Kaden

So I have been painting, SURPRISE - I wanted to do a little painting for my nephew Kaden, who is about 15 months old. His room is done in navy, dark red and beige and in typical boy fashion: sports. His dad, my brother in law, is the only other sports lover in the family, so I appreciate this about him very, very much. We are few in number so we need to stick together and anything I can do to help Kaden along is fine with me. I decided to do his Christmas painting on an 8 x 8 canvas and modify my sports theme to suit their favorite sports. It allowed me to stretch my painting legs so to speak because I am working on a very large canvas (another Christmas present) that is different from anything I have ever done before - which is terribly scary and fun. So without further ado -Kaden:

Thanks!

Jump for Jumpers!

A Penny Pickles first: jumpers!

As you may know, I have a basic knowledge of using a sewing machine.  So I've done a few things here and there, pillows, roman shades, quilts, camera straps (my newest!), costumes, pajama bottoms and last but not least dresses for Penny.   In February when I posted pictures from Penny's second birthday, I mentioned how I created a pattern and dress for her.  A friend from college, Lindsey, seemed to be taken with the style and asked if I would make something for hire.  I was a bit nervous because I've only sewn for my kids, not to mention I can fit them as I am making it, so I know it will fit.  So as I thought about it, I thought- sure, lets go for it!  Lindsey gave me creative license to pick out the fabric and extras and gave me the following parameters:  She had a friend due at the end of June.  She has a 2 1/2 year old and is expecting her second daughter.  Lindsey wanted me to make matching jumpers for the girls.  She like the style of the tie straps, that way mom can adjust them based on the girls height.  The great thing about these jumpers is that they can be worn alone or with a t shirt or long sleeve t shirt.  You can also pair them with tights, leggings or jeans as the weather gets cooler or the dresses get shorter. So I found fabric that I fell in love with, spent about an hour and a half in the button and ribbon section of Joann's and went forth and conquered the great unknown of sewing for others.  

Actually it doesn't take that long to make these dresses - its the details, like the fact that I rarely find ribbon that I am thrilled with alone, so I combine it with other ribbon to make what I am looking for - which takes time, not to mention layering buttons because I again, am not moved by what I find off the shelf, so I add buttons to one another to get the look I am envisioning.  

The 3T jumper was easy, I used Penny as my guide, the smaller one though, was a combo of using the measurements of one of Penny's baby dresses and a baby doll that is pretty close to that size.  We're pretty high-tech here!  I am happy to report they are done, shipped and I am THRILLED with how they look.  I am even pretty happy with my packaging, I added little thank you charms (thanks mom) and velum envelopes with washing instructions (thanks again, mom).  I am always so taken with good packaging so I am always trying to get mine a bit prettier than bubble wrap - this was my chance!

So with out further ado, I present the jumpers:

Sorry couldn't resist the last one, I love the "rapid fire" ability of my camera that caught Penny twirling  - love it!!!

Anyway - I am so proud of my handiwork and I am hopeful that Ming and her daughters enjoy the jumpers once they receive them.  Thanks Lindsey for asking and taking a chance on my sewing skills.  

Next up Conner's tiles - its my latest nursery piece - it will be a few days - so until then - Thanks!

Happy 7th Birthday Jon!

Today is the actual birthday of my eldest son, Jon. Not to be confused with our dinner with friends on Friday, or his kid party on Saturday or even his family party yesterday.  Today is the day.  See, if you've been tuning in since at least my birthday, you know that in the Page house we celebrate birthdays for days - they only come around once a year and one day just isn't enough.  Of course than we need to go through birthday detox because it is easy to get used to all the attention.

We started on Friday having old friends over for dinner, the Green's.  They lived in our old neighborhood and we've know each other since Jon was first born.  Their family consists of three boys, Jake (8), Noah(7) and Matthew (4).  We had pizza and Wii fun and the we all got a chance to catch up after too much time passing since the last time we last visited.

