Well, November started on a good note over here. I got a lot of work done and I scrapped and I exercised. What more can one ask for? I didn’t snap as many photos as usual but that’s life.
Here’s the little boy reading quietly while I work.
And then I didn’t snap any photos until David came home.
One more smiley one just for Mama.
And the little boy also does his version of the smile.
I made a list of my todo list for November and I am just working my way down the list. Trying not to stress and telling myself I don’t have to rush ahead. A little step forward each day will do the trick. Right? It will!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I scrapped. I woke up really tired and worn out today. I am still coughing and congested. I thought the day would be terrible so I am really glad things turned out much better.
2. I am grateful that I am back to reading. I missed reading. I love reading.
3. I am thankful that I did not dip into the candy leftovers at all today. Not once!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. riding my bike with daddy
2. checking out a star wars book from the library
3. having the teacher read us the chicken little book
Lots of photos today! We started the day quietly and I read my book while David played his Wii (since Jake’s parents were here yesterday, we’d moved his day to today.) And Nathaniel looked at the calendar some more. He loves that calendar so much.
And the minute David went to the bathroom, he took over the remotes.
And played some Lego Indiana Jones.
In the afternoon, I dressed the kids up and tried to snap some photos. The chicken wasn’t so happy.
The hulk was just scary.
Together, they look funny to me.
I snapped one more with all my boys.
Then we went out to trick or treat. I love my chicken.
Our next door neighbor was a duck so we snapped a photo of the two of them together.
And that was Halloween. Simple, quick, and fun. We got very few trick-or-treaters. So I have buckets of candy that will have to go to Jake’s work since I will not have them in the house. We’re all still a little sick with runny noses and throat pain. But hopefully on the mend. I did finish my book today and I did my walk and I even made a tag. All in all, wonderful weekend and here’s to a great November!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I walked 30 days in a row. Every single day. Around 45 miles this month.
2. I am grateful that I get to work on my December Daily next. Love that album.
3. I am grateful that my son is so sweet and did not have any breakdowns over halloween or not getting to eat all of his candy. He is so wonderful.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii
2. going door to door and getting candy for halloween
3. getting to eat some of my candy (he was allowed 4 of them. He picked: whoppers, skittles, m&ms, and sweet tarts).
I am filled with mixed emotions as we approach November. I have completed almost every single thing I aimed to finish in October. I have some major new deadlines coming in November but it should prove to be quieter than October and I have nothing big coming for December, except for december daily of course and the whole month itself. Yey. Today was pretty quiet. I did some art journal pages, used my treadmill, and a bit more work on my upcoming BPC classes. Jake, his parents, and David went to Target and got some clothes and some food. And Nathaniel got to have a new pair of shoes. Which he is very very fond of.
He’s also immensely fond of Jake’s mom’s crocheted blanket which she’s making for David.
Nathaniel’s crazy about the balls of yarn which he decided was better than any toy ever.
Except playing bouncy games with Jake’s mom, of course. Those are even better!
Since I missed getting photos of David I asked him to let me take some and this is what I got.
And this.
There you have it. That’s what it means to be almost six I guess.
I put a band-aid on his chin cause he won’t stop picking at the scab. Jake’s parents are out to dinner with him and then on their way back to Boston. I am hoping to finish my BPC work tonight so I can spend tomorrow reading Peter and the Starcatchers for my book club meeting this week. And then I have to cleanup the insanity that art journal month created on my desk so I can prepare for the insanity that is December Daily. Can’t wait to put my album together!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my treadmill seems to be working just great. I still have to learn some of the programs but it was great not to worry about Nathaniel today.
2. I am grateful that Jake’s parents were here and they played so much with the kids and it was so great seeing them all interact.
3. I am grateful that it was a quiet and happy day. Those are perfect.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. going to meme and papi’s hotel and coloring
2. playing pbskids
3. reading meme my What’s a Wookie book.
Today was David’s Halloween party at school. I am the yearbook photographer for the class so I took a million photos. But as it turned out, not many of David. Here he is playing bingo.
And the little baggies his teacher prepared for each of the students. She’s awesome.
Nathaniel was there, too. He played the whole time. Jake’s parents were there so they kept him busy. It was so great to have the extra hands.
