{Craft Co-op}

A couple of my great friends decided a few months ago to join in on an idea I had- "Craft Co-op." Maisey is in, and has taken pretty much every kind of lesson you can think of so the objective here was something new! Each week six little girls and their mothers "host" a craft project for the rest of the group. They have made pendants (my first round), potato paint stamping, cookie decorating, wax shavings art, bath salts, and pillowcases (my latest turn).

The girls love it- and I LOVE not having to pay for another lesson. Maisey loves her Piano lessons, Tap class (she's getting ready for her Spring recital), Girl Scouts (she's stoked about Camp Yamhill), and Craft swaps!

(Jazlyn, your pillowcase is awaiting you when you get to feeling better!)

{Update}

My last post date was March 22nd. Since then we have been busy with Spring Break, family, Easter, more family, day-to-day life, working 50 hours a week, and job hunting! Since 3/22 I have applied for 18 new Caseworker positions (I am truly going to test this new online system my work has and my patience)! The only thing I have learned up to this point, it that it takes a VERY long time for them to even process the apps and add you to the "eligibility list." However, the nice thing is I can see what the status is like when it is reviewed. I am looking forward to change this Spring and good weather too. I've already begun working on my tan!

I just busted out the Bronzer and I went back to being a one-tone brunette (not pictured)!

{Church Easter Egg Hunt}

This year we were able to attend the ward Easter festivities. The activities committee planned a wonderful breakfast and an East Egg Hunt to celebrate our Savior.

It is pretty much impossible to get a picture of Ryley's face these days. As you can see, he did get the hang of the hunt.

Despite the fact Ryley is terrified in this particular shot, he did have a great time!

"Would you just leave me alone and get over the fact that I'm not going to smile for you Mom!"

{Visitors}

We ended spring break with a visit from my biological mother Christine and my Aunt Lisa. We usually see my mom once a year for a couple hours, but this visit upped it for the year. We were pleasantly surprised when my Aunt Lisa came to visit for the day too. Although we rarely see that side of the family, we know they think of us because they send us cards all year long.

Lisa (left) Christine (right)

We decided ahead of time to have lunch and spend the day at our house so the kids could just play. Ryley wasn't too sure of our unfamiliar visitors, but he enjoyed playing ball with them for much of the time.

{new swim}

Before heading back to work tomorrow Chad and I thought we would take the kids to a pool we've never been to (we usually drive to Clackamas to visit our favorite aquatic center). It was the perfect temperature in the "warm pool" and as usual, the kids had a great time in the water!

This little boy would not keep his tongue in his mouth. He even licked water off the drain on the floor in the family dressing room several times! Every time he did it and I lectured him he screamed and yelled- "No out Momma"- I'm sure the people waiting for the room thought I was beating him because of all his shrieking!

{Eugene}

We made our rather usual trek to Eugene this past weekend in lieu of Spring Break. It seems like we manage to get there every 3 months, if you count the increase during the summer and the "decline" during the spring. Out of nowhere Maisey surprised us all when she finally decided to stay the night at my parent's house alone. Afterwards she told me next time she plans to stay 2 nights, and then she will work her way up to 5 nights and then 10! I told her that may not be until she's a teenager, but I'm sure glad she decided it was time.

Her aunt Erin, uncle Chase, and his girlfriend Christina were kind enough to take her ice skating for the first time. I think Maisey's pretty much experienced everything out there in the world for her age, but ice skating was one thing I have put off. She had a blast, and now that we know she can stand up and skate on her own, we plan on taking her to a rink around here.

Just starting out.

We stayed with my grandparents and we are always thankful for their hospitality. We also love staying up with them until 1 AM playing Dominoes each night. When we're down our family always takes us to our favorite places to eat and they stuff us full of all their cooking. We seriously go into hibernation when we leave.

Another place we went this trip was Chuck E Cheese. Yes, my kids love the place, and although they get to go rather regularly up here, it was fun to see a couple different things at the one down there.I don't think Maisey likes the fact I barged in on her and Christina as they were beginning their makeovers. Maisey picked out face paint from pizza as a prize and they we're working on something when I came in!
My mom, sister, and I shopped and had some alone big girl time. Maisey is beginning to enjoy going shopping and out to lunch but she really isn't there yet- unless she gets her nails done in the mix of it all.

It was a perfect couple days and now the kids are ready for some daddy time around here while I work!

