Happy Holidays!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Holiday Season!

The Big Time...

Next time you are in the checkout line, take a glance at the new Feb/Mar issue of Modern Bride. Page 161.

Let the fun begin!!!!

Updates on the Kiddos!

Hailey -- Yes, she enjoyed the Nutcracker. They had a wonderful date night. She is enjoying Dance class and will have her recital on Dec 15th. Post more about that after the event! Next she would like to give ice skating a try! And a photo of my cheeky girl. This is the best I could get this morning! (She is laying on the couch trying to hide from the camera)

Jenna -- She is getting so active, so very active! She is on the go most of the time just to see what she can find to eat or spill or crawl on! Recently she discovered Hailey's old doll. She loves it. She gives it big hugs and smiles. Super cute!

Jackson -- He is doing fantastic in school and really loves it. He is also in a flag football league. At the beginning of the season, well, lets just say there was room for improvement! He was hesitant and not quite sure how to play! The next 2-3 games he got so much better. He was learning the rules, practicing throwing and catching and giving it his all. It did not matter if he even touched the ball he was trying so hard. Last night, he had a fantastic game. He quarterbacked for 3 touchdowns and got 2 flags. He was so very proud of himself.

Thanksgiving

We hosted a wonderful Thanksgiving here in our home this year. You can read Christine's version of the days events. I did not get a photo of the boys in their hats....



just a sec.....there you are. The hat. I had to pull Stu away from his font work. It was tough!

When Jackson grows up....

he would be an excellent -- announcer, director, sports caster, behind they scenes guy....

Here he is at his control table as he announces and the directs the morning cartoons! He was especially proud of the "microphone" (aka pencil taped to headset!)

What in a mug?

So lately I have been emailed or read several recipes on baking a cake in the microwave. I am not a huge fan of microwaves, but I thought it would be a fun activity for the kids. So let the science experiment begin....

They selected their mug and mixed up all the ingredients. So far so good....

Next is when the science experiment began. This photo was taken on the downward motion of the cake. It actually got quite a bit taller than this!!

The cake was allowed to cool for just a new moments. And, get this, we actually allowed our kids to eat the rubbery cake. They both eat some, but have not asked for it again!

If you are board, craving chocolate or just want some entertainment. Here is the recipe. Try it at your own risk!

MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug

4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

Hot Date

Look at that lady! Hailey and Daddy got all "fancy" for their date tonight to the Nutcracker. Lucky girl!!!! Take at peek close (really close!) she is so proud of her makeup and that she got to wear my beautiful red beads, let's hope those make it back home! Oh, and her date is pretty smashing too!

Therapy

Sometimes as a child you get what you want, other times you don't.

See this is why you have kids........

(If you have never heard the story behind this, well, then consider yourself better off!)

Cupcakes!

Last night the cupcake fabric laying on my office floor was calling my name. So off to search for a pattern. I found one on Oliver & S for a Lazy Day Skirt. Perfect. 20 min later my skirt was complete. I highly recommend this pattern for newbies to the sewing machine. Really, they even eliminated the bottom hem and replaced it with a ribbon.

Of course every cupcake skirt needs a matching shirt. I searched though Hailey's closet, by the light of the nightlight, and came up with her Halloween shirt. Put a cupcake over the pumpkin and the rest is history.

My model was a little cheeky this morning....

10 months!

Jenna celebrated her 10 month birthday today. At 10 months, she is a climbing and standing champ. She can crawl from one end of this house to the other in no time. One moment she is eating rocks in the locker area, the next she is picking feathers out of the down filled pillows. She is also pulling herself up onto everything -- yes, the crib has been lowered once again. She is still has happy as can be just gibber-jabbering away with her favorite words - Mama, Dada, uh-oh and baba (that's bottle). Here is a photo of her taken yesterday. The hat she sporting is one I made for Hailey back in the day.....and no, she does not have a choice in what she wears! :)

Fancy, Fancy.....

Last weekend we attended the Celebration of the Holiday Party. You can read all about it here. Christine does an excellent job of describing it. BUT I wanted to add how thrilled we all are that Nate won the silent auction for the dance lessons.......

(just turn your head, I have no idea how to flip a video!)

Happy Halloween!

Hailey's New Occupation

Sunday.


Stuart and his gadgets. One day he emailed to show me what he already purchased - The Dough-Nu-Matic. Yes, an automatic mini doughnut machine. Note, that I said 'already purchased.' I guess he knew better than to ask first!


