Tagged

I was tagged by Amy from A Mile in My Shoes! Here is how it works: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog. So here we go. I guess I'll start form the beginning.

1. I was born in a Wendy's parking lot. My parents were waiting for the babysitter to get to their house for my brother and sisters. While on rout to the hospital my mom told my dad to pull over because I was coming. In disbelief he looked, my head was crowning so into the parking lot they went. Needless to say my dad delivered me:) Wendy's sent a bouquet of flowers along with this to the hospital. I love this unicorn!

2. When I was 2 (I think) I tried to eat a spiders nest. My mom freaked out when i started crying and threw it into the yard. She then called poison control, and they asked her if she kept it. Yeah right, If I was in her shoes I would have threw it as far away as possible too. Go mom! She said it kind of looked like a piece of popcorn...

3. I hate popcorn. Maybe its some psychological thing but I won't eat it unless its coated in some type of sugar, carmel or even chocolate covered carmelcorn (from the cub scouts) yummy!

4. I've moved 6 times in my first 12 years of life.
I was born in Eire PA
moved to Buffalo NY (actually we lived in 2 different houses But I wont count it:)
moved to Acron OH
moved back to Buffalo NY
Moved to Utica NY
Moved to Coventry RI
Then moved to good old WI back in 95 and have been here ever since!

5. I ran cross country back in high school. Lately I've really wanted to start running again. I use to love it. I've actually been working out for the past few weeks and think it will help motivate me to start running again. The problem comes when I think of when to run. Do I get up early and run before hubby leaves for work?! Do I wait until after he gets home at night, while its nice an cool and no one can see me?! I guess I should get off my lazy butt and just start.

6. Back in high school in my rebellious days I pierced my tongue by myself. I went to fleet farm and got a hallow needle that is used for animals and did it in my room. I hid it form my parents but my brother knew. He even got me a new tongue ring for Christmas and put it in the hand of an action figure. My mother didn't know why I was so happy that he got me a little toy. My parents didn't find out for a good few months. When they did my mom kind of freaked out, but not too bad because we were visiting my oldest sister, out of town, in a hair salon where she worked. lucky me.

7. When I was younger I never really wanted kids. I actually didn't like babysitting little kids. But God had a different plan for me. G was a surprise, and the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Thanks to him and God I stopped doing some really stupid things and turned my life back over to God. Now I like all types of kids, and love my own! We still aren't sure if we will be done with 3... Who knows?!

Alright now for the tough part...

Renee
Sue
Karen
Amanda
Kimberly
Friender
Michelle

Tag, your it!

The Wonderful Wallaby ~Finished!

Like I thought I would, I finished the wallaby last night! Yippee!

I've never really given the stats of my projects before but I like it when others do. So with that said I'll give them to you:) And *bonus for me, I can look back(in years to come) and see what I've knit and which what yarns and tools.

Start date: April 28th
End date: May 8th
Yarn: Cotton Ease by lion brand
Needles: US 6 & 8
Recipient: Gabe
Pattern: The wonderful Wallaby
Size: 6 (Wilhelmina Wallaby)

I had a photo shoot with him to get just the right pictures! I loved knitting it and I Loved the way it turned out! It fits him great, a bit on the big size so he can wear it well into next year too! I liked the pattern too. I had herd from some people at our knitting group that it was really wordy, I think that is why I didn't start it until now. It really wasn't too bad. I highly recommend it. I will definitely knit it again, for the girls, hubby, and for me too!

While we were out side I laid C down on a blanket. It was too sunny for her, I would talk to her and she'd smile but not open her eyes:) Too cute! So I gave her a little shade and she was happy! Once out tree gets some leaves we won't have that problem. Soon very soon! Here is G and Heather's daughter. They came over to play this morning. The kids always have fun together!

