payton's "school box"

Okay, so first of all, it has been waaaaaaaaaaay too long since I've shared anything "scrapbook-y" or "project-y" and that is so sad! I wish I had a good excuse...but all I can say is life has been getting in the way of me doing anything creative. So just so you know...yes, I still scrapbook...I just haven't had any time and my room is a mess, so that never helps. Kim and I are hoping to get together sometime soon and when then happens I will create like crazy!



But until then, this little project of mine will have to do. I actually did this last year and never got around to posting it 'cause when I did it I was in the mega nauseous phase of my pregnancy. Isn't that funny? It all worked out though, 'cause I think it's cuter to show with some fun school stuff already in it. So anyways, this "school box" is a bit of mix of Stacy Julian's "school of life" box that she shared in her book Photo Freedom and Becky Higgins' school folders from her "school days" kit last year or whenever that was. I kind of combined the two ideas to make it work for me.



Super simple concept...for each grade there is a separate clear plastic folder, clearly labeled as to what grade it is for. In these folders I plan on putting everything in it that I think is important and fun and representative of that year. From artwork, to teacher's notes, to school pictures and snapshots from the year, dance photos (and sports photos for some of you!), tests and exams, report cards, whatever! Just any and all of the little pieces of your child from that particular year. In Payton's playschool folder I even added a couple of the talks that she gave in primary, and special pictures and cards for us that she made at church. So you aren't limited to just school stuff...add anything in that is worth it for you to keep! I can imagine this box getting jam-packed to the brim over the years and I can't wait. I'm sure the girls will get to the point that they'll add their own "stuff" to their boxes, and that will be fine by me! They can even be a place to hold yearbooks and that kind of stuff...like I said, anything that defines them in that specific grade!



And now a few details...I bought 2 of these red boxes at Ikea over a year ago, so I have one for Payton and one for Gabby. And of course when I went to Ikea recently to pick one up for Kherington, they don't have red anymore. So I had to settle for white. Aaahhhh! (The OCD-ness in me is still annoyed by this! Haha!) I bought my clear envelopes at Staples, I'm sure you can get these at any office supply store and the font I used for my labels is Rockwell. I created my labels in photoshop and printed them on the Avery clear sticker sheets that again, you can get at any office supply store. (And just a side-note...in Canada, at least where we live, we say "grade 1", "grade 2", etc, whereas in the states you say "1st grade", "2nd grade", etc. So just in case you're American and wondering about the wording on my labels, that's why!)



This project is something super simple and fun that you can work on anytime...even if you don't have school-age children yet. You may as well get them done, right? Gabby's box is all done and ready to be filled this year, and for Kherington's I just need to buy her envelopes and then we'll be set. Remember, you don't have to be a scrapbooker to do this for your kids! Just get an empty box and some envelopes and make a home for all your child's stuff! For me, along with their school boxes, each child will have their own 12x12 "School Scrapbook" that I'll do a couple pages for each grade. I've decided for their school scrapbooks to not be worried about the whole album coordinating, but to just add to it every year and watch it evolve. This is an album that when they get old enough to, they will be welcome to do their own scrapbook pages for that grade. These boxes and albums belong to my girls. They are not mine. These are what they will be able to take with them when they leave home as a memory of their childhood years. I don't know about all of you, but my scrapbooks are mine...I don't ever want to part with them! (wink) So I wanted something that my girls could have that is important and meaningful and representative of them.



Looking at my 3 empty boxes, I am excited to imagine what the future holds. What memories will be made, what treasures will be created, what lessons will be learned over the next 15(?) years. Exciting to think about. What will your children's boxes hold?



:)

one of those days...

Today has been ones of those days....one of those weeks, actually. Graham is out of town working and it seems that everything is harder when he is away. I know, I know, poor me...but you know how it is. So much easier to deal with life when there's someone going through it all with you, right?



I am struggling with some decisions that need to be made, in a few different areas. Problem is, I don't know what the "right" decisions are. Wouldn't it be great if we all just had a crystal ball that we could look into that would tell exactly what we're supposed to do? Don't worry, I am fine...just wishing that things were easy instead of confusing!



I have felt more like a "mom" this past few weeks than ever before in my life. By that I mean, gone are the days when I am at home with my babies with nothing to worry about but them and what time we're going to have our naps. (haha) Gone are the days of waking up when we feel like it, getting dressed when we feel like it, and just doing whatever we FEEL like doing! Getting into the whole school thing is a huge adjustment...for the kids, for me. And it just hit me that every year will just get busier and crazier as they get older and more involved with other lessons and activities. So that is why I am feeling like a MOM...I literally spent all day from 8:20 am to 3pm in the car driving kids to and fro, dropping off, picking up...oy. Like I said, big adjustments.




All that being said, things are still good. I knew that at some point my kids would grow up and we would get to this point...that's life, right? And my hubby will get home tomorrow and I know after that everything will magically be better...but as for today...I am tired. And it's just been one of those days.