Saturday, we woke early to prepare for Jon's small party.  Last year we went had a large party at a gymnastics's studio, it was fun, but expensive.  With three children, we've made it clear that it isn't going to be an every year occurrence.  In fact the success of our little party has made us wonder if it is necessary at all!  Since Jon is a huge Star Wars fan (thanks in part to his father who rented all six episodes and sat the boys down for a marathon) we decided a Star Wars theme was best.  We invited four of his little friends, two from his class last year and two this year (one of which is the cutest little girl/tomboy you will ever meet- Jon proclaimed, if I were a girl, I'd be like Sarah, cute, but I would like boy things).  They were to arrive at 11, play and eat and get picked up at 1.  Only two hours you say, well it was just about the most perfect timing ever.  Our plan was to let the kids play for a bit and then send them on a scavenger hunt around the house to find clues to their next destination, each clue was written in Yoda-ease and had a word scramble for the actual room the next clue could be found.  They wound up at the Jedi Temple (aka-our play set) and found a box containing a light saber for each child (fewer kids, cooler treats) the final part of their journey was to battle Darth Vader (aka Ryan) to save the universe from the dark side.  Needless to say the Jedi's won and Darth got his butt kicked.  

Let me back track a minute to show you the lunacy, ahem, dedication that my husband has to our children.  He was up by eight, dressed and ready to hit a party store on 96th street because it was rumored to have an adult Darth Vader costume.  Much to Ryan's chagrin, they did not, but he did buy a children's one and took parts and pieces to make his own.  He hid by the side of the house as the kids ran outside to the Jedi Temple and then turned the corner to begin the battle.  And yes, this is all on video.  

We came in for lunch and presents, and ate the most adorable cupcakes made by my friend Melanie (who lives in Fishers, so if you live local and need a fantastic cake, cookies or cupcakes for your child I can hook you up!) We then played and all kids were picked up by one.

My dad then came later that afternoon and hung out with us and the kids as we prepared for our little family party on Sunday.  I try to make my gatherings pretty laid back and easy so I can enjoy the festivities as well.  We made homemade pizza (Jon's favorite) and had lots of snacks and of course another set of those darling cupcakes.  My brother and sis-n-law, dad and our friends the Hazelriggs (minus dad who was at a KISS convention-which is probably a good thing because being a dentist I am pretty sure he would have had seizures seeing the amount of sugar the children where consuming).  We ate, visited, played outside and opened presents.  It was a wonderful day, and best of all, Jon proclaimed, "this is the best birthday ever!"

Jon then was invited to his friend Sarah's house for more Jedi fun and hamburgers.  Ryan took our little Darth Vader (yes Drew in fact has swapped his Spiderman suit for Darth and wore it to a cowboy store) to buy himself some cowboy boots.  I got in a run and had a chance to enjoy the amazing weather. 

Today we had one last special treat for Jon when he woke up.  If you know Jon, Jon is pretty snuggly.  He loves to cuddle and be lazy.  He also has an unnatural love for infomercials and can repeat them verbatim and can give you a million reasons why you need the product. (I'm beginning to think I may need to create my own curriculum to sell to schools and have it infomercial based because I have heard from friends that this is a phenomenom that is sweeping their children as well.)  So months ago, he discovered the Snuggie. Yes, THAT Snuggie.  He has been bugging me since for his own, in Red, so he can play his DS without his arms being cold - seriously.  So seeing as I have a raw (and I mean raw) talent for sewing, I opted not to spend 19.95 to get two Snuggies and two book lights.  I picked out fleece that I knew Jon would love, and used a Joann coupon and made his for less than $10 and I have enough fleece left over to make Drew one if he gets real jealous.  Jon got up and we gave him his Snuggie and I said "look Jon now you can be warm and play your DS."  He said, "let's try."  Only on your birthday can you get away with playing video games before school.  I am happy to report that the Snuggie does in fact work and his arms DID NOT get cold playing his DS.  He also wore it around the house for the rest of morning, which was hilarious, but made me happy.  Ah the simple things.

I am also happy to report that it was a Lego birthday, so while I have a TON of those crappy little pieces around my house, we managed to get through the weekend with NO action figures and toys of the like.  I [heart] Legos! Can't beat them for creativity, imagination and problem solving.  See learning CAN be fun.  I will end this post with a ton of pictures, but also with this final statement.  I am in love with my big boy, I can't believe he is seven, I can still picture my fuzzy haired baby, and even though he's getting big, he still has that big dimply smile and those beautiful, expressive eyes.  I love the creative soul that he is, I love his empathetic heart and how he loves so unconditionally.  He's a quirky, friendly, adorable child and I am so very blessed to call him my son!

Thanks for letting rant on - I promise some Penny Pickles stuff later this week!

