Me again!

Well, we are still having a wonderful time, the weather leaves a bit to be desired, but who cares, when you are having fun.
THE wedding was yesterday and for that the sun came out and stayed out all day! It was beautiful, I took all 1500 wedding pictures for the bride and groom, and had a GREAT day doing it! I just love being the bossy photographer. I haven't gone through them all yet, but I am sure I got some great ones, just have to check with the bride and groom if they are OK with going on my blog!

I got some great layouts done with one of Liz's kits, it went so well with our picnic on the first Sunday here!
so here they are using "missing the tales" by Sweet Digi Scraps.



have to dash, we are with the bride and groom and I am being quite rude, by hiding in the computer room, blogging!
So hope you are all having a great time too. I may or may not be back!
Hugs
Me

Surprise!!!

Found an internet connection, and I thought I would let all my friends know about the last few days!
Yesterday we spent a beautiful day on the beach, the kids absolutely LOVED it! And not only them.
Surprisingly enough the sun came out all day, and I have a great sunburnt neck to prove it! (I forgot to cream my neck, oops! the kids were OK though!) The day before we went to the beach, we went for a picnic, in the woods by a stream, the weather then unfortunately wasn't quite so beautiful, but we still had a GREAT time. The kids built a dam in the stream and got soaking wet, but we had enough dry clothes for them all!
Robert unfortunately is not having such a great week, he has been running a high temperature almost every evening this week, and just a moment ago a wasp got into his T-shirt and stung him twice under his arm. Poor little darling!
but other than that we are having a great time, I am missing the internet connection though. BUT I am scrapping whilst the boys are falling to sleep. Here is one I did using Dinphy's latest kit "Sail Away" - Love it Dinphy.
And I got the perfect photo for it, pulling into the docks at Dover on our way here!

Credits:
Sail Away by Dinphy

I'll try to get back sometime soon, to show you what else I made, but until then
Bye 4 now

Humming at the car wash...

this morning I went and washed the car, well the car wash did that for me, I just sat there and wished the radio would work in there and instead hummed "working at the car wash" to myself. It is now all clean and free of swallow pooh. I love the swallows (see my layout further down the blog) but they will insist on poohing on our car. And the pooh is quite viscious to the paintwork. So if you don't get it off quickly, it marks the paintwork, and when we hand the car back in we have to pay for any damage. So today I took it to he car wash!

Florian is home early this week, the boys were so excited as he picked them up from Kindergarden, whilst I cooked us a pizza! What a waste that was the boys didn't touch it! All they did was pick the Feta cheese off the top, refusing even to try it. I thought ALL kids ate pizza, no not mine! Well, Florian and I at least enjoyed it!
And this afternoon we were in the garden again, eating ice-cream and enjoying the sun. I asked our neighbour about her rabbit this afternoon, as it hasn't visited us for a while now, she said she just has no drive now, uhoh, could she be pregnant!?! I would laugh, or it could just be that one lot of hanky panky was enough for her!

OK, that's two songs I got in my post, have I got you humming yet?!
Bye 4 now

busy day in the garden!

Yep this afternoon saw us in the garden - again! Only this time I was very busy. I decided when we went to our neighbours this week that it was high time someone cut our hedge, as we had to walk on the road cause the path was covered by our hedge. Well, as there is no one but me here during the week, today I decided, that maybe I could use a chainsaw! (well, that is what it looks like to me!) And as you can see, well sort of, I can still type, so I lived to tell the tale, and yep I do have all fingers to type with. And I managed to get the boys to stay clear of the noisy machine and me! Don't know what it was I said, but for once they actually did as they were told!
the hedge now looks very nice, the path is glad to see the sunshine again, and no birds were nesting so no harm done! Just one slight problem, the hedge is quite high and we want it to stay that way, so I didn't do the top of it! Cause I just can't reach!
Once finished the boys helped me rake all the branches up and put them in the compost rubbish! They were actually a help there, they have their own little rake and raked it all up and picked it up and put it in. Well, until Robert made the acquaintance of some stinging nettles (they must have been growing in the hedge too) and then it took a while for the doc-leaf to work its magic.

I have just given them a bath, which they thoroughly enjoyed, not so sure I did, as they will insist in jumping in there, and I get quite hoarse from telling them not to!
Right at 7.40pm (in 25 minutes) the moon is at its fullest, so with a bit of luck I might get some sleep tonight. Please boys!
But now for a bit of peace and quiet.

