Sledding

DH took today off, their wasn't snow in our neighborhood, but it wasn't hard to find. We went to Tucker Willis Park, there was a little hill for the kids, the dog and BYO hot chocolate!

Happy Holidays

We had a nice holiday, hope you did, too! We didn't go overboard and buy them everything, we tried to keep simple, they each got about 6 gifts each. Butters was excited to pick out his own gifts. I'd like it to be more about the giving, so next year I'll encourage them to make gifts for other people. We need to donate more, but it's never too late for that.

Birthday

This is what happens when you try to steal your mom's birthday sundae!

Nutcracker

We went to Ballet Northwest's presentation of The Nutcracker. We had perfect seats, on the balcony, right above the sound board, so when some of us were bored, there was something to look at! The girls had their photos taken with the Snow Princess and DH's cousin is the Sugar Plum Fairy (in purple). The kids loved it and were very well behaved for the long dinner afterward. A fun tradition.

Famous

My Letter to the Editor was published:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101215/OPINION02/712159964

I am writing this letter because I support a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. This outdated policy discriminates against the gay members of our military and keeps qualified gay and lesbian men and women from joining our armed forces.

The policy has been found to be discriminatory and a violation of our rights and can therefore be reversed by the courts. I am asking our Congress to vote to dissolve this policy and create a means for openness in our military. Our military would be stronger with an open policy where members are not forced to lie about their sexual orientation. I am proud to know that my representatives, Rick Larsen, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, support a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Knitting Alert

This is my Frankenstein sweater. I had started the Tilted Duster by Norah G a year ago, but I reconsidered the idea and now it's a Zimmermann Saddle shoulder. I used the sleeves from Norah and worked the body from the other pieces, you can see one in the corner. It's working up fast, but is now past the portability stage.

Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle is the shawl I finished. I used Lamb's Pride in worsted, but the pattern calls for a smaller yarn, so I got a bigger shawl, enough to wrap around me on cold night instead of a Snuggie. Cats provide scale.

Completed hiking socks and feet for scale.

Outside Interest

It's a rainy day today, the river is supposed to reach flood stage in a few hours and we found a leak in the basement. We are staying in to wrap presents (check), make cookies (check) and get every toy out and play with it once (check) and monitor the leak.

On friday, as usual, E and I went to pick up Butters from school and E wanted to bring a pad of paper and a pen. Kids are great at exposing your habits, from the back seat I heard her say, 'Get in the car, check." We pulled up to the school. "Pick up Boy Boy, check." I guess I write lists a lot!

I've become more involved in the neighborhood association and with Snohomish County Democrats. I'm now secretary of my legislative district. I need outside interests and I need things to do or I create my own stress. I'm working on my certification as a postpartum doula, so if you know any pregnant women within a 30 mile radius, send them my way! The kids are getting better at playing on their own, but now I've got to go because they are now wrapping up their toys and one of them has a permanent marker....

Spa Day

DH and I went shopping and the kids, got to have a spy day! Hair bows, glitter, painted nails and a haircut for Butters!

Snow

Action shot!

Always being funny.

The next Vanna White, showing off our littlest snowman.

"Take my picture, Mom."

We ended up with about 3 inches of snow, and two days off from school! We made it down to Olympia for Thanksgiving with no problems and had a wonderful holiday-we are still eating leftovers. Our hill in the backyard makes the perfect toddler sized sledding hill and while staying in I've managed to make new hats for both kids and a lace shawl for myself. Next up, mittens.

Social Commentary Via A Hat

His video game was never interrupted. She still loves her brother, even if he doesn't pay attention some times. Usually, he gives her too much attention!

I knitted the hat, entirely out of scrap yarn, I've got every color of the rainbow! Guess who wants one now! I did a 2x2 rib, casted on 72 stitches on size 10 needles.

