The First of Its Kind

Wasn't Monday beautiful? Hopefully, Winter is well behind us, and these days are the first of many. Maybe some Spring cleaning is to follow as well. I sure am trying.

The kids have been very obliging for pictures.
Handmade #5 - the headband. I have just about finished a brimmed beanie cap also, but that was really just playing and experimenting.
The last of its kind, the last slice of the eight layer citrus cake. Boy, my kids loved this. It is definitely a special occasion cake.

Expectations

After viewing weather.com last night I expected 77 degrees and sunny. Where was the sunny? I had big plans for pictures outside. Oh well. I herded everyone outside anyway. They don't appear happy in most of the pics b/c they were busy contemplating and chatting about going to the bakery to buy St. Patty's Day cookies. Plus the wind was blowing in their sweet little faces.





I needed to accessorize the baby with pink, so she wouldn't be mistaken as a boy, which ended up happening at Wal-Mart. That's ok though, with her bald head she does look like a little boy. I need to make or buy some hair accessories.
I guess, we have a new tradition on our hands. Last year, we went to Judy's Bakery to buy shamrock sugar cookies. I decided to do the same this year. Although the trip was short lived and not a lot of holiday hoopla, it was a little holiday memory.

She kept kicking off these little pink shoes. Aren't they sweet?
Today, for some reason, several grandma's at Wal-Mart kept trying to sneak a peak into the car seat as we pushed our way through Wal-Mart. One grandma spoke in a little baby voice and told Betsy, "no, they can't pinch you, you've got your green on..." it was so very sweet. Luckily, that lady wasn't the one who called Betsy a boy, ha, ha just kidding.
After lunch, getting ready for story time and nap time.
Not sure what is with all of the posting. Have a wonderful weekend. I am looking into reading the 10 Habits of Happy Mothers. I heard about it while listening to Dave Ramsey.

Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

Yesterday was the day for taking the scenic route with the windows down and sun roof open.

The view surrounding preschool. I love the tall grass - it will be thicker and taller as Spring approaches.
Beginning of backyard play.

Hazards of being a little, wiry dog.




The dog won the race. Joe kept saying, "Mom, you are the coach...."

No Waiting

Today, I decided not to wait for perfect. No waiting for my children to be pristine, clean, smelling yummy, happy and all dressed in coordinating outfits. Those moments rarely happen, and if I wait and wait, I will miss everything.





My children have marker on their faces. Joseph drew buttons on his stomach so he could be a robot. Pretty cool!
My favorite

While my children seem happy, for some reason, I have been in a dreadful mood. Not sure what is going on. I keep finding myself yelling. I don't like that. It makes me feel horrible. Hopefully, after their nap, I'll stop being such a grouch. Now that I have shared this out loud, my gripes are trivial compared to these troubled times. So, I will stop complaining now. Where's the timer?

Time Out

Random pictures from May of 2009.


Hello. Posting has fizzled somewhat. Sorry. Today, I decided to start the Fly Lady again. I don't plan on following it stringently, there is just sooo much going on. What with loving and nurturing a baby, training a puppy, playing with a toddler and guiding a young son, I can only try my best. I simply need some guidance on how to "keep up" with the house and make some headway in organization.

Fly Lady talk leads me to this question. Does anyone use a timer? Today I have used my timer several times, and it greatly increases my productivity. This morning I set the timer for fifteen minutes and wiped out my dishes. Then during preschool and naptime, I set it for two ten minute periods and cleaned my bathroom shelves, throwing away lots of stuff, organizing what I use daily, and wiping down shelves. It felt good to get rid of the clutter.

Hopefully, maintaining some order in the home, I can create some peaceful time for myself and continue on my merry handmade way, learning to crochet, sew or whatever.

Wasn't the snow funny today? Tomorrow: 55 degrees and sunny, what the what?

Birthday Pictures

Handmade #4, a crocheted hat for moi'. I wanted something new to wear on my bday, so I made this hat. It may be a little too wintry for this early Spring weather, but I was bound and determined to make it. And if I can't figure out how to sew and give up on learning any more handmade skills, just know you will most likely be receiving a similar hat for Christmas. Hope you like it.


The first half of the day it didn't seem like my birthday. I was standing in line at the store, and as I walked out I saw some balloons, and then I remembered, oh ya, today I turn thirty.
But by the afternoon, David came home early, I made coffee smoothies, flowers and balloons were delivered to the house, and the kids gave me a Michael's gift card. Very much brightened my day.



