tote bag

My sister requested a handmade tote bag for her birthday. This is my first attempt to make a tote bag. I'm happy with how things turned out and I'm actually considering (if I have any spare time) making a few more of these bags. 

Snow Day @ Mt. San Jacinto State Park

Warning. This is a picture heavy post. 

This weekend our family drove to Palm Springs and took the Aerial Tramway up to Mt. Jacinto State Park. It was a perfect day for playing in the snow.  The park wasn't crowded and the snow was clean. It felt good to be outside in the fresh air. Lucas had a blast playing in the snow; building snow balls, making snow angles and exploring the nearby woods. However, Alara lasted about 30 minutes before she was done and ready to go back inside. Thankfully, Dadi and Dada were able and willing to take her back inside while the rest of us continued to enjoy the day. 

Alara's snow outfit was mine when I was her age. Lucas's pants were borrowed from a dear friend. Thankfully, my Mom kept everything and my friend's daughter had outgrown her snow pants. Finding snow clothes last minute for the kids was almost impossible! Everything in their sizes were either sold out or on back order...or crazy expensive. Next year I know to just buy things ahead of time...in the fall...and make pre-snow plans before the snow even thinks of gracing us with its presence.  

While Lucas rested in the warm lodge, I took Alara back outside. She liked the snow better after round #2. She made tiny snow balls and enjoyed jumping in the snow drifts. All in all our first family snow trip was a success.   

Till next year. 

January Musing

Good Afternoon and Happy Sabbath

I know that we are half way through January, but due to unforeseen circumstances...aka..really bad horrible colds that infected us all, I'm starting my new years today.

Happy New Years Ya'll.

Last year I made three "big" New Years goals. And I'm happy to say that I kinda sorta worked on those goals.

1) Do the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge.
2) Refresh my master bedroom
3) Sew more

I knew that there was no way I'd be able to finish every book on the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge list...there's 300 + books on the list. However, I did checked off four more books on the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge (in addition to reading other books not on the list). I repainted my master bathroom and bedroom, purchased some new furniture and I have started the process of finalizing the decor. And lastly, although I did more sewing projects, I didn't complete as many projects as I wanted to.

Overall, not bad. However, there is room for improvement and I'm looking forward to 2017 and everything that a new year brings.

 A few weeks ago, the kiddos and I went to see the floats from the 128th Rose Parade. It is something that I've always wanted to do and so when a friend suggested that we go I jumped at the opportunity. I packed lunches and snacks for the kiddos, and we drove to Pasadena.
It was so much fun viewing the floats up close. Each float was unique, and the attention to detail was impressive. Lucas was disappointed that the viewing did not include the marching bands or equestrian groups. However, he enjoyed meeting the police officers and firemen and watching the animatronics used on several of the bigger floats.

Unfortunately, the kiddos came home sick from the parade. 

 *See above paragraph to read all about that*

Ahem. Moving on. 

2017 is going to be a year of change. Lucas turns five this spring and starts kindergarten in the fall. Alara turns two and is already a handful. My babies aren't babies anymore. 

This year I don't have any big New Years resolutions or goals. That might change. But for right now I'm content to see what this year brings without putting any pressure on myself to complete my resolutions/goals. 

rainy day dress

This sweet little girl is 19 months old. She is growing up so fast and has quite the personality! She's talkative, loves to climb and enjoys keeping up with her brother. Some of my favorite things she currently says are "Tar Wars" for Star Wars, "Mgoose" for Mickey Mouse, and "Nack" for snack. At 19 months, she's already demonstrated signs of the terrible two's. Her tantrums can be intense! She is sleeping in a toddler bed, and often visits my room during the night. And as much as I love her snuggles, I'm hoping that she goes back to sleeping through the night.

 Alara is modeling a dress made by me. This dress was my first attempt to sew using knit fabric. About a year ago I tried sewing with stretchy knit and it was disastrous! However, after watching several videos and reading sewing blogs, I understood what went wrong and what I needed to do differently. This little red dress is the result of much research and trial and error. I used an old shirt that I bought in college. The shirt had a stain and was unwearable for an adult. However, there was plenty of undamaged fabric for a little girl's dress and it gave me an opportunity to practice without purchasing new fabric.

I'm happy with how this dress turned out however before I go out and buy knit fabric I think I'll need to practice a little more.