Ever since G's birthday he has been practicing writing letters. We had given him some educational toys, a Thomas & friends My wipe-off book Spelling fun and a Vtech lap top. He loves playing with both. This morning He was practicing writing his name. I thought he did a really good job, and had to share with you all! He was also starting to write my name, mommy, thats why all the M's on there too:) Its cute though, he starts out with the AB and then asks where the G&E goes. Its so awesome watching him learn and grow!

Work & stuff.

I thought I'd share my work with you today. Its kind of crafty... For those of you who don't know, I bake Italian bread. I really do enjoy it, and the hours aren't too bad yet. I think because it is only 2 days a week, and in the beginning of the week. Also C is sleeping through the night (most nights) so I'm not exhausted from her being up all night.

In a day I can bake anywhere from 50 to 120 Italian loafs. It all depends on what day of the week it is and also what time of year. Today was about 60. Here are some right before going in the oven. I fit 16 on each deck. So that was the before and here is the after. Yummy! I love bread right out of the oven with a touch of butter on it!

These are some of the other non-Italian bread I bake. Closest is the rye,then wheat and white is in the back. These are super easy to make, just roll three little pin pong sized balls and put them into a greased muffin tin. And presto out comes perfect break apart rolls. I also make loaf breads out of all these doughs.

There is also a millet bread that i make into baguettes. But I forgot to snap a picture before i left. oops!


Remember these?

We painted some of these salt dough cut-outs a while ago and painted the rest today. I still can not reveal what they will become... but soon I will. Just have patients! In time you will know! Look at my little artist! He loves to paint! Loves loves loves it!

*I finished knitting the wallaby, but still need to weave in all the ends and kitchener up the underarms. I'm sure I finish it once I get off of this computer. In the morning 'll have G model it and post pictures of it tomorrow.

Here is my little man. He is such a good big brother! He loves all babies and will play peek-a-boo with them at a drop of the hat... in church, at the zoo, at a restaurant... But he especially loves his little sisters!

kNiT hApPy!

Just a little linkage!

My brother participated in Rockets for schools this was his third year. It was going on yesterday and today, we brought the kids there to check it out. Last year his team won, I'm not sure how they did this year, we had to leave early, nap time and all. They had a little table where the kids could make their own rockets and then launch them. The launching device was made out of PVC pipes and a empty 2 liter soda bottle. It was really cool. G &L loved it, but it was a bit chilly. The picture on the right is of G in mid-jump. It actually made the rockets go pretty far(30-40 yards maybe).

After reading some of my bloglines I came across a contest. Well actually there will be one if Trek's blog gets 145 comments. So go on over and leave her a comment (on the contest blog) on fun things to do with her daughter over the summer. I think she is pretty close like 126 comments or so. Not too shabby. I think my highest comments on a post was 7. Maybe I shouldn't write that, it makes me look loser-ish. Oh well I really don't care:) I have my regulars and that's all that matters! You guys Rock!

Ok, also I want to win an I-pod. So I have to put this button :

and a link to 5 minutes for moms here on my blog. I'd love to win something, that would be awesome!

I took this picture this morning. All I need to knit now is the hood. I'm almost done! He kept playing with the needle that was still in it. He is excited for it to be done. the other day while we were outside playing a little neighbor boy of ours came over to join in the chalk drawing fun. I was sitting on the porch and he asked me what I was doing. I replied "I'm knitting" and G chimed in with " its going to be my sweatshirt". He seemed proud of the fact that mommy was knitting for him. It touched my heart. Its nice to know that it will be greatly appreciated.

Wallaby and the Zoo

But I'm not sure if there were any wallabies at the zoo. Hmmm, I didn't really look.


We had tons of fun! The weather was perfect. I must say that I was a bit worried taking C along to the zoo and it becoming freezing because of some freak weather anomaly. But like I said it was perfect. It must have been 60-something because we started out with sweatshirts and ended up taking them off. The sun was shining but we weren't sweating up a storm. The kids were in Great moods and the (most of the) animals were roaming around outside!