    

Do you hear the Empire's death march?

Mini-Darth

The Jedi's at the Jedi Temple

Jon introducing our guest Drew-Vader

My brother serenaded us at dessert time with Jon's guitar.

Just a cool shot - Silly Papa purchased on his last visit a contraband Storm Trooper rifle, normally we aren't allowed to shoot mom, but it made for a cool picture so we went with it, just this once.

Gotcha!

I promise I will post some pictures of Jon in his Snuggie, I am pretty sure he'll be jumping in it right after school! Once again - Thanks!

my second boy

I figured since I'm waiting for Ryan to cut some matte board for my latest project I would do a little post for my second boy, Drew.    Drew is one of those kids that has that nervous laugh when they get in trouble - you know the one who smiles under the stress of being scolded.  Yep, that's my Drew.  I have dubbed him my little Santa Claus because he is generally the happiest child you will ever meet - unless it has been a long day and I am forcing him to sit quietly in the frame section of Hobby Lobby - then all bets are off (Leslie can attest to this).  He is my big kid - he is huge, tall and solid as a brick.  But when he opens his mouth he still has some of that familiar toddler ease language that I can't bring myself to correct - thus we live in Nosabelle (Noblesville).  He still Woves me and I know, as it happened with Jon that wove will turn to love and never look back.

I was farting around with my camera this morning and took this one - I am madly in love with it - not because it is some photographic genius of a shot, but because it captures his "smirk".  So back to the laughing and smiling when being disciplined, another one of Chris Kringle's tactic's is the smirk.  It is one of those flawed moments in parenting when you laugh, when you should be very, very serious.  He kills me when he gives me the smirk!  He has had it since he could smile and my mom and I agreed upon seeing the smirk the very first time - he can look like a cherub and a devil all in one glance.  

He is my big boy wanting excessive hugs before bedtime in one moment and running around like a jedi knight the next.  He is fiercely protective of his little sister and his best friend Paige.  He has more emphathy than any four year old could possibly hope to possess - let alone an adult.  

Yes, Penny is wearing the elefun nets on her head - a trick big brother showed her, but beyond making her look like a fool he also takes such good care of his baby sister.  More times than not he will crawl into bed with her at nap time to read her one more story because mom just can't read another book.  He also idolizes his big brother  - having that typical best of friends /worst of enemies thing going one.  Lord help me when they are teens.  The best part is the fact that he is a minature, hairless version of my husband - it's freaky really and nothing makes Drew happier than to "work" with HIS tools, tuck his pencil behind HIS ear and fix things with dad.  It brings me joy to see them together.  

There are times that I am sad because of all the distraction that occurred while Drew was little - when he was four months old mom was first diagnosed with cancer,  our lives were bouncing back and forth between here and up north, then Ryan worked out of town, we moved and eventually mom moved in with us.  So much happened that there are voids in my memory of him growing up - I have them all journaled - thank goodness, but I guess he is the happy kid that generally goes with the flow because of everything he's seen and done.  I am so blessed to have him.  He is so different from Jon, but not in a bad way, but in so many other good ways.  I enjoy so much the little boy he is becoming.  He is the "Norm" of his classroom and its been that way since he started school- his effortless ease, his self assurance is amazing.  If he wants to wear a spiderman costume to target than by all means. If he wants to wear his sisters leg warmers on his arms because he's cold that day, than he will.  He is so comfortable being Drew, that I strive for that own self confidence in myself.  I love him so much more than I can ever explain.  

Thanks again for enjoying my ramblings - next up Mac's tiles.

i tried, it's just too hard

So I've been spending the last two hours trying to figure out how to switch from blogger to wordpress - it isn't that blogger is all that bad, I just want a bit more freedom, which I can get in wordpress.  I can't for the life of me figure out how the hell to get the whole thing up and running.  I had my web host upload a version last June, they've since upgraded, which as you can imagine, I can't figure out how to upgrade - their instructions are so positive and delightful and just plain old crap.  Then I delved into the world of web databases - I am proud to say those are kind of making sense, but I still didn't figure out how to make the switch - why can't everything be drag and drop?  I am so spoiled by my MAC, how did I live in the PC world for so long?  So for now, this blog is, what it is, which isn't too bad.  I'll figure it out someday or when I have barrels full of extra money I'll hire someone to do it for me, until then, blogger is mine to have and to hold.

