I am little down tonight. We went to my inlaws earlier today for some pizza and beer (Whadup Uncle TBone) and my SIL and I decided that it would be cool to head to Minneapolis for a weekend in September, there’s a scrapbook convention up there and JT doesn’t want to go and neither of us have been to the Mall of America. We were both getting kind of excited at the prospect of a girls weekend. So tonight I checked airline tickets (no hotel), I was thinking perhaps around $200 nope not even close. Try $400-$500. There goes that fun idea. Stupid airlines. My dream of visiting the holy land of shopping venues while a scrapbooking event happens will have to wait until gas prices cease and desist.

I hate my blog design. There I said it. Don’t get me wrong I adore logging on everyday and staring at my children up at the top but I despise how boring this design is. I wish I could spice it up, I am a creative mind people and I need color, prints, pictures… you know personality! So JT agreed that I could buy my own domain and I am not going to say what it is until I buy it, I don’t want anyone to steal the name :-). But here’s my problem. How in the world do you choose your host? I am probably going to stick with WordPress because I am familiar with them and I consider it to be easy to navigate but I just don’t know who to choose (Blue Host, Dreamhost???). I of course want to choose the most affordable (cheapest really) because I have to have money left over for my wonderful blog design, don’t even get me started on how in the world I am going to choose a designer. But back to my “domain” have you noticed how the hosts will say it only costs $6.95 a month to host your domain but when you start to investigate it says things like: $6.95 a month if you pay for 24 months otherwise if you pay monthly it’s $9.95. Okay well shouldn’t they just say that it’s $166 instead. Well anyway I hope to be making these “huge” decisions before the end of the summer. After all I do have a 3rd birthday to over plan and over spend for so I will think more about it after August :-). Until then I will dream of such Widgets like Shelfari and Amazon.

If you live in Missouri than chances are you have seen these ugly things:

Can you tell I don’t like them. There is nothing great about them (or the other 2 we were given to vote on). I like the state being on there that’s nice but the state bird. Please, half of Missourians don’t even know what the state bird is let alone care. Driving down the highway I can’t even tell that it says Missouri (the word is in italics) or that it says Show-Me State (better yet it is missing the hypen between show and me - idiots) and it looks all white. I think they are UGLY, but that’s just my opinion take it for what it’s worth… a complaint no one cares about

I’ll stick with the old version I have as long as I can. At least it’s colorful!!!

 (no that’s not my plate #)

 We just finished our copy of The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly: Costa Rica and I gotta say the kids were really into the whole books experience. Here’s a synopsis on the book (from the book): Lilly P. Badilly is a little millipede with a brilliant mind and an exceptional talent for playing the piano. She lives in a teeny, tiny hole in the wall in the Miami International Airport with her grandparents, Nellie O. Badilly and Willie Z. Badilly. Together they embark on a most unique, and sometimes hilarious, travel adventure deep into the fertile rain forest of Costa Rica. It is there that Lilly is forced to face her biggest fears in order to save the lives of her family, herself and her new friends. Along the way, Lilly learns a lot about geography, culture and the plants and animals of Costa Rica. Best of all she discovers that if she uses her brain, she can work through her fears and turn a frightening situation into a celebration.

Brilliantly written by Debbie Glade this book is entertaining with it’s funny humor (Grandpa especially) nice and colorful illustrations and the wonderful music that accompanies this book via CD. J really enjoyed dancing to the music and the colorful pictures but the message was a little lost on him because of his age. L actually liked the book and the narration on the cd. The narration is done by Debbie herself (she has some very silly voices) and also by her husband John. The music is done by John on harmonica and Rachel on piano. Debbie, her husband John and their daughter Rachel have done a wonderful job on this book. We can’t wait to read more adventures from Lilly.

Wanna read the book for yourself? Check out Lilly and Debbie’s website at www.lillybadilly.com. You can purchase your own book there also see some sample pages and audio from the book. The book is recommended for kids ages 5-10 (why I think J was a little lost) and I think it would be perfect for those classroom reports that come later in their educational careers. We highly recommend this book.

