This weekend!

Don't miss out - it's going to be lots of fun!

Homemade gifts...

Everyone knows I love to give and to receive homemade gifts so...

I thought I'd share this cool blog I found...100 Days of Homemade Christmas gifts.

She's only a few days in so far, and already I LOVE some of the ideas!
Good site to follow!

http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/tag/homemade-christmas-gift/

Love Notes...

It would seem that my little guy is now the hottest thing to hit kindergarten...LOL

He's been bringing home little love notes from school from a variety of different girls. It was funny to see them all fawning over him last week when I helped in his class. Carter on the other hand has been taking it all in stride. He says he likes all the girls, but his best friend at school is Ainsley. She's a very sweet girl, so I'm happy he's made a good friend.

I'm glad he's making friends, and I'm glad he's fitting in with the kids. Not sure if I'm ready to see my baby grow up so fast though! Here's a few of my favorites that have come home...

By Ainsley...Carter and Ainsley holding hands.

By Abilane...Carter and Abilane holding hands.
LOVE the giant purple cheecks and the I {heart} on his shirt.

By Mikayla....Mikayla + Carter. Mikayla has sent homw several notes for Carter - even her (completed and marked) homework assignments (which we returned). LOL

I'll definitely be saving these to pull out to show his future (a loooong time into the future) girlfriends.

Lazy Kitty...

It's HOT here in the bay area this week. I'm not complaining at all...but the house has heated up and is staying warm day and night. I am missing our AC from Montreal.

Berkeley has been weathering the heat by sleeping even more than usual! LOL. I caught this pic of her sleeping the morning away on my bed...

...and here's what I got when I woke her up...LOL 

A little Note from the Island...

Just a reminder to local scrapbookers and crafters that the Scrapbook Island Breast Cancer Fundraiser Crop is coming up in a few short weeks! This is sure to be a fun event. I will be there on the Saturday, and would love to see people come out and join us!

I'll have several items up for auction that day...as well as hopefully be teaching a make and take or two!
Call the store to reserve your spot! Phone: (408) 978 - 8900.

Here's the official info....

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There are a few spots left so come join us for our Breast Cancer Fundraiser Crop on Saturday, October 15 AND Sunday, October 16! We also have a layout contest for you to enter. Donate a layout or project of your choice and for every entry you will be entered into a raffle for a HUGE basket of scrapbook goodies! Check out this photo or stop by the store to see the basket and read below for the details!


Thank you for the great response to our Annual "Scrap Pink" Breast Cancer Fundraising Crop! We wanted to let you know that the Saturday only spaces are sold out, but we still have a few spots available in our Sunday only portion of the crop. We also have 10 spots available for both days, so if you are still interested in attending, call the store today. Don't forget that proceeds from the crop and the silent auction to go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10:00 am - 11pm AND Sunday, Oct. 16 from 11:00am - 5:00pm.

COST: We have several options for you. First is $89.00 for both days. You will be seated in the crop room and you can leave a small amount of your cropping stuff overnight.

If you would like to attend SATURDAY ONLY the cost is $59.00. NOTE: SATURDAY ONLY IS SOLD OUT! Or if you would like to attend SUNDAY ONLY the cost is $35.00

If you are cropping for one day only, you will be seated in the store.

$10.00 from every sign-up will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Please note that Crop Cards cannot be used for this special crop.

HOST: Debbie Vaccaro

DAY ONE/SATURDAY: Includes a light breakfast, snacks, dinner & dessert. We'll also be doing our Silent Auction all day Saturday and some super fun make-n-takes, plus lots of other exciting goodies. The winning raffle ticket for the contest (see details below) will also be drawn Saturday.

SILENT AUCTION AND MORE:

We have a lot of exciting events planned for Saturday. Our silent auction for all our store layouts and samples will be held Saturday only. If you've wanted to own a layout or project that's been displayed in the store over the past year, this is your chance! We'll have different layouts & projects displayed throughout the day Saturday with bid sheets so you can sign up to own one - or more - of your very own! All winning bids are tax deductible.

We'll also draw the winning ticket for the layout contest (see below), raffles and more!

CONTEST:

Would you like to be more involved AND possibly win a HUGE basket FULL of amazing items including a FREE ticket to next years National Scrapbook Day at The Island? Then design your best 12x12 layout OR mini book using current products in the store and submit it to our Layout/Mini Book Contest. All layouts & projects will be auctioned off Saturday. Each participant will receive one raffle ticket for each project they submit - submit as many layouts and/or projects as you'd like. Then, one ticket will be drawn at the end of the evening on Saturday! So, show us your best and know that it'll all go to a great cause. No need to sign up ahead of time. When you drop off your layout or project, you'll be handed a raffle ticket. DUE DATE for contest: Friday, Sept. 30. We ask for you to use current product so the winner can make a 2nd page to the layout if they choose.

DAY TWO/SUNDAY: Includes a light breakfast, snacks & beverages plus lots of uninterrupted cropping time! Plus we'll have some surprises for you too!

Scrapbook Island 1375 Blossom Hill Rd.# 46 San Jose, CA. 95118 Phone: (408) 978 - 8900

Another layout...

Here's my other project for Scrapbook Island - using the Off to School line from Fancy Pants.

Last month...sigh...

I am sad to say that this is my last month designing for Scrapbook Island in San Jose. Every six months thet have a new call for designers to shake things up a bit. I have absolutely enjoyed my time working there, and will miss it! I have been so happy to bond with the other designers, and can't thank Laurie and the rest of the staff at the store for their help and support. Be sure to check their blog for an announcement next week on a design call (you do need to be local to the store to apply - it's not an online forum/store).

