more show and tell...

First up on the hit parade is a hair scrunchie that I made out of scraps tied around a hair elastic. I also made a hair barrette out of the same scraps, but I don't have a picture of it yet. Sara gave this one to her friend Lexie. I hate to throw away even scraps of fabric!

Next...this is a little bag I made Sara for her dance shoes. The pattern is from allpeoplequilt.com. I opted not to make the pockets, but I did use the batting. Not sure if I'd use batting again. It makes is kind of bulky. But it turned out cute and she loves it. Hopefully, it'll do away with the shoe search every week.

This is another scrap project. I finished a quilt top and had some strips left over and this is what they became. I made it yesterday and she wore it to school today. I had 2 different moms come up to me and they wanted me to make them one. I was very flattered, but I'm not a seamstress. I just pretend sometimes.

I feel no words are necessary for this one...

So in addition to these lovelies, I made that quilt top and have another one in the works. I wish everyone a wonderful weekend!

show and tell...

This is the quilt that I made for my cousin Becca's new little baby. He's adorable. It didn't take me long to make it, but it did take me awhile to actually get it in the mail. But I loved it so much that I'm going to make a big one for my bed. I got the baby quilt kit from Quilt Taffy. Love those girls by the way. Super sweet and very helpful. The quilt was easy to do and I made it even easier because I just used the 5" squares as is instead of quartering them. I'm lazy like that. I have 3 more quilts to show and tell, but I have to do the binding first. And CJ if you are reading this, yes I said 3 quilts to hand sew. Wanna help? I'm seriously thinking about paying someone else to do it. I despise hand sewing that much.


The only other news is that I'm recovering from a wicked sinus infection. One dr visit and 3 Rx's later and I'm beginning to come out of the fog. Nice to see ya'll again. :)

favorite book collections

In our homeschooling adventures Logan & I have come across some pretty good books. We've tried 2 different curriculums and have found that Sonlight has suited us the best. They have great books. Some of the stories are a bit long for Logan to absorb in one sitting, but for the most part he has loved every story. Just thought I'd share a few of our favorites. These are collections of many stories and I think they are a great value. They would make great gifts too!

The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury

Eloise Wilkin Stories

Harper Collins Treasury of Picture Book Classiscs

Enjoy!

and because this is too funny NOT to share...

I'll have you know that I was no where around during this escapade. This is definitely a man's ingenuity...

in celebration...

...of finally digging out my scrapbook supplies, I'm going to post some random layouts for both your viewing pleasure and my inspiration. Because now that I have the supplies out, I NEED some inspiration folks.

This little gem is a favorite of mine because it's a rare photo of me that I like. Obviously it's from a few years back, about 4 I think. I also like it because of the stark contrast of the black and the colors. And of course, the points and angles. I'm a points, angles, square kind of girl. Bet you didn't know that about me. I doodle in lines, not circles. What about you?

This layout is all digital and I love the colors and the swatches of patterned paper. Yummy. So there you have it. Have super duper weekend!

bet you didn't know...

...that we have a three legged monster living at our house...

they rock...

I am never one to pass up a good deal...so.....the other day (actually about 2 weeks ago) I got Aerosmith Guitar Hero for the Wii on Amazon for a very good deal. And I haven't played it much because it gets a little crazy around here when we whip out the guitar. As you can see...We actually had to put it up for a while right after we got it because everyone would fight over it. Not that they can play, but they sure LOVE to try.

Sara likes to have a good time with it...



Logan is WAY to serious...

And this little booger is just WAY too cute...

I am so lucky to have these little creatures in my life. Hopefully, now that I'm off from school I'll be able to post a little more frequently. One would hope...Have a good one!

moving on...

...well, I'm trying.

Have you seen this thing? It’s called “Tag” and it’s by Leapfrog. I had wanted to get it for the kids for Christmas, but didn’t want to pay what it normally sells for because I wasn’t sure if the kids would play with it. By shear luck, I got it on a special deal from Amazon. And well they just don’t play with it, they FIGHT over it. All 3 of them. The gist of it is the pen thing will read the book to you. It will also sound off on anything you touch on the page. We’ve acquired a few books, but the most loved ones are “Cars” of course, “Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise” you can imagine why, and “The Little Engine that Could” because it has trains in it and Austin loves them. It’s really a pretty cool little gizmo. I am a firm believer that if kids learn to love reading they will do better in countless areas of life. So I try to make reading as fun as possible for them. And the “Tag” definitely makes it fun, especially when you touch Walter the Farting Dog.

And just to be clear, I AM NOT on the Leapfrog payroll, but thought I’d share anyway.

goodbye sweet boy...

It's been a really sad day here. Today I had to put down my friend of 15 years. Jinx had a good life and was sick with kidney/liver failure. I know it was the best thing for him, but it's been really tough on me. God bless his little kitty soul. I'm going to miss him tremendously.

This picture was from a couple of years ago...

is there a doctor in the house???

The imagination in this house is amazing. The three musketeers were playing doctor the other day, complete with old scrub tops, clipboards, and wheelchairs...

This was the wheelchair...

Don't ask me why the doctor was in the wheelchair writing his notes. Must have been a long shift. The picture of the crutches and the cast didn't turn out, but trust me when I tell you they went all out. :) I LOVE staying home with my kids. They never cease to make me smile. Except when the toys are strung from here to Florida. Here's wishing you a very imaginative day.

speaking of...