With this past Sunday bringing us cold, clouds and wind, Stuart decided it was an time to put the Dough-Nu-Matic to work. And it worked! Little mini doughnuts popped out one by one. At first we gobbled them up, taking turns on who got the next doughnut. After several per person, and lots of dough left, Hailey decided she wanted to deliver the doughnuts to the neighbors. She was quite a trooper finding folks who where home! She took her job very seriously through the wind and cold her doughnuts were delivered. And if you did not get any, you were not home!

The Past Weekend....

Okay, so it is Tuesday and I am posting about Saturday! Well, things get done, just not in a timely fashion around here!

On to the good stuff....

On Saturday morning we went to Festival (our local grocery store) for some Trick-or-Treating. Here is a sneak peek at the kiddos in their costumes.

On Saturday night our friendly neighbors hosted a pumpkin carving party. And get this, there is a photo of me from the party! Really, with my whole face in it!!

And the pumpkins.

And my dish to pass...

Chore Chart!

A very brief tutorial for those of you interested (I think I might have one fan out there!)

How it works.
I take 2-3 job cards and place them in the left pocket. When the job is completed the kiddos place the card into the right pocket. Once all jobs are completed they get the prize out of the pocket. It ranges from a tootsie roll to coins.

Instructions. Or shall I say a guide. Use your own judgement on most of this!

Supplies: (all cut using a 1/4 inch seam allowance)
One piece of cardboard - 8 1/2 by 11 3/4 inches (about)
Main fabric - cut one - 9 1/2 by 25 1/2 inches
Pocket fabric - cut two - 6 1/2 by 4 inches and cut one 20 1/2 by 6 1/2
2 small pieces of self adhesive Velcro

Start with creating your 3 pockets. With rights sides together, sew around edges leaving an open space. Clip corners at 45 degree angle, turn right out, and press. Be sure to press the opening seam nice and flat so we can top sew it closed later. Repeat for all three pockets. I like to top stitch the large pocket around the top flap edge. Don't worry about going all the way around cause you will do that when you sew the pocket on to the main fabric. Just sew the top and about 3 inches down each side. You can top stitch the top of the small fabric if you wish. Take your main fabric and fold in half so you can line up pockets. Arrange pockets on fabric (of course leave room for a seam allowance on sides and bottom). The big pocket. This has about a 2" flap closure so fold bottom up 4". Pin in place. Sew the pockets on using a 1/4 inch top stitch. This will close that hole up that you so nicely ironed! With the large pocket I like to sew one line across the inside, just above the opening to keep the pocket attached to the main fabric. Attached your Velcro tabs.

Fold your main fabric, right sides together. Sew the sides closed. Next turn right side out and insert cardboard. This is where you trim the cardboard if it is not fitting. It can fit snug. Next, flip the bottom opening in and iron. Final step, top stitch around the full outer edge at the same time closing up the bottom. Don't worry, you can easily sew over cardboard!

For the cards, I used 3M Scotch Photo Laminating Sheets, cause that is what I had in my stash! (Thanks Mom!) I just picked random clip art to create the cards for the jobs relevant to my kiddos.

There you are! Just let me know if you have questions.

Ann

Night 3

SUCCESS!!!

It looked something like this...
Down at 7pm
11pm - wimper
3am - wimper
5:30 - bottle & back to sleep

Next step will be gettig rid of the 5:30am bottle, but I am not in a big hurry on that one!

Kiddos sure do learn quick!

Another day...

Sooo much better than yesterday! (already and it is only 10am)

Jenna did excellent last night. Here was night 2 of no food...
Down just before 7pm
Woke around 10pm, fussed for a few min and went right back to sleep
Woke around 11pm, and cried/fussed for about 30 min.
Woke around 3am and fussed for just a min or two.
Woke around 6am and was given a bottle by Daddy.
Up for the day around 7am.

This might sound like a lot of wakings, but to me is wonderful progress.

Stats for Jenna's 9 month appointment.
19.1 lbs - right at 50%
Don't recall how tall but it is in the 60%. This means she had a growth spurt. Yah!!!
Head -- still in the 80%

Having such a crappy day yesterday did make me see how wonderful the kids truly are. Of course they push my every button on a regular basis, but when the days are rough they know how to behave and they do. I was so grateful yesterday that they were so well behaved, that Hailey was such a trooper with thumb and shot, and that Erberts and Gerberts delivers!

And now I am grateful that Daddy is back home :)

Some days....

you just wanna go back to bed!

