One very proud Mummy!

Yep, that's me today! I arranged with a neighbour and her daughters that today we would meet up in the road for cycle practice! Since we took Robert's stabilisers off of his bicycle he has been refusing to even try to ride it. He admires it, but wouldn't try riding it! I haven't forced it, but the other Mum and I thought if we got our kids together, they might get the idea from one another. Well,...
We got outside and Robert was wobbling all over the place, whilst I bent down and tried to steady him by holding the handle bars. That didn't work too well, then I held on to the back of the saddle, that was a little better, but Robert then insisted he wanted to hold hands! That wasn't going to work at all, and we were still in front of our house! Richard on his little scooter bike was already half way down the road and nearly there. So to speed us up a bit, I told Robert to scoot his bike, like he used to on his scooter bike and like Richard was doing. That said, off he scooted. By the time we got to our friends house, he was really speedy, Sabine even said, "was he riding it properly", I said no. I WAS WRONG!
He realised when scooting, that the balance thing was the same, lifted his feet off the ground put them on the pedals and that was it, there was NO stopping him! Wow, it was so fun to watch. I didn't have to do anything. He just "got" it! He was driving in circles, doing an 8 shape, driving up and down the curb, and all this with no problem whatsoever! A NATURAL!


Unfortunately after only 30 minutes it started to rain, and neither Robert or Richard could understand, why we had to take cover and why they couldn't carry on cycling. In the end we left Sabine's to go back to our barn for some cycling in there. But that wasn't what they wanted either! We went indoors had some sweeties and then when it had brightened up again, we were back out again, and the fun continued. This time Robert started cycling up a little hill there and speeding down. Unfortunately braking with the tips of his shoes, I told him that that was not a good idea, and he came straight over "show me how to brake, Mummy", So I did, and then he practiced it coming down the hill! Wonderful, he learnt to cycle and brake and all in one afternoon and all on his own! I am so proud of him, and he is of himself too.
I did take a few pictures, so watch this space! And expect more cycling tales in the future, cause I think that is going to be all he wants to do from now on in!

And here is what I forgot to post yesterday, I used a new kit called Bubblegum available at DigitalArts Cafe. Nice bright colours for this great pic from Zoe's Birthday Party.

Credits:
Bubblegum by Phillsboo at DAC

Bye 4 now

News and other things...

Well, in case you were wondering what I forgot yesterday - and I still can't believe I forgot it, since I am soooooo excited about it!

I MADE A NEW CT!
Yep, I am now proudly scrapping for BrokenJar Creations at Do It Digi. She has some great kits out, and although it's only been a week, I know she is going to be great to work for. I actually have already posted my first Layout with her kit - Zoe's First School Day was done with this kit! It is a great kit to work with.



Unfortunately Phillsboo has terminated her CT, it was fun while it lasted, but things move on. Phillsboo has told me she is thinking of retiring. Should she change her mind I am sure she will find another great CT.

I also now belong to DigitalArts Cafe's Circle of Trust, which means although they no longer have a site CT, I still get to proudly scrap for them. Thanks Melo for your trust, I truely appreciate it.
I have a great new blinkie to go with it too.

I think that was all my news from the scrapbooking world. Now to family life.

I tried a new approach to bed time tonight. I got the boys their tea 3/4 of an hour earlier than usual, and THEN let them run wild in the garden. And do you know what, I think it may have worked. They were a) much easier to put to bed, and b) have not been playing up, fingers crossed! I will try this approach again!
The boys went off to kindergarden with no problem this morning and I got to do a LOT of housework this morning, well mainly ironing, but it was a LOT! This afternoon seemed to fly by today, without us doing much, we were in the garden for a little while then it came over really black and started rumbling, so it was back indoors, and then it seemed it was time for my early tea!
And now all is quiet here it is time to go downstairs and start working for all those people I proudly scrap for!
Bye 4 now

Weekend Fun

First things first, Florian fixed the upstairs computer (that sounds posh doesn't it - but its an old one now and acts more like a server and I get to surf the net, whilst waiting for the kids to settle). It was just a case of too much dust - oops! Now that it has been cleaned it is working fine again - hopefully for a little while yet!
We decided to barbecue for dinner, which the boys were very excited about. As I made them more pasta salad - yummy! We started out eating it in the garden but this time we didn't have to go and hide from the rain, this time it was the wasps. having been stung twice now, Robert gets slightly (underexagerating (is that a word, and is that how you spell it??!!)) panicked! So this time we moved our picnic into the utility room - that was a first. Barbecue amongst the washing machine, dryer and cats dinner! the boys thought it was great fun, and at least there we weren't pestered too much by insects! I do need to do the washing though soon to get the bbq smell out of the room!
In the afternoon I got stuck on the computer, whilst the boys and Florian were in the garden mowing and playing. I was having great fun completing my cousins wedding book! And I am so pleased with the results. I now just have to wait to hear how many copies I have to get printed, and I am having one page checked by my Aunt and Uncle as to whether I have all the guests on it! When I first did it I had actually managed to forget my Mum and Dad -OOPS! Sorry Mum!

