Video of Michael Kayaking on his own...

A fun start to the summer...

Michael didn't know it but Fred had given me the okay to purchase a Kayak...I had been after Fred for over a year to get a Kayak...finally Fred surprised me and told me to go ahead...YEA!!

I had been researching Kayaks for a while and knew we could not afford the one that I really wanted...but I was willing to for go that one for a cheaper one...We had had a friend tell us he had seen some Kayaks for sale at a business in town and before going to check out the new one at the store (I had one picked out already, lol) I went to check out these Kayaks...There were two of them and the same brand and type I had seen in the store...I checked them over and they were in great condition, and I could get 2 kayaks for almost the price of one...YeeHaw!! I decided to go for it!! I was so excited as we now had two kayaks! I wouldn't have to kayak alone!!

The Kayak is big enough that Michael can ride with me for right now, so that is really sweet...When Michael came out to the truck after his awards ceremony at school he saw the Kayaks and was just thrilled...Later in the evening Michael and I took one of them for a test run on the creek...AWESOME!!

We made it quiet a ways down the creek and both Michael and I were enjoying ourselves...it was really Hot and you can see the thunderheads in the background...The storm was going away from us but I decided it was time to turn back....

When we got back to our part of the creek I asked Michael if he wanted to Kayak in the kids pool and he was just tickled...I did NOT have to ask him twice...He had a blast and did really well too...

The kid's pool was perfect for him to paddle around in...Not sure if the fish agreed with me :o)

I was so proud of him and he was so happy!
I Love seeing my son enjoy being outside, it makes my heart happy!

I am thinking if we have the additional funds in the future maybe I can shop around and see about getting Michael a smaller Kayak that he can use...he really did a great job with the Kayak in the kids pool...Time will tell...

Michael and I did fairly well on our first Kayak adventure...it took me awhile to get back in the groove, it's been over 25 yrs since I was in a Kayak. We only had one incident where we almost flipped it and my quick actions saved us, Ekk...I did not want to go over!! Michael needs to learn about which way to lean when Momma is getting in, LMBO...I didn't take the Rebel Xti camera but the Powershot and I had it in a dry sack just in case...but it was all good!! I had to share out first Kayak adventure!

On another note....
Even before we hit the creek with the Kayak I got my photo for the evening and was so glad I had a camera with us...As we came down the trail to the creek I saw an animal scurry up a tree and did a double take...At first I thought it was a raccoon but at second glance I knew it was a Ringtail!!

I was so EXCITED!!

Ringtails are normally nocturnal and seldom seen. I saw a family of them a few years ago on a road I was traveling but had never spotted one since...This was so cool and I got a photo too!!! I wanted a better photo but didn't dare move and Michael was not as thrilled as I was, lol...He wanted to go kayaking and not stare at a Ringtail...Maybe some day he'll see how and why Momma was so excited...I know quiet a few people here have never seen a ringtail in the wild....

So we had a pretty good day...Michael graduated Kindergarten and is now a First grader, We got two Kayaks and I got a photo of a Ringtail...

First Grade here we come...

There is our Boy walking on stage to receive his Kinder awards and diploma!

Ms. Hartman and Michael...If you notice Michael isn't looking very happy...Yikes!

He's looking rather peeved...I asked him why he looked so mad! What he said made my heart melt...He told me he didn't see me and was very upset...Poor guy!! Here I am right in front of him taking photos and my little guy is, I suppose, blinded by the flash as Momma is right there and so very PROUD of her boy!!

Ahhhh the principal shows Michael where I am and recognition and relief flood his face...YEA Michael!! You DID it!!

I apologize for the not so great photos for one I didn't take very many as I was beaming and clapping for my boy and I should have used a different lens but I arrived right when they started the program and I didn't have time to change lens...ugh!! But stay tuned and you will find out why I was running a bit behind...

He is still upset...I honestly believe the adrenaline rush from the past 2 days has run out and he is just plumb exhausted and all these photos are showing my son and what he looks like when he's had enough!!

