My kids My life....

It has been so hard to stay focused with all that has been going on lately. The kids are back and in school. That means I am up earlier in the mornings and off to work earlier. Then it is picking them up and making sure homework is done and that they are fed, showered and in bed by 9. This morning was a mission. Niah complaining about her shoes not fitting properly. This is normally what happens when she doesn't want to wear the shoes I pick out. 10 minutes of whining. That is so annoying. But I felt bad for yelling at her cause when we were walking to school she told me sorry for whining. "Sorry for whining Mommy," in that squeaky little voice that melts my heart. She really is such a sweet baby. Nayshawn is trying to get use to having to wait for her in the mornings. This morning he walked off and left her. I can understand his frustrations having two younger brothers myself.

I still can't understand, when I look at Nayshawn he seems to be growing so fast. When I look at Niah she is getting older but seems so little. I guess that is the result of being a preemie or is it all just in my head? The bottom line is my babies are getting bigger and it is so bitter-sweet for me.

I have been feeling like I am moving a warp speed. So last night I slowed it down a bit and did two layouts. Both with some really bright colors to help make me smile.

One Full Week of School .....

This week kinda flew by. Kids are doing really well in school. No complaints. Nayshawn is learning plot graphs. I know it was a long time ago but I really don't remember learning about plot graphs in 2nd grade. I am glad that he finds it interesting. Niah is learning really basic stuff that is kinda pissing her off. She wants to learn things she doesn't know yet. But I keep tell her it will soon come. Her book bag got a mysterious whole in it so I had to get her a new one. Her sneakers she claimed was squeezing her pinkie toes so I had to buy her new shoes. That little girl is expensive. Overall she is having a good time. Tonight they get to pick what they eat for dinner and I really hope it is not McDonald's.

My weekend - My girlfriend is having a baccalaureate party complete with stripper. I have not watched a stripper since I was in college. I think it should be entertaining. After the stripper we should be headed to the club. I plan on sleeping in on Sunday for sure.

I really don't want to leave you without a picture, so here you go.

First Day of School....

Well the first day of school is finally here. I am so glad.... some normality. Niah started Kindergarten. I thought she would be sad because she had been saying she didn't want to go but she gave no problems. I think it is because she has Nayshawn's Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Diaz who she is familiar with. I love it when things go smoothly. Nayshawn on the other hand was so ready he got up early yesterday and packed his book bag. I took the day off work so I will be going over to the school to watch and make sure they get on the correct bus for after care.

Oh the pic of Nayshawn in his class is so far because he didn't want me to embarrass him by taking pics of him in his classroom. Imagine that. Now to do some scrapping.

Getting Ready for School....

Went to Six Flags over Georgia on Saturday. This was our last outing before school. It was extremely hot. Of course we had to go in the mist of a heat wave. Niah was very disappointed because she really could not go on a lot of rides. I stayed back with her and did other little things. Over all it was a great experience. Thanks to my brother Gavin for giving us the tickets. I love you babe.

Had to head back to those track one last time before we left GA. This time I brought the tutu. I love that thing. This is one of the few pics that I like from the many I took. Niah was tired and wouldn't cooperate. So most of the pics are here with her face all made up.

Well, things are slowly getting back to normal after a very fun and short summer. The kids are back home and preparing to head back to school next week. They loved Georgia but are happy to be home. Niah is excited about going to Kindergarten and Nayshawn is happy to be going back to see his friends. Niah is going tomorrow for her screening and then Friday she meets her teacher. I have no babies anymore. I have started my new hours this week. Yesterday was not so bad but this morning was very hard for me. My brothers and cousins were over til late last night and I woke up a little late. I will get the hang of this soon. I have no choose school starts on Monday.

What Do Patents Do When the Kids Are Away????

They play with the camera and take pics of themselves. LOL.

Me and Ezzy bugging out last week.

Thought I would share.

I was practicing using my tripod.

Does this picture make my butt look fat??

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Hellooooooooo! Sorry, haven't blogged in a while. Been busy enjoying the summer. The kids have been having a wonderful time in Georgia but I think they are ready to come home. And, yes I think I am ready for them to come home as well. I have had fun enjoying life without kids this summer but for the most part I really missed them. And I don't think I or they will be going anywhere for a while. We leave on Friday to go get them and bring them back. I think I have gotten everything for them for school. I have also changed their daycare and in doing that I have had to change my work hours from 9-6 to 8:30-5:30. Niah will go for her Kindergarten screening next Wednesday and then the 20th they are back in school. Wow, the summer is done. Well, don't know how much blogging I will be doing this week since Ezzy and I will be spending every night this week together doing something. But I will be on when I get back on the 12th. Enjoy the remainder of your summer. ((hugs)) Shawna Here Are some recent LO's using the TallyScaler and Red Velvet July kits. The first 2 are with the Red Velvet Kit and the last is with the TallyScrapper Kit.

