New Kit in the Store

Yep, I finally finished, my new kit
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
is in the store.
I had fun with this one, nice and bright and for a change "pink", with an all boy household it makes a nice change!

And do you remember that Word album I showed you a week or so ago, I got that packaged up and in the store too.
Images are linked to the store, just in case you wanted to go shopping! I am now working on a couple of matching freebies for you, so keep checking back - you could follow me if you don't want to miss it!

And now for todays update on the washing machine. Well, Florian checked the hose properly taking it apart and everything, but it seems it is beyond repair. So, today was my first trip (at least as far as I can remember) to the laundrette, where we got 3 loads of washing done, so we are all set for the coming week, when I can hopefully find someone to replace this hose!!
Bye 4 now (bedtime here)

Friday (Can't think of a title for this post!)

Well, still no reply from the spare parts place for our washing machine. Florian is going to see if he can somehow fix the hose, I think I have enough clothes for the coming week. And Mum is going to take some washing back home with her, so we can pick it up the following weekend. Thanks Mum!

So today I spent tidying and cleaning. And then I had the idea that I could make an outing of the shopping - good idea, or not! No it was OK, I took the boys to a shop that has little trolleys for kids. They loved it, now if I could only get them not to run and spin with them, it would be quite a fun outing for all of us! I had wanted to get a picture of them, but I was so busy keeping them rounded up, that I forgot I had the camera with me!

I finished my books this afternoon, so I am back in the digi world again, I had forgotten how addictive reading can be! But I missed scrapping, so its good to be back. Good job I read fast, otherwise I would be gone forever, those were big books!
Bye 4 now

Washing machine rant...

coming up right now!!
GRRRRR! So this morning I tackled the washing machine, managed to turn it enough to get the leaking hose off of it, and then got myself in the car and drove to the place that I always turn to, when something like dishwashers, washing machines, etc. go wrong. Let me tell you now, I WILL NOT be going there again!
I walked in with my hose and the woman took one look at me and... I'm not sure what she thought, but she certainly showed the German way of treating customers off to a treat. I got out my hose and said that it was leaking and I needed a new one. She asked what make. We have a "Zanker" washing machine, which on the inside is an AEG (a well-known make). She heard Zanker and that was the end of being helpful
"Zanker, ooh no, I don't know where there spare parts come from"
"You'll have to find that out yourself"
"We can't help you here"

I was LIVID, still am thinking about it, if I had phoned and got them to come out, I somehow think, that they would have found a way to get me that part, but because I was there in person, saving myself 40Euros just for them to come out to me, I was a customer they didn't want.
So I came home still steaming, got on my favourite toy, the internet, found the service centre and sent an email asking for the part. Unfortunately I haven't heard back from them yet. Very annoying as the washing is piling up and up and up! I just hope I have enough shirts for Florian for next week.
So what did I learn from this experience, once again, in Germany the customer is there to annoy the sales people, not to help them make a living!!!

Rant over!
I'll be more positive tomorrow, promise, cu then!

I'm 3!

Credits:
Alpha and Paper from Austin by Lliella
Bottle tops and ribbons - Gabes Collection by Carolina Girl Scraps

Yep, our Richard turned 3 today! He was excited about it, until he had to go to Kindergarden. He screamed all the way there and until I left. He was worse than in his first week there. He clung, screamed and begged. And the only thing I can think of was that he didn't want to be the centre of attention there. they have a party of sorts for the birthday children. as in Mum takes in food, the kids sing Happy Birthday and then eat the food. Not sure why he didn't want his turn. I think it all turned out OK in the end, at least he seemed happy when I picked them up.

This afternoon we had one friend around to play, and play they did. It looked like a bomb had hit, but it wasn't as bad as it looked when we tidied it up later on.
We will be having a big family party on Sunday, we are all looking forward to that.

Bye 4 now

PS: I finally have word from my job, I start on Monday, they didn't state a time in the email, so I will appear at 8.30am, and I have no idea what they intend to pay me, or what I will be doing, but I have a few more days to enjoy my freedom!

