good reason. This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say... Happy Halloween & Have a Great Day!

Here are the treats Scotty and I made to sneakily boo two neighbors

They are oranges that have been hollowed out, carved faces, and filled with yummy treats. 

We used prepackaged goods because we were giving them to neighbors secretly. 

However if your making them for a home party you can fill these with fruit salad, 

Fresh veggies, among many other things. 

(All that juice from the 10 oranges will make for some great fresh OJ tomorrow morning with pancakes, sausage, eggs, and the works) 

Posted By: Mom

Eeny Minnie

I couldn't have ever asked for a better animal! I've owned cats before, that stunk horribly, that were ill, that were recluses, that ran from children, or simply didn't do much of anything. 

Eeny Minnie is one of a kind. She has never been declawed, and has never took her claws out on our children despite how rough they get with her from time to time. Paula's pretty good most of the time, petting her softly etc. Recently she tries to carry Eeny Minnie around by her neck. Eeny Minnie doesn't even hiss, she'll let paula drag her a few feet before wiggling free, or I catch it and say Paula let her go. 

Eeny Minnie usually sleeps next to Scotty, he loves waking up to find his cat beside him curled into his side. He loves to get yarn and make Eeny Minnie chase him around our house. 

I think our cat will be a childhood pet our two little ones will never forget, and will always have a special place in their hearts for her. 

Posted by: Mom

More about Scotty's first year in school

Scotty is also extremely pleased that he has had near perfect behavior. His teacher has green, yellow, orange, then red lights for each child. This is so they can watch their behavior and see where they are on listening in class. 

Scotty has one time got to yellow. That is only one notch and he has only gotten there one time. He reminds me every day that he has stayed on green all day and other kids are not.

I love how much pride he takes in being a good listener, being a polite boy, and doing what is right. He really has always had a desire to make people happy with him. To make people smile. 

 I also got this email from his teacher:

I also just want to tell you that I have been so impressed with how Scotty has been able to control himself. A lot our our classmates have so much they want to share with the class and they just blurt out comments, but Scotty has always been so diligent about raising his hand before speaking. I told Scotty the other day how much I appreciated it, and I wanted to tell you too! I hope the rest of the class can learn from him! :) 

Camilla

-Momma 

Scotty's French is coming along

It's early October 2011, and Scotty has been in the French Immersion class for a couple of months now. He absolutely loves learning French. At first he would come home and I'd ask him about how is day at school was, and what he learned and he'd reply "I don't remember". As the weeks chugged along he started to tell me more of how his day was.

In the beginning he could count to 3 in french, he could say a few colors, he could say my name is Scotty. Je m'appelle Scotty.

Now it is October and he comes home singing near full songs, he is counting higher than 10, skips a few numbers here and there (that's probably normal), he is understanding that when he brought Harrold and the Purple Crayon to school for show and tell, that he harrold is Je m'appelle Harrold. (as he told me in the car one day).

I really think he is retaining the language even if he cannot recite all he knows. He enjoys what he has learned. He is not frustrated by the language he is thrilled. I love that.

I will add some videos of him singing and counting in french as soon as I am able.

-Momma

Our Future Paleontologist

I bought Scotty a cute dinosaur excavation kit from Michaels. Originally jeff did what Bill Guy The Science Guy gave instructions for using Salt, Water, Sponge, and other things to create your own fossil. We still have that, and I will share images.

Scotty loved digging for the Trex so much he said he was going to do this when he grew up. He changes his mind often about what he wants to be when he grows up, this month it's a paleontologist.

Paula snuck Scotty's work goggles, and ran all over the house wearing them while making silly faces. 

This is what 98% of our life is, is Jeff and I home with the kids. Doing random things, having fun, enjoying each others company, and the other 2% is Jeff and I having quality time out together without the kids, a random trip here and there etc.

-Momma

Unfortunate news

My sister who I am very close with was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. When I heard that I just cracked, I love my sister so very much, my children love their tia so very much! She was admitted to the Huntsman Cancer institute and stayed there for nearly a week. I brought the kids up their to visit their tia, and while up their I was able to snap a few cute pictures of them.

Scotty hearing the news became so inquisitive about cancer, what it does how it works, why we cannot take it out, who gets it and why. He was sad to know his tia has this, yet I am so proud of his kind little heart for thinking of things that would make tia smile. He said mom we have to go get her flowers. We have to call her but not tell her, and ask her what her favorite color is so we can get that color of flowers. He wanted to get her candy too. He knows what girls like already at age 5, flowers and candy.

When we got to the store, he looked at piles and rows of flowers. He found one solo red rose, and said I want this one mom. She will love this one. He wanted to write her a card that said "I got you a flower, I think you will like it, tell me if you like it" : )

My sister is home now, and I am happy they are doing what they can to manage her pain. Now if someone asked me what kind of super hero I would be, what kind of power I would have if I could pick one I would say the power to cure people. The power to cure cancer, the power to cure people from terminal illnesses. I would take this from my sister, I would take it from the numerous children going through chemotherapy (which my sister starts this coming monday). That is what my superpower would be. I now wouldn't wish to read minds, to be invisible, to be able to make money grow on trees. I would have the power to cure.

I love my sister dearly and am being as strong and supportive as I can be for her. I am keeping my thoughts positive, as she has been so strong through this. I admire her so much. I knew she was a strong person, I had no idea the depth of her strength ran so deep. I Love you sister!

