It's Mine Daddy!

This is what happens when daddy tries to take popcorn shrimp from Ella. Ella said "Daddy, my little chickens!"

What Have We Been Up To?

Ella has been anti-bed several nights. She makes a very nice nest on the floor.

Ella's lego creations are getting better and better. This is an airplane she made for Uncle Matt. She was so excited to send the picture to him.

I have sewn a few fleece diaper covers. I need to do more, but I think the baby in the cover is way cuter than the cover itself. (Hannah is holding onto the Oma Button in the picture. Ella loves the Oma Button!)

Bean's New Valentines Day Shirt...

Julianna made the cutest shirt for Bean. (It's from her Valentine, Grant.) Check out her blog to learn how to do it. I am excited to make my own! :) Julianna Gets Crafty

Baby Doll Clothes

I had been promising Ella Bean clothes for her baby doll for a while, so at my last crafty mom's night I got down to business and finally made a dress for her Bitty Baby. It's been ages since I've done doll clothes and now I remember why, it's kinda a pain to sew something so little. All you ladies who sew Barbie clothes... you are goodnesses amongst mere mortals, I don't know how you do it!

Toddler T-Shirt Dress

My co-worker's daughter cleaned out her closet and when she does that I get to go "shopping". :) One of the shirts she was getting rid of was a Snoopy fitted shirt. I have swimmer/gymnast shoulders, so I couldn't wear it, but I knew Bean would love it. Sure enough when I brought it home she said "Oh Mommy! A Snoopy shirt for Ella Bean!" So I went about converting the shirt to a dress for my Bean.

Shirt Before:


I cut off the sleeves and narrowed the body a wee bit. (I used my serger for the narrowing.) Then I sewed elastic in the neck and arms. I pulled the elastic as I went and zig zag stitched.



And that is all there is to it! :) Bean loves her Snoppy dress. :)

Snow Part II of ??

More snow?! Yeppers! I went to sleep last night expecting to wake up at 6 AM to a phone call from the superintended informing me we have a snow day, and that is exactly what happened. We have about 4-5 inches of snow, which is a very respectable amount. (Even for a Minnesotan.) Once the girls were all bundled up we headed off to Beverly Hills Park for some sledding.


Hannah getting ready to go out.


Ella got a sled ride down the street with PawPaw Jimmy and MawMaw Vickie.


Ready, Set, Go!


Ella did not really enjoying sledding. She did, however, enjoy watching other kids sled.



Hannah enjoyed cuddling with mommy while in her ride.

Now we are all home and warm and cozy again. The girls are napping and I am about to curl up with my book and read. I might as well enjoy the day, because it looks like tomorrow will be another snow day and since they don't build them in to our calendar I am currently enjoying my Spring Break!

Boxes From Oma and Opa!

We arrived home from work/daycare to find three boxes by the front door. Ella immediately shouted "Oh, Boxes for Ella! Oma sends Ella presents." Sure enough she was correct.


Ella checking out the boxes before we opened them.



Ella making a burger for Bode and I. She is a good cook!


Meanwhile, Hannah shows off her mad standing skills. (She's like her mommy and sticks out her tongue when she is thinking.)

Thank you Oma & Opa for fun surprises!

Freedom... Is A LONG Book

I'm reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen for the CPM Book Club (my mommies group). I am enjoying that, for the most part, it's set in Minnesota and I get the referances. I am also enjoying the story, even though it rambles a great deal. (I am ADHD... I can do rambling and roaming!) BUT it's LONG! It's my first book on my Kindle, that my dear husband and fantastic parents got me for Christmas. It's hard to judge the length of a book when you don't actually hold the paper in your hands. I do know I am 41% through thanks to the handy little counter on the Kindle, but this paperless book is going to take some getting used to for sure.

New Years Resolutions 2011

1. I will run a 5K.(It's in April, perhaps I'll do more after the April run.)

2. I will finish my parent's quilt, Aiden's quilt, Hannah's quilt, and Sean's quilt. (The last three are baby quilts, they should not take a ton of time. I just need to finish them!)

3. I will make crafts/sewing projects using up-cycled materials and fabric I already have in my massive stash.

4. I will make and stick to a household budget.

5. I will pay down debt.

6. I will read at least 1 book a month.

7. I will go on "date" nights with my husband at least every other month. (Thanks to babysitting exchanges with friends.)

8. I will learn how to knit or crochet.

9. I will cook more healthy meals for my family.

10. I will LOVE my time with my family. (This won't be so hard most days... but somedays Ella Bean can give me a run for my money!)

I am a special education teacher, so I am all about measurable goals. I realize that several of these are not all that measurable, but such is life. :)

And Christmas Break Comes to an End

We've enjoyed the last few days of Christmas break and really are not ready to go back to work/school... but ready or not here it comes! Both the girls have been sick on and off during break, which is a bummer. But it's better durring break when we don't have to take sick days. Philip has enjoyed naps with Hannah and "coffee" with Ella Bean. (Ella Bean drinks steamed milk, while daddy drinks coffee.) I have enjoyed playing Little People with Ella Bean and cuddles with Hannah. (I have also enjoyed not pumping!)



I finished Heidi's wall quilt. It was her Christmas present, so it's a good thing I got it done. :) Her and her husband have a wonderful lake home that they let us retreat to, so I wanted to make a quilt to hang there. This is the lake, trees, and foothills. It's a grand place!



Ella and Daddy did some work on their computers. Ella's computer plays music and she sings along with it. It's too cute.



Ella took a break from her "work" to say cheese.



Hannah doesn't have any work to do, but enjoys sticking her tongue out and giggling.