Bunnies

My very creative and wonderful sister-in-law Trevlyn stitches and makes the most darling things. Among other projects I would love to try, this one is definitely on my list, especially since Trevlyn gave the idea of using favorite clothes fabrics as material. Check out her blog and the additional bunnies (link on her website).

And check out her awesome hand-stitched gift for Penelope Jane, as shown as well on her blog.

Here is my bunny Penelope and her loving big brothers, today in, as you can tell, my favorite day-outfit so far...

Sunday/Mad Science

Picture from Amanda Jane's Blessing. Imagine all of these kids in two rows of pews, in the front of the chapel!


Picture of Holden's Kindergarten Science Fair Team (John, Holden, Kassidy, Ella, Pallavi)

Well, yesterday, at this point, since I am up for a 1 AM feeding that is lasting a bit longer than usual (my post feed rock and soothe to sleep nurse Andy is exhausted from painting the near finished basement) we ventured out to church as a family of 5 for the first time. The bonus was it wasn't our ward so we didn't know enough people so that they felt compelled or familiar enough to touch Penelope (we told the boys that at least). But now I know why new mother's don't take their babies to church for months, I'd forgotten. It's impossible and not that fun to hang out in the Mother's room, for even an hour! They need Tivo in there or something. And besides, Penelope is a very noisy eater which I am sure was traveling into the hallway right outside the sacrament meeting room. It was fun nonetheless to chat with JoJo, Laura, and Kate while we simultaneously nursed, well at least two at a time (due to the limited nursing chairs). The greatest thing was, although they were playing musical chairs and not quite reverent enough, the boys managed to stay in their seats, even surrounded by many of their cousins. I have some great pictures to post of Holden's science fair, of which we are so proud. We went to the park yesterday (Sunday) and it was really hot, so I asked him to "test" the play equipment to make sure it wasn't too hot, and when he opened the playground gate, he said "the gate is my base" or something to the effect that this was an experiment and the gate was his "control" thing to compare all of the other surfaces, but he used the right term (which I don't even know/can't recall) and I was very impressed. He has been in an after-school, once a week Science class this year, which has been great and he loves! Now even Owen wants to be a scientist when he grows up. Well, they both want to be Dad's and scientists. I am surprised and maybe a little relieved that Owen may no longer want to "be a Jedi when he grows up" since he "won't be able to be a Dad" for the Jedi code or whatever...funny boys!

Penelope & I

AK finally took a picture of me today, mostly because my oldest and dearest friend Lorian's mom Deni keeps asking for one, and I guess I always am behind the camera capturing my DH and kids! So here I am, this afternoon, with a sleepy Penelope in my arms. I know I need to get my brows done and my hair dyed pronto (as Holden pointed out with the - "oh Mom, Penelope's hair is dark like your hair is on top!" comment a few weeks ago). Oh and I was so excited to put her in this outfit today, since it was quite warm. It's the most "dress-like" outfit so far. Owen was excited this morning too, he thought it was such a great "ballerina" outfit. And she got to wear the cute bow Katie commissioned especially for me, I mean Penelope! (Orange and pink, my favorite!). Also, you may be able to see the darling fairy blanket Grammy MarySue sent, she has sent soooo many beautiful hand-crocheted blankets, and this might be my favorite. She sent it to match the cute fairy bedding. Thank you Grammy! We love all of the blankets and burp pads (she is quite the little spitter-upper so we use all of them up, amazingly!). And that little hand is Owen's - the boys are getting more used to her crying and are always trying to console her in different ways. Owen is awesome at gently (and sometimes not so gently) bouncing the bouncer, which she loves!

Venus Fly Trap

I thought this was cool, my darling friend Chelsea posted this on her website. She teaches first grade (I wish she taught at our school, my kids love her, you may remember her husband "Santa's helper"). Check this out and show the kids. Click here to view the Venus Fly Trap Video.

