10 Randoms

10 Things I Hope to Teach My Children

1. To skate. And Ski. I truly believe that these pastimes are so important in defining us as Canadians. And that as Canadians we are lucky to have these winter sports that can help us to build family strength. Brian took me skiing for my birthday & every time (every single time!) I go, I am filled with memories of my childhood. I can remember my mom dressing us in sweatsuits instead of PJs so that her & dad could carry us, sleeping, to the car in the morning to go to the hill. I remember long trips to Jasper. I remember my friend Pam tearing through (ok, over) moguls, her helmet bobbing in all directions (she was fearless...or young). I remember her seeing her brother Jeff headed back down the hill on the chairlift, he hadn't been able to get off at the top. So many great family moments & great friendships were made in those mountains.

I hope my parents know that all the effort (and money) they put into taking us girls skiing is worth it.

2. To clean up after themselves. At least at other people's houses...

3. To color outside the lines. Yep. Outside. Or to do whatever makes them happy, artistically. There's nothing worse (in my mind) than a mom who can't let her child complete a craft project because the pompoms will be crooked or covered with glue. Who cares? I will let my kids create and be creative.

4. To Save. Brian took Miles to the bank with him on Saturday to open a bank account. Of course he has one for college that we have set up for him... but this one is for those $5 bills that Great Grandma Hopaluk sends or for the quarter he found on the floor at McDonalds. I don't know what the money is for, time will tell. But for now...we're saving.

5. To respect their elders.

6. To respect each other. Man oh man is it fun to watch them interact. And I do worry for a moment when Miles pushes Molly over for a Hot Wheel... but I know if we can find a balance between letting them have their space & sharing, they will love each other. Lindsay (my sister-in-law) was over the other day. I was in the other room but I heard her say to Miles "I share with my little brother." And it made me smile (because it's true).

7. To Never Ever Litter. Ever. Or Else....

8. To be kind to animals. I was driving home the other day & a little girl was abusing her dog. She was choking him & throwing snowballs in his face (close range). I pulled up next to her & rolled down my window. All I said is "Why are you doing that to your puppy? Don't you love him?" She started to cry... but I think she got the message.

9. To Dance like no one is watching. And we do. All around the kitchen. To Sharon, Lois & Brahm or Raffi. Daily.

10. To love. Brian and I have been at each other a lot lately. I have been sick & grumpy. He has been busy. But I want our kids to learn to love through us, so no fighting in front of them. Ever. And no matter what, I won't ever say negative things about their Dad around them....even under my breath...even if it kills me :)

Layout #222

I knew this paper would come in handy some day. Why else would I have kept it around for 6 years? Haha! But seriously, six years ago this line of paper from Rob & Bob Studio came out. I remember meeting Rob & Bob at a scrapbook convention where they were 'the next big thing' and then ___________ nothing. They, as far as I know, never made anymore paper. But this stuff is cute & the stickers to match are adorable. 6 years old. Hmphf.

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper & Monogram stickers: Provo Craft; Flowers: Jillibean soup; Envelope & Embroidery Floss: Bazzill Basics; Pencil Crayons: Heidi Swapp; Other: Blue office supply tag.

Layout #221

Lucky Her by Haley Ross

I looove this layout. I love the colors. I love the pictures. I love my babies....

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route and Cosmo Cricut; Flowers: Sassafras Lass; Tag: October Afternoon; Quote: DCWV; Alphabet Stickers: Bella Boulevard.

Learning.

Learning.

2011 will be the year of lessons.

Brian is teaching Miles to skate. For the past 4 Sundays, off they go, skates over their shoulders, to learn to skate. Brian is a natural teacher. He is patient. And hockey is his shtick (is that a pun?). He's actually taught 'learn to skate' programs before. But these were all 5&6 year-olds. Miles is 2. And none of the skating programs start until age 3. But we thought he might like it (he hated the dance class we signed him up for). So today Brian calls me thrilled. "You have to get down here....we made a breakthrough'. So off Molly & I went to the rink. And what a treat! Miles is skating!

