A First....

Monday, Monday....four more days until the weekend!  Thankfully, I had lots of craft time on Sunday so I have cards to share this week!  This card is for the current Cards Challenge to do a banner card and The Play Date Cafe Challenge this week.  I've been itching to get a banner set.  This is a new Hero Arts set and I love that it comes with a variety of sentiments:  Happy Birthday, Hello and Thank You...I'll definitely be putting it to good use!  What are your favorite stamps these days?  I'm loving Hero Arts and Verve (getting some new ones next week from their fabulous sale that just ended).

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Melon Mambo and Craft Card Stock; Kaiser Kraft Gems; Stampin' Up Basic Black Ink; Hero Arts Stamps; Crate Paper Restoration Collection DSP

And, I have to share a first that happened at our house just before Christmas.  Ryan had his first boy/girl get together.  It was his girlfriend's birthday on Christmas Day.  When he shared with his cousins, Madeleine and Elizabeth, they suggested a get together.  Pat and I really weren't sure about it.  So after lots of discussions, I called and introduced myself to his girlfriend's mom.  I was a nervous mess and still wasn't sure it was a good idea.  Her mom was hilarious...and just as unsure as me.  But, we both thought it was innocent enough.  And, if he wants to have his friends over, I want him to be comfortable doing so.  Ryan's idea was to watch the movie, Elf, as this is Chelsea's favorite movie.  And...he had a plan.  He had a list of decorations, food and other things that needed to take place. I meant to keep the list as it completely cracked me up (and yes, this is where he is his mother's son as I am a complete list maker), but the list got lost in all the Christmas clean up.  So, we purchased pink and purple streamers (a first in this house full of boys) and Christmas lights to decorate the basement.  It was a surprise to her that they were celebrating her birthday.  She thought she was coming over with some friends for a Christmas gift exchange.  And after several conversations with the other boys parents who were coming over, the party happened.  Very laid back (and yes, I had "reasons" to go downstairs during the three hours they were here...).  Here's a quick picture of the gang...Ryan is standing no where near his girlfriend!  Chelsea is second from the right!

They all really loved me taking their picture (well, not so much...)

And now, he's moved on to Valentine's Day.  Deciding what to get Chelsea for her birthday was a bit of a challenge.  He wanted to get her a necklace for one occasion and an iTunes gift card and Jolly Ranchers (apparently her favorite candy) for the other.  We were fine with the iTunes/candy idea, but our opinion was that jewelry is too serious for as young as they are.  This sent us into a last minute shopping trip. He didn't like shopping at the last minute, so he announced tonight that he already has her Valentine's present done....a CD with a decorated case and all of her favorite songs...sound familiar ladies?  Anyone get a gift like this when you were younger?  Do you remember your first gift from a boy?  Mine was a little stuffed dog with a Journey pin.  Anyone a fan of the band Journey when you were a teenager?  My response was, "You're planning early...isn't six weeks in advance early?"  "No mom, I don't want to be rushed."  All I can say is WOW! (and secretly wish he'd put this much planning into study habits....) 

Happy Monday...hope your week is off to a great start!