Reading with David – The Secret Garden

David says:
I gave this story five stars because I liked that in the end everybody is happy and the father really cares about his son.

I like that Mary found the key and the robin showed her the way. I also liked how Mary went from being grouchy to happy and became friends with Martha. My favorite character was the robin cause she was really cute and she was the first “person” to befriend Mary.

I liked that all the animals like Dickon and that he’s nice to everybody. I liked that Colin taught Magic to everyone and that they did exercises each day. I liked that Dickon’s mom gave them extra food so they could make sure the nurse didn’t know Colin was getting better and could surprise his dad. I like how the three kids became such good friends and worked and played in the garden every day together.

Reading a book a week with my six-year-old son David is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

May 1, 2011 | Dbooks 2011, Reading with David | One comment

2011 Priority List and Goals – April Check-in

I thought it might be a good idea to review my goals at the end of each month and see if I am still making sure to prioritize them. I also thought this would be a good time to shift, adjust, add, take away as needed. So here we go. This is still going off the list I posted on January 1, minus the few I deleted in Feburary, with status updates for April.

Family
1. Read and do workbooks with David daily (Project A Book A Week with David).
All of April was our new Mystery series. It was fun for both of us and even though we’ve taken a break, I really enjoyed all four books we read in April.

2. Take photo of full-family and write updates weekly (Project Us Right Now).
Still going strong. This project still makes me so very happy. I am so thankful I decided to do it.

3. Write a daily diary of us + gratitude (Project Daily Diary)
Still keeping up with this as well.

4. Start a family night where we all play games or watch movies together (Scheduled for Sunday nights 6pm)
Family night is going strong. We need some new games but that’s in the plan for tomorrow. I love that it’s a little reserved time for all four of us together. We always prioritize it and look forward to it.

5. Sign up for a mommy/me class with Nathaniel (this still needs to be scheduled)
Something I dropped on the floor this year. I did find Nathaniel a music class for the summer so I will schedule it for us during then.

6. Schedule minimum bimonthly date nights with Jake
April had fewer date nights than usual but we’re still doing them and spending us time.

Health (Project Healthy For Life)
1. Do a combination of walking and running daily, work your way up to 5K a day
2.9 miles a day in April for a total of 87 miles. This month also marked 500 miles and 211 consecutive days of exercise.

3. Do strength exercises 3x a week
I am not doing strength but I have done 30 leg lifts (on each leg) and 10 crunches a day. Every day.

4. Track exercise+food+sleep+water using the fitbit
I am still tracking sleep and exercise. And paying strict attention to food. I’ve gotten better about the food planning too. Now that the summer is here, I stock a lot of fresh fruit and salads at home.

5. Get minimum 7hours of sleep every night and 8 on the weekends
A little less-good on this area. Not for lack of trying though. I am going to bed early but unable to fall asleep or stay asleep. Mostly due to stress. I have faith this will resolve itself and summer is coming soon and my wake up time will get a little later which makes a significant difference.

6. Eat at least one serving of vegetables daily and chicken/fish 3 times a week
Doing well on the veggies. Not eating enough protein still.

7. Walk at least 8500 steps a day and work your way up to 10,000
I didn’t add the 15-minute walk I mentioned last month but I plan to do so in May. This will bring me significantly closer to the 10K number.
8. Walk/Run a 10K
This is still a November goal 🙂 Though I must admit I am not feeling it at all. November is not as far away as it used to be and I fear this might not happen.

9. I also want to work on the coffee+graham crackers intake but not sure of the plan here yet.
Bleh. Still on hold with this one.

Art + Photography
1. Draw and paint a portrait six days a week (Project Six Portraits a Week)
Well I am not doing portraits now but I have sketched every single day since April 10. I even did two sketches a day for three of those days. I did 25 sketches in April. I am quite proud of that.

2. Art journal weekly (Project Weekly Art Journal)
This project is still going strong. I am loving the pages and the process. All of it.

3. Sketch something small daily (15-30mins)
Ah, see #1. 25 sketches baby!

4. Go on a Monthly photo excursion alone or with a photo buddy
I completely forget about this for some reason. I need to remember to schedule it. Now that the weather is pleasant again I think it’s easily doable. Will put on my calendar to schedule this for May.

