Barbie And Her Friends Go To School

 Little Yellow Bicycle designed some cute school themed papers which sparked an idea in my head. Since Barbie and Ken  need to attend yet one more year of pretend school I made them a classroom just for them. I can hardly wait for Jayden and Sofie to visit so we can play with this doll sized movie set.
 Little Yellow Bicycle's 'Makin The Grade' locker paper is perfect for my imaginary school walls.

 I cut the lockers doors so they open up like real lockers. I will let my grand daughters deside on how to
decorate the insides.
 I added a few small details to make playing school fun.

Hopefully the notes on the bulletin board will spark someone's creativity in coming up with social scenarios for Barbie and her friends. School dance? Football game? Chemistry lab? Lead singer in the choir? School play? Detention hall? Swim tryouts? Barbie will be sure to have a reason to change her outfits over and over.

I will be on the lookout for things to make more movie sets for Barbie. She needs a kitchen, bedroom, library, theatre, and who knows what else! I think I like making movie sets in miniature more than sewing those skinny clothes.

Faux Painted Walls

Please do not ask Bruce or Amanda just how many trips I made to Lowe's and Home Depot. Please do not look in the box of painting tools to count just how many mixed samples of paint I purchased. And I promise I will not ask your opinion on yet another color sample . . . cause I've finally decided and the painting is complete!!!!! Do I hear angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus?

The painting part was really fun, it was just a tad frustrating knowing what color and technique I wanted and not finding it in a paint can with my name on it and a full color brochure with foolproof instructions written in detail waiting for me.

And the paint people giving me contradicting info did not simplify the process.

And then there was the little detail that the new furniture arrived in a different finish than I had envisioned. (It only took about a week for my brain to overcome that glitch)

And when you give a mouse a cookie you have to buy a new bedspread. (tee-hee) And six fun pillows to complete the new fashion statement.

Last item needed are curtains. My wallet and hubby need a reprieve, so that will come later.

For next time I have learned a lesson- When deciding on what color to paint a room go to every paint store you know of and pick up one of EVERY one of those paint chip cards. It will save immensely on time and gas.

A Day At Sand Hollow

Andi is rather talented at making sand Merman/boy.

Michael was very patient in sitting as the model.

Braxton's interests were side-tracked quite easily.

Tossing moist sand blobs over his shoulder became more exciting

than packing it over his brother's legs.

Caden and Grandma had a blast

blasting water from the dollar store squirt sticks.

(Maybe Grandma had the 'more' fun.)

Who would have thought playing in red clay

would be something a person could do for hours?

Resurrecting a Poloroid Photo

Way back in 1984, before the invention of the digital camera, there was a thing called 'poloroid film'. One of the benefits of using this technology was that a person could view the outcome of a photo shortly after taking the shot.  One of the drawbacks was the cost and the quality could be poor. And years later the quality would diminish even more. Still- I believe the end result is a few steps above cave drawings. :)

The moment remembered here is a Saturday morning, late in fall, playing with my three sons. Chris, Chad and Jim. Chad is atop his new rocking horse which he received on his birthday that year. I believe all three boys are wearing cowboy boots. Yes- with sweats!!!!

I love these guys!!!!

Peace, Love and Teenagers

    Granted that Aaron and Andi are no longer in the 'teen' catagory, and Amanda has less than a year remaining with that label, but at the time of this photo they were each very much in that stage. The great times exceeded the not so perfect times. We each survived that stage in life. Even though some of us just barely.

    My face lights up with a smile everytime I see this page. I love how the varied pattern papers behind my smilely children exudes love, happiness, and fun. I adore these three amazing people! :)

Photo Book

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Run, Andi, run!

It has been a while since Andi competed in track. She began running at meets in Junior High. I have great memories of hot, long days waiting and watching her race around the track. There were a few wet and cold days too. It was all fun. Andi tried her best each time. She has awesome endurance and makes a mom proud.

These memories make me smile. :)

P.S. Amanda took the chain link fence picture. (top photo) She entered and won in the Reflections contest with this one. We have talent just oozing in all directions in this family!