Start 'Em While Their Young

I am currently teaching Ella to sew. She is anxious to be making her own stuff. I raided my stash and gave her a bunch of fabric that I knew I would never use and so far she's tried to make some mittens (because those are necessary here in Florida where it rarely ever gets to 40 degrees, and then of course it's the summer...when you need mittens the most), a pillow for her newest sister, and a pair of pajama bottoms for Rachel. I had to help her with pining the pattern on the fabric, ironing and the casing but that was it basically. She cut it out and sewed all the other seams.

Anniversary Gift #2

The FedEx man just came banging on my door with THIS!!!!!

It's our 9th anniversary in two days and he already got me an ice cream maker! I'm not sure how much more of this spoiling I can handle. I think the poor FedEx man must have thought I was insane because I just kept saying, "Oh my gosh, it's a dressform," over and over and over.

Now the big question is...what do I make first?

Welcome Baby Zoe!

I get to be the lucky one to announce that Meagan is finally NOT pregnant anymore.

Zoe Michelle was born this morning, July 1, at 9:46. She weighed 8 pounds even and is 20 inches long. Meagan is doing well but, understandably, very tired. She just went to sleep.

I get to go up this weekend and see them! Yeehaw! She said she has a few pictures but obviously doesn't have a way to post them, so we'll get some up sometime. Maybe Leah will see them before I do and she can post pictures?

Happy Birthday, Dear Boy!

Last week was my oldest's birthday. Aaron turned 5 on Wednesday. It is always so bittersweet for me when he has a birthday. In many ways I feel like he was just born, but in others, it has been a lifetime. I cannot really remember what day to day life was like without children, and he was the first. Anyway, he wanted a Cars/Hotwheels birthday, so we mixed themes for him. He had so much fun turning five.

Happy Birthday, little one! You are so loved!

Cute!

Isn't he cute? And fat? ha ha... Really, I am just showing off his new onsie that we got in the mail yesterday from Johanna's talented fingers at www.showers-of-blessing.net

Great, huh? Not a great picture, I know... it was taken early this morning after his bath and I was in a hurry....

Thank you Johanna... we love it. Even my husband was very impressed, and ask Jo, he doesn't get excited about anything! :-)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I actually did some sewing!! I haven't really done any sewing other than work since Christmas, so it is about time! I made pajama pants for the whole family. The boys picked out the fabrics and were so excited when they got to wear them last night. This morning, I made green pancakes and green scrambled eggs too. They wouldn't eat the eggs, but the green pancakes were a hit! In the picture, you cannot see the green in the pancakes really well because the outsides turned brown, but the insides were bright green!

I decided to spare you the picture of me and Jerry in our pajamas, but here they are folded on the bed! I am a bit frustrated with the pattern I used for these, because they turned out so much bigger than the measurements on the pattern. I will have to alter them.

I also wanted to show you all a few shots from Ethan's birthday party this past weekend. He wanted an Ohio State Buckeye party, so I made the cake and we all wore team colors! He had a blast. Here is my very big boy at his party:

Fun With Kids, Part 2

Okay, so I wanted to put this with the last post, but Blogger decided I had uploaded enough pictures for one post - even after I deleted one so I could add another one. Apparently it doesn't work that way! I also wanted to post a bit of Aaron's art work that he has been created with the Little Artist Case that Joanna sent him for Christmas. He absolutely loves that thing and draws with it constantly. In fact, as I type this, it is sitting on the couch next to me because he was drawing with it just a minute ago. Anyway, his art work never ceases to amaze me. Here is a sample: a turtle he drew without a picture to copy, and a flower that if you'll notice he copied from the flower on the front of the pad of paper. I think it is a pretty close representation!

Fun With the Kids

So I've been largely absent here since the holidays. The problem is that I haven't really been crafting at all. I've had work to do, but I don't like posting my work that I get paid for, and I haven't touched my sewing machine other than to complete an order since Christmas! I think I am rebelling since I did so much just before Christmas - I wore myself out. What I have been thoroughly occupied with is my children. You know, potty training, correcting all out defiance, curbing temper tantrums...oh, and some playing! Today, I gave them each a pile of shaving cream on the table and just let them go to town! They are having so much fun with this! I took the pictures I have on here, but they are still playing and now it is pretty much everywhere. It will take a bit of clean up, but can't you tell they are having a blast?

Christmas Loot

My secret santa was Johanna. She sewed up this totally cool crochet hook and knitting needle holder. I'm so thick-headed sometimes that I didn't see the note in the package and my family and I debated for a while about what it was. I thought to myself that it was for needles and hooks but didn't say anything. But my mom came up with, "It's a chopstick holder," and Del's contribution was, "Japanese tackle box." I actually called Johanna to confirm my suspisions and she said (in not quite these exact words) "Duh, Joanna, can't you read?!" Picture me with a sheepish grin. But, don't my crochet hooks and knitting needles look cozy in that lovely brocade and 100% silk? I'm telling you Johanna is quite a talented sewer. She hasn't been posting what she's been sewing. Stop being so modest Johanna. I won't even attempt to do justice to the elephants and bags she made the girls. My cheesy Little Artist Cases pale in comparison. You should have seen my grandma ooohhh and aaaahhhh over the elephants. OK, stop me now! Check out the fabric box that Johanna also made! I mean, holy shmolies, it's ssoooo beautiful. I really want to clear off my dresser and set this box on it. It's such a soothing color. Thank you so much for everything Johanna. Thank you for putting so much time and love into the gifts you sent me and my family, I feel so blessed and loved.