Fun train stamps!

Since I've been stamping several times a week, this is now our fun activity that Rychen gets to do with me. When I saw the "Choo Choo" set in our new mini catalog, I knew my kid had to have it!! (yeah maybe I'll use it for my business, hee hee) So here he is making his train. And a card we sent to uncle Peter on his mission.

I made this demo card for my workshops. It folds up and a ribbon ties around it. It's a birthday card for a little boy-- "May all your wishes come true."

My cute kids

Daddy's little girl...look how alike they are.

I got this great picture of Elisabeth smiling

and here is Rychen, actually DRESSED like a decent person!! I had to convince him to wear this today. He put the clothes on for the picture (over his tee shirt and basketball shorts) and then took them off. But he tells me he will put them on again when dad comes to bring us the car. So here is the picture--I told him to pose like this :)

Cute girly headbands!

My cousin is selling handmade baby girl headbands to earn some extra money. Here's the blog - http://whodoesntlovegirlythings.blogspot.com/  Ordering instructions are on the very first post. She will take requests and work with you, I really recommend her!

My most special "baby" of all

Today I acquired the one plant I have been longing for -- a FIG TREE!! Hooray! It was a gift from Rychen since I let him keep (and spend a lot of money on) his cat. And what the heck, I kind of like that cat too.

I'm official!

Tonight was my first go at being a professional. And it went so great, yay! I wore Elisabeth in a sling most of the time, or she played on the floor with another baby. I think the guests all had a good time, as did I. It was fun, and I am feeling more confident about my new "career." :)

Toddler at 7 months?

Elisabeth is 7 months and suddenly I feel like I have a toddler on my hands. She is getting into everything (although not crawling yet, but nevertheless moves very quickly) so I need to give constant attention to where she is and what small objects are around her--this means I have to be dilligent about sweeping and vacuuming because we have crumbs, raisins, paper scraps, etc. (not to mention HAIR) all over the house! The second reason she suddenly seems so mature is that we've entered that phase where nursing is a jungle-gym activity, she is constantly squirming, in motion, trying to nurse sideways, backwards, and upside down!

Past couple weeks

"Snow Princess"

Dad's favorite pose..... she was playing with this basketball so of course he grabbed the camera!

Giveaway! Scrapbook paper

Since I have joined the Stampin Up family and will be demonstrating their products, I won't be using all my scrapbook paper. It's up for grabs! Enter the drawing by commenting on this post by Friday (the 20th) and you get an assortment of decorated 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, probably 20-30 sheets. Yes, I will even send them to you!!

Stamping blog and events

Check out my stamping blog! I am holding stamping events Friday nights (more info at the site) in addition to workshops with hostesses. Please consider holding a workshop, whether or not you like stamping--because your guests will, and because you can get free merchandise, including all sorts of papers and craft supplies, not just stamps! Here are some cards you can make if you host a workshop or come to an event in my home this month:

Stampin' Up!

Big News!! I have signed up with Stampin' Up to be a demonstrator. This means I am a sales person, disguised as a sweet perky, apron-donning craft teacher. What I do is demonstrate card-making and other stamp projects in "workshops" where the guests make their own take-home projects and the hostess receives her own commission and free stamps. I am also hosting card-making nights in my own home, charging for materials to make cards, for those who like to craft but can't buy their own materials.  And the long and short of it is simply that I needed a fun, creative, social outlet to get me away from my mommy identity, and a chance to design and teach my own crafts, as well as develop my confidence and leadership skills. Exciting!!

We have a pet, and nope not a goldfish

"Socks," short for Socrates or Red Sox, depending on whom you ask.

Putting my babies in the ground

Yes you read that correctly. I have six babies. 1 apple and 1 cherry tree, 2 raspberry and 2 blueberry bushes.

Here's the grand effort step by step!

And my berries (squint your eyes, they're there)....

We'll probably do another apple, I am considering persimmon. But I just need to find myself a FIG TREE!! We saved the best for last, I guess. Any leads? :)

Milestones and lack thereof

Elisabeth puts everything in her mouth...

...including noses

She is very mobile, scooting everywhere she goes. Some babies do the army crawl, some do the inchworm, but Elisabeth does a sort of downward-dog-propelled-forward scoot.

No crawling yet, and not even close to sitting! Meanwhile she has tasted carrots and apples, but hasn't proven the ability to digest them, so we are just licking food for now. (My theory is, there are no blenders in nature, so if she can't eat it, then she can't eat it.) She is still lovin' my milk though! Mooo!!

I couldn't tell you who this person is but I think he's famous

Brother & Sister

By now you've probably forgotten what we look like

Here are some photos (finally!) to freshen your memory... albeit quite random.

Jenga! Rychen's new favorite game.

We are pretty active in a mom's group for Salem Stay-at-Home-Moms. This was a playdate (playing green light, red light) and the next is a meet-up at an indoor park...

Elisabeth and Liliana Strength (daughter of my friend Emily)

Here we are with our friends, Pamala Erdman and baby Alena. They recently moved a ways away but we still try to see them at least every month.

And last but not least, my SIAMESE TWIN BANANAS! 2 bananas in 1 peel! How awesome is that?