Happy Half Birthday Anderson and Jake!

Today marks 18 months since our gifts arrrived. They aren't like most gifts that excite you at first and then collect dust in a closet. We never get tired of our gifts, in fact we revel at them everyday and wonder how we got so lucky. Happy Half Birthday little ones!

Hot Mess

Well, she was going to be a gift. But after little consideration it is clear she is not gift quality. Ruby may be a hot mess, but she's my hot mess. Simple she wasn't, at least not for me but I enjoyed her company.

Ruby Tuesday

I finished the placemats. I cheated and posted them the other day before I had finished all 4. The last two came out so much nicer than the first two. Practice makes perfect.
Next project is a biggie.... http://oneredrobin.com/2007/03/28/how-to-make-a-simple-versatile-soft-doll/ Gonna make myself a Ruby Doll. They say its "simple", I'll be the judge of that. You might be wondering what I am going to do with a doll....ummm, don't know yet either. That isn't really the point.

This morning I took the boys over to Grant and Claire's house. My sister and I had big ideas of the kids playing outside, running through the sprinklers and having a nice lunch. Only one of the above happened and it was over before it started. The kids did play outside but after about 20 minutes, Anderson and Jake were on the war path. Climbing the stone steps up to the house, running into the garage, and eating rocks were just a few activities of choice. When we tried to redirect them they pulled the old "go limp" trick and screamed their heads off. It was more than I had patience for today so I packed up the car and home we went. Let's hope when the sleepy heads wake from their nap that they reset to a calmer more cooperative setting.

Weekend Crafting

My latest project, patchwork placemats

The boys bathroom before...

and after.

Tailored to their liking...BUBBLES!

It's been a busy couple of days. Above are the before and after pics of Anderson and Jake's bathroom. Before it was still crappy builders paint with deep purple bathroom accessories. They were lovely enough but too formal for little boys. I actually sold them on Craigslist. My family laughed at me and said no one would ever buy my bath rugs, towels and shower curtain but someone did! Within 36 hours it was out of my house and in the hands of a family of 8! The boys love bubbles so I thought the new shower curtain would be perfect and what little boy wouldn't like a monkey rug?

I started a new sewing project using this tutorial. http://winkdesigns.typepad.com/photos/make_an_easy_patchwork_pl/index.html

I followed it to a tee but still ended up with uneven measurements and many mistakes along the way. Looks like I'll have to put some napkins in a ring on top of them to hide the flaws. Another expensive lesson learned.

Field Trip to Cranbrook Institute of Science

Having fun at a hands on exhibit.

Daddy and Anderson coloring pictures of bats.

Not afraid of the big T-Rex above their heads.

Feeding Dinosaurs is not permitted.

We took the boys to Cranbrook this afternoon. Cranbrook is such a beautiful place!http://www.cranbrook.edu/ The science institute isn't the greatest in the world, but the grounds, gardens and campus are just awesome. I think the best part is the drive we took afterwards to see where the students and faculty live. Kevin said it reminded him of Hogwarts. It is difficult to imagine that people send their children there to go to school and to live. I'm not even sure that Anderson and Jake can go away to college yet! Kindergarten Tuition at Cranbrook is 17, 000 dollars. No, that is not a typo. To live on campus and attend school there in grades 9-12 is 33,000 dollars A YEAR!

The boys enjoyed the museum and seeing the dinosaurs. They had a special bat exhibit with live bats. That was creepy and gross but the boys enjoyed watching them fly and hang upside down. We even got to watch as one of the bats pee'd on the handler...that was a tad uncomfy. Anderson and Jake earned a gold star for behavior. They listened well, didn't fuss about riding in their stroller, and had a great time exploring a new place.

Jake needs some love

Poor baby Jake

Awww....what a trooper

Poor Jakey, he really went down hard tonight. He was having such a good time hiding behind the drapes, playing peek a boo with his family. He took a break to play with some toys and decided to head for the drapes again but his brakes didn't work. SMACK! He stumbled right into the window moldings. Such a mean little goose egg on such a sweet little one. My heart is breaking because I can't make it go away.

On a lighter note, I feel like I really accomplished something today...Kevin and I painted the boy's bathroom! I've been wanting to do this forever, but just the thought of all the prep, mess and clean-up was too much for me to entertain. I found a new shower curtain that I love so it gave me the motivation to take on the project. I will post before/after pics when it is dry and put back together.

I'm finally getting some help around here

If I had known Anderson was going to help me clean, I would have let him have a go at it a lot earlier! I need all the help I can get in that department.

The Blue Angels are back

Ride like the wind.

The bubbies kickin it in saftey style.

Bad Mama. He did eat his veggies at dinner.

Can't treat one and not the other.

Country Fair

Checking out the goats.

One of the cows was "MOOing" really loud and scared Anderson.

Family Pic

Jake petting the mini-horse.

Baa'ing at the sheep.

