Where are Stacey and Clinton when you need them?

I did an amazing thing today. I was encouraging when Collin showed me his school outfit. LOL Seems like a little thing, but I am a control freak. Seriously. I wish my kids would let me dress them. They have NEVER been like that, though. Ever since they could walk, they have had very decided opinions. Like today. Collin's official first day of school. I imagined his first day pictures in a nice button down shirt with jeans. Collin imagined it looking like he had been on safari. Poor kid. He has fallen prey to the need to be accepted if not popular. He desparately wanted to look cool today. And what Mommy would have picked would not have fallen into that category. LOL So I smiled. Told him he looked awesome. And snapped away. Not even a hint that I had a different outfit in mind. Aren't you proud of me?

Now Isabel. She is very firm on how she wants to look. Good. Bad. Not matching. I had to step in, though. She picked a cute black skirt (with a flower on it) and an orange Dora t-shirt. She said her theme was flowers. I suggested that a dress skirt might look better with a fancier top. Dora was more for play. She wrinkled up her little nose (like she does when she gets mad) and insisted she needed a shirt with flowers on it. She wanted to wear a flower head band, too. Come on, mom! So I found a shirt with flowers that looked a bit nicer. And she got many compliments. Score one for mom. LOL

Identity Crisis

I am having a Clark Kent/Super Man kind of day. Since I have become a mom, my identiy has been wrapped up in my kids. Every thing I do...every hour of the day...every day of the year has revolved around them. Alone time is precious and rare. I am a proud stay at home mom who rarely gets time away from my kids. I am okay with that. Until today.

Today was Isabel's first day of Kindergarten. Wow. I mean, just WOW! Can she really be this big? I have to admit, I wavered between tears and excitement when I left the school. I had to call my little sis and take a walk. LOL I have been waiting for this day. Both kids in school now. A few hours to myself. What a luxery! But all I felt was lonely. She is a fun little thing. She irritates me, argues with me, doesn't listen and is such a joy to be around. She makes life interesting. And I missed her. I'm sure I will get over that, though. It is only for 1/2 day. Hmmm...now I can't wait for full day! LOL
Now, I do not have preference over my kids. The reason Collin does not have any photos is because he was at the Children's Hospital in Indy with Daddy. He had an appointment for...you guessed it...the first day of school. What a bummer! Hopefully Dr. Susan will be able to figure out what is wrong. In the meantime, his first day is tomorrow and I will have some pictures then. Since I was missing my girl time...I took Isabel to Igloo for some frozen custard BEFORE lunch. You heard me. I'm a bad mommy. Bad to the bone. But fun! She was excited to do something special becuase...ahem...brother was going to the Children's Museum after his appointment. Without her. Mean Daddy. Mean brother. Yum...ice cream! She is easily distracted. LOL

The most exciting thing about today? Her first ever...very real...not given by mommy....homework. Yep. She was thrilled. She felt oh so important. She had a paper to fill out about herself so they can make a class book. Pretty big deal, huh?

So here she is. Not my baby any more. A "big girl" now. Am I ready for this?

Good enough is good enough...

Since it is SO hot outside (and my allergies are going crazy), I am having a creative day today. Well, it has been more like a creative five minutes here and a creative five minutes there, but it is working for me anyway. My brain has been stuck lately...too much to think about and too much going on, so it was nice to get a few things done.

I did one layout the last few days. It is only a one page layout, but it has been sitting on my desk taunting me. Telling me that it is not quite what I want it to be. Well, you know what, layout? I'm done with you. Good enough will have to be good enough this time. So there! LOL I love thise pictures of my girl and her first time doing a slip and slide. She was so excited. I forgot how much they can hurt, though.

I was feeling inspired to try and make my own patterened paper again. I haven't done that in YEARS ( I never like the way it comes out), but thought I would give it a go again. I stamped the background for this card and then distressed the paper with some Tim Holtz ink. Not too terrible.

I was excited today about 2 of my projects. Just felt inspired on these topics, I guess. First I made a birthday card for my little sister. She is turning 8 this week. :) I had loved (and missed) the Copic Challenge for making a bookmark, so I made her a card with a bookmark. (Sorry about the sideways pics; Blogger is acting up. However, if you hold your head JUUUUST so...you will not notice. LOL)

My (hopefully not) last project today was some notecards for the give bags I am making for the kids teachers. I found some for Collin's teacher, but they only had one pack, so I made some for Isabel's teacher. I like mine better. LOL

Later Gaters! I'm hoping to have a little more fun before I need to make dinner. Be on the look out for a challenge with a prize coming very soon. :)