I am excited to report that we capitalized on the bankruptcy of Circuit City and purchased a new DSLR camera. I've wanted one for a while, but couldn't justify the cost - well when a store is going out of business it makes them a bit more affordable.  After much himing and hawing and research we decided on the Sony alpha350.  Ryan and I being more Canon people weren't so sold on the idea, even after we made a desperate call to Leslie for her solicited advice (poor girl must have had four or five missed calls on her cell and a few on her home phone- when I need advice I NEED it ASAP or I'll stalk you- I wish I was kidding).  So we left the store and decided to do some research and if they had what we were looking for the next day than it was meant to be.  So we did our research and figured out that the Sony cameras were blowing most of the other cameras out of the water - on one website (not a Sony site) they had it as their #2 pick just behind the Canon 5D, which is a great camera.  So we went today and decided to purchase the 350- it is more camera than we need for our purposes, but come on who doesn't love more?  So I've been playing with my new toy all day and happy to say I am figuring it out!  I've been taking test shots of my kids, furniture, toes, you name it, I've shot it today - just to play around with all the settings.  Hopefully this week I can pin Leslie down and have a "play date" to learn a few more of the finer details - that reminds me I should call her....

my new toy

I am also happy to report that Penny Pickles is starting off 2009 with a BANG!  I have more orders than I know what to do with, which is AWESOME.  I am getting to do some really cool custom stuff and variations on some of my current themes!  I love this job!  There are also some BIG plans in the works for Penny Pickles, but that my friends is for another post!

She's showing you her painted nails -it's innate I swear because I did not tell her to do that!

Okay, I need to get to bed, I have my house to pick up and projects to finish before this weekend (who doesn't refinish furniture in the midst of building a bar, working on a science fair project, and working on a few paintings?) when we celebrate Miss Penny's 2nd birthday - can you believe my baby is going to be 2?  I need to get some video up here of her singing - Penny's renditions of "You are my Sunshine," "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," and the ever popular Dora the Explorer theme song are too precious not to share.  My little darling is definitely showing her two year old spots by telling the 'rents "NO!" and often.  It doesn't stop with us- Drew was talking during a Dora episode and she turned to him with her brow furrowed and she pointed her finger (can't imagine where she gets that) and said "NO, Dew -shhhhh!"  It's one of those moments where I should have said, "speak kindly to your brother" but instead I ran upstairs to laugh my ass off because it was hilarious.  The best part was he in fact "shhhh-shed".  Maybe I should let her run the show for a while.  Anyhoo - I'll have more work to post in the next couple of days - take care!

Thanks!

Pretty Little Paige

In December we had our sweet little friend Paige's birthday.  Along with some High School Musical accessories, I painted her a canvas of her very own.  She is the last of the Hazelrigg birthdays, we celebrated Anna's and Charlie's earlier this year.  I matched her painting to her adorable PBKids valances and used a lower case "P", cuz I think it's short and spunky - just like Paige.  We love Paige and so does our little Drew - the two of them have gone to school together since the were about 20 months old.  They are like Mutt and Jeff - Paige, tiny and Drew, not so tiny, they are of the same mold though and Drew is fiercely protective of Paige.  Our secret hope is that they get married one day just so I can say that I have a daughter in law named Paige Page.  Here they are doing what they do best - being silly:

Here is Miss Paige's painting:

Happy Day to Paige!  Stay tuned for more art!

Thanks!

Happy Halloween

Hello!  

 

This is my last personal post before I post up some paintings, I swear.  I have been busy, I finished two of my Christmas orders and nearly done with another two.  I have two more to get to and of course my own to work on!  Leslie is in Disney, so I can't wait until she is back this weekend to photograph what I have done.  Until then - you will hear about our Halloween!

As some of you may know, Penny is Snow White - adorable, I didn't make it, because why recreate the wheel, especially since I had to make the boys.  I think you'll agree - she makes the perfect Snow White.

The boys wanted to be aliens from the cartoon Ben 10.  Of course they don't sell these costumes, so therefore they had to be made.  I orginally through I would just make sleep bottoms and a hooded sweatshirt and embellish them to look like the alien of choice.  Drew came upon me organizing my sewing wares and he stated, "mom, I just don't see how this is going to work." If you know Drew, he had his hands on his hips and was as serious as they come.  So I scrapped that idea and decided to wing it.  So I used their Spiderman costume as a template and went from there.  Honestly I am very proud of how they turned out. I didn't put as much effort into the masks, because lets me honest, they stay on for all of five mins and then the kids decide they don't want to wear them.  So they aren't as well crafted as the rest of the suit.  The boys are happy - so I think I did well.