And here’s my boy. Hulk, baby!
Then we came home and Nathaniel went down for his nap. I got some work done and then it was time to get David. We rushed to a playdate he had and then rushed back home. My treadmill showed up so we got that setup while Jake’s mom gave the kids some toys.
Nathaniel watched his brother and he learned how to unwrap, too.
While Jake’s mom read directions, he was already grabbing parts.
David spent the rest of the night putting legos together and playing with Silly Bands while we put the treadmill together and Nathaniel played with the blocks and Jake’s mom. And then it was time for bed and date night. We saw Conviction. Great movie. And now I am off to bed. Art journal page coming tomorrow.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we get date night again. I love going to the movies so much.
2. I am grateful that the treadmill is here. I cannot wait to try it tomorrow.
3. I am grateful that it’s the weekend. I really really need the rest.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing with meme (while we were setting up the treadmill)
2. halloween party at school
3. going to maggie’s house and making milkshakes
Another sick day but better than yesterday so we’re on the way up. I am all raw on my lips and nose from blowing it so much. I took today off work and just rested. I started at the ceiling a bunch, rested a bunch and just let my body recover. Nathaniel, as usual, played with David’s stuff while he was at school.
After we picked up David, Jake’s parents arrived so the kids were overjoyed. David started showing his books and talking and reading and Nathaniel played with the multitude of yarn balls Jake’s mom is using to make a blanket.
Sorry to be quiet, not much going on right now. Mostly resting and recovering. I hope you guys are doing better than we are.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we get date night tonight.
2. I am grateful that I am feeling better for the most part and definitely seem to be on the way to recovery.
3. I am grateful that I am able to and choosing to take a little time to rest, it does appear to be working so far.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. having Meme and Papi here
2. playing on pbskids.org
3. doing my pattern homework
Well, it was coming. No matter how much I tried to avoid it, I was unavoidable that I got sick, too. So now all three of us are sick in varying degrees. I spent every moment of today lying down and praying the pain in my head and jaw would go away. I know this splint is for my TMJ but man it hurts my gums and teeth and even jaw so much. I took care of Nathaniel and worked a bit but for the most part, I was completely useless. Especially since Nathaniel’s up at 3am for four nights in a row now, too. Thankfully David was at school and neither of the kids has fevers. When we picked David up, he went right to working on his workbooks.
He loves them so much. The little one was a bit more rested after his nap and played a bit and visited me.
I then put a few cartoons on and they both climbed on the couch near me. I love snuggling up with them and smelling them. If it takes cartoons, so be it.
I love that Nathaniel was sitting between David and me and kept giving David impromptu hugs. He’s so so cute. and so loving.
The kids went to bed, I worked on my art journal, and now i am lying on the couch again. Cold, tired, in pain. Ugh. Here’s to a better tomorrow.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that neither of the kids have a fever. Nor do I. This could be much worse.
2. I am grateful that Jake and Nathaniel went out to dinner together tonight 1-1 and also bought another halloween costume. Yey for daddy-son dates.
3. I am grateful that I found a replacement for my volunteering tomorrow. I’m in no state to go to David’s school, especially since I will be there Friday. Here’s to feeling much better by then.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching giants on daddy’s iphone
2. having dinner with daddy
3. making my peek-a-boo thing at school
Today promised to be hectic even before it began. After we dropped David off at the bus, Nathaniel and I rushed to my new TMJ doctor where I got xrays, fitted for a new mouth guard that I have to wear night and day (ugh!) and I got some massage/therapy, and a shot in each temple. Nathaniel whined most of the time. He woke up with a little fever so I gave him some medicine and he went for his nap as soon as we got home. I worked while he napped and then gave him food. Since he was so sick, I didn’t want to take a chance and take him out when I did my run so I put him on his high chair and walked back and forth in my tiny backyard. Tiny tiny tiny. It was quite a scene but I did it. For a whole mile. Then we went to pick up David. And I snapped this happy face.
While the little one eyed the markers on the table.
And then signed food.