No quite, I want to pass my award on to some other great girls, whose blogs I read,
first of all, my friend Leigh (tricertifiedx2).
Leigh's blog - My Digital World - I met Leigh, whilst stalking our favourite designer. WE would always be commenting on Liz's blog, and then seeing one another enter Liz's challenges and eventually we got chatting and each our own blogs! And now I would say we are great internet friends, even if we are half way around the world.
Leigh takes the most awesome pictures of her kids and family. And puts them in some great layouts. I love catching up with her life on her blog (and chatting on skype). So Leigh, there you have it, grab the award, and pass it on!

Next would have to be the place I met Leigh
Liz's Blog - Sweet Digi Scraps - Liz was one of the first designers I discovered, when I found out about Digital Scrapbooking. And I just LOVE her stuff, and really did follow her around. And now I am part of HER team. I still can't believe my luck. Liz has opened her own store and community - Been There Scrapped That, and if you haven't been there yet, you should pop on over. We make everyone very welcome there and are a great community, which I am proud to be part of! (And I would be there even if I wasn't part of the team, cause I still stalk Liz!) Who incidently blogged today. She is quite busy now with a new store and all, but I still check her blog! (Great story all about breakfast in bed, that all Mum's should read!). Liz, thanks for everything, and enjoy your award.

Next up is
Silvia (Phillsboo) - My little Scrapworld - Silvia is going through a rough spot at the moment, a cupboard she was building fell on top of her and she ended up in hospital with broken ribs - ouch! so this might cheer her up. She is of course the first person I CT'ed for. After I very bravely applied - took me a week of constantly revisiting her blog, but I haven't looked back. Get well soon, silvia, we miss you!

And now for one who is not in the least expecting this

Jan's Blog - Intense Magic Scraps - I "met" Jan at Been There Scrapped That, and I love all her layouts, and she writes the sweetest comments. So I one day, saw that she had a link to her blog in her profile, and off I went visiting. You should go too, she has all of her beautiful layouts on there. My favourite of course is the one she did just for me, cause I kept pestering her. I suppose really it is three layouts. the first of her beautiful rocking chairs on the porch. Then a layout of her beautiful house, and each time I asked what the view from the porch was like, as I imagined it would be beautiful with a beautiful porch and house like that. And I wasn't disappointed! It's a great view. Thanks again! I love your blog!

And last but not least
Michelle's Blog - Mickey's Corner - Michelle is on Silvia's CT too, and she has a great blog, with some great Quickpages! If you use quickpages, you should definitely stop by. Michelle has been missing in action for a while now, I hope she is just taking a break, but maybe this award will bring her out of hiding. We miss you and your great layouts, Michelle.

OK, that was it I think, I visit a lot more blogs and read them all, must be because I am so nosy! but everyone has some great layouts or freebies or stories, and I love reading and seeing them.
Again Dinphy thanks for the award, you deserve it right back from me too!

Now I am off to do some more reading and scrapping
bye 4 now

An award and Aliens!!!

I got an award, I got an award, I got an award... as Robert would chant!


Dinphy awarded me this today, and she wrote such nice things about me and my blog, made me grow a few centimetres I am sure. I have to pass the award on to five people who's blogs I love to read, and as I too would like to make them feel really good, I am not going to rush it, and today's post has to be a quick one, as I have guests arriving in 30 minutes and still have to clear the kitchen and lounge. So watch out for tomorrow, when I will make 5 other people feel good about themselves and their blog. Thanks again Dinphy, as you already have the award, I suppose I can't give it back, but I would! I love your kits - btw, are you doing the DSO colour challenge? ;o) and reading your blog. I know you have to keep it low key, but it is still fun to read! If you are here and haven't yet visited Dinphy, click right here and pop on over!

Now about those aliens I mentioned above - guess what its Full moon tomorrow night, and the aliens arrived early! The boys have done nothing but scream and cry all afternoon. Well not quite all, but certainly since we went in the garden.
Richard had to miss his midday nap today, and boy did he let me know about it. I won't bore you with all the details, but I think the neighbours may well be glad that sometime we will be moving away!!!
We had a doctors appointment at 1.30pm today for Richard, he is being circumsized in July, and we had to talk to the anaethesist (is that how it is spelt?) today. Stupid time for it, but they insisited it had to be with Richard. Of course I had to take both of them with me! They were not impressed as this doctor had neither fish nor pencils to colour with! And no gummibears!
We then took Florian's suit to the cleaners ready for the wedding! And then in a moment of madness, I had decided to take the boys to buy them some new sandals! I hate shoe shopping at the best of times, so this cannot be classed as fun! But I got them both new sandals and Robert a new pair of shoes. I think they were pleased, but Robert thought that they made him go faster and insisted on running round and around the shop, whilst Richard tried his on! AGH! One lady behind us at the till said "we've all been there dear, it does get better! - and they are rather cute!" I think I must have looked slightly stressed! (Again though still craving a good night's sleep, not forthcoming with a full moon on the way!)
OK, so much for a quick post. Off to tidy up now before my girlfriends get here for a good old natter!
Bye 4 now
PS: My Knight layouts made it on to KimB's blog! That is one of my favourite blogs, and my layouts are there! yippeee!!!!

