This is Maggie playing in her pool. Friday afternoon we just hung out on the patio, chatted, and looked at scrapbooking magazines while Maggie played the pool.
I also met Michelle's new niece, Bailey for the first time. (Bailey is Michelle's niece through her husband, which is why she is not my niece).
Swap layout for Dianne at Scrappin' Fun.
Swap layout created for Melissa at Scrappin' Fun.
Swap layout for Jill at Scrappin' Fun.SUPPLIES
Patterned paper: Die Cuts with a View
Letter stamp: “Simply Fabulous” foam alphabet stamps, Ma king Memories
“Cardinal Crimson” acrylic paint: Plaid
Journaling Font: SP Spence
Ink Pads: “Jet Black” Staz OnRed square eyelets
(Jill: I made a red dymo label reading "Santa Baby" which I will include unattached)
Yellow version of a swap layout for Tammy at Scrappin' Fun.
OK, there is this dollmaker thing on the internet. I must confess it was fun!
Last Friday was Spencer's First Grade Awards Program at school. I took a few shots at the ceremony but they didn't come out well. Afterwards, we took this family shot outside of his classroom. (No we did not intentionally all wear green.) At his school, every child gets an award for something. Spencer received the Citizenship Award.
This was done for an 8.5"x11" swap, so the photos are not mine (and were only digitally added to the scan). 
After a year consumed with Cub Scouting, it has finally come to end. Like most things of this manner, the last meeting was bittersweet (this past Monday). It was a relief to no longer have the responsibility and commitment. However, I was a little sad to see the boys go, especially since we pretty much know we won't be involved next year. For their activity, the boys painted flower pots and were given seeds to plant at home. We had cupcakes, too. I made small photo albums for each child's family of pictures I'd taken throughout the year. I think the parents were very appreciative. Here Spencer (far left) is with two of his close buddies. They were in Kindergarten together, but not 1st grade, so Scouts has helped to keep them close.
Tonight we took Matt's parents out to supper for Mother's Day. We did this tonight for two reasons. 1) To beat the Sunday crowd at the restaurants -- Matt's dad can not stand to wait in line.
2) So Spencer can join us, because he obviously will be with his mom on Mother's Day.
We all had a delicious meal and I think they really enjoyed themselves and the splurge. I also think Matt's mom really liked the card from Spencer.
Obviously, this is Spencer with his grandparents.
You may, or may not, know that I have a few authors that I like and try to keep up with their books. I like this rather than trying random books by different authors - though I do take suggestions from other readers. My authors of choice are James Patterson, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell and Nicholas Sparks. I have a new one to add to my list...
This was Spencer's first softball game back on the 29th of April. Doesn't he look so serious??? He's played t-ball for 3 years and has finally moved up to softball. T-ball had no rules and very little structure. Everyone batted, everyone played outfield. You swung until you hit - no matter how long it took. Everyone ran all the bases and there was no score.
This is our breakfast nook. We had the table in the old house but I still absolutely love it (which is saying a lot for me to like something after a year). It's counter height and I'm not exaggerating when I say that Spencer totally picked this out for us. I bought the placemats around Christmas before we moved in because I saw them and knew that was the color I wanted my kitchen walls. In the photo the walls look more tan, but they are yellow. I just got around to finding the striped napkin rings (Pier1) and silver napkin rings (World Market). I bought some fresh flowers to jazz up the table for our cookout over the weekend. Normally there are artificial ones there.
My husband does not have the reputation for being the most romantic man on the planet... OK, I don't even know if he can spell "romance". Needless to say, small guestures mean the world to me. I always tell him that anything with a bit of thought and planning (not necessarily money) will make me happy.Last night after Scouts, Matt & Spencer got home just a couple of minutes before me. When I walked in, Spencer was holding this yellow mug and said "this is to make you smile every time you see it". How sweet! (I drink coffee every morning too so it's definitely something I'll see often).
Then Spencer told me to stay downstairs while the 2 of them went up. I joined them (when I was allowed) and Matt handed me this single rose. Super sweet :) Mother's Day is always a little awkward to Matt I think. And though neither one of them ever said "Happy Mother's Day", I think this was Matt's way of doing something.
The thing that made it so wonderful is that it was totally unprovoked (no hinting from me or anyone else) and that I was *totally* surprised!!! Obviously I had to take a picture of my gifts so I could scrap the moment! Oh, and the coffee tasted extra good this morning out of this mug! I even told Spencer that I was in an exceptionally good mood - which he didn't seem to appreciate too much while he was half asleep!
Very good friends of ours, Brigitte & Strait, have two children. Their daughter, Sydney, is exactly one year older than Spencer. Their son, Dalton, is four. Dalton is autistic and currently is non-verbal. Brigitte & Strait have been amazing since his diagnosis and I can't even begin to fathom how they handle their daily lives. But they are fantastic parents and give everything they can to make a better life for him. They recently decided to start a foundation (Dalton Help Foundation) to help raise money to pay for Dalton's care, as well as help other autistic children in the area. ABA Therapy can run up to $40,000 for ONE year of therapy. I was shocked when I learned this from my boss - who also has an autistic son. Their son, Kyle, is five and has successfully completed ABA treatment and is wrapping up his Kindergarten year in a regular classroom!
As Dalton's first big fundraiser, they held a golf tournament and it was a HUGE success. I helped out where I could - mainly making a ton of phone calls to get donations for sponsors and prizes. Then, the day of the tournament (about 2 weeks ago), I took the day off to help. My main "job" was taking pictures so that I can scrapbook the event, and the foundation, for them. I am tickled that they want me to do this! I must admit it was a fun day. Basically, I spent a gorgeous spring day riding on a beer cart, taking pictures! But the important part is that they raised money for Dalton and other kids and charities! 
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