Caught in the Web

I was recently invited to join Facebook; and it didn't take me long to wonder how I ever lived my life without belonging to this amazing website! I have been in touch with old friends who I never thought I'd be able to find - some who now, literally, live on the other side of the world. Being on Facebook is like having all your favorite people right on your computer all the time, just waiting for you to share your day with them. Sometimes my internet goes out, and I declare my hatred of computers. Sometimes I have a deadline for a lovely customer and my printer goes on the fritz; and I declare my hatred of computers. Sometimes my files get corrupted for an unknown reason, and I declare my hatred of computers. But really and truly, I don't hate computers; they allow marvelous opportunities for me to be in touch with you...and I love that.  

Time flies when you're turning five

I must say that I do feel very badly that it has been a month since I have written on my blog. But I have been in the throws of childhood merry-making, celebrating my oldest son's fifth birthday! He decided after viewing snippets of old Indiana Jones movies (with his dad...ahem) that he MUST have an "Indiana Jones Waterslide Party". Since none of his friends really knew who Indiana Jones was, they got an Adventure Party including treasure maps to hidden treasures! We had the party at our family farm, and it really was a great time for everyone. They kids got an Adventure Pack when they arrived and got to choose their own treasure map (there were 12 different maps leading to 12 different treasures around the farm). Then they could slip & slide on the "water slide" (aka: a big sheet of plastic), take a boat ride, bob for apples, or generally just go wild and get dirty! It was a day to remember, and our boy had a BLAST! We have been recouping for 2 full weeks now. Anyway, here are some pics below. If you need help with your own party, call me 'cuz I've got party fever! Seeing little kids get happy is a huge thrill, so let me know if I can help you out with your shin-dig, too. I 'd LOVE it!

I'm a Dog

I think I have successfully edited my first home movie! It has taken me almost 3 years to figure out (though I admit to not studying it for longer than 10 minutes at a time until earlier this evening), but I think it's been worth the effort. Here is my now, almost 5 year old in a shining moment of toddler-hood. Enjoy!

You can expect another video of my one-year-old in about 3 more years. I can't promise that it won't be HIM eating dog food next time, as he seems to be fond of it too. My oldest son watched the above video and remembered aloud, "Mom, dog food really does taste like cookies to me." ...what can I say to that? I guess we buy some pretty high-quality dog food at our house. Am I bad mother or what?!  Ha!

Encouragement for Moms

Nicole Johnson's The Invisible Woman.

My friend, Julie, sent this to me; and I wish I could personally send it to every mom I know. This is 5 minutes that will keep you going for a lifetime! 

Picture Perfect

Last week our family made a trip to the beach, and it was really, really great together time. But in the words of the infinitely wise rock-band, Poison,"every rose has it's thorn"...oh, so true, Poison. And our thorn for the week was taking that elusive, perfect photo of our two precious angels in sweet serenity by the ocean side. I will never know how other people capture that perfect Kodak moment for their Christmas cards each year; but if you are on our Christmas list, you'll never have to worry about a sickeningly perfect photo of our children coming your way. You're safe with us. It will never happen. Here's some documentation of the wreckage:

At this point, I gave up & realized that perfection is SO overrated...how boring is being perfect?! I hope we can send out an outrageously, crazy-fun photo on our Christmas cards this year...something that will really make you chuckle, instead of gag. In the end, we did get this pretty nice (though fuzzy) shot of our little angels...God bless their spunk!

Art for My Sake

Initially, I was VERY excited about beginning this blogsite; but after actually getting it up and running I got blog-fright. I had imagined a wonderful space of my own where I could be totally free to make a statement, just put my thoughts and my little artwork out there for the world to access. But then I realized that other people would be looking at what I posted, and that I really don't have any deep statements to make that anyone else would actually want to read. So about as quickly as my blog began, it ended. But I've had a personal break-through; and I've realized that no one actually reads this anyway, so what am I scared of? The real answer for me would be a sketchbook/journal, which I have about 100 of around my house that I have started and not finished. So at least this blogsite will save paper and condense my ponderings (is that a word) into one place, which will make my husband happy. And I will get to have a space of my own which will make ME happy.

In honor of the forthcoming Independence Day holiday, I am posting an Amy's Own original card from about 1984. I was a pre-teen and very sure of my art abilities. Have you ever received a homemade card for the 4th of July? Well, I haven't either; but my mom assures me that it really enhances the holiday, especially if your child is the artist behind the sentiment.