Weekend with the Grandkids

Angie spent the weekend with me. I loved having her here. Callie was such a little ham Friday night. She has the cutest personality.
Angie and Callie:

Callie anticipating the flash:

Callie has a new smile now that her two top teeth have gotten larger.

Caitie brought Kayana over and we decided to bath the babies together. Isaac came in and asked Angie, "Should I take a bath? Should I; Should I?" so of course we put him in the tub as well.

Kayana - all smiles.

A blurry one of Callie, but she is so cute, I had to add it.

Kayana getting dried off:

Callie showing that even with teeth she can still fold that top lip over her gums:

I kept Isaac and Callie while Angie and Caitie had a yard sale over at Caitie house. I was thankful to have them. I don't get to tend them often, so it was a real treat. Driving an hour for a baby sitter isn't something that is done very often. Callie awoke this morning full of smiles and giggles. Isaac was not happy that his mom was at the yard sale without him, but he soon warmed up and randomly said, "I love you Grandma." He also said, "Matthew is a good uncle. Boys are uncles, so I am an uncle too." We talked about how one becomes an uncle. I think he got it.

This is how Isaac and Matthew spent Saturday:
I asked a very serious Isaac to smile, so . . .
he tilted his head - in Isaac speak that must be a smile.
Trampolines are not just for jumping;
they are also used as tummy warmers.
Caitie came over for dinner Saturday, so I had three of my four grandchildren here. The babies are so cute together. Callie took a toy away from Kayana and then tried to feed it to her. I often wish I had a camera in my eye for all those times when the camera is not right with me. I love being a grandma. Nothing beats hugs from my grandchildren.

Piano Recital and Baseball

Matthew had a piano recital. He played Boogie Train, Mexican Jumping Beans, and Ferris Wheel. He was pretty nervous, but he did a good job.

I think I did a good job of playing my songs. When I was riding in the car to get there, I was really nervous. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it, but I stood up there and felt really good about playing my songs. ~ Matthew
We signed Matthew up for coach pitch baseball. We enjoy going to his games.

I like to play baseball. It is very fun. After the games we get a treat. One time I hit a homerun and it was awesome. I hit it so far that no one could catch it. It flew over everybody's heads.
~Matthew

Practicing catching:
Getting ready to bat:
Serious in the outfield:
Up at bat:
Checking for loose teeth - very important when one is seven years old.
Doing a twisting thing in the outfield. He doesn't look like it, but he still has his eye on the ball.

Finished

I struggle with decorating - just look at the empty white walls in my house and you will see what I mean. It is very sad. I painted Matt's room over a year ago and just today finished hanging pictures on the walls. I noticed that I need to now touch up the paint. I still haven't hung even one thing on the guest room walls. I painted that room well over a year ago.

For Matthew's room, I found some white frames with white mats at the DI for 1.50 a piece. They had some ugly flower pictures in them. They still had the price tags from Bed, Bath, and Beyond - $19.99, so I saved quite a bit.

I didn't take picture of the process of making the frames match his room, but I'll explain it to you. I used spray paint to paint the frames dark brown. I painted the edge of the mats with dark brown acrylic paint. I covered the fronts of the mats with scrapbook paper cut to fit, and I inked the edges of the mats and the pictures with destressing ink. I cut the pictures to fit the inside of the mats since I couldn't get the glue to release the old flower pictures.

I did take pictures of the hanging process. I have ruined more walls trying to hang pictures correctly. I found this technique on another blog and I love it.

You lay everything out on wrapping paper. Draw around your frames - make sure they are level. Tape the wrapping paper on the wall. Again, make sure you have the paper hung level. Pound in your nails. Pull the paper off, and hang your pictures. No mess, no extra holes in the walls, and every thing is right where you want it.

Hey Angie - do you recognize that ruler?

No, I didn't hang the Black Link upside down. I was just getting it placed.

Yes, those are pictures of my boy dressed in his Link costumes. He has a black Link costume. He wishes he was black because black skin is so much cooler than white skin. Black link has red eyes and white hair. He has grown out of his red Link costume (that costume means Link can withstand fire), and his green Link costume. He loves the Legend of Zelda. He has five different Legend of Zelda Games. The middle picture is a rendering of the real Link.
He loves his Legend of Zelda room. I still need to touch up the paint. It is always something.

Welcome to Room 729

On Monday I had two job interviews. Both interviews went well. I was offered a job teaching eighth grade English. I am looking forward to this fall with both excitement and apprehension.

This is my room from the back looking toward the door.
This is my room looking from the door into the room.I do not yet have a mounted projector. The principal will try to get one for me. The room has two black metal book cases, a teacher’s desk, two small tables, and 38 students’ desks. I need to see if they have a filing cabinet for me. The school colors are bright green and blue. The mascot is a white tiger. The walls in the back of the room are covered with teal (yes, teal) carpet. I can use Velcro to hang things on the carpeted wall.

I need to decorate my bulletin boards. I want to get fabric and cover them. I want them all the same color – something that coordinates with teal and black. Please leave comments about what color of fabric I should invest in. If anyone has an old stool they want to get rid of, I am looking for one for the front of the room. It is great to have a stool for poetry readings and for me to plant myself on when my feet get tired.

I can hardly wait to begin preparing my lessons.

Desk Make Over

About 18 months ago, I found this desk at a yard sale for $10. It had a bit of water damage on the top. I didn't take pictures before I did the initial sanding, but here is a picture after sanding.

I used darker stain to create the tri-force on the top. My little guy is a Legend of Zelda freak. Here are the after pictures.

On Saturday, I found the cool rock light at a yard sale for $2. Every Legend of Zelda room needs a rock light. The chicken looks like the cucku image in the game. I found that at Hobby Lobby last year for a dollar.

Here is a picture with the light on.
I spray painted the picture frame on the wall and the one on his desk with brown spray paint from Lowe's.
I need to go buy some pencils, a stapler, and some other supplies to put in the desk drawer. Now he has his own little homework station.