Pampered Chef, dress up and green

Last night I had a Pampered Chef party. Five people -- friends and family -- came. Even though it was small, we had a lot of fun. The last few years my annual fall party has been packed, but this year it was more low key. I love their products and the recipe for mini cheeseburgers was great! Such a cute idea for a snack to have while watching a football or basketball game on TV.

My girlfriend brought over some of her daughter's clothes and shoes for Kate when she came to the party last night. Kate and I went through them today and Kate played dress up. It was way too cute!

I also bought the prettiest vintage ballerina paintings for Kate's room from this adorable woman in my neighborhood. I also got some cool vintage pyrex canisters. I'll have to take pictures and post them. You can get some cool vintage finds at her store Stinky Toes Designs. Seriously cute stuff. You should check it out!

And on the green front...Jack has had 3 this week and had 4 last week. He's doing much better. I'm so proud! And much like his father, he's getting really good at holding out the camera and taking pictures. Here's one from Monday night while we were reading books before bed.

Yesterday and Today

Today started like any normal day. I got up and got ready and then ate breakfast. I started to pack lunches before the kids got up to eat and get ready for school and day care.

After Kate was dressed, she decided to read Brown Bear, Brown Bear to herself. It's so cute. She can name all of the animals.

Jack stayed on green again today! I'm so proud. Jack's best friend came over after school to play and Chris took them to a local soccer game. Since I don't have his friend's mother's permission to post his picture, this one works perfectly because you can't see his face. My son is in the way.

Yesterday was a beautiful day too, so we met a friend of mine and her son at the park after dinner. Jack played soccer and Kate wanted to swing. I am loving this weather we are having!


I need to scrap tonight. I'm working on my 30 Day Hath September book for my Big Picture Scrapbooking online class.

Very windy Sunday and a mini album

It's really windy here today and our brand new trees are blowing over. They were just planted yesterday. Hopefully, they'll be okay.

I wanted to share a cute little mini album that I made this weekend. I was inspired by Lain Ehmann and her Mini-Album Mondays and the new Simple Scrapbooks Mini Albums in an Evening.



I used the cutest October Afternoon mini album. It's scalloped chipboard with ledger paper scallops for the inner pages held together with a binder ring. I added some My Mind's Eye paper I had leftover and used Making Memories brads, letter stickers and mailbox letter. From KI Memories, I used felt flowers and brads. I used a Basic Grey chipboard letter and Craft Smart acrylic paint for the letter and the album front and back covers. The ribbon is from Offrey. The big brad is Bazzill. I also used some Heidi Swapp journaling spots and Ranger Distressing Ink. It turned out so cute (if I do say so myself!) Here are some of the interior pages.








We went to the Children's Museum today. So much for getting a good family picture. Maybe next time.

T.G.I.F.

Here are some things that make me happy on this Friday.
1. The above layout I did for Lain's 30-minute Thursday challenge. I just love how it turned out. The patterned paper makes me happy and the kids and I had fun that night eating popsicles. Good memories!
2. Projects at work are coming together.
3. $5 flowers from Kroger. I had to run in and get some skim milk, so I picked up this pretty little bouquet in fall colors.

4. While at Kroger, I also saw the Simple Scrapbooks Mini Albums in an Evening special issue I had been wanting. It's all mine now!

5. Being able to watch some good music on digital cable with my husband after the kids were in bed. Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Gomez, The Police, John Mayer, the Killers. Good stuff.

Hope you have a good weekend.

It feels like a Tuesday

Although it's a Wednesday, but short weeks mess me up when the holiday is on a Monday.



I had a doctor's appointment this morning and then Jack did this afternoon. In the waiting room, we found a book about the Lion King stage play. I'm so excited about seeing it with him. My mom and I are taking him in November. I think he'll love it.

We went to our favorite pizza place for dinner and he felt like he had to show me he could hold both of the kids because I was having trouble carrying Kate, my over-stuffed purse, the diaper bag, and the plastic thing we use for Kate a restarants. Pretty funny seeing him handle them both together.



And I've been doing some scrapping for my Have More Fun Big Picture class. We are scrapping a 6 x 12 page each day this month. Our focus is being in the moment. Here are some of my pages so far.

No soccer game

Our first soccer game was today, but it lasted all of five minutes. There was lightening and they had to call the game to be safe. Jack was pretty upset. He loves to play. Hopefully our Saturday game will actually happen!



And Kate decided she'd show off her fine motor skills. She can buckle the car seat when I unbuckle her to take her out. I don't mind that she can buckle it, but I sure hope she never figures out how to open it! She kept unbuckling her high chair seat strap when we were out to eat last night. It was a little less complicated. Still, the child is going to give me a heart attack.