All is quiet here now, so I am off downstairs in a bit (still chatting to Leigh at the minute - Hi Leigh!)

I got my first layout for the August Challenges at Been There Scrapped That done. This one is for the Layout Snatch Up Challenge and is a lift of tsavoie's "sisters"

Credits:
Being a Boy by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe
Alpha by Ptitesouris

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

Birthday presents and other things...

Well, Robert's birthday is right around the corner (Thursday) so it was about time, that we got him a present! I went to his favourite toyshop and had a look around. In the end - with the help of a friend that I bumped into in the shop - I chose a BIG lorry that tows cars away that are wrongly parked, it has another car on its back and a crane thing. Plus it flashes and makes noise (didn't notice that bit, til I got it home! oops!), I think he will love it.
Unbeknown to Richard he also has a present for Robert. He has got him a game, it has chickens in it (fitting with us having 7!) and you play it with a dice. It looks like fun, and something I will enjoy playing too, seeing as I will be the one playing with him!

Mum made lunch for us!! No she's not here, but she packed me up a goodie bag yesterday. So the boys had "Nanna's spaghetti" again, and I had Mum and Dad's Sunday Roast left overs. Delicious!

We spent the afternoon in the garden again. And what did the boys want to play with most - my clean washing! I convinced them that they weren't going to hang it out for me, but they then after putting ALL of the leftover pegs on the string hanging down from the line, ran around and around in the washing. Grrrr. (Although if I am honest, I seem to recall doing that myself and having a great time. My poor Mum, here's a very belated, but heartfelt "sorry")

Bathtime after tea, and now they are in bed sound asleep - I think!
And I have to remember when I go downstairs to get the washing off the line, otherwise I might have to start again in the morning!

I have two layouts for you, that I made at lunchtime, but they are downstairs, check back later for them.

This first one is of the boys with their new bikes! Both trying to get on them, I shouldn't say trying they did get on them fine!

Credits:
Sweetest Boy of All by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe

This is Richard on his "new" skooter bike, it was Robert's but Richard is trying to master the art now!

Credits:
My Pop by Michelle Herron at ScrappinFreeStyle

And this one, was difficult! It was for the Snap It Challenge at Been There Scrapped That, we had to take a picture of ourselves. It has taken me until now, to do this one and the month is nearly up! But I really like the picture I got of me (I did take my glasses off to get it, so I couldn't really see, what I was smiling at!). Scrapping it I found a bit difficult, much easier to scrap the kids!

Credits:
Uncertain by Sweet Digi Scraps at Been There Scrapped That

Not bad going for a day 3 layouts posted here, and two that I can't post on the blog, they are for friends of my brothers (a couple of their wedding photos!)

Bye 4 now

A GREAT day!

Well, I (no that should be "we") finished the translation about 11pm last night. So between us that was 6 hours last night alone. So you can probably imagine just how big a translation that was. But it doesn't matter who wants me to do one they all say the same "it's not much really, there are a lot of pictures in the document" - and it is always more than they are expecting me to have to do, this time it was 9 hours work!! Never mind. The pocket money will come in very handy!

Florian had today off , but the kids had Kindergarden, so we made the most of it, and went into town without the kids and did some clothes shopping for both of us. Florian got a new pair of shoes (the first in a long time that he won't be wearing for work!), 3 T-shirts and a pair of shorts. And as we were on our way out of the shop, I stopped at one of the mannequins there, and thought that looks nice. Found it, tried it on and bought it. A skirt and blouse. Somehow much more practical for the wedding, especially as I will be the photographer. Florian really liked it too.

