I Survived!

My firsy Black Friday that is.

I started small at a small area mall, and boy am I glad I did! I have never seen that mall so crowded! It took a bit to find a parking spot.

The kids and I had fun, J met us when he got off work, and we had lunch together.

I am sooooo tired!

Happy Turkey Day!

I'm not going to get all mushy and say everything I'm thankful for. I will instead tell you this: I WON! Saxton said Mama first. And has continued to say it. Nah nah nah nah-nah, J!

Korra is a Busy Girl

Yesterday, she went to the dentist to get her perfect teeth cleaned.

Today, she sang in her Thanksgiving program at school

Then, she sat down and ate a feast with her class. She ate two heaped plates!

Doesn't she look happy?!

Saxton & His Mesh Feeder

Eating from a spoon is great-IF mom lets you feed yourself. Which doesn't happen. Enter: the mesh feeder.

Saxton spies crisp steamed carrots in a bowl on the dinner table.
Suddenly, the squash Mom is feeding him isn't what he wants. He pushes the Mom driven spoon away.
He yells out, "I want some of those orange thingies!" But alas, his family only hears, "Goo ga namamanama ::gurgle:: gah!" So begins the intent stare at the carrots.
Suddenly Mom asks, "Are you wanting some carrots?" He responds, "Rah ba ga babababa!" (translation: Yes! Let me have some!)
She scoops out some into a small bowl and disappears into the kitchen with them. "Aiyayaya!" (translation: Wait! I said yes!)
The white box in the kitchen beeps and Mom returns, shaking the carrots into a net thingy. She twists on a handle and hands it to him.
Saxton peers at the new object and tastes it. Feverishly, he chews all over it, seeking the carrots. Suddenly, a new taste. What is this? He pulls it out of his mouth and eyes it. It's orange. It kinda mushy. Tastes pretty good. Is this the carrots? Hmmmmm.... Numnumnum. Must be!
Gleefully, he waves his prize in the air, shreiking his delite! Only, to drop it on the floor.
Alas poor carrots, I knew ye too brief.

He has found a great many of yummy things to eat in it since!

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We Won!!!

:::Dances around & waves arms:::

J was like "it's a diaper cover". Yes dear. But it's a FREE diaper cover and free things are GREAT! (Usually).

Here's the scoop:

I entered a blog contest and won an Oilve Jane diaper cover for Saxton. Soooooooooo stinkin' cute! It fits really nicely, and does it not look fab?! Very well made too.

You can get your's from her etsy store: OliveJaneDesigns.etsy.com

Flip This Barbie House! The Living Room

The story behind the house:

My dad, mom & some family friends (Richard & Ruby) made me this doll house for Christmas when I was 8. It's built out of 3/4" plywood, stands 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide, is 2 feet deep, and sports 6 tool box weight steel castors. It has 7 rooms and features a brick patio (well, a patio that once had brick & someday will again).

The doll house spent 5 years stored in my in-law's chicken coop, and we gave it to Korra last year for her 4th birthday. It has taken awhile, but I have finally gotten around to remodeling the rooms!

I started with the livingroom.

All the rooms are in this current condition to begin with:

This is the living room with fresh laid and unfinished hardwood floors, and recently painted green walls

I have been framing the windows with wood strips left from the floor. I would like to put plexiglass windows in eventually.

Here is the finished livingroom! The rug, green sofa and chair were made by my talented grandmother D, the wooden furniture was given to me by my late and much missed Grandma G. the curtains were made from scraps from me making my new diningroom drapes.

Barbie & her BFF Teresa pose on the sofa

Ken admires the new fireplace

I'm so proud of this room! Of course it sets the standard for the other 6 rooms, but I say, "Bring it on!"

When Girls Get Together

Men should be scared. Very scared.


I had a wonderful opportunity to get together with a friend, her female family, and several of her friends, and do what women do best: laugh!


What happens at the case exchange stays at the case exchange, so I can't give the dirty details. You wouldn't believe me if I did!


I did however, take Saxton with me and got to put my new Scandi Mei Tei to use! So, here is the one picture from today I can legally share:

Burning Up the Needles

Well, actually, in the last 48 hours I have broken 4, so technically they're not burned.

