Toadfrogs and Elephants

Summer Is Coming

hollyburch — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:39:59 +0000

Summer is coming and that means school-year programs are ending. Today was our last Yo Mama Storytime till fall.

It was a gorgeous day so we all did a little yard work after soccer practice.

Happy Mother’s Day

hollyburch — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:16:38 +0000

We had fun with our Mother’s Day Presents this year and sent the below to the grandmothers.

We tried for a family photo after church but the sun and our escaping-the-backyard-dog didn’t help.

Then we got to Alex’s favorite part – presents! He had been asking for days when it would be “Mother Day” and we could open my bubble rocket.

Saturday

hollyburch — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:19:47 +0000

We were supposed to have a family photo shoot today in Chicago, but the weather wasn’t cooperating. It was cancelled due to thunderstorms so we spent a lazy day at home and took our own family picture.

Seals, Hot Dogs, And Company

hollyburch — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:20:16 +0000

Zoo class was about seals and sea lions today. I was surprised to hear the obvious differences and how to tell the apart (although I still can’t remember which has the ears and which uses its front flippers and which uses it’s back). The class was full of games, activities, face painting, stories, and a visit to the seals. A zoo trainer even came out to feed them and show us all their tricks. Then we met Daddy for lunch (Alex has been wanting to take me to Hot Dogs ever since their “guy night”).

We had a couple from our church over for dinner, Melissa and Jeff, and ended up entertaining in the office!

A New Picture

hollyburch — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:00:14 +0000

We received a new picture of Teague today, but no accompanying information. My conclusion from the picture is he has not had his eye surgery, but he might have had a hair cut!

Open Gym

hollyburch — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:19:53 +0000

I’m not sure why, but this is only the second time we have been to Swiss Turners Gym. Alex had just as much fun this time as last time.

My Latest Project

hollyburch — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:29:45 +0000

Last year I heard about “Project Life” and got interested. It’s a really easy way to scrapbook without being creative or having to “create” pages. You just have to provide the pictures and add your personal notes. I decided to try it this year. The first week of January I sat down to order all my supplies, but evidently there was a Christmas rush and most were sold out. I waited and waited and finally found them in stock in late March. At this point I also realized that the title and journaling cards are all oriented for the horizontal picture layouts, but 95% of my pictures are vertical. I called in my design expert (Wade) and he manipulated the horizontal cards to be vertical. (He has mad photoshop and illustrator skills.) Then I decided I wanted to print my journaling cards instead of handwriting them. My printer (a laser printer) wasn’t cooperating and I finally called in Wade. He explained I would need a different kind of printer for this. My awesome new printer (Canon Pro9000 MarkII) arrived today and I spent all evening printing.

You can organize the book any way you want. I do two pages per week. This gives me a title card, 7 vertical pictures, and then 8 horiztonal wallet slots (for either pictures or journaling). There are other “plastics” you can buy as needed. I have two other types that I use for weeks with an extra long story (Teague’s referral) or extra pictures (Alex’s birthday or Easter).

Wade was supportive but had to ask the question, “Isn’t this a little redundant with your blog?” Sometimes yes, but there are pictures and stories that I don’t post for the world to see.

Soccer

hollyburch — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:03:16 +0000

Our big accomplishment for the day was making it to soccer. Alex needed just as many “breaks” as normal (i.e. to come talk to mom), but when he was with his group he actually did really well. He listened and participated in the games. We’re making progress (baby steps).

Abram’s group finished first so he joined Alex’s for a game of Mrs. Fox.

*My new rain shoes/boots are pictured only because I love them and rarely get to wear them. Alex and I stopped at the outlets a while back and I happened upon them 75% off!

Lazy, Rainy Sunday

hollyburch — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:59:15 +0000

Today was slightly chilly and rainy. We spent the day inside with a roaring fire. Tabit normally spends her days outside, but I found her in her favorite bed (under my bench) and Madison wanted to spend the day in my lap.

Gallery Night

hollyburch — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:45:41 +0000

Amber invited all the neighbors to one of her friend’s party. Admission to the party was an original piece of artwork (turned in beforehand so they could be displayed anonymously). I’m sure you can guess which one is mine and which was Wade’s. (For humor’s sake, I will point out that the pieces weren’t judged. When Wade found this out he was quite upset and decided to add the ribbon.)

We had a great time and although we didn’t know Amber’s friends, there were eight other neighbors there. We talked and laughed for a few hours before ending the night at The Classic Slice – yum!