Then we rushed to the doctor for Nathaniel’s 18month appointment. Besides being stuffed up, he’s doing great. No fever. 90% in height and 50% in weight. Average head (didn’t tell me percentile) and clear throat, chest and ears. So just a cold. Which he kindly passed on to me, too. Since he was a bit sick, he didn’t get any shots. David got his first flu shot and was quite sad. But we came home, he had some yummy food and some play time with daddy and was good as new.
Now nathaniel is complaining in bed but if I got in there, he cries more, or stops briefly and restarts so I don’t know what to do. I am trying to give him a little time to see if he’ll settle down. I am wiped. Congested. Tired. Eyes hurting and head hurting. And jaw hurting from wearing this new splint. I’ve never worn braces so having something plastic in my mouth all day and night is not fun. Not to mention all the jaw pain. Oh well…I do what I have to do.
A little Glee and I am off to bed, too. I hope you are all well and not getting sick like the karenika household seems to be!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to be the guest poster at shutter sisters today. What a huge honor!
2. I am grateful that creative therapy is featured in artful blogging’s winter issue. This is also a big honor and a dream come true!
3. I am grateful that despite the pain and frustration, I am trying to do something about my jaw, here’s to hoping it works!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. getting a lego sticker at the doctor’s
2. playing legos with daddy
3. making my halloween book
Last night when I was at the grocery store, I bought some purple lights and put them inside the pumpkin so now they flicker. I thought David would like it when he wakes up in the morning since it’s generally dark. But Nathaniel enjoyed it even more.
All day long, he kept walking to it and pointing to it.
When we got David from school, it was his library day so he came home with a book and immediately sat on the couch to read it. I cannot tell you the joy this brings to my life.
He also lifted Nathaniel’s spirits up.
And made him laugh so very hard.
The kids then played while i worked briefly on my art page and nathaniel spilled some water all over himself so I had to take his top off and when I talked to him, this is the face he gave me.
Even though the photos might deceive you, both kids are sick. David has a runny nose and Nathaniel has a runny nose and fever. He’s super cranky. He’s also drooling so I am guessing it’s teeth but thankfully his 18month appointment is tomorrow so we will find out for sure.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I walked 2 miles today. I felt better and walked as fast as I could.
2. I am grateful that I am home and can take care of my kids when they are sick.
3. I am grateful that people are being so kind and generous with me. And allowing me the opportunities I really wish for. I am so lucky and so grateful.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching a little TV with mommy and nathaniel
2. playing with daddy
3. checking out my book from the library
Another full full day here but a quieter one. I woke up and finished my art journal pages and while I worked on those, the big boy played on pbskids and the little one sat behind him and played with my iPod. I love how Nathaniel likes to be with his brother so much. He hugged him a good 20 times today.
I snapped a few photos of Nathaniel and I know they are blurry.
But I still love them.
Then I started to carve our pumpkin and took a break for lunch and to go walking. It’s pouring rain here. But I went anyway. When I came home, it was time to finish the carving project. The kids were very excited.
I carved and carved. I know it looks odd here but it worked.
see it here? Three skulls.
While I snapped the above photo, Nathaniel emptied the paper plate cupboard and decided that was much more fun.
Some blog work and now I am off to safeway as the kids eat dinner. Seems like not much but it was a full, full day. And a great one. Happy Sunday!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I carved the pumpkin, I wasn’t looking forward to all the work but it’s lovely.
2. I am grateful that I walked despite the rain and that i have a treadmill coming soon.
3. I am grateful that I spent some fun time with both kids today. I love our time together.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. coloring
2. playing PBS kids
3. having chocolate pudding
4. carving our pumpkin
Yesterday was a long day. So much so that I was too tired to do the update and decided to have it wait until today. It was tiring, but not the bad kind. The little boy decided to wake up at 4:30 so I was wiped before the day even began. When Jake got up, I took a brief nap and then we went to the pumpkin patch.
We always go to the same place: Lemo’s Farm in Half Moon Bay. The first thing we did is ride the train since that’s everyone’s favorite.
It turns out it’s impossible for me to take a photo with all 3 of my boys actually looking at the camera..
David did try to comply.
Then we went to feed the goats. They make me feel so sad cause they’re trapped in there and they stick their heads out so much just to get a little bit of food.
I can say I wasn’t on my game for taking photos. I’ll blame the lack of school.
