Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference

Please join me in the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge! More info over at my other blog.

my first tutorial

For those of you who haven't heard about it, or haven't had a chance to visit, I'm participating in another blog with a community of friends. I posted my first tutorial for this little number (the skirt, not the baby - you're on your own for that) at http://lovelypraiseworthy.blogspot.com/.


Check it out and let me know what you think!

To nap or not to nap?

That is the big question around our house after the last few days. Seth has been a good napper for a long time, but lately it's getting harder and later to get him down for a nap. So, after over an hour of listening to him play in his (and Lydia's) room yesterday instead of resting, I went in to find all of his stuffed animals AND both pillows AND himself in the crib with Lydia...she wasn't too happy to have her turf invaded.

So, is he done with naps? Maybe we should stop forcing it and start putting him to bed an hour earlier. I ask myself, "Could it be that he doesn't need naps anymore?" Then, after excusing himself from the dinner table (around 5:00) to go potty, this is what we found:

Yes, his Spiderman underwear is on backwards, and when we tried to help him up, he was temporarily unable to speak in complete sentences. (insert Matt and me laughing at the sight before us) Clearly, yes, he needs his naps, but how do we get him to rest? Once he does settle down and nod off, it's late in the afternoon, and I wake him up if it's 4:30 and he's still sleeping, and it's hello Mr. Crabby Pants for the evening. What to do? Any advice from those of you who've been there & done that?

Jesus Wants *Seth* for a Sun-BEAM!

Yesterday was my boy's first Sunday in Primary, and he was perfectly happy to say goodbye to the Nursery. We sang the Hello Song and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam to welcome the newest members of the Primary. I spent the last week or so preparing him by letting him know there were no toys or snacks, but he gets to sing songs and have a lesson and maybe occasionally play a game. He even volunteered to say the opening prayer and was disappointed when he wasn't chosen...maybe next week. I'm the Primary pianist, and I sit right by his class and couldn't help glancing out of the corner of my eye to see what he was doing. What a good little listener, and he obeyed his teacher too. He's a little sunbeam to our family!

2009 Santa story

For your reading pleasure, a narration of last night's Santa experience:

Lydia: I'm not so sure about this, but I don't think I like it. And why on earth am I wearing so many stripes??

Seth: I practiced all day what I would say to Santa, and now all I can do is stand here with my hand in my mouth.

~~~

Lydia: Oh, wow. Mom's making a fool of herself off to the side so I'll stop crying.

Seth: Same as last photo.

~~

Lydia: Wow, Mom's still at it. I don't think I've ever seen her jump up and down, clap her hands and whistle all at the same time.

Seth: Now I have a candy cane, but I can't make myself look at Santa yet.

~~

Lydia: OK, if Mom's over there, who's holding me?

Seth: I'm contemplating talking to Santa. Should I or shouldn't I?

~~

Lydia: OK, nice try distracting me, Mom. Get me away from this guy!

Seth: Boy, this candy cane sure looks good. OK here's the plan. Just before we walk out the door, I'll tell Santa thank you for the candy cane and that I want a red fire truck for Christmas. Whew!

~~

The End

Just a little project

I'm amazed at how much better I feel when I manage to get a little part of my world organized and in order. This is a before and after of an afternoon's time spent tidying up my little ribbon bin.

Before:

After:

I love my doll pins swaddled up like cozy little babes. No more grumbling as I dig through the menagerie of scraps, spools, and tangled messes for just the right embelishment.

We're a little late - Halloween 2009

We're approaching mid-November and I'm just now getting around to posting Halloween photos. Seth wanted to be Bob the Builder, and it wasn't until after I bought his clothes that he switched and wanted to be Handy Manny. In the end, he was happy being Bob and took the opportunity to "fix" all the things that were in need of repair.


He's a pretty good likeness, don't you think?

And little Lydia...who can resist a cute costume on an even more adorable little girl?

Daddy adoring his little miss ladybug:

While Matt and Seth made the rounds in the neighborhood...

...we girls stayed home to pass out candy. It was a slow year for trick-or-treaters...only 84 munchkins begging us for candy this year instead of the 100+ that we normally get. Now what to do with all this candy?? Ugh. 'Tis the season.