I'm Back (I Think)

Well, hello again! I think I am back. I have been 'out' for a while. Please forgive moi, s'il vous plait. Trying to get some medical issues under control. Everyone is doing well. The kids have been great. They have been so helpful. Darby made all A's & B's on her report card. She brought up her 'C' in math up to an 'A'. She did great. Billy also brought up a 'C'in science or social studies to a 'B'. They both made honor roll. I am very proud of them.

We just celebrated a birthday last week. My baby (Billy) is now 9. I am feeling sooo old. Darby will be 13 in about 6 weeks. My goodness, I will be a mother to a teen - yikes!!!

I do hope that everyone is doing well also. It has been kinda crazy around here. I just hope that I am able to keep up with my blog this time! :-)

Until next time, be happy and healthy!!!

Parties & Pumpkins

Here is Will and I on our way to another party. This one was for adults. Darby babysat Billy.
They watched movies and ate pizza.
Our friend Linda went also. Some of the kids that were in the area got a little scared.

So, Sunday came and Will left. The kids and I decided to carve the pumpkins. It was nice outside so we sat in the driveway. Will usually does this, but since he left - I did. The electric knife worked!

Billy was quite amused by the insides of the pumpkin. He wanted a picture. I don't know if all pumpkins are like this, but the insides were stringy. Very wierd.

Darby and Billy finished carving the faces. They did really well. They took their time and was careful.

The finished pumpkins. Billy and Darbys. They are cute.

Halloween

Well, it's that time of year to dress up. I gave in and let the kids do something 'spooky'. We went to a costume party this morning with our Tae Kwon Do school. Everyone had fun. Darby dressed up as... I'm not quite sure. Billy dressed as the grim reaper - minus the teeth. He rubbed them off before he ate. Will and I were Romans. It was fun.

Billy is in the middle with the scythe. He looked so... spooky!

I made these for a few friends. They are filled with candy corn, mmmm.

Oct Test

Another testing cycle is now complete. Yeah!!! It was a very long cycle. Will, Billy and I tested. Darby is in a different category now. She should test for her 1st degree in Dec. Darby was in charge of pictures. The camera gave her a bit of trouble, so there aren't a bunch of pics. Anyhow, these are a few. Will and I got to go first. We were hoping that all three of us went at once, but it didn't happen. Darby got some great shots anyway.

Billy did really well. He took his time and he looked really sharp.

The family

picture after. Darby didn't want to be in the picture. So I couldn't just leave her out. Here she is a week earlier playing a game, like a pretzel.

Wedding Bells

I've already been hounded for not updating my blog. It's been a busy couple of weeks. School started a few weeks ago and we are trying to continue our 'routine'. I am usually exhausted by 10pm. So as for late night stamping or blogging, doesn't exist at the moment. Will got back on Friday from his latest TDY trip. It made for a long week. Billy is not used to getting up until 7:30, so it was a very early week for him. I made this card before I went to babysit. It is for a couple that just got married. We know him from Alaska. Now that Will is back, we can send it off in the mail. So, Carol, here is my wedding card that I told you about. The ribbon (stamped image) is layered with an iridescent blue glitter. The 'real' ribbon is an iridescent white. It's hard to see those details in the photo.

Darby's Day

8 September 2007, Black Belt Extravaganza

Darby did her test for her Black Belt recommended. She did really well. We are really proud of her. The testing was held at a local high school gym. It was pretty hot and stuffy. Lighting wasn't very good, so these are the pics that I was able to get clear. Anyway, it seemed like everyone that was testing did well. The students had to perform a few forms. It was a large group, 3 schools combined for the testing - all Petitto's schools. Students were testing from Black Belt (rec) all the way to 3rd degree. It was nice. There was a candlelight and tea ceremony for the students that earned a degree.


Here she is getting her new belt. The instructors tie the old belt that is known as the 'belt of accomplishment'. Miss Connelly is the head instructor from the Glouster school. She tied on Darby's new belt.







YEAH!!!



Testing is all done. She is sooo proud and happy. We went to dinner to celebrate. She decided on Chinese food. Hey, it was her choice! Some of her friends came to watch and support her. Her friend Casey came to dinner with us. He is a sweet kid. He picks at his food just like Darby. It was very funny and cute. No wonder they get along so well, they are just like each other! It was a nice ending for the day.

A Quick Trip

Labor Day Weekend

I've been hounded the last week about updating my blog, so... here it is. The family took a quick trip to SC for our final days of summer. The weather turned out to be great in Myrtle Beach. The kids got to take a ride in the convertible with Papa. Once they hit the highway, Billy decided his head was on 'fire' so Papa had to pull over and put the top up. Before we got on the road to come home, we ate lunch at the Atlanta Bread Company (kinda like Panera Bread).


Darby and Billy with Papa (above) and with Mama (left).











We stopped in Smithfield, NC to have some dinner with my sister and her family. We like to eat at Andys. Cheesesteaks and such, it's good and quick. My little nephew Zachary was so happy to see us. He just loves his Elmo.



I just don't believe that he is a little monster. He is always so sweet and never a shortage of hugs and kisses! .


The kids had a blast while waiting on their food. It wasn't too crowded at the time, so they weren't 'threatened' too much....
We also got to meet the newest addition to their family. 'Libby' is so cute and tiny. The kids just loved on her. Yeah, I guess I did a little also.












But, it was time to get back on the road to get home. Kids started school the day after Labor Day. We gave our hugs and kisses (and last minute pics) and were on our way. My sister Carol and I with Libby.