Here are a few pictures of the kids taking a moment outside to get their wiggles out before going back in to visit their tia.

-Momma

Scotty writes his first card

So cute. Scotty wanted to make Sasha a card for her 25th birthday. He's been in school for about 3 weeks now and really wanted to write her a special note. With my help, he wrote this card.

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-Momma

Scotty's First Real Day Of School

Monday August 29th 2011 Kindergarten. 

This morning Scotty woke up eager to put on his new clothes and new shoes. He hurried to the bath, and sink to brush his teeth. He styled his hair and began asking when he could go to school. 

Scotty's favorite things about his first day of school: 

~ RECESS

Some things Scotty learned on his first day of school: 

~ You have to raise your hand before talking

~ No talking when others are talking

~ How to say his teachers name: Madame Taylor

~How to count to 3 in French: 1, Un 2, Duex 3, Trios

( It sounds a lot easier to say than read) 

Another fun fact about today

Scotty informed us he asked his teacher why the meteor came down and killed all the dinosaurs. 

Her response was that she didn't know. 

I like this because it is a subject that as a family we can learn and talk about giving all of the facts science has to offer. 

This prompted us to watch some Bill Nye The Science Guy after dinner. 

We Also worked on writing his name, and remembering his telephone number. 

We had 30 minutes of story time, still reading his Egypt book. 

Scotty was sent home with his homework folder, containing some easy assignments I will send back with him on Friday. 

This was Scotty's first real full day of Kindergarten. 

We are excited to watch him as his brain sponges up all that school has to offer him. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some fun facts about his Pre Assessment test he took last wednesday: 

Some things tested were his knowledge of the alphabet, he recited it well. 

How far he could count without stopping, he stopped at 27.

 (he has counted higher before, maybe he got bored)

His knowledge of colors. His teacher was surprised when he was able to point out indigo as well as violet. I am not sure if he said violet and indigo instead of blue and purple, which is possible. 

He was able to do the math they presented him. Some without using his fingers to add. 

Bedtime stories with Scotty (Egypt)

We are currently reading the book that Scotty and Paula's uncle Ken gifted to them. Their uncle Ken is a professor of Egyptian studies, and he played a part in this books creation.

 Here is a picture of the book. 

We learned a few things in the beginning of the book including things about the western desert, about the rain, about what camels are used for and more. 

A few of Scotty's questions: 

(After seeing a picture of the desert) Mom how do people breath over there, there are no trees? 

Mom why do people use camels for meat? How do we get meat from camels? Do they poop out the meat?

After reading a a good portion of the beginning of this book Scotty who is 5 years old had some pretty in depth questions, he is very inquisitive. He has this burning need to understand how everything works, and if it doesn't make sense he will find the reasons why, and ask you. 

I can't always answer his questions on the spot, and have noticed how Scotty is helping me to learn along side him. 

-MOMMA

Crafting is this momma's hobby

Below are some crafts I make with my kids, and some that I make alone in my free time. 

For our annual kids halloween party we let the kids paint bird houses, and put halloween like stickers on them. Haunted bird houses. 

At the local dollar store I find and purchase loads of these simple birdhouses

Year round the kids are able to pull one out and decorate/paint it as they'd like to for a fun 

craft time. 

Here are some tutu's I make using tulle of various colors, elastic for the waist, ribbon, and any other shimmering gems I can add to it. 

Paula below wearing her tutu

I am excited to make costumes this halloween. I have an idea for a cat costume, make a black or pink tutu, matching cat ears using a headband cardboard triangles, with furry ribbon which I have, and I have the furry ribbon for a long tail to sew onto the tutu. 

I've also considered making a blue cookie monster tutu costume. So many possibilities, I can't get enough of my crafts. 

Here are some costumes I designed sewed, or put together for a photo shoot: 

Below is my friends adorable daughter wearing a tutu that I made

I've also been into making pacifier clips and if you visit my CRAFT blog: http://sheargoodiesonline.blogspot.com/

You will be able to see my other projects, how to make a pacifier clip, how to make kids maracas. I still need to add more, I've taken a lot down to re-arrange, and format the page better. 

I also have a craft like page on Facebook where the majority of my crafting pictures reside: 

http://www.facebook.com/people/Shear-Goodies/100002516101262

Diaper wipe cases, can be made with virtually any material/print catering to baby boys, baby girls, or even teenagers using it to hold pencils. or in your purse to carry wipes that don't say huggies across it. : )

I enjoy making little dresses for Paula

Below is an animal sculptor bow, in this case it's minnie mouse, I make caterpillars among other things. 

Headbands flowers and bottle caps are always a fun combo

The superman cape took some time, even though it was fairly easy. 

If you ever want to make your child one I'd share the info with you happily. 

Flip your flops! 

Add spazazz. 

Customize and paint a doll house, and add scrapbook paper as if it were wallpaper, use felt as if it were carpet, and the shingles I used some random material from Michaels craft store. 

Below I needed a place to keep some of my ribbon, tulle thread, and needles here's my own thought up concoction. 

I have so many other things I make, and it's only growing! 

( I thought it'd be fun to share some of my hobby on this blog, the kids when they are older can have this memory of me as they will surely have memories of their dads hobby, funny videos, beautiful music, and apple products)