Big Moves for Jenna

At the ripe old age of 4 months, Jenna has places to go!

A gift from Hailey!

While I was sewing a pair of pants for Hailey (I will post that outfit later....) she took my scrap fabric pile to the play room. A roll of tape, some ribbon and wha-la, an apron for Mommy! We did need to reinforce the ribbon and main piece with a little sewing.

You know how folks take photos on their blogs with there heads missing as to keep their identity a top secret? Well, really, I am not trying to do that. Hailey took the photo! (look close and you can see the purple heart with 1/2 a roll of tape on it!)

Baby toes are the best!

Happy Birthday Chloe B!

In about 15 min, we are off to Chloe's birthday party! She is turning the big 4! Here is a gift I made for her. I actually had this done several weeks ago -- can you believe that!?-- but did not post as I did not to ruin her present...of couse this 4 year old reads my blog everyday! (kidding...but her Mom does!)

My kiddos love their Crayon holders, so I hope Chloe does too!

And before you ask, no I don't have a pattern for either of these. Well, the crayon holder is a hand scratched crumpled up piece of paper! Maybe someday.....

Breakfast and a Dress!

Jenna is growing so fast! We had her 4 month check-up the other day. She now weighs in at 13 lbs and 12 oz. That puts her right at the 50% for weight. Her height is around 24 inches, which was also at the 50%. The doc also suggested we start solids! Today was her first breakfast of rice cereal. She LOVED it. She opened her mouth and ate it up! Okay, some landed back on her face. And she always wants her fists in her mouth (teething) which kinda caused a little mess.





My first complete dress of the season!!! And Hailey loves it!

Even though she is not looking in the second photo, I need to show off the flower. I read in a magazine that the details and extras are what really make kids clothing pop. So I added a flower and a pocket - these are Haily's favorites! I think I am going to make a pair of bloomers to go under the dress next. (yes, along with all the other projects I am working on!)

See those yellow irises? They were bulbs from my aunt (Thanks Janice!) last spring. They are packed full of blooms. The area in front of the irises is Hailey's garden. We went to Menards a couple weeks ago. Hailey insisted she have red, pink, purple and yellow in her garden. We spent over an hour picking out flowers (actually Hailey picked them!) -- geraniums, marigolds, and petunias!!! (Yes, it took her an hour to pick out geraniums, marigolds, and petunias.)

**Sewing pattern - that*darn*cat - round neck top. No pattern for the flower, you are on your own!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It was a very busy weekend here at the S house. The thrift sale was very successful -- and more importantly, my house is rid of A LOT of items I no longer needed. Great feeling.



Saturday evening was BOWLING!!!! The kids (and adults) had a blast. Then Moonlight Bowling started -- neon and black lights on and music up. Check out Hailey's dance moves! (just tilt your head a little)






On Sunday afternoon I went shopping. Fabric shopping. Some may be board by this activity, but I totally enjoy it. I managed to come home with 25 yards of fabric!!!! Well, that thrift sale money needed to go somewhere!

Oh My Garage!

It is full. Really full. Here is one photo....

I would need to take 3 or 4 photos more to get all of it in view!!! Tomorrow is the big day. 8am is the start time. I am guessing our first customer will arrive at 7:15! Those "Salers" are hard core and they know the good stuff is at my house!

So once this is finished maybe I can get back to my hobbies. The list of sewing projects and Jenna's room have been waiting much too long.


I have the creepy crawlies too. Hailey had two ticks on her from playing in the backyard. They love her beautiful thick brown hair. What a wonderful hiding spot. Eeek.....

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday.

A day to appreciate Mommy. What a wonderful holiday! Did you know this year marked the 100th anniversary of the holiday? The holiday tradition started with giving your mother a white carnation on this holiday. I know this because I read the newspaper on Sunday. Yes, I woke up early to enjoy the peace and quiet, drink my coffee, and read the paper, oh, and hang out with Early-bird Jenna!

After the house awoke, I was greeted with wonderful cards and art from the kiddos and my favorite breakfast (Yummy French Toast!) from Stuart.

In the afternoon we decided to enjoy the spring day and plant some shrubs. We kinda figured it was time to landscape since we just marked the two year anniversary of living in EC!! Jackson and Hailey were eager and willing to help!!

Happy 4 month Birthday to Jenna!

Jenna joined us for breakfast in her highchair. (okay she needed a little support from a blanket!) She loved hanging out with us and eating her toys.