One of them days...

do you know the sort, the ones where you wake up and know that you are going to have to work at making it a good day as it started out all wrong! Today was one of them. Florian took the boys nightlight down at the weekend - BIG mistake! This morning at just before 6am, Robert woke up and noticed, screamed for me and that was the end of the night. I put the nightlight back in and went back to bed. 5 minutes later I had both kids stood at the end of my bed - "our eyes won't go shut again, we need to play" GRRRRRRR! So both of them have been on the go since 6am this morning. Bad start to the day.
Then at Kindergarden I am given the bad news that Richards Kindergarden teacher is leaving on FRIDAY! How's that for short notice! She was the only one there that I thought was really nice, I am finally getting on with Robert's Kindergarden teacher, still can't get on with the "boss lady", oh well, maybe whoever replaces her will be nice and good for the kids! Still a shock though!

So back at home I go through the utility room on my way to the rubbish bins, and what do I find in there - A LAKE! Yep, Florian, you didn't manage to fix the thing, it leaked again! And all of this before 9am!!!

So I gave my firm until lunchtime to get back to me about starting work again. And NOTHING! So this time instead of tracking my boss down, I phoned the Human resource department (is it only the Germans that call it that, or is that what you call in the UK and States too!), I think they were a bit shocked that I was supposed to be starting tomorrow and knew nothing. They said they would get back to me! Well, I waited in all afternoon and NOTHING, I had just about given up on them phoning me back and was already phrasing the email in my head, when wow, the personnel department phoned me back! Quite apologetic about the way this had been handled, and that she would stay on top of this and they would get back to me tomorrow with all the details and that includes when I will be starting. So really I still know nothing, but I do know that I won't be fired for not showing up tomorrow! And at least I don't have to go to work on Richard's Birthday!
So all is well that ends well, as they say!
Bye 4 now

All sorts!

So today I had to phone my future boss up to find out about work. I am supposed to go back to work on Wednesday, and I still haven't heard when, where, for how many hours, how much for, in other words I know nothing. And having spent most of the morning trying to track the guy down. I finally get him on the phone. And what do I know now - NOTHING! He is still working on it. I am not holding out much hope for the job now, if them getting back to me is so chaotic. But I will not dwell on that now, just needed to get it off of my chest!

I have been reading and working on my kit this past weekend, that is why it was a bit quiet on this blog. I have managed to post my daily picture, but then I forgot to come by here and let you all know what was going on in my life. Sorry about that. Jan, you asked what I was reading - the same as you the Twilight Series, I am now on book 3 - Eclipse, and hooked again! The film started last week in Germany, if only I had a babysitter... never mind, I doubt it can live up to the books!

what else is new, nothing really, we had a great weekend with my brother and his family, and today it was back to normal. I got the boys a really cute carnival costume this morning, they are going to be firemen! They haven't tried them on yet, as they were so naughty after lunch, that I wasn't going to treat them. Maybe tomorrow, they can play in them!

Bye 4 now

Babysitting

Well, tonight Florian and I are babysitting. My brother and family are staying with us today, and they are at a friends 40th b-day party and we have the girls here. They are now finally quiet, after Florian told them that enough was enough, a few tears later and now all is quiet. They kept getting out of bed and heading for downstairs. Not something we are used to, and hopefully the boys won't think of copying it!

We had a fun afternoon the kids really enjoy seeing one another so we all get an afternoon off, if you know what I mean!

So I started my new book, last night and am now hooked, so now I am off to put my nose back in my book
Bye 4 now

Oops!

I forgot to post on this blog yesterday! I wonder if I have too many on the go at the minute! Nah, not really, I love them both!
So yesterday was a different sort of day for me. The boys were at Kindergarden all day! So I had the day to myself. It felt strange but good. I was worried about the boys and the lunch there. But when I picked them up, all had been great, in fact so much so Richard had had two helpings!
And they looked as though they had enjoyed themselves.
Richard couldn't quite understand though that it wasn't the same routine when he got home. He wanted lunch and then to play. But of course it was already 5pm, so it was tea time then bedtime. He didn't get that, poor thing!

