Wee-Ones Wednesday: Big Bear Part II

Misc. Monday: Sweet Natalie

Dan and I went to see Natalie Merchant at the beautifully remodeled Orphium Theater last Friday. She sang and shared children's poems from her new album, Leave Your Sleep, and then went on to perform some of her greatest hits. She played for almost 3 hours, with no opening act. If you have kids, you must buy her new CD. It is simply amazing! I love it so much that I even went through the trouble of searching for it on Amazon for you. The CD comes with a small book containing each poem, and a brief bio on its author. Merchant worked on this project for more than seven years, and even funded the project herself. She says the idea came to her when her daughter started asking her some serious questions about life. It is not merely a "children's CD," as much as it is a CD about childhood. Some of the songs are light and silly, while others are much more somber. As parents, Dan and I are always striving to expose our children to great literature and music. Of course we own, Wow, Wow Wubzy & Backyardigans CDs too. But this is sooo much better!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Before and After

I am in love with this little dresser! I asked my friend Amy if I could rescue it from her trash pile. She said yes, and here is what it has become. Dan did all the hard work for me: cleaning, sanding, repainting, and attaching the new knobs from Anthropologie. I used Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts as a template and guide for the birdies. Her book is quite amazing; I borrowed it from the library along with her newer Encyclopedia of Sewing. They are definitely worth checking out. I used Modge Podge to attach the birds and the top piece, and lined the insides of the drawers with oil cloth. The dresser is in our bedroom right now, but could easily move in to either of the girls rooms. Decisions, decisions...

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Big Bear Lake

Happy girl, beautiful day!

Thinking about it...

Iris joyfully drank much of the lake. I guess both of our girls are crazy-wild!
Check out the cat fish... amazing!
Concentration = Silence

She could not have had more fun.

Dan says this is his favorite family picture of summer 2010!

I usually try to edit out the number of pics I post, but we had so much fun on our annual Big Bear trip with my parents. I can not get over how much our girls enjoy the water. They were so pretty and happy today that you are lucky you are not staring at 20 shots of them at the lake. That said, I think I'll have to post the rest of our trip another day...

Misc. Monday: Boo Hoo...

Dan and I went to a wedding on Saturday, and I bought a new dress for the occasion due to the encouragement of my friend, Heather. Since Dan and I looked so cute, I couldn't resist having my mom take some pictures. Lilly was very excited to see us all glammed up, so she got out her boa and posed with us for quite a few. Earlier in the day, she had given me her pirate telescope (decorated toilet paper roll), and told me to take it the the ball (wedding), so I could look out for the mean step girls (from Cinderella). I felt like a princess!

Fast forward to yesterday, I upload the pictures as I normally do and delete them off the camera. When I looked in the file on the computer for the pictures, I could only see one (and you are looking at it)! How could this have happened? I looked adorable!! Lilly was too cute & Dan was super handsome!! The moment can not be recaptured. I guess, in my haste and multitasking mode, when I hit control all to drag the pics over...I didn't. I dragged only one, and not the best one either. Ugh! Will I ever learn?

Sew Crafty Saturday: Just A Few Things

Have I told you how obsessed I've become with buntings? Hence, the new bunting bag.
Look at how I repurposed my old curtains?
Doesn't she look adorable in the little headband I made?

Here's quilt pieces cut and waiting patiently for some extra time and my sewing machine.

I have been working diligently for our "Four Feathered Friends" craft fair that is coming in the Fall. I will not have much time because school is just around the corner, and I've been up to my new classroom a few times to unpack and set up. Since I'm in a new room, my job share partner and I decided to hang fabric for the bulletin boards. Fitting, wouldn't you say?

Wee-Ones Wednesday: What A Baby!

Iris is officially 16 months old now, but she is still our baby. This little girl barely says a word, but is super smart! Sneaky, is more like it! She opens the fridge and doors, brings you her shoes to say she wants to go out, takes Lilly's toys, sneaks your food, runs off with purses, hides pacifiers, and sweetly cuddles on command. Yet, she ironically won't sit still for a book, something her wild sis will always stop for! She loves music and has some amazing dance moves already. She is definitely a Michael!

Miscelaneous Monday: Line 'Em Up

Lilly absolutely loves to line up all her "babies." She makes sure that each one has some sort of cookie, tea cup, or plate. What a sweet heart!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Harvest Time