Sunday, November 1, 2009

Something Doesn't Add Up

Spent yesterday and today cleaning out junk, 6 bags of trash from organizing and consolidating book shelves, toy bins, and office stuff.

And yet everywhere I look, it appears this house is in a continuing state of chaos.

A shoe here, a toy there, a random empty wrapping paper near the window, a dog toy here, here, here, and here, outdoor cushions that I have no idea what to do with sitting in front of the fireplace...

This is the sound of my head exploding, "@)#$)(@*#)$(*#"

Monday, October 12, 2009

Aubrey's New Dress

Part of Aubrey's birthday present from Aunt Debi this year was a "date" and a shopping trip. One of the things Aubrey got is this BEAUTIFUL "prom" dress. It really is lovely. And Aubrey had a wonderful, fabulous, perfect day!




And of course it twirls!

Silver slippers too!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Created a Monster

and the monster is me... I started sewing just a few weeks ago. That led to following a bunch of new blogs, which led to more and more ideas for crafts or sewing projects.

Today, swim lessons got canceled at the last minute, we hit Wal Mart for a few grocery items for the week, and an idea I have been having took shape. I picked up 7 shirts that ranged from 2-7 dollars. I made these today:




Molly in her M shirt!


And the M and the flower were just my first attempts before I went with what I wanted to do - which is make Christmas shirts for all the cousins we will see on Christmas Eve. I still need to find a 9-12 month red or white onesie but otherwise I am done :) YAY me!

These are reverse appliqued if you are wondering :)

Of note, Aubrey spent the day with her Aunt Debi, one child in the house is ridiculously easy! It helps that she is exhausted and napping, but still :) It sure is quiet. Rooms have been organized, beds stripped, washed, and re-made, fridge cleaned out... and it goes on.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Aubrey is 5!

... ok she turned 5 on the 24th of last month. I have been 1) emotional 2) out of town 3) swamped or 4) ALL OF THE ABOVE.

But we did have a blast on the Saturday before Aubrey's birthday. You can call it a LIE, I call it creative parenting --> I told Aubrey that Saturday was her birthday. I had family call that day to sing to her.

We picked up 2 friends and we went to Build A Bear. Without prior notice, and with only 4 kids, the folks there were able to give us the full party experience! Name tags, hearts, pictures, etc! It was great. Each girl picked any bear they wanted, one accessories (wig, panties, shoes), one outfit. They had a blast and each animal was unique and really showed each girls personality.

We then headed to Ultimate Play Zone. We bounced and climbed and jumped and laughed and had a blast. Nana stopped by and played and went to lunch and cake with us!

From there we walked over to Boardwalk Burger and Fries. By now it is more like chaos than fun (for me anyway).

And then we all came back to our house and had cake, started watching Hannah Montana the movie (but didn't watch more than 10 minutes), went outside, played, played and then we took everyone home.

From there Aubrey wanted to go to the Club for crab cakes... we dressed up, picked up our nephew, and hit HVGC for a nice dinner.

Sunday we had a birthday party with my family for Aubrey at my Nana's.


With Nana!

With Brianna

With our new Build a Bears

Friends and Cake!

Cake!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

A Slower Pace

This morning we took the time to:
Make a double batch of pancakes!

Make homemade birthday cards for G-Taw.


Make kitty cat pumpkins.


Sweep the front porch and decorate for Fall.




Change the batteries in the fire alarm.

Change the water filter

Stay in our PJ's and play!

Blog :)

The pace of life has seemed to be on overdrive lately, so this morning we are taking time to enjoy each other and our family time. Love it!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Brown's Orchard

On the way home from work tonight I called Doug and said, "I am tired of real life, let's go on adventure". And while it may seem tame to you, it was exciting for the girls and we had a BLAST! We drove up to PA and went to Brown's Orchard. We got a HUGE pumpkin, tons of 'baby' pumpkins, and had a nice dinner together!



