Do you like pencil sketches?  How about turning some of your pictures into pencil sketches?  This is not new, you can find this feature in Photoshop or other tools.  I don't have this feature, so found this free link.

it's simple...upload your photo and it will turn it into a pencil sketch for you:

Click on this link:  Photo Pencil Sketch

If you find something better, let me know!

7 hours with the kids at the SD county fair in Del Mar....feet hurt....but the experience was fantastic.  Most people who know me have seen my emotional side.  I've been working on that the past couple of years.  I noticed that I cry too much over sentimental crap and just wanted to change....like saying "good-bye" to people was excruciating in the past, but now, I almost act like a normal person.  Maybe having kids help...perhaps I don't feel so "alone"...who knows...but it seems to be working....anyway, the point I am trying to make is that I have not been emotional lately....but was caught off guard today....I got choked up (but did not cry :) ....I gave Nic some tickets for his next ride...he ripped it out of my hand, shrieked with excitement and ran in line....in a brief moment, I remember that goofy looking country boy I met 2+ years ago...and just watching him being a normal happy kid...well, just made me so happy!!!

There were so many great pictures to be taken at the fair, but I only took less than 10 pictures...imagine that!  Darn memory card was full (urgh!). 

Fair stays open until midnight, with fireworks and all...I wanted so badly to stay until sunset to see all the blinking carnival lights, but we were beat!

*** just a few more on mamarazzi ***

We have a very special guest this weekend!

In his early twenties, Adrian lived in Germany for a couple of years.  There he met Norbert, a German-Hungarian who was born in Romania.  They've kept in touch throughout the years, but have not seen each other in 17 years! 

Norbort currently resides in Sweden, but is in the States for business!  Lucky for us, he was able to swing by San Diego for a short visit.

Just met him for a day and I like him already.  He has offered to do a house-swap for future vacations......we are totally up for that!  Sweden, here we come!!!! 

Amanda - look who showed up at your school today!!!!!

Julia graduated from the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) this past weekend!

Julia's Mom, Cristina, is Adrian's cousin and God-Mother.  I met Julia when she was around 10 years old...they came down to SD to visit us after their stop at Disneyland.

Julia speaks French, German, English, and Romanian fluently.  She plans to be a French teacher.  Felicitations Julia!!!

Drove to Texas for family get-together to send Amanda off to West Point.

Because we took P out of school early for this road trip, she was required to write a summary of the trip for their records at school.  It took awhile to write this note....I had to help her with spelling the hard words, but the thoughts are hers.

Can you believe after only 1 year in the States, she could write in English!?!?!!!

We took a slight detour to visit the "White Sand Dunes" in New Mexico:

*** Lots of pictures in mamarazzi ***

I think it will be released in 3 weeks!  just 3 more weeks!!!

Here's the cover of the new single:

and I've turned into a mad woman.

Boy, have I been grumpy about planning P's 7th birthday party.  Here's the deal...in the past, we baked a cake and celebrated as a family (the 4 of us)...simple and sweet.  I was hoping to do the same thing....no chance.  P's been to several birthday parties this year and it was Adrian who thought we should give her a party like her friends.  I hate keeping up with the Jones.  So I became pissy about the whole thing.  My only excuse is that I have been CRAZY busy at work.  Working Mom syndrome kicked in (major guilt).....I should be happy to plan her party, but it was a total dread.

Let's start with the cake.  Many months ago, we past a bakery and P saw this beautiful castle cake.  Done - we found the cake, no problem.  Last week, I went to place an order and freaked out when they told me it was $150...seriously!?!?  Irritated by the price, I was convinced that I could make my own castle cake.  Lisa gave me a good idea....order the basic cake from local grocery store then go to Michael's to buy stuff and decorate.  Good plan...heck, I can bake the cake, so why not do the whole thing?  Michael's has everything!  You see, that's a character flaw...I am pissed because I am too busy to do this, but end up somehow convincing myself that I can do the whole thing!  Adrian told me all week...just buy a cake at Costco - done!  (He's hoping that would stop the b*tching)...

I bought this kit at Michael's:

I finished at 3:30 AM the night before her party!!!
It is so ridiculously bad (looks like a castle for dwarfs)....but I did it, damn it!

Lesson learned - buy the basic cake form!  Who knew that cakes don't come out perfectly squared and frosting is a real pain....grrrr!

We picked Michaels to host P's party.  They have a limited headcount, so we couldn't invite everyone in her class.  Only a few close friends were in attendance. 

** more on mamarazzi **

---Quick flasback ---
Our first birthday celebration together when P turned 5:

I missed her 6th birthday.  I left for San Diego early to start working.