Blessing Gown

Since Kate realized they had Stake Conference the first of May, we snagged their blessing date. Which means to all who may have known, I just don't think I'll get the blessing dress done in time. I haven't even gotten the lace yet (it has to be just right, which means I drive to Orem which hasn't happened, or get it online which hasn't happened either. I went to Babinski today and saw a darling simple on with bonnets on sale for $75, which is a steal compared to my fabric and lace and time, but none of the true heirloom "my mom made this" quality. Another I love is $155, with awesome smocking (my smocking is at least done!) and a darling bonnet, etc. And I worry that my seamstress skills just aren't up to the task and although Penelope will wear the dress for like an hour, I don't want it to be shabby for posterity. AK ok'd the purchase of a dress, but I am still grappling...or I can borrow Kate's (Amanda's). What do you think? Does it really matter? Will she really care (I know not now, but in 25 years!)?

f l o w e r c h a i n: Why don't you have a blog?

f l o w e r c h a i n: Why don't you have a blog?

Red Butte Day!

Penelope & Amanda after our successful Costco trip! Still sleeping...

Tanner, Holden, & Owen playing in the snow - YESTERDAY!

It started out as a yucky day, after snowing yesterday and a bit of wind and snow last night, but today ended up nippy but lovely. So the three kids and I headed up to Red Butte www.redbuttegarden.org (the kids have been begging to go). And again, you would have thought they hadn't been there in 10 years. First they loved pointing out where all of the dinosaurs used to be (last year the Dino Park in Ogden lent some dinos to Red Butte for exhibit) and then they would say, "oh I remember this" about everything. Everyone was happy, Penelope slept through it all, and it was beautiful. It feels so great to be out and about again. We had a successful Costco trip this week and everything! Oh and we even had Tanner over for a playdate! I am still limiting my "big trips" to once a week, self-imposed. What else...Oh Sanjaya, I couldn't wait to blog about this! I AM SO GLAD HE IS GONE! For his poor sake and for the rest. I can't believe that Blake and LaKisha (my 2 favorites, although I think I voted for everyone else, except Sanjaya, this week) were in the bottom 3! And I love Thursdays because even though I try to go to bed between 8-9, I have shows to watch for the mid-night feedings! I have been recording stuff from Fuel TV for heaven's sake. It's great, but all of the attitude and stoniness and my jealousy of their fun, carefree lives (maybe a little) are getting to me.

Shabby Apple

I got this link from the aforementioned Chelsea's blog, and I just found out from Caitlin of Dan & Caitlin that it is a Utah company, and looks like g-force regulation, very reasonably priced, darling dresses. I am so excited and thought my sisters should see this. the web site is www.shabbyapple.com

I love the new bloggers

This week there are two of my friends that have joined the blogging world, Chelsea & Kristen. And Katie is keeping hers up! Sorry no pictures, I've got to upload, etc... All is well, Penelope is 4 weeks new, which we can't believe. She's darling and the boys are still loving her.

Wow! Hand Free!

I have put Penelope down to nap (which 8/10 times she wakes up within 2-3 minutes, so she has been doing a lot of sleeping on my shoulder or arms while I watch E! or other useless things like it). So I'd best get on with it. This is a photo of her taken a few weeks ago actually in her cute Janie & Jack overalls and gap tee (my favorite outfit right now). This is probably her only "outfit" that she wears that isn't a one piece footie thing (of course only gowns and the famous swaddle me at night). I have been putting little bows on her head (stuck with karo syrup, so horrible, but works great). This week Holden had spring break and Owen went back to school on Wednesday, so I was terrified it would be the longest week ever. It actually went by quite quickly and Holden had a great time out of school. We didn't go on vacation or even to museums every day (we did do the aquarium once) and like our very sparse Easter celebration last Saturday (our lone Easter egg hunt for the 2 boys in the back yard) he totally enjoyed and loved every minute of it. I can't believe how much of a home body I have become, I mean its been sort of forced the last few weeks, but actually it started months ago. Now my kids are thrilled to go anywhere. Last week we drove out to Kaysville to visit the Bunches and you would have thought my kids hadn't been in a car or anywhere in months. I am supposed to get back to reality (Junior League, school board stuff (or getting out of), pre-school decisions, haircut, etc.) that I have been putting off due to the c-section, but I can tell the excuse has worn thin for reality. This week is it. But I will still try to get to bed at 8:30 so I don't have the grumpies too bad. Oh, the basement doors are in and Andy cased his first double doors all by himself, and it looks great. Now, like 6 more casings and all of the baseboards and caulking and sanding and painting and installing of carpet to go and it's done!

2am Nursing Update

All is good. AK turned 34 yesterday! I made the cakes, but he made the yum frosting & frosted the 3 layer beauty. I love my AK!