The weather today was really horrible, we had it all except sunshine, rain, snow, sleet, hail and then back to rain all with a really cold wind. So it was nice to be in with the fire on! Even though the boys spent most of the afternoon arguing over something or other!

Bye 4 now

Coming soon!! (sneak preview and a bit of hybrid!)

I have to show you this, I am so proud of myself. I got the glue and scissors out and did my first hybrid project - a word album (is that what they are called?) OK, I need more practise with the scissors and such, but for a first attempt not bad, at least I think so.

And guess what, this is A) a sneak preview for you of my new kit coming to the store soon, and B) will be available for you to add your own photos to in the store soon. I am still trying to work out how to make it a plain template for everyone, that may or may not happen! We'll see.
I am still adding bits to the kit, but I hope to have it in the store by Monday! Have to set myself a goal, so I don't just keep adding all the time.

So what else is new. Mmh, I might start teaching English to first graders one afternoon a week from February, but I won't find that out until the weekend. I met the lady that organises the course this morning and it sounded great, if mine didn't already speak English I would be enrolling them there.
And this afternoon we went to the bakers to get rid of some of the excess energy the boys have, it worked, they fell straight to sleep tonight!

Bye 4 now

An historic day!

So much so, that I am going to post my project 365 picture here as well today!

One day the boys might be pleased that I made them sit still for this photo! they were crawling like dogs, but they sat and watched the TV for a photo! I think they knew it was an important moment, cause Mummy never has the TV on at this time of day!
And luckily for the kids, Mr. Obama finished his great speech just in time for me to turn over to their new favourite show - Chuggington!

So what have I been up to today, well this morning I went shopping and was so shocked when i was one of three customers there, never seen Aldi so empty! And this afternoon the boys did more gluing, only this time, I had two things of glue and some coloured paper for them to use! It was a big hit! After that they did lots of spinning and running. Time for us to get out of the house. Tomorrow I think it is a trip to the bakers for us!

Bye 4 now

All back to normal

The kids were both in Kindergarden, the washing machine has stopped leaking, the dryer is no longer on strike and I have made my peace with what was bothering me last week. Shall I tell you about it, yeah, why not, writing it down will really get it out of my system.

Well in Germany, when you have kids, the firm you worked for, has to offer you the same sort of job back, after three years unpaid maternity leave. Well, during Robert's 3 years I had Richard, so the three years started counting again from Richard's birthday on. Well, for the past 6 months or more I have been burying my head in the sand, ignoring the fact, that Richard will be 3 next week. I never really enjoyed my job, actually that is an understatement, I hated my job. For over a year I went to work everyday ( I was supposedly a secretary) and sat for 8 hours doing NOTHING work related, my boss did not need a secretary at all, he did everything himself. I was just his answer phone if he wasn't there! Anyhow, with that in mind, the last thing I want to do is go back to that. But my time at home is up. Once the firm get their act together and let me know where and when I start back. I will be working 3 mornings a week.
Last week just thinking about it made me physically ill - I know childish really. Some people would be glad of a job to go back to, and me, I am old-fashioned, I want to stay home and look after the kids and home. Oh well, maybe one day.. And maybe work won't be so bad after all. It will only be 3 mornings a week! (if I keep saying it often enough, it will work its magic!)

So enough about that, today it has rained and snowed and rained some more, so again we were indoors all afternoon. Only today I got the boys some paper to cut up and then they made pictures with the snippets and glue! They really enjoyed themselves and they were cute to watch.

Bye 4 now

Sneak preview

of a new designer soon to be joining the team at Digital Arts Cafe.
Yep there is a new designer joining at DAC very soon, and I am one of the lucky ones who got to play with her kit ahead of time.
I used it for the template challenge also at DAC with a picture of my grandparents.