Back From GA without My Kids.....

Well, I am back. Actually got back on Monday. The kids opted to stay in Georgia with my sister-in-law (Lucky for me). We had tons of fun. Went to the Georgia Aquarium and spent time with friends and family. Love the calm atmosphere of the area but not in love with the traffic in and out of Atlanta. Great place to visit (for me anyway) and since we now have friend up there and most of Ezzy's family is moving there we will be visiting a lot. Here are some pics from or trip.

My weekend....

Well, Friday evening we made a visit to the beach. The kids swam for about an hour or should I say Nayshawn swam and Niah and I watched for about an hour. Then we took a walk, listened to the live band that was playing while the kids ate snow cones.

On Saturday we went to watch Transformers. Loved it. It brought me back. Today was a very calm bug out day. Just enjoying the family.

Oh made a Tutu for Niah today using some instructions I found on Two Peas.

Got my Kit from Red Velvet Kit Club. Yummy. I have already started playing with it. They had a challenge on their blog to do a 6X12 LO. I tried it and actually liked it. I am working on another one now.

Almost Passed Out.....

Since my kids came back from Jamaica on Sunday they have been staying with my mother-in-law's while I am at work. Today I got there just to see Nayshawn run up to me and show me that he knocked out his two front teeth (top). I almost passed out. He was doing a flip and his knee came up and knock his mouth and the two teeth fell out. The sad thing is that Ezzy knew and he didn't tell me. So needless to say I was hysterical. It is one thing to have them fall out but it is another thing to knock them out. I might have Ezzy make him a flipper so he doesn't have to walk around with that gap. Although I don't think it matters to him. I took him to the park because I felt bad about getting all worked up about it. I also wanted to try out my new lens (50mm 1.8). I think I am in love.

Here are more pics of the kids rooms. Good night.

Sneak Peak...

Niah's stripe wall and Nayshawn's camaflouge wall. We are still putting the rooms together so when they are done I will post the pics.

Wow Time Flies...

Well, lets see. What have I been doing? I have been trying to redecorate Nayshawn and Niah's room for them. Kind of a surprise and welcome home gift. I have primed and painted Nay's room and Ezzy has started the Camouflage It will be done by tonight. I will post pics when it is finished. I still have to go to the army surplus store to get some storage for toys. I will paint the stripes on Niah's walls tonight and then it is just putting up the beds together and rearranging some furniture. They will be back on Sunday and I am so ready to see them. My Mom is in Jamaica now so they are staying with her until she brings them back on Sunday. Then it is off the Georgia for the rest of the summer. We will leave on the 18th and Ezzy and I will come back on the 23rd. The kids will be staying with Ezzy's sister and his mom. While we are there we will visit the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags. The rest of the time will be spent with family and friends.

One more thing. I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friend Tasha and her son who is Nayshawn's partner in crime. I had so much fun. I am really happy with how the pics came out. I am already looking for some one else to snap some shots of. Here are a couple of the pics I really like from that shoot.

What my Kids See....

Happy Friday.

A Kids Eye View...

So the other day Nayshawn called to ask if I could send his camera with my Mom when she goes down to Jamaica tomorrow. ( I had given him my very old Sony Cyber Shot to see how he does with it before I purchase a new camera for him.) I wanted to make sure he had enough space to take as many pictures as he wanted to I uploaded the pictures on the camera. Most of the pics are of His TV and his cars but I saw this one that he took of himself. It is out of focus but something about it makes me smile. I think it is because I think it really captures his little personality. I just got off the phone with Niah and they are at the beach. Oh I miss spending time like that with them. They should be back by the 8th when my Mom comes back. I can't wait to see them. As a surprise I am trying to redecorate their rooms. I bought each one a new bed and I bought the army fatigues bed set that Nay wanted. Also Niah got her Daybed. Ezzy wants to paint the wall behind his bed with fatigues and Niah will probably get pink and purple stripes. This is so much fun I love decorating. I hope they like it. Here are some more that were on the camera. (Kevin, Gavin, Ezzy's new Tattoo, Niah and Me)

Cousins Weekend in Orlando...

So the Weekend after I came back from Jamaica I planned a little getaway with my brother and cousins and hubby of course. We went to Orlando. We all had such a good time. Eight of us just clowning. We stayed at the Disney Pop Century Hotel and did two parks in one day. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We definitely plan on doing something else in the future. Here are some pics from the park.

These are pics from the hotel. That hotel was so fun.

We also check out Disney's Pleasure Island. Here are pics of us.