Dinosaur hoodies and owls..

AKA.  The Christmas gifts my kids know they are getting.  The downside to me crafting in the dining room is that my kids see what I am making.

These cute owls are filled with rice and are heat pads.   Tutorial from justanotherhangup.blogspot.com

 Dinosaur hoodies.  I followed this tutorial.  I bought sweatshirts at Walmart and some cheap felt.  With Selah's I added interfacing to the top four and I didn't on Ephraim's.  I had a lot harder time sewing the felt on E's and I think it was too much fabric for my machine and I gave up on having it look nice after taking out the stitches 3x on the hood.  He's 3.  He won't care.

Hopefully they will act surprised on Christmas morning

He gets it

Today I took my kids to Costco - not an unusual trip around here.  In addition to our normal shopping, I had Ephraim chose a toy for him and Selah to donate to kids in need.  He and I talked a lot about how there are kids without families, and sometimes there are kids with families that cannot afford to buy new toys for Christmas.  Ephraim asked a lot of questions about how and why that could happen.  We talked about how blessed we are that his Daddy has a good job that allows us to buy new toys and allows me to stay home to play with him and Selah.  He chose a really cool helicopter that makes noise and a neat baby set that came with a bed and horse for Selah.  (He at first tried to chose the really cool motorized miniature snowmobile and then we had to talk about budgets and how Mommy and Daddy can't afford that toy for him or anybody).

After Costco we drove to the fire station to drop off our toys.  Both kids did really well and Ephraim enjoyed putting the helicopter in the big bin.  As we were walking back to the car he said "But Mommy?  Kids need families."  Yes they do bud, yes they do.

Jules

From November 11


One of my closest friends from High Schoo - Julie (or as I call her - Jules)  got married on 11/11/11.  It was so much fun for me to be able to be there on her special day.  Jules - you were a beautiful bride and I wish you and Dennis great happiness!

me and the bride.  All of the guests were in black and white, which was a lot of fun to see - and I got to buy a new dress.

Forrest and I.

Jules and her dad walking in.  I love all the rosettes on her dress.

Julie and Dennis.  Congrats!