Having done the clothes shopping, Florian treated us to an ice-cream. We both had "spaghetti ice cream" (thats vanilla icecream pushed through something to make it look like spaghetti on top of cream, with strawberry sauce and sprinkled with white chocolate. Have I made your mouth water yet? Mine is! I could eat another one right now!)
Then it was time to pick the kids up. Florian picked them up today actually, and he had a chance to chat to the kindergarden teachers about Robert and Richard and speaking German. I never ask, cause they normally tell me off about it. I wasn't there.
Apparently, when asked to both Robert and Richard do repeat what they have just said in English in German! wow, I am impressed! but even more surprising was that the Kindergarden teacher has finally realised that what we are doing for the kids is a GREAT present and said so to Florian. Finally they realise! At first they were so against it, probably makes life easier for Robert and Richard now they are not against them being bilingual.

This afternoon we all went in the garden. After another ice-cream (just a cone), the boys and Florian mowed the lawn. And I did my ironing out there! Made a change! We all finished at the same time. Although I am sure Florian would have been finished a lot faster without his little helpers! I wouldn't have though 12 shirts and blouses, plus other odds and ends take their time!

No translation tonight, so I hope to get some scrapping done. BTST's gallery is up and running again, with a new improved version. So I want to get all my layouts I did whilst it was down up, and perhaps finish off the challenges there. Still have to take pics of me and scrap them.... And make a Quickpage!

Speaking of Quickpages, how about this one:
Michelle made it using Phillsboo's "Sweetest boy of all" kit, you can get it on her blog, just click the preview.



bye 4 now

Leigh has been busy!

Look what Leigh made with Phillsboo's latest design! A GREAT Quickpage collection. If you like it click on the picture to go to her blog to download - and don't forget to leave her some love.


And if you like the kit, but are not so keen on quickpages, don't forget the Kit "Sweetest Boy of All" is still on sale, you can get it at DigitalArts Cafe.

And now about our day, well, Florian who was supposed to come home last night, finally got here at lunchtime today. Last night he worked to late and missed the last train home, so he was going to get one of the first trains this morning. When he got to the station, he found that he had left his ticket in the office, so had to go there first to get that, by which time his train was LONG gone! Oh dear!
We finally met him at the beer garden, where we had arranged to meet friends. When I left home with the boys, I was sure we were going to get very wet, there were some very black clouds around. But they chose to carry on their journey, and we had a beautiful afternoon at the beer garden. The boys loved it there. There is a great big sandpit, and all the toys that go with that are there too. Plus a little wooden climbing frame castle thing, with a slide. And for all the little boys there, this time there were a lot of pieces of wood around, so Robert and Richard spent a lot of time, carrying that up into their castle. So cute!
We had dinner there (the boys had sausage, I had steak and Florian had "Flammkuchen" I have no idea what that is in English, delicious though!). And we stayed all afternoon, we got back in time for tea and a bath. A lovely day.

There won't be any layouts from me tonight, I have a 26 page translation to tackle, I worked on it all last night, and got 6 pages done. I think my brain has gone a bit rusty, I haven't done any translating lately, so it wasn't going well. And I am not looking forward to tonights lot. But my clients want it by tomorrow, so I have no choice. But I would rather be scrapping than translating!
Bye 4 now

Silvia (Phillsboo) has a new kit!

And I got to play with it! It was especially fun, as my boys had quite a bit to do with the creation, giving Silvia some inspiration to go with it! I have so far done 3 layouts with it.
This first one was also for a challenge, the sketch challenge at ScrappinFreeStyle. It's Robert trying his hand at a bit of DIY, again I hid behind the camera and did my worrying there!

Credits: The Sweetest Boy of All by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe
Sketch by mom2paigenjunior (SFS)

This one is of Richard looking so cool in his sunglasses and getting ready to go out on his car!

Credits: The Sweetest Boy of All by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe

And this last one is again of Richard, he was showing us how to face paint the proper way - WITH MUD! I love that little hand print on his head!

Credits: The Sweetest Boy of All by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe

So that was what I was up to last night, and the reason I didn't post them then, was that I wanted to be sure the kit was in the shop first. It is now, and it is on sale!

Now about my day! I had to go shopping this morning, and I had to buy some petrol, nearly broke my heart, let alone the bank! It seems every day the price goes up and up and up! Couldn't bring myself to fill it up, hoping that the price will come down after tomorrows bank holiday! (who am I kidding!?!) I did get everything done though and I convinced them at the chemists, that no, I wouldn't be back to pick the stuff up this afternoon and they then said, Oh we can bring it to you! That's more like it! richard has a few warts on the back of his knee and we need something to get rid of them, before they spread.
I also went to the post office, where the girl there asked about my bridal headdress, and whether it had arrived safely the second time! Bless her. and if anyone else was wondering - yes it did! Haven't heard yet, whether my cousin will be wearing it, but I think she probably will, after all what the headdress went through to get to her!

