Chopsticks and Pudding

Ok...so not together, but I need to catch up on posting some pictures and it sounds catchy, right?

Anyway...Keira tested out chopsticks for the first time a couple of weeks ago. She caught on quickly with the help of Pei Wei's kiddie holders. Ari's becoming an old pro with them.

I'm sure you all have figured out by now that Ari loves any sugary, chocolatey treat and pudding is high up on the list. He also enjoys whipping up the pudding. A few weeks ago we checked out a cd of kids music from the library. It was an Ella Jenkins album and included the song "What's Your Name." Singing the song helped pass the time as we waited for the pudding to set.

And of course, wearing the bowl and spoon helped too :)

Mmmmm....worth the wait!

How Papa and Yia Yia Began Their Summer

Keenan’s parents came down this past weekend for a visit. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything super special, but we know they had a great time none-the-less.

In fact, the first morning of their visit was spent like this:

Yes, you guessed it. Changing the struts on Keenan’s car! Fun times, I tell you. As you can see, they had an audience. The kids, Yia Yia and I pretty much just sat around and watched them work for about 4 hours (just on one strut!). Ari did play with the tools and Keira played with some bubbles for a time.

As a reward for their hard work, the guys went out and test-drove a Lotus Super Seven sports car. They came by the house and took each of us girls for a spin. It was crazy!

The next morning we all watched Keenan and the rest of the youth band lead worship in the main service at church. Afterwards, it was back to work on the other strut – only an hour this time!

There was lots of fun and laughter all weekend long. The fun and laughter will hopefully continue in two short weeks when they return to stay with the kids while Keenan and I go to CA for a few days. Thanks Yia Yia and Papa! :)

In My Spare Time

I’ve been crocheting for a year now.  Once I caught on to it, I piled up project after project and have been quite overwhelmed since just before Christmas.  Over the past few months I’ve knocked out a good portion of my projects (including new ones I added along the way).  I thought I’d share most of them here in case anyone’s looking for something to add to their list.  ;)

Please excuse the pictures – they’re not the best.  Should have used the nice camera.

Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts – Coffee Cozies.  Pattern by me.

Just for fun - Granny Squares Cuff.  Idea here.  Granny square pattern here.

Mother’s Day and End of Year Teacher gifts – Ruffle Scarves.  Pattern here (must register to view).

Baby and Big Sisters Gifts – Toddler Hoodie and Hats (modified slightly).  The hoodie project took me forever so it get’s lots of pictures.  I’m glad Keira was up for the modeling task!

Birthday Gifts – Crochet Hook Holder.  Pattern here.

I forgot to take pictures of the 2 I completed and haven’t completed the other 2 yet.  You can see what they look like by clicking the pattern link or here.

This last project is a sewing project, but I’m still counting it.

Baby Gifts – Infant Car Seat Cover.  Pattern here.  (I don’t have a car seat to model this on so click on the pattern link to get an idea.)  Fabric from Hawthorne Threads (thanks for the recommendation, Sarah!).

I made this first one reversible and pieced coordinating fabric on each side.

All bundled up to send

This one is very basic and not reversible.

  

That left me some extra fabric to make a diaper and wipes pouch, though.  I just made up the pattern.

Phew.  That wears me out just looking at all of these projects again!  I should have my current project finished by June and after that I can finally get to projects for my family and me (i.e. winter hats).  I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me busy :)

Shades of Gray

Just a few hours ago, the Grays started their return trip home after spending a couple of nights with us. A fun time was had by all! I’ll let the pictures tell the story (somehow I didn’t capture any pic’s of us grown-ups. Hmmm… Some from the Gray camera here.)

Enjoying a hamburger dinner including corn on the cob.

Keira’s first time with the summertime treat and she loved it!

Looking for bugs on our hike around the local nature center.

Taking a break to watch some Elmo’s World.

Breakfast and Saturday morning cartoons – what could be better?

Goodbye hugs

Thanks for making the trip down and for a fun early weekend! :)

Water Babies, Er, Kids

Last weekend Keenan started working on rebuilding our arbor.  Being “Daddy’s Little Helper,” Ari had to join him.  From what I hear, he was actually quite handy digging holes and holding posts while Keenan set them with concrete.  In order to mix the concrete Keenan had a tub and the hose out.  When the job was complete Ari took full advantage adding his dump truck and some trowels to the mix.  Keira quickly caught on and they both have been out there just about every evening once Keenan gets home.

This afternoon I took them out front.  We started out with bubbles which somehow turned into the kids washing the fence and then turned into dumping soapy water back and forth into various receptacles.  Ari calls both activities “doing my work” and he often requests that he and Keenan go do work together.  :)