happy place...

As my kids get older, and I along with them, I realize there are a few places that make me really happy. The ocean, the mountains, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium top the list. I can really feel at peace there. There is something euphoric about watching jellies pulse through the water or a mola mola gently flapping its fins as it glides through the water. I can daydream, or maybe it's just spacing out, while watching. I notice my kids get the same way. I mean most of the time they're spazzing out with excitement because something cool swam by, but I also catch moments of calm.

After a couple years, we decided to renew our membership. I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I was recently there with my 4th graders for a field trip. I knew I had to return with my kids, and make it our special place we spend time at. I'm looking forward to "spacing out" more often and really hoping to catch more of those small glimpses of contentment in my children.

National dog day...

Happy National Dog Day from Charlie. I think it's pretty awesome that there's something to celebrate every day of the year. I've included a little reminder to the right to remind us to celebrate daily. 

I take lots of photos of my dog, and what a good sport he is. This guy has to put up with so much from us. Thanks Charlie!  Lets celebrate with a treat!  

Charlie...

Some of you may already know Charlie (aka Chuck, Chuck Wagon, Chewbies, Chew, Chew Monster, Bubbies, Bubbs, Chew-mon, Chewbster). He's like one of my kids....if you yell enough or bribe him with treats, he'll listen. His latest mischief has been sneaking on the couch at night while we're asleep or when we're not home. Why we continue to leave him in house when we're not home is a mystery. Okay, maybe because we actually thought he might be a good guard dog with the Christmas presents. Well, in theory it was a good idea. The best part was waking up one morning to find he had not only slept on the couch, but puked on it as well. Seriously? He couldn't have had the courtesy to go barf in the toilet like most people? 

With all his quirks and mischievous behavior, we still love this guy to pieces. Happy New Year all!

Project Gratitude

Something I've wanted to do for some time, and I've done in different ways, is a gratitude tree. With the kids getting older, I want them to think about all the happiness they have in their lives, and just how lucky they are. So, a leaf each day until Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to a full tree.

BOO!

The holidays are upon us, and I Love It! Halloween is always a super fun holiday, and the Fall colors bring me so much cheer and calmness. I seem to get a little craftier during this time of year.

I saw these Halloween treats which were just too adorable. Rat Eyeballs, spider legs, and ghost pool. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I cannot. I just replicated something similar in my Creative Memories digital software.

I decided to use these for Boo'ing some friends. Note: I also created the "We've been BOO'ed" sign using the CM software.  To download a .pdf of the Treat Toppers, click here!  To get a .pdf of the "We've Been BOO'ed," click here!  (Note, there are two different designs. Download, and print the one you want to use.  Hope you get creative and start a BOO in your neighborhood!