I posted a link (back on June 26) from the dick blick art supply site that had loads of great art lessons available. I used the family tree lesson during some art classes I gave over the summer. I thought I would share my daughters. The kids enjoyed the lessons and it was great for introducing facial proportions. I did make some changes. I purchased the cheaper green Styrofoam cones and they fell apart super easy, instead of using clay to cover the cone I used plaster and had the kids paint it to look like tree bark. They all turned out great and the kids were busy talking about themselves and their family the whole time.

I also made little Bentley a small blanket to hold. They ran some test on Monday and the news is promising. I will update when I know the details.

Summer is almost over

What?

But it's still 100 degrees outside.

Yes, but my 3rd grader is about to embark on school once again. This is her last week of vacation. Now we are busy finishing up the last of our summer activities and planning for the year to come. I will miss summer but this is an exciting time of year. I am a compulsive list maker, I love to make plans and organize. I need to clean out the fridge and pantry, we need to organize the closet to make mornings go more smoothly. All things that make me happy.


As the days wind down daughter is working on a painting. She loves to draw and is becoming more talented everyday. I realized I only have 9 more summers with her.

All this planning has me thinking about fall and Christmas. Uh huh, I want to make more gifts this year, last year I started a little too late. I'm in the planning stage and I will be sharing my ideas over the next few weeks. I will definitely be trying this idea for packages. It's from Heather Bailey's blog and I think they are lovely. She offers a tutorial on making these fabric yo-yo's here. My mind is busy thinking of all the things I need to do but thank goodness it's fun stuff. Hope all of you are busy doing fun stuff too.

We crashed and burned with potty training. Big Surprise, huh? It became clear that she needed some extra time and I needed my carpet cleaned.

I have a new picture of Bentley. Look at that smile!

No one be alarmed...

I am choosing not to take my own advice. I know, I know I should wait until the child shows interest in the potty before tackling potty training. Yes, I know that trying to push a child into it may cause her psychological damage. I just don't care anymore. Summer is slipping away.


My plan, act like I ran out of diapers. Simple. Possibly genius!



On a side note after her attempt at going potty this morning she received an m&m and I threw a couple in my hot coffee....yummy.

XYRON 500

I was lurking around the etsy forums the other night and read something about the XYRON sticker maker, I happened to have a 50% off coupon so I thought I'd try it. Okay, so I really love it. Something I didn't realize until I opened it up was that it will also make fabric into a sticker. So you can run your fabric through and then stick in anywhere. I have the permanent sticker paper that it came with but I noticed that removable sticker paper was available, I'll be getting some for the girls. I made some bookplates last night and it worked great.


****Baby Bentley is doing well, we are waiting to see if he will be able to take some milk in the next few weeks. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts.

Little Bentley's condition is much more serious than we feared. This sweet baby was born with short bowel syndrome, which means he is missing a good part of his small intestines. I know that God is with him and though the future is unclear to us it is not to Him. Please keep him and his parents in your thoughts and prayers.

Bentley Michael

4lbs 2oz

Yes, I am a Great Aunt. My lovely niece Danielle gave birth to Bentley on July 31. (she looks way to good for just having had a baby!) He is very sweet and doing well. He will undergo a surgery to remove a intestinal blockage and we are praying he heals quickly and will be going home soon. I am itching to steal some little kisses from this hansom fella!