Crafting Fun!!

I have really been in the mood to craft lately!  I have been searching crafting blogs for various projects, and Oh. My.  There are SO many creative ideas out there in the blogosphere!!

I made a turkey shirt for Ella for Thanksgiving, and though I meant to take a picture of her WEARING it, I didn't.  And now, while I am thinking of it, it's upstairs in her dresser while she is sleeping.  No need to wake her while I dig for a shirt for a picture for my blog!  Anyway, I assure you, it is cute...even with some crooked stitching (I admit I am not the best at sewing).

These two shirts were super easy. 

The first is a ribbon tree shirt.  I got the idea from a couple of different blogs, and yet, I didn't save them to my favorites, so unfortunately, I can't reference them here.  I did use different ribbon than the two blogs where I saw it originally posted, so let's hope I don't get in trouble!!

Ella tolerated having her picture taken.  Nevermind that her skirt is twisted. :)

The second shirt is probably my favorite, and I got *that* idea from this blog.  The crafter who posted the original pattern chose to sew around her pieces.  I ironed on the felt cutouts, and honestly, I was afraid to ruin it by sewing.  I thought it looked cute without that step, so I left it as is.  I'm not sure how it will wash, but we shall see after tomorrow!  :) 

Fun!  Fun!!  Fun!!!



This and That

I hate when I get behind in blog posts, because it's really hard to know where to start in my updates, and it honestly becomes overwhelming to me to think about all that I *need* to post.  But, really...does it matter?  To me, it does...and it's my blog...so, there you have it.

Here are a few shorts on what we have been up to.

In October, James and I celebrated 10 years of marriage.  That is a pretty big milestone, or so it seems to me!  We celebrated by going on an overnight trip to a Bed & Breakfast in the Hudson Valley (The Stone House).  We had dinner at a nice restaurant overlooking the Hudson, and spent the following day touring a winery.  OK...two wineries.  The first one really was not at ALL what we were hoping it would be.  It sounded lovely in the brochure, but our first clue should have been that the restroom was, well, a port-a-potty.  Yeah...it was that bad.  The second one was much more to our liking.  The tour was self-guided, but the winemaker was there leading the tasting, and he gave a lot of interesting information on the process of making wine.  Great wine, too!

Ryan played soccer this fall.  He didn't really love it like I thought he would.  I think part of it was the disorganization of the whole program.  No two weeks were the same...until the last 2 weeks...which were the best of the season.  Ah, well...perhaps next year.  He is going to try basketball this winter, so we'll see what he thinks of that!

Ella is slowly warming up to preschool.  We have made it quite a few days in a row, now, without any tears.  Here's hoping that will continue after the Thanksgiving break.  She's so darn cute, though, isn't she?  :)

Ella at her field trip to the Fire Station


Some friends and I have started a book group at my house every other week.  We are currently reading "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.  A GREAT read.  It is opening my eyes to things that I didn't realize that I fear.  Not sure what we will do next for a book...any suggestions??

We are staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and I look forward to starting (and continuing) some traditions in our own home. James has taken vacation during the week of Christmas this year (he would otherwise have to work on Christmas weekend).  I'm thankful that he will be home to celebrate with us.  I think, so often, of those who are in our armed forces and have been away from their families for months...birthdays and other celebrations missed.  It makes my heart sad...and those commercials that are on this time of year...you know, the ones where the child is reading one of those recordable storybooks to his/her Dad across the miles.  Oh, boy...those get me.  It puts it in perspective when I think about complaining that my husband has to work an overnight, or an entire weekend. 

I guess there isn't really a whole lot to update you on, but I had to start somewhere.  I have more pictures, but I'm having a hard time getting them to upload.  Bummer.  Apparently there is a lot of busy-ness going around, because most of the blogs in my sidebar haven't been updated in quite some time!! 

