a list

The boys have been brainstorming what they want to do over this summer with much anticipation.  Here is the list they have come up with:

1) play MineCraft
2) play outside
3) play on trampoline
4) build a tree house
5) go to the beach
6) take a train ride
7) go up in a hot air balloon
8) walk down Bunny Lane and look for rabbits
9) relax
10) go on a giant jelly bean search
11) go camping
12) go hiking
13) go on a Bigfoot search
14) go swimming
15) make crop circles
16) argue about spontaneous combustion
17) try out lots of different teas
18) sit with the bunnies
19) go fishing
20) make a sunflower fort
21) create a Hershey Kiss village
22) have friends over
23) pet Easter
24) camp out on the trampoline
25) take a trip to Uwajimaya
26) take a trip to the zoo
27) try a jalapeno
28) spend a weekend in Portland
29) buy a toothless lizard
30) go to the Portland museum

chocolate covered strawberries

The boys made these chocolate covered strawberries themselves.

After breaking up the chocolate and melting it in the microwave, they simply dipped the berries and let them firm up.  Such a simple, yet delectable treat.

little valentines

This morning there was a knock on my door, followed by "Can I come in? Oh good - just a moment Mom." After a bit of rustling, Jamey came in bearing a tray full of delightful treats that he put together himself.

"I wanted to surprise you Mom, because you are my Valentine."

When Arthur woke up, he handed me a card he made himself, and with it came a great big hug and a "I love you.".

I am a very lucky, very spoiled mom.  Especially so because I get to spend the entire day with these two sweet valentines.

Happy Valentines Day!

a day hike

Recently, James discovered a hiking area about a mile down the road from us, and brought us along.  It was incredibly scenic at the top, and the boys enjoyed scambling up the mountain.  They looked for pretty rocks, chewed on fir needles, and attempted to scare James about bears.  I liked there being a place to go so close to home, and spending a day exploring with the kids.  I hope to do lots more hiking this year with the boys.  It used to be that they were too small and struggled, but now, I'm the one who needs to keep up!

skirt for Natalya

This is a skirt I made using a great pattern from Indygo Junction.  I loved how the skirt flares out at the bottom, and knew that I had to make it.  I did have a hard time with hemming the bottom.  I don't have a serger which would have made it a cakewalk.  When folding the hem under, it kept bunching up due to the deep flare.  So, after it sat for longer than I care to admit, I finally came up with the idea of finishing it off with bias tape.  It turned out wonderfully, and was so simple to do.

I gave this skirt to Natalya, a friend's daughter, and she fell in love with it instantly.  It is a perfect twirly skirt and makes one want to spin around just to watch the skirt float out like a flower.

This pattern is so cute, easy, and versatile, that I'm itching to sew some more, and try different fabric combinations.  And, I like the idea of making a matching ponytail scarf.  Wouldn't that be too cute?

evil genius in training

A bit ago, we got the opportunity to watch Belle again.  Arthur came up to me and said, "You know how the movies always show the evil genius stroking a cat while they plot?  Well, I'm stroking a kitten instead of a cat, cause you know, I'm a kid."

snow fun

Last week, we got snow, and a bunch of it!  The boys had a great time playing outside during the week, and we were all rooting for it to get even deeper.  I kept measurements and the highest I measured was 14 inches on Wednesday, which was super cool.  Plenty deep for fort making, snowballs, and of course, sledding.

James took Wednesday off as it was impossible to drive out of here and he joined the boys in the revelry.  Now, most of the snow has melted away, so that leaves us back to rooting for more snow!  The little ones concur that it would be agreeable if the snow came up to our doorknobs.  Jamey would like it even deeper, and finds the thought of having a ladder outside his window that he would use to get out of the house most pleasant.