Fall Fashion Trends

This season, bows are all the rage:

Not just one bow, but many

.

And don't forget to pair your layered look with oversized footwear:

Yes, she is wearing two swimsuits

.

Finally, remember that it is never too early for winter accessories:

Again, notice the oversized footwear

Money Well Spent

Here are some pictures of the best $25.00 I have ever spent:

Ethan's Thomas Computer

I gave this to Ethan for Christmas last year and he has played it almost every single day since. And not just for a few minutes, he often plays it for HOURS every single day. It has 32 activities on it, everything from counting, spelling, and shapes to mazes and flying Harold the helicopter.

This morning when he woke up, he said, "Mom, I had a REALLY bad dream last night! . . . I dreamed my Thomas Computer fell in the mud!" Whew, we were both glad that wasn't what really happened.

So Sweet

It's always fun when your little one says something that really makes you smile. Yesterday when I went into my room to change into my dress for the General Relief Society Meeting, I overheard Ethan talking to Madeline.

Ethan: Hey Maddie, when Mom comes out, I'm going to tell her she looks so pretty in her dress and you say 'oh wow', ok?!

And that's exactly what he did, and it made me giggle and it made me smile, and it made my day.

A Morning Hike

We went on a hike today and it was fun!
Madeline had a great time riding on Daddy

And she's 20 months old today:

and cute as ever!

Some fun family photos

We ended the hike with some nice drinks of water and wonderful banana muffins!

A Bittersweet Day

Today we closed on our house in Washington. We finally sold it! Hallelujah! It’s been a long eight months and I feel so relieved. It is a little bittersweet for me though. Bitter because the house I loved so much is gone and very sweet because it’s gone! Bitter because we had to pay way too much to have it be gone, but sweet because now we can move forward. Overall, I am feeling really happy about this. We will have to rent for a long while now, an idea that is becoming more palatable with time, and I’m learning more than ever that it’s not the walls that make the home, but what’s inside.

Goodbye house . . . this time for good . . .

In Order to Maximize Cuteness . . .

. . . wear piggy tails for the first time!

I’m Ready for Fall

I’m ready for the cool air to surround my face. I’m ready to get chills when I walk outside. I’m ready for the leaves to change colors and fall off the trees so I can crunch through them. I’m ready to turn on my oven again and bake more often. To smell warm spices, wear warm sweaters, and drink warm cocoa. I’m done feeling hot. I love fall, and I’m ready for it!

Poor Maddie . . . Again!

Madeline’s nose and mouth met the pavement last night. She was happily bouncy running down the driveway when she tripped and biffed it good. It was so awful! I instantly had a splatter of blood on the driveway and a hysterical daughter on my hands. Her nose bled for over 20 minutes and she sobbed that entire time. Her lip was swollen and bloody as well. Today, the bridge of her nose is bruised. I was worried she’d broken her nose or something, but all seems to be well. Once she calmed down she started to act more like herself and my worries subsided. The poor darling did this exact thing one month ago (you can read about it here), only this time was worse. The sad thing is that 20 seconds before she fell, I said out loud, “Oh, I’m always so worried she’s going to fall when she runs on the driveway, but she never has, so I guess she’ll be okay.” Doh! I’m just glad it didn’t require a trip to the hospital. I’m not looking forward to the first time I have to do that.

Hard to see, but she has a bruise on the bridge of her nose.

Happy Sandwiches

Today for lunch, I made happy sandwiches. This is what a happy sandwich looks like:

Aren't they cute?!

I also toasted some slices in a pan (too small for the toaster) with butter and cinnamon and sugar for the kids. Oh yes, happy kids too!

I should like to make these again if I ever host a baby shower for a girl or maybe for Madeline's birthday meal. Hmmm, or maybe I'll just make them again the next time I want a happy lunch.

Socks and Ceiling Fans: A Recipe for Fun

Start with socks (using Dad’s socks makes it most fun)
Pile as many of them as you can onto the ceiling fan blades
Get Excited
Stand directly under the fan
And look up

Then turn the fan on!

Not only will you experience great bouts of laughter and fun, you will also inevitably look like this in the end:

What do you do in your sleep?

If you want to read some fun sleep stories, go here. As for me, I don't have one funny sleep story, but I thought it would be fun to share what everyone in my family does in their sleep:


My husband sometimes runs in his sleep. I've been awakened by his legs going back and forth at a quick speed. He's usually breathing pretty hard too. I giggle and wonder what secret mission he’s on at the moment. Then I fall back asleep.

I grind my teeth in my sleep. I’m not too proud of this one. Todd wakes up from it all the time and is amazed at how hard I’m grinding. I might have stump teeth when I’m old . . . sad . . .

Ethan shouts “No!!!!!” in his sleep all the time. He also dreams often: anything from Dad eating puzzle pieces to scary guys trying to get him.

Madeline still curls up in the fetal position in a sleep sack with three bears, a doll, a cloth, and a book. She usually calls my name out for the first 20 minutes she’s asleep too. I used to think she was awake, but now I know better.

Looky What I've Been Up To

11 jars last week

13 jars today

1 more box of peaches to do tomorrow

Peaches are sooooooo good! Yum yum yummy!

September Recipe

Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes

1 cup flour
2 TBLS cornmeal*
1 TBLS sugar
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 beaten egg
1 cup buttermilk
2 TBLS cooking oil
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1. In a bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Made a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

2. In another bowl stir together the egg, buttermilk, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Gently fold in blueberries.

3. For each pancake, our or spread about ¼ cup of the batter into a 4-inch circle onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes on each side or until pancakes are golden brown, turning to second sides when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and edges are slightly dry. Serve warm. Top with syrup.

* I like to increase cornmeal to ¼ cup and decrease flour by 2 TBLS. I love cornmeal though, and next time I might increase the cornmeal even more.

Ten Truths

I was tagged by Emmy Mom a couple of days ago. Here are my Ten Truths:

1. I currently have five sewing projects in progress, and about 17 in my head.
2. I love, love, love peas, sweet potatoes, and blueberries.
3. I am always in the mood for a treat. Always.
4. I am currently reading New Moon for the first time. And I’m sorry, but I like Jacob better than Edward.
5. Both my kids can fit into 2T clothes. Madeline can also wear 9 month clothing and Ethan 5T.
6. I’m a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to my dishes. I have red and purple dishes and they have to be alternating in my cupboard. If they aren’t, I’ll fix the stack so they are.
7. I have never had a manicure, but I love having my natural nails grow as long as possible.
8. My kids go to bed early and I love it. They’re both in bed by 8pm and I love having time without the kids to spend doing projects or to waste in front of the TV.
9. I want to teach myself how to play the piano some day. Or I should say re-teach as I took lessons when I was younger.
10. On most days, my alarm goes off at 5:50am so I have time to walk on my treadmill, shower, and get ready for the day before my kids wake up.

Stickers

If you spend more than ten minutes at cousin Kate's house, you may find that each morning your pjs will look like this:

Or this:

Or this:

And if you're Madeline, you'll love every minute of it!

We're Back!

Madeline and I just got back from visiting my sister and her family in Washington DC. We spent the week there helping my sister who is still pregnant and still sick . . . bleh. Only six more weeks to go! My mom kept Ethan with her, and that made the trip possible. Thanks Mom! Madeline and my niece, Kate, had fun together:

Yes, we always have the cousins wear matching clothes!

Too bad I don't have pictures of all the princess outfits they had on!