Knackered!

Not much to say about today, I organised our housesitter for when we are away, he'll be looking after house, hens and cats. He even offered to mow the lawn for us! Bless him! The little boy next door is looking after the rabbits, I feel a bit guilty leaving only one person in charge of our "zoo", even if I am taking the monkeys with us! ;O)

This afternoon we visited our neighbour who doesn't like our cats. He doesn't like them because their chosen toilet is their boxwood bushes, and it is killing them. Not really much I can do about it, but I did take them a water pistol round and the name of a plant that is supposed to keep cats away. So I sort of showed that I was willing to help, but that is as far as I will go, I am NOT locking the cats up at all! As it is at the moment we still only have one, Sunny has been missing for over a week now, I hope he turns up again soon, I miss his funny little miaeow (can't spell it though!)

The boys run wild in the garden, ignored everything that I told them to do, walked all over the nearly ripe strawberries, started to dig my tomatoe plants up and generally were naughty! Monsters. It could be that I found them worse than they actually were though, because I didn't get much sleep again last night! How come they were such good babies and slept through from when they were 7 weeks old. When did they forget how to do it??? Last night, they had me up between them 5 (!) times! I went to bed at midnight, was up at 2am, 2.20am, 4am, 4.30 am, Florian's alarm rang at 5.15am and Richard wanted up at 6.45am, Robert was stood at the end of my bed by 7.30am! Needless to say I am knackered!
I have spoken to both of them, and both agree that a non-grumpy Mummy is a good idea, and that they will sleep all through the night by themselves. We'll see how that goes!
I can still hear Richard now, singing, hopefully he will go off to sleep in a minute. I want to get the washing on now, before i get comfy scrapping.

Quickly before i go and try and get some sleep, before the first one wants "Mummy" again, a couple of layouts for the CT team at Digital Arts Cafe. These were made using Babs " By the Sea" Kit. A beautiful kit for seaside layouts!

This is my Dad and Uncle at the seaside in the middle of summer last year! Oops, freezing it was!

Credits:
By the Sea by Babs at DigitalArts Cafe

And this is Mum and Dad with Robert and Richard watching the barges go by on the river near my parents.

Credits:
By the Sea by Babs at DigitalArts Cafe

Bye 4 now

Snakes, lizards and crocodiles...

no not in our back garden, at the place we went to this afternoon. I never expected a little "club" to have so many animals, but they had quite a few there. 2 crocodiles, many, many snakes. Some really cute looking lizards. loads of turtles and tortoises. And lots of fish of all kinds. The boys loved it there. Robert didn't know where to look first, and his little mouth was on overdrive, with all the things he was seeing. I think we will definitely be going there again. Today however was the summer party, so there was more going on and more people there. Robert spotted the sausage stand as soon as we came out of the building, and so we had tea there. Sausage and chips! Delicious.
This morning it didn't really look as though we would be going, but once there this afternoon the weather really brightened up, and it was a lovely afternoon.
Now for a relaxing evening...

Scrapping!!! Yep, got a few done to show off here.
This first is for the Jumpstart Challenge at Been There Scrapped That. Colie gave us another great template, and this is my take on it!
Robert and Richard found some great beetles on a herb in our garden. They thought it was great, and I - of course - got it all on film (well digital). I am not sure if you can see it on the layout, but there is a reflection of me in the shiny beetle! If ever they ask for reflections somewhere again, this will be the photo I will use!

Credits:
Bug-ing by Kim B Designs
Alpha by Krystal hartley (Grateful 4 U Mega Kit)
Template by Colie's Corner BTST

And I got to scrap a couple of pictures from the boys Kindergarden trip to the castle. I have plenty more to go. But I may not be able to show them, cause of all the other children on the pictures.
Here are King Richard and Sir Robert - Knights of our rectangle table!

Credits:
I Believe 4 boys by Kim B Designs

and here I had great fun playing with the elements in the kit! I love how it turned out! Even the looks on their faces could be because they have seen a dragon!

