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!