Month: May 2012

Graduated Pre-K

May 22, 2012

It is hard for me to believe that Kylie just finished pre-k.  Husband and I attended her “graduation” ceremony and while sitting in the small seats and round tables eating our hotdogs, veggies, and fruits it hit me that she was really done and moving on to kindergarten this fall.

Husband left before Kylie and I because he had to go to work but I left quickly right after him because saying goodbye was hard and I wanted to make it quick and painless (for myself).  After I hugged the assistant teacher, tears started blurring my vision while I tried to rush things along by shoving Kylie to keep moving and agreeing to whatever the assistant was saying to me, but it was too late. I ended wiping my make-up smeared eyes while she went on and on about the difficulties of goodbyes.

I think I miss this whole experience more than my daughter.

Deep down, I realize that this is it.  This is my last child in preschool and I will never get to experience this part of the journey again.  It is moments like these that I wish time would just stand still a little longer so that I can soak it all in.

Gone Android

May 21, 2012

Last week, husband and I upgraded our phones to androids.  We tried to avoid getting into the android world because it’s too expensive and too time consuming…time away from the family.  But, we did it.

For me, it’s really about having a good quick camera with me at all times.  I wanted the flexibility of being able to take a photo anytime and anywhere without carrying a big bulky camera or separate heavy pieces in my purse.  Before, I would carry my cell phone, Nikon Coolpix, my wallet, Kindle, calendar book, sketchpad, keys, sunglasses, and some beauty products all in my purse.  I even wanted to get an HD camcorder to record my daughters’ activities and family events when we are out and about.  Imagine all that in a large heavy purse!

One year in college, I only carried a small cloth zipper wallet big enough to fit my ID’s, credit cards, and a chapstick, and it fit into the front pocket of my jeans or into a pocket in my jacket…life was simple and I loved it.  I have no pictures or video to remember much of that time though.  And, with me being forgetful these days…photos and videos really help keep me together, and of course, they are also for memories of our family.

I am glad to say that my new android phone has been a big help.  The all-in-one thing is great (I still have to carry an actual calendar schedule though) and I’ve realized that I’ve been missing out on technology, especially in the area of apps.  My husband loves playing with the apps more so than I do, but I do have a few that I am child-like about:

1.  Instagram

Love love love this app!  This is the app that I’ve been dying to have and have been going bonkers with it ever since I got it.

Here are some shots I’ve taken:




2. Shazam

My sister (who does not have an android yet but will soon) introduced me to this.  It will come in handy when I hear a song on the radio that I love but don’t know the title or singer.  I tested it yesterday while driving home from my parents’ house and got way too excited.

3. Barcode Scanner

Used to scan Quick Response (QR) barcodes and books.

I learned that I could generate my own QR barcode and generated two of them.

This blog:

My digital scrapbook blog:

Go here to generate your own code.

I promise, I will not get too deep into apps.  I know how time consuming they can be.  I’ve watched my husband play with his apps and I miss having him sit next to me with us lost in a good conversation.  I got down on him about it last week and he put the phone down but he did get right back to it over the weekend.

Flutter the Rolly Polly

May 16, 2012

I am not a bug person.  Bugs scare me (except for bees and spiders).  Rolly polly’s aren’t so bad but I’d prefer not to be near them.

My daughters, on the other hand, love bugs.  I don’t want them to have the same fears I have about bugs so I pretty much have to bite my tongue and deal with it when they get excited over them (well…except for a certain kind of bug that I can’t mention because I will pass out at the thought and sight of it).

Kylie captured this little one from her grandparent’s garden and named her, Flutter.  Flutter lasted about a day in her plastic container (with lid off at all times).  The next morning, she was gone.  We think she climbed her way out and is in hiding somewhere in our house.

Mother’s Day

May 14, 2012

Went to my 5-year-old’s Mother’s Day Tea Party at her preschool earlier today.  She was so excited when she told me about it last week, but on this day, she showed no excitement at all.  It was still a 99 on her scale of 1-10 (10 being the best).

Got a card and chocolates from husband.  We both are upgrading our phones to androids so that was my gift.  I can’t wait to get it!  Finally, a phone with a much better camera.  I’ve been dying to play with Instagram.

Friday, got a wrapped gift from Kida and she begged me to open it right away (as soon as she got in the car when I picked her up from school) and beautiful flowers from my youngest sister and her boyfriend.

Saturday  (It was actually on Sunday), we celebrated Mother’s Day for Mom.  I made a card for her using papers and elements from the “Moment In Time” kit.

Mom also got flowers from my sister.

I couldn’t resist getting a shot of this bird from her flowers.  🙂

The Nest

May 11, 2012

There is a nest by the front door up in the corner.  When it gets windy this nest gets blown out of place and lands by the door.  A new one always gets built right a way.

This all started last spring.

And, like last spring, an egg either falls out or gets pushed off, and makes a mess on the porch.