Credits:
Valentimes and Valentimes AddOn by Dinphy!!!

Nothing exciting about my day, it was Lego and jigsaws again!
Bye 4 now

Visitors and a delivery

This morning Posty rang the doorbell, and you should have seen the size of the parcel we got! It was Richard's Birthday Present (it's his b-day on the 28th January, he'll be three) we have got him a new car seat, the one for kids 15-36kg. Whilst Robert has been ill at home, he has been riding in Robert's seat to Kindergarden and back. So he was really excited when I opened the parcel, and sat straight down in it. they then played with the huge box for a bit. But Richard finally went back and sat in his seat with his lego bricks building! So cute! (picture on the other blog!)

This afternoon a friend of Florian from school stopped by on their way back up north from their holiday! It was fun to see them again, the last time I saw them was at our wedding 3.5 years ago.
It really was a whirlwind stop, but great fun.
After they had gone Robert took his Lego dust cart to pieces again, so he could rebuild it. He really is in to following the instructions! And has so much fun!

Florian has been feeling a bit under the weather today (tummy upset) but he is on the mend now.
Bye 4 now

Washing machines, lego and a layout

Today was a bit of an off day really. Even more so, when I went to check on the water situation in the utility room and found I had no water there! AGH!
I had been delaying washing until the weather had warmed up, as it really is cold in our utility room. I was not expecting the water to be frozen today though. This afternoon upon closer inspection there was water all over the mat in front of the washing machine, another case of AGH! And each time a little voice going "what is it Mummy?!"
Well, Florian had a look this evening and woohoo, he got water to come out of the tap, he also found that the tap that leads to the washing machine seems to be the one that was leaking and not the washing machine itself. So wish me luck, maybe tomorrow the washing machine will work.
This afternoon the boys got a parcel of Lego, oh they were so excited (see the photo on my project blog). Robert set about building his dust cart all on his own, and he did it! I am (and he is) so pround of him! He didn't need any help at all. He just kept checking he was getting it all done in the right order! Here he is concentrating and working on the project


And here is one of Richard looking all proud of Mummy's work!

Oh nearly forgot, I got a layout done at lunchtime - scrapping therapy!

Credits:
Mystic Moonlight by Colie's Corner and Sweet Digi Scraps at BTST

And now I am off to work on my next kit, its coming along nicely! So keep a look out!
Bye 4 now

Still poorly

the trip to the doctor didn't quite go as i had planned it today. Robert started coughing last night, and guess what, he now has bronchitis too! His tonsils are no longer inflamed, and on the mend. Just bronchitis now to conquer. Shame the antibiotics are not going to work on that, as that is viral. Bother!

The boys spent the afternoon arguing over the lego and screaming. Most of the time, I didn't interfere, cause at some point they have to learn to fend for themselves. But the screaming got a bit much to bare, and after being threatened with "Mummy will take the lego away" they sorted themselves out.

I'm going to have fun now scrapping and designing
Bye 4 now

Boring Day

at least from a blogging point of view! Robert was home from Kindergarden again today, but he did let me get on with a bit of housework. He was however glued to the childrens tv.
The afternoon was spent building Lego again. Richard has made lots of blocks that he says are cameras, and apparently he has made one for Daddy, one for Robert and one for Richard. Perhaps I will get one tomorrow. Before that however he was most disappointed, that Mummy was unable to make a Lego car look anything like Lightning McQueen (from the film Cars). He got so frustrated with me, that he took the Lego away from me and made me go away!
Maybe Daddy will have better luck at the weekend!

I'm off now to work on my next kit, I have completed the fourth ADSR4 challenge (see ADSR4 Blog in side bar) and now have til Sunday before the next challenge is up.
Bye 4 now

A long day

I know it is my own fault, I started watching a film last night, and then couldn't find a video to record the end of it on, so I was up watching it til 1.15am. It was great, I cried in the middle and at the end, it was so good. Oh, what was it I watched "The Lake House" with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. It was worth staying up for, but it has made the day seem so much longer. The boys were good though, they actually slept all the way through, full moon was obviously gone now!

