Rain or Shine

Last week was BEAUTIFUL. Sunny, warm, perfect for lots of this:

Elyette is a pro now at riding "with pedals and no training wheels" as she will tell you. We tried the no training wheels and no pedals method of learning to ride a bike.

(I'm lovin' the look of determination on her face)

Basically the idea is they get a feel for balance while scooting around on the pedal-less bike before. After a few days of "scooting", the pedals went back on and she was a die hard at practicing (reaching 2+ hours at the park before I had to force our departure). Not to mention I reached a new level of one-handed (baby on the hip) abilities while helping her learn. Charlotte was a good sport about playing on the grass too to free up my hands from time to time.

(hello Fabio. rrrowr)

I can't say whether or not I thought the "scooting" helped that much, because I have no "control" to compare too. I think it may have helped a little, but I also think it got her into some bad habits, like putting her feet in front of the pedals and not using the breaks to stop... both dangerous habits she had to "un-learn". All the same, she rides now and its fun for us to all bike to school now (well, I jog with the stroller- Any adult women bike recommendations? I'm dying to get one since our last was stolen).

We didn't bike to school today. Since more appropriate February weather set in. It poured this morning:

I loved it. So did the kids :)- this was during breakfast at about 7:45am. We just had to take advantage instantly.

I admit I got a rather homesick for my northwest though, even before it dumped :). I think there's something about that smell of pending rain.

Ah... well anyway, LIFE IS GOOD... rain OR shine!

Handmade Holidays 2010

With more limited time this year (that or a lack of motivation to pull several 2am evenings again) and dividing my sewing and "creative" attention elsewhere, Christmas 2010 was not at all as grand as 2009 and the dress-ups, but still enjoyable. And I got a bit more sleep.

Christmas PJ's:

More PJ's:

Chocolate Plate: Done in Vinyl

Poopy Clutch and Nursing Cover:

For an expecting momma, of course

Postcard Set:

I converted some drawings of Jack and Elyette's into 4x6 photos and mounted them to some postcard backing purchased here.

Animal Pillows:

For Charlotte: Made from terry cloth and flannel scraps. All I had to buy were the felt buttons. Elyette helped me stuff them.

She also did some of her own handmade gifts:

Busy making fleece scarves entirely by herself (oh and bead necklaces).

Dr. Kit:

This one is my favorite. I've wanted a Dr. Kit for the kids but not willing to fork out for those plastic kits. I wanted a real working stethoscope for them. So I got a pediatric blood pressure cuff with a stethoscope for $15 on ebay. Got Some bandaid, ace wrap, etc. Made a bag out of felt (lined with felt to, so nice and sturdy) on hand and viola! Dr. Kit for less than $20.

K, I think thats it. Hope all had a great Christmas!

Candy Corn Dresses

I've never been a big fan of candy corn... 'til now!

I'll take 'em this way any day.

Adventures in Swimwear

In my frustration to find swimwear for my postpartum bod (as if it isn't hard enough, without all the... shall we say: extras?) I made grand plans to make myself one instead. Well, that hasn't panned out as of yet, nor is it likely too, but I did get to give it a go for my favorite model!

Ain't she cute? This really came about because I had a bunch of scrap white Lycra fabric that I made Elyette some "booty" shorts from for her to wear under her play skirts this summer (way too hot for leggings). I still had plenty left, so why not make a tankini top to go with?

She makes anything look cute. And a white swimsuit is SO practical... ha.

3 months

Can you believe it?
Clearly I was lazy snapping some pics this morning, but it works. She really just wanted to eat the bear the whole time anyway.

She looks especially big when the kids hold her.
He's a good helper :)

And ta da!My first pics of all three together. Obviously not planned. Elyette's wild hair and of course, Jack's wearing... well another "Jack ensemble".
Not sure why I haven't gotten many with all three... oh wait... I do know why,
THEY'RE INSANE!
Got to love them.

Disney Report

DISNEYLAND that is!!! Are we spoiled?...YES! Especially Miss Charlotte. How many kids do you know that get to go at just 8 weeks old :). Ha, it really was a blast.

Elyette's favorites:

Matterhorn
Soaring Over California (she was really enchanted by this. It absolutely was a real for her)
Haunted Mansion (she loved the dancing ghosts and the widow bride- naturally)
Space Mountain
Tower of Terror ( Yes, folks... she's tall enough and went 3 times! She's a maniac)
Cotton Candy
Minnie Mouse
The Princesses (of course)

Jack's Favorites:

Matterhorn (so he says- he had his eyes closed every time :))
Pirates of the Caribbean
Winnie the Pooh ride (calls it the bee ride)
His Mickey ears (still wears them daily)
WOODY! (He was really excited to see him)
Snow White (He didn't care for the other princesses much, but he sure blushed for her)


Charlotte's Favorites:

Being held ALL DAY! (via front pack or sling)
I think Disneyland is almost more fun as a parent. Its seriously the best to watch your kids take in the magic. Elyette and I decided we want to live there!

Viewer Discretion Advised

Here's what you get when a little girl observes her mother nursing:

(Elyette, 2 years old, when Jack was 2 months old)

Here's what you get when a little boy observes his mother nursing:

True Nature

So the photos from the previous post are rather deceiving. When snapping shots of the kids, this is more of what we REALLY got...

Can you say "VOGUE"

This is probably my favorite

Don't mess with Charlotte!

or Jack.

Dorks...

More dorks here

Elyette: Mom, what's it called again when animals sleep in the morning and day and awake at night?
Mom: Oh, nocturnal.
Elyette: Oh yeah... Charlotte's nocturnal.

...Ha

Cute animal :)

What's it called when someone gets almost no sleep?...

Spider-man and M.J.

We've been rather obsessed with spider-man around here these days. It all started a month ago with a box of spider-man fruit snacks... they hadn't even seen the movie ('til about 2 weeks ago).

Now Jack must wear stripes/plaid almost daily (he thinks they look like spider webs I think), unless he decides to be the green goblin instead, and Elyette, aka "spider-girl" (or as Jack would say it "spider-man girl") always makes sure the front door is locked to keep Dr. Octopus out. Sometimes he has keys-- it's rather frightening!

Today spider-girl is M.J.We had some fun with my straightener on Elyette's hair this morning. When we where done, Elyette grinned and said "Hey, I look like that girl on Spider-man!" :) - Yeah, I can see it.
And though Jack woke up the green goblin, After breakfast it was: LOOK OUT! Here comes the spider man! Yes. A plaid collared shirt just screams spider-man...

Well at least after I combed his hair (not pictured), Elyette said he looked like Peter Parker. That's about right.

Dress-up Photo Shoot

To debut what this elf was up to in the wee hours of the night prior to Christmas, the kids and I had a little photo shoot (They were SO much fun!).

This dress-up set is made up of different coordinating pieces for lots of costume variety and with adjustable sizing (velcro, ties, smocked backs, etc.) for years of use. So here's a sampling of possible costume combinations. Any thing you see that isn't plastic was made by yours truly.

Oh and you should also know that Elyette posed herself 90% of the time :)...

Victorian Sweetie I made the base of this hat from craft foam so it may not last long, but it was a fun experiment (makes me really want to try out a hat making class)

Belle of the Ball
Ain't she a beauty?

Masquerade

Mystery Maiden

Rags...

To Riches

And I'm not one to leave Dude out of all the fun...

Its a bird, its a plane, its...

Robbing the rich to feed this chubby :)

Buttler King

Howdy!

My Knight in plastic armor
...who tried to kill me- and the camera- thus ends our photo shoot.