Halloween 2010

Last year, Ryan wanted to be a race car driver for Halloween and he said Jack should be a stoplight. We loved it so this year we were working on thinking of another clever duo for the boys to be. We considered a UPS man for Ryan with Jack being a box (Jack in the box), Ryan also liked the idea of being Peter Pan and Jack being Michael, but he abandoned this idea shortly before Halloween. Ryan finally decided on being a fireman. My mom suggested that Jack be his Dalmation fire dog. Ryan immediately declared that he would be the fire dog named Lucky and Jack could be the fireman. It was settled. I found a fireman costume easily at Target, but I decided I could make Ryan's costume. I made his costume early in October and Ryan has been wearing it ever since. He got to wear it to church for Bible character night. I asked him how a dalmation could be a bible character and he said, "Mo-om, dogs were on the ark." I stand corrected. He also got to wear it to his preschool Halloween party, and many times in between around the house. We've enjoyed our little Lucky running around.

Jack, on the other hand, was not impressed with his costume. He was way more interested in pushing his dump truck around the yard, his new found passion. He was completely exasperated with my insistence with him wearing a hat.

He wanted that hat off and wanted to run away.

To add to the picture taking chaos, Rita decided to relieve herself in the background. Thanks, Rita.

And this was as close as I could get to having the two boys in a picture together. Maybe Jack will enjoy being a fireman some other time. At least his costume is big enough so he can wear it for dress up for a while.

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

Today we met Lorie and Ben and Henry for a play date at the pumpkin patch. We got there a little early so we took a few pictures while we waited. I'm so glad we went to the pumpkin patch so early in October. We were the only ones there when we first arrived in a sea of orange pumpkins. The boys were free to roam as much as they liked. Ryan loved that there were so many old, dilapidated tractors decorating the yard. He also was intent on finding the perfect sized pumpkin for himself and for Jack.

Jack was super excited about riding in the wagons and checking out the animals. He was really excited about the goats and the pig until the rooster in the chicken coop started crowing. He was trying to figure out which one was doing it and how it made that sound.

He was very entertained with that until he saw a tractor discing a field. At that point, he ran to the fence and was trying to climb out to check out the tractor. Next, a farm truck with 3 dogs in the back drove up, which was equally as exciting as the tractor. He REALLY wanted out at that point. He waved and waved to them, which the workers seemed to think was cute and funny.

After awhile, I gave Ryan my camera and he decided to take a picture of me.

Lorie and the boys arrived next and Ryan and Henry were off. They are two peas in a pod and play so well together. Lorie snapped the next pictures with all of us together. The boys were busy the whole time and loved everything there. We had a really great time.

After the boys went down for their much needed naps, I cleaned up, and opened the windows to enjoy the sound and smell of the rain. I put our pumpkins on our table to decorate for fall.

I also noticed that fall is on its way. My Chinese Tallow tree is beginning to change color.

Sew Serendipity Jacket

For my birthday, my mom gave me the book, Sew Serendipity. The book is great. If gives garment sewing techniques in the beginning. It has a basic jacket, skirt, and dress/tunic pattern and then it shows how to alter each one with other details to personalize it. The directions are clear and easy to follow and there are a lot of pictures. I was also pleased that I didn't have to do any alterations to the pattern to make it fit, which is a first for me. I chose to make the jacket because I had never sewn one before. I didn't know what kind of fabric I would buy, so I just went fabric shopping until I found something I liked. I found a great wool blend that was black and purple.

I also found these great buttons that I thought went well with the design of the jacket.

Since I hadn't done a lining before and the pattern did not include directions for one, I hadn't planned on lining it. When I completed the jacket, I realized that I wouldn't be 100% happy with it without a lining.

I went back to Hancock Fabrics and found this terrific purple that was the perfect match for the jacket. I am so happy with the finished product and it fits great too, but I don't have a photographer here that can photograph me wearing it.

Now if only it would be cold enough to wear it...

Ryan is 4!

