pinned

Morgan was a willing participant tonight, but it won't be long before Andrew uses this technique to show her who is really boss.

hot wheels

It's been a long time since we've been able to do this. I was pregnant with Andrew during the summer of 2009. He wasn't old enough to ride during the summer of 2010. So this morning, after a long-anticipated weather warm-up, Andrew got his first ever ride in the bike trailer.

I know he looks uncertain here, but that is not usually an expression that lasts long. As soon as we turned out of the driveway, Andrew's mouth was wide open and letting out sounds of crazy joy. He was loving the thrill.

It was a beautiful morning for a family bike ride.

spring breezes

Finally. After all these years we've put in a storm door. Exciting times at our house! Wish the photos had more aesthetic appeal, but this is, after all, our main drag from the garage into the dumping grounds addition/back of the house. As the heaviest traveled pathway in our home, we knew this door would have to be basic and sturdy. The best part (can there really be a best part about a storm door? really?) is that the screen can be moved to the top spot so little hands cannot maul it and hip-holding, grocery-carrying mommas can keep it in tact, too.

i've got a feeling

Today? It was a good, good day. Sleeping in, sunny skies, and loads of smiles.

I am one blessed Mommy. And so thankful for one amazing Daddy who
made my day so very special.

movie night

Until this point children's videos or television shows in our house have always been daytime activities, typically while Andrew naps. Lately Morgan looks most forward to the Word World episodes that I record from PBS. And while entertaining for her, I use the short window for checking email, prepping dinner or closing my eyes!

Needless to say, Morgan has not watched any show longer than, oh, 60 minutes. So when we proposed a real movie night, she was thrilled. We decided to skip dessert after dinner and make chocolate shakes for the evening occasion. But after an hour and fifteen minutes of the Disney movie, Cars, she was waning. In fact, I think Scott and I enjoyed the movie more than she did (after Scott re-opened his heavy eyes, that is).

Not sure when we'll try this again, but as a perk of being four years old, I think another Movie Night will be on the horizon soon. With something less lengthy.

Meanwhile, Morgan is currently wired. As I type this, she is in singing loudly from her bed the intro to Word World.  Over. And over. And still repeating. Could be the movie stimulation. Or the 1.5 hour nap I prepped her with this afternoon. Nonetheless, she is happy. And so are we.

hosanna

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

bitten

The sewing bug has been to our house!

Our MOPS group had a Mom Swap recently. As I browsed the free goods that day, I came across two sets of blue and white country curtains still in the original packaging. Not my taste at all, but they sure made some great cloth napkins! Twenty-four, in fact. I have yet to buy the paper variety and we ran out last week. Hoping to make another round of cloth napkins in the near future and keep paper napkins off my grocery list for good.

The pinafore for Morgan is nearly complete - I'm struggling with the last two side seams on this reversible top, but here's a peek anyways.

Up next is this little cozy for my Nano and earbuds. I'm hoping to find a scrap of elastic this weekend in my mom's sewing stash to keep my cost-free project just that. Free. I'll be using the leftovers from Morgan's pinafore along with other materials I already have on hand.

Also on the horizon, some fun projects I've bookmarked:

• Reversible shoulder bag, either THIS ONE or THIS ONE. I need another bag like I need a hole in the head, but I still want to try it.
• THESE little catch-alls look fun. And practical. Perfect for my dresser. Or maybe a larger, manly version to hold all Scott's pocket contents?
• I also want to make the kids some BELTS. The military buckles look more manageable for little hands than the typical D-Ring styles I've seen. If they turn out well, maybe I'd do one for me.

april showers

A tumble in the muddy grass, a dip into the sandbox.
Hello, Spring!

birthday creations

My month of March was busy with birthday projects and now that we're on the other side, I thought it would be fun to post a little bit of what I've been up to.

In preparation for Morgan's special day, I made some reusable decorations out of felt. First up was a simple circle garland. I used the three-inch diameter of one of our drinking glasses as a template and traced ten circles in six colors to give me 15 feet of fun.

A basic straight stitch linked each circle together.

For the awkward covered window opposite the one above, I made a Happy Birthday banner with the same felt. I created a triangle template in Word and ordered some die-cut letters from a gal on Etsy that I hot-glued to each triangle.

