Friday Field Trip

Raistlyn was SO excited
finally a 1st grade field trip on a Friday
no work on Fridays - mom would be able to go
hitch.... note sent home stating that there were limited seats available for parent chaperons....they would draw 2 winners
We won - Yeah!
Then we got stupid Texas style snowed in and the Field Trip was cancelled. Bummed....Raistlyn was so distraught she sat in the Library and cried~ boo hoo
Weekend came and went
Found out Monday evening the Field Trip was rescheduled for Tuesday
Tuesday....what.....???.....
Talk about Short Notice
Luckily Mom works for super nice doctor and was able to take the morning off . We had a great time at Casa Manana. We saw a super fun production of 'Junie B. Jones' on a gorgeous Spring Day!

The Venue

Raistlyn A. Camphuysen First Grader at Last

Raistlyn's Dad made these shirts for the class!

with Allee & Mikayla - special friends from another class

The 3 Musketeers ~ Katelynn, Raistlyn & Reagan

Raistlyn & mom (a not so good self portrait)

on the bus, headin' back to class!

TTA: Collections

They were short, blue and bald.

They lived inside mushrooms in a remote part of a medieval forest and loved to sing and dance.

They were three apples high.

They were Smurfs.

Smurfrabilia came out in force: plush toys, school supplies, clothing, lunchboxes(BTW...I had all of these!), the list goes on and on and on. By far the most popular avatars of Smurf nation were the little 2-inch PVC figurines.

Small, cute and vibrantly colored,Smurf figurines were so small that dozens could be obtained and before you knew it, an entire Smurf army would be adorning your bedroom. Smurf fever hit circa 1981 - didn't you just LOVE the Saturday morning cartoons? Papa Smurf had quite the fan club, along with Smurfette (the lone female Smurf). Brainy, Lazy, Handy, Hefty and Greedy also had their devotees. Gargamel and Azrael, the evil wizard and his cat, I never did add these creeps to my collection.

I was 9.

I was awashed in Smurf culture!My collection was similar to this, however I only had two shelves due to the fact that I shared a tiny bedroom with not just 1 but 2 of my sisters. They weren't exactly thrilled with my obsession. They did join me on Saturday mornings to watch the Smurfisodes. We'd sit in front of the TV (that didn't have a remote I might add) with our nightgowns pulled over our legs and eat whatever the heck we wanted for breakfast - Doritos, Froot Loops, Tang - since my parents were holed up in their bedroom WITH THE DOOR LOCKED! Ahhh...those were the days!

Somehow just knowing there is now a Smurfs DVD out there it threatens to send me into a fit of giggles. As Saturday morning cartoons go The Smurfs were rock solid, but I don't think it's only the smurfy adventures that take me back. I plan to revisit The Smurfs and share them with my children - I'm going to try to procure Season 1 of The Smurfs this weekend - we'll relive those carefree days of the past, maybe even eat some Doritos!

You might feel a little silly watching them, but the Smurfs will be more than happy to take you back to simpler times.

What childhood collections did you have?

You know it's going to be a great day....

When you wake up to this Smiling Face!

Dang, I love this kid!

TTA: What's in a name?

When I was younger (elementary - middle school aged) I was certain that I would name my first child Bailey. Bailey Rene to be exact - the last name didn't matter. If my husband grumbled...too bad. That's just what SHE was going to be named.

I tested that name with my first Cabbage Patch Doll. The one my mother staked out in the wee hours standing outside a Target in the freezing cold on the hint that a delivery was coming that day. Remember that craze back in the 80's? Well, out of the box she was Thelma Louise. Yuck. That just wouldn't do for my ponytailed blondie with beautiful blue eyes! I quickly filled in that birth certificate change form and sent it that Xavier guy to get fixed up. With much anticipation it came back 'Bailey Rene' - the most beautiful name in the world! I hung it up in my room and still have it to this day - the doll too - all frazzled and played with stored for nostalgia's sake in my memory trunk. (Hmmm...It's much easier to name a child or doll when you don't have to agree on it with someone else.)

Married for a mere 5 months I had the faint idea that I might be pregnant. I hid out in the bathroom of my one bedroom apartment in Grapevine, TX with my friend Shelley on the telephone anxiously waiting for the results via an EPT stick. Are those REALLY two pink lines??? They are kinda faint. Yep. (still have that stick to prove it too) The hardest part of the pregnancy - probably agreeing on a name. We mulled over many and rested upon something unique. Unique does run in the family with wonderful names like Cale, Rossi and Saedryn. Our eldest daughter is Raistlyn - the name originated from a DragonLance book series that Adam had read - it has a male character so we changed the spelling and made it more feminine. It's the first name we both liked, there were never any other options.

