Babysitting Co-op

We are part of a babysitting co-op with two other couples who we go to church with.  And, it ROCKS!  A couple weeks ago it was our turn to have all the kids at our house and the other couples got to do out on a date.  So, here are a few pictures from the evening.  I made some individual  macaroni and cheese from the book, Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook, which is a great resource for making wonderful tasting and healthy baby food.  The toddler food is just 'ok' in my opinion.

We also received a terrific swing set and boat-sand box from a family at church, the Benedetti's.  THANK YOU for thinking of us and offering this to us!  We love having this swing set and sand box in our backyard.  Our children love it and the co-op kids loved it too!  

Part of our outdoor playground assortment, our horse, Desi.  Named after my mom's horse!

Quilted Drawing Case

Our niece, Madeline, had her birthday on Friday and I had been wanting to make this little drawing case for her and finally found some very sweet fabric for it.  She loves cats, so at JoAnn  I found this fabric in the new Debbie Mumm collection which has a lot of fun whimsical prints for kids (and if you are a crafter/sewer you know JoAnn is always priced right).  Anywho, this quilted drawing case is a modification of a pattern I have by Craft Apple (which is a lovely site) and the pattern is called The Mini Patchfolio (I have an older version of her pattern without a drawing case, a drawing case now comes with the pattern). I've made four patchfolios so far and this is my first modification.  They are so fun to make and give away!  So, if you have a birthday or a child with a birthday coming up...you just might get one of these...

Rockin with Schoolhouse Print

I made this for Leyton yesterday and he is loving it!  I got the idea from our pastors wife who has been substitute teaching in pre-k classes recently.  

On my Mac there is a font called "Schoolhouse Print" and I LOVE it!  It's prefect for Leyton to trace his name and letters on.  So, I laminated his name and he is using whiteboard markers to trace his name with.  I knew that little laminator I bought would come in handy with kidos!  

Haircut time!

Well, I finally got around to taking Leyton to have a REAL haircut for the first time in his life. The kid has probably had 15 haircuts because his hair grows like a weed, but I've been butchering it this entire time. And, after forking out $15, I'm sure I will continue to butcher it in the future! He did great...however, he was sitting in a Jeep and watching a cartoon...how hard can that be? I also went to get my semi-annual haircut. I think the last time I got my hair cut was in October by my good friends mom who cut bangs for me for the first time since 8th grade!!!! Random post, I know.

Before the haircut of a lifetime...

During. Note the ZONED OUT stare at the cartoon.

After! Enjoying his reward sucker for being a model child!! Sometimes you look like an amazing parent and sometimes you don't. This time I did!! Yippee!

And, my semi-annual haircut with Evers and her bruised eye (she's a dare devil)!

My New Favorite Things

Here are a few of my new favorite things!

#1 - Knife magnet...LOVE IT. We have a small kitchen with very little counter space, so this is a GREAT item for us. It keeps our knives up and off the counter and it's extremely handy. Big or small kitchen, I'll always have one of these from now on.

#2 - Reversible children's apron that was created out of a mistake of mine sewing another project. I love this fabric and I hope my niece will too because it will be here birthday gift soon.

#3 - Baby bows for my sweet daughter. I learned how to make these recently and I love it! I made this one to match her Easter dress. Very easy and fun to make!