camping.

For part of Spring Break we went camping at Moss Park. We wanted to try out our new pop-up camper. I'm not sure who was more excited, Mike or the kids. It was actually pretty roomy inside. There are two full beds on either side, there's a sofa that doubles as a bed and the dinette folds down to create another bed. Plus, it has an air conditioner! (My favorite.)

One of the things we have never done in all the times we've gone to Moss Park was hike on one of the trails. We decided this trip we would go on a hike. Unfortunately we had lots of rain and many areas of the park were still flooded. Of course one area was the hiking trails. I did get a nice photo of the four kids at the entrance to the trail.

Helen was also kind enough to pose by herself. She loves the camera and the camera loves her.

Even though it wasn't really cold out (we had highs 0f 78-80) we still had to have a campfire. One, because Jimmy is a Boy Scout he likes to practice building and lighting campfires. And two, because what camping trip would be complete without making s'mores. Will didn't bother cooking his marshmallows in the fire...he ate them as soon as we put them on his fork.

We had a great time together...and we look forward to our next adventure.

You know you're a scrapbooker when...

* You usually have a camera with you.
* You wonder if you'll ever get caught up.
* You have tools your husband doesn't know how to use.
* You pull buttons off old, unused or outgrown clothes to use on a layout.
* You know who Lisa, Becky, Ali, Jennifer (who, me?) and Tim are.
* The clerks in your local scrapbook store know you by name.
* Your house is a mess because you've been scrapbooking all day.
* You know what CK, CKU, CKC, HOF, SOY and KOTM stand for.
* You can spot an Elsie sticker faster than you can say "Louis Vuitton."
* You check online galleries and blogs more often than you check the news.
* You save ribbon off Godiva chocolate boxes to use on your pages and cards.
* You change your child's outfit to match the paper you just bought...so you'll have the perfect photo to go with the paper.
* Your scrapbook bag is the first thing you pack for vacation, prompting your husband (or non-scrapbooking family member) to mention something about your priorities.
* You know that "Scrapbookers don't lie. We embellish."

Yes, I am definitely a scrapbooker . . . and proud of it!
(from Creating Keepsakes magazine, February 2008)

Another sign...you take photos of your scrapbook supplies. (Studio Calico February 2010 kit)

so cute.

This boy is so cute. We head over to the park everyday after school about 20 or 30 minutes before school lets out, when it's not too crowded. A few other parents do this as well, so a bunch of two and three year-olds get a mini play date before the big kids arrive.



Some of the "regulars" include Will's little buddies Tony and Chris. A few weeks ago Will and Chris got into the habit of picking flowers around the park and bringing to them to me. It was so cute to see them get so excited to pick the flowers, run over and present them to me and then go back to pick some more.



Over and over and over. They never got tired.



On Tuesday, the boys started their flower picking and Chris brought some directly over to me and then ran back to get more. When Will had picked his flower he ran over to a little girl and gave it to her. My first thought was: How adorable.



Then, every time Will came back with another flower he gave it to this little girl. Not even one to his mama. I couldn't believe my little guy was forgetting about me! I guess I'll have to get used to it. One day he'll have his first crush, then his first girlfriend and I won't be number one anymore.



But c'mon. He's only two.

Speaking of cute kids...my beautiful Helen had to get some teeth pulled. Like three of them. Way back when she was around one, she fell and hit the coffee table...with her face. We took her to the dentist who did x-rays and checked everything out. He said she was fine. Eventually, the teeth started turning gray but we figured they'll fall out when she turns five. (Jimmy had a gray front tooth and it fell out in kindergarten--but not before picture day.)

So we waited and waited and waited. Nothing.

Then, when she went in for her check up in January the dentist said the teeth had to come out. The two front teeth plus one next to them in order to give her more room. It turns out one of her front teeth had already started growing in before the baby tooth fell out. On the day of the appointment Helen was a little nervous. She was happy to get the day off from school, but not about getting her teeth pulled. But she did great! When the nurse brought her to the waiting area she had a mouth full of gauze and gave me the thumbs up. What a trooper.

I'm so glad everything turned out alright. Now, we just need to get used to Helen's new look. I think it's just as beautiful as ever.

rainy days and mondays always get me down.

Actually, rainy days don't get me down. I love the rain, it's so calming. And I like the feeling that everything is getting nice and clean. Who doesn't love a nice shower?

For the record, Mondays don't get me down either. Sometimes I actually look forward to them...everyone goes back to school and work.

So, why all this talk about rainy days and Mondays when it is neither Monday nor a rainy day? Dunno, I just like this photo of Alex (one of our Pictures of the Day) and I like that old Carpenters' song.

at the beach.

We had a great time visiting with my parents this past weekend in Vero Beach. It's always so relaxing there. We just hung around together talking, playing, laughing.

They had this awesome giant checkerboard in the yard with giant chess pieces. Helen put all of the pieces together while Jimmy set them in place. Then Mike and Yiayia had fun playing. It was a close game, but Mike won. It reminded us of the scene in "Alice in Wonderland."

On Saturday we took a field trip out to McKee Botanical Garden where they had a special exhibit called "Return of the Dinosaur Invasion." Spread throughout the gardens they had life-size replicas of different dinosaurs. They was also a little dig site where the kids could unearth dinosaur fossils. Pretty cool exhibit.

Alex and Helen getting snuck up on by one of the dinosaurs.

Good-bye Yiayia and Papouli. Thank you for a wonderful weekend. We can't wait to see you again soon!

Today.

Today I finished the book my mom gave me for Christmas. Back in the day we both used to read all of Erma Bombeck's books. I remember I even did a monologue for ninth grade drama class from one of her books. Since then whenever my mother finds one of her books at a garage sale she'll send them to me. They're still funny as ever!

Today Helen stayed home from school for the second day. On Saturday she started not feeling well. (That nap in the afternoon should have been a clue. She never stops and rests. Never.) All day Sunday and Monday she's been battling a fever and cough. Most likely the flu...and she's the only one who received a flu shot...hmmm Anyway, she seems to be doing much, much better today. Her temperature is holding steady at 99 degrees and she's more alert. Hopefully, she'll be back to school later this week.

Today Will's trundle bed was delivered. Yiayia and Papouli got the kids new furniture for Christmas and every one's rooms arrived on December 8th...except for Will's bed. In the meantime he's been sleeping in our bed. So now he can move back to his room. Well, his and Alex's room. Let the battle's begin.

Not today, but last week I finally received my Project Life kit and I've been doing well taking my picture a day and recording the stories. As usual, I'm nervous about making it look "just right" even though it's purpose is to simplify everything. I'm having fun with it and in the end that's what matters.

Today...a year ago.

Helen in her pajamas getting the morning paper, guitar in hand. This was my picture of the day for January 4, 2009. I had planned to start Project 365 but, unfortunately, something went wrong with my order and I never received my kit. Oh well. I have now ordered Becky Higgins' new Project Life kit which (hopefully) is on it's way this week and I will begin another attempt to capture a picture a day. I know I could and should be taking pictures everyday, but it's so much easier when everything comes neatly packaged in a kit. Yay, Project Life. I'm so excited to get started.