So here was my day. The doc said that Jenna should be sleeping 8-12 hours at night without feeding. Well, yes, I know this, but think my heart has grown soft with my 3rd baby. BUT time to put my foot down if I ever want a full nights sleep. Here is a glimpse of last night...
Bed at 7pm
Awake at 10pm, fusses just 5 min and goes back to sleep
Awake at 11:55am UNTIL 2:24am, and so is Mommy. But no food! I did it.
Awake at 6am. I give her a bottle.
8am - I wake her up! Time to go to work.
It is now almost 7pm, so she is asleep. Let see how night 2 goes. (Anyone wanna stay over night?!)

So off to work. Call from daycare to learn Hailey got her finger slammed in the door. So at 11am I head from work to daycare. Did I tell you I was tired? The daycare thinks maybe a stitch or two is needed, and neighbor Doc thinks the same (via description over the phone) so off we go. Hailey is one tough cookie. Really, she was sooo good. The available doctor (who is our old ped I no longer see...ummm...you know, the one with the open schedule) decides that stitches are not needed and uses some superglue stuff. And he told Hailey that it would turn black and blue. She is thrilled and asks him if she can go to school tomorrow. He says yes, and she is even more thrilled knowing she gets to show off a black and blue finger! Strange child. At this point the wonderful superglue stuff is peeling off and the cut if open again.......

Did I mention it took 2 Tylenol and 2 Advil to take the bite off my migraine?!!
Oh, did I also mention that Stuart is gone today for a meeting???
And did I mention that I lost the remote so I cannot change the channel? The kids have been watching a Jon & Kate plus 8 marathon! and they like it....

And the phone rang no less than 15 times this evening...so sorry if you called, I did not answer it!

And I made it through. It is 7:14pm and the kids are going to bed, and so am I.

Police Officer on Duty!

So Jackson (and his assistant Hailey) have been on the hunt for naughty words! Yes, those are tickets in his belt and coins he collected. He requires the "large coins" when catching you say a naughty word. So this weekend has been quite lucrative for my boy. Daddy donated a few, Auntie Amy cleaned her purse out, Janice gave a few, and Grandpa was caught as well. Mommy -- clean slate! So visitors came here with a clean mouth!


And I bet you have been wondering what I did at that Crafter's weekend. Well, I accomplished some. The wine tasting was a hit!!! And my have hindered by progress a little, but it sure was fun!

A few hats were knit. I did get a photo of Jenna in her aqua one. The two others have not been photographed yet. Patience my readers, patience!



Speaking of my readers, who reads this blog anyway? Come on, fess up....

And she is off.....

I am back!

From my fun craft weekend. Photos will come!

And updates on Jenna. She is now in motion...which puts a whole new spin on parenting! I think she is getting two more bottom teeth too!

But what I really wanted to share is a new blog I found - No Time for Flash Cards
Okay, the singing might be a little much, but there are some awesome ideas here. Check it out Moms.

The past days....

So we ended our week with Jackson staying home sick on Friday. He woke up sick (I will spare you the details!) in the middle of the night. He was better by about 10am, but enjoyed a day of tv anyway. I came home from work and told him that I was jealous that he got to sit on the couch all day. He preceded to tell me how boring it was!!!

Jackson also is working on the tooth race with Jenna. He lost his dangle tooth (that is what I called the gross unbrushed thing that was hanging there but hurt to touch - yuk!) this week. So that puts him with the new growth of 4 big teeth. Jenna is still winning with 6 new teeth.

As for our weekend, it was very relaxing. We had wonderful weather on Saturday so we took some timeto gather our pumpkins (from the grocery store!) Jenna loved playing with them. She sat in the yard and played by this pumpkin for about an hour!

On Sunday it rained. ALL DAY. Well, it did stop for a moment. During this time Jackson begged to drive his Jeep. He put batteries in the radio, so he feels pretty good crankin' the tunes as he drives around. Funny thing is, he usually has it on the country station! That's my boy! Anyway, the rain stopped on Sunday, or so I thought. I told Jackson and Hailey to take something up to the neighbors house. They got dressed (yes, pjs at 2 in the afternoon is a sign of a good day!) and headed out. I peeked out about 5 min later and this is what I saw! Sorry kiddos, I thought the rain stopped!!! (It really is raining in this photo!)

So that is our week. I am super excited.... Oh, yes. It is Crafter's weekend. Do you know I get to craft for 3 days straight. I know you are jealous, but try to contain yourself. There are 13 other girls just as eager and excited as I am. Don't worry, there is a "What is in it for me?" factor here. Pictures. This blog is not named Kiddos and Crafts for nothin'! Photos of crafts next week. You will have to wait....Oh, I know that you are super excited about this!

