Just so you know...

This does not clean dry erase marker off baseboard heaters. It does, however, clean crayon off the bathtub. Just so you know.

Pretty Partridge

I LOVE to spend naptime looking at crafty blogs, and Pretty Partridge is one of my faves. She is having a giveaway to celebrate SEWN, and I want to win this book! Head over there to enter yourself.

Sewing

So I decided to dive right in and start sewing something... I did the dress on the right first, and followed a great Oliver + S pattern. I thought it would be for Macie, but the girl with the wild hair seemed to like it, although she didn't like holding still for a picture. I guess I should have looked a little closer at the size I cut out. Macie will love it next year, and it can hang up at Mom's shop until then. The tank top on the left was made with no pattern, I just tried to copy a tank top from Emma's closet. It is a little big, and after I finished, I realized I grabbed a tank that is too big for her. I thought she would love the horses, but she wore it for a minute and then screamed "MOM, I JUST HATE THIS. GET THIS OFF PLEASE. MOM, I JUST HATE IT." Nice, kid. It should fit her next summer, too. Maybe by then she will forget that she hates it. I think for now I should stick to a pattern and measure my girls before I start again.

Camping

We went camping over Memorial Day weekend with Nick's brother, Cavet, and his family, along with Cavet's best friend from High School, Jared and his family. We camped at Hebgen Lake in West Yellowstone, and it was really pretty. Our plan was to stay four days and three nights, but Emma's allergies flared and she was really, really, really sick. The poor kid couldn't walk five feet without gasping for air, so we came home after one night. We did get two full days of playing and even spent some time on the boat fishing. Macie loved the boat, Emma cried "I just hate this boat. I just hate it." until she fell asleep. Maybe next time we'll have better luck.

When I was young, we camped at Leo Carillo Beach for vacation, and it was nice to have a 'beach' for my kids to play in sand. This is our kind of beach... we can fish from the shore!

Macie just loved the sand... yum! She really seems to love outdoors, and she was so great the whole trip. Nick gave me a hard time about letting her eat rocks, but in my defense... they were big rocks. Not choking hazards.

Jared and Mindy's daughter Presley is three, and so sweet. Emma called her 'My Pressy' and had a great time with her. I think we'll have to go camping with them in Utah next time. Thanks for coming with us and bringing the bubbles!

The four little girls... The oldest three all have their birthday in the same month, so they are all just a year apart at 1, 2, and 3. Aren't they cute (covered in dirt)?

We had a great time even though Emma did get sick. Guess it's time to pay the money and get our own gear - I think she got sick from the sleeping bags and tent, and the dog that came with us. This is a trip I look forward to every year, but it still doesn't replace 'beach week.'

Inspiration

I have been holding back on making clothing for my girls, mostly because I am super-intimidated by setting sleeves. Then somebody pointed out that it's summer soon, and tank tops would be a great starting point. Yeah, nice. I could have thought of that two years ago... better late than never. I am totally inspired by this website I came across, and I am off to buy some patterns this week. Isn't her clothing just amazing?

Chilling

Just chilling on the porch...

9 Month Checkup

Macie went in for her nine month checkup last week. I can't believe she's already that old! She is right on track with development, and at 24.6 lbs is over the 95th percentile for weight. 95th percentile for height at 29 1/2 inches, and again 95th for her head. We have moved up into the 18 month clothes already!

I love watching her grow and learn new things... this week it's standing. I found her standing up in her crib protesting a nap - time to move the mattress down!

Fishing

We spent the morning fishing at Connie's Pond in Victor on Saturday, and we had a blast! We took Emma fishing a lot when she was a couple months old, but not at all last summer. I know, I know, lame mom. I plan on making up for it this summer since I am not tired, cranky, swollen and pregnant. Hooray! We met John, Jessie & kids there, so Emma had friends, which was good because she honestly didn't care that much about the fishing. We'll have to have a talk about that... but she really did have a good time just running around. We did catch one little little fish, but we were fishing on a Barbie pole, so we were just happy we got one!

This was our fun day!

Thanks for coming with us Ruby and KayLynn!

Big Kids

Savannah drove up this week and brought all four kids with her! Crazy woman! They are so sweet, and my girls really had a great time playing with all the 'big kids.'

Emma, Gabby, Anthony, Macie, Hannah and Greg

Spring

I am so glad it has finally warmed up enough to be spring! We went on a 'bike ride' today and all the little bushes around our house are getting little green buds... I really do love spring. This is what we have been up to lately...

... enjoying sidewalk chalk... to eat and to draw with

watching TV from the top of a table...

pretending to nap...

and waking up from naps!

The girls have also been helping me make a denim blanket for camping

and some how I managed to make this one with no help at all!