{sick}

Since I blogged last most of us managed to get pretty sick. Maisey fevered, had double earaches, and fevered again. I had pink eye, strep throat (at the same time, and now on and off terrible sciatic nerve pain! Chad got his usual almost deadly flu and he covered all the symptoms with that bout. And Ryley, well, he was able to fight it all off!

It was a busy start to the month for sure!

{what next?}

I finished this last skirt for Maisey while I've been home sick and now I'm not sure what to make next!? I think I will need to convince my friend Adrianna to help me make a dress... I love these colors together! And, Ryley has a matching blue tie and pink dress shirt- looks like Easter to me!

{carzz}

This little man has "carzz" strung about the house everywhere!!! He plays with his cars in the bathroom, under the kitchen sink, in Maisey's Barbie house (which he empties all 3 stories of furniture onto the floor first), outside, on every window seal, table, and pretty much every place you step. The minute we clean them up, he has them back out. I've come to agree, toy cars are like Barbie's to a kid, you can never have too many of them!I guess these cars are taking a cargo plane.

{alterations}

The nice thing about knowing how to sew a little is that you can "alter" things to fit. Since Maisey isn't the tallest girl around, I altered this skirt some. However, since I am new at sewing, I took a little too much off at first. I took 2" from the top, 3" from the middle (the best part), and another 2" from the bottom. Afterwards, I realized that is some serious length- and as much as this little girl wants to be worldly and wear a "mini skirt," it ain't happening! So, I decided to add the 2" back on to the top (+ 1" for good measure), and I decided to use the same pattern from the middle rather than the original sage green I picked out. I did a lot of gathering in the middle and in the end I like how the top sets the ruffles down a bit lower. I'm ready to make another this week, only it will be like the one before this. But it was nice to try something new. I am becoming a little more confident and brave with each stitch I take

{Family Game Time}

Family games aren't that easy with a toddler in the house. For the last year or so our "game time" has been rather limited. However, Bingo tonight wasn't so bad. I guess this is how Ryley plays "Blackout."

I think he's getting it.

{phases}

Looking back now, I have to say the little man has been pretty good to us. As long as he has his blanket and binky, he's been a great self-soother (not that I don't miss being the one and only person who can make my baby content). However, children are like seasons and they go through different phases.

*

Phase 1- No Crib

About 2 weeks ago out of the blue, Ryley decided he would NOT sleep in his crib. He never climbed out, but he would arch his back and have a panic attack if we even got close to it. We tried to convert it into the toddler bed that it is also designed to be, however, he would not go for that either.

**

Phase 2- No Naps

So, now he has a new toddler bed. We are still trying to work on getting him to fall asleep in it without one of us the room at night. Ryley has pretty much given up naps as well! Now that he can get out of bed, he is sleeping less at night, and almost nothing during the day!

***

Phase 3- Make Dressing Impossible

The worst of things yet is the fact Ryley does not want to be changed! He puts up a HUGE fight when he needs his diaper or his clothes changed. I've tried everything and I cannot get him to cooperate. I hope this phase doesn't last long. And Baby Center, he could care less if he gets to choose his clothes!

****

Phase 4- Undecided

Since we're stumbling through all these changes right now, and since Ryley doesn't want to be changed, we brought out the Baby Bjorn potty chairs, bought some Thomas the Train underwear, and we're waiting patiently. I'm not going to push potty training right now, but it's waiting when Ryley decides to switch things up on us!

Last but not least, I'm wondering when this little man is going to get use to haircuts? He is nearly 2, and we're about to hit 20 and he still screams and yells "Ouch!" I really don't think I can handle any more resistance on this!

I also never believed int he "Terrible Two's," and I will keep telling myself that when the days are long and I find myself saying 3 prayers BEFORE 6:30 AM!!!

But, no matter how challenging things can get, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

[latest project]

This past week I attempted to make Maisey a skirt. I've made her skirts before, but this one was made with a little frustration too. I had friends to help me, and the second half of the project was more successful than the first! I planned to do it all at once, but the initial time just happened to be a late night when I had 1/2 a brain. It started out when I used my friends measurements for a much smaller sized skirt, coupled with Maisey's correct measurements. All and all it was easy and I hope to sew another this week- the fabric is already cut. It turned out way cute! I love homemade projects!!!

Thanks so much Lori (and Diana) for the "pattern" and help!

{Valentines Day}

I just finished this wreath tonight and with little time to spare. I can see it needs some definite tweaking, but I love how it turned out (thanks for the idea Jamie- and this great blog which I stole a couple things from this season)!