Credits:
I Believe 4 boys by Kim B Designs

Bye 4 now

And another Birthday Party...

only today not family! It was a friend's 4 year old, who we see a lot. It was a lovely afternoon. Richard was a little grumpy (two days with no midday snooze, was getting to him), but we made it through the day! (not that bad really!)
Mum went back home on the train this morning, I think she might well have slept all the way home, Robert went and woke her up rather early again this morning. He wanted to go in at 6am, but I managed to get him to watch the clock until 6.40am but that is still way too early, if you ask me!
Florian has had his hair cut too now (now we are all ready for the summer), he went to the hairdressers after taking Mum to the station. The boys and I stayed home, and played "pairs" or "memory" as it is called here. Robert is slowly getting the idea of the game. Not so Richard though, he just wanted to hold all the cards in his hands! In the end we gave Richard his own set of cards to hold, so we could try and play properly.
At the party the boys played table football (not sure what it is really called) and had a great time, and I think I may have got some good photos to scrap.

Talking of scrapping, I have some layouts to share early tonight:

Dinphy has been designing again - this time for a very good cause, she has donated her talents to a Charity Mega Kit (for details see here), the kit is being released for sale on Monday, 16th June. But here are two layouts I made using her part of the kit. I loved it, the colours work for both boys and girls or as you can see in my first layout - for birds!
These are our baby swallows, the swallows nest in our barn every year, and every year, I make sure our cats cannot get into that part of the barn. So far I have been successful. The cats do sit outside of the window that the birds use to get to and from the nest, but I hardly think they are likely to fall out of the sky, when going in or out! (but I won't tell the cats that!)

Credits:

Small Miracles (part of the Mega Charity Kit) by Dinphy

And this one is again from our birthday party, this is some of the many kids that were there, stroking our very patient rabbit, Treacle.

Credits:

Small Miracles (part of the Mega Charity Kit) by Dinphy

And this next layout is for the Secret Challenge at ScrappinFreeStyle. I saw the paper and instantly thought of this great photo of Sunny (who incidently is missing again!!!). He was soo relaxed here. Special thanks here goes to Leigh, who helped with quite a few of the famous mice that Sunny is dreaming about!

Credits:

Secret challenge Bag by Aneczwka at SFS

OK, now if I get a turn on the computer tonight, I may be back with more!
Bye 4 now

A Knight's Tale

Today was the Kindergarden outing. As Florian had to work, my Mum came with us, with two kids to watch it could have been a bit of a struggle. Much more relaxed this way.
Mum and I forever optimistic, went with only a T-shirt and rain-jacket. It was cold!! The sun hardly came out all morning - but it didn't rain! The boys had a bit more on than Mum and I, but I am not really sure they were warm enough. Poor things, but they didn't complain. In fact they had a GREAT day. We went to a "Knight's" Castle, where they looked in the enchanted forest and made some more enchantments for it, and they let the sheep out on to their field. Had homemade vegetable stew and played some Knight's games. all the kids had either Knight's helmets, crowns or those princess hats (not crowns) on, and some were horses. It was so cute to see them all!
Of course, I took loads of photos (162 to be exact) so plenty of new material for some layouts. And I have just been shopping and bought the perfect kit for it.
But scrapping will have to wait. Florian is downstairs waiting for me - Indiana Jones - here we come!!!
I have been to the hairdressers (goodbye grey hair!), I am just about to put on my new T-shirt, and off I go on a DATE!!! Hihi, haven't had one for a while now!
So bye 4 now

Happy 43rd Anniversary

Another reason to celebrate - it is my Mum and Dad's Wedding Anniversary today. 43 years! Only 40 more years to go, and we'll have made it there too!
Mum is staying with us, but Dad did actually remember when he phoned this morning! Although yesterday before Mum left, he swore blind that it was the 11th July! nope! Way out!
Here is the card I made for them.

Credits:

Unconditional by Sweet Digi Scraps at BTST

The boys were up at the crack of dawn this morning, but it was sort of OK, as we wanted an early start. We had them at Kindergarden by 8am! It's been a long while since that happened! Mum and I then made our way first to Lidl to pick up some bargains. We went in for tapes for the video camera and some pocket games for the boys, and came out with much more, a pair of trousers for Mum, three little girl hand bags as presents for my nieces, some English crisps, Smarties and Nutella. More than expected. And incase you didn't know Lidl is a grocery store!!

