Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter. Charles was visited by the Easter bunny. He was so excited to check out his basket this morning. Favorite things were his baseball and bubbles.

 Posing before church this morning. He was happy for part of it then quickly ready to stop the photos.

 After church service. Charles was ready for a nap like he is every Sunday at this time. Getting a picture without his thumb at this point is impossible because he is sleepy.

 After nap time we dyed eggs. This was a first for Charles. If you would like to read about why we dye eggs check out this site. We made six somehow my purple egg is not pictured. Patrick's egg is the stripped one.

 I laid the eggs out for Charles to hunt. Then he went around the yard picking them up calling them ball. He would not place the eggs in his basket but threw them in. By the end he was tired and wanted to just have the eggs brought to him.

We had an awesome day. We are so thankful to be celebrating a RISEN SAVIOR!

Easter Fun @ Daycare

Charles goes to daycare when I work part time substitute teaching. He has a wonderful lady that keeps him in her home. She is the sweetest and we just love her so much. She does great things with them all the time but puts in extra time at holidays.  For Easter they had an egg hunt and treat bags. Aren't these little bags the cutest. 

NHL or Dentist

Here lately with Charles trying to knock out his teeth we think he is a sure bet for the NHL. Either that or possibly a dentist. After his traumatic visit to the dentist because of his mouth injury on Tuesday he has wanted to play dentist. His favorite dentist tools are Jumbo Leggos. Check out the video we got of him pretending to be a dentist.

Picture Book Fun

We have been spending time reading books about cool stuff like diggers, tractors, boats, cars, trucks, and cranes. All the books by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker are fun and hold the attention of my little guy. They have 4 more we need to check out: Amazing Airplanes, Flashing Fire Engines, Roaring Rockets, and Terrific Trains.

Cranes are really neat and can pick up so much. This book is full of jobs cranes complete and perfect for small children.

 If you live or work with small children you are always getting these types of questions. If you are going to teach about one of these questions it might be a wonderful way to start a lesson.

If a friend tells you a secret you need to remember to keep it. Olive struggles with keeping a secret. 

I liked this book for the fun rhymes, but Charles loved the pictures of the animals.

Spring? and Tooth Emergency

1.So today is the first day of Spring! The temperature here is a balmy 25 degrees which is better than it was this morning when I went to the car and it was 12 degrees. So instead of thinking about cute sundresses, shorts, short sleeve tops we are rocking sweat pants and hoodies. I thought we were supposed to have an early spring according to the groundhog. He seems to be about with it as the weather forecasters.

2.Yesterday Charles fell and really knocked his front right central incisor back. So yesterday afternoon we rushed to the dentist office. I wish I could show you a picture of his little mouth so that you would understand how far back his tooth was knocked. The dentist took x-rays and it didn't look like his tooth had any root damage. They numbed his gum and pulled the tooth forward as much as they could. It is still pretty far back. We were told that it is good that he sucks his thumb because that will help bring the tooth more into place. This was not a fun visit at all, and I was very thankful Patrick was there to help. We are in prayer that his tooth doesn't turn colors and that it does not abscess. Then the tooth would have to be removed. We really do not want that to happen!

An Art Lesson

This lesson would be great for pre-k through 1st.
1. Read the book: Patrick Paints a Picture
    * Ask questions as you go. For example what color do you think they are going to need?
2. Go over basic colors together: Hold each bottle up and ask what color is this?  
    * Allow students to answer as a group or individually.
3. Demonstrate how to make other colors: grey, pink, purple, green, and orange.
    * Have different students come up and help you make the various colors.
4. Allow students to paint a cornfield like they saw in the story Patrick Paints a Picture.

Let Me In

This was too funny not to post. Charles is trying to get into the locked cabinet. Check out his tool of choice.

I have no idea where he has seen this done before. It didn't work, but I got a great laugh out of it.

Goal 2 Accomplished

2.Finish the blue cable blanket. On March 4th I reported that I had 16 rows left. Last night I finished knitting the blanket. This morning I sewed in the cast off strand and cut off any extra strands that needed to be removed.

 

I found this pattern on Lion Brand's website. I am adding in the pattern and the few changes I made. I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS PATTERN.

Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®

GAUGE: 8 sts = 4 in. [10 cm] over St st (k on RS, p on WS) BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

6/6 RC (right cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the back of your work, k 6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

 6/6 LC (left cross of 6 sts over 6 sts) Slip next 6 sts to a cable needle and leave at the front of your work, k6 sts from your left needle, then k the 6 sts from cable needle.

