Circuits and Watercolor

circuitsandwatercolors1Apollo has a natural interest for building and creating. This past year, he has picked up a bit on the Legos building. But I noticed that Apollo wants to create something. He always talks about what if I created something that could do this or that. Then he started taking different things like springs and removing bulbs from christmas ornaments and trying to make something. So Leao pulled out a beginners’ circuits kit and this boy is so happy. He just keeps going. He loves seeing what function each creation has. Leao told him when he finishes these he will buy him the next level up. It’s like magic watching him.

circuitsandwatercolors2Then he comes and explains to me what he did and shows me what it does. I love it.

Recently while in Target I found a great watercolor pad and brush set on clearance. Since I am now exploring that medium, he has been watching and so I thought we could ride this journey together.

circuitsandwatercolors3The paper is okay quality but good for the beginner. The brush set is pretty cool. I don’t even think I own all these brush styles.

What makes me happy is that I can see what Leao is able to instill in Apollo with the circuits and I with the watercolor and crafts. I hope he keeps both interests and finds joy with them for years to come.

Have a blessed day friends!

Belinda

Silhouette Sunday #16: Apollo’s Silhouette Journey

apollosilhouette1Apollo has always taken a strong interest in my crafts and Belinda’s Crafts for a very long time now. When I am in my craft room, he always finds an excuse to come in and check on what I am doing. I bought my Silhouette Portrait about two years ago and he took to it immediately. Before it even arrived in the mail, he downloaded the software and started poking around.  When it finally arrived, he was thrilled. He loved seeing all the cool cutfiles. He liked that it was on the computer since that is one of his favorite activities.

apollosilhouette2jpgSo when he found out I was receiving the new Silhouette Cameo for Christmas, he began his pitch for taking my Portrait.  I told him he could have it, if he promised to take special care of it.  Well we finally set it up on his computer in early January and he has been loving it. I have been teaching him how to locate free files online and to always download the weekly freebie at the Silhouette’s store.

apollosilhouette3In the beginning of February, he downloaded a free heart valentine card from Silhouette and he set to making me a Valentine. I love that he has no fear of jumping right in there.

I often think of my friend Cathy, who got me to take the leap into the world of Silhouette,  when I watch him working on his Silhouette and how she would be so thrilled to see another generation having fun with it. So I hope she will get to see these photos.

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Recently, he celebrated his 100th day at school. They had to bring in 100 of an item for some activities. So I sent him with dried beans.  But the day before he found online a website that a person made a ‘100’ card and he immediately thought he wanted to make one to take to school.  By the time I came to provide some help he had followed the persons instructions and selected the same font and size. So I took the opportunity to teach him how to use the duplicate tool and weld to create the card base and he did all the cutting.

apollosilhouette4I can’t tell you how proud I am of him and the look on his face when he took it to school to show his teacher and friends was priceless. At this rate, I might have to hire him in a few months to create some cutfiles for Belinda’s Crafts.

As Cathy would say, “They’re never to young to learn a craft.”

Happy crafting my friends and thanks for reading about my pretty amazing boy.

Belinda

A Family Adventure

Well now the secret is no more. At the end of summer Leao and I made reservations and got tickets to take the boys to Disney World.  Every time I wrote a post I wanted to share the great news but it was a secret. But let me go back a bit to explain…

I would say that for about the past two years, the boys have been talking about going to Disney World. I had been once as a child with my mom and Leao had never been. But in my mind, I wanted them to be the right age to fully enjoy the experience and possibly remember it into adulthood.  So as this summer came to an end, I suggested to Leao that we seriously consider this year.  I didn’t want to go on spring break or any of the other school breaks. I knew the prices would shoot up even higher and the amount of people would probably be insane. So after talking to friends of ours, we picked dates around the Columbus day weekend. We only had to pull the boys from school 3 days. So we chose a 6-day vacation.