:)

gabby's first day

Another week has come and gone, and now my other baby is in school, too. It was Gabby's first day of playschool last week and she had soooo much fun. She was just so excited to be the one going to school after watching Payton go all last year. (It was a long year of "When do I get to go to playschool, mommy?") So anyways, it all went smoothly...Gabby is just so easy-going and sweet...she was just ready to get in there and PLAY!



(Oh, and her favorite color is "ye-yow" so that is, of course, what she wore.)







I love my kid's playschool...it's just such an easy-going and relaxed environment, totally geared to the kids just having fun and learning through play. Gabby was in heaven...painting, cutting, gluing, reading, coloring, playing....what could be better?? She had SO much fun.



(oh, and a funny sidenote...as I was clicking pictures while she played, one of the other moms was watching me and asked, "Um, do you scrapbook?" I guess she just assumed by the bazillions of pictures that I was taking that I was one of those crazy scrapbookers. Haha!!)






(trying to figure those scissors out.)







Again, it was an emotional day for me. Gabby is just so little and teeny, that I didn't want to leave her there..although she had NO interest in me whatsoever once she saw all the fun things she got to do! Haha!! So I stayed for a while and took pictures and visited with some of the other moms before I left. Funny thing was, my mom took Kherington for me that morning so I wouldn't have to lug her around, so when I left, I had no idea what to do with myself! I am sooooo used to always having my kids with me, or at least one of them, so when I walked out of there empty-handed, I felt totally lost and naked. I by no means think I am the perfect mother (FAR from it), but I was sad when this school year started. I love having my kids at home with me. This year has been a huge adjustment, so having Gabby in school was once again, bitter-sweet. So happy for her, but sad for me. I know I need to let my kids grow up and become their own little people, but it is hard. I just want them all to myself.



So, after I convinced myself that I hadn't forgotten any of my children anywhere and they were all, indeed, accounted for and safe, I went to the scrapbook store. And I bought stuff. Nothing like scrapbook goodies to make a sad mama feel better! Haha!



And when I picked Gabby up (a half-hour early 'cause I couldn't stand it anymore), she was nothing but happy, excited and thrilled. It was another big day.



Tal:)

etsy love

So my sister Niki is visiting from Texas (yay!) and we spent a little bit of time on the computer last night looking at fun etsy stuff. I love etsy! Serious eye candy, right? So I thought it would be fun to share our favorite shops. Here are a few of mine:


Miss Ruby Sue (to die for)



Lou and Lee



Luh Loo (my sis gave Kherington the cutest headband from this shop....love!)



Sweet Surprises



Elsiecake



Okay, so now it's your turn! Please share your FAVE etsy shops in the comments section below. Christmas is just around the corner, people...wouldn't it be nice to be done shopping early? I can't wait to see the shops that you all love. Oh, and if you have your own etsy shop, then share them as well!



Thanks (in advance), and let's get the eye candy started!



T:)

ready for anything!

Payton's very first day of kindergarten was on Wednesday, and as you can see by her pictures, she was ready for anything! I don't think it has ever been so easy to get her dressed and out the door...she was just so excited and ready to go!







I got to stay with her on her first day and I have to say, I am quite pleased with her school, classroom and teacher. I wasn't as anxious as I was when she started playschool last year...even though I'll always prefer for her to just be at home with me, seeing her so happy and excited just made me happy for her, too. There's always a bitter-sweetness to days like this...these simple little milestones that maybe don't seem like that big of a deal, but they so are. I am so proud of my little Payton. Who she is and who she is becoming. I've been a little emotional this week I have to admit, but not in a bad way. I really am ready for her to be where she is at today, but I just miss my baby sometimes. It is crazy how quickly life changes. I remember when it was just Payton and me at home during the days...we had nothing to do but play and sleep together, nowhere to be, no schedule to follow. And now all of the sudden there are two other little girls in the mix, kindergarten, playschool, naptimes, ballet classes and just life in general to keep us busy. It may not seem like it, but I truly am trying to keep our life as simple as I can. If it were my way, we wouldn't do anything...but that sure wouldn't fly with my kids! (wink) Gray and I have talked alot lately about the fact that we are truly at a point in our lives where our kids just have to come first. I am realizing that more and more as they get a little bit older and braver everyday...we are trying our best to put them first, to be happy for them and just to love them no matter what.



As parents, we had to fill out a little questionnaire about our kids on their first day, and one of the questions that was asked was "What do you as a family value?". I was kinda surprised that there was such a deep question on a little kindergarten form and almost found it impossible to answer in the two lines of space that were given, but thinking about it now, we truly just value eachother. At the end of the day, I don't care what kinds of grades my kids get throughout the years, what awards they do or don't win, what activities or sports or other things they are invlolved in...what matters to me is that we as a family just love and support eachother no matter what. Growing up, my sisters were my very best friends (they still are) and that is my wish for my girls. That when their friends are being mean or when they've had a bad day, they can always come home to their sisters and be loved and accepted.



Looking at these pictures of Payton I just can't help but wonder what this year holds for her. I know that she has amazing potential and I'm just proud of my big girl today.



Now it's time to wipe my eyes and get ready to do this all over again with Gabby next week. Wish me luck.



:)

all i wanted was one...

