Misc. Monday: Toddler Craft Date

Most of you know, I'm off Mondays and I usually get to spend time with both girls. But today, Lilly got invited to a special Halloween party at her preschool, so I decided to have a little Halloween play date for Iris. Her cousin Sophia & her two best friends, Adam and Mia came. I made some little pretzel ghosts that I saw at eighteen25, set out some coloring place mats from the dollar section at Target, and we made ghosts from their precious, tiny feet. It was so much fun! Now it's time to rest up for the big night ahead. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Sew Crafty Sunday: Pumpkin-palooza

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Eggs & chorizo, crepes with  fruit, banana pudding & whipped cream, danishes, chocolate chip banana bread, and cheesy potatoes. Oh my!

How do you get your kids to look and smile at the camera at the same time?

Christian had the genius idea of using a dry erase marker to draw the design. Brilliant!

This is the 1st year since Lilly was a baby that she would even touch the stuff!

"I do it myself, Mama."

This year, Amy brought paint. I love love and Lilly apparently loves California. I don't know where she comes up with this stuff! The carved pumpkins are an ode to the girls' costumes this year:  Rapunzel for Lilly & kitty cat for Iris.

Today after church, we had friends over for brunch and pumpkin carving. The food was delicious, and the pumpkins adorable. We can't wait for tomorrow!

Wee-Ones Wednesday: At the Patch



This was last year. I love that Iris is now trying to keep up!

 I could not let October pass by without sharing some pictures of our trip to the pumpkin patch this year. We went with 5 other families. It was crowded and hot, but was such a good time. I cherish these traditions and memories and realize just how fast the time goes.

Misc. Monday: Just Perfect

These small moments of perfection make it all worth it.

I love these little ladies. Alot.

Sew Crafty Saturday: It's Coming Along

The front yard has been getting a make over for quite some time now, so I thought I'd give you an update with some pictures. We put in many flowering plants that are said to attract butterflies and humming birds. The girls love to sit in their little chairs and touch the fountain. They even throw pennies into it. Sorry, Dad. We still want to put an old ladder by the window hung on the gate and I'd love to get my hands on an old bicycle and use its flower basket as a permanent planter. Any one have a bike they are throwing out?

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Growing Up

The big girl got a hair cut. She looks beautiful, and so grown up. Too grown up! Where did my baby go?

Misc. Monday: Little Lipstick Lady

This is what happens when I try to clean out our bathroom drawers, while expecting Nick Jr. to babysit my kids. I think we are going to be late to Disneyland this morning, and now I need to go to the MAC counter.
As you can clearly see, she does not like being called naughty. I suppose it was not entirely her fault... poor kid. Gotta love her!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Baby Boy Nursery

The new little guy is going to be moving into Lilly’s room, and Lilly will be joining her little sister. Transforming Lilly’s room into a room suitable for a boy, while maintaining the mural I painted on the wall, has been on my mind a lot lately. Dan and Lilly are adamant that it does not get painted over! So the mural will stay, but instead of yellow walls, we will paint the walls the sky blue color found in the mural.

Thanks to my sister, I think I finally have a plan. Both girls have their own animals we have been collecting for them since they were babies. Their rooms are not “theme-y,” yet their chosen animal is displayed throughout. Lilly’s initials are LAM, so it was an easy choice. Vintage lambs adorn her room, while Iris’ room is filled with deer and fawns.





Here’s where my sweet sister fits in... She sent me a text just this morning saying, “I think the new baby’s animal should be a fox.” I hopped on Etsy and boy is she right! Just look at the wall decal that can be added to the base of the mural. There is tons of gorgeous wall art out there, and I’m even thinking of making the crib bedding myself. I think I can make a quilt with a giant fox appliqué on it, don’t you? Oh, I am beyond excited!! I can see it now. I can't wait to share both room's transformations with you all.
Thanks, Penny! Love you!!

*All fox images can be found on my Pinterest board "for the little guy."

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Our Little Guy

I think we are all over the shock of us having a son/brother now. Dan and I were beyond surprised when the tech told us the baby was a boy. We thought all we knew how to make were girls! Of course, the grandpas are over the moon. Lilly, sweet Lilly, said she did not want a brother because “boys are yucky,” and Iris kept saying she’s the baby. She walked around saying, “Goo-goo ga-ga.”

This poor little guy doesn’t know what he is getting himself into! Some time has passed, and Lilly says she changed her mind; we can have a brother. Phew! Iris likes to say that she will make the baby “feel better when he’s dying (crying).”
I guess we have to go get some boy things… and you better believe this little guy will be wearing plaid like dad, but I’m also pretty sure he’ll be sleeping in pink pajamas when no one's looking!

Misc. Monday: We Have A Visitor!

Hi! I'm Amy from The Mombot and I'm so happy to be guest posting here on Just Watching My Garden Grow! Michelle and I have known each other for quite some time now, and we're even neighbors. Over the years we've shared our love of crafting, even hosting our own craft boutiques. So I am thrilled to be sharing a crafty tutorial for a crayon roll that I came up with here today.

I had seen several crayon aprons for little girls online (and even made one for one of Michelle's girls!), but one day I morphed the idea into something else. I came up with this “crayon roll” that can roll up into itself, or around a coloring book. It was made for a toddler - someone who doesn't mind only having 7 crayons, and needs a place to stick them so momma knows if one's missing! I like to whip up a couple at a time and keep them for gifts.
Here's a simple tutorial; once you do one, you'll find they go rather quickly.

Crayon Roll How-To:

1. Cut out 5 pieces:
2 rectangles 4 1/2” x 8”
1 rectangle 3 1/4” x 8”
2 long rectangles for the straps 1 1/2” x 28”

2. Place the 2 strap pieces right side together and sew down each of the 28” sides. Turn right side out and finish the ends. I usually just fold them over twice so the raw edge is hidden and sew.

3. Finish one 8” side of your 3 1/4” x 8” rectangle by folding over 1/4”, then another 1/4” and stitching. Place this rectangle on top of one of the 4 1/2” x 8” rectangles so that both right sides of the fabric are facing up and the sides and bottoms line up. Using a basting stitch (wide stitch), sew these pieces together close to the edge.

4. Now you're going to sew the dividers for the crayons. On top of the smaller rectangle, measure and mark in 1” increments (this will create 7 dividers for your crayons). Sew from the top of the small rectangle to the bottom, attaching it to the larger rectangle underneath.

5. Take your finished strap and fold in half lengthwise to find the center. Sew the center of the strap to the center of the other 4 1/2” x 8” rectangle.

6. Now you'll need to pin your straps down, keeping clear of the edges (you'll be sewing around these edges in a minute and don't want your straps to get caught in the seams. I weave them back and forth to fit and use one pin to secure.

7. Place the rectangle with the pinned straps on top of the other rectangle with the crayon dividers, right sides together. Try and smooth it out since there's some bulk from the pinned straps, and pin the outer edges together. Sew around the edges with a 1/4” seam, leaving a 2” opening so you can turn it right side out.

8. Turn right side out, and close opening. Iron flat. Place your crayons inside, and you're ready to go!

I hope it all made sense! Thanks for letting me guest post, Michelle!