5. Write weekly extended photo articles on my blog
Yeah, let’s just say this is not a goal anymore.

6. Figure out for once and all if I want an etsy shop and what will go in it
Finally progress on this one! I have come up with an idea. It might or might not pan out but I will work on it in May and we’ll see.

Scrapbooking
1. Create one layout a week just for me
Well I did create several layouts in April but mostly for work.

2. Do monthly The Girls’ Paperie layouts
Since the company is no longer, I doubt I have to continue this but I have done my share for April anyway.

3. Do monthly Pink Paislee layouts
I am all over this. I did both my April layouts in one sitting.

4. Do monthly Creative Therapy layout
Didn’t do any more in April. I am still caught up until July so we’re ok here.

5. Do monthly Write.Click.Scrapbook layout + write one more week during 2011
Same here. All caught up.

6. Successfully teach all four scheduled 2011 classes at Big Picture Classes and the one I am a part of in Masterful Scrapbook Design
All done with classes for now.

7. Aim to do 5-6 guest design spots or classes (that I teach) this year
I have a new guest design opportunity coming up this summer. I am not really trying too hard here at the moment.

8. Submit to one magazine a month (maybe, I can’t decide if I want to do this just yet.)
This is another area where I am not focusing enough. I will have to sit and have a good think about it and decide what to do here. It needs to either be more of a focus or not a goal. I don’t like doing things halfway.

Reading
1. Read a book a week (Project A Book a Week)
2. Read one book with David each week (Project A Book a Week with David)
Still reading a lot. Mostly young adult but I love what I am reading so it’s all good.

3. Regularly attend both book clubs
Well mostly down to one book club now but attended it in April.

Writing
1. Write at least one long thought/idea oriented blog post a week
I didn’t do as well as March here but I am still focusing on this. I will see if I can do better in May.

2. Write one new class (if you have requests, please share)
3. Write one downloadable pdf for my site or etsy (if you have requests, please share)
I do have some ideas here finally. We’ll see if anything pans out.

4. Write+email a newsletter each month
Doing this so far! Next one goes out in two hours 🙂

5. Possibly do NaNoWriMo (not sure of this one…)
We still have quite some time till November thankfully!!

6. Journal at least 5 times a day. Even if just for 15 minutes a day.
Yes! Journaling. Daily. Every day. Missed maybe one or two at most in April. Finally doing good here!

Learning
1. Learn to draw and paint portraits (Project Six Portraits a Week)
On hold for now. But learning to sketch!

2. Take 5-6 online classes this year
I’ve already taken 8 this year. I’m taking Chrsity’s class in May and will sing up for Alisa Burke’s watercolor class that she will announce on Monday. I am also taking Soul Restoration II in June. And I’ve finally figured out how I can use the Remains of the Day class so I will sign up for that one toward late summer likely.

3. Learn to write an iPhone/iPad application (sort of out there but achievable – let me know if you have an app you want)
Well I had made some progress but we’re at a standstill for now. Not focusing on this.

4. Learn how to make a stop-motion movie
No focus on this either. I have an idea but haven’t spent effort on this yet.

Community (This is a particularly hard one for me.)
1. Do a weekly-open house for Nathaniel’s moms group
This is still going strong. Some weeks it’s a few of us, some weeks just one and others none. But it’s great just the way it is.

2. Invite guests over for dinner at least once a month
We had girls’ night here and it was great. Already have a May social night scheduled on Monday.

3. Go out to breakfast/lunch once a month (to work or elsewhere)
I did one in April but to be fair I am not really doing a good job working on this.

4. Reach out to people I admire more often (leave more comments/send emails)
Did less so in April. But I believe in this goal and will keep at it.

And that’s it for April. Overall, I think I did pretty great. Lots of good goals met. Let’s bring on May!

April 30, 2011 | Personal, Yearly Projects | One comment

Daily Diary – April 30 2011

We had Nathaniel’s little birthday get together scheduled for 10am this morning so I exercised soon after I woke up and by the time I showered and got dressed, it was already time to go. David was in a good mood and playing with his brother. He put the hat on and told me to take a photo.

Then he put it on himself.

These are the looks Nathaniel gives me when he knows he’s doing something wrong and he’s been caught (he was putting stickers on the stool.).

And David asked me to take a photo of this, too.

Since the boys were all dressed up nice I asked Jake to take a photo of me with them. They didn’t really want to accomodate though so this is the best we got.