The finished triangles were strung together with grosgrain ribbon that I ironed in half and ran through the sewing machine.

Now we have special birthday decorations that will make an appearance every March and August. Maybe over the years I can add a few other festive items to our new Birthday Box.

In addition to Morgan's preschool birthday treat, we made a delicious chocolate cake for her family party. After seeing the Barefoot Contessa make a "wedding cake" for an anniversary episode, Morgan declared that cake to be exactly what she would like for her own birthday. With sprinkles.

More sewing projects are in my future, including this pinafore pattern I recently won online! Hope to get started on that in the next couple weeks.

savvy shoppers

Sunday evenings are usually spent prepping for Monday's grocery trip. Clipping coupons from that day's paper is part of the routine. Last night Morgan asked to cut with me - she loves using scissors. Scott captured this picture as we worked together.

baby pack

Andrew has taken a liking to a little backpack that Morgan received for her birthday full of card games. Still scratching my head on this one: itty-bitty, toddler-sized backpack containing card games for mature preschoolers. Hmm.

four years

Dear Morgan,

Today you are four years old. And you know it. You've spent weeks anticipating your birthday, looking at the interactive wooden calendar hanging on the kitchen wall, asking when March will come, and then watching day by day until we reached 24. Four years ago I felt the exact same way, studying the calendar for weeks, excitedly awaiting your arrival into our lives, wondering when we would actually get to meet you.

This last year has been a very transitional one for you in many regards. We've spent the last several months attempting to move you - our superstar sleeper - out of a daily nap. You spend time each day after lunch in your bed with a pile of books, but often I peek into your room after 45 minutes and find you fast asleep, eyes closed, book in hand. And as much as I'd like you to keep sleeping, I gently stroke your hair until you wake up, knowing that this will help us avoid a bedtime catastrophe.

Sadly, you have also left the toddler clothing department and moved ahead to girls sizes. I look back at those darling outfits, seeing the innocence of the styles, and wish I would have cared more. In a strange way, I never bothered to say good-bye and now I am mourning the loss of that era. Your awareness of clothing has started to increase as you recognize trademarked characters, relate colors and patterns to outfits, and become more selective in your own choices as you dress each day. Shopping for age-appropriate clothing is proving to be much more difficult, and I wonder if there will be more sewing for you in my future

Preschool has made it obvious just how tall you really are and how much you have grown. It's also there that we have become more aware of your "public personality", the one grabs hold of your comfort level and and sucks it back inside to be safely guarded. I want so badly to pinpoint your fears, to know what it is that causes you to retreat. There are times when I observe you missing out on the fun, but I also know that forcing you into those situations prematurely would hardly be enjoyable. And so, Morgan, my prayer for you is about the process, not the result. In this way, you forever remind me that the journey matters most, not the milestone.

While most of your friends are simply playmates, there is someone special you have allowed into your circle. Marah is a favorite friend to you, and her family is a favorite to ours. While you don't realize it, your connection is more meaningful than just your shared interest in pink, princesses and preschool. With nearly a year that separates you, it's hard to say how long this friendship will thrive, but I am very thankful for Marah, for the dimension she brings to your life right now, and the family from which she comes.

Loving others is not difficult for you at all, especially Andrew. As you pull off his hat and mittens and unzip his coat, I watch how he smiles at you, knowing that he is being cared for by his big sister. You enjoy that role. So much so that you become a little too responsible for his choices. I remind you at times that I am Andrew's mother and quickly you retort, "I'm a Mommy, too. For all my kids." Meaning your babies, and golf club holder, and George, and whomever else you deem a child of yours. You do have a natural ability to nurture and I enjoy seeing that unfold with the special people in your life.

At random times I'll catch your eye and tell you how much I love you. When I buckle your seat belt, when I help you with your socks, when we're playing Chutes & Ladders. I want you to hear those words unassociated with your behavior, good or bad. I want you to know in your heart that the love I have for you is unconditional. Just as randomly, your response to my profession is, "But I love Daddy, too." In those moments, I agree out loud with you, stating that I also love him. Daddy is special to you in ways I cannot be special. And knowing that the design of your relationship with him is a part of God's plan, knowing that your heart swoons for him the way that He intended, is amazing to witness.