THROW 

 RIGHT CROSS PANEL (make 3)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit 2 rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 RC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 LEFT CROSS PANEL (make 2)

 Cast on 24 sts. Knit two rows.

 Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, and 17 (RS): K 2, p 4, k 12, p 4, k 2.

 Row 2 and all WS Rows: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Row 13: K 2, p 4, 6/6 LC, p 4, k 2.

Row 18: K 6, p 12, k 6.

 Repeat Rows 1-18 7 more times. Then repeat Rows 1-7 once. Knit 2 rows. Bind off.

 FINISHING

 Sew long edges of 5 panels together alternating Right and Left Cross Panels.

Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

k = knit

p = purl

RS = right side

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

~My changes 7 panels instead of 5 and instead of rows 1-18 7 times I went with 9 times. Size 15 needles instead of size 13 because I knit tight. Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Hometown USA Washington Denim. I also knitted it as one piece instead of knitting panels and sewing them together. This took 21 balls of yarn. I have most of the 21st ball of yarn left over. I only used ball 21 for the last two rows of the blanket. With my changes I noticed that I could get 8-10 rows off of a ball of yarn which is great since there were 168 stitches in a row.

 

The Best Bibs Ever

My aunt made these awesome bibs. They are great for newly independent feeders aka toddlers! They cover what they are wearing so well. Since Charles is going through at least 2 bibs a day I am excited to have received these in the mail yesterday. I hope to get the pattern and learn to make them myself. By that time Charles will no longer need them! Ha!

2013 Goals Accomplished So Far

Goals not Resolutions for 2013 These are not in any particular order.
1.Read a book for every week of the year. I will be happy if I read 2 books a month though.
 January: 4 weeks and 4 books!
1. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer 366 pages
2. A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer 348 pages
3. Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma by Janice Hannah 310 pages
4. The Rose Legacy book 1 by Kristen Heitzmann 395 pages
February: 4 weeks and 7 books!
1. Sweet Boundless book 2 by Kristen Heitzmann 350 pages
2. The Tender Vine book 3 by Kristen Heitzmann 382 pages
3. The Real Enemy book 1 by Kathy Herman 376 pages
4. Two Brides Too Many book 1 by Mona Hodgson 304 pages
5. Too Rich a Bride book 2 by Mona Hodgson 306 pages
6. The Bride Who Wore Blue book 3 by Mona Hodgson 288 pages
7. Twice a Bride book 4 by Mona Hodgson 291 pages
March: I am currently reading The Last Word book 2 by Kathy Herman. I am so excited to be ahead of schedule. I know once the weather is nice this pace will slow down a lot. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the books above.
 2.Finish the blue cable blanket.

 

I am proud to report that I only have 16 rows left to go on this blanket. That include casting off. I will post the finished blanket soon. I started this blanket right after Labor Day.  I have been very hit or miss on the nights I have worked on it, but 6 months is pushing it for this very easy design.

3. Knit something out of my comfort zone. This means something besides blankets, scarfs, and rags. I have just the project as soon as I get the blue cable blanket finished.

4. Do something crafty with Charles 

5. Play in the snow with the family. I am going to give myself grace here and say taking pictures of Charles looking at the snow/pictures of snow accomplishing this goal. We have had massive winds with our snow. Also, I don't want to purchase snow pants for Charles that he will only wear 1 or 2 times. Lastly, we have had a huge amount of sickness in our home I would rather not aide in any way to another round of sickness.

6. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in. 

7. Color eggs with Patrick and Charles and take Charles to an Easter egg hunt.

8. Try a new recipe. 

9. Go tubing or white water rafting.

10. Donate 10 inches to locks of love. My hair is getting on my nerves so this maybe happening before I planned.

11. Make or do something on Pinterest. 

12. Do a moviethon with Patrick. Watch a set of movies that are sequels complete with popcorn & candy or cookies. 

13.Encourage others: prayers, cards, emails, and phone calls. This is ongoing and I'm praying for the request I know of. I have been sending random cards, emails, and texts.

Photo Drop

I had fun practicing with the settings on my big girl camera this morning. Poor Charles has to be my learning model. I also decided to dress him up today just for this purpose. Here are my top 4 favorites from this morning: