Memory Monday - Lake 2008

I thank God for photographs so I never forget perfect moments like these!

What I'm watching - Marionettes with Geahk Burchill

After watching this, now I'm going to have to try to make a puppet! It would never compare to his lovely puppets, but it would be something fun the girls and I can do. We could make a rough puppet out of some empty sewing spools, fabric and yarn?

Does this happen to you? I always want to try to make everything I see, it's a little bit crazy and my crafting to do list is very long!!

Amelia-isms - Krap

We got Amelia's "Being a writer, Unit 3" booklet in the backpack yesterday and it's great to see how well she is coming along with writing. But this story caught my eye.

She writes: Once I had a hubcap off and I had to wait and wait.

The best part of this is the drawing... notice me with the curly hair saying "Krap" and Anna and Amelia in the car with frowning. She even has the city hall sign, which is where this all happened, right in front of city hall.

This did happen last spring, we had gotten some work done on the tires and after that one of the hubcaps kept falling off. One of the times it fell off Amelia saw it rolling down the street so I pulled over to pick it up. I was not happy and I guess I said "crap" and of course she seems to remembers everything!!

I wonder what her 1st grade teacher thinks when she reads these stories. I bet she has read some pretty good ones over the years. Kids tell it like it is and I think that is so great!

Jellyfish Family

I made these jellyfish for my brother and his wife, they are having their first baby in a few weeks! They are decorating the room in an ocean theme, Helen is a marine biologist, so it really fits!

They purchased a large blue whale wall sticker on etsy. I thought these jellyfish would look great in the window or over the changing table. I was very happy with how they turned out and I listed them in my etsy shop. What I love about them is they spin ever so slowly, the slightest movement of air stirs them and they don't seem to stop moving.

Memory Monday - Spirograph

Do you remember this toy? I sure do, I played with it for hours and hours when I was a kid. I loved it!! I found two sets and gave one to Amelia for Christmas. When she opened it she had this look on her face like what the heck is this? But once I explained what is was both the girls have been going round and round ever since. I love being able to share my childhood memories and make new ones with the girls.

Now I need to find some fashion plates, do you remember those? I sure do!!!

Do you need a Spirograph set for your kids? They still make them, click here to check it out.

Here is an old commercial for the Spirograph.

Snow Day

It's just like playing in a giant sand box the size of your backyard!

Here the girls are playing with our neighbors, Joey & Tommy in their backyard.

What we're eating - Strawberry Danish

Snow day... we made homemade strawberry danishes... Yum-O!

- Pre-heat oven at 400

- Cream together 6oz of cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yoke, 1/2tsp vanilla extract & 1/4 salt.

- Put parchment paper on cookie sheet and unfold one sheet of your puff pastry (the frozen kind you buy at the store). Roll it out just a bit and cut into 4 pieces, spread pieces apart, then dock (poke with a fork) just the middle of the pastry.

- Spread a generous amount of the cream cheese mix on each piece and top with 3 tbsp of your favorite jelly or jam.

- Brush the egg white around just the edges of the pastry.

- Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes.

- Gobble them up!!

What I'm listening to... "Be OK"

I love the end of this video, how all her friends support her, it's so lovely!

I hope you all are OK and I send a big thank you to all of my friends and family who make me OK!

Song by Ingrid Michaelson, BE OK

Fall 2010

Life is much more carefree before you really learn and understand about germs.

Here the girls were having the best time jumping in a giant pile of leaves. Not care in the world. They didn't think about the leaves in their hair, the damp leaves stuck to their clothes or the bugs that joined them in the leaf pile. They just lived in the moment of leaf jumping... oh what a wonderful time.

Amelia-isms - Boobs

Scene: I was driving the girls home.

Amelia: Does having a baby give you boobies?

Me (chuckling): No you get breast when you are a teenager, but sometimes your boobs do get bigger when you are pregnant.

Amelia: Oh, I thought the baby inside did this (she punched her two fists forward), bam bam and poked them out.

Anna: laughing

Amelia: Then the baby takes it's fingers like this (she holds her fingers to poke) and pokes the nipples out.

Anna: more laughing

Me (laughing): No the baby can't do that.

They don't even hear me, they are both laughing so hard and pretending to poke out some boobies and nipples.

photo: The girls at their first Cheer/Dance class.

Staycation

Brian had the week off after Christmas so be planned fun events for each day.

MONDAY: The girls first trip rollerskating. Amelia kept falling but she never stopped, she skated for almost 2 hours straight and was finally getting the hang of it by the end. Anna liked when I held her under her arms and pushed her around the ring. My arms were sore the next day from holding them up. They loved it and keep asking when they can go again.

Yes, I made them wear helmets, we were the only ones. But the way they kept falling I was glad I did, less worrying I did. But I think next time we will leave them at home.

TUESDAY: We met my friend and her family for lunch then went to their house to see their newly finished basement ... which I am very jealous of, it was so nicely done!

WEDNESDAY: Bowling... Anna got to bring one of her best buddies. Then we went to Lubeley's bakery and all picked out a big sugar cookie, yum!

THURSDAY: We took the kids to Skyzone, Amelia got to bring her friend Aubry. They bounced themselves silly.

FRIDAY: New Year's Eve with our neighbors.

It was a great staycation... now back to the routine.

Pom-Pom Crazy

I bought these pom-pom makers and Amelia and I have been a little pom-pom crazy. I made a bunch and attached them to hairbands and barrettes to give to all the little girls in my family for Christmas. Amelia has made some bookmarks with them, made some for her friends at school and made some to top off her winter hat. It's a great project for a 6 year old, she just needs a little help tying the string tight enough to tie it off. It's a great winter weather project.

Happy New Year 2011

This new years eve we had some neighbors over for a small party. The kids all came in their pj's and watched movies and the adults played games and cards (my favorite card game golf). We all have little kids and we all knew that we would all be back in our homes when the clock actually stuck midnight.

One of the kids kept running to the kitchen to look at the clock to see if it was midnight yet, he must have looked at least 7 or 8 times. So we decided to kick off of the New Year a bit early. We reset the clock and called all the kids into the kitchen and began the countdown to "midnight". They shook their noisemakers and we all yelled "Happy New Year". Amelia buried her head into my waist, with tears in her eyes. Poor girl, she really hates loud noises, she must have very good/sensitive hearing.

It was a nice relaxing way to spend New Years Eve, time with some friends and their kids. Everyone was back to their own homes around 10:00. We put the girls to bed and climbed into bed ourselves. We watched the ball drop on TV and I asked Brian if we were lame... in bed half asleep at midnight. He said no, he wouldn't want to be at a bar or anything. I agreed and told him there was no other place I would rather be than cuddled up with him.

Happy New Year.

January 2011 Wallpaper

Here is a little calendar cuteness I created. I plan to make one each month, so check back for February's image. You can use this for your computer wallpaper, print one out for the office, your craft room or the fridge. Double click the image for the high res file.

All images are Copyrighted by Tracy Dorsey, 2011. Free download for personal use only. Not for resale.