First Day of School!

The day that I'd been waiting for all summer finally arrived yesterday - the kid's first day of school! Kaylie looked forward with anticipation and trepidation her entrance into 4th grade; Liam, on the other hand, not so much. But I do have to admit that both of them got up promptly, ate their breakfast without much fuss and managed to get out of the house in a timely fashion.

Of course, I walked them to their classrooms, and took photos! I met their teachers, who appear to be very nice, took their photos, then left. You should have seen Kaylie, she was a social butterfly. She gave Mrs. Pelcak, her former 2nd grade teacher, a big hug.   We then walked to Mrs. Smith's classroom, Kaylie's former 3rd grade teacher, and gave her a hug, too. I then walked her to Ms. D'Adamo's 4th grade classroom, who quickly hugged her (she was Kaylie's 3rd grade math teacher), took their picture, then left.  As you can tell, Kaylie is a warm and caring child, well-loved by all who know her. 

Liam said hello to Mrs. DeMenezes, his 1st grade teacher; and greeted Mrs. Johnson, his 2nd grade teacher, too. I quickly introduced myself to Ms. Bonomo, his 3rd grade teacher, and asked her to pose for a photo, too.  Both teachers were most gracious and allowed me to photograph them. 

Here's a few photos of the kids on their first day back at school.

Hannah Montana - a new favorite of hers!

My Little Man.

He looks adorable with his new haircut.

We looked high and low for a backpack, he finally settled for this one.

New shoes.

Take a picture now!

We are ready!

Liam kissing his sister.

Kaylie kissing her brother.

Liam and Mrs. Bonomo

Kay and Ms. D'Adamo

10136

First Day of School!

Freebies, Tutorials, Back-to-School Photography Ideas

First,I want to give a "shout-out" to my friends for their "visits" and encouraging comments.  Getting a comment/message from you every once in a while makes me feel connected and happy. ;)

• Becky
• Robin
• Ann
• Karen
• Lynn

Now on to business...

If you struggle with including journaling in your pages, Elle's Studio is currently conducting a free 3-week journaling class directly from her blog, which will be useful to us all.  Thus far May Flaum and Ali Edwards have shared their thoughts and ideas on the subject.

Freebies:

• Grassy alpha by Sarah.
• Grade School alpha by KristinA 
• Note: You can pick up the Grade School kit for $4.88 only! 
• 
  
• Tiffany Tillman has a free quickapage/template at the Shutterfly blog. 
• Funky 3d Alpha by Sarah.
• Template by SBaird  at Two Little Pixels blog.
• Template @ Weeds and Wildflowers blog.

Photography
Back to School Photo Ideas
Many of us have children starting school in September.  And how appropriate that Angie Arthur from IHEARTFACES share with us her tips and tricks for getting the best photos possible.  The samples are fab and definitely worth a try.

Photography Tip: Manual Mode
For those of us with DSLR cameras that are trying to get off of auto and into manual mode, Persnickety Prints has a easy to read, visually friendly article that will get you started.


Photography Tutorial
How to create a high-key Image in Photoshop
Have you ever wondered how on earth photographers and designers create those high-key photo effects that you usually see in high fashion magazines?
If so, head on over to MCP Actions where Jodi has a tutorial that walks you through the steps.

Tutorial
How to Use Acrylic Elements on Your Layouts
While I was checking out Design House Digital yesterday, I came across this tutorial that gave me a few ideas on using acrylic elements on on a page.  I especially liked the journaling and painting under the acrylic ideas.  Go check it out and tell me which idea you liked best.

Gift Idea for the mamarazzi in your life.
Are you looking for a gift for your favorite photographer or mamarazzi? Maybe a birthday or Christmas gift? If so, I'd like to direct your attention to the Camera Lens Mug.  Doesn't it look like a real lens? You can buy this baby HERE.  9800

Freebies, Tutorials, Back-to-School Photography Ideas

Good News!

Liam has begun 2nd grade this year and I've just received notification that he has been accepted to the Academic Talented program.

He began school on Sept. 8th and I haven't received a behaviour card or call from his teacher yet... I guess she'll let me know how he is doing on Parent/Teacher day coming up Sept. 24th.

Kaylie likes school and likes her teacher, too. Unfortunately, her best friend Kaitlynn is not in her classroom this year. :( Third grade is proving to be rather difficult for Kaylie. She really needs to step up, which means that I need to spend even more time with her helping her with her homework and drills. 4859

Good News!

