Rosie

Recent Paintings

Rosie Roberson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:19:00 GMT

Here are some photos of some paintings I have done recently . . . all for babies of friends!

For Kirsten's Eleanor:

For Michelle's Emiline:

For Haven's Paisley:

Using Pandora To Educate Our Children

Rosie Roberson — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:09:00 GMT

I LOVE PANDORA.

I have become addicted since getting my iPhone. Usually I put it on something like Jack Johnson radio . . . but last night, Josh and I came to the realization that our children had never heard the song Ice Ice Baby. Can you imagine NOT knowing that song? Something had to be done about it . . . so we turned up the speakers on our iHome and set Pandora to Vanilla Ice radio. Let me tell you that the whole family never had more fun cleaning up from dinner. Henry, Cole and Maisie ROCKED OUT . . . and Henry busted some BRAND NEW DANCE MOVES. The list of songs that came out of those speakers and into the spongy brains of my children are as follows:

1. Bust a Move by Young MC
2. Jump Around by House of Pain
3. U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer
4. Good Vibrations by Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch
5. Thriller by Michael Jackson
6. Girls by the Beastie Boys
7. Summertime by Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
8. Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

We kept the music pumping until the song that inspired the family rock out finally played . . . and then transitioned into bedtime (sweet dreams I'm sure). Did you read that list? They were all classics! I busted the running man. I jumped around to house of pain. I did the hand signals for Too Legit To Quit (even though it didn't even play!). The only one the kids had heard before was Thriller. Josh and I showed them the Thriller moves. They were deprived before last night. It was an evening to remember (okay, maybe not).

Haven's Virtual Shower

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:09:00 GMT

For my fabulous WU Pi Phis . . . here are the photos of Haven's virtual shower!

Here is the happy couple attempting to set up skype video conferencing . . . and, look! It's Rhiannon!

Thank you Ricky for suggesting and setting up the PHONE conference. And on the right we have haven with Paisley's new red dragon finger puppet from Emily.

A shot of some of the gifts . . . they had been PILING UP in my bedroom. Very fun to receive so many packages in the mail . . . even if they were for Haven and not me! And here's the pump! Yay! Thanks to Quannah for suggesting we all pitch in for this one!

I believe in this photo Haven is opening a gift from Liz. Aren't Quannah and Haven cute? Note the angora baby socks from Emily on the table. This baby is going to be spoiled . . . I mean WELL LOVED.

And here are Ugly Dolls from Michelle. I actually think they are quite cute. And I thought you all might like to see some photos of Paisley's nursery. Nice job, Haven and Quannah. It turned out VERY cute . . .and warm . . . she will feel very loved.

Okay, that last one isn't actually of the nursery . . . it is me, taking a picture of me, in the hallway mirror . . . but hey, I was at the shower, don't I deserve a photo?

So those are all the photos. It was wonderful to see Haven . . . she was just glowing. She looks awesome and unless she is a fabulous actress, she seems to be feeling great too. And I want to give a shout out to Quannah for being awesome in helping set up the virtual shower and in general caring so much about Haven and Paisley (and thanks for fitting Josh and I in at 38 on Central the other night!). The more I get to know Quannah, the more I am impressed by him. And Haven, you are going to be a WONDERFUL mother! Paisley is already a very lucky girl!

Thank you Kirsten, Erica, Michelle, Emily, Emily, Kim, Carrie, Ali and Rhiannon for being a part of the virtual shower for Haven and an extra thank you to Liz for doing the organizing with Quannah. I love all you girls.

Trying hard to keep my New Year's Resolution

Rosie Roberson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:24:00 GMT

I know I have ALREADY been delinquent in my one entry per week goal . . . but I have really been trying! I just get so busy! Here are some photos I had very good intentions of posting in January . . .

Uncle Terry (Josh's sister's husband -- Luke, Chase and Taylor's dad) brought us this cool item: big chunks of honey comb full of honey. It came off of a building they were demolishing or remodeling or something at work. Terry said the bee keepers handled the bees, but he thought we might think the honey comb was cool. Josh put it in a jar . . . Cole was fascinated and Josh and Cole ate some. They said you just chew the wax and spit it out -- leaving delicious honey in your mouth.

Here we have some Captain Underpants action from Christmas-time. These pictures are of the kids when the gifts from the Kenneys arrived in the mail. It was quite the fun event -- a couple days before Christmas. We let them open early.

This is another Christmas-time (yes, I know I am way behind on posting) sequence . . . Henry and Dawson opening gifts from the Mackeys on Christmas Eve. Matching RC cars!