First Day of Nursery School

 

Here is my pretty Ella girl on her first day of Nursery School.  She was so excited to put on her pink clothes, and her new “sparkle sneakers”.  All decked out with her Princess backpack, and Hello Kitty snack bag, I thought that perhaps we would avoid tears.  Nope.  We pulled into the parking lot and she started with “I don’t want to go, Mommy.”  I coaxed her out of the car, and she grabbed Daddy’s hand to walk into the school.  Just before we reached the door, she threw her snack bag on the ground and started pouting.  Oh, boy.  We got to the cubby room, and she didn’t want to wear her name sticker.  We tried sticking it to her back so she wouldn’t see, but…she found it.  It’s a good thing they know who she is, already!  We went into the classroom, and she hid behind James.  We went over to see the guinea pigs, and phew…she perked up.  We sat down to play with some play dough, and she liked that.  I started the “Mommy’s going to go now” conversation, and then came the waterworks.  I ended up leaving her with one of the other teachers from another classroom, told her I love her and that I would be back soon to pick her up, and I walked away.  With tears in my eyes.  I was scheduled to be a ‘floater’ for any criers that needed a hug, or just to be settled.  I knew I couldn’t be in Ella’s class, so I wandered down to the 4’s classroom.  They really didn’t need me, but they were so kind to let me sit and play and distract MYSELF from the fact that my little girl had a hard time being left in her classroom.  Sigh.  All was well a short while later and she ended up having a good day (like I knew that she would).  She was all smiles when we picked her up after school.  Here’s hoping Wednesday will be a little easier for her. 

Ch…Ch…Ch…Changes

Our family is going through a lot of changes right now, or so it seems.  No, no.  I’m not pregnant.  But, wouldn’t that be fun news?  Ah, I digress.

Let’s see…where to begin.  I interviewed, back in May, for a position at the nursery school where Ryan attended, and where Ella will soon be attending.  I found out shortly after that I did not get the position.  I was ok with it.  I figured God had a reason for me not getting the job, and I was thankful that it wasn’t something our family was counting on…just something I had wanted to do.  Due to some changes at another local nursery school (it closed), the numbers at our school increased, and they found themselves in need of another teacher.  So, while on vacation in Maine, in August, I got a phone call asking if I was still interested in the position.  Yes!  I was (am), and I accepted!  So…I will be teaching Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, starting this week!  I am thankful for the opportunity, but must confess that I look forward to actually only working the 6 hours I was hired for.  I honestly don’t know how working Moms do it all!  I’ve been putting in a *few* more hours a week, preparing for the school year, and I’m finding it difficult to keep up with stuff at home!  Looking forward to a routine.

You see, I was supposed to start last week, but our area got hit HARD by Tropical Storm Lee.  I think I read that our area picked up over 10 inches of rain in a 24 hour period.  That is a LOT of rain, friends.  A whole lot.  Many in Binghamton and surrounding communities have just been devastated by the record flooding.  Some have even lost their entire homes.  We are fortunate to live up on a hill, and we did not suffer any damage from the rain, but my heart truly breaks for those around us that are facing the destruction to their homes and lives.  It is going to be a long road ahead to clean it all up.  It is neat to see how the community comes together to help one another, though.   We have been trying to help in what seems like small ways (to us), but I know that every little bit helps.

Last week was a big week for Ry-guy.  Not only did he start KINDERGARTEN (whoa), but he also turned 6!  We celebrated his birthday the weekend before with a mini-golf party with his friends.  The flooding provided a bit of a challenge, as the place we originally were going to go was flooded.  However, the place where we were able to relocate just *happened* to be donating all proceeds from mini-golf (from now until the end of the year) to flood victims.  It was a win-win situation, and we are so glad they could accommodate our group.  The kids had a great time!

The food!  The cupcakes were frosted with green and I made little golf balls to go on the top.  I made paper flags and glued them to toothpicks, and marked them with numbers 1-18 to represent the 18 holes.  I thought they were cute…and not difficult!

Daddy helping Ella with her putt


Oops…I interrupted his swing!


Ryan was THRILLED that he got a hole-in-one on this hole.