Ooops… almost forgot to tell you about the writing contest they are having.

TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST

Young readers are invited to write a short story about one of their own real life or imaginary travel adventures anywhere in the world. The best stories will be published on www.smartpoodlepublishing.com and www.lillybadilly.com. Three lucky winners will receive $25 in cash, a free copy of The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly: Costa Rica, autographed to each winner by Debbie Glade herself.

Here are the rules:

• The contest is free!!
• The story should not excede 1,000 words
• The story should be based on a real life or imaginary place anywhere in the world
• The story should be original
• Parents, please do not help your children write their stories
• Submit your stories via email to: smartpoodle@comcast.net or mail it to Smart Poodle Publishing, PO Box 817468, Hollywood, FL 33081. Please include a parent’s email address so we can notify you if you are the winner.
• Deadline is September 1, 2008
• Contest is open to readers in 3 age groups: ages 5-6; ages 7-8; ages 9-10
• There will be one winner (total of 3) for each age group
• Each entry will be judged on creativity, interest and how well the story is written
• Stories will be published on the website but only with the author’s first name and last initial
• The winners will be notified by September 31, 2008
• If you have any further questions please send an email to smartpoodle@comcast.net

There are your rules now have your kids start their stories!!! Good Luck!!

So I went and got my haircut yesterday and my lovely hairstylist was talking about a concert she was either going to or had been to (sorry I can’t remember - that was yesterday - I’m lucky if I remember what happened this morning). My cousin O was talking about how she went and saw Crewfest (Motley Crue, Buckcherry and Papa Roach) I cannot wait for her post on this experience. Wanna know what we are going to see this summer? It’s very exciting…

We are off to see…. wait for it…. THE WIGGLES on August 5th. Yes I know I am a glutton for punishment but my little guy is turning 3 at the end of August and he is infatuated in love with the Wiggles. It gets better.

On September 6th (one day before JT’s birthday) we are off to see Disney on Ice starring the Incredibles (another J favorite). I know, I know. I can barely contain my excitement.

What happened to our concert life? I remember going to see almost every concert that would come to St. Louis. My absolute favorite was Cher (no judging) it was an incredible concert. But, this is what my life has come to Wiggles and Disney.

So my favorites list is ever changing. But here are a few of my favorite things.

I just finished Sophie Kinsella’s newish book Remember Me? It was so good I finished it in three nights (staying up until 1:00 am all nights). I couldn’t put it down. I really like Sophie Kinsella and wish I hadn’t read ALL of her books so far that way I could dive into another one. I do really like her new character Lexi but nothing compares to a Becky story (she’s the shopaholic).

Word World. I love this cartoon. My kids love it. J was playing today and he just stopped in his tracks to sit down and watch. Whoever came up with the show’s concept is a genious. Seriously turning letters into the animated item that they spell. Genious. At this rate I may not have to teach L how to spell. Ah the TV ceases to amaze me (joking).

  My mom’s pond. Just call me the Fish Whisperer. I have trained my mom’s fish and part ours (we all have one) to eat their food from our hands. They come up and give you little sucker kisses. At first I didn’t like it but it grows on you. In fact the very first fish to give me a little suck would be JT’s fish Clooney. He’s gray and black or Salt N Pepper. Hmmm kind of like someone else I know (JT). But she has her plants all planted around the edges now and it’s like an oasis. JT has informed me that we will be building one right away when we buy our house. I’ll post pictures when she is completely done planting. You won’t believe the transformation. It’s breathtaking. She doesn’t have just a green thumb she has two green hands.

  Scrapbooking (as always) our Disney trip. I am finally feeling inspired. I showed the one page for our road trip part but I will show more as I finish them. I am very excited. Also I am supposed to be working on our cousin’s daughters first birthday book but I haven’t had any inspirations yet, but I am very excited because I started making them a random family book. I really hope they like it.

 And last but not least, rainy days. It has been so hot, humid and sunny for so long, I am appreciating the cloudy and rainy day today. It’s really relaxing.