This afternoon I let Richard choose what we did, and he DID NOT want to go in the garden, so we played indoors all afternoon, not so good for the "tidiness" of the lounge, but it did Richard good. Robert could have done with running around outside, but Richard really just wanted to play with his toys today. so we did!

This is turning out to be a long post tonight, but I wanted to show you all Dinphy's Kit that she made for the DSO Colour Challenge, ever since I found DSO I have waited for Dinphy's kit to come so that I could participate in the challenge. I just love her stuff. This month I entered my own kit, BUT that didn' t mean to say I wasn't waiting for her. And I was right to wait, look:

This is a freebie on her blog, check it out (click on the picture).

And this is what I did with it. I am entering it in the Font Challenge at DSO, it is of my Mother's Day presents. If you look closely, you can see Florian's very first scrapbooking layout, that he made me for Mother's Day. The boys made the butterflies at Kindergarden for me!

Credits: Flower Shower by Dinphy

Bye 4 now

What a night!!! And Leigh has a surprise!

Everything was fine when the kids went to bed, and then about 10.30pm Robert needed the potty - nothing new there - except he felt like he was burning up. So I took his temperature, it was up to 39.7°C (102.74°F). What a shock!
Florian and I both carried on watching the TV, both of us worrying silently, then when we went to bed we both couldn't sleep. The only thing the doctor said to watch for, when we left the hospital with him, was for a fever. Bother! In the end (about 0.30am) we got up and called the hospital, the ward he was on, when he was in, and asked, if we should be bringing him in right away. She said to just give him something to bring the fever down and to go straight to the doctor in the morning. Which needless to say we did!
She could find nothing obviously wrong with him, his temperature had dropped now to 38°C(100°F) and he was acting totally normal (I wouldn't even had taken his temperature, if it hadn't been for the night). We now have to watch him closely and if the fever is still around in 3 days time, straight into hospital! Thankfully though it seems to have subsided, tonight it is normal. We also have to watch for nose bleeds, gums bleeding and excessive bruising (that one is a difficult one, as he is always getting himself bruised somehow or another!), and if that increases or occurs straight back to her.
It certainly made for one sleepless night for me! And I don't think Florian did much better either!
Florian by the way stayed an extra day, just incase Robert and I had been sent straight to hospital, which luckily we weren't. He left about 5.30pm to catch the train. It was good to have him here longer. Certainly helped my frayed nerves.

But on to brighter things.
This afternoon we went in the garden (again!) and Richard got on Roberts bike without pedals (skooting bike??) And off he went. He looked so proud of himself! He loved it! Robert is getting a bike for his birthday, so Richard will inherit that one it a weeks time anyway.
Our neighbours have a new Rabbit (Winnie) she kept getting out today and visiting one of our rabbits, it looked like they were kissing at one point. Luckily SHE couldn't get into our rabbit, as it is a HE!! That could have been interesting in a few weeks time! We put the rabbit back 3 times today, not sure how they are going to solve the escaping problems! So I may be catching it some more times this week!

Now about Leigh's surprise. She has been working on a Quickpage album! And its a beauty! She used Phillsboo's Being a Boy Kit, which you can get at DigitalArts Cafe.
Here is Leigh's preview, and if you like what you see (which I am sure you will, pop on over to her blog - picture is clickalbe) and pick it up, and if you do, don't forget to leave her some love.



I used the same kit, to make a layout for the Shape Challenge at DSO. The challenge was to scrap something with a ball in it. That was no problem, lots of pics with the boys and balls around here!

Credits:

Being a boy by Phillsboo at DigitalArts Cafe

Bye 4 now

Where did the sunshine go?

It wasn't here all morning, then it came out for a bit, but as soon as we got in the garden it went and hid again behind big black clouds! It was actually quite chilly, but it could have had something to do with the fact that instead of running around after the kids, I was sat at the computer chatting to Leigh and doing a layout. Another one for Mum!

Mum sent me these pics of her as a little girl some time ago, so cute! And the one of Mum with the boys was taken on 1st May. I was going to embellish it some more, but it just seemed right as it is! I hope you like it Mum.

Credits:

Faded Frames and Swirly Lay Sample by Bunny Cates at DSO

So that was what I made this afternoon, whilst Florian and the boys were playing in the garden.
Quite an uneventful day, but a nice one. The boys certainly enjoyed themselves and wore themselves out. So much so, that at 6pm Robert was complaining he was tired. But then again he had been up since 6am! And on the go since then too!

