some cool new products!

Here's the scoop on Creative Memories products to be introduced this summer:

1. Jumbo Circle Pattern (for CCS tool)
2. 12x12 Cutting Mat
3. Primary 4th of July Additions
4. Scallop Circle Maker
5. Earthy Pet Additions
6. Decorative Cardstock: Basic and Harvest
7. Delight Shopper Diva Additions
8. Delight Fashion Diva Additions
9. Discover Rock Grunge Additions
10. Discover Motor Grunge Additions
11. Rock Star Paper Album Kit
12. Rebel Paper Album Kit
13. 12x12 Coverset: Hot Pink and Graphite
14. Expressions of Teen Life
15. Several New Digital Kits and Overlays

I'll keep you posted as to when they will appear on the website!

"We've been on summer vacation for a week now and that week has made up for an entire rotten year." - Meeley

this is how my son eats trail mix

He doesn't like things mixed together. (That explains the whole casserole-thing.) He also likes to focus on eating one item at a time on his dinner plate - first the roll, then the chicken, and lastly... the vegetable.

(Note: The raisins have been removed because "they are disgusting"... ahem.)

I just had to share this sweet peanut-buttered shot of my 8-year old as well:

Little goofballs.

summer is here :-)

I purchased the boys some rainy day reading materials and being that it has rained almost every day of summer vacation up to this point, they've been put to good use. The first is The Great Art Scandal: Solve the Crime, Save the Show! which is much like an elaborate math problem. (You work through the story to solve a mystery.) There are also two other books by the same author, Art Fraud Detective and Art Auction Mystery. Ren is a huge fan.

Meeley on the other hand, prefers to get into a series of books. I purchased a box set of Left Behind: The Kids and he finished the first book in one day (thank goodness there are five more).

We haven't had much for pool time yet and our Slip 'n Slide has yet to meet the grass. With Ren's Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy taking place next week, I sure hope we have at least a few days of sunshine ahead. (Gotta make the most of this pain-free time.)

So I have a new thing. If you haven't yet tried them, you must:

This reminds me of a recent BooMama entry where she shared her name-brand loves. You know, the products you can't live without... the generic-will-not-do items on your grocery list. How about your top ten? Here are mine:

1. Pacific Chai

2. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese

3. Cameron's Whole Bean Coffee

4. Viva Big Roll Choose-A-Size

5. Heinz Ketchup

6. V-Fusion Light (recently introduced to us by my friend Jan - love it!)

7. Planters Harvest Jumbo Cashews

8. Garden of Eatin Red Hot Blues (now a huge weakness of mine, thanks to Heather and our last scrapbooking retreat)

9. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

10. Yoplait Yogurt (the kids will not eat any other kind)

Any takers?

a playdate

This was "Mandatory Outside Time" (yes, there are times when we must force the kids to play outside).

Ren went missing for a bit and I found him in the garage with this ball. He'd taken the air compressor adaptor and poked it into the ball, not to fill it but to deflate it.

I don't know where the kid gets it.

Obviously, he was feeling pretty good today. The swelling is still there and he's sleeping more than usual but other than that, things were pretty normal.

We had a battle with Meeley tonight over a song. Thankfully, the hubby and I are both on the same page in this area - the song he was interested in talked about "rape" and a woman being being more appealing when she is "sedated"... I'm sure you get the picture. Well, knowing things like THIS and THIS we understand how important it is to keep a watchful eye on what the kids are digesting. We know that at some point, we will have very little influence in this area. In the meantime, we address content and talk about the messages being portrayed.

Sometimes this is really tough, especially when we're dealing such heavy duty messages.

We're going to scout out some new tunes tomorrow. (I plan to introduce him to indie rock.) I promised first thing in the morning... which at this point could be noon unless I get to bed! Have a great evening... er, morning.

Photo Challenge Themes for July

Here are the weekly themes for July:

June 28-July 4, 2009: Signs of Summer/Winter
July 5-11, 2009: Landscapes
July 12-18, 2009: Motion/Movement
July 19-25, 2009: Quiet

If you'd like to join our Flickr group for ideas and inspiration, just let me know!

an update with some pics

I shared most of what happened at the doctor in a comment to THIS POST. Basically, the doctor ran a blood count and a strep test - neither of which revealed a thing. We were told to watch and wait.

So here's what things look like today:

And the swollen lymph nodes under his left arm:

And under the right arm:

We'll see another doctor on Tuesday and am assuming if it's something that needs further attention, either that doctor or the surgeon next Friday will let us know.

I'll keep you posted.