With a month off, let's play catch up...

Dy 293 - 12 April, 2010

Naptime

Today was a workday, and I arrived home near the end of naptime.

I can't believe that the countdown is beginning for the coming of our new child.

Every moment is so amazing and precious to me with our first little miracle.

I love how grown up he is getting, and how much of a baby he still is.

Time goes so fast.

Day 294 - 13 April, 2010

Back to School

We have benchmark testing every quarter, to monitor children's progress.

On top of that, we have the all important SOL tests coming up in May.

This makes my work schedule spotty sine "resource" classes are not as important as the all consuming SOLs.

Do Not Disturb.




Day 295 - 14 April, 2010

Fuel for the Fire

We have so much dead wood, and dropping branches that we need to burn.

We did a lot of yard work, and started some of the burning process.

What we really need to do is to raise the canopy of our trees, and then tear down the man room so that we can seriously landscape our yard.

Burn baby, burn!



Day 296 - 15 April, 2010

Craft Swap

My second attempt at the craft swap was very much an experiment.

We did project group at Allyn Boney's house, and I tried my hand at a more complicated pattern.

LeAnn was awesome to put this project together, though she was frazzled with everything going on.

I did something more detailed than intended, but with this cheap frame, I hope she can enjoy it, and do something with it!

Day 297 - 16 April, 2010

Clean it up

When Mac went out to play today, he found the broom, and walked around saying "dirty dirty dirty."


Hysterical.











Day 298 - 17 April, 2010

Dessert Auction

I snapped Cody and Tim deep frying at the dessert auction at church.

There were a lot of very nice and intricate desserts there...

But, of course the men had to do a manly dessert.

Apparently Deep frying twinkies is very manly.







Day 299 - 18 April, 2010

Baby Showers Bring forth...

Beautiful women!

You can't even tell that Amy recently had a baby. This is because she had her baby prematurely at 28 weeks gestation.

Her sweet boy was born at 2 pounds nine ounces, and is now up to 5 pounds.

It's been a really trying time for their family, and she is still radiant!




DAY 300 ! 19 April, 2010

What can be more exciting for my 300th day in this experiment than a picture of my boy?

Looking back on this has been amazing... to see my artsy pictures, my family photos, my random moments, and all of the various in betweens.

I really, truly appreciate what I have more and more every day. I love my new life post ppcm. I love living every day to the fullest.

Spring break, or Spring cleaning?

Let me just start by saying, spring cleaning combined with nesting, means double the things to do and only half the mobility in which to do them... Boo.

Day 286 - 5 April, 2010

The Zoo

Malcolm's big birthday present from us this year, is a zoo membership.

This is going to make for some great summer fun, and we will be able to go at least once a week.

He loved the train, and all of the animals.

He really wanted to ride the Emu, but we had to keep him out of trouble, or I am sure he would have tried to scale the fence.

Day 287 - 6 April, 2010

Night time turtle

Mac fell asleep hugging his turtle in his big boy bed. I love being able to snuggle, to have the time to do the things that make living so wonderful. Spring Break is a godsend for me because it makes me remember that there is much more to living than m job, and that these are the things that make life worthwhile.
I love being a mom.


Day 288 - 7 April, 2010

Rita's

For the record

He ate all that ice cream down to the cone.

This week's photo of the day are going to revolve around my kid.

Sorry, to me there is nothing greater.







Day 289- 8 April, 2010

Little Pigs Book

This is the new favorite book.

From the repetitive knocking, to Little pig let me in, to chinny chin chins, and huffing and puffing....

We read it at least twice a night now.

And it's a good, old school, pop up book.

(yes, broken in places... and taped and retaped)




Day 290 - 9 April, 2010

Robot Mapom

MY living will, and legal papers are once again in order to compensate for children and marriage and whatnot.

One of the lawyers had a box of toys for Mac while I ws going through my paperwork.

The two biggest hits were the robots, and the airplanes.







Day 291 - 10 April, 2010

Skater Boy

Not only was today my baby shower from the church gals, but it was also a fun barbeque fest with the rest.

After all of the yummy food, they played with the toys hidden in the garage.

My kid is already a daredevil.

I think he takes after me.






Day 292 - 11 April, 2010

Sharp Dressed Man

Everybody's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Not even thinking about tomorrow, and enjoying every moment I can.

The week before freedom

Day 279 - 29, March, 2010

Shapes

We've been doing a lot with shapes lately. This picture is of a toy that was given to us before Mac was even born, but he is enjoying reading about his shapes, and now he is even recognizing the differences between them and trying to get the right shapes in the correct holes. Clover, Square, triangle. The fun never ends.



