Need Gifts?

I just posted a few photos of my friend Janette's artwork at http://moore-decor-art.blogspot.com/. I love her work! She uses vintage jewelry from the 1920s to 1960s to create beautiful artistic collages. These pieces normally retail for $70 in stores, but if you buy direct from Janette they are just $45 each (plus shipping). Check them out!

The Morning After

I am sound asleep, still overcome by the turkey induced coma. Somewhere in the distance I hear an urgent buzzer. I am vaguely aware that it is Brent's alarm clock. It's 3:30 am and he's off to stand in line at Circuit City. The appeal of a 46" LCD television more urgent than the comfort of a warm bed and dreamy sleep. Hours later I awake, still no sign of Brent. At 8:30 he arrives home. After 2-hours waiting outside in the icy cold morning, then 2-1/2 hours in line inside the store, he is triumphant. We have pie for breakfast to celebrate. It is just as the day after Thanksgiving should be.

Morgan's First Gymnastics Meet of the Season

Morgan's gymnastics meet season started yesterday and she did awesome. She's always received high scores on vault, and this meet was no different. She received a 9.4 and took third place in vault (out of about 40 competitors in her age bracket). Way to go Morgan! It was especially great since she was competing in the 9 to 11-year-old bracket, and she won't be 9 until February--so she was one of the youngest in the bracket. It's impossible to get good photos in the gym (at least with our little camera), but I've posted a few anyway. That's her on the podium in the #3 spot for vault (she came in 10th place all-around).

I've Been Tagged

My friend, Kristine, tagged me on her blog. So now I'm supposed to share five little known facts about me (I suppose this is to prove to her that I checked-in on her blog and was paying attention to what she had to say :-). Not sure these are all little known, but here goes:

1. I'm kind of a recluse at times. I'm perfectly happy to be alone. Actually, I wish I had a lot more alone time. I don't mean to say that I don't love my family--I of course love being with them. But, I also really like time alone. By myself. To do whatever I want without anyone redirecting my attention. Sometimes I really look forward to driving by myself (since it NEVER happens). In the quiet solace of my car I can call anyone I want (without being interrupted), listen to whatever music I want, and think about whatever I want. The funny thing is, I always surround myself with "people people". Brent loves to be with people, and my best friends have always been "people people"--people who don't like to be alone. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without all the "people people" who surround me. I wonder if I'd be really boring and never get out of the house. Thank you to all my people people who keep me motivated to do interesting things :-).

2. I'm convinced I have adult onset ADD--I've seen the ad for meds on TV, I'm certain they'd do me some good, but I'm not really a med type of gal, so I just deal. I jump from one project to the next. One interruption and I can't remember where I left off and what I was doing (and since I have a 2-year old the interruptions are many). Sugar and caffeine seem to exacerbate the problem (...you'd think that would encourage me to refrain wouldn't you :-). Actually, I don't drink much caffeine, because it does really affect me--and Brent drinks enough for both of us! I used to love to do sewing projects and crafty household projects, but now I never even bother starting because I know I'll never finish. This said, I'm feeling a creative streak coming on and am considering delving into a little project. I'll let you know if I actually get anything done!

3. Some moms look forward to the kids going back to school at the end of the summer. I dread it. Yes, the quiet time is nice. And, it's nice to go to the store without the complaining that comes with tearing three kids away from fun and friends. But I really like having the kids around, and I really dislike the papers that come home from school each day--they drive me insane. I'd much rather have a house full of kids all day than a counter full of papers all night!

4. One of my favorite things to do each month is to volunteer at Morgan and Isaac's school as an "Art Mom". Each month a few other moms and I give a presentation on a different artist. I love learning about the artists as much as the kids do. It's a great program and I'm so lucky to be a part of it!

5. I've spent way too many hours blog stalking...visiting the blogs linked to all of your pages. When I'm behind on laundry and dishes, this is usually why. This whole blogging world, while very fun and great for keeping in touch with my family and friends, has taken a toll on my home!

The way this game works is I now tag five people who have to do the same thing on their blog. I'll be checking your blogs to make sure you play along (so you can prove to me that you actually read this thing :-). So, here's who I tag: Angela, Bekah, Sheree, Lissie, and Becky. Your IT!

Happy Birthday to Isaac - The Big Six Years Old!

I just pulled off the greatest coup of Motherhood. Normally the last week or two would have been a crazy mad dash to pull together a birthday party for Isaac and ten or so other kindergartners. The week would have involved multiple trips to the party store, the craft store, and grocery store (with Ethan in tow). Not to mention hours making-up goody bags, snacks, and cleaning the house to get it ready (only to have it trashed in two hours). But this year was different. This year was bliss. It all started a year ago when I took the kids to an indoor waterpark/hotel about 3-hours away in Wisconsin. It was just after Isaac's birthday. The kids had a great time and were asking when we could go back again with Dad who was out of town for work. I had a great mothering moment and made the casual suggestion that Isaac could invite one friend and have his birthday party there next year. Most 5-year-olds will change their mind about the venue and theme of their birthday party about as many times as they change their mind about their Halloween costume. But not Isaac. He wanted his party at the Kalahari, and he stuck with it all year long. Yippee for me! So instead of spending $300 on a party, we got to take a family vacation! What a great deal. I highly recommend the vacation party. Isaac thought it was the best. He had no clue that it was a complete cop-out from my end!!!