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We decided to keep the entire trip a secret from the boys. For many reasons, one being we wanted them to focus on school work and  second to ensure they slept the days leading up and before we left for Disney. So I packed the suitcases and placed them in different locations so as not to draw attention. We decided to tell them the morning we left for Disney. Now how’s that for surprise?

I met with my girlfriend, Joan at Barnes and Noble who is our resident Disney expert having gone 4 times already with kids and without.  She and I giggled over my laptop in the cafe as we picked fast-pass selections and made dinner reservations. Which by the way, I thoroughly enjoyed her dinner recommendations!! Yum!!

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I didn’t realize how difficult it was to keep the secret from the boys. I only told a few close friends and family. I didn’t even tell the teachers until the week before to ensure not slip ups.  We actually left at a good time because it was a review period at school.

As the days approached I began to get so excited. I couldn’t wait to tell them. The morning of our departure, we woke them at 3:30am to catch the cab (our flight was 6) to the airport. Leao video taped it but I decided not to put this footage online with Apollo who sleeps without a pajama top and Nicholas would kill me for putting him on the site. So I will just have to share the details in writing.

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Surprise Revealed:

We  went into their room (they share a room) and turned on the lights and I told them, “It’s time to get up…We have to go to the airport”. Nicholas sat up in his bunk and because it was dark outside and very early he naturally seemed confused. Apollo rolled over on the bottom bunk to look at us.  Nicholas said, “What?” I repeated again that we had to go to the airport and that I layed out clothes for them to put on. Nicholas said, “The airport, where are we going?” I said, “Disney. We are going to Disney World.” Then he started to move towards the stairs and said, “What, I thought we were going next year?” Apollo said, “Disney World?” I said, “Nope, we are going right now.” Nicholas said, “Are you telling the truth?’ and Leao and I both said, “We would never wake you this early to tell you this if it weren’t true.” Apollo then jumped out of his bed saying, “I can’t wait to get a shirt. I can’t believe it. I am going to pinch myself to see if this is true…Yup, it hurt so it must be true.”

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They both dressed quickly and then I showed them their Magic bands with their names on it and then it really started to be real.  We took the cab and fast forward to our arrival at Orlando! When we got on the Magic Bus that takes us to our hotel, they started really getting excited.  We checked in early dropped off our things and headed to The Magic Kingdom.  The temperature was hot around 88 but we were just so happy to be there it was worth it.

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Over the course of the 6 days, we went to all the parks with our Park Hopper pass and had a blast. I realized it was our first family adventure with just the 4 of us. We have travelled to Hawaii twice with family to visit family, San Antonio with my in-laws, Florida several times with family and even to my hometown on Cape Cod to a resort with my sister and her husband. So this was really special for just the 4 of us.  My boys are excellent at flying, I knew that from our trips to Hawaii so I knew that would be a breeze and I have to say we had a great time with just the 4 of us and will definitely return. It has taken me some time to get back into my work schedule but the break was much needed and I had a blast.

Tomorrow I have a new blog series I am starting so be sure to check in tomorrow!

Have a blessed day!

Belinda

 

Happy 7th Birthday Apollo!!

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Happy birthday to my sweet boy Apollo! Today you begin a new adventure as a seven year old. I hope our day is filled with lots of smiles and laughter. I say our day because I remember the day.  I remember going to the hospital and all the kind and confident doctors that helped me bring you into this world.

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You were so little and trying to look at everything. I wonder what was on your mind.

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Nicholas came in to meet you and then took a nap with you in the bed. It was so cute to watch.

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Your dad was still glowing on your first day at our home.

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I couldn’t put you down. Despite being tired, I just wanted to snuggle.

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After settling in a few days, I just felt blessed to now have two boys.

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Every mom thinks their baby is cute and you were no exception. I loved and still love taking pictures of you.

Thank you for being my good little boy and I wish for you another year of growth, good health and lots of love. I am so very proud of you.

Love,

Mommy

 

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