And here is my layout for Digital Arts Cafe (btw you should visit the forum and see what is going on there!) and also for Phillsboo and I managed to combine it with a challenge to get the most views on it. It is for the lyrics challenge at Been there scrapped That (another place you should visit!) The song this month was "Unconditional Love" by Victoria Beckham (yep the one married to the footballer and the Ex-SpiceGirl).

Credits:
Latte Kisses by Phillsboo at Digital Arts Cafe

That's all for tonight.
Bye 4 now

Phew!!!

Well, we went to the doctors this afternoon with Richard, and we had already done the right thing for his poor swollen willy, by giving him a bath last night! the doctor said that that was the best thing for it at the moment, actually this afternoon it didn't look too bad anymore. He will however have to have an operation in the future, and so that I don't forget I have already made his appointment, but to be on the safe side, not until during the Kindergarden Holidays in July.
We will have to have the same done to Robert, but I am not going to make an appointment, until we have the all clear from the Kawasaki Syndrome Thing!

After the doctors I treated the boys to a little trip to our very small zoo. We didn't stay long though, as one of the goats made Richard jump really badly, and after that all he wanted was to go home. I have to add, that cause of the doctors appointment he missed out on his afternoon nap! Which of course didn't help.
Once home they didn't even want to go in the garden, both were worn out, so they stayed in for some jigsaw fun.

Unky Mick, Aunty Tricia, if you are reading this, Thanks SOOOO much! My aunt and uncle sent the boys a present this morning. I found a parcel in my letter box, and was very intrigued by it, as I wasn't expecting anything. Well, they sent Robert and Richard a book each, Robert's was for being brave in hospital, and Richard's was for being good for Nanna! Isn't that GREAT! Brought a lump to my throat. Thanks again!

Speaking of parcels, did I ever mention that my missing Tiara was returned! What a relief! We are all so excited about it. What must have happened is that the pick up slip got lost and the post office couldn't find the parcel without it, so it sat at the post office lonely for 4 or 5 weeks, and then was returned to me unharmed.
Well I have wrapped it up again and it is now on its way back to England, but this time as a parcel rather than a small package, as parcels are insured and can be traced. So fingers crossed, by Thursday it should be with my aunt and uncle, who will take it to Heather at the weekend, ready to take to her first fitting at the beginning of May. It would be so exciting if she can wear it! It all depends on how it goes with the dress, which is why it was so important that we post it.

I got the last layout done for the Been There Scrapped That Challenges. It is my Mum's favourite picture from our wedding. I was just about to step out of the church, when Dad called me.

Credits:

Never Forgotten by Phillsboo at Digital Arts Cafe

Bye 4 now

Tents and other things...

The kids were extremely quick out of bed this morning, they were up no earlier, they just wanted to get dressed quicker - so we did, which meant I had them at Kindergarden by 8.40am this morning. So I was home from shopping by 9.30am! Then it was housework (washing, dishwashing, cleaning floors, etc.) Before it was time to pick the kids up again!
Both enjoyed lunch, which was a change. and Richard was then looking forward to his nap! Bless him.
After that - We built up a tent in the playroom!!! They had been playing under the blankets in my bedroom, whilst I was getting dressed this morning, and they said they were in a tent and wanted a picnic under there. - Crumbs in my bed no way. But I remembered their wish and found the playtent for them. Which we built up together this afternoon. They had so much fun in it.
They remembered that they wanted a picnic in there, so they had Gummibears and chewy sweets, then apple and grapes! Oh not forgetting their juice.
Then Robert went and got his favourite cars, Richard the Lego, and they played really nicely in there!
Then it was "run around" time! I'm not a big fan of that, but if it makes them sleep better, then running it be!
I got them to stand still at one point and got some REALLY cute pictures of them. I can't wait to scrap them later. They'll be ideal for the ABC Challenge at Been There Scrapped That. Watch this space!!

Aren't they just TOO adorable! I love them "lots and lots" and "hundred thousand lots" as they say!

Credits:

Paper from Zazzle the Elemental Scraps Megakit

Alpha and Frame from the Grateful 4 U Megakit

I was on a roll, so I did another layout, again for the ABC Challenge at Been There Scrapped That. The boys had too much energy and they organised their own little sports session in the lounge - running and press ups!

Credits:
Zazzle by Elemental Scraps

Now to concentrate on my chat with Leigh! (that was earlier)

Now about that new kit that Silvia has in her store. It's called Never Forgotten, and here is a preview for you. Pop on over to Digital Arts Cafe if you want to get it!