So Robert was home all day. Richard went to Kindergarden this morning, he was really good about it and didn't cry when I left him there. It might have had something to do with the fact, that I let him sit in Robert's car seat on the way there! Speaking of car seats, I have ordered the next size up for Richard, it is his Birthday present from us this year, and he is quite excited about it.

We played the usual jigsaw, domino and lego mix today, with the usual naughtiness (well, almost normal, for more see my Project365 blog).

I got the third challenge for the ADSR finished last night, and tonight I want to work on the fourth. Although that one involves journalling from the soul and I am so not used to journalling... could be difficult! But then I suppose it is meant to be a challenge.
OK, I'm off now to upload yesterdays layout to our ADSR blog
Bye 4 now

Tonsilitis

again! We went to the doctors this morning and Robert's tonsils are covered in little white spots, poor thing. No wonder he isn't eating much! I remember only too well, how much it can hurt. He never mentioned his throat hurting though. But maybe when he says "headache" he means his throat!
anyhow, I decided not to ask this doctor about the kawasaki syndrome, as Mum found this online article, and that made me relax again, but I will ask when we go for his heart check up in March!

We spent the afternoon playing dominos and doing Lego. Robert can build by the instructions now and is so proud, and rightly so! And Richard has the same sort of box, but he builds how he wants, and I can hardly believe it, but it really looks like what is on the box, just a little varied!

OK, Challenge No. 3 is up for the ADSR4 race, so that is my "job" for tonight!
Bye 4 now

Ill again!

Poor Robert, whenever there is a bug going around he shouts here! he woke up this morning and didn't feel to hot to touch, but again he is in bed with a fever. He was showing me where it hurts this evening and tomorrow I will be off to the doctors with him and I want him checked out properly again, as this time he was pointing to his chest and right hand side, mmh, not promising. I know I probably worry too much, but after John Travolta pointing his finger at Kawasaki Syndrome being responsible for his son's death. I think I need to have a doctor reassure me, that Robert is completely over that!

But we still had a nice day. I sneaked out after lunch, pretending to the boys that I was feeding the chickens, well I did that too, but I also took the camera out for a walk across the snowy fields, I have posted one picture on the Project 365 blog, but I have some for here too.
Just pretty snow pictures, no story for these ones.Still freezing cold here though, so I wasn't out for long!

Dad went out with his camera today, and Mum sent me this one he took of the fountain in the park, isn't it just beautiful!
Bye 4 now

Sledging

Was the most fun thing we did today, and we nearly didn't get to do that. Robert woke up with a very high fever again this morning. He spent the morning cuddled up on my lap (groaning). Just before lunch I decided that if I gave him some Calpol, then maybe he would eat some lunch. Well, after that started working, he got his motor mouth back and some extra words I think. He did not shut up all afternoon. But he was feeling better. So much so, that when Florian suggested to Richard that they go out with the sledge, that Robert wasn't going to let them go without him. So we all went. Me with the camera and an eye on the clock, so that they didn't have time to get too cold. I got some great shots (one of which is on my project 365 blog) and more that I will be putting into a layout tomorrow.

When we got home I was browsing my usual haunts, and hey guess what, Liz (Sweet digi Scraps) must have seen in her crystal ball, what picture I would be taking today, as she and Colie (Colie's Corner) have just released their Collab Kit Mystic Moonlight. Well, it just so happened that the full moon was already out when we went out, and I got to make this layout, with their beautiful kit.Credits:
Mystic Moonlight by Sweet Digi Scraps and Colie's Corner

As all the sledging pictures were taken in the same light, I will be having some more fun with this kit! I love it!!

So now I am just hoping that the 30 minutes fun on the sledges didn't knock Robert back and he will be fit to go out on the sledge again tomorrow!
Bye 4 now

Mamma Mia!