You might have noticed by now that Cole loves Nerf guns. He received a couple of new ones at Christmas -- one from the Kenneys and one from Michael. This added to his collection . . . and they all get used on a daily basis. He has Nerf wars with the neighborhood kids and with Josh and Henry and cousin Luke . . . especially Luke. With all these guns, Cole was in need of some extra bullets. So early in January we gave Cole one of his birthday gifts early -- 100 bullets and a case to store all his ammo. Here he is posing with some of his guns.

The ammo case was was also necessary to help organize his ammo . . . inJanuary we reorganized the boys' room . . . trying to make a place foreverything and get rid of old toys and put toys that are sets of many,many tiny items back together. Here is a shot of their room -- as Idon't think I ever gave you a shot of their loft beds that Josh builtthis summer.

For my birthday, Josh bought me some cookie sheets. Now I know this sounds funny, but I have been wanting new, high-quality cookie sheets . . . the insulated kind (less chance of burning the cookies!) and bigger, so that more cookies fit (cutting down on the in-kitchen time). The other thing to mention is that Josh is the one who makes the most cookies around here . . . so it was a double gift -- cookie sheets as well as a promise to make more cookies!

Here is the first batch about to go in the oven . . .

And here's the cookie guy . . .

Cole Turns Seven!!!

Rosie Roberson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:14:00 GMT

Yesterday was Cole's birthday. He is now the big 7! His festivities started on Sunday afternoon and pretty much went non-stop until Tuesday night. The following is a run-down on his fun, along with some pictures . . .

Sunday afternoon, Cole's Nana and Papa (Josh's Parents) picked Cole up and took him birthday shopping. He came home with a Nerf sword and a Nerf battle ax along with hand cuffs. Just what a seven year old needs, right? He said the hand cuffs were for Maisie. Unfortunately for Cole, Maisie has it down to getting out of them in 8 seconds. Next, Nana and Papa took Cole, Henry and Maisie out to lunch. Fun!

At 4:30 Cole's two buddies, Ayden and Kellen, arrived to stay the night. Cole had us call them before they came to tell them to bring their Nerf swords so they could battle at our house. Much fun. We gave Cole a birthday gift early that evening so that the boys would have a new video game to play when they weren't battling, eating pizza and strawberry shortcake or having Nerf gun wars. Josh had picked out the PS3 game (as I am NOT into video games) so I didn't know much about it, but it turned out to be really cool. It is called Little Big Planet. Maisie was even playing -- and that is quite unusual. I highly recommend that game if you are in the market for such things.

Monday the kids don't have school, so that is when we scheduled Cole's kid party. I only work half-days from home on Mondays, so I was able to work in the early AM and late afternoon and still do the whole party. The kids arrived at 10 and we loaded them in vehicles and headed to some trails that we like to walk/hike. That was our big idea for Cole's party -- take the boys on a hike where they could be as wild and full of energy as they wanted. We handed out foam swords to all of them upon arriving at the trails so they could run around whacking each other (that means fun for seven year old boys). At the trails, my brothers met up with us and did the hike with us. Very fun. Maisie's friend, Rain, also came with us (she comes over every Monday) as well as cousin Luke. It was a GREAT time. I was worried, because when we woke up it was raining, but we went ahead and did it anyway, and I am glad we did. Things like MUD do not bother these boys!

We were planning on doing cupcakes, gifts, etc at a park afterward, but because of the rain, we headed back to our house and did that stuff at home. It was an overall great time.

Cole with his buddies at the table about to have cupcakes

Blowing out the candles and the pile of shoes at the front door after the muddy hike

Here are the boys posing for a photo after cupcakes (Cole is holding the battle ax from Nana and Papa)

Here are the rest of the hikers (minus me, the photographer, and Zack and Michael, who had to head to work)

Tuesday was Cole's actually birthday. We woke him up with singing happy birthday, and he headed off to school. At school they sang to him and he got to wear a crown. When he got home from school, we let him open one gift immediately . . . the box he opened contained a clue that led him on a treasure hunt. He followed the clues (about eight of them) around the house until he came to his big surprise -- a new bike! We had wanted him to open it when there was still daylight (as opposed to after dinner with the other gifts). He road his new bike until it was time to start him family party.

