Thank You ~CHERRY ARTE and A MILLION MEMORIES~

I received this HUGE package from A MILLION MEMORIES which was LOADED with all of this cool stuff from CHERRY ARTE!!

(You can purchase it here: Cherry Arte Products at AMM ).

Here are the projects I made using all of this cool stuff. THANKS FOR LOOKING!!!

(Click on any of the images to see a larger version of the layout or card)

~COSMIC ENERGY ~ line






~KITTY LOU~ line





~ARCADE~ line

May Sneaky Peeky for A Million Memories!!

Make sure you're sitting down for this one because it's GORGEOUS!!! May will feature Rhonna Farrer's "French Twist" line with some awesome additions!! Check it out. You can order it here.

I was TAGGED!!

My friend Meredith at A Million Memories tagged everyone today on the Message Board. I thought it would be fun to share this with everyone. So, play along!!! Copy this and post a comment or a link to your BLOG!!

A= Available ~ Nope! Married to Mike 12 years (this past Sunday) and have been together 19!!
B= Best Friend ~ Diane (my SIL)
C= Cake or pie ~ Cake, cake, cake, chocolate cake
D= Drink of choice ~ Diet Pepsie -- usually caff free.
E= Essential item you use everyday ~ Hairdryer (fine hair)
F= Favorite color ~ ***GREEN***
G= Gummy bears or worms ~ Gummy Bears (really NEITHER)
H= Hometown ~ Born in Philadelphia, PA....live in King of Prussia, PA
I= Indulgences ~ Soft pretzels (Philly style)
J= January or February ~ February...closer to spring!
K= Kids and Names ~ FOUR (Two sets of TWINS). Michael and Luke (7), Nicholas and Vanessa (3)
L= Life is incomplete without? ~ hugs & kisses from the kids
M= Marriage date ~ March 25, 1995
N= Number of siblings ~ 1 Sister, Barbara....I still call her Bobbie.
O= Oranges or apples ~ Apples....braeburn!
P= Phobias or Fears ~ The DARK....I never watch scary movies cause I won't sleep.
Q= Favorite Quote ~ To the world you might be one person but to one person you might just be the world.
R= Reason to smile ~ Beautiful family, good health.
S= Season *SUMMER* BABY!! I love wearing shorts and t-shirts and heading to the pool or beach.
T= Toes, Love them or hate them? ~ Ewwww...I think feet are gross. Especially my own.
U= Unknown fact about me ~ I grew up in the city but went to a "Agricultural" High School....you know....FARMING!!
V= Vegetable you don't like ~ Brussel sprouts (EWWW!)
W= Worst habit ~ Cursing....really...I need to stop.
X= X-Treme Experience ~ Taking four kids to the grocery store...LOL!!!
Y= Your favorite food ~ PIZZA!!
Z= Zodiac Sign ~ LEO

Can you say SNEAK PEEK??

OMGosh!!!! Check out the sneak peek for the APRIL Kit at A Million Memories!!! HOLY COW. I can't wait to get my paws on this one....the ideas are flying!!! So, get your butts over there and buy it before it's too late. (And did you see that little birdie? How stinkin' cute is that)??

You can purchase it HERE




I'm SO thrilled to be a part of such an AMAZING Design Team!!!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

Can you believe it? The birds pulled off a 23-20 win over the Giants to advance in the playoffs!!! They head to New Orleans next week to play the Saints. Keep those fingers crossed!!!

He did it!!

He did it!! He didn't seem to be nervous at all. They paraded in and lined up on the bleachers. Then the teacher called him down to the podium. He (literally) grabbed the microphone and did his thing.

(Of course I HAD to take the pictures. I crouched in the aisle and got off a few shots. I still have to download so I'm praying they were good). Anyway, he was LOUD. REALLY LOUD. It was too cute. Everyone laughed. He just went right along with his mouth glued to the microphone. The principal chucked with me because she remembered him being so scared in Nursery school.