I have been learning myself. Learning the fine art of patience. And with a 2 year-old who wants to do everything himself, it will be a much needed virtue. I try to let him have a go at everything, something that doesn't come as easily to Brian who (other than in skating) wants to do things himself, quickly. We let Miles set the table (only to find forks upside down & Mommy drinking from a Buzz Lightyear mini cup). Every Tuesday he sorts the recycling, learning the difference from plastic & paper. We let him read to us some nights, put lotion on himself after a bath (what a mess!), put on his own boots & 'loves' (gloves). It's a lesson I've had to learn....to let him do things on his own. But I know it's important. So even though there's a mess to made when he cracks the eggs (he's obsessed with cooking and baking), adds bubblebath to the bath & wipes his own nose (directly into his eye.Eww.) I am learning that it is part of his learning.

And can I just say, the feeling of being proud of someone is about 100x better when it's your child. I bubble when Miles says 'Please' or tells me the salad he just made for dinner is 'his' salad.... even if he refuses to eat it some nights. And I was so proud of his skating (as you can tell by my yelling). He got two Timbits on the way home for a 'Job Well Done' but fell asleep before he finished the first!

Here's What's Cooking:

I love Quinoa. And luckily for me, Brian and Miles are fans as well. But I wasn't sure if I needed a cookbook that was entirely dedicated to the one food. Well, thank goodness I am a cookbook junkie & took the bait ($20 at Costco!). I love it. And tonight, I'm trying my first recipe. A salad...not a ground-breaking feat, I've made plenty of Quinoa salads before. But this one looks great & is what we need to round out tonight's meal. Tomorrow, I am planning on waking up to the Quinoa omlette. If you're saying 'Hmmmmm' that's what I said. But I am bored with the food we already know & love. So I am looking forward to getting to know this food intimately (wink, wink).

Layout #220

Rocks by Haley Ross
I loooove how this turned out. By not using any blue in the layout, Miles shirt steals the show. I love it. I am going to freehand journal on the white paper, but I just can't. Yet. Too nervous.
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Chipboard Characters: K&Co.; Notions: Jolee's By You; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories; Laser Cut Mini Paper: My Little Yellow Bicycle.

Layout #219

New Life by Haley Ross
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper & Phrases: Colorbok; Chipboard Die-Cut: Riff Raff Designs; Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs; Pop-dot: 3L; Photo Flaps: Close To My Heart.

Layout #218

China Town by Haley Ross
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Chipboard letters: Cosmo Cricut; Brads: Making Memories; Border: ki Memories; Other: Red thingy I stole from a Chineese food box, yeah, I have no idea what it says ;)

Layout #217

Golf by Haley Ross
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Charms: Karen Foster; Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup; Patterned Paper: Adorn It; Chipboard Alphabet: Thickers by American Crafts; Pop-dots: 3L.

Layout #216

sooo CUTE by Haley Ross
This layout went all wrong. Its weirdly tilted on one side. Whatever.
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper, Ribbon & Die-Cuts: My Minds Eye; Brad: Bazzill Basics; Rub-Ons: Doodlebug Designs.

Layout #215

Mmmmm by Haley Ross
I just have to tell you that I bought that baby food paper in Utah in 2006. I didn't have kids, but I saw it & couldn't get enough...except there was only one sheet. Here it is, 5 years later. I love it!

Materials: Patterned Paper: American Crafts; Rub-On: Me & My Big Ideas; Baby food Paper: Source Unknown!; Other: Transparency.

Layout #214

beautiful by Haley Ross
I've had this paper for ages. Eons. And so I am happy to finally put it to good use. I decided to go black & white instead of super colorful so that her adorable leg warmers would stand out. My enlargement is blurry, but I loved the picture so much I didn't care much... And to show my love.... I fussy cut. Yep. I fussy cut. I NEVER fussy cut. Ok, maybe twice. But I avoid it at all costs, and although I know how beautiful Kim's pages look, I can't be bothered. I don't run with my simple style.
Speaking of Kim. My friend Kim Collis is a pro at cutting. And she will go to great lengths for her layouts. I guess that's why she is going to be featured by a great Canadian scrapbook company... check out her blog (left), I think the layout will be posted soon. I am willing to bet you $2 that there WILL be fussy cutting.
Materials: Paper: Urban Lily; Brads: Karen Foster; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer; Pop Dots: 3L.

