Grape Apes

Hannah and Aidan loved soccer so much in the fall that they wanted to play again this spring. Today we had team pictures and since we JUST ordered the ridiculously priced portraits less than 6 months ago, I decided to just take my own this year. I'm hoping to get some better ones at some point (or have time to edit these) but for now these will work just fine.

Aaron is coaching their team again and since we were given the team color of purple he decided we'd be the Grape Apes! haha I wasn't familiar with the cartoon but apparently it was the first thing that came to Aaron's mind so I have just tried to go with it. Here's a few pictures of my little cuties this morning!

She Sews! Saturday

Yeah, I'm an hour early. Shoot me! haha

Tonight I managed to finish up two new dresses for Miss Hannah. I came across a bandana dress tutorial and I liked the overall style of the dress but wanted more options for prints so I chose to tweak it and use fabric instead of bandanas. I also decided on the first one to make my own straps from fabric instead of the suggested 1.5" ribbon. The straps we a bit of a pain but I just love the way they look on the dress. The second dress went rather quickly since I chose to use ribbon but I don't love it as much. Ahh well. Hannah is thrilled to have new dresses and I'm still in shock that I've been able to make them for her.

Adding one more I finished this (Saturday) afternoon!!

Snow Day!

Yesterday we woke up to quite a sight! SNOW!! When we moved to central Texas, I expected to see spring hail storms but wasn't quite expecting an inch or two of snow. This actually the third snow we've had this winter but was the first that left any accumulation. Aaron had the day off so he and the kids spent about an hour outside building snowmen and throwing snowballs. Belle even joined in on the action! I was able to stay inside the doorway (gotta protect my camera) and snap pictures. I much prefer dryness and warmth to wet, freezing fingertips.

She Sews! Again!

So I'm thinking of making Sundays "She Sews! Sunday" and do a recap of any sewing projects I've done throughout the week on Sunday. Yes, I know today is NOT Sunday but my machine has been busy the last couple evenings and I wanted to share my progress. From now on, look for a recap of my little projects each Sunday afternoon! Oh and next time I promise to find a place other than my yucky ironing board to take pictures!

Make a Difference Monday

Yesterday I heard about an idea for Make a Difference Monday on KLOVE (the Christian radio station I listen to). They suggested people pay for tolls for the people behind them, pay for the next fellow's coffee in the drive thru at starbucks, etc. When I heard the idea, I immediately thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to encourage a servants heart in my children and to provide them with opportunities to show love to others.

For today's project, we baked chocolate chip cookies together and took a bunch to the Hutto Police Department. The kiddos also drew thank you notes to deliver along with the cookies. As Aidan was drawing, he told me his card was for a GIRL officer and we were lucky enough to catch a female crime lab tech while we were waiting to visit with a police officer when we made our deliveries. She was afraid he'd be disappointed she wasn't a "real" police officer but Aidan was so thrilled. He had drawn her holding balloons (I don't question the 4 year old mind) and it just so happened that her birthday was coming up. It also happened to be the birthday of the officer who came out to talk to the kiddos. The officers were kind enough to give each of the kids a Junior Hutto Police Officer badge and sticker which they've been sporting around ever since.

I honestly expected a little hesitation from Hannah and Aidan on this but I was proud that they were such willing participants. When I mentioned the idea this morning and explained why we were doing it, they were eager to get to work on the cards and cookies.

She Sews!!

While my grandmother was here to help me along, I decided to take on a little sewing project. Quite some time ago I came across this tutorial and just LOVED the little skirt (the Amy Butler fabrics probably helped that along a bit haha). I kind of took her idea and did my own thing but ultimately, it's the same principle. This morning we got to work assembling and sewing and had most everything but the waist finished up by the time my grandmother and family left for home. GG helped with the bottom band of fabric and explained to me how to gather the top (a little scary to me at first), my mom and dad added some input on construction and somehow I managed to complete it. Hannah just loves her twirly skirt and maybe, just maybe I'll make her another one one of these days. Sewing doesn't come naturally to me at all but I'm beginning to enjoy it more and more.