Then we went into town to find something for Mum for the wedding. She got a very nice combination, 7/8 trousers with a buckle by the ankle and a jacket to go with it. she looked very smart. They had some nice stuff in the shop, had I not already got my clothes for the wedding, I would have found something in there. And Mum bought me a new belt. Thanks, Mum! Dare I say this, I went to put on a belt the other day as this one pair of jeans if the boys grab my legs my jeans start falling down. So I thought, I know a belt will help. Well, I haven't worn one in years. And not one of my belts fit anymore. Should I perhaps stop eating the chocolate...?! ;o)
Nah, now I have a belt that I can grow a lot bigger in!

We then went and had a hot chocolate and a muffin (chocolate one!) as we had finished so early. But for the first time ever, I have to say it was not a good hot chocolate, it was toooooo sweet! Shame - but the muffin was good!

We then went into another shop, and I have finally spent all of my Xmas shopping voucher. I got a T-shirt and 3/4 trousers. I looked very smart in them too. And we bought the boys a set of clothes each. A T-shirt with a map of Germany on and shorts to go with it. And a baseball set for Richard (didn't come in Robert's size) and a smart pair of dark blue shorts each for the wedding, so at least they will start the day looking smart!
we finished all our shopping in time to pick the boys up at Kindergarden. This afternoon we did go in the garden, but it was too cold! it has dropped probably about 15°C in the last two days! So all we did was have an ice cream out there and come in again. But the boys seemed quite happy to play indoors for a change. Robert did a new jigsaw, and Richard pottered about with his basket of bits and bobs!
I had better head back downstairs now, Mum is down there and working on my ironing basket, don't want her to think I am hiding up here!

I got a layout for the lyrics Challenge at BTST done tonight, it is Robert last year on holiday, trying to drive my uncle's car! he thought it was great (especially, when he found my uncle's sweetie stash!)

Credits:
The Sweetest Boy of All by Phillsboo at DAC
Frame from Austin by Lliella

Bye 4 now

Nanna's here

We picked my Mum up this afternoon from the station. So much building work going on there, they we couldn't get really close and had to walk past all the diggers and tractors and workmen. The boys thought it was great. Well, once I had convinced Robert that they weren't coming onto the path we were on.
Robert wanted Nanna to go straight out into the garden when we got back home, after buying something for tea first. He wanted her to play football with him. Both Mum and I declined, poor Robert.
He has been a bit accident prone today, he already has a nasty scab on his knee, which he fell on again yesterday and made it bleed again. Well today he fell on it twice more. So clumsy, perhaps he is growing again. It seems then that he loses all control over his limbs. He also has a tiny scratch on the inside of his finger. Well at tea he got some salt in it from his tomatoe, you should have heard the screaming. Even once washed, he couldn't calm down. Poor boy really, but it does wear you down all this whining all the time, and today was "whiny day"
It wasn't quite as warm today, infact when we did get in the garden is was quite nippy. Good for our shopping morning tomorrow, as there is nothing worse than trying to try on clothes when you are all hot and sweaty. But on Friday it is the Kindergardens outing to a castle, so we really need the nice weather back again then!
I made another layout with my Birthday present at lunch time but it is downstairs on the computer so I will post it here later.

And here it is. This is Richard and Zoe, Dad caught them at first unawares, and then posing for the camera. So cute. (oh and also taken on Saturday at our birthday party!)

Credits:
SunShineDay and HappyBirthdayKerri by Dinphy

Bye 4 now

Check up

Robert had his check up on his heart this morning and all is OK! His heart is totally normal, the doctor we went to was very friendly, but Robert still put up a fight. He did not want to lay down for the ultrasound, and I know it doesn't hurt, but he took some bribing!
One funny thing there, was Richard. the nurse came in and told me that I could already take Robert's T-shirt off, well once Roberts was off, Richard wanted his off too! And it was easier to take it off than to argue, so when the nurse returned there were two half naked little boys! And of course Richard wanted to be right where the action was! So guess what our next appointment in 3 months time is earlier in the morning, when I can take Robert on his own there!! A much better idea.
This afternoon we spent in the garden. Robert fell over on his already scabbed knee and managed to knock the scab off and make it bleed again. there was a lot of screaming until it was all cleaned up. But then he went off and played and was actually kneeling on it, so it must have been feeling OK again!
Miffy (one of our rabbits) had decided he wanted his hutch cleaned out properly, he had kicked all the sawdust in there allover the place, he had buried his food dish completely! So he is all clean and tidy now, we'll see how long it is, before he buries his food again! The chickens I think thought it was their birthday, they got our leftovers from lunch, some ground up eggshells (their own) to make their egg production easier for them, some left over cat food and rabbit food, then Richard went and watered the cats dry food. So the chickens got that too. Plus their normal ration of seeds! We haven't just got "happy" eggs (as they say in Germany for eggs where the chickens run free), but "spoilt rotten" eggs (cause our chickens most certainly are spoiled!)