Treasure hunt photos in sequence:

We were planning on celebrating with just our immediate little family -- as I was concerned everyone was getting tired of all the birthday get-togethers (there are a lot in January), but my family wasn't having that! My Mom and Dad, Deirdre and Eric, Zack and Michael all arrived for a fun dinner party. Cole had requested Thai food, so before everyone arrived, we made a BIG order and Josh ran out to pick it up. Cole showed off his new bike and we had Thai food and a traditional Roberson pistachio cake made by Josh. There was lots of gift opening and an overall good time.

Here is Cole about to blow out the candles . . .

After the party, Cole decided to try on some of his new camo boxer briefs from Grandma along with the new Nerf accessory we gave him. . . it brings back memories of our little Captain Underpants!

Cole then had to go to bed (as it was a school night) . . . so he can look forward to many days of trying out his new gifts/toys/bike etc etc. Today, when he got home from school he jumped right on his bike until we called him in for dinner.

A Shout Out to My Awesome Mom and my Doctor Bro

Rosie Roberson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:13:00 GMT

I just have to share with you all how wonderful my mom is . . .

Josh is gone all week for work, so I am doing the single-working-parent thing. A bit of a struggle for one not used to it!

So . . .

Yesterday, while I was at work, my Mom took my grocery list and bought all of my groceries. She then delivered them to my house, put away the freezer/fridge items and left homemade brownies on the counter. After all that, before leaving my house, she FOLDED ALL MY LAUNDRY as a bonus to the colossal grocery-getting event.

THANK YOU, MAMA!

I also want to give a shout out to my brother, Zack . . . he is my medicine man . . . my wellness coach . . . whatever you want to call it. He gets all my health-related phone calls and helps my family with all our colds, flu, stress, low thyroid, back pain, whatever . . . and he recently opened a practice in Ashland. Yay! We are so happy to have him in the rouge valley. Here is a link to his website:

www.roguevalleynaturalmedicine.com

Besides being an ND, he is also a well-loved uncle. Here is a fun picture from over the holidays at my parent's house:

The Yummiest Cake Ever

Rosie Roberson — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:34:00 GMT

For my birthday on Tuesday, Josh made me the most fabulous cake. He searched through cook books until he found one that sounded wonderful . . . and executed it perfectly. The photos do not do this cake justice. It was a dense chocolate cake, iced once with a layer of toasted and pureed hazelnuts, followed by a second layer of chocolate "frosting" that was more like a thick shiny coating of yumminess.

I want to post more, but I am worn out after an incredibly stressful week. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some down-time and can catch y'all up on the Roberson life and happenings.

                                              My Cake


Can you see the heart in the icing?                                        Can you see the layer of hazelnuts?

Cutie Cole and Josh lighting the cake

It's Just a Tootsie

Rosie Roberson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:09:00 GMT

Again, Henry just cracked me up with one of his quotes. Here is Quote of the Week (#2) . . .

Background:

We call feet tootsies at our house when they are cute and little (belong to small children).
Cole and Henry share a room and each have a loft bed (did I ever post pictures?). Yes, Henry had a loft bed when he was only 2. Yes, this is dangerous and we are bad parents. And yes, the boys love it.
Henry recently had a birthday and received some G-Force (he loves that movie) action figures which he likes to play with a lot.
When Josh or I read to the kids at bedtime, we sit in the rocking chair in the hallway and read aloud to all three kids who are in their beds "quietly relaxing."
Sitting in the rocking chair, you look directly into Cole and Henry's bedroom at the foot of Henry's loft bed.
The kids are not supposed to get out of their beds once we start reading (but this rule pretty much gets broken every night due to bathroom needs, water needs, lap-sitting needs etc etc). Once the kids have all gotten out of their beds several times, Josh and I get serious (ha) and really enforce the rule. This is the point where our story begins . . .

I am sitting in the rocking chair in the hallway reading Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince out loud to the kids. All three are supposed to be IN BED . . . NOT getting out. All is quiet (except for me reading). I glance up and see one little leg dangling from the side of Henry's bed toward the big wooden desk that the boys jump onto to get down.

Me: Henry, you are not supposed to be out of bed.
Henry (in an imploring tone): It's just a tootsie!

I realize that he is not, in fact, trying to get out of bed, but instead trying to use his toes to grab a certain G-Force action figure off the desk. His little toes are working SO HARD. I am stiffling a laugh and watcing the struggle when I see Cole jump down, grab the G-Force guy, hand it to Henry and climb back into bed. The little leg disappears again . . . and I continue reading. Later that night, Josh and I couldn't resist saying that to eachother over and over at odd times . . . "It's just a tootsie!"