I think this might be quite the pictureie post too, what can I say, I love taking pictures. Especially with our new camera it rocks! I think I took like 117 pictures just from the zoo, crazy I know.


One of G's birthday gifts form his grandparents was a fisher price digital camera. He was lovin taking he own pics! I even made a file on the computer just for his pics! He feels so special! He actually took some decent pictures with it. He took this one of the zebras. Not too bad eh?!


Then we sat down to eat a packed snacky lunch we brought in with us, and I swear that this peacock was going to attack us. It was literally less than a foot away from us. I pulled L close to me, she probably would have reached out to pet it. It really kind of freaked me out.


The zoo got a new giraffe exhibit last summer. They are so beautiful and elegant! I love them. Look at these two silly giraffes, aren't they cute?!

When we had seen all the animals ( I could post lots more pics of all the animals but I'll spare you:) we could we packed up the kids and not more than two minutes of driving and they were zonked out. They slept the whole way home.

The drive there and back gave me lots of wallaby knitting time! I got a lot done on the sleeves. Then last night at a friends house I finished the sleeves and was able to connect them to the body! It is actually looking like a sweater! This was taken in my back yard, aren't these violets pretty?! They pop up just when Its time to mow the lawn... So we let it go for a little bit, they're just too pretty to mow over.

BTW* I loved knitting the sleeves at the same time. When they were done I didn't have to worry about making another one or whether it would be the same length. I'll definitely do it again!

Have a great weekend! kNiT hApPy!

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Today was Gabes 4th birthday. I can't believe that its gone by this fast! Four years ago today I became a mother. It changed my life in a way I never could have imagined. You could never know the joys or pains of motherhood until you have a wonderful child of your own.

I thank God every day for the precious gifts he has given to me!

Just to warn you, its going to be quite the pictureie post... You know you'll love it!

Here he is, the birthday boy, four years ago and today... my how he's grown. He started life out a bit early at a whoopin 6 lb. 7 oz. 19 1/2 inches. I haven't actually weighed him lately but I know he is 30 somthin lbs, and some what on the tall side for his age, just like his daddy!

We started off his special day (first with presents...) by going to a bakery and letting him and L pick out a doughnut. He picked out one with sprinkles, so did L, of course:) We rarely get doughnuts and they loved it! It was so nice out, so we took home the goodies and ate them outside!

Then hubby had to go to work... :( but we stayed outside and played with chalk. He got some new tools for his chalk and wanted to try it out, I couldn't argue, I love the stuff!

I decided that it would be fun to invite some of our friends out to good old Mc Donalds... We haven't been there in a while and I thought it would be a nice birthday lunch for the kids. I figured I should bring some cupcakes, that I hadn't made yet. So inside we went... so I could make some cupcakes... from scratch! I felt like a really good old school mother! Usually I cheat and buy a cake or even use the box stuff. But not today, I was felling ambitious. Actually I think it is the lack of sleep, I had to keep moving or I think I might have passed out:)

Side note: Last night Hubby cut himself at work (his right hand, ring finger) and had to get stitches(only four). My parents offered to come over so I could go sit with him at the hospital. We didn't get home until a little after midnight. And the kids were in our bed before 5:30. Add that to my already sleep deprived self and I'm one tired momma!

We all had a good time at lunch! Then it was home for a late nap! He had cubbies at church tonight and we brought in a birthday treat, graham cracker sandwiches! Yum Yum.

So my little man is four now. He'll be going to a pre-school this coming up school year... Where does the time go?! I remember when he was my little one that I'd hold and snuggle, I still get to from time to time, thank goodness!

Ok so you bared through that and now you get a knitting update. I started the sleeves of G's wallaby. Yes I said sleeveS. This is a first for me! I was really excited to try something new (both sleeves at the same time on two circulars) in the wonderful land of knitting. I did it all on my own, I had read a little bit about it a good while back. But I was without Internet (at a monthly knitting group at church) when casting on. I'm quite proud of myself for figuring it out.

