Craft Friday

So. on friday I sat down and started working on my craft list. It was a bust, as you can see the pillow above is missing an L and an X. If at first you don't succeed try try again, but first take a break and go to Old navy during the 30% off sale :)

The pillow may not have turned out exactly like I wanted but I am definately getting better accquainted with my sewing machine. I wonder how long it will be before I fill comfortable sewing.

Overall it has been a really great weekend. We bought a loft bed for C, which he loves, he keeps saying " my bed is so high!" The kids room is definately coming along.

We leave for CA in less than 2 weeks and I feel like I have a ton of things to do between now and then. We'll see how much of it actually gets done since everything seems to take me 5 times as long as it should now that I have 2 kids. I sure do love them though and I getting used to my

slow paced life. Tober is crying so ta ta for now.

Birthday Extravaganza

C's birthday party was a big success.
A friend of mine threw an "Orange tastic" birthday party for her 2 year old, and when I heard that I thought it was the perfect idea. For one, C is a difficult eater but things like cheese and oranges are favorites of his. Also , I knew it wouldn't cost us a fortune to decorate yet it would still feel festive and themed.

We woke up this morning and as is tradition ate at IHOP. I'll blog the back story another night when I am not as tired. Then we had two hours to do four hours worth of prep for the party, but thankfully our guests and family were wonderful and helpful when they arrived and things were unfinished. Overall, I call it a full success, now because I am exhausted and still have 5 hours before Tober will let me sleep I am going to need all my energy just to keep my eyes open. So much more to say, will say it later.

Peanut butter

We currently have about 7 jars of peanut butter, and pb and j sammies just weren't cutting it so last night C bug and I made Peanut butter cookies. It was actually really fun to have him old enough to help me make something. It felt like a friday night, which is awesome cause today is Friday so now I get 2 of them :) Actually I have quite the event filled weekend, so as soon as I am done posting this it's on to cleaning and getting ready for C's 3rd birthday party. fun fun.

My 'To Make List'

So I have in my head a list of a few craft ideas I would like to accomplish in the next few months so I thought I'd jot them down to help me remember all of them.

1. Ruffles and stuff inspired POmPOm lamp (only in grey)
2.ABC pillow inspired by Romp Picture(featured in my romp post)
3. Spruce up our bedroom pillows with some lace and ruffles.
4. wallpaper our wardrobe.
5. Make individualized Blank books for all my neices and nephews
6.more hair clips and head band to restart my etsy shop.

Alright, I suppose I will add more as they come to me. C has a birthday party on sat. so I should probably spend this week focused on that but starting next week I am out to conquer 'the list'!

Big Brothers

I was blessed growing up to have the best big brother in the whole world. I loved and admired him and he set a wonderful example for me and my siblings. (there are six of us) I don't think I ever really understood what it was like to be the oldest in a family until I had my first kid. They are the guinea pig for all your parenting mishaps, and whether they like it or not their younger siblings will rely on their example. So not only do they get the worst of it they also have to deal with it with all eyes on them. It can be intense.

I have been so amazed by the love that C has for his little sister and to see their bond, formed already even though they are small, and know that he is looking out for her. He does an amazing job and he is only 3 years old! I should let him know it.

I am so glad she has an older brother. I am glad they have each other.

Flower shirt

I am trying to establish some sewing skills and after making an incredibly ugly skirt I needed to redeem myself. So I quickly made a felt rosette flower and stitched it to one of Tober's plain t-shirts. I am happy with the finished project but I still feel very much like an amateur. Oh well, all in good time right?

Smazing

C is doing such a terrific job with learning to go potty. This sticker chart really seems to help, he loves getting to put a new sticker on everytime he uses the potty. I wish all new stages of motherhood were this easy. hmmm maybe I should knock on wood, He's not done with potty training yet...

ROMP

I love this online kids store called Romp. It just reeks of creativity and artsy-ness. I often wonder why kid stuff cant be fun for kids and look good too, Guess what, it can!