I also need to find it a good home- this is in the hallway... But really, it will only be up for a day since tomorrow is "the day."

I didn't decorate much this year, but I did manage to get my LOVE-ly baking done throughout the past two weeks and I am ready for tomorrow. After church we will have dinner with extended family, along with a "Dance It-Up Competition." The girls (Maisey and 2ND cousins Miranda and Michelle) will have so much fun- as they always do together!

I really have come to LOVE Valentine's Day... Not only for the cute color scheme I allow myself to decorate with for the month of February, but because I LOVE all the people in my life!!!

{Love}

LOVE these cute cookies on a stick! My creative and inspiring friend Jamie made them for us last Valentine's Day and I couldn't resist making them this year.

The Glace icing makes things a little tedious because of it's consistency... And, I think I like the cookies better without the piping. But the end result is so worth it!

If you think so too, go and make your own cookie pops (click to get directions)! I love the colors and decorations this time of year!

{not too long}

In the near future my little girl will completely disagree with me on EVERYTHING I like. I know it sounds grim, but she already battles me on her clothes, hair styles and accessories, shoes, jewelry, and pretty much everything else.

Lately, the princess in me has been fighting the urge to buy her more "ballerina skirts" (anything with tulle), and I am so proud of myself since she is well equipped for the time. If she surprises me , and still likes them when her others no longer fit, I will happily buy more-and they are everywhere right now, in every size but mine!

Yesterday, she told me she doesn't want to wear skirts anymore and that she will only wear dresses to church on Sunday's. Well honey, I cleaned out your wardrobe later on in the day, and you still have about 15 skirts that will take you through summer!

Hopefully she will comply because I hate it when she switches things up on me!

{Heart}

I {Heart} my valentine!

Ok, it's a little early but Maisey and I had a "Mommy-Daughter Day" yesterday and she wanted to be my early Valentine.

She got her nails done (I held out since mine take so much longer and she gets bored), we went to lunch, and she picked out new fabric for a project I'm working (she didn't approve of three others I recently chose). She sure is opinionated, but she sure is cute!

Speaking of opinions, she hardly lets me choose her hair styles anymore, but today she relinquished and let me make her hair into a heart-do!

{"Wii" Baby}

It's not often we have a girls night on a weekend but getting a whole group of close friends together can seem like an impossible task. Of course we had reason to steal the night away from our husbands because we had to celebrate the birth of Ciara's third child, Nora.We rocked it hard as we all found our groove to "Just Dance" the fun dancing Wii game.

We missed our friend who had a migraine but we were all happy with the way the night went. And I was happy all my pregnant- and the post pregnant who still got up there and bust there moves- despite the fact everyone showed up tired! The last one's standing at 1:45 AM...

Some of us were a little giddy by that point. Thank goodness for afternoon church.
I actually was able to have a "jammie ju ju day" since Ryley was too sick to attend nursery- not that my prior knowledge of that kept me up late. I got home and was still going strong (unfortunately for Chad) and couldn't fall asleep until after 3:15 AM... That is always the case after girls nights- but it is so worth it!

The calories were also worth it- but hopefully we danced what we ate! And there was a whole lot more not pictured, like killer cream puffs. We are such good bakers.

And most of all, thanks Julie for sharing your new BIG T.V.- I mean Pete!

{pump it up}

Chad took Ryley to "Pump It Up Jr." this past week and he loved it! Since Maisey turned 6, we haven't been able to go to the convenient "Jr" location. With Maisey in school it was the perfect time for the boys to hit it. I guess it took about 25 minutes to get Ryley out of the "Cozy Coupe" but he eventually took on bigger ventures.
(I knew we should have got him one for Christmas! Maisey hot pink one at this age and loved it!)
Bigger Ventures

That is a workout when your legs are that little and your battling against such slick surfaces.

{new year}

We spent time with friends and family this New Year and we are looking forward to another year full of memories.

I can't wait to see what new talents and interests Maisey will develop this upcoming year! I can't wait to see how much Ryley grows (literally and developmentally)! He's already such an independent boy! I can't wait to read lots of new books with old friends at The Book and Brunch Society! I also can't wait to see how what kind of parties we will host this year! Most of all, I can't wait for all the "little" things in life! You know, the oftentimes subtle yet life changing events that we all go through that make us into the people we are. The "little" things I'm talking about may not be noticeable to others, but can surely be identified by some.

(Above is a picture of my new iron board cover. Just a "little" random thing that gets me excited!)