My Mom fixed a yummy family style Italian dinner, and bought an abundant amount of cupcakes. This is grandma Darlene holding Betsy. I love when she and grandpa Jerry come to town.
No Mom, this is not the picture I told you about, but I love this one too. That is Betsy's favorite way to be held, watching the world from someone's shoulder.


BABYCAKES
The cupcakes were beautiful and it was soooo much fun to blow out the candles with my kids and cousin Abby.
I usually don't mind when others take self-portraits, but I always feel particularly silly. But I wanted a picture of me on this day, so when I am gone my kids and grandchildren can remember what I looked like as a P.Y.T. Just kidding - but only a little bit!

In Case You Missed It

A picture taken of my Mom, Aunt Vonnie (her sister), and Betsy, only a few days old.

I used to visit PW's site every day, but now it seems only a few times a week I peruse by to check recipes. But the photo section brought me to tears this morning. Why is there no Sister's Day, and if there is why do I not know about it?

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I turn 30! Here are thirty things about me

1. Right now, I am drinking sparkling wine and cooking an italian panini

2. Italian food is my favorite, and Garozzo's is my favorite restaurant

3. I want to eat at Dog Nuvo, because as gross as they seem at times, I relish eating a yummy hot dog.

4. Speaking of hot dogs, as much work as it is, I think Dotte, our new dachschund is a wonderful addition to our little family.

5. I can POP a mean batch of Kettle Korn.

6. Right now, I cannot find my wedding ring...

7. For Christmas, I bought Betsy a keepsake collection of Madeline stories, but honestly I wanted them for myself.

8. For the past three years I have wanted a piece of art from this artist I saw at the Plaza Art Fair. I just can't chalk up the money

9. I rarely want to "eat out" because I think I can cook better than most restaurants. I am really just paying for the fact that I don't have to clean up.

10. The Barefoot Contessa is my favorite cook/chef

11. My husband keeps trying to get me to open a cafe

12. My real job grows harder and more heart wrenching as time goes by

13. I miss the kick-ass kick boxing class I used to take

14. I am thankful everyday, that I live in America

15. Looking at my daughter reminds me, that when I was her age, my hair was white blond and curly

16. I love to shop for jewelry, but really only wear earrings, and an occasional necklace

17. My favorite Pandora station, right now, is La Vie En Rose, this Summer it will be the Buena Vista Social Club.

18. To put it mildly, I suffer from a sweet tooth

19. I have two sisters, and I love them dearly

20. I don't remember the last time that I read an entire book

21. I am expecting HAPPY MAIL tomorrow, I hope it comes

22. Pearls are a girl's best friend

23. I am the absolute worst about writing thank you notes, but am always more thankful than you can imagine.

24. I hope in my thirties I will stop worrying about what other people think.

25. On my right leg is a huge vericose vein that I am extremely self conscious about. Yikes, see #24. Must be the sparkling wine talking.

26. There is a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner in my dining room, and it has been there since August. I made it and love the colors so much I haven't taken it down.

27. Right now, I am thinking of the Farmer's Market and fresh summer fruit.

28. My reality is, as I type these, my children are making a mess while trying to help me clean...

29. I am also wondering, is there an eight layer citrus cake in my future.

30. I love the term granny chic.

Tomorrow, I hope to post handmade #4, my birthday hat!

Stroke of Luck

On a totally unrelated note, Joseph had two wonderful birthday parties. Both days, the weather was beautiful and unseasonably warm. While the rest of the week consisted of yucky winter slop.


Now, my handmade update. Handmade #3, a dog sweater. Poor little pooch, gets cold pretty easy, so I took it upon myself to crochet her a sweater. The crocheting part was pretty easy, assembling the two pieces together proved to be a little more trying for my limited skill and knowledge. Isn't it funny, I never imagined myself owning and loving a weiner dog, let alone crocheting a wee dog sweater. Oh, how we grow and change.

Yes, I am that lady, driving a big old truck with a yappy dog on my lap. Oh my... I think the sweater was a little awkward for her, so I think I will be taking a stab at a different pattern here pretty soon. Or, just crochet her scarf.
Today, I am finishing my practice version of a spring hat I want to make for the girls - especially for my little bald baby. The hook I used is too big for this yarn and pattern, so hopefully, when I attempt the real version with proper size hook and yarn, it will look cleaner and more polished.

Lastly, sometimes I hold back when sharing out-loud and on-line, because I don't want people to think I am needy and/or crazy. But really people, no comments to be had for this sweet little pun-um?