As I write you a birthday letter each year, I can't help but think about the years that are still to come and what observations I might be reflecting on in the future. Will your passion for music land you a solo in the school Christmas program? Will your eagerness to learn put you at the top of the class? Will your quiet personality select friends carefully? Will you always choose fruit first?

Whatever path you take, wherever God leads your life, Morgan, know that Daddy and I love you. That we trust in Him to be your ultimate care giver. "A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Happy birthday, my sweet Morgan Grace.

Always,

Mom

salty and sweet

I managed to convince Morgan that chocolate-covered pretzels would be a great birthday treat for preschool. And so tonight afer dinner, on the eve of her special day, we got to work. Morgan selected the pink white-chocolate discs from our local cake and candy supply store, and I decided the mini-rods were ideal size pretzels for preschoolers. With leftover sprinkles in the pantry, we were all set.

"Oooooh.... what do we have here!?"

caught in the act

I took another cooking adventure this week after seeing this recipe in one of my Real Simple magazines for chipotle beef tacos with cabbage and radish slaw. The photo of the finished food looked so appetizing and basic enough for our family to handle. And I thought I could easily shred cabbage to look like shredded iceberg lettuce. Until Scott got a hold of the recipe I mistakenly left out on the counter. Oops.

No matter. I forged ahead with the cabbage slaw (shredded cabbage, lime juice and cilantro), omitting the radishes. Scott put up a stink when he realized I was going ahead with the recipe, but obliged and ate one of the cabbage slaw tacos anyways. I thought they were tasty and had two. He opted to make his remaining tacos with lettuce, cheddar cheese and tomatoes.

The kids, who don't eat lettuce yet anyways, were completely happy with the shredded beef filling and some cheddar cheese. Applesauce on the side and good to go.

picture perfect

At our house, so much of the kids' personal library is in constant disarray, piled into a bin in the living room or spine-only display on the basement bookcase. Surface space is limited in their bedrooms, too. So when I stumbled across this blog a while back, I knew the concept was perfect for us. The idea for book display was smart, efficient and enticing for young readers.

Knowing that there was still some real estate available on Morgan's bedroom walls, I got to work measuring and configuring, and found the ideal home for some new IKEA Ribba picture ledges. These now house library books, High Five magazines and other stories from our own collection. And the shelves are two-fold: they keep the books off of Morgan's dresser top and also serve as changeable artwork on a wall that has been screaming for attention. Now that is my kind of decor. Practical and pleasing to the eye.

on my way

It hasn't taken long to find some motivation and get started on projects. In addition to Thursday's intense house-cleaning, I spent a good part of today with my sewing machine.

First was a dress-up skirt for Morgan. The fabric was a scrap from Mom, a piece from the dress she sewed for herself to wear to our wedding. Here it is turned into a long play-skirt for Morgan:

While I had the navy thread running in my machine, I decided to go ahead and cut off a cute pair of trouser jeans that Morgan recently put a hole in. I adored these jeans on her and was disappointed when they wore through the knee. For all the times she had them on, I cannot believe there's no "before" picture to be found for comparison. So instead I give you Morgan in her new, long, walking shorts (uninterested in modeling):

After cutting off the jeans, I thought about what I could whip up with the spare legs. At that same time, Morgan walked in, carrying one of her babies and we decided together a new denim skirt for Baby would be just the ticket. I found a small scrap of elastic, and voila!

The day was capped off with a new recipe for dinner. After enjoying a Wolfgang Puck dish this past summer in Orlando, I decided to try a version of it at home. This recipe is where I started, modifying the ingredients and cooking times to come up with this:

I wish I could say we all enjoyed it, but sadly, Andrew was furious that his peas were covered in a white cream-sauce. And ketchup was the only thing that took the chicken from his plate to his belly. But I quite liked it and there are lots of leftovers to enjoy this weekend for lunch.

We'll have to see what I can come up with in the days ahead. I've realized that this small burst of creativity is very helpful to my happiness as we wait out these last days of winter. Feels good to be productive somewhere other than the laptop.