Speaking of crafts. Hailey and I started a project. She really wants to learn how to sew. Although she is not patient about me taking the time to read directions or assemble pieces correctly, she is taking her lessons on the machine. She can now life the foot, turn the machine on, go forward and backwards and adjust the speed for me. (FYI - my machine is all button operated, no foot petal needed) What a pro! I recall sewing around 1st grade, so she is just getting a little head start. Oh, back on topic. She wanted to make a dress for Halloween. So we went and picked out fabric. Well, she picked it out. Candy Corn. While I love candy corn, Hailey really loves it. So here it is.....

Pattern from Youcanmakethis.com, called Criss Cross Twirl Top.

"Look at me!"

"I am standing when I should be sleeping!"

Jenna's newest accomplishment, and boy is she proud! Just another parenting challenge....

Just Imagine....

I am dusting off the old knittin' needles and have the project all planned....

Wonderful children....

How great is it that I am sitting in my office while the kids are in the playroom making an alphabet book? They take a page, write each letter, think of words that start with that letter, then draw a picture of that item. They just came up with Orchard for O, GENIUS, I tell you!!!!
Okay, maybe they thought of that because we went to the orchard yesterday. Hailey missed her class field trip this week since she was sick, so we took her to pick apples yesterday. Forgot the camera, so no photos of the orchard. By the way, Hailey is much better now. Her fever ended around Wednesday, right before her doc appointment!

Here they are right now....

I did take these photos of Jenna the other day....She melts my heart! Look at those teeth!

Here is Hailey helping to make "cupcakes" for Jenna! Yummy, Yummy!

Since I learned that Gerber uses #7 plastic, the bad stuff, as containers to package baby food, we started making our own. We use the blender to make mystery fruit and veggie mixes and then freeze it in the muffin tin. Once they are frozen we put them in a container in the freezer. Simple as that. Jenna loves them too!

Off to enjoy a relaxing Sunday -- Hope you do the same!

7 Years!

Happy Anniversary Stuie!


This last weekend Stuart and I had a great time celebrating our 7 years of wedded bliss. (Auntie Amy took Jackson and Hailey, while Jenna spent the weekend with Grandma and Papa.) Today is our actual anniversary, so we are hanging out on the computer and watching tv!! See what 7 years can do!!!

Hailey took the day off today and never got out of her pjs. Yes, her temp was still high and just not feeling too good. She is trying to get better so she can go to school tomorrow to the apple orchard field trip. She is eager to wear the apple dress I made for her! Next time she wears it I will try to post a photo. Hailey picked out the fabric so you know it is colorful!!! I won't be tomorrow though.....poor thing...

Keeping things updated!

I feel like I start so many of my posts with, "Wow, time just goes by so quickly..." And things have not changed.


School has been in full swing now for two full weeks. Both Jackson and Hailey are adjusting well and love their class and friends. The biggest thing we have noticed is how tired they are. Poor kiddos are not used to so much activity. It has affected Hailey a little more and she has come down with a bug of some sort. The high temps lingered though out the day today. I just hope it is a 24 hr bug, and she wakes up the chipper happy Hailey. I will let you know tomorrow.

Jenna, on the other hand, gets to rest, sleep and play all the time! She has gotten all four top teeth now. It took a few days for the final one to come in, but they are all in now. In the coming weeks I am sure I will be able to get some great photos showing all the teeth. No more toothless baby grins. Here is a video of Jenna's newest accomplishment. This video was taken 4 days ago and since then she has practiced it many times over and is quite a pro!

Teeth, teeth and more teeth

Around this house they seem to come and go pretty quickly!


While Jackson is still working on loosing that other top tooth, Jenna decided to out do him and grow FOUR at a time! Yes, she is getting all four upper teeth at once.


Thank goodness for Tylenol and teething gadgets. An apple in this little gadget and Jenna is a happy camper for at least 15 min!

Happy Saturday Morning!

Quick tip of the day. Pizza cutters are not just for pizza anymore.

1st day of school!!

What an exciting day here! Jackson started kindergarten, while Hailes started preschool.


Hailey was out of the house at 8am. Stuart drove her to 4K (4-year-old kindergarten) and she was thrilled to go. She took special attention to picking out her outfit today. Pink, purple and sparkles - perfect for Hailey. I picked her up today and she had a great day. She told me that what she was learning before was fake stuff and what she is learning now is real!