I’m back!! I took a little break from WFMW. I couldn’t think of anything and I haven’t been home on Wednesdays for a while but here I am today so here’s my tip:

When we went to Disney World we were in the car for what seemed like an eternity so I would get the camera out and play, there was nothing else to do (plus it was a brand new camera). Well it turns out we had some awesome pictures to add to our scrapbook. I came up with the idea for a timeline. I love this layout with the little license plates and words. But the best part it’s simple, here are some pictures (you should be able to enlarge them if you just click on the pics).

Page One/Day One:

Page Two/Day Two:

It was so easy! Even if you haven’t scrapbooked a day in your life you can do this. Just scissors, a pen, paper and the pictures. That’s really all you need. The other stuff is just an added plus. Hope this helps you with your road trip pictures.

Check out everyone else’s tips today at Rocks in My Dryer’s Works for Me Wednesday.

Yep, that’s my mom they are playing with. I can’t tell you how it warm’s my heart when I see all three of them together. She can always make my kids crack up, she can make them wild and then calm them down right away. She is truly a blessing. Not so wordless… sorry!

Check out more WW (www.wordlesswednesday.com). Have a great Wednesday!!

L had another great day with her GeGe. She attended her second class at the Missouri Botanical Garden. It was a tour of Henry Shaw’s Garden and then she was able to plant her own garden. To her garden she added a pond. Gee I wonder why? Could it be because GeGe has a pond now. She is too cute she tells me she needs her own fish for her pond. We’ll see what I can come up with, maybe a button shaped like a fish would be cute. Anyway, here is a picture of L with her project today.

Sorry it’s a little blurry.

She was so proud of her garden that she wanted to purchase some more colorful rocks (we were able to buy them in the garden’s store (which I love by the way). The sign in there says Pond L. I am very proud of her myself.

While L and my mom were in their class my grandmother, J and I took the garden’s tram ride, which in the several years I have lived here and been going to the garden (at least 20 times a summer) I have never done. It was very nice. This morning was cool and overcast and we learned a little about the garden without having to walk around the entire thing (which can take hours) the ride only took 30 minutes.

Here are some of my favorite garden spots:

 The Japanese Garden. I love the koi fish, the water that surrounds the islands of sand and trees, the waterfalls and streams, cherry blossoms and the raked to perfection gravel gardens. JT and I originally wanted to marry there but they never had a date that was appropriate for us and our schedules.

 The English Woodland Garden is definitely one of my favorites. It’s covered under a canopy of trees and has these winding paths that you can take all over the woodland garden. You’ll find waterfalls and streams and beautiful trees. Perfect for picture taking.

And check out these trees.

 I love this tree. To me it would be the perfect place for a clubhouse. You could play underneath there and dream the days away. I would have loved a play area like that.

 Look at that branch isn’t it beckoning for someone to come and sit down. Or hang a swing from me. I would love a tree like that too. Most of the trees at the garden have lightning rods circled around them so they aren’t split in half. Isn’t that genious. I never would have thought of that.

Sorry I was little infatuated with the trees today. I couldn’t help it, it was a beautiful day and I was resting on the train. I was actually able to look up for a change.

Okay that’s enough garden talk.

No unfortunately no updates on the family I am talking of course about my reality TV crushes.

The Next Food Network Show: Who is going to win? I can’t pick just one. I want Lisa to win but I am not sure she will because then I have grown to love the other two just as much. I have to wait a whole week to find out.

Design Star: Wow I totally picked Matt Locke to win the whole shebang. We shall see. I should have bet my husband a shopping spree or something as fabulous.

Well you know where I will be next Sunday night. Oh did I mention that Big Brother 10 started and I really like this one. It’s a normal one. No twists or turns. Just Big Brother as it should be. I am also psyched because Monk started again along with… well Psych. Then the most anticipated reality show by myself and my hubby would be Project Runway 5 and that my friends has started too. Lord help me, thank you for our DVRs. Can they burn out from use?