Those pillows particularly remind me of Mama R and Meloncholy Smile.

Before

After

As promised here are some of the before and After pics of Ctober's room. The dresser is hiding in the closet because it is ugly. But with a fresh coat of paint and some new knobs (thanks to Ikea, super cheap!) It is wicked awesome looking. I am really loving this grey kids room. To some it may seem a really dark and drab color for kids but I am using a lot of white and natural wood color to lighten the space. Also the colorful bedding and toys make it impossible to feel down. There is a playfulness to the grey, it is sweet, and a little sophisticated. I like, I like.

What? Sorry, are you talking to me?

Taxes

I just want to say how thankful I am for a tax refund. I know that it is such a blessing for us and one we wont always recieve.

I also want to say how thankful I am for the WIC program, without you I wouldn't be able to go on a date with my husband tonight because we would have to use that money on milk.

There is Sunshine, Blessed Sunshine

It's another sunny day in Washington, and I have opened every window in my house and can't help but sit in it's light.

Maybe if I can bring myself to want to get dressed :) I'll take my kids out again, I found a delightful little trail near my house and if I listen carefully I think I can hear it calling... but then so are the dishes. They are saying "wash us please!"

French Onion Soup, Tiramisu, and an Overflowing Bath Tub

So last night Jones and I attempted to make dinner together while the kids were both awake. It was an interesting experience. As I was in the middle of beating my egg whites, trying to make them firm Tober starts screaming at the top of her lungs making it impossible for me to hear C bug in the tub calling for me because it was overflowing. I thought I heard his little voice so I turned off the beater and ran to him but by then it was too late and the bathroom floor was covered witrh water. So with a crying baby and egg whites deflating I gathered all our towels and threw them on the floor. Tober calmed down and Jones came to my rescue, leaving his soup behind to clean up the bathroom mess. I had to start over with the eggs but after about 4 hours of hard work we sat down to a nice dinner of overdone steaks, amazing French Onion soup, and topped it off with a delicious Tiramisu.

Unfortunate reading

Today while preparing for a talk I am giving on sunday I stubbled across the blog of an angry ex mormon. Unfortunately for me I read some of her post before exiting her site. I was left with such sad feelings for her. Her words were so thick with anger and pride, self righteousness. Is it really wisdom to believe that our own bad experiences dictate the truth for everyone. To dedicate her time to a Blog that sole purpose is to expose the mormon church.. it was like listening to an angry teenager. I know people who react the same way. They let hurt feelings lead them to do things they shouldn't and then blame the person who hurt them, and they just can not let it go, they hold on to the hurt, and they eventually want everyone to be miserable too. Now I am in a funk and cant prepare my lesson. I think tonight in my prayers I will pray for those who are hurting, that they may be able to see past it and find happiness again.

C bug potty news

He is going to hate me for this when he is older.

So C is doing an amazing job with potty training, the truth is that if I wasn't often too distracted by Toby J, he would probably never have any messes. He always goes if I ask him if he needs to. Lets hope it keeps up like this.

Howdy Audi

HUzzah! We got a new car! well a used wagon actually, but new to us. I love it and I am so happy that I can drive. For the last 5 months I have been trapped by a manual truck (that I can't drive), with 2 doors and little cab space that we stuck our kids in. It has been such a blessing to even have said truck, but it has also been difficult. Now we have a car that truly fits our growing family. Its an Audi A6 Quattro Wagon, and its awesome! Did I mention how happy I am.

2010 Calendar

I LOVE CALENDARS. IT JUST FEELS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO VISUALIZE THE UPCOMING DAYS. IT CLEARS MY MIND TO ORGANIZE THEM AND PLAN AHEAD. SO I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR A NEW CALENDAR AND THESE ARE SOME OF MY OPTIONS, I NEED SPACE FOR LOTS OF WRITING CAUSE THATS HOW I ROLL, AND THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND ONE THAT IS ALSO PRETTY.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29037133