Next came our boy - 5 years later. We had originally picked the name Zane way back before we knew Raistlyn was a girl and intended on it throughout most of the pregnancy. When it came time for the baby shower I was in the midst of making 'thank you for coming to the shower pumpkin saltglow scrub' when it came time to print the tags. I changed the name to Caiden and printed the tags. I say "I" because my hubby insists that it was ALL me. It stuck. Caide's middle name has a bit of special meaning via his daddy....it's Michael....his dad's name is Adam...if you are LDS you might get the symbolism with those names.
Our youngest is Rowan. Her name was a toss up between that or Maclaine which we thought of via the main character in the Die Hard movies. I do still LOVE this name! We were attempting to have the 'ai' in each of their first names. She got her's via her middle name which is Ainsley - and she has the same initials as her sis.

I need to ask my own mother if there is any sort of story behind my name. I do know that I was originally a Jennifer and that I had two birth certificates each with different names. I don't have a middle name as do none of my four sisters. The 3 older boys do though. Growing up I always felt I got gypped. So, I unofficially gave myself the middle name of Lyn....because that is what my sisters always yelled at me when they were mad at me....Jennifer Lyn!

If I were to change my name I would be either Amber, Heather or Roxy. Random. I know.

Is there a story behind your name?

How did you pick the names of your children?

Going, Going, Gone

I used to have time to make jewelry. I could sit for hours upon hours and create little masterpieces of stone, glass & precious metal. Now, not so much. My needy little chitlins would be curious and just make a mess of all my neatly sorted beads and findings. SO....if anyone out there is interested I will be selling off my stash. Do you make jewelry? or if you would like to I have TONS of wonderful pretty things for you at REALLY tiny prices. Here is just a sampling of what I already have made - leftovers from previous sales - sorry some of the pics are atrocious. Contact me if you are interested!
Just $12. bucks each, except the Purple one is just $20!
I can take PayPal or checks via mail.
(Most of the necklaces are about 17 inches, the bracelets around 7 inches)
I'll post pictures of all the other junk soon so please check back! I'll update them as they are snatched up.

Red Swarovski crystal w/sterling silver fleur de lis Black leather cord w/coin pearl and swarovski crystal
Turquoise Swarovski crystal w/ a blue agate drop
Peacock freshwater pearls w/abalone drop
SOLD Round swarovski pearls with a sterling silver cross
Sterling silver chain with a Carnelian drop

14kt Gold filled chain with a clear quartz drop

SOLD Swarovski crystals with sterling stamped pendant

Sterling chain with quartz and swarovski crystals

Sterling silver chain with a large black pearl

Suede with sterling charm that has multicolored, semi-precious stones

Sterling chain loops with Amethyst & ribbon tie

SOLD Turquoise mixed stone bracelet with sterling clasp

SOLD Mixed stone bracelet with sterling 's' clasp

Ocean blue swarovski necklace with sterling pendant

Light Blue glass beaded necklace with sterling silver flower & pearls - stamped pendant

Year of the Rat

I am married to a man that doesn't particularly enjoy eating out Chinese like I do. I don't get to eat it very often but, I do still love it! Especially at my fav ~ Golden China in Bedford where they actually use meat that you can tell what it is. Go for the Sesame Chicken and Sizzling Rice Soup, I promise you won't be disappointed. I even have a 1/2 price coupon I can offer you. Anyway, you know those placements - the ones with the Chinese zodiac that you can't help but decipher while you're waiting for your crispy noodles & sweet n' sour dipping sauce. Well, I'm a rat. I have always hated that I was a rat as it just didn't sound very dignified - low on the food chain, everyone including elephants scared of you, rummaging through garbage, a cat's next meal - a RAT. A dragon, now that sounds magisterial. Or how about the Tiger...grrrr.....

I have finally come to terms with being a rat.

