Scrapping Just for Me!

Don't get me wrong -- I love my classes and our monthly meetings. But I rarely scrap pages just for my very own book. The last week or two I have come up with a new way to scrap my very own stuff!

1. First I browse online, mostly on http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ and hit print pics for pages that catch my eye.


2. Then I print my fav pics -- the scrapworthy ones. I spread them out all over the floor and flip through my pages to see which layouts would coordinate with the group of pics.


3. I take my layout and pics and dig through my hoards of patterned paper and add it to the stack.


4. I throw all the pieces -- along with any embellishments that fit -- into a page protector.


5. Lastly I order any bigger/smaller prints that I need to match the layouts.

Then I have all these kits, pics and all, ready to pull out and work on. If I want to go to a crop -- they are ready. Or, when I get scraplocked on a layout I stuff it away and grab a new one. And the funny thing is -- all that inspiration started from a layout I copied. And my layouts still look unique and sometimes completely different than the idea I started with.

Anyway -- working this way I finished a few layouts and I have a ton on their way. Here are a couple that I have ready to show you.

The Saga Continues. . .

The Anti-Potty Training Queen and her "Crown"

Counting back I have been working on this, in some way, for over a year now. When Ally was about 18 months we starting sitting her on the potty and getting the idea in her head. I knew it was early so we didn't push we just kept reinforcing the whole idea. Since she has been two we have done potty charts, Dora underwear, candy and downright bribery. We went 3 whole weeks just wearing underwear. I was not going to turn back. I could handle wet pants (there were rubber pants over the top so it wasn't too bad). But after 3 weeks of #2 accidents and no progress -- we brought back the Pampers. That case even included messy circumstances for Grandma at the library! We've tried the little potty, the big potty with the Dora seat and even -- per Ally's request -- the big potty with no Dora seat. She picked out her own underwear and promised she would not get them dirty. Trick after trick and I am still buying diapers.

According to everything she is ready. She is older than Sam was -- 2 and 3/4 now! She is the second child and they are supposed to be quicker. She is a girl and they are also supposed to be easier. She wakes up from nap and in the morning dry. She almost always goes on her potty if we can get her to sit on it. She tells me when she needs her diaper changed. She even brings out the wipes and a clean diaper and looks at me with those big huge eyes and says, "poop." This child knows the game and she plays it well.

Then I heard a new tactic. Becky told me about the "Brenda technique". The idea is to put her in the underwear. Every time she has an accident you take her in, give her a bath and make her do the laundry. Every time. Apparently kids don't like to do all that work. It is easier just to use the toilet. We are going to try it this one. As soon as we have a few days where we can stay home and be consistent with it -- Game On! Then maybe we'll get those underwear off the head and down where they belong.

Sam's First Time Driving

Last night, Sam got a surprise he won't soon forget. Robin called him outside after he had finished mowing. He had taken the deck off the tractor and told Sam he was going to get his first chance to drive. He spent at least an hour driving in circles around the yard.

He actually did a really good job steering and turning it off when he needed a break. I was impressed.

Of course, as he made the rounds a chorus of , "Me too, me too mommy!" followed him. So every once in awhile he stopped and took a minute to let Ally climb on with him. But only a minute!

August Stampers 10

Hi Everyone!

We have a new group and a new way for me to share info with you.

Hope this works well for everyone!

Our Next party will be
on Aug. 26th at Tracy’s house at 6:30.

Please email me for address and directions.

Here is a pic of the pages we will be doing:

The pictures are 1 – 5x7 or 4x6; 2 4x4; and 1 3.5x3.5.

The cost of the pages will be:
Stampers 10 (or a $15.00 min order): $4.00
Less than $15.00 order: $9.00

The cost of cards will be:
Stampers 10 (or a $15.00 min order): $5.00
Less than $15.00 order: $10.00

Please RSVP to me and let me know if you will be making cards or pages.
If you cannot attend I will arrange to get your order once we have catalogs.

Thanks,

Cybil

Green Bay Trip

We spent a couple days in Green Bay for a little kid time. Mom and Matt took us to The New Zoo, Chuck E Cheese, Bay Beach and -- Sam's Favorite -- we even made a pit stop at Toys 'R Us. I think the child would have been happy to sit in the hotel room and build with his new Legos for the entire trip.

We had great weather and I love the New Zoo. We got to feed the giraffes and even saw a little bit of lion "wrestling!" It's not too big so we didn't need a stroller, although little legs were getting tired at the end. There were even some big legs that may have been a little tired. I don't know how 2 little kids can keep 3 adults running so much.

We stayed at the Microtel Inn which has a very simple but great pool for kids. Ally amazed us as she hit the water slide time and time again, plunging into the 6 ft water at the end of each trip. She would come up coughing and choking, reach for the ladder and run to start all over again.

Thanks Mom and Matt for taking us on a Great Trip!

Just Getting Started. . .

OK, I admit it! I am a copycat. I have seen these forever and when Jennifer put hers up it was the final push that got me started. Hopefully within the next few weeks I will add posts about my kids and scrapping and who knows what else will come up! Enjoy!