I Was Born On A Pirate Ship

Ok. First of all these outfits aren't really Halloween costumes. They are wearing other outfits for Halloween, which is another post entirely.

Grandma got these fantastic pirate hats at Disneyland, and who doesn't need more dress-up clothes, and there you have it...

The Bug informed me that pirates don't wear crocs, they wear boots. And they live on big ships. I was impressed with his 'pirate knowledge'. Who says kids can't learn from monkeys and backpacks?!
There is a sweet little wooded path near a playground we visit and as soon as I saw it, I pictured my 3 kids, hand in hand, walking down the path in a vision of cuteness. And that may be all it is. A dream in my head.
I knew it was asking the impossible for all 3 kids to cooperate. With each other. And with me. When I specifically asked them to. And it pretty much was. About 2 seconds in The Bug started tearing of his hat and scarf, as I expected he would. The Bee actually really likes to dress up, but his scarf is around his head and his eye patch was around his chin. The Babe whipped off her hat, princess ears and all and they headed off.
They were really cute and excited to help me for about. 0.02 seconds. Note to self. Bring more candy.

Comic Rellief

Overheard as we were leaving a Halloween party on Friday night. Two 10yr old(ish) boys were sitting outside as we were trying to herd our overtired, candied-up kids to the van.
It was said with much sincerity and enthusiasm.

'Oooh the Spiderman Twins...that's so epic'

Word of the Day

Scrumpalicious.
Use it in a sentence: Strawberries and candy are scrumpalicious.
Feel free to use it if you are eating strawberries, candy, or maybe french vanilla ice cream with nuts and chocolate sauce.

Corn Maze

A little while back we went with some friends to our first ever Corn Maze. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a pretty cool place. Unfortunately it was FREEZING that day, despite the sunshine and the wind made out noses run and our eyes teary.
We still managed to have fun and it sure looks like a beautiful day!
We didn't really go into the corn too much for fear of losing small children (all creepy Children of the Corn-ish) but the playground and the petting zoo were a bit hit.
If I was a bit younger and a bit braver I'd go for the night maze. CREEPY!!!

Behind the Scenes

I think it's fair to say that when you are a wee girl with two big brothers, they are always getting into your bizness.
The boys were playing outside while I was trying to take The Babe's photos, when they suddenly took notice of what we were doing.
They could barely contain their excitement...Wings! She's a butterfly! A Butterfly!
Of course they wanted to play too.
And who could blame them?
(the sparkly tiara and wand are merely accessories!)

Little Princess

Has it been a week already...??!
I'm working on some photos for another project, but I can't resist posting a few!

Baby Girl 16 Months

Ah, the Baby Girl...and true to form at 16 months she is asserting her independence and letting her opinions be known. She loves her big brothers but does not like them taking her toys or going off without her.







She wants to do what they are doing and she is really learning a lot. Not always in a good way!
She's feisty and sweet and loud and shrill and smart and loving and slap-happy and fun. She loves to clean things with baby wipes. She loves to find daddy's belly button (strangely, just his). She gets a bit punchy when she's tired or drunk. Ok, just tired. Or annoyed at not getting her way. And sometimes she likes to bite me. All with love. Puppies I tell ya, little kids are mostly like puppies.
It's so much fun to watch her run around and see the delight in her face at being such a big girl. She continues to learn new words. She says 'bye daddy' and blows kisses.
At times I am amazed at all the energy and life in such a teeny little person. I know she's getting big and she's actually tall and all that, but when I pick her up she's still so light and small.
She's down to about 1 nap a day. Which is fine most days, although makes for a tired girl at bedtime. Which she now hates. She has gone to bed without any fuss for a long time, but lately she would much rather stay up with the big kids and have fun. On the bright side of that, she has started sleeping! For many hours! In a row!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.

I read something the other day about the fact that parents all think their kids are beautiful. And it's so true.
One of the true joys of being a parent is you get to enjoy how absolutely beautiful your little babes are. Fingers and toes, eyelashes and little baby bums. And it totally doesn't matter if no one else thinks so. I think it's natures way of making up for some of the stink and the mess. Rocks in her hair and jam up her nose...that's my girl!!