And here are the layouts I made with it! Thanks for the pictures Mum.

This is Nanny, my Mum's Mum. Wasn't she beautiful. She lost the fight to cancer when I was about 3, but she fought it long enough to meet my brother too.


This is my Great and Great-Great Grandma. I love the dresses they were wearing.


And here is one to show you that the kit is versatile. This is Robert on our Wedding Day in 2005. He didn't start walking til the week after our wedding, so as he was our ringbearer , we strapped the rings to his back and he crawled to the vicar. It was so cute! (oh, and they were pretend rings, we didn't want them to fall off and get lost or something!)


Bye 4 now

A lovely day!

It started off with us actually getting a lay in! the boys were both wide awake and raring to go at 7am BUT they went in Robert's room and played on their own, without fighting. And we fell back to sleep again. I think Florian got up a couple of times for juice and nappy changes, but we didn't get up properly until 10am !!!! Wow, what a treat!
I then rushed off to get some food for the weekend, when I got back, we decided not to cook today but to take the boys to the restaurant for their sausage, that they missed on Thursday! They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and I have never seen Robert stand so far back from the water before. We didn't go to the park after the meal, a) because it was trying to rain, and b) we wanted to let Richard have his snooze before going to the birthday party!

Whilst they were all napping I made a great Birthday card, which I will share with you later, then it was off to my friends birthday.

Credits:
Being a boy by Phillsboo

Hardly saw the kids there, they were too busy playing. They did appear when the cake did - mmh, wonder why!? It was a lovely afternoon.

Now the boys are worn out and tucked up in bed! I wonder if we will get another lay in tomorrow. I might forgive them then for getting me up in the night!
Bye 4 now

Happy Easter!

Credits:
Grateful 4 U Megakit
Alpha - Krystal Harting
Paper - Colie's Corner, T. Burwick, ARD
Ribbon - A. Heimann
Heart - Eva Kipler

From all of us here to all of you whereever you are!
Our Easter got off to a VERY white start! We woke up this morning to a snowy white (slushy) blanket outside. It didn't even look very pretty, as it really was slushy. It carried on trying to snow all day long, but at the same time melting away. Very wierd.

Robert has miracously recovered from his earache. The poor soul couldn't get to sleep at all last night, he had me in and out until 10pm (as in every 10minutes). I had run out of ideas by then. As a last resort I gave him some stronger nose drops and whether they helped or the fact that he was just knackered I don't know but then he slept. He had me up again at 5am and then got up at 6am (you would think he would have slept longer!) Florian and I tried very hard to ignore them both this morning and we succeeded till about 8.30, and then we HAD to get up!

I baked some Easter Chicks this afternoon. They look more like ducks than chicks, but the boys liked the taste of them. But they are for Easter Sunday, so now I have to hide them til then.

I got a couple of layouts for challenges at DSO done this afternoon. This nice and bright first one was for the Numbers Challenge. You had to use 4 papers, 4 elements and 4 pictures. Its Zoe and Mia enjoying some summer fun last year!

Credits:
Doodledeedoo by Phillsboo

And this other bright layout, was for the Lyrics Challenge. The lyrics are from "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. Zoe is posing for the camera here. She'll be turning some heads some time.

Credits:
Candy Dreams by Phillsboo

No more layouts today, Florian's turn on the computer! He is downstairs now, making our Pizza. We enjoyed our Pizza the other day so much, we decided to treat ourselves again! Makes my tummy grumble just thinking about it.
Bye 4 now

Don't ever forget the shoes!!!

Not like I did this morning! Robert and Richard had new shoes last week from Nanna and Pop. They are little canvas trainers. Robert considers them his new slippers and wears them nonstop. Well, he likes to take them into Kindergarden to wear there too. Oh dear, this morning I forgot them! You should have heard the screaming he did. I couldn't calm him, I actually left with him still screaming about having to wear his "ordinary" slippers. It took the Kindergarden girls a while to calm him and in the end when he didn't listen to reason, they told him in no uncertain terms that it was enough now - and he stopped! Needless to say, tomorrow I will not be so forgetful!