Now he knows I am taking photos and he is doing this to irritate me, lol...I love it...These kids are ready to go and start their summer vacation!!

Oh Michael you are just too funny!!

And then we have the cap and gown photos that were taken at school...Isn't he just so darn cute!! Gotta love that cheesy smile!

He's a first grader now and 12 more years of school to go...Ekkkk!!

Absolutely ZERO Desire

Another digi layout...this QP (quick page) was a freebie attached to a journaling challenge at Designer Digitals. I had to think all day about what photo I wanted to use and what subject I wanted to use...I really wanted it to be meaningful. At one point I thought about taking a photo of the bathroom scales as I am really NOT happy with what they tell me...I have absolutely NO Desire to step on them...To me one of the undesirable effects of NOT smoking...Weight gain! Grrrrrr. I even thought hmm...keep smoking lung cancer....Stop smoking diabetes...heck take your pick!! What do you want to die from???? Okay enough of that...Then I thought a photo of a fire ant...or maybe Sand burs...I was out mowing the lawn when I thought of those two, lol...Well tonight when I sat down and decided to try my hand at doing this digital layout and Michael was bugging me and being silly...It hit me...Why not a photo of Michael and his absolute Zero desires...It worked for me and I like the memory I created...You can click on the layout for a larger view and read the journaling...I was down to needing two more and asked Fred what he thought...Sigh!! I won't repeat what he said but it had something to do with the restroom and going potty...Ekk...Not something I wanted to list for future generations to read...MEN!!

(The QP layout is from Digital Designers and can be found in the Challenge forums under journaling challenge...The paper was a freebie from Mothers day designed by retrodiva.)

A fishing we go...

Fred's co-worker and friend Johnny, (alias John Boy), and his wife, Angie let us use one of their boats to go salt-water fishing this morning. They have two boats so they went in one and we used their other one! Fred and I have always fished from shore or piers when we go fishing so this was a treat for us and something I was looking forward too! This was Michaels first time in a boat and he was really excited...

Putting one of the boats in on Garcitas Creek...

I had to google Garcitas Creek to make sure I had the spelling correct and found a really interesting article on the history of the creek...you can read it here....Garcitas Creek

I don't think they knew I was taking photos...I know Johnny and Angie know what they are doing but does Fred? A learning experience perhaps!

He looks like he knows what he is doing driving the boat...but he admitted he was a bit nervous and un-sure of himself. He did a great job...

Here comes the pro's to show us how it is done!!

Michael grinning from ear to ear...he was so loving it!
Michael really liked the speedboat Johnny and Angie were in and said he wanted to ride with them...Later in the morning Johnny, Fred and Michael took off in the boat we were using for a short ride...When they got back Michael said he didn't like Johnny driving as he went too fast and weaved around too much, lol...Michael then decided he didn't want to ride with Johnny and Angie in the speed boat!! I have a feeling that will change when he gets a bit older and he'll have the need for Speed!

We reached one of our fishing destinations and Michael was catching crustations....lol...always inquisitive!

Johnny with one of the redfish he caught...Not a keeper but it is a fish and Michael had to go check it out!! And I had to take photos...I actually was more interested in taking photos than fishing...we got a late start and I honestly didn't expect to catch any fish.

I did manage to snag a Black Drum. The first salt water fish I have caught since coming to Texas, WOW!! Everyone else was using bait but I had decided to try my luck with a lure...

Fred was using shrimp for bait and kept getting his hook stripped...he saw the culprit and used a net to catch it....

A blue crab...

This one was beautiful and Johnny handled it so I could get some cool photos! Watch those pinchers...OUCH!

We turned it loose but had fun showing it to Michael and how not to play with them or risk getting nailed by the pinchers...I would have loved to have gotten closer with the camera but decided I'd best not, Ekkk.

I actually hooked this beer can right on the tab and reeled it in not knowing what I had hooked...had a good chuckle over it...

Then Johnny hooked a BIG one...Fred had the net ready and waiting...

Then it got away....Grrrr!

