Photo Albums

In case you haven't noticed, I have figured out how to post my Shutterfly projects on the blog. I use about three photo sites, but have to admit that Shutterfly is my favorite. They can be a little pricier, but I think they have quality products (and they also have great promotions).  I find their site easy to use and generally like their editing features with my one complaint being that you cannot make exposure adjustments (eg. brightness, contrast, etc.) with their editing tools. Now that I post so many photos on the blog, I usually fix those kinds of things prior to downloading them to a photo site, so it's not as big of an issue as it once was.

As you can see, I have created five Shutterfly albums, and I really love them (and so do the kids). They look absolutely professional, and I know that they will be treasured archives for our family. In college and just after, I did a lot of Creative Memories scrapbooking. I have a handful of those albums, which took a lot more time to create, but they definitely have a more personal touch. After creating these books on-line, I question whether or not I will ever get back into the CM-type of scrapbooking (although I do have a lot of supplies in Rubbermaid in the basement).

I have to share that I do keep a bit of the old scrapbooking concept going with calendars for both kids. It started out with the 'first year' calendar I completed when Kyrie was a baby. I loved jotting down all the things she was doing and adding new pictures each month. So, when the first year was over I got a 'second year' calendar, and when I finished that... well, they don't make 'third year' calendars (at least not that I could find). So, I made a calendar of my own and the next year, I found out that you could buy blank, 'scrapbooking' calendars. These are even more fun because I can add several photos and seasonal stickers to each month. I continue to jot down all the kids' daily activities (I completed first & second year calendars for Degen, too, and now keep a scrapbooking calendar for him), as well as achievements, occasions, new skills, illnesses and funny anectdotes, though I admit that I am not nearly as precise in the details as I was when Kyrie was a newborn.

I have talked about these calendars with Darren, wondering when I will stop making them. He told me that he rather likes the idea of someday being able to give our children a literal account of their childhood days. Can you imagine being able to look up almost any day during your childhood to find out exactly what you were doing? It is kind of cool! I want to be able to give that kind of gift to my kids. I just got a catalog in the mail last week, and I plan to place my order for two 2012 calendars and more stickers.

Kyrie's Birth Photo Album

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Neewollah Photo Album

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Degen's Birth Photo Album

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Half Moon Bay/Beach Photo Album

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Walt Disney Photo Album

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VBS Carnival

Linworth Baptist has a great tradition of concluding their VBS with a family carnival on Friday evening. It is a good, old fashioned kind of carnival with music, games, balloons, a bounce house, a dunk tank and all the classic carnival snacks the kids love. Kyrie loved the cotton candy, and Degen loved the popcorn!

 

There were contests and games like the Ring Toss where Kyrie won a 2-liter of pop! (She doesn't like pop, but she does like to win!) Kyrie wasn't the only winner of the evening because Degen won a plate of cupcakes in the cake walk! There was also a petting zoo with the sweetest, fuzzy bunnies!

 The highlight of the evening was the pony rides! The line was a little long, but worth the wait!

Two By Two

 This was Degen's first year attending VBS. I wanted him to have the experience, but I knew that he would not make it in a classroom without me. (A few weeks ago I left him in the church nursery, and he was fine for about 10 minutes and then screamed & cried (& more) for the rest of the time. Yikes!) So, I volunteered to work in the two-year old classroom so that Degen could go to VBS.

 WOW! Degen's class consisted of 10 boys all around age 2. It had been a long time since I was in a classroom full of toddlers, and the first day was a shock to my system. Even with 4 adults in the room, we just didn't seem to have enough hands to keep everyone wrangled, and the time seemed to drag on as the schedule on the wall went ignored or became inapplicable. And I will admit that not being the one in charge didn't make anything easier for me.

 Thankfully, I got back into my teacher-mode quickly. The second day, I came armed with a big box of toys from home (and brought in a new box everyday). I also made sure to speak up when I had questions, suggestions or observations. Things went much better- whew! The boys loved the new toys and the morning's activities went much more smoothly.

Every day, the boys had a simple Bible lesson. We played inside with toys and outside with bubbles, chalk & beach balls. There was coloring and crafts, quiet time and snack time. Snack time was always a highlight of the morning! By the end of the week, I was really loving the time we spent with our new friends every morning. A toddler classroom was sometimes a challenge for both Degen & me, but it was a good challenge.



VBS 2011: Incrediworld Amazement Park

This was our second year of VBS at Linworth Baptist Church. Last year, Kyrie was the only one involved, but this year I volunteered and Degen attended the 2-year old class. The theme this year was Incrediworld Amazement Park and focused on the Creation. It was a high-energy week for all of us!

 Every day began with singing, dancing & cheering before the kids were dismissed for stories, games, snacks & crafts. Usually, my kids were a bit tired and needed the warm up to get going. By the closing, which had even more singing, dancing & cheering they were on their feet with the other kids! Contests, drawings & candy built up even more excitement. There was 'serious' competition between the boys & girls to raise money for missions (the girls won). The kids raised over $1700!

This year, VBS was bigger & better than ever! Two hundred & fifty kids were in attendance- a record for the church. The whole church was decorated like an amusement park with balloons and colorful banners everywhere. The youth group was on-hand to keep the kids energized and organized in getting to & from all the fun activities.

 We feel lucky to have found a nice church like Linworth Baptist. It isn't a mega-church, but it is full of families with children who put their efforts into supporting an active children's program and youth group. Their love & devotion really shine out during VBS when they come out in full-force to create a truly special experience for the children.



Cat-ching a Breeze

After a few too many hot days, we were grateful for a mid-June cool down that brought our highs back into the 70s. We turned off the AC and opened the windows. The kids enjoyed being able to rush in & out without worrying about closing the doors, and the cats enjoyed lounging in the open windows. I caught Ella enjoying the breeze and the view!



Swingset Project: Complete

The completed swingset project!



Campfire Kitties

 These are several cute photos of Franklin & CJ who joined us around the campfire last weekend!

Princess Dance Day Camp

 This past week, Kyrie attended her first day camp. Each day, they focused on one or two princesses and the girls were allowed to wear their favorite princess costumes. Kyrie dressed up as Jasmine, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. She played games, made crafts, journaled and learned a special dance (the video is posted on Facebook). She had a lot of fun and was sad that it only lasted 4 days.

Shed Sweet Shed

Bright & early Tuesday morning, the builders came out to build our shed on the pad that Darren & his dad prepared several weeks ago. The above picture was the progress they had made within just a few hours. By early afternoon, they had completed the entire thing. The shed looks great and will be the new home for the riding lawnmower and all its equipment. There's also enough room inside for lots of the stuff that is currently filling up our garage. We hope that by clearning out the garage, we'll have room for the contractors to work (and eventually, enough space to park both cars this winter). We chose a shed with a porch so that Darren could have a covered workplace when he needs it.

 Our woodchuck, Chester, has been checking out the new shed this past week. We were suprised to see him so far from his den.

Father's Day Craft

This is the Father's Day craft that the kids made this year. It was fun, easy and turned out really cute! Here is how we did it:

1. Both kids painted paper.

 2. I cut each painted picture in half.

3. At the top of each piece, I made 1 inch snips on each side.

4. I folded each piece in half and then folded in the 2 snipped sides to make a collar.

5. Degen glued buttons on the front of the 'shirts.'

6. On the inside of each shirt, I glued a picture and wrote our Father's Day greetings.

Our finished product! They turned out better than I had hoped! They were made & sent with love! Happy Father's Day to all the special men in our lives, and most especially Darren! We love you!