Other than that little episode it was a good day today. We went to the bakers again this afternoon, the cars, skooters and go-kart are gone for good. But they chased around and around on foot, and enjoyed themselves. But it is a real shame about the cars, I still don't understand, why they are no longer there. We met Dominique and her boys (roughly the same age as mine) there too today, but her boys wanted to be anywhere but there, they kept asking when they were going home. Poor Dominique at about 5pm she gave in and took them home, they were so misbehaving. But it was good in a way, because I now know that I am not the only one that has that problem sometimes. Even if today they were behaving like little angels, granted ones with too much energy, but playing really really nicely (I hope I haven't said that too loud!)

I got two layouts done at lunchtime and I have some more in my head from the photos I took at the bakers. I was trying to get some decent pictures of their new haircuts, but they didn't want to pose for me. So I will have to see what I come up with. I'll be back later with the results.


This layout is for Silvia's Colour Challenge at DigitalArts Cafe, lovely colours, and perfect for another of Meenakshi's pictures!

Credits:
Rock Garden by Brenda Mascari

This is my Goddaughter Lisa, and I did it for Liz's Tweak It Challenge at ScrapDigiStyle. We had to make a new photo look old! I also used it for the Heritage Challenge at DSO.

Credits:
Grandma's Love by Phillsboo

Now about the new hairstyles of my boys, didn't get a layout finished, but I do have a picture for you. Here are my little darlings (today at least!) sporting their new haircuts and new jumpers!


Bye 4 now

A lazy day..

yep a very lazy day for me. I got to have a nice lay in this morning. Florian got up with the boys and they let me sleep in. OK I had been up 3 times in the night, but at least I had the feeling of a lay in. I think it did me good. Yesterday I couldn't really do much, cause I was feeling giddy all the time. Today I only felt giddy some of the time! So maybe catching up on some sleep helped.

I got up at about 10am and as know one knew I was up, I had a shower in peace (well, sort of peace, I did have a good sing-a-long to the radio!).
Then I faced the boys ... just kidding... had breakfast then checked emails.
And do you know what it is CT appreciation week! Wow, Silvia actually remembered us, bless her, with all that is going on in her life, we would have understood, if she hadn't. But she did, she is GREAT! We got a mention in the CT thread at Digishop Talk (woohoo!) and a HUGE MEGA kit, which I haven't unpacked yet, actually haven't even finished downloading it yet!
To show how much I appreciate my Designer Silvia, I did a layout using her kit "Grandma's love".

Credits:

Grandma's Love by Phillsboo

I also did one of Robert and his Pop, this is for the "Snap it" Challenge at Been There Scrapped That, we had to concentrate on a close up. These shots seemed perfect for it. Note how the layout is similar to the one before, I tried to use these photos in the above layout, it didn't work, but I did like the other layout, so I found pictures that better suited it, and revised this one.

Credits:

Chamomile by Julie P.
Frames from Grandma's Love by Phillsboo
Trimmed Cardboard Alpha by luckyslayouts.blogspot.com

We gave the boys a haircut before their bath tonight, we use the electric razor like thing to do it, and Richard loves having it done, and holds really, really still. Whereas Robert is too ticklish, and wriggles all over the place. They look good, but it is really short again, although Florian was aiming for longer, it just didn't happen, oh well, good job its not too cold at the minute, and if it cools down, well they always have their wooly hats! No pictures of their haircuts yet, but I will get some of them taken tomorrow, and show them off!
Bye 4 now

Easter shopping

Its taken me a while, but I have just realised that Easter is right around the corner! So this morning I went Easter shopping. I got some cute little bits to hang on some curly twigs that the neighbour gave me. And I got some "Playmobil" for the girls (my nieces). I looked for my boys, but I really couldn't decide on what to get them. So I will have another look in a couple of days time.

After a week of posting Quickpages, it seems quite strange to going back to being a diary, especially as I know people are still stopping by for their quickpages. I hope I don't bore anyone. Anyhow.

We had visitors this afternoon, so there was plenty of tidying up to do once they had gone. The boys seem to love showing guests "ALL" of their toys, but not in the boxes "OUT" of the boxes (as in emptying them, so that you can see just how many bricks and such they own!) They did help a little bit with the tidying up, but I had to bribe them too.

They are all tucked up now, and hopefully they will have a good nights sleep. The moon is increasing again now, so maybe!!!

I relaxed this evening, and scrapped some of the pics taken at the weekend. In Germany it is tradition to decorate a bush or tree in the garden with coloured eggs (ours are plastic). This year the boys did it!