Then they started with the prayers and songs. At one point our Pastor got up to speak. It was so funny. He said something like, "I know that Michael Hutchinson doesn't need the microphone but I do". Everyone laughed. I thought Mike was going to fall on the floor laughing

Luke got up with a few other kids. It was so cute. They had a little poem they said along with some arm and hand gestures. I got pictures of that too. He has a huge smile!

Towards the end they gave out the "awards". You know how that goes...they are so cute. "Good Friend Award". "Good Helper", "Good Reader". Luke got the "Good Worker Award". I almost died laughing. He NEVER helps around the house. I teased him about that. BUT then, Michael got the LEADERSHIP Award!!! I almost cried. It was like a REAL award. I was so proud because he was SO painfully shy as a baby and even when he started school. I know Mike was proud too.

After the ceremony we had a little reception with snacks and stuff. The kids had a blast. Even the babies were running around with the "big" kids like they were big.

My Mom, Dad, MIL and my SIL/BIL came too. Thank Goodness because we needed help with the babies. It was hot and they both wanted ME the whole time. LOL...I wanted no parts of them cause I was taking PICTURES!! (Bad Mommy!!!)

OK...Thanks for letting me spew and brag!!!

He's going to read!!!

The Kindergarten SAGA continues!! LOL!!!

Next Thursday Mike and Luke "graduate" in full CAP & GOWN from Kindergarten. Well, do you remember how I was "complaining" about them not being able to read and that a few of the other kids got picked all the time to read?

Well...guess what? MICHAEL IS READING at the graduation!!! And better yet...it's the WELCOME speech!! He's OPENING THE CEREMONIES!!

OMG....I (SERIOUSLY) CRIED when I saw the note. I was SO PROUD that he got picked. (This is the same kid that I dragged in clinging to my leg on the first day of Nursery School). THEN, it hit me!! OMG....IS HE READY?? There are some BIG WORDS on that paper.

So, we talked about the fact that he would not have gotten picked if he couldn't do it. We sat down and I explained what he would be doing. Then, I read it over and over and over (and over and over). Then, he wanted to try. I hate to say it but it wasn't good. OMGosh....I was sick to my stomach. I think I'm more nervous than he is.

We read it again. This time I held his finger as we really looked at each word. I hope he's ready. I'm SO NERVOUS for him. Am I crazy? I just know I won't be able to concentrate the whole day. I'm sure he won't even be thinking about it until about 10 seconds before it's his turn!

There's no crying in Baseball!!!

I'm sure most people have heard that famous line by Tom Hanks, "There's no crying in BASEBALL". Well, until I saw this photo of Vanessa, I believed it. Now, I can almost cry tears of joy every time I see it.

She is absolutely AMAZING! Not only is she CUTE but she's ATHLETIC!!! Ok...so she's going to be left-handed but who cares! She can throw a ball and swing a bat. She takes her time and sets the ball up on the tee and then WHAM! Hits it about 10 feet in front of her. She misses sometimes but I don't care...she's only TWO!

I love that she can be cute and atheletic all at the same time. She loves pink but doesn't mind getting dirty. She'll let me put her hair in ponytails but will wrestle with the boys. Oh, and don't get between her and her new flip-flops!

I hope that she naturally develops a love for sports. I know I did. I think I played just about every sport....including Flag Football. Most of all, I just want her to be happy and healthy.

Today's word is BOY!!!

Today I'm going to BLOG about the word BOY!! It sounds funny to say it that way but I do have a funny story to share about a boy...his name is NICK!

Today was the Easter Egg Hunt at school. Mike and Luke were already there. I took Nick and Vanessa with me around 9:45am. They were both very excited. Vanessa being a GIRL was much more calm. Nick on the other hand was very exited. He mingled amongst the other kids and made instant friends. When it was time to go into the gym, they both held my hand and we followed the crowd.

The gym was set up just like it would be at lunch. All of the little tables were lined up...one set to each classroom. (Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten). Each seat was adorned with a cute bunny picture "placemat", a cute napkin, plate, a cookie, and a box of Fruit Punch. Nick and Vanessa didn't waste any time digging into the juice and cookie. They were so proud to be using a big-kid straw.