...music. Quite a few blogs that I follow have been reminicing about music that brings back memories. So I decided to get on the bus. All the way down at the bottom is my playlist. I'm a total rock girl. Aerosmith is still one of my favorite bands. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, but I'm having a hard time coming back to 2009! Enjoy!

nigh-nigh

So as I'm walking down the hall announcing to the monkeys that it's time for nigh-nigh, I reach Austin's room and this is what I found...

He was doing his darndest to hide from the inevitable. But alas, to no avail. Maybe next time buddy. :)

you will have to wait...

...to see pictures of my short red curly hair. I ordered this awesome hair care product that the stylist put in my hair. But it won't be here until Wednesday. Do you think you can wait that long? I know you can. :) It keeps my curly, frizzy hair in check. For days. Seriously. The next day after I got it done, I woke up, put a headband in and left the house. It was awesome! It's a styling product called Re-Coil and it's by AG. It's quite pricy, but I would pay double what it costs because it is that good. I couldn't get it locally so I ordered it from www.naturallycurly.com. How appropriate. But since I don't have hair pictures I will let my silly children entertain you. Enjoy!

Hello!

Miss me? I know you do! :) Well, since school started I've been a busy little college girl. Again. But I'm really enjoying it. I think it's helping my mental state. :) And the good Lord knows I need some help there. And do you want to hear something very cool? Yesterday I got a freak chance to meet, in person, a couple of my online buddies. How SUPER COOL is that?! Well, it was. I wish we could of spent more time together, but it was a super fast trip for Des and Corrie! Thank you ladies for brightening up Southern California a little bit more.

And then today, I cut my hair off and colored it red....

speaking of broken arms...

Jason just emailed me this link. It was from last year...

http://www.andrews.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=2054&page=2

It's a picture of Logan with his cast.

Quick Update

Why is always a "quick update" lately? Well, today it is. Here's the recap...

1. Christmas was wonderful! Jason got me a new lens for my camera. I was very surprised and very happy. It had been on "my list" for a long time.

2. New Year's was quite. We painted our closet and moved Jason's office in there. I got tired of being kicked out of our room at 4am.

3. My classes start back today. I have SOOOOO much work ahead. But I'm enjoying it. Sort of.

4. And last, but certainly not least. Austin broke his elbow yesterday. Logan and Austin were coloring at the island and Austin turned to get down with something in his hand and I think his foot got caught in the legs and he fell. We're on our way to the ortho dr later this afternoon. Here's a picture of the poor little guy. They gave him an adult sized sling at the ER, so I just wrapped him up in some fabric instead. He likes it better.


So there you have it. I've been busy, but I'm still trying to figure out with what...

Have a great 2009!

it's SNOWING!!!

Proof...

I'm crazy...

AS IF you didn't already know that! Well, I started back to school today. I'm going back to finish my masters in elemtary education. I have 5 credits and need only 38 more. I know only 38. And I'm scared to death. I do well in school and normally I wouldn't bat an eyelash, BUT I've had more than a few people tell me I'm nuts. I'm doing it all online through the University of Phoenix. I do remember the classes I took before were hard. LOTS of reading and writing. But I THOUGHT I was up to the task. Untill I started telling others. Now, I'm not so sure.

This is where you come in. Reassure me I'm not in over my head. Lie to me if you have to. I'm desperate. I need a boost.

Well, I better go because I have LOTS of reading to do.

And btw, I only did the first day of the Journal Your Christmas class. Not because it's not good, but because I'm a serious slacker and was worried about starting school and getting all my paperwork in order before class started. Which I did, but then today they delivered to my inbox a whole mess more. Lovely.

Take care my friends.

a birthday fit for a princess...

We spent Sara's birthday at Disneyland. We only managed a few rides, but had a wonderful time nonetheless!

First up was her hair and face painting...

And then we rushed across the park to California Adventure to have lunch with Ariel and her friends at Ariel's Grotto. Very expensive (thank you Grandpa Ted), but it was so worth it to see her face light up when each of the princesses came to our table to sign her autograph book and to snap a picture.

After lunch, it was back over to Disneyland where we rode a few rides. Sara finally got to ride Indiana Jones, so she was thrilled to say the least. Between the three times she's been there she has rode nearly every ride. And her favorite? The roller coasters! I have to admit Space Mountain is one of my favorites!

So Sara's birthday was decidedly more exciting than Austin's. But I don't think I could have handled anymore and he doesn't care at this point. Thank goodness!

Stay tuned for my daily musings from the Journal Your Christmas class. I'm hoping they'll be daily, but we'll just have to see how THAT goes! Have a good weekend ya'll!

Journal Your Christmas

Hello all! I wanted to tell you guys about an online class called Journal Your Christmas. It's with Shimelle Laine. I've never taken one of her classes, but I've heard great things about her. I was turned onto this class by reading Donna Downey's blog. Love that girl, she is SO funny. Anyway. I decided to take this class because Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of year. No lie. I love all the beautiful sights, wondrous sounds, and not to mention all the delicious smells! Yum. I want to document all this warm and fuzzy goodness.

So...won't you join me? You can either click on the picture over in the sidebar or here. Christmas is a very special time of year and we all have traditions to various degrees. So why not document them for posterity!

And just for fun...

These are our stockings...what's wrong with this picture?