No we didn't get these... but close!


This child likes to pose!



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On the way home Doug was rubbing my neck as I was driving and Molly asked him why he was doing that, Aubrey answered, "Cause daddy loves mommy the best". Then Aubrey said, " I wish I had a boyfriend". I said, "No you don't!!"... Crazy child.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Quilt 2 Progress


Still trying to decide if I like the combination, but we are too far at this point... all the strips are sewn together, it is time for the ironing and square cutting.

Today was kind of a relief, bad weather, kids recovering from fevers, pool closed, lazed around, hit the mall, went to Panera for dinner... no "need" to do anything or go anywhere, no agenda or requirements. It was a nice day.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Wootervention

I may or may not need a woot intervention. Just saying.

Also, I may or may not need a better balance of work/life.

Thirdly, sick Molly is the saddest thing I have seen... a child normally full of life and energy and trouble is laying in her bed, eyes open, not moving or talking, just laying.

And in conclusion, I may or may not also need an etsy fabric store talking to.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Quilt 2 Starts

Well, this one is off to the "finishers". I am excited to see how it turns out, but trying not to get my hopes up in case all my "blemishes" really show in the end.



And tonight I started my second! I have in mind all the places I know I should have been more careful or "disciplined".

And I got 8 of 12 cut out.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Quilt Back


OK, this might be a little "loud", I will consider it a lesson learned, but it doesn't mean I don't love it :) This is the back I put together for my quilt!

So what is next? Well I have the fabric to start my second quilt, and I am shipping this one off to get quilted by professionals... I am not nuts :) I don't have the equipment to do this myself... yet.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Piecing is Done!

So it is came out to be 65x75, and again, while not perfect, I think it looks pretty darn good :)




Next steps include ironing, trimming all the loose threads, getting material for the back and border and batting.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Quilt Along Coming Along


So I have 3 rows together, and the 4th pinned! I have to admit, I MAY not have read the directions completely and MAYBE I forgot to iron so MAYBE mine won't be PERFECT... but I am VERY happy so far with what I have done :) And in really only one week!

The hard stuff is coming... but I am excited :)
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This morning as I stepped out of the shower, Aubrey was sitting on the potty and says, "MOM, I need privacies".

YOU need privacy... this whole sharing a bathroom thing may not work out!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Family Picnic/Carnival

The girls have been very busy at Ms. Lori's (or as Molly says, "Sans"), working on a surprise carnival disguised as a picnic invitation.

Well, this weekend we were treated to quite the event! Lots of games (ring toss, skee ball, Knock Down, golf, fish, squirting, etc) with tickets and prizes made by the kids! The girls were so proud of "their" games, and each child manned their games and provided the rules and tickets.

Welcome sign they helped color.

Some of the games


The vases made by the kids - for the moms.


Again, the kids helped paint these - and helped by lying down to be "traced".


Doug couldn't resist

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Making a Quilt Week 2

I started this on Sunday. I did Week 1 by 10am Sunday morning - cutting out the strips. Now I have sewn together my 14 groups of 6. My next step is to iron and cut the strips into 12.5x12.5 blocks... hopefully 42 blocks.

Here is where I work... in the dining room.

After I cut out all the strips, I created 14 piles of 6 different strips.

Like this.


And here are a bunch all sewn up and piled high!

Thanks to Little Bit Funky for doing this!

Friday, August 21, 2009

In the Weeds

What a satisfying one hour of work... still more to go... but still satisfying!



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Richmond Island

Our last day in Maine we spent the day at Richmond Island with the entire family. We had a BLAST (even without naps!!)!


COUSINS!



Tubing!


Being the youngest isn't always fun.


Building the gift shop for the GIGANTIC trench/hotel.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Quilt Along Step One


Get the fabric.

I am stepping along with Little Bit Funky.

Great Island Common

Last weekend we met up with some friends at the Great Island Common, a beautiful park in New Hampshire. We had a great day!