Day 280 - 30 March, 2010

Stuck

We're working on putting on and removing clothing.

It is harder than it looks.

For example, this is right before bedtime.

Mapum stuck.

Mac was stuck for a good 3 minutes before he got crabby enought that I needed to help him.





Day 281 - 31 March, 2010

I'm thinking of a number...

We're counting to ten right now.

He's just now got it down pat in english.

In spanish he always leaves out siete.

He did the same with seven in english, but we finally fixed that...

We've just got to work on that last number.

So, If I'm thinking of a number between uno y diez, probablamente esta siete.



Day 282 - 1 April, 2010

April Fools!

I didn't do anything special for this April Fools. I am lazy some days, and motivated on others. Today was a lazy. So, w0e0 spent the evening with a little of Malcolm's latest obsession, Super Why.

This show has helped to expand his letter recognition and reading skills. I think he knows half of the alphabet by sight. Not to mention that he sings along to every song that he can.

Day 283 - 2 April, 2010

Big Boy Bed

It's not going too badly.

Here is a picture of my son in his first night in his big boy bed.

Wish us luck in the rest of the week!

I hope he never goes back to a crib!



Day 284 - 3 April, 2010

Decorating Eggs for the Easter Bunny

My hand is featured in this bit of film, as my husband took the photo.

He prefers a more pink tint to photos, for whatever reason, so the color isn't to my liking, but I wnted to leave it in the raw to show the differences between our photography styles.



Day 285 - 4 April, 2010

Easter with Family

We did our own hunt at home, watched some conference, played with some bubbles, had a fantastic Easter feast, hid more eggs for the kids, helped them hunt, and then went to the park to play some softball and playground.

I was exempted from any softball fun, and was relegated to the corner with the two year olds, but it is just as well.

Tim's family is crazy about playing ball.

Thank goodness I had an excuse not to embarrass myself.

Here is our walk to the park with Malcolm, Tim, and Cousin Jamie.

Two years

Day 278 - 28 March, 2010

Having a child changes your life. My experience changed my life in more ways than just becoming a parent. As I celebrate his two years on this earth, and the joy he constantly brings to our lives, I celebrate two more years of time that I've borrowed from God. With every birthday, Malcolm is not only a reminder of how to see the world through new eyes, but it is a constant reminder for me to live life to the fullest, because you never know when your last moment will be. Life A.M. is more emotional, more vibrant, more full. It probably drives my husband crazy that I take things a little more personally in our relationship, and am a little more callous in other ways with the world. But, as I've said before, my priorities have aligned in a different way, and I know what is important.

Spring Time is Upon Us

Day 271 - 21 March, 2010

Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices

Tim's parents joined us for the S.U.V. fireside, and it was phenominal. We really enjoyed the bold spirit, and testimony of the people, as well as the multicutural worship in song. For aanyone who attended, I know your life was blessed, if you were not offorded the opportunity, I highly recommend it.



Day 272 - 22 March, 2010

Golden Corral

We met Tim's dad for some computer fixing fun, and good old fashioned Golden Corral pig out. On the way out, I snapped a quick shot of the stuffed animal grabber machine. I wonder how long these little guys have been smooshed in the bottom of this machine, waiting for someone skilled enough to claw them out.









Day 273 - 23 March, 2010

Floral Fun

Aside from the Dandelion my husband picked for me on Sunday, this is the first flower I've received from a man in quite some time. My son melted my heart when he gave this to me after the Relief Society birthday party.

I think I look smashing, don't you?










Day 274 - 24 March, 2010

Happy Birthday Dear Daddy

Unfortunately, for my dad's birthday, I just have a toilet picture of my kid.

I called my dad in the morning, and sang to him while he was at work saving the world, and then I went on with my interesting workday, came home and continued on with business.

I like this paper action shot. A book in one hand, and the paper in the other.






Day 275 - 25 March, 2010

Jacob House

We got to spend the afternoon playing at Jacob's house.

Malcolm would rather play on the slide than most anything else. So, the mini slide, swing, and water boat toy were a hit.

He really loves play dates at his friends' houses.

He is a born socialite.







Day 276 - 26 March, 2010

Meatball Madness

I have been reading up on how to make the perfect meatball. There is indeed an art to it. If I did not master it today, I came pretty close. My sauce was also the bomb diggity. With cheese ravioli, this has been an excellent week in food. With corned beef previously in the week, a lot of my favorites have been gracing our table.








Day 277 - 27 March, 2010

Easter bunny

We got to meet the Easter bunny at our church's pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt. Malcolm did not want to leave that sweet bunny alone. He is in love with anuimals, and I am more and more tempted to get a dog for him. But, animals are so much work...