I love that quote -- "It's just a tootsie." as in "Ah, Mom. Come on. I'm not really getting out of bed! I just really need this G-Force guy up here with me!"

Parent Controls

Rosie Roberson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:29:00 GMT

So, remember those iTouches I mentioned in my last entry? Well, the Restrictions are now turned ON for little Henry's. He had figured out how to BUY APPs on his own. Not good. At least we caught on early . . . before he maxed out the credit card. Okay, he only spent 3.96 (four games at .99) but it COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE!

iTouch Christmas

Rosie Roberson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:50:00 GMT

Maisie, Henry and Cole got iTouches from Santa for Christmas this year. The kids though it was a gift to them, but really I think Santa had Josh and I in mind . . . as it meant we finally got our iPhones back. We are officially an Apple Family now. But seriously these little devices have changed our lives (not sure if it is for the better yet!). Josh got himself an iPhone for his birthday in October (and he got me one too!). He knew I wouldn't get one for myself (with all the computer stuff I do all day I am super-anti technology) . . . but I am now hooked. Anyway, the kids were constantly playing with our phones. It is amazing how much Henry can do on his own on the mac as well as the iphone/itouch. Maybe he will be a computer wiz. Here are some pics of the boys with their new toys.

Are my cupcakes coming to my party?

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Are my cupcakes coming to my party?

This just cracked me up. I can't be certain, however, if Henry was being sincere/seriously asking, or if he was trying to be funny. He is a little jokester. Whoever said kids his age don't have a sense of humor is wrong.

Here is the build up to the quote . . . all week in anticipation of his party at Science Works (a hands-on museum that Henry LOVES and hadn't been to in a while) Henry kept asking who was coming. He would ask about the same person multiple times (especially, Luke, his older cousin), as he just loved hearing that, yes, they were coming, for him! . . . to celebrate HENRY! . . . Luke would be at his party!

So our conversion would go like this:

Henry: Mom?

Me: Yes, Henry?

Henry (very serious): Is Luke coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Luke is coming to your party.

Henry (smiling now): Is Dawson coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Dawson is coming to your party.

Henry (getting in the groove): Is Grandma coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Grandma is coming to your party.

He would be satisfied at this point (or possibly not, we might go through a few more names), but I would expect to start the conversation over again later in the day . . . possibly with different names, but most likely Luke would be in there somewhere.

On Saturday I spent some time baking and icing FORTY EIGHT cupcakes. Henry was aware of this process and LOVED that it was happening. He knew the cupcakes were for HIM . . . for HIS BIRTHDAY . . . for HIS PARTY.

On Saturday evening our conversation began again . . .

Henry: Mom?

Me: Yes, Henry?

Henry (very serious): Is Luke coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Luke is coming to your party.

Henry (smiling now): Is Chase coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Chase is coming to your party.

Henry (serious, again): Mom?

Me: Yes?

Henry: Are my cupcakes coming to my party?

Me: Yes, Henry. Your cupcakes are coming to your party. [Followed by big hug and smile from me . . . laughing inside!]

From then on he referred to his party as his cupcake party . . . as in "Luke is coming to my cupcake party!"

Quote of the Week Makes a Comeback

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:29:00 GMT

I tried to start this a while ago (Quote of the Week), but it never really caught on (as in I did not post a quote each week), but I am making another attempt. Be on the lookout for some funny (or even heart-warming) quotes straight from my kiddos each week. And with the amount of hillarious stuff that comes out of their mouths, it might turn in to quote of the day or simply funny quotes (as there really are many, many every day). There have been a couple to remember throughout the birthday celebrations, so you can look forward to those first.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!!

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:21:00 GMT

I only have a few minutes now, but here are a few photos . . . I will write another entry tomorrow (hopefully) with details as we had such a great couple of days celebrating Henry's birthday! Note, these are in REVERSE chronological order . . . starting with the end of tonight and working backwards into yesterday afternoon . . .

Playing on the new little drum set while wearing new underoos (do they still call them that?) from Grandma and Grandpa

Henry is SO BIG!

The table was covered with action figures . . . the G-Force guy from Nana and Papa stood watch at Henry's place . . .

Henry colored happily while I prepared his birthday table . . .

Leaving Science Works after a FUN party . . .

Kutter, Zenden, Henry

Zenden, Henry, Dawson

Fun at Science Works

New Year's Resolution

Rosie Roberson — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:51:00 GMT

Okay . . . it is not quite the new year, but I have a new year's resolution -- I will be better about updating this blog! Shall we say at least one entry per week?? Thanks for the push, Erica! So if anyone is still reading/checking . . . check back soon! I have a lot to catch you all up on! Photos from 2009!!