Layout #213

Keeping Up by Haley Ross
Last weekend I had some gals over to scrapbook... and by that I mean, I invited a few too many & ended up moving my couch, coffee table & husband (!) to squeeze 12 scrapbookers into my living room. My house is tiny but I think it went off well. This layout is the one of two that I finished this weekend. Some people might think 2 is a lot (some people like Lindsay...) but I usually pop off 12-18 on a weekend away. It was a loss for me. But I had fun & now I know the limits of our little bungalow. Thank you to everyone who came.
Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Fabric & Felt embellishmenst: Making Memories; Ribbon: Scrapworks; Journaling Card & Chipboard Alphabet: Making Memories; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer; Other: Embroidery Floss.

Simpleton.

I am simple.
I like to think simple, and not lazy. I like to think that this invitation (to Molly's 1st Birthday Tea) is 'Understated' and not 'Under-achieved'. Hmmmm.
It's beautiful though isn't it. One piece of cardstock. Turn it through the Big Shot, back through the Cuttlebug (I am told one machine could do both, but I just can't figure out how & I've since tossed the manual). Cricut up some little green M's. Spot of glue. Done.
I used mostly odd balls pieces of cardstock (and one borrowed, Thanks Tracey!), none of my whites match.... & about one hours time.
And now, because these are done, I have more time to read, clean my kitchen and ... prepare for the Tea-less Tea Party ;)

Layout #212

Hey Sunshine! by Haley Ross
Aaaaaaaaahhh! I clench my jaw when I look at pictures of my kids that I love. You know that feeling right? I imagine all moms must do it. But I love the middle picture of M's chubby cheeks. I love this page. The sunshine button is not highly original, but I haven't done it before so I am pleased. What an easy embellishment, and great was to jazz up an cardstock die-cut... Just choose a color, cut a shape (another great way to use my dusty Cricut!) and cover it with buttons.
Materials: Patterned Papers: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Rub-On Title: ki Memories; Flip Flaps: Close To My Heart; Tranparacey Overlay: Making Memories: Buttons: Basic Grey & Misc.; Acrylic Flowers: ki Memories; Journaling Spots: October Afternoon; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout #211

Molly by Haley Ross
I am blogging. And posting layouts! And for the first time today, I browsed the web, looking at blogs of other unknown scrapbookers (not my friends) to see what they have been blogging about. Because it seems like I have nothing to write... And because I haven't been scrapbooking, I don't know what to blog. I thought I might get some ideas from other women... but alas, it seems like they have all made time to scrapbook. If you find yourself on this blog, and have one of your own that might inspire me, or heck, just give me something to read or a piece of eye candy, post a link. Please. I can only promise I wont leave mean comments, in fact, we could arrange for me to leave wildly complimentary ones that would make you look & feel successful. You decide.
So here, without further adieu, actually not deserving any adieu at all really, are my layouts....

My friend Kim took these pictures of Molly. And my favorite one is of her tiny little feet. I had asked Kacey for a good title for this page & she suggested 'Feet Balls'. (Just kidding, she didn't, it's an inside joke....). The paper was stolen from Kim (worth stealing wasn't it?), the gauze taken from a bag of Kim's hand-me-downs (which Kacey & I so selfishly hog. Leaving Tara to her own devices..). But the die-cuts were mine, and they were old, and that makes me happy.
Materials: Paper: My Minds Eye & Tim Holts; Die-Cuts: Daisy D's; Gauze: Scrappin' Extras; Brads: My Minds Eye and K&Co.; Rub Ons: Making Memories.