Not sure what I am up to this evening, scrapping definitely, but the football has muddled up my TV week, will have to find something to watch when I finish clearing up the kitchen.
Bye 4 now

Please - no thunderstorms

it is getting really dark here as I write. I do so hope that we don't have anymore thunder. It terrifies poor Robert and I just don't know what to say or do anymore. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Anyhow, about my day! Florian didn't leave so early this morning as he is actually off to France for work today. So he took the kids to Kindergarden. He also took one of the left over cakes in for the girls there. And they were over the moon about it! Extra Brownie points for Robert and Richard! Who knows when they might need them.
I managed to get most of the washing done and dried this morning. I didn't want to hang any out this afternoon as we had friends round and the boys wanted the hose on. Not a good thing if there is washing out drying! They had a GREAT time with the water, the best bit being putting it all on the end of the slide, then sliding through it. So cute! And I had another good natter!
After tea it was bathtime, cause although they were playing with water most of the afternoon, they were still pretty filthy! Robert got most of his ice cream on his rather than in his tummy! Very sticky!
Now I am off to be creative, I think, depending on that big black cloud out the front of the house. Out the back the sun is shining...who knows.

Well so far so good, no thunderstorms, so here is what I have to show off so far!
First of all, Happy 7th Anniversary to my brother and his wife! (I did this one yesterday, but their anniversary is today, so I waited to post!)

Credits:

An ordinary Day by KimB Designs
Alpha beads by Becki Kress

And finally I got to use my Birthday present. Another big thank you here to Dinphy! It is just soo great! Here are a few impressions from the party. I have loads of pics, will have to see if I scrap some more!

Credits:
Happy Birthday Kerri Add On by Dinphy

Bye 4 now

A great party and a relaxing Sunday!

I didn't get chance to blog last night about the party, so its a double post today.
I had a slight case of the nerves right before the party, when as we were trying to get everything ready on time, the boys decided in an unwatched moment to empty all the jigsaws they own (and they own A LOT!) out! That didn't help at all! But we were all finished in time for the party, and it went really well! We had a lovely time with lots of our friends. The most surprising thing of the day was how well the kids got on together, they all played all afternoon without screaming or arguing! We were all very impressed!
We got lots of nice presents. I got a scanner! Ooh my digital hobby is expanding, expect some layouts with older photos soon, the ones that I only have on film! I got a great cookery book (Jamie at home (Jamie Oliver that is)) an oven dish, books on the town we will be moving too (someday) and tickets to the cinema. Mum is probably going to be here next week, so if Florian gets home in time, we will be going to see "Indiana Jones"! I hope so, i am already excited!
But the best present really was to have all the friends and family around. We had some good old natter, great laughs and good food.
As we started the party early (noon) the last guests left at about 8pm and we were finished with the tidying up by 9pm. I was so looking forward to sitting down and looking at all the books and scanner and such, but the weather had other plans for me. There was a thunderstorm, and Robert does NOT like them. He gets so frightened. So I spent the next 2 hours going up and downstairs, everytime the thunder boomed. And once that had finished, he decided he would have earache! What an evening! Still from 1am to 6.30am they did both sleep, and so did I!

Today we had a very relaxed day in the garden. It was great. We put our bench somewhere different in the garden to sit today, and it made such a change. It was fun! Just like with photos, changing your perspective can make a difference! (for Mum, we put it just below the greenhouse next to Miffy!)
We had tea in the garden, the boys on the picnic blanket, they thought that was great. And it did their appetite good!
I got some good pictures of them playing today. Didn't get any of the cute bit though. Both of them went and sat in Miffy's run (that's one of our rabbits) and Miffy normally very shy, actually played with them. They had taken a couple of diggers and tractors in with them. And Miffy sniffed them, picked them up and moved them around (the diggers not the kids). It was so cute to watch, that first I forgot to take pics, and then Miffy went under her hutch to play, so we couldn't get a decent picture.
Both are once again in bed, and I am praying that tonight there won't be a storm, so I can sit and relax some more!
Bye 4 now

Busy Day

Getting ready for tomorrows party. This morning I went shopping and filled the trolley right up to the brim, it was almost overflowing! So hopefully, I will have enough tomorrow to feed all the hungry mouths that come by. Mum and Dad went to the cake outlet store and got three or four (can't remember now I got to write about it!) for the typical German "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cakes, something quite a lot of Germans celebrate in the afternoons). I also have enough food to feed all those that love our company that much, that they stay for tea too! Well, tea and football that will be, the European Championship starts tomorrow. (Shhh, England didn't qualify, so two men in the family, are not so happy about that - my Dad and brother!)