We then carved pumpkins - it went so fast and so smooth, I usually dread it, but am pleasantly surprised with how quickly we decide on our design, clean, carve and toast our seeds.  This year we did pumpkins for the kids and Jon had an additional pumpkin that he did for a contest at school.  

yes, i am the queen!

ta-dah!

We also did a fun craft (thank you Lisa Au) where we made our own pumpkins and ghosts and such - they turned out cute, you can see that Drew and I are into winter already, we decided to make snow men.

I have the big bowl of candy ready:

I'm ready to pass it out:

Yes, my mother made this and wore it when she was a room mom.... ahhh

The kids are ready to score some sweets:

Ryan as grandpa Max from Ben Ten

Have a great, fun and safe Halloween - have a wonderful weekend! Thanks!

Night Fairies and Imps

I mailed out my final contest piece last week and in an effort to renew my confidence in the USPS, they got that painting to Steph in record time!  I couldn't believe it when she emailed me on Saturday and said that she had already gotten it!  Perhaps they heard they were on the bubble with me...

On to my canvas.  Steph had come up with the idea of Night fairies and Imps - so I thought this would be a quirky take on the fairy idea!  It was fun to do and I am so happy with how it turned out.  See for yourself:

Colorful, no?

Night Fairy

Steph followed up with this wonderful review:

Oh my gosh, we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the painting! It is utterly adorable, and seeing it made me realize that you really can't appreciate--until you see one of your paintings up close--just how careful and detailed they are. The flowers with faces are so delightful, the color scheme really really pops, and we just know that our little R will absolutely love seeing this personalized canvas hanging above her bed! it's amazing! I love love love it! Thanks so much-- we're thrilled with the painting and couldn't have imagined anything cuter.

Thanks again,
Stephanie & Jamie

Yeah!  Thanks again for the awesome idea - it was such fun to work on and enabled me to something so different from what I've done before.  I can't wait to have my next contest!!!

I'm busy here working on Christmas orders and birthday presents!  Things have been busy and great and I owe it to all of you!  Thanks again for keeping Penny Pickles busy and inspiring me to do some adorable, unique art!

Happy Pickles!

pretty penny

So my dad gives me a lot of garbage because I have so many pictures of Penny.  Honestly, the boys don't like pictures much, which I figured would happen closer to 15.  That and the fact that Jon is gone for a better part of each day - I don't get a ton of opportunities.  I did however snap a few of Penny this morning in her dress from Silly Papa with the matching shoes.  Of course she is devoid of all bling or accessories, which is very unlike her -but a girl is allowed her off days.

.  

She doesn't pose much!

I love that smile!

Today is suppose to be my day for me, all the kids are in school.  It never winds up that way, I am usually cramming so much into this little four hour window - that I am exhausted when I get home with the littlens.  But today was a success - I had my hair cut and eyebrows waxed - I no longer look like Chubacca's cousin and I met up with Leslie to take some pictures of my latest work.  I then scored some great Christmas gifts at Pier One for our preschool teachers and got a sweet new top at Old Navy for me to wear on my date with Ryan tomorrow night.  Yes you heard me right, Christmas presents. I'm nearly done, my husband thinks I'm nuts and you probably do to - I just can't stand waiting, so I shop early.  I'm weird.

About the pictures - I don't have those back yet - so sorry Steph! I know the suspense is killing you, but you will probably get the painting before I post it.  I am very happy with how it turned out- it is just so colorful and fun!  I also finished my first Christmas present, but that won't get posted for a while.  So for now I am working on three Christmas projects, one of my own and two from a former college mate, who I reconnected with on Facebook. Gotta love that new obsession with Facebook.  

So that is all my friends, have a great weekend, I will post again soon!  Until then...thanks!