43 Months

Finally...
It's no exaggeration to say that my boys make me squirrelly. The energy of the two of them combined is often akin to wild monkeys. 10 of them.
However.
When I was looking over these photos from our vacation I was truly touched by how beautiful they are. They really enjoy each other. They try to laugh as much as possible. They can be sweet and kind. They are creative and energetic. They are physical and healthy and wild. I can see such joy and light in their faces.
I wish every week was vacation...

Fluffy

Sew What? Part 2

Soooo, what have I been doing? Since it hasn't been updating much or editing photos or cooking anything yummy for dinner?
I have a new passion for sewing cute things for my daughter. It's like a crazy obsession right now. I think because it's really satisfying to spend a little bit of time and effort and have something to show for it. Thanks majorly to some sweet online tutorials. I started off with a fleecy blanket but that may not count as there was no sewing.
The first couple of pieces were skirts of mine that I just altered to fit The Babe. I didn't even redo the hems, just cut off the tops (or the middle of the brown dress so I could keep the top and the bottom).
I used the Habitual Sundress and the Pillowcase dress as inspiration.












This was my first 'from scratch' dress. I love this fabric. Which is not easy to find in this city. Or as Shimmy Shake mentioned, the pretty designer fabrics are crazy expensive. WHY??











Anyway, I found some deliciously soft baby whale corduroy at the W-Mart, so it's not all bad. I thought a little corduroy for the Simple Kimono would make it a bit more for fall than summer-y. This Kimono was a bit trickier for me to do, but now that I've done one I will definitely try again. Luckily I cut a pattern out of paper!

And I adore these sweet skirts. They are so quick and simple, even for me. They take such a small amount of fabric and time that you can whip them up like crazy. Or make them longer and add straps!

Sooooo...that is what had been keeping me busy. I've barely had time to catch up on my fall shows!
Next I want to try some little pants, which I have a simple pattern for. Since how many dresses/skirts does a 16 month old need?? Or does that matter??!
I can't resist those skirts...
p.s.
*Close-Up* when I picked up my fabric they had remnants for nearly free. the cutest fabric in the bin was for halloween. this fabric was so pretty and soft cotton, but too funny...they even glow in the dark!

Family Photos

I realize I haven't posted any photos for a little while. I still have a lot to edit, but here are a couple of the family.
We had such a good time and many adventures while we were away...

Rainbows and Lollipops

So I figured since I have shared some of my shopping horrors, that it's only fair and reasonable to share our successes. Few that they are.
Having said that, I recently had a nearly perfect shopping experience. With all 3 kids. At the huge grocery store. Where you must bag your own stuff.
All 3 kids were actually IN the cart for starters. Their idea, not mine. Which is why it was so perfectly executed. We got a lot done. Some bribery was needed, but I don't mind at all when it works so well. No one cried or screamed or fell out.
At the checkout we had a helpful, cheerful cashier. Another lovely employee came over and helped me fit all my groceries into my new green bins AND helped me fit them all in the cart. Which was full of kids.

And diapers were on sale.

AND we got a free turkey. Which our spectacular cashier had brought to us so we didn't have to go find it ourselves.

It truly was the most Super shopping experience I've ever had.
SUPER!

Goodbye Summer Hello Fall

To whom it may concern,
I don't feel like being the mom today. I have plenty of things I'd really like to do. The kids are fine. I'm just feeling creative and distracted and I don't want to wash the floor, pick up the disaster trail behind each kid that goes from room to room, or clean up any poop today. So if it's all the same to you, I'd like the day off.