Ryan turned 4 on Friday. I can hardly believe it. He is growing up so fast. He absolutely loved the bike that we gave him. He just looked and giggled when he saw it. It took him a couple of minutes before he even touched it. He absolutely fell in love with his bike after his first ride. He especially loves getting up to speed and them slamming on his brakes to see how long of a black mark he can leave behind with his tires.

His party was also great. He had decided shortly after his 3rd birthday that he would be having a tractor party. At first, he wanted to have it out on Pa's farm so he could play on all the tractors for his party, but as his actual birthday drew closer, he decided that he would like to have it at Grandma Debbie's. He also thought Disneyland would be a good venue, but we nixed that, much to his disappointment. I also let him take cookies to preschool on Friday, which he loved.

Enjoy the video of Ryan and Madelyn blowing out the candles on his tractor cake.

I can't wait to see how Ryan grows and learns this year. Every year is so special.

New Purse from Old Things

I was feeling like I needed a project, but I didn't want to spend any money. I went through my fabric stash and found a gorgeous piece of upholstery fabric that my mom bought for me a while ago. I also found a burnt orange piece of fabric that was a nice compliment to the upholstery fabric. I had leftover pieces of fake leather, interfacings, and purse hardware. I decided that my project should be a purse. This whole week, I thought about what the purse should look like. Well, last Christmas, I splurged and bought a purse (in navy, not the color pictured) and I LOVE this purse. I have not carried a different purse since I bought it. Knowing me and my love of purses, I haven't EVER gone this long without switching purses. I decided that I was going to copy that purse pattern.

It was really simple. It is just three rectangles, with the two sewn together to make the front, and one whole rectangle for the back. I added a couple pockets, some hardware, buttons, and embellishments and this purse is the result! I'm pleased with it.

Now if only the weather would cooperate and cool off so my fall wardrobe could be worn with this handbag.

Bike Riding

Going back to work has made blogging impossible the last two weeks. By the time I got the boys to bed after working all day, I fell asleep on the couch. I'm back to my part time routine now and have more time to update.

Our family has been enjoying this great weather the last few days. Ryan has been really into riding his big wheel, although he desperately wants his own bike (shh, don't tell him, but he's getting one for his birthday).



I have been tired of pushing a stroller with Jack, while jogging to keep up with him so Phil and I decided to get our bikes fixed up so we could ride. Phil and I do not understand those skinny little bike seats (please explain if you do know) so we went off to Action Sports to buy the fat "cruiser seats."



While we were there, Ryan tried out the kids bikes and rode all over the store. I can't wait till his birthday. I also fell in love with a turquoise and brown beach cruiser bike. It is so pretty. My bike also needed new inner tubes and some serious oiling.

For our first ride, since we had nothing for Jack to ride in, we had my mom watch Jack and we took Ryan on the mile ride to my grandma's house from my mom's house. He was exhausted by the time we got there so my grandma had to drive him home while we rode. It was still really fun.

Yesterday, I decided that I needed to get something for Jack to ride in so that Ryan and I could take bike rides during the day. I found a bike seat that attaches to my bike frame and I mounted it last night.

After Phil got home, we took a ride around our neighborhood. Jack LOVED it. He squealed and laughed the whole time.

Now that we have all our bike gear ready, I can't wait for Ryan's birthday so he can ride his new bike.

Dress in a Day

A while back, when Joann's was running a pattern sale, I picked up several patterns, particularly the Cynthia Rowley ones.

I knew I liked them, but wasn't sure how they'd look on me since I'm a pear shape, and a big girl, and a shift typically isn't particularly flattering. This week, I decided to give it a try. For those of you who sew, but also don't fit into one pattern size like me, you can mark your size for the bust, waist, and hips, then draw a new line to create a pattern that will fit you. This is what I did, and I was pleasantly surprised at how the dress turned out.

I also omitted the ruffle and added several inches to the bottom so it would be long enough for me. I really like the dark purple fabric and it is the softest cotton sateen. I looked through the fabric at Joann's forever to find it. Poor Ryan finally laid on the floor and said, "I don't think I feel so good, my tummy hurts. Mommy, I'm hungry!" (Malisa, Julie, does this sound familiar?) Anyway, I like it and think it will be great to wear now, but also later with some tights, a sweater, and a scarf when it cools off.