Anywho, I've been sewing! (like a crazy lady) I've made several things, but first let me tell you about my sewing machine.




Pretty, isn't she? She belonged to my late Grandma, and tonight, when looking up her seral number on the Singer website, I discovered she was made in 1951. That means she is twice my age! Every bit of her motor is made out of metal (no plastic!), and if I continue to care for her, someday, one of children may be able to keep her in the family.


My big project yesterday was my Scandi Mei Tei.







A Mei Tei is a sling best described as the perfect carrier for heavy babies. Like Saxton. It can be worn in the front or as a back carrier. Not to mention the fact it's pretty!



I used this tutorial to make it: http://scanditute.blogspot.com/



And, using more of the scraps left over from making Saxton's crib bedding last spring, I made Feido:

Feido now guards the bottom of our front door from cold drafts. Good boy, Feido!

I also used flannel scaps from a friend and minky scraps (more scraps from Saxton's bedding) to make 6 more baby wipes for Saxton. He's loving food, and I'm noticing bigger poops. Bigger poops=more wipes needed. Haha!

I'm also sewing on 4 drapes for the dining room (2 done, 2 half done). You can see my fabulous drapes when I show off the completed dining room, which is hopefully in a few days!

Oh! I almost forgot! I made 3 regular size girlie baby wipes & 2 large girlie wipes for a couple pay it forward listings in my etsy store. The 3 regular wipes have found a home, but if you need baby girl wipes, see my other PIF listing! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17583971 All I ask is that you pass the love on.

What Makes Me Happy

(Besides my family)

I Haven't Slept That Long In Over A Year

Saxton decided to sleep all night Thursday night! He went down at 7:30pm and woke me up at 7am! And he was happy!

Needless to say, I was very happy too...

My Boys

Sorry, 3 posts in less than a week without pics. So enjoy these:

Xavian is going to have to beat the girls off with a stick, he's getting so handsome! (And I am not saying that just because I am his mom, lol!)

My Bad Mommy Moment

I try not to claim to be perfect. I try to appear cool and together, but in truth, I'm probably about as chaotic as chaotic gets. Case in point:

We had no vehicle this morning, so I rush the kids around so we can get to the elementary school/bus stop by 7:20 am. We hurried down the sidewalk, around the corner, and down the street to the school. We huddled under the school eaves and waited on the Korra's bus. I smoothed her hair, helped her put on her Strawberry shortcake backpack, and practically threw her on the bus.

I left Xavian in the gym, and as Saxton & I were headed back home, it started pouring rain. So I visited with a neighbor and worried about semi's speeding thru the school zone. In the rain, mind you. Finally, I complete the trek home.

I put the soaking wet stroller in the breakfast nook to dry, my coat over a stool to dry, and took Saxton into the livingroom, where I hear the answearing beeping.

"Mrs Jennigirl? Korra doesn't have school today. Can you come pick her up?"

No vehicle until DH returns home, a meeting at 10am, movies that are 2 days overdue needing returned, and a screaming baby. Oy.

I picked her up 9am (thank goodness the kindergarteners had class this morning), only to find out that I have a parent teacher conference at 9:20am. Korra has been unzipping her bag, and notes are not making it to and from school. I wait for my conference in the world's most uncomfortable metal chair, and of course, conferences are 20 minutes behind schedule. 20 minutes!

We ended up being late for my 10am meeting, not getting the movies returned, and I got the joy of feeding Korra and racing back out the door for Xavian's conference.

I. Am. Not. Perfect.

No, I am not. I am exhausted.

Secret Things

Whether or not J & the kids realize it, the house is brimming with secrets. Secret Christmas gifts! I'm been trying to handmake as many gifts as I can this year, and am having a blast doing it! I'm making felt food for Korra, PJ's for everyone, clothes for Korra, a stocking for Saxton, and sooooo much more!

J & Xavian Saw a White Deer!

J says that's it's back luck to shoot a white deer. It's believed that if you shoot one you won't live to see the next hunting season.

Isn't she beautiful?! What a rare and special sight. Soooooo glad he was able to take pictures!

