Quilt-a-long

My wonderfully crafty friends in Washington have created a blog called Praiseworthy, which I love. And last week they started a quilt-a-long. Here are my blocks so far...

Since I was sewing anyway I pulled out this baby doll quilt I had started for Alli when we lived in Washington and finally finished it. Allison was super excited but then Emma wanted a blanket. So I had her choose two flannel fabrics and I sewed her a simple blanket but she wanted hers big enough for her and her dolls so now we have yet another blanket to add to the pile.

Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Yesterday after church we headed over to the Mormon Battalion historic site. Ben and Alli have been before but this was my first time doing the tour since it was remodled. It is such an amazing and fun thing to do with the kiddos. I love how it is interactive and history really does come to life! Here are a few pictures form our visit.

Grandma came for Dinner

Ben's mom was in town working on some family histories so we got to have her over for dinner. Allison happily showed her all of our picture books and Emma showed off her favorite books as well. It is always a treat to have family visit we hope you come again soon.

The girls kept asking me to take pictures of them so here they are. And if you are wondering about Emma's nose she fell and scraped it up. She keeps ripping the scabs off telling me "they are yucky boogers." Hopefully it will heal soon and not leave a scar.

My Dear Friends

As some of you know Allison still goes to preschool up by our old apartment so I drive her to school every morning and instead of driving twice I get to hang out at my friend Ruth house. It has been such a blessing to be able to spend time with her getting to know her better, helping her with fun projects, and watching her little guy when she has physical therapy.

Last week as we were organizing Ruth's craft desk she found some patterns and fabric that her mom, Zoe had started to sew before she passed away last year. She said I was welcome to take them and finish it for Allison. What a privilege it was to finish this dress the fabric was beautiful and the pattern was darling but the best part was how I felt as I sewed. I felt an excitement to finish and a happy peaceful feeling upon completion. I hope it made smile Zoe smile to know it was finished and that it is being loved by Allison who wants to wear it every day. Thank you Ruth for your friendship and for the blessing you are in my life. On another one of my days at Ruth's our friend Jenn came over and we made Lemon Curd. It turned out yummy and I was sent home with the leftover egg whites to attempt my first Angel food cake. It turned out marvelous and was the perfect companion to the lemon curd. Thanks Jenn for the lemons and your company life is always so much fun with you around.

I am not sure how I got so lucky to have such wonderful friends but I am very glad I did!

Pinkalicious

Most of you, especially those of you with little girls have read the book Pinkalicious. My girls LOVE this book we read it at least once everyday. Emma has memorized the book and will sit and "read" Pinkalicious almost word for word. Today after Alli read us the book we decided to make some Pinkalicious cupcakes. The girls had fun making and decorating them. So far nobody has actually turned pink but it might be fun to be the color of Raspberry Sorbet! Pink cake batter in a pink mixer...does it get much better than that? I love pink!
We even made pink coconut to put on top...yummy.

St. Patty's Day Parade

Today the girls and I made our way to Balboa Park for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Before the parade we wanted to stop by the annual Thursday's Club rummage sale I had never been before so I didn't realize what a HUGE event it was. We got there at 8:45 and it started at 9 and the line was super duper long. It weaved in and out of the garden pathways around the buildings and it took us an hour to make it to the front. We were given cards with numbers on them ours was 545 but we were the second color group of cards so I am guessing we were actually the 1545th person to enter the sale. They had tons of stuff but it was crowded and overwhelming with the kids in the stroller. Next year I will go alone, go earlier, and have a good book on hand to pass the time in line. After Checking out the sale we made the walk over to the parade route.

Emma had fun posing for pictures.
The girls got wands and crowns...I remember getting these as a kid at craft fairs.

Sisters!

A few glimpses of the parade. There were Lots of firetrucks and police cars! And they all love to show off their horns. The girls kept covering their ears, Emma would occasionally drop one hand to way at the people.

They loved their cotton candy and cookies it was not a healthy snack but it was a parade so I think it is ok. We had lots of fun and I got in a good walk so it was a great day.

Reduce, REUSE, Recycle

Last Thursday I went to my old wards ladies get togehter, the theme was "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do with out!" Everyone was encouraged to bring something they have recycled or repurposed into something new. It was really fun to see what people came up with.

I decided to make a bag for Allison out of pair of old pants. And then I found an idea for these cute ruffle cuffs here so I made some out of an old white shirt. And because I was on a roll and had an empty ribbon spool I made a little photo ornament. I love giving something old or "ruined" new life it brings me so much joy!

Fast Day Photos March

Ok so it is more like fast week photos since I forgot to take them until today. But here they are with a few extras.

What we have been up to...

Making pirate ships out of Macadamia nut shells with our friend Will.

Going shopping at the local market. The girls love picking out flowers and paying the man with their own money.

Emma insisted on wearing her old raincoat to the market even though it was to small.

The girls do lots of dancing. Allison teaches Emma how to do the things she learns in class.

A Party For Dr. Seuss

Since we had such a great time doing our Dr. Seuss party last year we decided to do it again this time with our friends in San Diego. The invitation. We made Cat in the hat hats.

I decided yesterday that it would be fun to have something for the kids to take a picture with and this is what I came up with. I am so pleased with how it turned out. Eventually I will paint the background some color but I was too tired last night.
So many silly "things" were running around at the party.

Here is a glimpse of the decor.


The Menu:

Green Eggs and Ham

Pink Ink Drink (strawberry milk) From One Fish Two Fish

Cat in the hat crackers with blue cream cheese, red bell pepper, and Monterrey jack cheese.

and

My favorite treats were the clover flowers from Horton Hears a Who with the little white speck. I used Bakerella's cake pops idea but made them Seussish!




Cute kiddos in cute outfits. Jenn made darling skirts for her girls and Alli but I took this before Allison put it on. You can see Sydney sporting hers below.

We played Sneetch ball and pin the green egg on the platter and read some books of course. It was a little scattered at times but I think the kids had fun. So Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss we are so glad he created such wonderful books for us to enjoy.