Spring Pictures

Maddie's school has a wonderful photographer come in twice a year to take pictures of the kids. I was so happy with the shots she got of the girls. It is unusual for M to smile for a strange photographer, but she had her laughing! K was the stubborn one this time.

Creating Keepsakes Convention

Saturday was the first time I've attended the CK Convention. I had a blast! I volunteered to work as a TA so that I got free admission and received a $30 gift voucher to use at the CK booth. I had so much fun. I ended up helping one of the big scrapbooking company instructors. The first class I worked was called Expand It and the class made 4 scrap pages that were very interactive. The papers were beautiful. The next class was an SEI Scrapbook in a box class. The same instructor, Val, taught both. The Scrapbook in a Box class attendees received a HUGE box filled with a 12X12 album, and 2 8X8 albums. There was also 20 coordinating papers from their Poppy line, coordinating stickers, die cut tags, alphabet stickers, ribbon, brads and a keepsake box! It even came with digital scrapbooking software. This kit has over 200 pieces in it.

When it was time for my shift to be over, I was talking with Val, the instructor, and she told me to go get myself a box (YES! The big box from the album class!) The box alone cost over $100. I couldn't believe it. She also gave me the kit from the other class.

With my $30 voucher, I got an 82 foam stamp set and a CK all in one scrapbook kit.

I also bought myself a Glue Glider Pro and some extra adhesive, some stickles, some inks and felt borders. I also got talked into subscribing to Creative Keepsakes for 2 years! All in all, I had a great time. I learned a few things and look forward to next year!

Happy scrappin'!
Julie

A visit to the Easter Bunny

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

My latest creations

I made the M burpie for a friend at church and the S is for another friend's baby shower this afternoon. I also made about 3 others for the shower. One has an airplane and the baby's name, another just has his name and ribbon trim. I hope Mell likes them!

Tupperware

I LOVE Tupperware!

But once you host a party, they aren't so "hostess friendly." Oh, my consultant is FABULOUS! but once you get all the "stuff" arriving on your doorstep, it's just down-right frustrating. So far, I've gotten 7, yes, seven boxes that have trickeled in over the last 3 days. There isn't always a packing list in them, some of the items have stickers with the item number on them, but you don't know who get's what! Pampered Chef sends everything already bagged for each customer with a copy of their receipt in it. THAT is customer service!

I've had to make tags for each customer, get a master list from my consultant (which didn't have the item number, just the name or a description of the item ...grrr) and match each item with the picture and number inthe catalog, then check her list to see who bought that item. It took me 2 hours to get things lined up. And then there is still stuff missing!

BUT....look at all the goodies I got for hosting a party! Not pictured is an 11 piece microwave bowl set!

Homework

Maddie's had homework every week since school started, but lately, it's like fighting a lion for a steak to get her to do it. Is this what I have to look forward to? She whines, she cries, she rolls on the floor, you name it, she's tried it. I even found her sitting in the bathroom trying to make me think she would be there for a while! I am soooo not looking forward to the teenage years.

I can't believe it's time to register her for school already. We register on Monday. I'm going to take her with me so we can hang out around the school for a little while. I think I will be more nervous about how she is going to adjust from private school, with only 8 kids in her class to a large public school. I must admit though that I'm looking forward to NOT paying tuition anymore.

Anyway, I'm signing them up for a dance class this summer and am waiting to see what kind of classes our parks & rec have to offer. I'm also going to be working on a 1st grade curriculum with Maddie and a K curriculum with Katie. We are going to "have school" every morning. Can you tell I'd really love to homeschool them!

Give your kids a hug!
Julie