Princess is five!

Pretty cool to have a birthday when Daddy is home on Spring Break. We played ALL DAY.

First the Aviary:

Yeah, it was mating season and the peacocks were giving quite the show.

Then we ate and shopped and shopped and ate.

Her daddy spoiled her at Build-a-Bear:

And then the rest of her extended family spoiled her some more.

Princesses & frogs, shoes, horses, instruments, Legos, and too much candy.

After 5 years I can still remember how shocked I was when they announced "it's a GIRL!" My life has never been the same since. 

Right before I delivered I was really hoping for a boy because I was comfortable with boys and was in total boy mode.  I knew what I was getting into.  I knew a girl would be too scary.  Me, the example?  I liked Daddy being the one to turn the kids heads toward.  My weaknesses, passed down another generation?  Yikes!  I didn't want to face the possibility. 

As I have grown into a "girl mom" I am relishing the sweetness of these womanly qualities in bud form.  A nurturing preschooler who thankfully picks up some of my strengths. 

I love her - everything about her. 

She no longer scares me.  She is an anchor to me who keeps me grounded and in check.  Thankfully a wise heavenly father had faith in me and my abilities when I didn't have it for myself.  I am grateful every day for the little girl who is this very minute upstairs fast asleep in her nightgown and new sparkly pink shoes.

Book sale

Just a heads up, savvy shoppers.

Amazon has wonderful prices on some kids books right now.

If you remember my Brown Bear gift, you can now get that board book really cheap, about half off.

Also other Eric Carle and Sandra Boynton books (one of our faves) and classics from EB White and Beverly Cleary.  Grab some!  They would probably even arrive for Easter baskets if you hurry. 

That's my plan.

Never enough books!!

Sewing: update the drapes

I have been so over my boring curtains lately. SO monotone. Sagging rod. Blech.

My sister has been renovating and decorating lately and she inspired me to make a change in the drapes.  I never wanted to go very dark in this little living room because I knew it would make it feel even smaller.  I couldn't do a pattern because my couch is a strong plaid.  So I thought adding  just an accent fabric would be good.

This color is not accurate, even without a flash.  But it's a remnant I found.  It's faux leather with floral embossing.  Very cool.  It's a deeper, richer color than shown.

Obviously I can't get a good shot with or without the flash.  But here it is finished:

I cut off the top four inches where the rod pocket was and added the faux leather.  It's a tough fabric to work with but I finally rigged it good enough.  I didn't even hem the top - I just have it clipped with cafe clips and put on a new sturdy rod I found at Lowes for $16. 

I had Strider raise the new rod all the way up near the ceiling, too.  I love the look.

Cost: 
fabric $4
curtain clips: $5 for 14
rod and hardware: $16
smooches for the hubs: $0

Brooding

To our government: shame on you

I cried last night as I watched the news and saw more of my freedoms floating away. It's the first time in my adult life that I've felt hopeless as an American. I feel so down today.


To Tiger Woods: just go away

You're a pig. A talented, rich, husband and daddy who made and kept making stupid choices. What a way to use your God-given gifts. Now you're going to taint the Masters Tournament with your glaring storyline and papparazzi.  Just go buy an island somewhere and spend the rest of your life golfing in seclusion and asking Elin to forgive you.


To my March Madness bracket: it was nice knowin' ya

If you're an underdog who ruined my picks, best of luck to you in the next rounds! Represent well.

Sewing: baby gifts

I have two baby showers today.  I wanted to make something similar for both of them to save me some time.  And lucky for me, they are for one boy and one girl so I got to pick my favorite fabrics!

I made two types of burp cloths:  the cloth diaper style embellished with ribbon, and the flannel kind with a fringe edge.

For these pink ones I didn't even have to shop because I had all this in my stash.  Love this pink ribbon.

And here is the other kind.  Cut two matching or coordinating pieces of soft flannel and sew wrong sides together with 1/2 in seam. 

I know this is blurry, but I wanted to show the edge.  Using very sharp scissors, snip every 1/8 to 1/4 inch all the way around, close to the seam. 

Wash and dry it so it starts to fray.  I love this look.

Makes a cute set!

And here is the boy set with delicious turquoise and brown.  I LOVE this.  Can you tell how excited I am to make boy stuff?  ;- )  I rarely get the chance.

Full day today:  home projects, clearing out the flowerbed, Lowes trip (woohoo!), Mother/son activity at church, baby showers, BIG BYU game today, and my cousin from PA comes in town tonight.  I love it all!

Green Scene

Holy green food, Batman!  We had a blast, and even the baby ate it all up!  Check out Princess in the shot of all the kids.  Yeah, long day for her LOL.

St Patty's thank you!

You ladies rock.

Our menu for tomorrow is no longer a mystery.

We are having Lucky Charms for breakfast, and the hats I posted earlier for a snack after school.



Supper is:

broccoli-cheese stuffed chicken breasts

 green fettuccini alfredo

steamed broccoli spears

 green dinner rolls (if I feel motivated)

pot 'o gold yellow jello in ramekins 

pistachio cake (recipe here)

The kids are already wondering if the breakfast milk will be green again he he he.