Babies

 

Penny and her babies

No not me - we're done, but Penny is obsessed with her babies - I couldn't resist an early am picture of Penny.  When she wakes up, she calls for me "Ma!" I come in her room and she is usually waiting for me at the door with both of her babies.  She sleeps with these babies, these babies come with us everywhere!  Usually I can convince her to leave one of the babies at home - one baby is enough to contend with.  The first baby is bitty baby, this was purchased by my mom when I was pregnant with Penny.  When Penny was born, she was smaller than bitty baby - I have pictures - it makes me melancholy to think about that.  The other baby was one that my mom had bought Jon on one of our sojourns to Zionsville, they had, not sure if they still have a killer doll store - mom loved dolls and didn't see any reason why a little boy of 18 months shouldn't have one.  So that is the other baby - now out of HIS boy clothes and into a girlie sleeper.  It is amazing to me the difference with boys and girls, just amazing.  Penny cares for her babies, feeds them, dresses them - pushes them around in the stroller - she even scolds them! (I have no idea where she learned that!) This isn't to say that she hasn't been seen going "Alien" with one of her brother's Ben Ten watches (which is hilarious to say the least).

Mom with my bitty baby Penny - four weeks old

-

Penny at 6 weeks

Wow- so different.  

Anyway - I was overcome with that realization this morning and wanted to share.  

Thanks!

New beginnings and an end

Today is Monday - I decided to title this post new beginnings because there are so many going on right now.  First up, Ryan left this morning to start his new job, almost six weeks to the day. I'd like to say that we spent a lot of time together over the last six weeks, but bless my husbands hardworkin' heart, he was busy most of the time with side jobs, projects, interviews and such. One thing I could count on was help in the morning.  He would get up and make the kids breakfast, while I helped get people ready.  The ultimate divide and conquer.  That ship has sailed so to speak, so now I fly solo or sail solo depending on how you look at it. I decided since I wouldn't have help, I should get up earlier than the kids (which is hard with my early risers) and get myself dressed and start my day.  We did that and it worked, but I am tired.  

It was a pretty lazy weekend, I painted a bit, got frustrated with one of my pieces, I decided to start over, but have to wait until my canvas' come in on Tuesday.  In the mean time I worked on a piece I am especially proud of, the inspiration is a bit heartbreaking, but I pray that it provides peace and a bit of joy to the recipients.  I started my contest paintings, I've gotten them sketched out and one of them started.  They are such cute ideas, I can't wait until I finish them.  When I first start a painting, I have a final image in my head and for a big chunk of the painting process I am frustrated because I want to get it to that point!  I also have to feel out some of the details.  The first time I do any theme it is so time consuming to get the process down, which is why it takes so much more time for custom work.  Once I have done it - additional pieces or replications take so much less time because my layering process and how I do certain aspects of the painting have been figured out.  So I hope to have my latest paintings done by this time next week.  So I can ship them out to their prospective homes.  I also have a few Christmas presents I need to get started on, so hopefully next week I will have a bit of time to flesh those out.  

In the mean time Ms. Leslie came over with her adorable daughter and shot a few pictures of my latest vignette that I finished up for Drew.  

The full piece!

Almost got it!

She also shot a few pics of my little drawers I painted last year for Penny for Christmas.  My mom wanted to get Penny something that would hold her doll stuff.  So we found this unfinished crate and drawer system.  Mom was my biggest cheerleader, so she entrusted me with the painting.  I am so happy with how it turned out and it was a special gift from my mom to Penny.  Something we will cherish.  I've wanted some pictures that do it justice and now I finally have them.  

Pretty purple vine flower

Thanks again to Leslie for being my photographer extraordinaire and turning them out so quickly.  

So for now the house is quiet, the little ones are busy playing together and I am enjoying some coffee, from my new coffee maker.  It was a surprise from Ryan that I am geeked to no end about.  Our other maker was on its way out and I have been ogling this little fella for a while. I love this coffee maker!!!!  

I had a great end to my birthday  - Ryan and I got a chance to see Burn after Reading.  It was great and in typical Cohen brothers style, very entertaining.  I recommend seeing it, if you are a black comedy type of person.  Brad Pitt's character is hilarious and I don't know if it was really as hilarious as I thought it was or if it was the fact that Brad Pitt was playing this type of character.  Anyway you slice it, he was great.  I enjoyed it immensely! 

So Annakah ended with a breakfast at Perkins, the Colts pulling a win out of you know where and seeing a great movie with my darling husband eating popcorn, raisinets and soda for dinner, the kids going to bed without a hitch and a great nights sleep.  What more can a girl ask for??

That's it for now, have a great day, thanks!