I'm hoping to continue knitting with the furry that I have been. I might even finish this rather soon, like in a week or two. My fingers are crossed!

Ok that was my knitting blurb. Hubby has off ALL day tomorrow and were are thinking of going to the zoo. As to continue the birthday fun. I'm sure I'll post about our adventures if we go.

And because I can't post without giving you a baby picture... Our little C can't keep her fist out of her mouth. I think I might have a thumb sucker on our hands:)

until next time... kNiT hApPy!

Wallaby progress

I could barely wait to cast on G's wallaby Saturday night. Its going rather quickly. Last night I finished the pouch. I'm super excited about it, I'd really like to make one for myself too. But some how I don't knit for myself that often.

Just a few minutes ago I could hear G giggling and went to see what was so funny. C was sucking on his thumb. Of course I snapped a few so I could share. He is such a sweet big brother who loves his little sisters!

On saturday I decided to wash the van because it was really nice out. I washed it at my parents house (because we don't have a driveway and didn't want the kids to be tempted to run out on the street like mommy). All is going as planned. I wash the van and then start to rinse the van. While rinsing the van the water runs down the driveway and forms a puddle on the sidewalk. Of course it being nice out the kids want to play in the water, Ok, no problem. A few seconds later I turn around to look at the kids... and G is butt naked jumping in the puddle! I had to fight back the urge to laugh and calmly explain to him that we do not take our close off outside. My parents and I got a kick out of it. I took some pics after he put his clothes back on. They were full of mud when they were done and went in to take a bath before dinner. All in all it was a good day!

Thanks to everyone and their comments about L. She is doing much better, and eating normal again. She is happy again, its good to have her back!

In spite of her being sick we continued to potty train her. It is going really well. She has a few accidents now and then but basically shes got the hang of it. We put diapers on her for naps and bed time but other than that she wears underwear and keeps them dry. I'm totally excited that I only have one in diapers! GO L!

kNiT hApPy!

More yarn

As I was cruising blog land I saw some lovely knit wonderful wallabys. A while ago I had bought the pattern from the shop(when everybody at my knitting night was making them, ok like 3 or 4 people). Last night I decided it was time to try my hand at this wonderful pattern.

So I was off to good old Michaels. I found this. G's favorite color is red. This was the closest thing to it. Its not to girly is it? Its lion brands cotton-ease. The color is terracotta. I figure it will be a nice sweatshirt for the cool nights in summer, and into fall. I'm going to make it a bit large, a size 6. From what I've seen the sizes run a little small.

While I was outside on this gorgeous 70 degree day I saw this and snapped a few pics. G wanted me to put a pic on this post. Cute little bumble bee! (click on the pic to see it up close) Doesn't this picture just scream summer is coming?! Ok so I'm not the type of person to have grass only in our yard. To me dandelions are just one more flower that the kids can pick:)

I love having the windows open and the fresh air all throughout the house.

This morning hubby and I went to a family life summit at our church. They had three different speakers from our church family. It was really good. They knocked some hard truths into my head. Like practicing what your preach. I've always struggled with my time spent in Gods word. But it hit me, If I'm not doing it why should I expect my kids to want to(now or later in life)?! I decided that instead of putting it off to do house hold chores or even knitting *gasp*, I'm going to spend that 15-20 minutes (or whatever) reading the bible, or doing that devotional. Everything else can wait. Unless of course one of the kids are bleeding from the head and are in need of medical assistance.

One more hat.