Last night I found this dress on sale at Anthropologie. It is a size two. TWO! I have never been a size two in my life.

Nathaniel was not in a good mood when we gave him his cake.

He didn’t care for the candlelight and didn’t understand why everyone was staring at him.

And gave us all a good “nooooo!”

He played until 11am or so when he started having continual meltdowns and I knew it was bedtime. So we put him down and brought everything back inside. I was in quite a lot of backpain (still am) so I rested and sketched and did a bit of art. David played Wii. When Nathaniel woke up, they both had lunch and then it was time to open presents. David was super frustrated with how long Nathaniel was taking and how patient he had to be.

But they both loved all the presents and Nathaniel played with them immediately when David went back to the wii.

A lovely fulfilling day. For the first time since I started my project I didn’t like either of the weeklong pages I made in my journal today. I’m ok with that however because I think I can likely turn them around when the week comes and if not i’ll deal with them. That’s the great thing about a project like this: it’s the sum of the parts that counts, not each part.

Plans for tonight are small. A little time with my love, the April check-in, a little journaling, and bed. Btw, the newsletter goes out tonight with new digital downloads so last chance to subscribe to make sure you get the May one.

I hope your Saturday was peaceful and joyful.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that our neighbors showed up for Nathaniel’s little cake time and it was so nice to see everyone with their kids.
2. I am grateful that I did some art, even if I am not 100% pleased with it.
3. I am grateful for my size two dress. The numbers on the scale might go up and down and I know Anthro clothes run a bit big but it’s amazing to fit into a size two of anything.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had some of Nathaniel’s cake. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii and did my workbook.
3. I am grateful that I rode my bike, played soccer and chess with daddy.

April 30, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | 3 comments

Us Right Now – April 30

jake
Jake had a great week this week. Got several accounts open and started his new company. He worked a lot and I think things are going well for him. I am really proud of him. He’s also helped me a lot with my work and taking care of things this week. I’ve had a long week so his support and kindness was felt extra-strong this week. I am so thankful he’s around so much more now.

karen
A very long week for me. I expected it to be stressful but nowhere near what it turned out to be. Several last minute fires, late nights, sleepless nights from stress and worry. Overwhelming exhaustion. That was my week mostly. A quick trip to David’s new school. A two-year appointment for Nathaniel. Lots of exercise. And an overwhelming sense of tired. That was pretty much my week here.

david
David went back to school this week and he’s getting back into his routine again. Nothing bad this week from him. He came home happy every day and we’ve done a lot of reading and a lot of workbooks. We’re also starting to plan the summer for David since it’s coming soon. We’re hoping to sign him up for soccer, swimming, and gymnastics classes. And then a weeklong Lego camp, too. I’m excited for the summer. I always like having David around more and always miss him when school starts back up again.

nathaniel
Nathaniel is now officially two. He had the quiet celebration last Sunday with just the four of us and some cupcakes. Then he had his two-year well-child checkup and all was great. And then, today, we had a little party for him at our community area where we live. Many of the neighbors showed up and it was super-sweet to see all the little boys and girls running around together. Nathaniel had a lot of fun, too. He got some wonderful toys and has been playing with them all day. Happy Birthday, my sweet sweet boy.

Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

April 30, 2011 | Family, Us Right Now | 2 comments

Daily Diary – April 29 2011

Today feels like one of those days where several days are rolled into one. Early morning, I exercised and work and then we went to David’s new school for a meet-and-greet which I suck at. Gave them the tuition check (ouch!) and then came back home for a lot more work. Thankfully Nathaniel napped for a long time so I did my work and took a brief lunch break to sketch/eat. And then back to work.

We picked up David and I did my routine with him and then did more work and then ran out to Anthro and bought a dress and a shirt for March and April (I know April’s not over just yet but tomorrow’s Nathaniel’s birthday celebration and now I can wear my new dress.) Then I rushed back home so we could go shopping and get Nathaniel’s cake. The boys sat in the little car in the cart for the first time ever and they both had such a blast and they were hugging and laughing and so so happy that I took a photo with the little camera in my bag. I want to remember that for ever.

When we got home, I still hadn’t taken a photo so I quickly snapped one of David.

But Nathaniel wasn’t nearly as accommodating.

Even when Daddy held him, he just would not let me have it.