About the time the kids were finishing their cookies, the Easter Bunny arrived. I was surprised that Nick and Vanessa were not scared at all. Each class took turns getting in line to sit on the big bunny's lap. Mike and Luke even let me take their picture. Vanessa waited patiently while each kid in the boys' class met with the big white bunny. When it was her turn, she walked up, turned around (so that she could be lifted...it must be a girl thing), and then chatted with the bunny.

However, Nick had other ideas. He headed back to the table to finish he cookie. So I thought!! He actually worked his way down the table to each of the "extra" spots and took a bite out of every remaining cookie!! I think there were EIGHT in all. I guess I don't have to tell you he was on a "sugar-high" for the rest of the morning. Boy....did he take a good nap this afternoon!

I've been TAGGED!!!

Thanks LISA....LOL! Here we go!

Four jobs you've had in your life:
Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
Aerobics Instructor
Project Manager
SAHM

Four movies you would watch over and over:
Caddyshack
Rudy
Tarzan (Disney)
The Princess Bride

Four places you have lived:
Philadelphia
Williamsport, PA (in college)
Norristown, PA
King of Prussia, PA

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch:
Medium
ANY L&O
The Apprentice
The Amazing Race

Four Places You Have Been On Holiday:
DisneyWorld
New Jersey (LOL.."The Shore")
Tuscon (sort of on business)
LONDON (on business...very cool)

Four Websites I visit daily:
The Scrapbook Site
2peas
CZ's Blog
DD's BLog

Four of my favourite foods:
Pretzels (any kind)
Cheese
Chocolate
Pizza

Four places I would rather be right now:
In bed
At the gym
Somewhere WARM
With DH!

Four bloggers I am going to tag:
Leah
Kristi
Tricia

What was I thinking buying toys 2 days before Christmas?

I must be insane!!!

The boys' school has this Santa's Workshop thing were they can go and "shop" for cr*p for their families. They pick out what they want and then the school sends us a bill. OMG...the stuff is just the cheapest stuff you can imagine. I let them do it two years in a row but had to put my foot down this year. I don't think DH needs another $.01 flashlight with "DAD" on it! LOL!

Sooooo.....I promised the boys I would take them to Target to buy each other a SMALL TOY to give on Christmas day. Well, you can just imagine how that went. I had other stuff to get and they know that "toys are last". They were very patient. It only took us about 20 minutes to get what I needed on my list. Then, it took them about 40 minutes to pick something small for each other. (Of course, they really picked their own toy and then handed it to each other).
NOW, for the last hour they have asked me a MILLION TIMES. "When can we open those presents?". "When can we open those presents?". "When can we open those presents?". "When can we open those presents?".

They are driving me INSANE!!!

What was I thinking?

What is it about The American Girl Doll?

After having three boys, I figured it would be so much fun to buy a doll but I just didn't get The American Girl thing. Until this weekend!!!

I received catalogs in the mail which were sent to the previous owner of our house. I quickly looked through them and thought, "Who would pay that much money for a doll?". (Guess who?) I tossed out the catalog and went on with my life.

Fast forward to December 2005. It's time to start thinking about what to get Vanessa for Christmas. Hmmm.....a doll?? Sure!! It will be fun! Of course, I procrastinated and then before you know it....ANOTHER AG catalog arrived. This time, something caught my eye. The Bitty Baby Doll. Hmmm....has this been there the whole time and I didn't notice it? I'm not sure.

So, to continue the story. My Mother-in-Law, my Sister-in-Law Diane, and I planned a trip to NYC to get our hair done. While there I thought, "Why not stop by the American Girl Doll store?" We walked for blocks dodged crowds of people to Fift Avenue and 49th Street. Ther eit was right in front of us!! I was actually getting excited. THEN....OMG!!! The line! NOT the line to purchase the doll but the line to get INSIDE the store!!!! I asked a lady who was about half-way through the line how long she had been waiting. "About 40 minutes". OMG! I didn't think it was worth that long of a wait.