Rat people are born under the sign of charm and aggressiveness. They are expressive and can be talkative sometimes. They like to go to parties and spend quiet times chatting with their friends. Although the Rat can be quiet sometimes, it is rare to catch a Rat sitting quietly.
Rat people usually have more acquaintances than real friends and they revere and cherish those close to them. Once you become their real friends, they will treat you as their family. Rats are self-contained and keep problems to themselves. And even though they can be talkative sometimes, they never confide in anyone. The Rat is quick-witted. Most rats get more accomplished in 24 hours than the rest of us do in as many days. They are confident and usually have good instinct. Stubborn as they are, they prefer to live by their own rules rather others. It won't be an easy task to work with Rat people, why? Simple, because they are also 100% perfectionists. They are very organized and talented, perhaps that is why the Rat makes a good businessman or politician. Unfortunately, as soon as the Rat earns money, it is spent. Maybe that explains why the Rat is so careful when he lends money to others. If you ever borrow money from the Rat, don't be surprised by the high-interests. The Rat is not romantic, but is sensual and loving. Rat people could be hard to see through at first glance, because they are also very protective, but even though they are not easy they are worth it - ask anyone who has a Rat for a lover, parent, child or friend. They are very loyal and devoting to their families.

The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of the Rat; consequently those born within this category like to be first, pioneers, at the forefront of the action. Restless and inquisitive, those born under the influence of the Rat are active, both physically and mentally, and tend to lead busy lives. Challenge is essential to them for they love the thrill of living. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, Rats are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. The Rat possesses attributes ranging from charming and humorous to honest and meticulous. The Chinese say those born in these years make good and wise advisers. Rats are best known for their charm. Blessed with a sharp wit, they possess a marvelous sense of humor, which makes them stimulating and amusing company to have around.

Now, I don't know about ALL that but, I do think the above describes ME quite well! I highlighted the section about friendship because it resonated so deeply. I don't have a lot of friends. I do however, have some of the best friends imaginable. Ones that I need to stay in closer contact with. This is a call to action for me.

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wanna Be My Friend?

(I'm always looking for new ones.)

Just for fun....more info on the Chinese Zodiac:

Before Buddha left earth, he called for all the animals to see him for the last time. Only 12 came to him and it is these who are honoured by having its own year to govern over. Each animal has its own characteristics and being born under a particular zodiac sign will impact on your personality, relationships, life in general. Each of the 12 animals rules a particular year in rotation. In addition to lending its characteristics to people born during that year, it also influences the quality of a particular year. So according to Chinese Astrology knowing which animal rules a future year can help you plan in advance for the trials and triumphs that year might bring.

Rat 1996-1984-1972-1960-1948-1936-1924
Ox 1997-1985-1973-1961-1949-1937-1925
Tiger 1998-1986-1974-1962-1950-1938-1926
Rabbit 1999-1987-1975-1963-1951-1939-1927
Dragon 2000-1988-1976-1964-1952-1940-1928
Snake 2001-1989-1977-1965-1953-1941-1929
Horse 2002-1990-1978-1966-1954-1942-1930
Goat 2003-1991-1979-1967-1955-1943-1931
Monkey 2004-1992-1980-1968-1956-1944-1932
Rooster 1993-1981-1969-1957-1945-1933-1921
Dog 1994-1982-1970-1958-1946-1934-1922
Pig 1995-1983-1971-1959-1947-1935-1923

6 months

I'm grieving as this little gal gets bigger and bigger - she is so spectacular, heartbreakingly cute and needy in a good, special way. She's a wonderful swirl of everything sweet...like cotton candy. When I look at her, I can see the newborn she was with little wisps of dark brown hair and a squished up face. She is ever changing. The brown hair has since fallen out and new sprouts of shiny blond have taken their place. I love to wrap her up and snuggle her as she peers deep into me with her big blue eyes. I want remember the way that feels and treasure those moments forever.

She has started to crawl. (Not yet hands & knees, it's more military style.) She curiously made her way all the way from the family room to the master bathroom last night following her families' voices. I turned around and boom she was there! The progression is amazing. My how they grow rapidly.

She also has teeth. Many of them. Her 2 lower front and 4 across the top have been making their way through for at least a couple months now. She is picking up her own puffy snacks and holding her own bottle. She loves to eat and it's quite evident in her pudgy little legs. I don't remember my other babies being little chunks like her.

She is a like a sentinel watching and giggling at her sister ~ Raistlyn is the BEST at making her laugh and playing with her. Rowan likes Caide too....from a distance. He's mostly a little bugger that likes to ride on her back and try to pick her up by her head. She doesn't like that so much. If you hear her whining it's most likely because her brother is in the process of some toddler torture he's inflicting upon her. He LOVES her and it's fun to hear "hi Wowan" over and over and over.

Any ideas for keeping your toddler from torturing your baby?