Give Blood

Today is Griffin's 6th birthday and I've made it an annual event to ask for your blood.


Griffin was born 9 weeks premature on January 22, 2003. He had two lifesaving transfusions. Before any transfusion took place someone did something amazing, they donated a little time and a little of themselves. Please do the same. You can find a local donation site by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visiting http://www.redcross.org/.

We've come a long way from day one, because someone knew how important it was to give blood.

Yes, we let him get a faux hawk. It was an acceptable compromise from the mohawk, with the sides of his head painted red, he really wanted.

Challenge #2 Completed! Crazy!

I just can't believe I already have Challenge #2 completed.

O.k. as others have stated--this is my interpretation of the challenge we were given.

1. I had a blast "jigsaw puzzling" the photos, cutting most down to a perfect size to fit together.
2. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough of my favorite CTHM paper (it has fishes on it) to use in the layout and I wasn't about to go to the store. Embellishment improv! It was time to make some fish, to pull the whole thing together. I downloaded a fish template, blew it up to the right sizes, cut it out on Whisper White paper from SU!. Then using color pencils, I made them look like the other Trout, in the aquarium, in the middle shot. I also made some seaweed.
3. I stamped the title
4. The journaling is done on a piece of vellum. I hate journaling directly on the paper. I have dyslexia, so I'm apt to leave the most important word out of the sentence or switch words, so I pretty much always journal on a separate journal piece.

So there's the poop.

Challenge #1

Mommy Torture

Gus desperately wants a Nintendo DS.

Yesterday all the fourth graders went to Lansing, and they were allowed to bring their DS's with them. Gus was devastated. "Everyone has a DS and I don't." he cried when he got in the car to head home.

I told him he may want to talk to Grandma and Grandpa about getting a DS for Christmas or maybe his birthday or think of ways to save up his money. He no longer believes, so Santa's out of the equation. I said, "They're $129.00. That's a lot of money Gus." and he started crying. I mean boo-hoo. Tearfully he said, "I feel totally left out. Everyone has one and I don't." Waaaah!!! I tried to make it all better, but what was I going to do. . . because he's getting one for Christmas, but I can't wreck the surprise. So, I guess I have to torture him for a few weeks.

Some Old Friends

Have I Ever Shown You My Tomatoes

Well, here they are.