So I gave up and Jake gave the kids baths and they went right to sleep. I am hurting all over and drained from a very long day. My plan is to rest and recuperate a little and then go to sleep. I’ve been working on getting more sleep. Tomorrow’s a quiet day with the exception of a brief celebration for Nathaniel. So I will do some art, writing, sketching and just enjoy the weekend. I hope you do the same!!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that this long week is over and i really hope next week is quieter. And I am grateful for the weekend
2. I am grateful for my husband who is always patient and kind with me and who alway forgives me.
3. I am grateful for a fridge full of fresh fruit.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I worked on my workbook {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I sat in the car in the shopping cart.
3. I am grateful that I played soccer with daddy in the backyard.

April 29, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | One comment

Healthy For Life – Week 17

Here were are. Another week. This week might look sad since I have a very slight gain but to be honest, I expected significantly large gain. We were on vacation the end of last week and I didn’t eat nearly as carefully as I usually do. I also didn’t eat that well over the weekend between Nathaniel’s birthday and Easter. To be fair, I didn’t do anything really really unhealthy but I certainly ate more junk than I usually do and I figured I would have to pay for that dearly. So seeing +0.2 wasn’t so sad for me. And it also motivated me to be more careful.

Exercise was hard this week. Every month, there’s that one week that’s super hard and I think this week was it for me. This month has been on the rough side for sleep and hormones and stress so none of those things help with food or with exercise. But, thankfully, they always pass and I go back to being ok. Sunday I increase to 3.0 miles. Big milestone for me and I am proud of myself for making it this far.

This week, I just wanted to put a photo of me. I haven’t gone shopping for March yet and April is almost over. I will do both soon. For now I am happy that I finally get to wear everything I’ve been buying.

and here’s this week’s card:

Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

April 29, 2011 | Health, Healthy for Life | Leave a comment

I Hope and Pray Everyday that I did Right by You

This second Pink Paislee project was an inspiration piece, too.

It was inspired by this amazing cake:

source

White, teal, pink and red might be my favorite color combination of all time.

The journaling Reads:
My sweet boy, as your mom, I make daily decisions that shape your future. What school you get to go to, which friends you can play with, what activities are best, etc. And while I always do my very best to think it through I also worry every day that my decisions are the best ones for you I hope and pray that I am opening and closing the right doors. One thing I know, I am doing my very best to do right by your every step of the way.

Details:

April 29, 2011 | Layouts, Pink Paislee, Scrapbooking | 9 comments

Daily Diary – April 28 2011

Well last night’s issue meant working and working and then having another sleepless night and getting right back to work this morning. But thankfully, it all went ok. At least appears to be so far. One can never be sure.

Little boy is obsessed with David’s Didj. Loves it and tries to play with it.

And I love him.

Even with the way he scratched his face. Especially with that. And all his little boy stuff. I adore him. So much. So deeply.

And this one, too. I adore him. Just looking at the photo makes me feel like hugging him.

I love how excited he gets when he’s telling me a story.

And how he smiles and laughs so much. I’m so blessed.

We tried to cajole the little one to come but he was playing didj and would not leave. Laughed at us a bit, though.

I did finally get him near the light. look at this boy. my boy. my angel.

While I worked in the afternoon, David drew pictures for him. Choo choo, Nathaniel requested.

I love how they are head to head.

And here’s David’s masterpiece. It’s so awesome!

I am completely wiped. From head to toe. My plan for tonight is to work on my art journal and go right to bed. I really really need the rest. I’ve been thinking about summer planning lately. I think I might finally have an idea for my etsy shop and for some other things and I am working on plans for David, too. Too much to think of and I am so exhausted. So thankful tomorrow’s Friday.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the stable push happened successfully (again!)
2. I am grateful that tomorrow is Friday. I need rest so much.
3. I am grateful for all the help i have around me, at work, at home. I am so blessed and lucky and people are so kind and generous and I am so grateful for that.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mommy and i finished our book {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I am watching the Sound of Music.
3. I am grateful that I played on the phone for a little bit.

April 28, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

And More Sketches

Last week was more of sketching Andrea Joseph’s last sketches.

On Wendesday, I decided to try my hands at color with these buttons and here’s my version.

and then on Thursday we were leaving so I tried to pick something quick and I did the pajamas:

on Friday I didn’t have my book so I used a paper and sketched in the car. I did the shoe:

on Saturday I wanted to do something a bit more involved and it ended up being too hard. This guitar:

Sunday, I picked the minibus:

Monday had to be easy since I had so much work. So I picked a banana.

and Tuesday was a pair of shoes in a box:

I have good and bad things to say about each but most of all I am just happy I am still sketching daily. I did one yesterday too and it wasn’t one of Andrea’s and it’s not so great but that’s ok. What matters is that I am doing it and doing it every single day.