First Day of Pre-Kinder

This is Liam on his first day of pre-kinder. I find it hard to believe that he is now going to be in 2nd grade.
Below is Pixelworks Funky Junky 5 Old School available at ScrapArtist. It has a wonderful array of elements and papers.


CREDITS: Fonts: Century gothic and KidsFirstPrint
[b]Funky Junky 5 - Old School, by PixelWorks, Rachel Young and Kate Hadfield[/b]
4587

First Day of Pre-Kinder

Getting Crafty! - Animal Unit Project

Liam's First grade class has been studying about animals and their habitats, all leading to a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo.

Liam was supposed to pick an animal, create same using a box, and include 5 facts about it. He chose a Rockhopper Penguin, who, incidentally, likes to hop from rock to rock thus the name. He used a hot glue gun to cover the box with felt, construction and crepe paper. We tried very hard to keep it as close to real life as possible.

While I was helping Liam, Kaylie kept busy by making a creation of her own. She calls it "Sleepy Girl." I call it, "Creepy Girl." :) She drew the bed and made a blanket out of pink felt. She is very crafty.

3786

Getting Crafty! - Animal Unit Project

Of Puffer Fishes and Sea Urchins...

When we were discussing Liam's school project we bounced around several ideas...octopus, eels, fishes, but what caught his imagination was a puffer fish we saw on National Geographic. We then remembered that Mrs. Puff, from Spongebob Squarepants, is also a puffer fish, which made up his mind. Liam is very good with concepts but lacks the skills to implement his ideas. The boy can't draw to save his life, but does what he can. If he were asked to write about it, then it would be a totally different scenario. That he can do. Anyway, I thought that the sea urchin was a most original idea and that he should take that project in, but he didn't want to do it. He was just so proud of his sea urchin model that he wanted to keep it at home. Has anyone seen my hairpins? I seem to have lost them all! :)


Liam proudly showing off his SEA URCHIN.

Of Puffer Fishes and Sea Urchins...

First Day of School

click to enlarge...

Yes, I know, I don't know where all these pages are coming from. I guess my mojo was building up that week that DH was home and I couldn't scrap :)

Kaylie's and Liam's first day of school. Kaylie looked so cute wearing her long navy blue skirt and white tailored shirt with the scalloped peter pan collar, white hose and black Mary Janes. Liam wore a light blue button down shirt with navy blue pants. He wore his black oxford shoes. He wanted to wear a tie, but we didn't have one. I drove them to school and walked them to their classes to have their pictures taken with their teachers. I loved the picture of them walking hand in hand to their class. Sept. 4, 2008

Credits: Seeing Spots 4 by Janet Phillips @ SBG

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20935&cat=0&page=1

Fancy Pants by Flergs @ SBG

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20791&cat=0&page=9

Lined Bg. PPr: Old School Papers by Dianne Ridgon @ SBG

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=21774&cat=0&page=1

Font: TS Farkleberry by Traci Sims @ SBG

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20746&cat=279&page=3

Back to School Wordart from Old School Elements by Dianne Rigdon @ SBG

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=21777&cat=0&page=1

School bus: Back 2 school by Kate Hadfield

Paperclip: Back2school by PinkPeaock

Staple from StudyBuddy from CottageArts

Border and ruller from Old School kit by Taran Conyers

First Day wordart from CottageArts
1515

First Day of School

Liam's School Day #4

It has began. I got a call from Liam's teacher today. Apparently, Liam had to be told numerous time to sit his butt down on the floor. When he finally sat down, he started using his hands to pretend shoot. Not really sure where he gets this as he doesn't have any toy guns in the house. Then, he was standing on his chair to look over a classmates desk. After he was told 2 times to sit down, he was warned that one more event would mean a call to his mother...can you guess how good he paid attention?

Anyway, after I got off the phone with her, I called in Liam for a mother son chat. He didn't want to come to me. And when he finally sat next to me, he wouldn't look me in the eyes. He chose to cry instead of talking. Anyway, after I explained to him what he did wrong, I told him that I expected him to listen to his teacher and behave in school. Next occurrence would mean that I would take his Nintendo DS away for a week and no computer time. I hope this works. I am afraid that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Liam's School Day #4

First Day of School

Click on photo to enlarge...

Woohoo! The kids are off to school. I was bummed that I wouldn't be able to take photos of them with their teachers, but as I walked them to school I encountered the principal and she told me that I could sign them in and take them to class. Yeah!

They looked so cute! It was heartwarming to see them walking hand in hand. Their rooms are right next to each other. I can't wait to hear all the details when they return from school.
Gotta go. DH should be back from his walk any minute now.
Talk to you later.
Hugs,
Kait


1387

First Day of School