Credits:

Easter Collab Kit by Phillsboo at Digital Arts Cafe

This kit is one of 7 free kits at Digital Arts Cafe. Pop on over there and check them out. If you create a layout with them and post it in the gallery, you have the chance of winning a 5 dollar Gift Certificate!
Bye 4 now

Grand Finale of Quickpage Week

Yep, last day today. We hope you have enjoyed all that we have given out to you. We have certainly had fun, checking the hitcounter and the number of downloads. And reading your comments on 4shared (you can keep them coming!)
Well, today we have a special treat for you all, all of the CT has one more quickpage for you. I am hosting mine and Kaytee's and if after you have gotten your downloads here you pop on over to Leigh's blog, you will find her Quickpage and Michelle's.

But enough blabla, here are the previews:

My (Kerri's) Quickpage
Click on the image to download
(Angela, I hope this was the one you wanted!)

Kaytee's Quickpage
Click on the image to download

We would like to thank Silvia for giving us this opportunity to share our talent with you. We have had so much fun this past week. Although it has been overshadowed by the fact that Silvia's Mum is very ill. Again please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and if you have a minute pop on over to Silvia's blog and leave her some support.

Don't forget all of these Quickpages were made with this kit available at DigitalArts Cafe:



Now, if you got this far, maybe you are interested in my life too. Not too much to report about today. But incase you are wondering it is New Moon. And how do I know this....well, my boys have been abducted by aliens again!! Only this time I checked the calender to see just why the temper tantrums were increasing, and yep new moon again! Its like having two toddlers with PMS!!! oh well, at least it will perhaps be over tomorrow, fingers crossed.

This morning Florian took Robert to Media Markt (a man's store with computers and anything eletronic, you name it men love it!) and they came back with an external harddrive which is actually a network harddrive (I'm probably getting this all wrong, but nevermind). It is great it has 500GB of space, so now I don't have to put all my kits on CDs never to be found again, they can go on there! yippee!! And all the photos and our complete CD collection, etc. Oops, sounds like I have already filled it up - hihi!

OK, now to get this posted for you
Bye 4 now

Quickpage Week - Day 4

Well, it seems we have gotten ourselves a bit confused, but don't let that bother you.So that you don't miss out on a day, I have another quickpage for you.
Different colours from the others, but we want you to know just how versatile this kit "Latte Kisses" by Phillsboo is.

As usual click on the image to download. And please leave some loving, it is such a thrill!

Scroll down the posts to see the other quickpages we have been giving out. They are all still up for grabs!



7.20pm and it's update time!
The kids were in a foul mood this afternoon, I lost count of how many times Richard had a paddy! Robert at one point even got sent to his room. They just stood in front of me screaming. Once they had their composure back, we all did the hoovering (vacuum cleaning) together. It took forever but at least they weren't screaming anymore!

Just a very quick post now, cause it's "Girls Night Out" today, only it is an "in" night. Because I don't have a babysitter, the other girls are coming to see me! Makes a change, but it does mean I have to go downstairs sooner, as otherwise I won't hear the doorbell! And there won't be any layouts tonight either.
Bye 4 now

Day 3 of our Quickpage Week

And Leigh too, loved the kit and also made 2 Quickpages. It's adorable, pop on over to her site to pick it up! And as usual, don't forget to leave her some loving whilst your there. We get a real kick out of it!

Click on the image to get to Leigh's Blog

I'll be back later with todays update, until then (yesterday's update is at the bottom of yesterdays post, Florian!)

Well, kids are finally in bed, we were late getting home today. I had planned on taking the kids to the indoor play area at the local furniture store. But I phoned a friend and we ended up meeting there instead. It was a great afternoon! The 4 boys played really well together.
Before we went there we stopped where Florian leaves his car for the week and got him a new parking ticket. Luckily I didn't leave it any later, as it had ran out this morning at 8.10am! Oops, Florian thought I had til tomorrow!

This morning I took the coat I bought 3 or 4 weeks ago back. The zip had broken, and I couldn't wear it anymore. I had no bill for it, no labels and not even a bag from the shop. But they gave me my money back without any hassle. Very unusual for Germany! They didn't have any other winter coats there. So I drove to their store in town and had a look there. I got a different coat (rusty red colour) and it was 10euros cheaper! Bargain!

And that was about it for today. I did some more tidying up on the computer whilst the kids had their afternoon nap. Maybe now the laptop will be quicker! I hope so, I have some ideas for layouts and that is my plan for this evening. That is if I don't fall asleep. It was a bad night - can't let Mummy get to used to good ones! - the boys had me up at least every half an hour between 0.30 and 3.30am! Finally getting themselves up at 6.30am!! AGH!!
Oh well, now it is my time to relax and unwind!
Bye 4 now