My little model

A closer look

Nature & Science Center

Today we met up with my good friend Amanda and her little ones for some fun at Austin's Nature & Science Center. We'd both been wanting to take our kiddos there for some time and I'm so glad she invited the kids and I join to them! It was kind of a dreary day but the kids had a blast despite that. We had a little "picnic" outside, enjoyed the indoor exhibits for awhile and then headed back outdoors to visit a few animal friends and check out the dino pit. Aidan and Hannah just LOVE a cartoon on PBS called Dinosaur Train and Aidan especially has become very interested in dinosaurs. I think he could have stayed there digging in the sand all day! If you're every in the Austin area, I definitely recommend this free outing!

Catching up

The kiddos and I took a little extended weekend trip to Tyler and Lufkin this past week/weekend. During our Tyler visit we wound up without hot water or electricity and then about 4 inches of snow fell overnight our last night there. The kids enjoyed playing in it a bit while we waited on the roads to clear up so we could head to Lufkin. The Lufkin trip was much less eventful but much more enjoyable due to the fact that we had heat and were able to take hot showers. Somewhere along the way the kids left their coughs/colds and I picked up yet ANOTHER sinus infection. After two days spent mostly in bed, I'm finally able to breathe somewhat normally and I'm hoping to get things back in order around here.

Yesterday morning while mommy laid in bed, Aidan was busy creating his latest masterpieces. I must say, I am VERY proud of these two drawings. The one on the left is a bluebird eating an apple with two apple trees and the wind blowing (towards the right if it wasn't obvious). The second is a "red robin" hanging out among the apple trees. Aaron and I just keep looking at the first wondering to ourselves how our four year old came up with such a detailed and creative drawing. These two never cease to amaze us!

It's a.....

GIRL!!!

A little annoyed to be poked on so early in the morning

Close up

Tomorrow is the "big" day!

Tomorrow we'll find out if we're adding a little brother or sister to our family!! I think the majority of friends/family are guessing that it's a girl but you never know. I just hope the little critter cooperates so that mommy can start shopping! haha Reallythough, we'll be happy with either; we just want a healthy kiddo!

Friday Fun!!

This afternoon we finally got around to working on our valentines crafts since we'll be out of town most of next week. The kids decorated wooden hearts that we'll add magnets to and then made "fish" from hearts that turned out looking more like whales than fish. The kids are excited to deliver their magnet creations to good friends Brooke, Kylee, Olivia and Walker when we visit next week!!

Ummm...I believe there's something wrong with this picture!

Do you see it?

Today was "V" day at the library's storytime. The librarian filled in today and read lots of books about vegetables. Great right? Well she mentioned french fries a couple times when asking the kids to name vegetables and it threw me off a little but I just blew it off. Then we head over to the craft table after storytime and lo and behold....FRENCH FRIES!!! For a veggie collage! haha I get that they're made from potatoes but there's something about the deep fried in grease part that causes me to feel they don't really deserve the "good for you veggie" title.

For what it's worth, my kids hardly ever eat french fries. I know, weird, but salad is at the top of their favorite foods list so what can I say. They did find it a bit entertaining to hear me sharing our veggie experience with a friend on the phone as we left the library though and were very proud of their veggie crafts!

As they grow...

We did a little project this afternoon that I hope to repeat in 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and then randomly as they grow up. I had each of the kids write "My Family" at the top of their paper and then commence to draw each of us. Hannah made sure to add a "big belly" for Mommy and Baby and then of course Aidan decided to as well. I'm hoping the next few drawings will depict a nice, flat tummy. Hey a girl can dream right?! Aidan has taught himself how to write "DADDY" (he makes his craft for Daddy at the library each Thursday) and insisted he label Daddy himself. Daddy also ended up with a wild hair-do courtesy of Aidan. I am really excited to see how their handwriting and drawing skills improve over the course of the next few years and I think they'll appreciate having these when they're a big older.

Big Sister doing the chin hold!

Big Brother showing off his masterpiece!

Close-ups!

Let's build!

My kids LOVE their Lincoln Logs. This week Aidan has spent the better part of every day just building away in the living room and it's amazing what the little guy can come up with. Here's a shot of him and his latest creation and of course one of sister too!