It's that busy time of year!!!

Well, what time of the year isn't busy, right?! Lots of stuff going on...

I started substitute teaching last week. I worked 3 days, the first one pretty much kicked my toush but I think this is the perfect job for me because I can pretty much work when I want (or need) to. Like today, I needed to stay home b/c Jake is sick:( He's not thowing up anymore (she says with her fingers crossed) but he still has a fever. Poor guy.

Friday night, Jake started basketball practice! We were a little late signing up but were relieved that they could fit him in b/c he really wanted to play! It's so funny to watch a 7 year old who has no idea how to play basket ball try to play basketball. He looked so cute dribbling and blocking! He's as tall as some of the nine year olds so I think this is a good sport for him!

Saturday we had breakfast with Santa @ Jake's school. Pancakes, sausage, OJ and Santa! Fun stuff! Photos to follow! We also went to cut down our tree @ Jarrettsville Tree Farm. We've been going there for a few years. Matt & Elisa came with us and cut one down too. The weather was perfect. When we got there, snow was still on the ground. By the time we left, a significant amount had melted! Crazy. We took our family Christmas card photo and I've been too busy (lazy) to download it. I really hope it came out! need to get those cards done this week. We also don't have a single decoration up yet. Will tried to do some outside lights on Saturday and some were not working so I think he gave up on that & played basketball with Jake!

Yesterday, I went to my scrapclub holiday party! Good food, good friends good fun all surrounded by scrappy stuff! What more could I want! We sure missed some of the girls who couldn't make it!

Today, I'm making some Christmas gifts, prepping for this class that I'm teaching tonight @ Great Scraps and taking care of my poor sick baby!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I resigned from the Scrap Naked Challenge Blog Design Team. The owner of the blog went MIA and hasn't posted or been in contact with anyone for almost two weeks. Weird?! Sorry to anyone who joined in on the first challenge. I'm at a loss as to what could have happened:(

Happy Monday!

Gingerbread House 101

I finally broke down and bought a Bind It All machine! It was on my Christmas list so I guess it's an early present! Let me tell you how flipping cool this thing is or better yet, let me show you...










I created this book for my mom but I love it so much I'm keeping this one. I'll make her another one! I'm also using the Bind It All in my Month by Month Minibook class @ Great Scraps next month. I'm thinking maybe I'll teach this house-shaped book in February with a LOVE theme. What do you think?!

Some fall photos...

We live right down the road from this wonderful park and I get to drive through it almost everyday!





Here's a few of Jake & me! Jake took the photo of me-not too bad, huh?!






As I type this all of the leaves have blown off the tree and there is a light dusting of snow on the ground! YIKES! Not ready for Winter yet!

November was a busy month!

Whew, November seemed to fly by. We were very busy this month! Here's a synopsis with a few photos!

A few days after Jake's party, he was in a play! I signed him up for a class called "Be A Star" where he learned about acting, rehearsing lines, costumes and set design! At the end of the class, all the actors and actresses put on a play titled, "King in the Kitchen". Jake was cast as the Guard. The group did an amazing job despite one of the main characters was out sick! Jake's favorite part was when, while holding his left hand out, he says, "I'm sorry, your Highness, I'm already married." Too cute! Here he is in costume...


Last month, I attended a training for substitute teaching. I am officially ready to start subbing for K-3rd grade! Just waiting for the jobs to roll in!

Thanksgiving was wonderful as usual. After Jake & I watched a bit of the Macy's Day Parade, we headed to my mom's house! Yummy food and great family & friends! We sure missed Val & Jim (with Jim's family) and Mark, Michelle and Madden (in mexico) though! Can you believe I didn't take a single person photo? I took a few of the Thanksgiving Table and Will took one of me with the pups but that's it. Oh well, there's always next year!

The last week of the month was Jake's turn to be Star of the Week @ school! He got to bring in some things that are special to him and a favorite book. He chose his Disney autograph book we made together, his new Build-a-Bear animal, Dakota, his Mickey Pirate hat, lots of photos and "Green Eggs and Ham". I got to come to his class one day and go to lunch and recess with him. Then the class got to ask Jake some questions and I read the book to the class! It was so fun to see him with all his friends! He was very proud to be Stsr of the Week and he didn't want me to leave!

I taught two classes this month @ Great Scraps. Here's a few photos of the Holiday Planner class...





I really enjoyed teaching this class because the students were so nice and really had fun creating this book! This makes me happy!

So here's hoping December won't be as busy! Yeah, right!

Jake's 7th birthday party!

It's been a while and I have tons to share! First I want to share a few shot from Jake's 7th birthday party...


This is the cake I made for Jake! It was cute but not as cute as the pirate ship cake I made last year!

He'll always be my baby!

Jake and his friend Tyler climbing the rocks.

Make a wish!

Jake & his friend, Bennett.

The whole group after playing basketball, playing soccer, climbing rocks, and eating cake! I think everyone had fun! I know Jake did!!! Still can't believe I'm the mom of a 7 year old!