Winter's End

Day 265 - March 15, 2010

YMCA

We love the Y. We love the exercise. Malcolm loves the pool. He reminds me so much of his daddy in this photo. He really tries to do big boy things, and imitates him quite often.











Day 266 - March 16, 2010

Spring is Springing

I love that the early blooms are coming out, and that green is starting to appear everywhere. The buds are budding, and I am excited to put my gardens together some more. They are still very much works in progress, but in a couple of years we will have beautiful flowers, bushes, and a lot of the edible variety as well. I thought this was an especially pretty shot, as it's pretty much all that is in bloom right now.







Day 267 - March 17, 2010

Another Day for a Catholic Saints

I work with Todd on Wednesdays. He is the high school orchestra teacher. In this shot, he has on his green tie, under Nancy's green hanging fabric. I thought that her heart pillows sealed the deal. In my mind it combines Saint Valentine and Saint Patrick. Yay commercialism! Go buy things to celebrate your faith!







Day 168 - March 18, 2010

Warm Weather=Playtime

We had to go to the park.

As Malcolm would say, "Happy, play snide."

It was still a bit chilly, but the neighborhood kids were definitely out in full force.




Day 169 - March 19, 2010

Fish Slide Happy

I met up with Jenora and Jacob for a little light shopping at a consignment store sale. Afterwards, I talked her into Lafayette Park. This playground makes me laugh.











Day 170 - March 20, 2010

Balloon up high in the sky.

We spent much of this day doing errands.

Groceries falling near the end of the day. If you can't tell, in the upper right portion of this photograph there is a tiny green dot.

The lady at the register wanted Malcolm to have a balloon so badly.

He was very sad when he let it go outside, to never see it again.

"OH NO! Ballon high up. High in sky..."

Deadlines Passed

Day 258 - 8 March, 2010

The tallest slide in the park. Between school and my huge #2 concert, I had time to spend some family home "evening" with my husband and son. We went to Northside PArk, and let him run around, while we had fun being young and in love. Malcolm quickly found the highest curliest slide to slide down, and it was so oviously meant for bigger kids, that he needed help climbing up. Was this a deterrent? No Way! He is obviously my child. He can do anything he sets his mind to, and knows it. The underbelly of the slide sure has pretty colors, huh?







Day 259 - 9 March, 2010

Break in

This shot is of a bulletin board at one of my schools. I did not get a shot of the morning rehearsal, or the bodily fluids found in my portable, or the officer who took my ID and comments, or the forensics guy who took pictures of the crime scene, or any of the othr crazy events that encompassed my day. In fact, I did not even think of taking a picture until concert #3 was completed, and this was the last thing I saw as I was exiting the building from the final deadline I have to worry about for this year. Though it doesn't properly tell the story of today, this is my representative piece. Ta da!

Day 260 - 10 March, 2010

No more paper

My little artist has officially used up every scrap of paper in the house for his little projects. Depending on his mood, one sheet may be a circle, the other totally colored in, another could be his attempt at a letter. But, heaven forbid you ask him to continue to color on an already completed work of art. He knows when each one is finished, and wants a clean sheet.







Day 261 - 11 March, 2010

OBGYN Again

It's the time in pregnancy when you are forever at the doctor's office, yeah! They have another hand chair in the waiting room, and of course, my son was in love with it. Sure beats a photo of stirrups!










Day 262 - 12 March, 2010

Friday Mayhem

The only shot I could grab in my exhausted errand running state was this upholstery fabric. Some upholstry is so boring, and some is nearly a masterpiece work of art! ou decide on whether or not you would like to see this bit on your couch, as it certainly caught me eye. Mac and I enjoyed finding the hidden shapes in it. The circle is obvious, but can you spot an oval, or triangle?







Day 263 - 13 March, 2010

Basket Case

Yeah for laundry day! Saturday was so much fun! I did a little bit of consignment shopping, and then scrapbooked with my dear friend Jenora. So sad that they will not be here over the summer. When I could no longer ignore the screaming impulse to make things for the baby, he laughed at me as I whipped out the sewing machine, and got working on some headbands. My kid is set for life. I really needed the listening ear, and am glad that we got to chat, and be productive. Oh, and after she left, I swear I came back from a load change to my kids sitting in the basket. He got in from his own free will and volition, I swear.

Day 264 - 14 March, 2010

Friendship

My best friend sent me a bunch of cute things for my birthday. I simply cannot express how grateful I am for her. Though we didn't grown up together, I really feel as though our souls found each other at just the right time, and it never fails that we seem to be travelling on the exact same wavelength at any needed moment. Though our lives are very different, I am grateful for the ties that bind us together. Oh, and the ring she sent me is so daggone cute!