But I love my kids so much and took photos anyway.
This one made me laugh.
My sweet little one.
And the big one. The wonderful boy.
And then men who literally make my life worthwhile. I love them so.
On the way to the car, I snapped this photo of the season I wish we were already in. Doesn’t it look so much better?
What can I say, I’m not a Halloween girl. I love Christmas.
We came home briefly so Nathaniel could nap. So I got to scrap a bit and started my art journal page. And then we went to see our friends Manu & Hana and then we came home, ate dinner and put the kids to bed and went back out after the sitter came. We saw the Social Network which I thought was a great movie.
By the time we came home I’d been up for over 20 hours and was too wiped for anything.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we got to go to the patch. I didn’t think the rain was going to let us go but it was clear just long enough for us.
2. I am grateful that we got to have date night. It had been a few weeks since the last one.
3. I am grateful that we got to see manu and hana, we see each other too rarely.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. going to the patch
2. playing wii
3. going to manu and hana’s
4. having a kitkat!
Well here’s to another day I took off, got small things done and struggled at work and struggled with walking and eating well and getting my kids to eat veggies and on and on. But I did them all. I walked, i ate veggies. I replied to a few emails. I did my art journal. I made veggies for Nathaniel that he didn’t eat but then he ate my squash. I got some work done. I learned a lot more. Slowly. Progress can be so slow.
While I work so hard, little boy’s learned to get into things and goes through the pantry to make food suggestions.
I say no no no but he tries to open.
And succeeds.
Then he plays with the extra lunch box I got for David. He loves that thing.
But can’t open when it’s closed and close when it’s open so he often makes faces like this.
And this.
And asks for help from his brother when he’s around.
Who’s the kindest, most patient boy ever.
Weird side note: Do you watch commercials? There’s an Old Navy one with the leaf blower man and I don’t know what it is but it always makes Nathaniel cry the second it comes on. Literally the second. Also, the Microsoft one with the family photo and how you can make it “perfect” using the cloud? I hate that one. For other reasons. Long ones. This is just a reminder for me to write about it later.
Both of the kids and I had nightmares all night last night. Here’s to hoping it’s not the case tonight. This weekend is pumpkin patch and then visiting my friend Manu and then some pumpkin carving. And of course walking, eating well, art journal, fixing some of my BPS content writing some more content, emails, and maybe just maybe if I am lucky, some scrapbooking! Oh and reading. It’s been too long since I touched my kindle.
I hope your weekend plans are fun. It’s been quieter than usual here, I hope you’re still visiting me. 🙂
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am making efforts in so many areas of my life. Really trying this time.
2. I am grateful that I still feel more relaxed than last week. The crazy suffocating feeling seems to have disappeared, at least for now.
3. I am grateful that we’re going to the patch tomorrow. I always look forward to that.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. working on our last puppet – zebra!
2. coloring
3. doing the numbers and letters workbook at school
This morning I scrapped! It’s been a long time since I scrapped and even though I have two assignments on my list, I did something completely different. I am not sure if I like the page I made, it’s a bit unusual for me, but it was so nice to scrap again. Between that and the art journaling my table is a complete mess.
Nathaniel is growing up by leaps and bounds lately. Still no words but a lot of opinions and anger and frustration. And reaching where he can’t.
But he still continues to be super-sweet sometimes.
Exploring everything. But not the trash, thankfully.
He loves his brother so much and he randomly walked up to him and rubbed his leg. It was such a loving gesture, we were both touched.
And then he sat next to David and listened while David read.
David really liked reading to him.
And Nathaniel must have, too, because he gave David a big hug.
And then we played some more, ate some, read a bunch more and it was bedtime. It’s amazing how tired one can be by 6:31pm. I know for some people that’s when their energy starts coming and they stay up until 2am but those days are long gone for me. It’s rare I make it past 10pm.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that thanks to my meeting yesterday I managed to do better at work today.
2. I am grateful that I scrapped a bit. Nothing like preserving memories.
3. I am so grateful for my kids, even during those super-crazy moments. I love them so deeply.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. working on my mini book – coloring and drawing
2. watching a movie at school – lifecycle of plants
3. doing the workbook with mommy
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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