A Rare Sight

Not just that it was 65 and sunny in November but that they shared a space without fighting for about 15 minutes! After this little photo shoot, it was all over. The paint became finger paint, they fought and E fell to the ground at the suggestion that I wash her hands. Punctuated equilibrium.

Zoinks!

Harry Potter. I hand knitted the scarf, "It itches." He didn't wear it for long.

A Princess in a witches costume! She didn't want to be a Supreme Court Justice.

DH was shaggy. We went to a family friendly party, tick or treated in the nicer neighborhood with the sidewalks and got to bed by 8:30! It was a fun night. E was dragging her bag of candy but kept going and Butters had a great time with his friends and glow sticks.

Happy 3rd

Angel Surprise Birthday Cake With Raspberry Surprise Icing (per your request)

The Arabesque

New dress from P. Mookie at the Knufflebunny show today.

One of many happy faces.

One of many silly faces. This was fishing at cottage lake, it's okay to dress up.

I can honestly say, there is no one else like you, dear E. You are loyal and sensitive, stubborn and strong and I hope you never change!

One Month!

Eegads! I haven't posted in a month, now that's scary. I started working at from home, so any time I can spare I'm in front of the computer. This ends up being about 15 hours a week and I'm burning the candle at both ends. I'll catch you up as best as I can. I'm also volunteering on the elections whenever I can and still volunteering with the community group. Not much sewing lately but some knitting.

I finished these socks-My Irish Eyes from Socks That Rock.

This little man finished up the fishing season. H started school and is doing well. We already started reading, but it looks like he's got his mother's penwomanship! He had seriously chapped lips at the start of school but things are under control. We've been busy with birthday parties nearly every weekend.

This little lady started school! She's actually squatting in this photo and was convinced it was ballet school, hence this pose! I struggled to find a program to take a young three year old, but we found a great fit, E walked in and proclaimed it her school and told me, "See you later." She can count to 13, knows all the colors and shapes and started making letters. To tarnish her perfect image, she won't try new foods and survives on bagels and macaroni and cheese.

Go Fish!

DH went on an all male family member fishing trip in Eastern Washington. He was a natural. They floated downstream in waiters and individual pontoons and caught and released fish. He came back with a beard and a tan. He never takes time out for himself, so I'm glad he had the chance to do this. They saw otters, a bear, and lots of deer, but thankfully, no rattlesnakes.

Flashback: Wedding photos

The public demanded a photo of E in her bridesmade dress, but I had used the old fashioned film and only this week had them developed. Here she is, in all her glory, with her cousin.

Lego Competition

We are going to send this in for a Lego competition, you can tell I didn't help him build it, but I helped him pose! In Mr. Jim's 5th grade class, he asked us all what we wanted to be when we grew up, my answer: "A scientist." My friend Nikki, "A hand model." That sounded so much cooler to me, I went home and practiced and considered a change in careers. I looked a lot like that little guy right there!

Crafty Times

In between the trips, school drop off, grocery store and other daily life, I sneak off to the basement to do a little sewing. Here's what I've accomplished this summer between the hours of 8:30 and 10 pm!

Scrap Sock Monkey Baby Quilt-it became more of a changing pad! I loved piecing this and playing with the layout, it's entirely from scraps from P. Mookie, but it's probably too sturdy and small to really wrap a baby up in. The good news, babies come in all sizes, so at some point you can fit an infant on this to lay on, or change a diaper if you really hate it!
This is the back of Sock Monkey, I realized a bit late you should line up the quilting, so I sacrificed a bit and re-did part of it so the quilting actually lined up to the back rows. I didn't do any vertical quilting, hope it's okay.

A little Stacked Coin-type baby blanket. I think brown would have been a nice choice for the solid sections, but it's still nice for a little girl to be born in November. Notice, no white! I like color but admittedly, this choice was a bit off.

Sandwich wraps for some of my favorite San Francisco ladies. I made a template for these and I have this down to a quick sew, I should sell these on Etsy! Would you buy one?