I am sure this morning it was at least as cold as on Tuesday, it really hurt your face on the walk to Kindergarden. Even Robert was complaining about the cold on his lips! One thing though we did get there quicker than the past mornings!
When I picked them up they were sledging down the little hill there, having a great time. I feel a bit guilty that I haven't taken them sledging. But I really am not the one to do that, I am scared of sledging, so they would only learn to be afraid, rather than have a good time. Maybe Florian can take them this weekend, although with his back, I am not sure that would be a good idea! We'll see.

Not much exciting here. Although you might have had fun watching me ironing this morning! I put on Mamma Mia the sing-a-long version and had a great time singing and dancing whilst ironing! Who would have thought ironing could be that much fun! Sorry no pictures, you'll just have to use your imagination!

I do want to show you this layout by Benita, she used my template that I gave away in yesterdays post, and my friend Dinphy's xmas kit. Isn't it cute?!

Credits:
Template by KayJay
Home for Christmas by Dinphy

Bye 4 now

A Sale and a freebie

I'm here a bit early today, I nearly forgot to tell you about the GREAT sale happening at DigitalArts Cafe.And on the subject of DigitalArts Cafe, Mozz (Forever More Creations) has a new challenge up. It's a template challenge with a difference. For the first half of the month you can pick up shapes and create you own template. Then for the second half of the month, you get to scrap with the "Chosen template" to get an awesome Mini Kit prize.
so what does that mean for you... well, this month we are working on a CD brag book, and I have created this template for you with Mozz's shapes!I hope you enjoy it (it is my very first template, so constructive criticism is welcome).

Download here (.psd file)

I'll be back tonight to update with my everyday life!

Well, here I am back again. Although not a very exciting day. I was picked up this morning by the repair shop to get my car back. I have no idea what damage was done and how much it cost, the girl at the desk was busy on the phone and just handed me the car key. So it does mean that the cost was over €300 as under that price we would have had to pay and not the insurance. Ooops! We will get the bill for the €300 from the insurance soon!

Isn't it amazing that after just one day of REALLY cold weather, when it warms up to -10°C (14°F) it feels "warm" - funny that! The walk to Kindergarden this morning was much more pleasant than yesterday!
I still didn't take the boys out in the afternoon, we kept the fire going again and played in the lounge, let me think, today we did Lego, played pairs and played with the self timer on the camera - want to see?!Ignore my "hat hair" in this weather I won't go out with out one, and that puts pay to any of my curls! Robert was intent on pulling silly faces! But they did have fun running back and forth to push the button. And I have to show you this one, this was Mummy's idea and they actually did it!!
My boys "they love me lots and lots"!

Bye 4 now

And i thought...

yesterday was cold! WRONG! Today we woke up to -25°C (-10°F)! Brrrr, and we had to walk to Kindergarden, the car is still at the repair shop! Although ... i was supposed to pick the car up today. A friend was going to pick me up and take me there about 9am was when she was going to come. At 9.45am she finally phoned, her car wouldn't start in the cold, and neither would that of her husband. Oops! I then phoned the repair shop, for them to pick me up, but their driver was out and about, and by the time he got back, it was too late for me. So tomorrow at 9am he is picking me up to get the car.
Today i spent indoors keeping the fire going! Just had to go and get the kids at lunchtime. This time I remembered MY snow trousers, and that made the walk a lot less painful. Frozen jeans just aren't the right thing to be wearing at the moment!

I didn't make the boys go outside today, although Robert did want to go and build a snowman, but the snow is still not sticking!
Instead we spent our time in the lounge, by the log fire, playing most of the time. the boys arguing some of the time - a usual afternoon in our household.
OK, off to chat to Leigh about the 2nd Challenge for the ADSR4
Bye 4 now

Sooooo COLD!!!