Everyone have a safe and happy new year!

Fun Fact

Rosie Roberson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:07:00 GMT

Maisie's hands are now bigger than mine! I found this quite shocking. I noticed this when I was trying to show her the proper technique for serving a volleyball -- and how a firm hand is important. Her fingers now extend beyond mine when placed palm to palm. I have a feeling she might end up taller than me as well. Second fun fact? Maisie has finally decided that she LIKES volleyball! I am very happy for this turn of events! I am no longer a "mean mom" for forcing her to play . . .

First Day of School Photos

Rosie Roberson — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:39:00 GMT

I know I am a little late in posting these, but better late than never! Here are first day of school photos. It is fun to compare to previous years!

Maisie 2008: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2008/09/02/maisies-first-day-of-school.aspx

Cole 2008: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2008/09/08/coles-first-day-of-kindergarten.aspx

Maisie 2007: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2007/09/04/maisies-first-day-of-school.aspx

Cole 2007: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2007/09/04/coles-first-day-of-school.aspx

Maisie 2006: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2006/09/05/maisies-first-day-of-school.aspx

Cole 2006: http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2006/09/05/coles-almost-first-day-of-school---.aspx
and http://rosie.allendiaries.com/2006/09/13/coles-first-day-of-school.aspx

52 Pumpkins

Rosie Roberson — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:33:00 GMT

We harvested 52 pumpkins out of our back yard garden (or "yarden" as our friend, Jay, likes to say) today. We wheeled them around front . . . then scrubbed them all down and lined them up along our front walk. Fun, fun. I had no idea there were so many out there. No wonder Josh has been chopping them and chucking them (to make room for other plants) the whole growing season!

MIA

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

If any of you are still checking my blog and wondering where I have been, I have been very busy . . . the blog has been neglected, but better than neglecting, say, my kids, right?

Summer is over and the kids are back in school . . . I had Josh take a photo of each Maisie and Cole on their first day (I was already at work) . . . but I have not had a chance to see how those pics turned out. I will hopefully get those onto my laptop this week and post them on the blog. It is fun to see how the kids change by comparing the first day of school pic from each year.

Henry wishes he was going to school too. He is so cute. He is ready, I think, for preschool, but he is only 2, and the ones I have looked into require him to be 3 to start. He is already potty trained, though, and can sing the whole alphabet and count into the teens . . . he is a very good communicator with fabulously complex sentences. He even makes jokes. Too funny.

Cole had his first soccer game this weekend. He scored four goals. Nice job Cole! They don't keep score at his level, but I think his team got 7 goals . . . 4 of 7 isn't bad, eh? Cole is quite the little athlete. He is also great with numbers. Not much of a reader yet, but is really good at math and kicks but at Rummikub. He has also learned how to play chess (he wanted to learn because they play it in Harry Potter) and is always begging for a game.

The kids have a four-day-a-week school week this year. Weird and sad. Teachers got a 10% decrease. Kids miss out on a whole day of school each week. I am sure families where both parents work are struggling with Mondays. So far my kids aren't complaining about it, but they have Josh home with them and we try to give them interesting things to do! Maisie's friend, Rain, is going to come over every Monday . . . so those two little pre-teens are happy about that. The two of them are so funny. When Rain comes over the two of them put on "performances" for us . . . singing and dancing to their favorite songs (but they only know the words to the chorus). It is shocking how many of their fave songs are from when I was a kid! Another sign Maisie is now a tween: she idolizes Selina Gomez.

What else?

About a week ago I got some samples of my newest game in the mail . . . so that was fun. Now if the game would just get some distribution, that would be great. Hopefully you all will see it in stores this fall. It is called 'Under My Spell' and is for the Wizards of Waverly Place Disney Channel TV show.

I have a verbal contract for another game with the same company (Cardinal Industries) but haven't seen the actual contract or advance yet . . . but that one is supposed to be going out in fall as well . . . I will keep you posted. It is for a TV show as well . . . more info to come . . .

Josh and I head up to my WU (Willamette University) 10 year reunion this upcoming weekend! Wowey zowey! Am I that old? We are leaving the kids with my Mom and Dad . . . we haven't ever left all three before. Hopefully all goes well!

I guess I never posted over the summer, so here are a few tidbits about those sunny days . . .