Here’s to more and more sketching!

April 28, 2011 | Art, SG, Sketching | 4 comments

Daily Diary – April 27 2010

I had a big push at work early this morning so I was all worried and stressed out all night. I ended up not being able to sleep. I had weird dreams, tossed and turned and even woke up with a pounding headache at 4am. I took two Advils and went back to bed hoping to get one hour of sound sleep before it was time to start the day.

Thankfully I did. Then the alarm went off at 6am, I quickly made David’s lunch and breakfast and was on the treadmill by 6:25. by 7:30, I was showered and ready for the push. Nathaniel discovered the doodle toy upstairs and was showing his dad how to use it while I worked.

Thankfully the push went smoothly and then I rested for a short period and then had to rush out to Nathaniel’s two-year check up. The good news is he’s all great. Perfectly on track with just about everything. Bad news was the got really grouchy and the one shot he had to get didn’t help. By the time we came home he was grouchy grouchy. Would not eat, play, or nap. Whined and whined. Finally after several tries, he did fall asleep but then shortly after I had to wake him up to pick up David and he got super duper grouchy at that.

Meltdown after meltdown and finally he got back to his good mood from the morning, thanks to the toy.

when I asked him what he was doing, he signed “flower.” I guess he was drawing flowers.

this is the only shot I got of David today. Not sure why exactly.

And here’s the little boy playing with stickers as David and I read.

Well I’d write more but an emergency came up at work so it turns out I have to go. More tomorrow!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the stable push happened successfully.
2. I am grateful that Jake helped me so much and it helped my stress tremendously.
3. I am grateful for advil today. I’ve been in a bunch of stress which always translates to a bunch of pain so i am grateful for a simple medicine that works for me each time.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played lego universe at school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got my bandaids off.
3. I am grateful that I gave my friend a sticker at school.

April 27, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

A Book a Week – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was another one of my kids’ book club books. I specifically remembered reading and loving this book as a kid. I must admit that I didn’t remember any of the content but I did remember the book having a special place in my heart.

As I reread the novel, I was, yet again, astonished by its simplistic writing. Compared to today’s young adult novels, this book is so basic and simple. However, the subject matters discussed are anything but. Even though it was a relatively boring read for me, I still related to the awkward nature of being a teenager girl. And moving and trying to make friends and all those things that Judy Blume is flawlessly good at portraying.

It still felt much more simplistic than I remembered from my youth. Maybe this is because the young adult books I read now are for older kids compared to the audience of this one. Regardless of this recent experience, Judy Blume still holds a special place in my heart.

April 27, 2011 | Books Read in 2011, Literature | 5 comments

Daily Diary – April 26 2010

Just like some days are good photo days, others not so much. I only got a few today and none are that great.

This is the kind of smile I get from David, now.

and here’s Nathaniel coming to get the lego box so he can go play near his dad in the other room.

thank you for your kind words on my art journal. I really am enjoying this process a lot. I am hoping to take some time later this week and fill up a few more backgrounds for the coming weeks. This week’s page is already making me happy.

I got a bunch of work done this morning and it made me feel significantly better than yesterday. Though I just ate a lot of food right now and it’s made me feel too full and too guilty. Emotions are so fickle. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get myself more motivated and I think (you might laugh) that maybe I don’t have enough to do. I work well when I have deadlines. I get a little stressed but I also get very motivated and inspired and productive and happy. So I think I might just sit down and create some deadlines for myself.

Yes, I do know it’s a bit crazy….but alas, it might just do the trick.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that today’s tasks went well at work. Hopefully tomorrow morning will go well too and I can breathe a bit better.
2. I am grateful that Jake will be around in the morning to help me while I work.
3. I am grateful for kindness and generosity of spirit today. I feel, in the end, kindness matters more than just about anything. Kindness and integrity.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Mr. Jun read the Mouse and the Motorcycle to me {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got a piece of chocolate after dinner.
3. I am grateful that I watched a little bit of the Sound of Music.

April 26, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

« Newer Entries  
  Older Entries »