Brrrrrr, it is now so cold here, even the snow is more like powder than snow! We have had the log fire on full power all day, not letting that go out today! It got as low as -15°C (5°F), so cold! (you can read what the cat thought of it on my Project365 blog (see sidebar, got that blinkie done last night!)
Florian and I enjoyed our morning's peace in the warm in front of the fire. I got a couple of layouts done for two of the challenges at DSO, I just couldn't resist the posting bonuses!

this first one is for the Book of Me challenge there, and you had to scrap your New Year's Resolutions. Me, I haven't really got any, then I can't get upset, when I don't stick to them. But I do plan on sticking to the 365 Project, so I did a layout about that. (Journalling reads: My resolution for 2009 is to complete the Project 365!)

Credits:
Winter Wonders by KayJay
(Posting bonus at DAC for the Quote Challenge)

And this next one was for the Lyrics Challenge - Livia had picked out the song "Zip-a-dee-doo-da". Well, whilst I was browsing the challenge forum, Mum sent some old photos over Skype, and one of them was just perfect for some of the words in the song!

Credits:
Thank You by KimB's Designs

Elvis (Mum's cockateel) not quite blue, but definitely on Florian's shoulder!

This afternoon Florian finally went to the doctor about his back ache, and oh bother, he has two slipped discs, which will now have to be treated with painkillers, muscle relaxants, injections and physiotherapy. At least this time it is treatable, he already has slipped discs in his neck vertibrae and that he can only keep at bay with physiotherapy and sport.

Whilst Florian was at the doctors having and MRT done, I took the boys out into the freezing cold to play in the snow. We didn't stay out long, but it used up some of their energy. We just couldn't build a snowman, cause it would not hold together!

Now back to the warm fire for me! Bye 4 now

Snow, snow and more snow!

Danyale is probably jealous, but me it made me really grumpy this morning. And Richard was all grumply too, which didn't make matters any better. Robert however was so excited! He got straight out of bed and dressed with no fuss, when Florian went and got him about 6.45am. They both went out in the dark to clear our paths of snow! Although when we all went to Kindergarden at just past 8am they were covered with snow again!
Yep, Kindergarden started again this morning and grumpy Richard was not happy about it, he told us again and again (in tears) that he wanted to go home again, he wanted to play at home, not at Kindergarden. Poor thing but when we went to pick them up, he had had fun, so it obviously didn't last that long.
Florian took the car in to be repaired this morning. Remember that accident I had in October, well, apparently it wasn't only a scratch to the bumper. Oops! We'll find out tomorrow, just what damage I did do to it. Thank goodness we are fully insured!
This afternoon, we played Lego with the boys, Richard and I made a great lion, which you can see on my Project 365 blog (note to self: make blinkie for side bar!)
I got my layout done for the first challenge of the ADSR4 race, you can see it on our ADSR4 blog!
And now I think I will go and attempt a blinkie!
Bye 4 now

It was "magic'd" away!

This morning we went to the bakers again for breakfast, some playing and meeting our friends. The boys did a lot of running and riding so they got quite a bit of their energy out of their system.
After lunch they played really nicely upstairs on their own, quite unusual, but I won't dwell on it, don't want to jinx it!
Whilst they were upstairs, we managed to remove all (well, almost) traces of Christmas from the lounge, we "un-decorated" the tree, got it out to the barn, took down all the Xmas cards and decorations from around the room. And guess what the boys came down and it took them over an hour to even notice anything had changed! I still can't believe that, as I think it looks so bare without the Xmas cards on the wall, and I really miss the twinkling lights on the tree. But it has to come down otherwise it wouldn't be special next year around.
The boys asked where the tree had gone, and Florian told them that Mummy had "magic'd" it away. Robert asked me if I could magic it back, I told him I couldn't as Xmas was over, and that was all that was said about it! Cute really!
Tomorrow they go back to Kindergarden and seem to be quite looking forward to it. I know I am! ;)
they have forecast 10cm of snow tonight, so Robert will be excited to go out and sweep it away with Florian in the morning. Richard and I will stay in and maybe watch out of the window!

the first challenge for the ADSR4 has been posted, so guess what i will be up to this evening!
Bye 4 now

Haircuts and more!