All I wanted was one good family picture. You know, the kind that you imagine in your head where everyone is looking at the camera, everyone is smiling, everyone is just sooooo happy to be taking pictures! Haha! Payton has her first day of school tomorrow and she needs to bring a family picture with her, so I thought, perfect...now I have an excuse for Graham as to why we need to do a little photoshoot! Well, of course, pretty much everyone was miserable, but we did manage to get a couple cute ones. Thanks mom for being our photographer and attempting to get some shots of us!



I'll be back soon to report on how the first day of school went!



:)

i put a pot on my head...

...to get this shot, so I figured I'd just keep on going.









And since they were happy, I decided to take a few more.








And then just a few more, still....








It isn't always easy taking pictures of my kids, trust me. Today was one of those days that it took me putting pots and pans on top of my head to get them happy. But it was worth it.



:)

KK

Kherington's name around here has become "KK". Everyone needs a nickname, and this is the one that has stuck with her! Baby girl is now about 5 and a half months old. Since I was so bad at taking pictures while we were away, I figured I'd better take a few this morning after she had her bath. She was so smiley and cute...I can't handle the sweetness!










She's laying on the floor next to me right now, rolling from her tummy to her back, and then back onto her tummy. And babbling away like crazy! I love how she talks and blows bubbles...she is so much fun. I always tell Graham how much I loooove having a baby. She's pretty easy to love!



Oh, and another nickname that seems to have stuck with her is "little bug". I have no idea where that one came from, but we use it all the time, too!




xo Tal

home.

Man. Where to begin? Yes, I've been a bad blogger. But we were away this past week for one more trip to Montana before the summer is over. I had a crazy week before we left and then we were gone and I was (almost) totally unplugged the whole time we were away...NO INTERNET for a week! What??? I have to admit, it was an adjustment...I am so used to checking my email and all of my favorite blogs whenever I want. So to not have access to that was kinda hard for me! Ridiculous, I know...but I'm used to this lovely little thing called the world wide web.



ANYWAYS...we really had a good time while we were away. I worked my butt off before we left to get the house all clean so I could come home to a clean house...I love that! So by the time we left, I was tired and ready for a vacation. The girls had so much fun playing with their cousins and grandma's and grandpa's and aunt's and uncle's...it was awesome. (Graham's family were there, too, and their cabin, so we had 2 families to play with!) And Payton and Gabby are just at such a fun age for this kind of thing. They can just play all day and don't need constant attention and supervision (except by the lake!), so it was quite stress-free. And yes, I went to Target. Many times. Always the highlight for me! Haha! Actually, it was hillairious...every time we went to Target my sister and I were like, "Okay who are we going to see here this time?"...and we always ran into someone we knew. Lots of people we know vacation there, so it was funny to keep running into people!



The best part of the trip, though, was just being with my little family. It's not that often that Graham takes a full week off work, so it was just sooooo nice to be together. With no interruptions and nothing else to do but sit in the sun and hang out and go to Target. (haha) Gray and I just had so much fun with our girls...it sometimes hits us how fleeting these moments are with our kids...how one day they'll be teenagers all of the sudden...so we tried to make the best of it. And if you can believe it, I hardly took any photos. I was too busy relaxin'...and I'm telling myself that's okay. I always love the nights at the cabin, too...my sister and I had some pretty good laughs. For some reason "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was our theme-song for the week...we broke out in song all the time and it was hillairous. Well, we thought so, anyways. My 12 year old niece...not so much. Haha!



I can't believe how quickly this summer has flown by. I am dreading school starting... I've just loved hanging out and never really needing to be anywhere, but mostly because Payton's starting kindergarten. I just don't think I'm ready for her to grow up! I'm sure I'll bawl on her first day of school...I just want her to stay home with me! But...she is ready. And soooo excited. So I guess I'll have to let her go! And Gabby is starting playschool, too. What the heck? Why do my babies think they're aloud to grow up? And speaking of babies, Kherington continues to win our "easiest baby" award. Besides being WIDE AWAKE in the middle of the night a few times while we were away, she is just so easy. She's such a happy little thing and her sisters still ooohh and aaahhh over her constantly. It is so much fun having her. She's just a constant source of happiness for us...love her so much.




And last but not least, I just wanted to share these pictures of Payton and her best little friend Ava. I am so sad 'cause Ava and her family are moving away...it will be a big loss for us! Payton and Ava have been friends for their whole little lives and are just so sweet and fun together and they just get along soooo well. I can't believe she's moving! Today was their last day to play together, so I took a few pictures of them, and they decorated "friendship boxes" and made friendship bracelets and drew eachother pictures...I bawled when she left our house this evening. Payton's still a little clueless to the situation, but she'll realize over the next few weeks when Ava isn't around anymore...aaahhh!











Aren't they sweet? It just hit me after reading through this post all of the changes that are happening with us right now. Change is good, right? And yes, I'm blabbing...but I feel like I've been totally out of it lately and just wanted to share. Okay...now it's time for bed. Goodnight!



Tal:)

oh, my!

I am having so much fun with these Washi Tape Frames from Kitschy Digitals. So cute, right?








The littlest things make me so happy.



:)



Tal