At 8:20 Jackson and I (and Jenna too!) started off for the bus. We walked down to the end of our street. Stuart met us there as not to miss the big event! Jackson took his time to take it all in and observe the situation. He waved to us and off he went...simple as that! We were there to meet him upon his return from school. He had a fantastic day. He said his lunch of french toast sticks and watermelon was "delicious." Jackson also mentioned that the afternoon is his favorite time of the day...why? Recess and snack. Tonight when I was tucking him in I told him, "two more days of school then two home days...." He was disappointed. He thought everyday was a going to be a school day and that there were not going to be any more home days! Guess he likes it!

Chicago!

Trips, trips and more trips filled up August.

One of these trips was to Chicago. Stuart and the kiddos took a road trip to visit his family. I stayed back with Jenna and the Guestbook Store, so I don't know ALL the details of the trip. The photos are wonderful though. Jackson and Hailey had a great time and I think Daddy did too! And I know Grandma and Papa did!

As I went through the camera, here are a few of my favorites.

I like to know that my daughter was a fashionable tourist!



Stuart is known for taking strange random photos...most of fonts and other exciting graphics....but this one taken at the restrooms in Lego Land was pretty cute!


And I like knowing that my precious son was in the jaws of a lion.


And photos with the Grandparents always mean the most.

Dancing Girl!

Hailey LOVES to dance. Last night we were at a wedding reception and I think she danced for 4 hours straight! I don't have film of that, but here is her dancing with her FP3 player (that would be Fisher Price!) during our recent camping trip.

One less tooth...

We have been so busy these last few weeks. Camping, trip to Chicago, the MN Zoo...and we will squeeze the MN State fair in as well!!! (I will try to blog the photos as time allows!)

Jackson has so much going on in his world these days. Change is big deal for Jackson. He is down to 3 days left at daycare, and just discovered that he only has one day left with his best buddy. I can tell he is trying to process it all. I know he will love kindergarten and will meet wonderful new friends, but it is hard to leave the old and familiar. Anyway, Jackson is still Jackson. His front tooth was a little loose. He was counting his birthday money and such for his trip to Chicago (or toys at Lego Land!) and I mentioned, without thinking first, that if he lost his tooth the fairy might give him some more money. Well, the very next day it was gone! His teacher told me that he worked very hard during nap time to get the tooth out. And he succeeded. (Please ignore the pizza face!)

Red & White

The current project laying on the cutting board. Maybe if I post about it, I will actually finish it!

The days just fly bye....

I am trying my best to enjoy the last month of summer, but it is just flying by. So fast that there is no longer one month left, but 3 weeks. It seems are days are packed and our calendar is FULL! I am trying to treasure every last day, but do they need to go by so fast? Along with summer keeping us busy, so are summer colds. Jenna has a stuffy nose and cold. But she is a trooper! Of course she screams at me when she sees the tissue coming, but overall, she is very good about being sick. And she is so kind, she gave her Mommy the cold as well!

Jackson has had a the weekend of a lifetime! His cousin Curt came down and they both stayed over night at Grandma and Papa's house. They had fun swimming, playing and of course, the demolition derby. Crashing and smashing cars - what more could a boy ask for?!

Let's back this up, just so you get a full understanding how much Jackson loves his cousin Curt. He was told that Curt would arrive at 7am on Friday. I came downstairs shortly after 5am and Jackson was awake! He wanted to know when Curt would be there. I sent him back to bed until 630am. At 630am he quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. In order to see out the window, he stands on the bench in our entry way. He stood there until 720am when Curt arrived!

While Jackson was away at Grandma and Papa's house, Hailey and I got to go on a date. She picked Claires. This would be a store packed full gems and treasures for every princess! Her theme seemed to be candy. So she picked out barrettes and rings with candy and cupcakes on them! They all pack nicely in her beautiful bright pink glitter bag! (and yes, the glitter is everywhere. I very much dislike glitter....) Afterwards, we did a little clothes shopping for the start of school. Hailey loves The Children's Place. Why? Because they have the brightest and silliest clothes in town. Perfect for Hailey and a style all her own!

Today I took the boys, girls and Auntie Amy to the festival downtown. We met up with Stuart who had entered his first ever sidewalk chalk coloring contest. Excellent Work!!! (The event was sponsored by our local events magazine, Volume One)

Jackson and Hailey had the chance to draw with chalk as well. Hailey drew this delightful snowman while Jackson created a colorful car.

The kiddos spent some time in the inflatables, petting zoo, and of course a silly string war zone.

We are ending this busy day with a movie. The kids are all downstairs watching Alvin. We will see if those tired eyes make it though the movie!

Speaking of movies here is a little clip of Jenna. While she is quite good at sitting up, getting everything in her mouth does not always happen! (Remember this toy from when you were little? They sell the updated lead free version at Target now!)