The birthday boy!

All ready to go to Kindergarten!

A hug for Mom before we go!


A little nervous now that we are standing outside the classroom!


Phew, they have Legos!

Ella will start preschool tomorrow.  I’m not sure if she will cry or not.  I was thinking not, but she seems to be a bit clingy lately.  I will let you know how that turns out!  Sigh…they really DO grow up so fast. 

Our lives seem very busy right now, but it’s all good.  I’m so thankful for the ability to BE busy.  I know that there are a lot of people around us that are suffering, and I just pray that in all of our busy-ness…we don’t forget.  That we can help those that need help, and not get bogged down by our own agendas.  No, I don’t want to forget.

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Today was a special day at our house!  We celebrated Ella’s 3rd birthday! 

Ryan made a card for Ella this morning and was anxious to give it to her.  He knows she likes My Little Pony, so he drew her a picture of a pony and wrote her name.   It’s pretty special, for someone who doesn’t love to air his creative side.

…Well, until his sister gets an art easel for her birthday…then he’s interested.   Ha!

 

We had a fun day.  Both kids are taking swimming lessons, so after breakfast and presents, we did the swimming thing and then went out for lunch after.  It was a hot one here today, close to 90, so we came home and the kids splashed in the kiddie pool in the back yard. 

…as you can see, Ella hated it.   Nooooo…of course she didn’t!  She LOVES the water!

I made cake pops for her birthday (though I didn’t actually get a picture of them in all their cute glory), and it was cute to see her get a little embarrassed when we sang Happy Birthday to her! 

It was a good day.  I am thankful for this sweet girl and her big personality.  It is my prayer for her that she will use her energy, along with her loving spirit, for God’s glory,  He has truly blessed us with this little red head, and we have loved watching her grow.  

We love you, birthday girl! 

Tee-Ball

We signed Ryan up for tee-ball this spring.  Due to all of the rain we have had this season, we haven't been able to get many games in, but Ryan has had fun with the few that he has played. 

Each child gets a chance to bat twice, and play in the field twice in one game.  Everyone plays and everyone wins.  I don't think most of them really know what is going on, but at this age, it is just an introduction to the sport.

Here are a few pics I took tonight at his game:

I can still get a grin when I call his name. I realize this will not always be the case.

Ella gets a wave!

Going for the ball

It's funny when there is a friend on the opposing team!

Ella--his number one fan

Ryan takes a turn at bat

Ha!  Connor, a friend on the opposing team, hugged Ryan when he got to first base.

A boy needs a water break after all that hard work!



Girl's Weekend 2011

There is just something so wonderful about old friends.  Not old as in age, mind you,  we're not ready to admit that just yet. 

I was able to get together with 3 of my best friends from college this past weekend.  In the years directly after college, we usually saw each other once a year for either weddings or baby showers.  The past 3 years, those things have kind of slowed down a bit, so we chose to make a real effort to try and get together one weekend out of the year, if for nothing else, just to celebrate our friendship and have some much needed girl time!  It is always a welcome break from the day to day grind, and really does offer a chance for renewing our friendships.

Me and Jenn...former college roomies

This year, we went to Bridgette's house in Ohio. We try to get together at the house of the person with the youngest baby, as the Mom of a newborn is a little more tied down than the rest. Baby Bria (Bridgette's 3rd child) is 6 months old, and for many of us, it was the first time meeting her. Such a cutie!

4 of the 6 of us that made up the "six pack"

We did all of the things that we don't normally get to do...shopping, dinner out without kids, a movie, and pedicures. It. Was. Wonderful. There may or may not have been a rowdy game of some sort where Bridgette's husband Don was bitten by Tara (I said may or may not...it's a little fuzzy...it was late). We missed our friends Marcie and Melissa, but hopefully they will be able to join us next time.

 

Bridgette's husband Don, and their middle son Aidian, waving us a big hello (or telling us to shoo?)

Ahh...now to pack for our NC vacation.  Let the laundry begin!