Simply Me

Christmas: Another layout

This was a "nail biter" year for me as far as whether I had figured out a gift that Casey would be over the moon about.  How does one top last year's Xbox 360 console?  While he had given me ideas for more minor gifts, I was not sure what his big gift should be.

Then the Kindle Fire was announced. As I read about its various features, I got more and more excited that this might be the answer to my dilemma. I received it in mid-November and couldn't help but try it out. I had to make sure it worked, right?  Added some apps I knew he'd like? Download some stuff like books and a movie or two? I quickly came enamored with it myself! Hmmm...would it be wrong of me to have a small bit of hope he wouldn't like it and darn the luck! I'd have to keep it for myself!?

It was with mixed emotions that I came to realize that he was really happy with a gift he didn't even know he wanted.   It's hardly been out of his hands. The bombardment of emails from Amazon regarding the purchase of zero dollar apps was another clue. 

And Sarah?  What nearly 18 year old wouldn't drool over having her own iPhone?  Not that Sarah drools. She's too cool, sophisticated and grownup to do something as droll as to drool.

No, Sarah, I'm not removing that little gem above. Genius shouldn't be stifled.

The papers and elements are from Dianne Rigdon's "Be Merry" kit that I received as part of The Daily Digi monthly package in November 2011. It can also be purchased at Two Peas. I also used a Christmas template designed by Janet Phillips (Oh Christmas Tree 1-1).  

2011 Xmas Card Photo - Layout

I love how this year's card photo came out. I was inspired by this snapshot I took on Christmas Eve last year: 

The biggest difference between this year and last?  About 6-7" that Casey grew in the 12 months between these two pictures!  He was the one leaning down this year.

And here's the layout I made today:

All paper and elements are from the kit is "Joy to the World" by Kristin Cronin-Barrow at Sweet Shoppe Designs.  This is one of my favorite kits ever. 

The Official Pic

:::: sigh :::: 

Senior Year: Spirit Week Day 4 - Blast from the Past

Today, I give you "70's Sarah":

Senior Year: Spirit Week Day 3 - Famous Couples

Sarah and her friends took couples to mean trio...may I present "Charlie's Angel?" 

Nothing like having to face the wrath of your own child!

I am obviously not a true Harry Potter fan based on the mistakes I made in yesterday's blog post, despite having read all the books (albiet once) and seen all the movies. 

Sarah's house on Pottermore is NOT Gryffindor. The colors of her outfit reflect her HUFFLEPUFF house. I also spelled Gryffindor wrong. I think that annoyed her most :P

My most humble apologies!

Senior Year: Spirit Week Day 2 - Costume Day

She's been looking forward to this one for weeks now! It was originally suppose to be Harry Potter Day but it was revised to be Costume Day. She and some of her friends chose to stick with the Harry Potter theme. Since she was "sorted" into the Griffindor house when she was given access to the newly minted "Pottermore" website, Sarah chose to dress in the Griffindor house colors. Which, unfortunately, are too darn close to Steelers colors for my taste.  Be that as it may, she does look pretty cute in her "house colors".

Already behind on Senior Year Photos

It's my goal this school year to capture as much of Sarah's Senior Year in "film" as possible. I already behind the 8 ball!  

This week is Spirit Week and they have different themes every day for how to dress. Today was "Duck Farmer/Camo" day. She went the Duck Farmer route.  

t-minus 7 days: Senior Year, Class of 2012

 It's here. Senior year. I'm not sure I'm ready for this. Didn't she just start KG?

I was all set to send her off to pick up her own supplies for the year at Staples this afternoon. Then I remembered I wanted to do a "Senior Year" project and buying supplies would be a good place to start, so now she has to wait on me. 

The problem is I can't remember where I got the idea. 

And I'm already hyperventilating a bit over putting a Graduation Party together. I don't "do" parties well. I'm okay with helping others, but not doing my own. I stress *way* too much over such things. I make myself and all those around me (aka: Tom) nuts in the process. Still, you'd think I could figure this out in the next 10 months or so.

Casey is entering 8th grade. I don't seem as bothered by this. I mean, he's sorta going into his middle school graduating year. Mentally, maybe my brain has decided it can only panic and fret over one uncontrollable thing at a time.  Check back with me come spring when we're deciding on what he should be taking in his freshman year of high school. 

Crap. Now I've gone and done it. We're 12 months away from having someone in college and someone in high school. 

Note to self:  make appointment with doctor and get larger supply of Xanax on hand. Just in case.

 

A weekend for some beautiful girls...both human and equine

Sarah will be thrilled to learn that she's being lumped into this post with one of our horses. Her most common refain these days is:  "My college fund is out in the barn!"

We'll start with our #1 Princess!  Sarah attended her first prom, as a junior with her boyfriend John, who is a senior this year. We were thrilled when we found her dress at Nordstrom Rack. We owe our friend Sandy P. a huge thanks AGAIN for pointing us there. And if you have a fancy shindig to go to and want your hair looking great....then head on down to see Brittany at Kelly's Hair Design in Bel Air. She did a fabulous job for Sarah.

So, who is the other "princess" in our midst today? Her name is Missy. She has a show next Sunday and needed to lose the yak suit in preparation. Here's the results of our first round of clipping this year:

\

We have a little more work to do but it's a good start especially when you compare it to the disaster that was last year: