Hendrix, Vai, Van Halen?

Will Alex become a famous guitarist? We'll see! If so, we'll talk about January 5th, 2010 as the day she got her start! And when she wins a grammy, they'll show cute pictures like this one from her childhood...

Today was her first guitar lesson and she did fantastic! Her teacher said she had really good dexterity on the frets and had a good understanding of the notes, a fast learner. I am so proud of her, and inspired! I have always wanted to take music lessons, maybe I will!

Rock on Alex!

All about me!

Today is my birthday! And I have had a great one. I must admit I didn't think it was going to be a great one. Todd ended up not only having to work, but be on call and gone all day today and overnight! Plus, the kids went back to school today, so it was back to the daily grind of getting up early and making breakfast and lunches and nagging, uh-hmmm, I mean lovingly encouraging kiddos to get up and get dressed. So, kinda a regular Mom day for me. BUT, it has turned out GREAT! Yesterday, Todd and the kids and I celebrated...we kinda have a tradition in our family of getting a special weekend day on or around your birthday where you don't have to do dishes, make meals, discipline the kids, and make all the "fun" decisions about what to do that day. "It's your birthday, you get to pick!" So, we did that yesterday...they let me sleep in, I woke up to breakfast and presents, then I scrapped in peace while they got ready and did an errand. Then they made me a cake and Todd made dinner. After dinner, they sang to me and we ate cake. We even snuck in a family game of war (card game). My awesome hubby even "prepped" my morning as much as he could and unloaded the dishwasher after dinner (I usually do that when I get up) and had the kitchen and downstairs picked up and ready to go. He bathed the kids and put them to bed so all I had to do was pop in and hug and kiss them. It was lovely being pampered. And in between all that, i snuck upstairs and played on the 'puter. FUN! So, my picture of the day yesterday is this...

And today, even though it was "business as usual," my dear friend made it special by starting my day with a gift from her...a cute birthday martini glass (which I drank Diet Coke from today, LOL), a new novel to read and a pretty to-do list pad. Thanks Val! Then, we worked out together, as we always do on Monday mornings and ran a couple errands before picking up the preschool kiddos. Then, she treated me to lunch and we had a play date at her house for the kids, OK, for the Moms too! It was fabulous! Not to mention all the well-wishing phone calls, Facebook wall-posts and emails I have received today. I DO feel very loved! So, today I am 37, it was a regular day, I feel as young as I did yesterday. And this is my pic of the day today...I was on my way outside from the YMCA to do my run for the day.

Until tomorrow...

Off to a good start...

I scrapped my New Year's resolutions..I like having the visual portrayal. I tried to keep them simple, but not too broad...

Day 2, I am proud to say I am doing well on all 4! Keeping positive, getting things done as soon as I can, keeping up with my running (even though it has been 26 degrees and WINDY here, eek!).

The third one, family, focuses on balance between me time (computer time and working out) and family time...with both time spent together and effort. For example, yesterday I called a family meeting to discuss our family rules and family mission statement. These are things I have thought of doing for a long time and just never did, my procrastination I suppose. We get frustrated with the kids' misbehaviors and part of my frustration is not using a consistent approach to discipline. I stand there when one of them is annoying me and feel like pulling my hair out because I repeat myself all day, everyday and behavior doesn't change, theirs or mine. So, we now have family rules, I will write them up nice and neat and post them. When someone is not following them, they get a warning and a reminder that they are not following a family rule and then a chance to correct, it they don't, they get a timeout or a privilege taken away. I like having the rules to refer to for a couple reasons. One, it's an easy, consistent reference that everyone understands ahead of time is the expectation and also, it reinforces the values behind the rules. I can say "I am warning you for being sassy...remember sassiness is on our family rules because it is disrespectful." And, I had the kids help come up with the rules, so they feel invested...after all, the rules were their ideas too, proving that they know what is and is not allowed and why. We also brainstormed rewards and privileges. So, they know what things can be taken away for not following the rules. At the end of every good week (hopefully every week), we'll reward ourselves with family time and the kids can pick from game night to movie night to going out somewhere (sometimes). This all sounds so elementary, I know. But we didn't have it documented Super Nanny style, I think it will help.

So, my P365 pic of the day is the kids with their rule board...

Tomorrow, we celebrate my birthday. It's actually Monday, but Todd will be on call that day and it's back to school day, etc. So, tomorrow we'll celebrate as a family...looking forward to a day of pampering, which to a Mom means not cooking or dealing with discipline or letting the dog out to go potty, etc. LOL

See ya tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010 everyone! I am just dropping in here to say that I will be attempting the P365 project again this year. I didn't get too far last year, but this year will be different. I wish i had that book to look through right now with 365 memories! Next year at this time, I will...or at least be getting it printed. So, here is my Day 1 photo...we had a, um, well, relaxing day, LOL!

And speaking of new beginnings, have you heard about Chelle's Creations new journaling class? It's called "Tell Me More" and it starts Monday. It's all about improving your journaling on your scrapbook pages. She'll have ideas on what to write and how to incorporate it onto your page. It will be really fun!

I'm on her CT and have been helping her by getting some examples done and the lessons are great! So, if you're interested in taking your words to the next level, check it out! AND you get this amazing MEGA kit when you join!

That's it for me tonight. I was up late and didn't sleep in quite as long as Zach so I am starting to get droopy eyelids, see ya tomorrow for 2/365!

Can you believe 2010 is only hours away?

Welcome 2010! I'm ready! I am feeling the new beginnings starting, I am getting organized and ready to be back into routine. I have my resolutions ready to go! Last party of the season tonight, bitter sweet. How will you celebrate?

And Scrap Matters is ready for the New Year too...check out the big sale they will be having!



Have fun and be safe tonight and then tomorrow, relax, do a little shopping at SM and then scrap!

Happy New Year!

The ScrapMatters DSD Blog Train

Hop on board, choo, choo!!!!

But before you go to the next stop...check out all the awesome fun going on at Scrap Matters this weekend...there's a sale, games, a chat with prizes and a FREEBIE collab kit with a $15 purchase...and with all the awesome grab bags, that won't be hard to spend!



Also...check out this awesome freebie from Chelle...

Want it? Become a Chelle's Creations Facebook Fan today and receive it as a gift!

If you are following the train in order, you should have come from Denise's blog and received an awesome QP.

The train started at the SM Blog, so if you get lost, go there:)

Here's my car on the train...


Link has been removed, check the SM store soon for the blog train items to be sold:)

Ok, you should be heading to Kim's blog now for the next stop on the choo choo...

have a great weekend and Happy DSD!

Digital Scrapbook Day is coming...

And SM has a party brewing with games and a sale and grab bags and a chat and a FREEBIE!!! Here's a little sneaky peek of what's to come...