We took the boys to the Country Fair today at Wolcott Mill Park. We dressed them in their farm duds and they made extremely cute mini-hillbillies. It was a tractor pullin, candle dippin, yee haw time. We weren't sure what to expect but it turned out to be a great time for Anderson and Jake. We were there as soon as they opened so when I saw that the moonwalk was empty I thought it would be fun to let the boys jump before all the "big" kids arrived. I went in to bounce with them and show them what to do. The three of us were having a great time until the freakin thing collasped and deflated on top of us. I won't go into too much detail because I am still reeling from it but imagine watching your babies sinking and disapearing into a pile of heavy nylon material.

It came down so suddenly that I was only able to snatch up Jake and for almost a minute in a half I was unable to reach a terrified and screaming Anderson who was buried in this deathtrap. It was virtually impossible for me to keep it above our heads so we could breathe and get both my precious boys to saftey. I don't know how I managed, that part is all a blur, but I was able to find the tiny slit that is the exit and get us out. Meanwhile the person in charge of the thing never called for help and no one in the vicinity came over to help Kevin, Grandma, or Grandpa get us out.

Despite that awful incident, the boys recovered quickly and really had a good time. They loved the animals and being free to walk and roam the farm. They got to pet a mini-horse and a baby chicken. We took a horse drawn wagon ride and bought some locally made maple syrup.

S.W.A.K

Brotherly Love...Anders and Jake about to kiss

Anderson driving

Another precious kiss

Hi Aunt Sara!! I miss you!

Little Picaso

Anderson's Masterpiece
"We've got ears, say CHEERS!"

I bought the boys their first coloring book yesterday. A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse coloring book. I would've have never guessed that Anderson would spend 30 minutes coloring with no end in sight. It was as if he had been coloring for years. He casually perused the pages until he found one he fancied and then proceeded to fill it with color. Although he has a strong preference for blue, he would often change colors to create interest. I think he colored all but 5 pages in a 30 page coloring book.

Jake on the other hand....well he was just too busy mowing the carpet to partake in the fun. He's all business. Occasionally he would wander over and show Anderson how it was done but the minute Mommy tried to give him some guidance he was outta there.

**I just got the call while blogging that Anderson and Jake's long awaited future playmate was born this evening. Welcome to the world Simon!

Playing before it was time to go to the b-bq.

Jake doing some shopping.

Anderson swinging with Grant and Claire.

Daddy and Jake swinging.

Anderson excited about the sprinklers.

Father's Day was busy, like most holidays for us. The day started out with brunch with Grandpa Edgar at our house. I made a blueberry french toast bake and a four cheese quiche. It was very yummy if I do say so myself. I spent almost 4 hours yesterday preparing food for the brunch and the b-bq at my sis's house later in the day. For the b-bq I made a frozen strawberry ice cream type cake, salad, and a chicken a'la orange pasta salad.


When the boys went down for their nap, I left Kevin at home so he could relax. I picked up Jared because I was hell bent on doing some garbage picking. Let me just say I have NEVER garbage picked before. Not that I'm judging, it's just not something I've ever done. BUT yesterday as Kevin and I headed to Great Lakes Crossing we took a detour to see some of the bizillion dollar homes in the area and I noticed someone was throwing out something similar to this.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10995/index.cfm?pkey=cfurbchbch
Though it had arms and a back to it and was definitely a vintage piece. A beautiful bench with drawers for storage underneath. I squealed for Kevin to stop and go back immediately but he refused. Some crappy excuse about their being no room in the back with the stroller and mega diaper bag. I couldn't stop thinking about it all day and into the night. So Jared and I made our way back to the dirt road with the gianormous homes only to find it was gone. Of course it was. Some lucky SOB has my bench right now.

Later in the day we headed to the McBride's house for a b-bq with my family. The boys had a great time playing with Grant and Claire. After dinner we let them run through the sprinkler while my Dad hyperventilated over the fact that they weren't wearing their bathing suits, rather the clothes they had on their back. No wonder I have some of the irrational fears in life that I have. After the fun had ceased it was time to load up, head home, take a bath and call it a day.

Happy Father's Day!

Zoo Day

Family Pic
Checking out the seals in the polar bear exhibit.

Anders and Daddy

Hiya Jake

Butterfly Garden!!

Today we met the boys' friend Ashley at the zoo. It was definitely a different experience for us than the last time we went. The best part was that the zoo was almost empty due to severe weather that was predicted to happen later this evening. The boys loved running around, looking at the animals, yelling at the animals, and eating their snacks. They were very observant of most of the animals but I think their favorite part was at the end when we went into the butterfly garden. They ran in circles, chasing butterflys. I'm pretty sure they had a great day.

Bless his little heart

He does this often in the evening. I just close my eyes, bury my face in his silky hair and freeze frame the memory in my head.

Yin and Yang

Wait for it, wait for it....

I love my new placemats! They are so not something I would ever buy. I'm slowly morphing into a craftster. I have come to appreciate the arts n crafts decor I see on the crafters' blogs and I'm on a mission to copy cat it all. Vintage looking yet very chic. So says me that is.

Whhhheeeennnn arrrreee weeee gooooiiiinnng swwwiiiiimmmmmmiiiinnngg??? I've got the dang diaper right here!

Whenever you're ready to take me swimming Mommy. No rush.