The afternoon I spent trying to (emphasis here is on "TRYING") tidy up the barn. The boys did not leave my side, so that made it extremely difficult. My plan had been to do it, when Florian got home, as together it would have been much easier. But he had to work late (I hope this is not the beginning of leaving later on a Friday!) and won't be home til much later now. Oh well, I got the area cleared and cleaned, where the buffet is going to go. All the kids cars, bikes, and such will be going in the garden in the morning and then it will all look a lot better!

Oh, and the boys have a surprise for everyone tomorrow too, but I won't tell today, cause then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. ;0)

The boys had a bath this evening and I got them out quite early so they have actually been tucked up in bed since 6.50pm today! Hopefully that won't make them wake at the crack of dawn tomorrow!
Bye 4 now

Happy Birthday to me!

Yep, yet another birthday in our family! Mine this time, no more teasing Florian, we are the same age again! 39! One more year to the BIG party! We are having a party this year too, only we limited ourselves with the invites. "only" 20 adults and 14 kids! And me totally unorganised! Never mind, I should have it all sorted by the time the first guests arrive on Saturday! I hope!
This is the card I got this morning. Florian made it for me at the weekend (with no help from me! Not quite true, I have so many beautiful kits, I pointed him a little bit, otherwise it is too overwhelming in that folder!) I love it, and so did the boys, infact Robert told me all about how HE made it! (mmh, strange that, I could have sworn that only Florian was sat at my laptop!)

Credits:
An ordinary Day by KimB Designs

I had lots of surprises today. Two great ones being from friends I have made through scrapbooking. Thank you so much Leigh and Dinphy. Leigh is letting me go shopping for some CU stuff, so that I can work on my second kit (probably for the June Colour Challenge at DSO). Mum and Dad are contributing to that too, I got a ebook on making kits, so watch out for another freebie sometime in June, I daren't say soon, it might not go according to plan.
And Dinphy, well, what can I say, I feel so honoured, this is what I got from Dinphy.


Well, what do you think, I think:

It's my party and I'll share if I want to!
Share if I want to,
you would share too,
if it happened to you!!!!
(did you sing along?!)

Yep, Dinphy gave me this to keep, share or sell! I just couldn't keep it to myself, it is too good to only be used by me. It is an add-on to her SunShineDay which is a freebie on her blog. So once you have helped yourself to my birthday present (click on the preview), do pop over to Dinphy's and leave her some love, when downloading!
Oh and when your downloading here, how about a few comments as a birthday present!
You could sing me "happy birthday", like my boys did this morning. They were so cute. They sung it again this afternoon too. But it was really a non-birthday kind of day, I did the ironing this morning, and played with the boys in the garden this afternoon. Saving my energy for the partying at the weekend!
Now I think I will go and make myself a birthday layout with my new kit! Although I never took any photos today - no not true, Robert took one of me in his Birthday Pirates Hat. Not a pretty sight!
Oh, anyone interested in my contact lense problems, I went to the opticians this morning and have something stronger to clean them with. But the girl there said that the lenses I have (hard ones) have approximately a life time of 3 years, mine are just that now, so it may be a trip back to see her, if this cleaning stuff doesn't work. So keep your fingers xed for me. Don't really need the expense of new lenses (the insurance used to pay as I am so shortsighted, but not anymore!)
Ok, that's all for now. Take care

A non-exciting day!

A very normal day today, kids at Kindergarden, washing, sorting, ironing (not all of it, as some was still in the machine). A few phone calls. Made lunch and picked the kids up again! Boring for the world as such!
This afternoon wasn't much better either. We did go for a little walk and as rain has been threatening all day, we took the boys umbrellas, and it did look cute, I got some pics of that, so hopefully there are some good ones for scrapping! We didn't walk far, cause Robert got it in his head that he would rather go home and play, and stopped! After a LOT of coaxing I got him to go a little bit further, but then Richard started complaining, so I gave up, and we went home and built a Thomas Track!
As you can see quite a boring day. I was wearing my glasses today, as despite my eye being better I can still not see properly with my left eye in my contacts. I gave them a very thorough inspection last night, which is not easy, when you are as short sighted as I am. And it looks as though the middle of the left one has some kind of something stuck on it! I am currently doing the protein removing thing, but tomorrow i will go and see if the opticians here have some suggestions. I HOPE so!
Ok, that was all for now, I may be back with some layouts later. I have a lot of challenges to tackle!
Bye 4 now

Toot Toot Toot!

I've been published! Yep two of my layouts mad the Artisan Notebook, a scrapbooking e-zine! In May they were asking for layouts with "reflections" and I had two done, so I thought I would send them off. I never expected either of them to make it, but they both did! Wow, wow, wow.
Stop off at the Artisan Notebook Gallery over at DSAguild.com and leave me some love, I would be thrilled to pieces!

And I was so busy being excited about that last night, that I forgot to blog! After the kids Kindergarden yesterday we went to my Mum and Dads. I had another appointment with the eye doctor about the scratch on my cornea! Well it has all gone again! Yippee! I was in and out of the doctors within in two minutes. So once back to Mum and Dad's Mum and I went shopping, looking for something for Mum to wear to the wedding. We actually found a very nice combination, but Dad pulled his "face" when he saw it in the bag, so we may still be looking for something else. Men!! Of course things look different off than on. But they pull "the face" anyway!

It was a scorcher here yesterday, and the boys spent the entire afternoon with Pop in the garden with watering cans and lots of water! They had a great time. Richard however wasn't worn out enough, he didn't sleep a wink on the way back. That and lack of sleep at night (he had me up again between 2-4am ) made a VERY VERY grumpy Richard today.
He started his grumpy day, when it came to getting ready for Kindergarden. HE wanted to put his OWN shoes on, which he did pretty well in 20mins. But then he proceeded to take them off again. Just as I was ready to go out the door with them. I told him that he had til Robert was in the car to sort his feet out then we were off. Well, he still wouldn't let me help him, so we drove off with one shoe on and one shoe off!
At Kindergarden he wanted to go the wrong way so I carried him (couldn't hang around today, I had an appointment at the bank!), well that was the beginning of the end. He screamed the house down, everyone came running to see what the matter was. I actually left with him still screaming at me that "my want to walk outside" - oh dear!
They told me he was fine again after I had gone, but back home after Kindergarden was a different matter. He missed out on lunch totally as he was too busy screaming at me! In the end (after about 30mins of screaming) I put him in his bed, where he proceeded to scream himself silly. ONce Robert and I had finished lunch, I got Richard back out of bed and tried to calm him down. After two stories (good old Thomas the Tank Engine) he stopped screaming, and was calm enough to go to bed!) Uff, what a lunch.
I gave him an extra 15 minutes in bed today and then we went straight in the garden.
Friends came round and a neighbour with two girls stopped by in the afternoon, it was great. All the kids got on well. And so did us girls.

Now the boys are tucked up in bed, and I hope we have a better night tonight. And I also hope to be back later with some new layouts.

I'll start with this one, this is made using another of my favourite designer's latest kit Sunshine Day! It is a great kit! And no Dinphy, there are more ways to use your kit, and I will try to show you soon. If you are wondering what I am on about, check out Dinphy's blog, you will see, that "Great minds think alike!"!
Anyhow, this is Robert and Richard getting comfy for some sunbathing on Robert's birthday!

Credits:
Sunshine Day by Dinphy

And here is another of my cheeky niece Mia, she had just finished a serious sulk, where she hid in the hood of her cloak! i managed to coax a smile from her in the end!

Credits:

Uncertain by Sweet Digi Scraps at BTST

And this one is using some of the products from Liz's (Sweet Digi Scraps) Scrappers Grab Bag (on offer until thursday!).

This is Richard looking sooo cute! I will probably be scrapping this picture again and again!

Credits:
It's Primary my Dear by Sweet Digi Scraps at BTST

Bye 4 now

Beautiful sunny day!

We had a great day today. The boys let us have a bit of a lay in, they themselves were up playing, but not fighting. They did manage to make a BIG mess of Robert's room, but we got to catch up on the sleep that we missed out on the night before!
then after breakfast Florian tackled the mess in Robert's room! I don't know how he did it, but he made a very good job of it!

I was downstairs at the time, making various salads for our barbecue this afternoon. 2 of Florian's oldest friends and their families came to visit. They picked the perfect day for it! Not a cloud in the sky all day. We were out there all day, we had the paddling pool out for the kids, and they had a great time. I think we didn't stop eating all afternoon either. First we barbecued, then after letting that all settle we had dessert, then after that had settled I dished out ice cream for everyone! It was great fun!

They all left about 6pm and we had our tea in the garden then. The boys thought it was brilliant, they must be so knackered now, with all the fresh air and running about. With a bit of luck we won't hear from them now until morning (who am I kidding!?!)

Bye 4 now