We never saw what it was but it was Big and Johnny was teasing Fred about not jumping in and netting it, lol...Fred wasn't going in as he couldn't see what the heck it was...can't say as I blame him either...

We really enjoyed ourselves (Thank you Johnny and Angie) and I think we have a good idea of where we will be fishing for the tournament too!!

It was a gorgeous day in South Texas and I am so glad we had some quality family time with good friends!!

I'm here...I really am....

Just been a bit busy...I've been taking photos here and there all week too. I wanted to share them but thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and created a digital layout of photos from the week....You can click on it to see it in a larger format...I've actually been organizing my digital scrapbooking items and also taking some tutorials on PSE 7...Trying to improve my digital layouts. There is sooo much to learn, sheesh! It never ends...

(Paper-Cinderblock by Gretchen Thomas for DesignerDigitals.com, Wordart brush-Define it designed by by Cinzia Loosemore, Photo template-created by Yin Designs, Notebook paper designed by Scrappony)

I've also been making cards using my paper scrap materials but (Yikes!) I forgot to scan them before I gave them away so nothing to show and they were cute!! Michael has 3 days of school left until Summer break and we are both excited, we so need a break. I haven't heard a thing from the school or his teacher yet if he is on his way to first grade next year...Michael told me that yes he was but I want confirmation on that before I announce it!!

I might be a little slack on the blog too as I have been spending a bit more time with my husband in the evenings...We watch TV together...Yes I am watching TV...still stunned to see myself writing that, I so detest the TV. We've actually been watching a show he has been taping on the DVR called "Charmed". I am sure most of you know what it is...I didn't until a few weeks ago...We are watching reruns and it's got me hooked to see what happens in the end and don't any of you ruin it for me either!!!

It looks as though the summer will be busy for us. I'm still working out almost every day of the week. They have childcare at the gym so Michael will be going with me. My friend, Helen, in Victoria wants to do things every week with the children. My friend, Dawn, and her family are coming to the area in June. I have a beach permit on my truck and hope to take Michael to the beach as often as possible. Fred and I have a fishing tournament coming up...Salt water fishing at that! In fact we are going out tomorrow in a friends boat for a test run. I'm not sure where we are going but I'm taking the powershot camera so hopefully I will have photos to share. Just maybe I'll catch a fish too!!

Michael and I have planned a mini-vacation for the two of us in July. We are both excited about that but I am not telling what it is yet! So lots of things planned and unplanned.

I've actually got the laptop up and running and sit here with it in the evenings but find it hard to work on it while watching TV...lol. I can't multi-task like I used too...guess that means I'm getting old!

I think it might help with getting my mind of cigarettes too. I am still not smoking but the past two weeks have been really hard. I honestly thought the first 2 weeks would be tough but it's really the 5th week that has been the roughest for me! I feel better and my sinus's have cleared up too!! Now to keep at it. Tomorrow may be a good test as the friends we are going with smoke, Yikes! I'll take lots of gum!!

I hope y'all have a wonderful week :o)

Memorial Day 2009

Monday we celebrated "Memorial Day" here in the U.S.A.

I thought it was time Michael learned the real reason for us having a 3 day weekend, not so we can play video games (sigh) all weekend long...So we went to the Memorial Day Event at Deleon Plaza in Victoria. I explained to him we had this special day off to remember the Service Men and Women who fought and died for our Country and to show our respect! I don't think he completely understood but he'll have this memory and hopefully many more....

Fred and I never go anywhere on Holiday weekends so we spent a quiet weekend at home tinkering around. Not sure we accomplished anything but we spent some time together as a Family.

(Photo Frames by Katie Pertiet with Designer Digitals, Papers are by Karen Foster-Soldier Green and Wright Designs-Flag, White star and word-art are by littlefootprints and was a freebie mini kit, Dog tags and chain are from a kit called NotForgotten and can be found at EnchantedStudioScraps.) The papers were scanned and then blended together to create the background. I use a program called scan and stitch to scan over-sized items.