We took a trip up to Portland to see Zack (my brother) graduate from Medical School. Very exciting. And the even more exciting part is that Zack has moved back down here (to Ashland). We are so happy to have him close. Cole and Henry can't get enough of their cool uncle who loves to play with them. This weekend Zack climbed the roof of my parents' house so that Cole and Henry could shoot rockets to him . . . very fun.

We went on a fabulous camping trip to the redwoods. We stayed at Jedediah Smith State Park in Cali. Wonderful. My parents and Zack and Deirdre (my sister) came too. So much fun. Lots of swimming in the river and enjoying the outdoors. Nice to not use a computer for several days in a row!

We got to have Zach and Kim (our fabulous P-town friends) come stay with us and we met their new addition, Delaney. She is so cute! And Declan (their 2 year old) has grown so much . . . it was so fun to see Henry and Declan play together.

I am continually grateful to be close to family -- we love seeing our niece and nephews. Henry and Dawson are such a little pair. They are such buddies. Henry calls Dawson "My Dawson." They see each other several times a week and talk on the phone. Luke comes over a lot too . . . he gets to be the big kid at our house (he is the baby at his house) . . . Maisie and Cole worship him. I went and watched Taylor play in one of her first volleyball games of the year . . . she is a fabulous athlete and will be off to college next year! Cole is on Kabb's soccer team again. Chase is now taller than I am! He was shorter than me just a few months ago!

I am coaching Maisie's volleyball team again this year. And got roped into being the 4th and 5th grade coordinator as well . . . so I am often on the phone with parents and setting up game schedules etc etc. I so hope Maisie learns to love VB! At this point she is not very happy with me for making her play. All the other girls think I am great! Oh, well. Maybe that is another tween trait. Mom's are so frustrating, right? Why can't she just do what she wants to do? Maisie is currently walking around the house in a pair of my heals.

That is about it for now! Hopefully I will post soon . . . with pictures!

In the News

Rosie Roberson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:44:00 GMT

There was a HUGE photo of Cole in the paper today . . . and a small one of me! Read the article here:

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090706/NEWS/907060313

There are a ton of misquotes (I don't end sentences with "stuff" and I don't use the word "neat"), but fun anyway!

Summer Update

Rosie Roberson — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:10:00 GMT

Well I haven't made an entry in quite some time, so there is a lot to report . . .

We are all enjoying summer . . . I am part way through nine days off work and just arrived back last night from a road trip to see my brother, Zack, graduate from medical school! The trip was fun; full of lots of family events . . . and a big bonus -- Henry is now totally potty trained. I wouldn't have guessed that a road trip would help to make that happen! I guess there were lots of different interesting potties to try out!

Before all that . . . the kids wrapped up the school year really positively and have been doing things like swim lessons and volleyball camp etc. Cole wrapped up a fun soccer season with his cousin and has been swimming a lot at his buddy's house across the street. Maisie is looking forward to girl scout camp . . . her first week away from home! It is the same camp I went to as a girl. Should be fun!

Josh's garden is huge this year full of wonderful stuff. He also planted several new fruit trees and put in some raised beds for strawberries and raspberries. Our cherry trees this year really produced and, for some reason, the birds left some cherries for us. I have been eating homemade cherry spread on toast each morning. So delicious.

Things have been interesting game-wise for me lately. This Big has received three awards now and has been getting some local attention (Gamewright has been promoting etc). Our local newspaper was over at our house today taking photos of me and the kids playing This Big. That story is supposed to run on Monday. They also ran a quick story last week.

I should have another new game coming out any day now with Cardinal Games for Wizards of Waverly Place . . . I will post when it comes out. It also looks like I will be signing another contract with Cardinal for another game in the next couple of weeks (cross your fingers!).

Another fun tidbit is that Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom game is now carried in store at Target. It was very fun to see it on the shelves! Hopefully I will see an increase in royalties!

On a totally unrelated subject, Josh has finally got me to take an interest in playing Ultimate [Frisbee] . . . which has been a lot of fun. I have had more energy to do things like that as I started going to a Naturopathic doctor about 8 weeks ago. I am super-happy with the results. Zack, my brother, turned me on to this kind of medicine as that is what he was studying in school. It is so wonderful to not be so tired all the time! Yay!

What else has been going on??!! I am sure I am forgetting tons of stuff. i will try to be better about blogging in the future. To end this post, here are a few photos . . .

Soccer player Cole . . .

One of the last days of school was "crazy hair day."

Litte Henry, a couple months ago (when the weather was still cool). . .

Gaden bounty . . .

kids . . .

Some name paintings I have done recently . . .