Baby, It's COLD Outside!

Brrrrrrrrr!

It's alternating between rain and snow. I can see my breath. Thank heavens for a warm house and socks! Speaking of socks-I need new fun & fuzzy ones. Definately adding that to my shopping list for Friday.

On a side note, my etsy store is doing fairly well. I'm getting quite a few custom orders that include tutu and bow sets. I'm trading homemade bows & tutus for Christmas gifts for the kids.

Xavian and Korra have both outgrown their slippers, so our annual Christmas Eve gifts won't just be new Christmas pajamas, but also include slippers. I my eyes on some adorable pink wool elephant slippers for Korra on Etsy, but am still searching for ones Xavian will love. No slippers for Saxton. He's in footed pajamas for a year or 2. J made apoint of saying he needs new pj bottoms, so maybe I'll do 2 pais for him this year. I'll probably make them, since he needs longer legs on them. I'll probably make Korra a nightgown instead of regular jammas. She loves girly things!

I really want to get Saxton a wooden train from Santa. I should start looking harder before the pickins are slim, lol!

No pics this post, sorry. I'll try to pic later tonight!

It's the Beginning of the End

Saxton is pulling himself to his feet.

2 Days ago he did it once and thought, er, hoped it was a fluke. Nope.

Doesn't he just look too pleased with himself? J & I think he'll be walking by Christmas.

Saxton is 6 months, 1 week, 1 day old.

Get Off Your Butt And Vote

Korra did.

We Made Crayons (How To)

Like every American family with children old enough to color, we have/had a tub of broken crayons. With some online inspiration from others, I decided we would "remake" our crayons instead of tossing them.

Here's how we did it:

Xavian, Korra & I sorted the crayons by basic color. Then, I had Korra & Xavian start tearing all the paper off all of the crayons.



I used my small sauce pan & a small foil bread pan. I filled the pan full of water and brought it to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, I set the foil pan into the boiling water. We started with the lightest colors and worked our way through the rainbow, so that we only used one pan. I stirred the crayons gently occasionally as they melted.




While the crayons were melting, we oiled a mini muffin pan. Once the colored wax was completely melted, it was poured into the muffin pan.




Once they cooled, I used a sharp knife and popped them out!



Easy Peasy!

Happy Belated 5th Wedding Anniversary To Us!

The 24th has come and gone. I realize that. But it's not the date that's important, it's the fact we've made it 5 years!

I won't lie. It hasn't been easy. Marriage is work. Sometimes, I think it would be so easy to give up. But we don't. We hang in there. We laugh and cry together. We fight and then make up. And we keep loving each other.

We celebrated last night (completely child free!) at the Union Station Micro Brewery in Erie, PA. We ate steak that melted in our mouths, drank great beer, indulged on AMAZING french onion soup, and snarfed down stuffed potato skins. Then we went to the Plymith (a fab little bar on State St) and laughed and joked together. We talked about our USAF days and how crazy and dumb we once were. I showed J how to lose at pin ball. We walked along state street and looked at the buildings under restoration. We strolled with our arms around each other. It was perfect.

Happy belated anniversary, J!

Am I Making This a Habit?

Please say no. I want to blog more. I meant to blog more. And then I got SICK. Yucky, yucky stomach bug. And ended up sleeping (when I wasn't, well, sick) the entire day. Sick, sick, Jenn. Poor J. He was on vacation and had a sick wife. I am grateful that he wasn't working. Thank you, J.

Then it snowed. BIG. Half the town was without power and the Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the volunteer fire hall. We lost several big tree branches. J. had to get the 4-wheeler (THANK YOU FIL!) out and plow the driveway.

Saxton celebrated his 6 month birthday by playing in the snow. My little snow baby.

My in-laws "kidnapped" Xavian and Korra for the weekend, so J. went grocery shopping with me at Giant Eagle. Having him help me was sooooooo wonderful! Sometimes (not every time, but sometimes) grocery shopping is a big weight on my shoulders and it wears me down. A bunch of meat was BOGO free, and J. & I decided to do some stocking up. Putting that meat in the freezer made me feel good Friday night.

So, there you have our weekday week!