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Back by popular demand!  You wanted them and now you’ve got them!  Thank you for missing the wood letters … it makes me feel good! 

I’d like to tell you a quick story:  Some of you know my friend … Carey.  She loves all the wood letter sets she has.  (She has one for each month)  A while back she declared that she doesn’t need any more letters.  Last night at Scraobook night, I brought the letters and finished them there.  Everyone there LOVED them!  In fact, Carey is a little mad at me because now she can’t live without them.  She HAS to have them!  She will be calling the store at 9:00 tomorrow to register.

I hope you all have the same reaction Carey has!  I know it’s one of my most favorite sets so far!  Okay, enough build-up …. drum roll, please …

Saturday, July 21 {9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:00 to 4:00 pm}

Thursday, August 2 {5:30 to 8:30 pm}

Cost:  $35

The "Hot Summer" Open House is this Thursday, June 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  Mark your calendars!  I will be teaching the Summer wood letters on the following dates:

• Saturday, July 21 {2 sessions: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:00 to 4:00 pm}
• Thursday, August 2 {5:30 to 8:30 pm}

I meant to get this up earlier … I’m going crazy prepping for the Open House.  I’ll put the full pics up tomorrow (I hope)!  *A*

The "Hot Summer" Open House is next Thursday, June 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  I will put the entire pics of my projects up that day.  I am so thrilled with the classes I am teaching this upcoming quarter.  I will be teaching "Possibilities!" on the following dates:

• Thursday, August 16
• Tuesday, August 28
• Tuesday, September 18

So mark your calendars for the Open House and the date you’d like to take the class!  I’ll put up more info. on the class on Thursday!  Have a good weekend!  hugs!  *A*

You know when you see that really rotten child (mine, occasionally) and the parent tells them they can’t wait until they have a child of their own who acts the same way they do!?  I guess I just got what I deserved. 

When I was a child, my father was tickling me while I was sitting on my mom’s lap.  I threw my head back and gave my mom a black eye.  Tuesday, I was helping my youngest put together his Thomas the Train tracks so I could head downstairs and exercise.  He had James the Red Train in his hand, turned and clocked me right on the left eye.  All I can say is … it’s a good thing my new eyeshadow is blue so it blends in better!  (Please tell me those aren’t age spots!  I’m too young!)  Here’s a pic of my cute mom with her black eye:    And, yes, we are at Disneyland.  My poor mom had to go through our entire vacation with that black eye!  Isn’t my mom the best!?  *A*

Here he is … our "Student of the Month".  I am so proud of my sweet son.  It is amazing to think that Kindergarten is almost over.  You know, people always tell you how fast time goes by, but until you have children of your own you don’t believe them. 

He has learned so much at school.  He’s read about 200 books … in fact, he is almost to the AR books and he only started taking books home from school after the Christmas break.  He is really good at math (something he got from me).  He has a lot of friends in school and sometimes gets in trouble for being "too good" (to quote Mrs. Hoffmann) of friends with them (he also gets this from me ;).

After Parent Teacher Conferences this spring we challenged him to talk less at school, be good at "carpet", keep his hands to himself, etc.  One day while calling Mrs. Hoffmann to apologize for something he’d done (that really helped him to improve his behavior), he asked her what he can do to earn the "Top Dog Award".  She told him that academically he was great, but he needed to improve how he acts during class in order to earn the award … and that recess counts!  When he was talking on carpet or anything else, she’d remind him that that is not how a "top dog" acts.  Last month she sent home a note that said he had acted like a "top dog" in gym.  He was so excited.

This morning, I knew they were awarding the "top dog" today and it wasn’t him (it’s his friend, Marlie).  I asked him how he felt and he said … "I’ll just get it in 1st grade!"  I was so proud of him.  He has improved, he’s learned what he’s supposed to academically, it doesn’t matter that he didn’t get the award.  I was just worried that he would get discouraged.  He had worked so hard for it.  Then he came home with the student of the month award … yeah!  I’m so glad his efforts were recognized!

I have to tell you how funny his message to my dad was!  "Hi, grandpa!  I got "Student of the Month".  It’s not "top dog", so if that’s what you’re thinking it is, it’s not.  I’ll get that next year.  But today I got "Student of the Month"  Isn’t that funny!?  I’m proud of my little one and the efforts he’s made this year.  Thanks for letting me share this moment with you!  *A*

An email I received today:

"Hey Amber.  It has almost been a month since I’ve seen any new blog!!  Where are you?  How was Wicked?  Hope you had a great time.  Sherie"

Thank you Sherie (and everyone elso who’s emailed or told me they’ve missed the blog) for missing me.  I am here, but I’ve been going crazy this month!  I’ll post this afternoon I promise!  I’m off to walk ont he treadmill.  TTFN!  Amber

Are you ready for Cinco de Mayo?  I thought I’d share some of my family’s favorite recipes for you to use in your celebration!  Who doesn’t love a little spice in your life!?

Empanadas from KSL.com:

My Cafe Rio salad/burrito recipes:  (Spicy Ranch Dressing)

(Lime Rice) (Tex-Mex Pork or chicken)

If you are making burritos, you HAVE to use the uncooked tortillas.  Once you start using them, you’ll never go back to flour tortillas.  Costco has them & I’ve purchased them at Harmon’s also. 

One of my favorite things to eat is the Costa Vida Mango Chicken Salad (I actually like Costa Vida better than Cafe Rio) so add some mango salsa, beans and salad to the Lime Rice, pork and Spicy Ranch Dressing for a delightful change!  (Did I sound like a cooking show host!?)

I hope you enjoy these recipes!  Let me know if you like them!  *A*

This is Amber’s husband, Bryan. I am taking bloominmemories hostage so I can make sure all of Amber’s peeps know it is her birthday today! Happy birthday, babe!

Thank you babe for all that you do for our family. We appreciate your dedication and sacrifice for our family. We love to see the excitement you have for your work.

Have a great day and take a break. You deserve it!

My dad gave my mom 6 tickets to Giselle performed by Ballet West and gift certificates to Biaggi’s at the Gateway in Salt Lake.  My mom invited me, my three sisters-in-law and my Grandma Poulsen to go with.  It was a fun night.  It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the ballet.  It was spectacularly done!  I was impressed with how expressive the dancers were.  Without words, they told the story.  (Are my layouts as expressive!?)

Bryan and the boys went over to my parent’s house while we were enjoying ourselves.  It was fun to have all the grandkids there at the same time (it’s not something that happens too often).  They really enjoyed being together.  Neal thinks he’s too old for the other cousins, and he probably is to some extent, it’s so much fun to see them looking up to him and watching his every move!

I’m glad my dad gave my mom that fun night and that she chose to share it with me.  *A*

Hey guys!  I haven’t been on the internet for a few days … Friday and Saturday I was at the Expo, Sunday we were at church and then something happened and the internet went down (something with the settings).  I just had the bright idea to try the laptop and it works!  Anyway, we have a meeting tonight that I have to prep, so if you have emailed me in the last few days and I haven’t gotten back to you yet, I will … tonight or tomorrow!  Thanks for your understanding!  *A*