Jenna's Blankets

So we know that Jackson and Hailey both have their favorite blankets, but what about Jenna? Well, since she is just reaching 4 months, she has not made a commitment to any one blanket! She absolutely loves blankets thought. When Jenna is falling asleep she has been known to grab the edge of the blanket in each little hand and hold on tight. Sometimes she even pulls it over her face! Yes, she likes sleeping with her face covered! (Don't worry, Mommy keeps a careful eye on her!)

There are a few blankets that I think have the potential in being among Jenna's favorites. Of course the blue crochet blanket from Grandma's yarn and Hailey's hand-me-down pink blanket (like her favorite blue one) rank pretty high!

This blanket was made by my wonderful friend Wendi. I just love the colors. Jenna, well, she loves to eat it! Thank you Wendi for taking the time to make such an awesome gift. We LOVE it!

Here is Jenna cozy in her bed. With two blankets! The one she is laying on is, well, "soft as a babies' butt!" Really, a photo cannot even come close to doing this blanket any justice. Our very kind neighbors, Nate and Christine, gave this as a gift to Jenna. I am still waiting for Pottery Barn Kids to carry an adult version! The top blanket is one I made for Hailey. It is a duplicate of Jackson's, but in pink. We will see if Jenna goes for a hand-me-down, handmade or store bought!

Well, that ends my week of blankets! (Time to go snuggle in mine, I am exhausted!)

Blankets from days past.....

So, my children may have their cuddles, but so did I when I was a child. My blanket was everything. REALLY! From blanket to Little Red Riding Hood cape. A very special person made this blanket for me. My Grandma. No one knows the number of blankets she made in her lifetime, and I am guessing it was a pretty high number, but my blanket is the best off all of them! Really, it is. I know that love went into each tiny, tiny stitch. I know this because those tiny, tiny stitches are A LOT of work! (I think my Mom gave up on mending the holes!)

So Grandma continued to crochet as long as her fingers would allow. When she found out I was pregnant with Jackson, she insisted that Janice take her to buy yarn. She worked so hard to make a blanket for him, but her nimble fingers could not longer do what her brain insisted. The yarn retired to the sewing room, where yes, I admit, I stole it several years later. With that yarn I made a blanket for Jenna.

Grandma has since passed on, but the memories and her teachings of crocheting and sewing linger on. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Cleaning House! (or closet)

So, if you see Stuart, chances are (probably about 95%) that he will be wearing a t-shirt! So what does Stuart do with all these t-shirts he no longer wears? Well, since I was unable to persuade him into getting rid (aka toss or donate) of them (really, I wanted a clean closet!) I sewed them into this quilt.

Remember any of these?

So this winter, Stuart cleans his closet again....and this is what happens to my sewing room...ummmm....

Hand-Me-Downs

Hailey's very much loved blanket is blue. Why blue for a little girl? The blanket was given to Jackson by my brother, Brian, and his family. When Hailey was born she received some of Jackson's hand-me-downs, the blue blanket happened to be one of them! She had a pink one of the same style, but I guess her brother's was just simply better. They really do love each other!

Blanket Week!

Blankets are very, very important. They are the best to snuggle in and watch a movie, keep you safe from monsters, hide toys under and of course, can be fun to make.

This week, you will see the blankets that linger in our home.

First off, Jackson.

Many of you know that I was on bed rest with Jackson for several weeks. To pass the time, I crocheted a baby blanket for our new baby. While, we knew it was a boy, I felt our life was full of blue and went the green route. Jackson soon arrived and fell in love with the blanket I made. So I made a duplicate, just in case he lost the first one....that backfired, he just started sleeping with two green blankets! When Jackson wast just a little peanut, he had a hard time saying, "blanket" so he added the word, "may-kit" to his vocabulary for several years. Now, at the ripe old age of 5 years, 9 months, 1 week and 4 days old (yes, that is accurate!) he now calls them blankets.

Here are some photos of that darling child and his green blanket from the last 5 years, 9 months, 1 week and 4 days........and did you know green is his favorite color?


Jackson LOVED to hide his toys under the blanket.


See, very good to cuddle with and watch a show.


Not quite sure what is happening here, but I can guess it is a good game of keep-away!


The blanket sometimes just hangs out just close enough. This is Papa, Jackson and Cousin Emma reading Jackson's favorite book. (which is now held together by many, many pieces of tape!)