This is some of the product I received in this months kit - Fancy Pants "Off To School" line. I love it!!

Try and picture the two layouts below as a double page (side by side). I scanned the pages individually to get some more detail. It has a lot more dimension and definition when you see it in person!

I have one more layout I'll share as soon as it's dry and scanned!

If you like this layout or any of my work I've done for the store be sure to mark your calendar for October 15/16. The store is hosting their annual "Crop for the Cure" in support of Breast Cancer. All my projects will be auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds go to Breast Cancer research!

I'll be cropping at the store on the 15th - and maybe even teaching a make and take or two! So think about joining me! You can register and find all the info on the blog.

Party #2!

This afternoon we were off to Party #2 of the day (see highlights from Party #1 in the next post). This one was right up Carter's alley - another Star Wars themed party! It was Tylers birthday - he is a friend from preschool and kindergarten (in a different class than Carter, but same school). The kids had a blast at Little Gym. Best part - Carter came home and was fast asleep for the night about 20mins later!

Mock Lightsaber training...Tyler as the Jedi, and his mom as Leia....and (insert ominous Star Wars music here) Darth Vader made an appearance too!

 Here are the kids practicing to defeat the Dark Side...

 Using "the Force" on Darth to make him go away. LOL

Each kid actually had a turn to fight with Darth. Steve had the camera, and not sure why he didn't get a pic of Carter's turn (boo). It was cute though. He was obviously a little intimidated, so he chose to just use the force on Darth rather than pummel him with the lightsaber (pool noodles!). It was pretty funny.

Carter and Tyler - Jedi Masters!

Had to take this pic just to remember. There were tacos for the adults and PB&J sadwiches for the kids. Yup, my kid decided he wanted a taco and not the sandwich. Ate the whole thing though!

Overall we had a really fun day! Happy birthday to Kaitlyn and to Tyler! :)

More birthday fun!

Carter has another full weekend! Last weekend was full of his own party and my parents visiting. This weekend, he is attending the bday parties of two friends.

This morning was Kaitlyn's party at Lemos Farm. Carter had a blast!

Pony rides..

Huuuuge burrito for lunch!

The amazing 4 tiered cake (very yummy too!)

Cowboy Woody (It was a Toy story themed party)

Hard to tell...but that's a lifesize "Jessie" pinata in the background with the kids. It was packed with Candy!

Carter's Birthday Party!

We went to a birthday party this morning, and I realized I never posted any photos here of Carter party! I put a few on Facebook, and made a photo book through Shutterfly...so the day was documented. Thought I'd put up some pics here as well though!

Carter really enjoyed the bouncy house. Here he is catching some serious air!

 With a few friends...

 One of his friends gave him these cool knitted lightsabers (her mom made them). Definitely one of his favorite gifts...and a good toy to cuddle with at night.

 Opening gifts...he really wanted this Lego set. So excited!

Lightsaber cake made by a friend...

Having fun and getting sweaty!

Darth Vade Pinata!

Cake time!

This is the craft we made...R2D2!

The next day Bubby and Daddy and Carter went to the Giants/Dodgers game for a special treat!

Walkathon!

Carter's school had their walkathon today. Carter was soooo excited to go participate. He did a really good job raising money - over $320! He was also excited because Mommy got to come help in class today. It was a little hard for him to see Mom helping other kids though. LOL.

Here he is ready to go...and full of school spirit!

Walking...

His turn to hold the sign - with his best friend in kindergarten...Ainsley.

Snack time after the walk!

With his friend Thomas - these two are pretty cute together!

The whole class!

Coming soon....

For Nancy...

These aren't the best pics, but I'm sharing them here for my sister. She was on the phone when Carter opened his gifts from her, but she couldn't see it. So, here he is...

This one is blurry, but I still shared since he was bouncing around all excited about his Mack Truck Legos

Digging in...

The music card...the best part of all. How long do the batteries last in those things anyways??? LOL

Birthday Party!

Today my sweet little boy turned 5. I am absolutely amazing that 5 years has gone by and that he's grown to be this big...sigh. He's a great kid though, and we are so proud of him!

Here he is...one whole hand!

This evening we had all of Carter's psuedo aunts and uncles over. We are pretty close to Steve's co-workers, and we all get together several times a year to drink, eat, and drink a little more! ;) Carter was super excited to have them all over and parrrrrtay!

Here he is with Geoffrey. The two boys were the only kids and they had a blast playing all night! Geoffrey (and his family) gave Carter the card he's holding. It plays music. Carter is a BIG fan of cards that play music. My sister sent him one that also plays music...although a different tune. Right now Carter is in bed holding both cards and loves to set them off together. Kids!

Opening a very cool car from Otute and Arlin...

Carter and Geoffrey opening up a gift...

Star Wars Lego...is there anything better??

Showing off the goods!

I had to share this photo even though it looks silly. He was all ready to have cake and blow the candles when he decided to have a Starburst candy - his first ever. Well, it got stuck to his teeth just as we started to sing (here's the pic!). About halfway through the song he got it out and decided to tell everyone - "it's OUT!"

Blowing the candles...

Shortly after the cake, Carter and Geoffrey headed off upstairs to build some Lego...almost never to be heard from again! I went to check on them, and I got this "sigh....Mom, could you leave now?"

Have you ever seen a happier smile? Totally, 100% SPOILED rotten!!

**dislaimer** In the next post I forgot to give my sister credit for helping me design all the food signs. Nancy...you're the best! Pics of him opening your gifts come tomorrow...I'm tired!