I finished Leah's version of the the girls' hats... I just switched the order of the yarn so they weren't identical:) C's was 72 sts and L's was 88sts. Just a basic k3 p1 rib. For the ruffled edge I doubled the amount of sts I needed, k 4 rows then *K2 tog (3times) P2 tog* all the way around I think they turned out pretty cute. I couldn't get a good one of L. She is still feeling the pain from the thrush. But I think it is getting a tiny bit better. She is trying to eat a little. some things are ok but others just hurt and make her cry and stop eating... my poor little girl. After nap time today she was actually in a pretty good mood. Until I give her her next dose of medicine... arhg. Only 7 more days of it. I just can't wait until my little girl is back to her normal smiley self.

Until next time .... kNiT hApPy!

Where does the time go?!

I've noticed that since starting back at work the beginning of the week seems to pass me by so quickly. I don't get my blog time in as much as I'd like.

Example a.

I was going to show you this picture on the left and say that I've started C's spring hat, but now I can show you the one on the right and say that it is finished. Sorry about the crying... she really wasn't as upset as she looks, I promise. I do think its a "why are you taking my picture when I'm hungry?!!" even though she ate not even two hours ago... Silly little girl. Mommy needs her picture for the blog:) Plus, I think you need a few pictures of them crying as a baby, its cute!

I also made the smallest pair of panties for L's dolly. They went quickly and were super easy. I'll be starting either a sweater or a skirt next... The possibilities are endless. I can't wait!

Today we had some craft time, making salt dough. I borrowed a craft book form the library. It has a bunch of cool ideas. The kids played with it for a while and then we cut out a bunch of shapes (with cookie cutters) and G even made some beads! After nap time I think we'll paint them. Sometimes I think I like doing crafts more than the kids do. I actually have something special planned for most of the shapes, but that is all I can say before I ruin the surprise!

Ok just so you don't think I'm a horrible mother here is a pic of C 2 seconds after the crying one... see she is just complaining:)

Potty training is going well with L. She does have a few accidents but that is expected. I'm excited for the day when I only have one in diapers again.

While we are on the subject of L, she has been waking from her naps and bed time with a slight fever... and yesterday we noticed some white spots on her tong. Before bed time I was trying to brush her teeth and she was giving me a harder time than usual. I looked in her mouth with a flashlight and felt horrible. she had white patches along her teeth and gums. I felt so bad, poor little thing. Needless to say I took her into the doctor this morning and she has thrush. Luckily it isn't in her throat yet. She hasn't really ate much the past two days so I went to the store and bought some pediasure... I figure get as much nutrients in her as possible on a liquid diet. I tried giving her pudding and applesauce, but she isn't eating much. Any suggestions?! Oh and the medicine (nystatin) isn't going well either. They told me to have her put in her mouth and swish it around. yeah right, with a 2 year old. I can barely get it in her mouth. It doesn't help that it tastes bad. Argh. I just want her to feel better.

wow I guess I just had to vent, sorry for that.

I'll leave you with a pic of C and I before we went outside to play the other day. I love that the weather is getting nice out! We don't have to be couped up inside anymore!

kNiT hApPy!

Rag doll

I finished knitting the doll pieces on wednesday.




She went from looking like this:








To this, all stuffed. But I couldn't go to bed until I pieced her together.













Which looked like this:
It was 1 AM when I finally made myself go to bed. I really wanted to do her hair but I resisted the temtation.










Thursday nights are made for knitting...So Last night I went over to Heathers' house and put her hair on. It took forever!

For the next one I'm giving her shorter hair. But I really liked the way she turned out!

It was a really easy pattern. One thing I did mess with though... It called for everything to be knit flat and then semmed up. So I just knit it all in the round. A LOT easier!



L loves her! Here is some proof!





This morning L told us she had to go potty. And she actually went! I decided to go with it! I put her in underwear and decided to not turn back. Except for at nap time and night time. She has had a few accidents today but I think she'll get the hang of it in a few days! Wish us luck! She is such a smart little girl, I know she can do it, I really think its up to me to put the effort into it. Thats kinda how it was with G, when we(hubby and i) finally went all or nothing he was trained in a few days. I'm hoping for the best!



kNiT hApPy!