We decided instead to find a place to eat and "maybe" try again later. After dinner we walked back "just to see" if the line was managable. WELL, not only was it managable...it wasn't there! We walked right in. THEN, it HIT ME. I HAVE A GIRL and I'M BUYING A REAL DOLL!!! We took the escalator up to the 3rd Floor where the Bitty Baby dolls were. That is when I saw her....the fair skinned, blonde, blue-grey eyed doll. That was the one!! I scooped her up and hear the sales lady say, "You're lucky you got her, we're selling out really fast". OH JOY! Of course, I had to buy the Ice-blue winter outfit with the matching fur cape!!!

Now, I just have to wait THIRTEEN more days until Vanessa finds her under the tree!!

(Here's hoping she actually PLAYS with her!!!)

What is it about a tree?

What is is about a tree that make you feel good?

I have been bugging Mike since we moved in to put a tree in the back corner of the yard to block the late afternoon sun. Sometimes it gets SO hot and it beats right down on the house. SO, today we made the plunge. We had a beautiful Red Maple Tree planted in the perfect spot. It looks so strong and healthy. (I hope it stays that way). I keep looking out the window to see if it's still there. It is. Strong and healthy. I just feels good to have it there. I guess it's the "new life" thing.

On the other hand, we had the two trees in the front of the house trimmed. The huge Bradford Pear is my favorite. It has beautiful flowers in the spring, provides awesome shade in the summer, displays it's gorgeous colors in fall, and stands guard in the winter. It was starting to get a little tired looking, a little "overworked". It was just sagging. I knew that it needed some help yet it was difficult to watch the men carefully trim it back - branch by branch. It looks like a great weight has been lifted off it's shoulders yet at the same time looks so bare and fragile. I know it will be fine but something in me feels so sad that it's "gone". I look forward to seeing all of the new branches and leaves next spring.

4 Rugrats and a Shopping Cart

I knew it would be an adventure but I had no idea.

The weather looked like it would hold off a little and we might make it before it rained. We needed the essentials (milk, eggs, bread). So, I decided I would take all four kids to the grocery store. I knew that by taking the stroller I wouldn't have enough room for everything I had to buy. So, I decided I would try the cart with the bench attachment.

The boys helped me hold the babies hands while we dodged cars in the parking lot. We made it across right to the spot where all the carts were. I chose Vanessa to be the first victim. I placed her gently on the bench and strapped her in. It tooka while because I had to readjust each of the straps. She looked ok. Next I grabbed Nick who was bouncing around like Tigger with Mike and Luke frantically holding on. I placed him on the bench and no straps. So, I had to move the cart to the side (which anyone knows is very difficult) and find a new one. I decided to check the straps first this time. Another one was missing. Checked another cart, then another. AH! I finally found a cart that had one good set of straps and one that had the center strap missing. But hey, it already took 15 minutes so far. This will have to work.

We finally make it inside the store. AH!! The A/C was cranking. Very refreshing.

Mike and Luke seemed to enjoy walking and playing the big brother role. They didn't fight with each other or bother me in any way. LOL because Nick and Vanessa were at it from the start. They didn't like how close they were to each other. Believe it or not Vanessa was the instigator this time around. She was slapping Nick and pulling his hair. He just wanted to play with the Rescue Hero he brought along for the ride. Needless to say, he got very loud every time she touched him. (From my perspective, it was actually funny). Of course, everyone looked at me with that "Poor dear: Better you than me" look. I just smiled and kept on. Frankly, I thought the fact that Mike and Luke were not fighting was a blessing!

We grabs our goods, packed up the car, and made it home in one piece! Success!

It's almost time for Rock Start INXS

It's only about 10 minutes away from the beginning of Rock Star INXS. It's one of the few shows where Mike and I actually drop what we are doing to watch. Every show is awesome because every performer is awesome. The guys from INXS are HOT....even though they are getting a little older. (Aren't we all).

So, my predictions are this. Mig and Marty fight it out for the top spot with Ty a close 3rd. Suzie seems to be hanging in there and JD must go home. He's just plain nasty. Jordis rocks but I'm not sure she's right for the band.

So....what do you think?