The things kids will do to get out of something! We have been trying to nicely convince Richard to have his haircut since before Xmas, each time we mentioned it, it resulted in tears, and that was even without going anywhere near scissors or the hairtrimmer. Well today, the weather was cold, crisp but beautifully sunny, so we were going to go for a walk. Richard is not our outdoor boy, so he didn't want to go, we told him it was "a walk or a haircut" - Much to our surprise he marched himself into the kitchen sat on his chair and waited patiently for his haircut - anything to get out of going for a walk!
So now he has a great new haircut (short back and sides!). After cutting his hair we let him have a bath, which was too much for Robert, he then too wanted a haircut so he could have a bath too! Now they both look respectable again. BUT we never did get to go out for a walk!

I have a couple of layouts to show you today. Benita, my friend and CT, has had computer troubles and had disappeared for nearly 4 weeks, I was slowly beginning to worry about her! But she is back and she sent me two layouts she had made before the computer crash, they are GREAT, thanks so much Benita, and I am so pleased you are back and OK!

Credits:
Layout by Benita
using On A Snowy Evening by DAC Designers (KayJay's part)

Credits:
Layout by Benita
using ByGone Days by KayJay

Tomorrow the Amazing Digi Scrap Race Season 4 starts (see side bar for our blog) and Leigh and I are excited and nervous, actually I can't wait for the first challenge, but tonight I think I will have a practise run and do a challenge or two at DAC or BTST.

And speaking of projects the buzz in the digiscrapping world is a 365 Project, where you take a photo a day for the whole year. I think i did it last year no problem, so this year I thought I would make another blog page to showcase my daily photos.
So check out my new page "KayJay's Days Project 365"

Bye 4 now

Relaxing day

Well after all the Xmas and New Year's parties and such, we had a day at home today doing NOTHING! And it was great. The boys played on their own for a bit of the time, otherwise we took it in turns playing with them and relaxing! the only bit of excitement was when I started cooking and realised that I had run out of cream and dashed to the local shop to get it! I was back before the kids had realised I had gone I think!
I actually made something that the kids won't normally eat today, and it worked, if you just serve it often enough, they will eventually try it and guess what LIKE it!

Weatherwise it has been snowing all day on and off, but so far it is only a sprinkling on the ground, hopefully we won't wake up to a white blanket - although Robert is quite looking forward to having to shovel the path!

Thats all the news I have today
Bye 4 now

Happy New Year

From all of us to all of you!

I hope you had a good evening yesterday and brought in the New Year! We had a lovely evening, we had our Raclette, ate way too much I think, I was allergic to the Caipirinha (no, honestly! I came out with a VERY red itchy face. If I have Ouzo, I go red, blotchy and itchy, and last night the same reaction only stronger to Pitu the alcohol in a Caipirinha, so I had the non-alcohol version with Ginger Ale after the first one! No fun, scratching your face all evening.

We got the boys up just before midnight, to do "cheers" with them. Then decided a family photo would be a good idea, and guess what as Robert was setting off the self-timer, they finished the countdown to 2009! So this picture really was the first in the New Year, and the FIRST thing we did! Quite appropriate for our snap-happy family!

Today Mum and Dad came up to spend the day with us, we had a lovely day. More food, so I am sat here really really full. We went to the restaurant that we had been to after our torchlight hike. And I had that delicious tomato soup again - well we all did actually! The boys ate well, there, we got them sausage and chips, and you blinked and they had eaten all of their sausage, which was a real German sausage, hanging off of both sides of the plate! Then they had some of Mum's spare ribs, my mushrooms, and Mum's salad!

And now we are watching Mum's Xmas Present - Mamma Mia! The movie - and having a great sing-a-long, so I'll get back to singing out of tune!
Bye 4 now