Thanks,
Mrs. Twomittens

Home Again

Hellooo internet, we're back! I've missed you. It was nice to have a bit of time away, and now it's nice to be back and to catch up again.
We stayed away a little longer than we planned but this week was so beautiful. The leaves changing and the sun shining...
On the way home today I was thinking how nice the past few days have been. Life was less hectic and less busy. We all seem to relax and enjoy each other a little easier. I wish I could bottle that feeling and open it up whenever I need it.
Now there's plenty of unpacking and laundry and I think I have a trazilllion pictures on my camera (that's slightly more than a googillion). But what makes coming back to 'reality' a bit easier? Presents waiting at our doorstep! I've started receiving some of the gifts from Tutus and Turtles. I will post more on that later as well.
So much to catch up on!

Best Before

Away

Hey, we're going on a little vacation this week. Off to visit the chalets for one more time before Grandma and Grandpa move.
Have a great week and we'll see you soon!

Blue on Blue

I've been feeling 'blue' lately. Not blue/boo hoo/sad, but the color blue.
I find that at different times in my life I'm drawn to different colors.
When I was pregnant I had a craving for green. A beautiful vibrant 'living' green. So I went out and found a pair of earings with a perfect green stone in them. It was the perfect color.
And I have felt drawn to reds and yellows and pinks. Mostly warm colors.
But never blue.
I'm not a blue person for the most part. I have no blue in my house and not much in my wardrobe. I chose some light blue/green colors for the boys, but that's about it. Blue is generally a bit bland for my taste. Not that it can't be beautiful. Just not my thing.
But I guess it is right now.
Particularly navy blues and soft muted blues. Overcast skies and ocean shores.
(sorry 1980 electric blue, you still make me gag)
I keep thinking about these colors.

When I googled this is what I got,
Blue is the color of truth, serenity and harmony, by helping to soothe the mind. Blue is good for cooling, calming, reconstructing and protecting.

Which goes along with how I'm feeling I suppose. I feel like I have turned inward a bit. I'm trying to find some answers to some questions. Looking for change in a positive way. Searching for ways to establish more harmony and peace in my life and my home.
(Serenity Now!! I could be Frank Costanza)

Three

Tagged by Jamie!

The rules are: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you’ve tag so they know they have been tagged.

*I say it should be tag 3 people...all 3's.

My 3 Joys:

• I think everyone would say their family, so that goes without say, but I have to add my baby girl especially. She's so sweet and such a joy to our family. And she doesn't talk back. Yet.
  
• photography
• travelling

My 3 Fears:
*There is something a bit scary about naming fears in my mind. I don't like putting it all out there, so I will refrain from putting down any kind of family tragedy etc. It creeps me out. Maybe that counts as a fear? Naming fears.

• dark water
  
• having things touch me when I'm in the water (so yeah, no scuba diving for me)
  
• not having a close relationship with my kids when they are grown
  

My 3 Current Obsessions:

• sewing (see below) although I haven't actually DONE any yet
  
• I can't stop thinking about upcoming holidays (Halloween and Christmas are just around the corner??!!)
  
• The Creative Family - how to make my days and projects with my kids more meaningful
  

My 3 Surprising Facts:

• I don't think I am quite 5'6, but to my dying day I will tell people that I am 5'6
  
• I am allergic to a lot of smells/perfumes but food smells are usually ok (I can't wear flowery/grassy scents but you may find me smelling of coconut or pumpkin spice)
  
• I cut my own hair yesterday. Just a trim. I know I really shouldn't do it, but I've done it before and I will probably do it again. I just get too impatient to make an appt. I don't recommend it.
  

I tag:
Alyson
Mrs. Mmmmaaahvelous
Mrs. Sweetpeas

Sew What?

I feel like sewing.
Which is weird for me. Because I don't like to sew. I find it frustrating and annoying. I have trouble following patterns with all those picky little notches and allowances. And then there's the thread...don't get me started. It just always seems like a lot of work to only be disappointed in the end.
And yet, there are so many cute little things that I think maybe...just maybe...

Un-Freakin'-Believable!

My day was starting out in a crappy sort of way and then low and behold...I'm a winner!
Shock and awe, shock and awe!!




I shall never whine about not winning a contest again!
(you didn't know I was whining, but I was)

Thank You Tutus and Turtles and all your generous sponsors.