Violet!

Had to do a post about Violet because I am so proud of her. She has been learning and growing so much. Before school started it was nearly impossible to get our sweet baby girl to do much around the house. Any task you asked of her was answered with a whiney "I can't, I too tired" or a complete meltdown. Often we couldn't even get her to use words when she got upset... so we didn't know what was bothering her... sometimes she had a meltdown just because she got milk on her shirt while eating her cereal and it was the end of the world for her.

But now, just a few months after school started she has learned to "use her words", we work on it at home as well... nothing like a parent who leaves everything to the teachers to teach their children, and then gets mad at the school system for expecting more out of their children than they were taught at school... I digress, stepping down from my soap box, try not to hate me if you are feeling defensive about that statement, that's just my opinion.

The change has been rather remarkable. We have way less tantrums and when she does have a melt down, it is much shorter lived than it once was. AND best of all, I have to say, she HELPS around the house. She has pride and joy in completing tasks that are helpful. I ask her do to something, clean something, put something away and off she skips with a smile on her face. What was really the cherry on top is the other day she had a friend come over to play, earlier that day I had asked Violet to clean her room, after the friend had left and pulled out all the toys, the room was a toy explosion disaster. The next night I walk into her room and her room is spotless. I ask "Violet, did you clean your room?" she proudly says yes. I couldn't believe she not only took the initiative to clean her room, but didn't even have to come tell me about it afterwards to get her 'pat on the back'.

Her teachers told me just yesterday how impressed they are at how much calmer she is and how much more she talks it out if she gets upset. It's been really helpful to have their support and help in bringing about this change. Grateful mama right here!

Sewing Adventures

I've been trying to learn to sew again. I took classes in the 7th grade... and my mom (who is amazing at sewing) has shown me a few tips and tricks, that I've managed to remember.

Currently I am working on making pajama bottoms for the family for our Christmas Eve tradition of opening one gift which are always Christmas pj's, really exciting for the kids, lol. The goal is to have everyone wake up in Christmas pj's on Christmas morning. I also used a cheater pattern to sew a Christmas book. I'll post pictures of these projects when they are completed.

You see, David promised I could buy a Bernina after his bonus this year... but he's not going to want to buy me one, if I never sew on the machine I have. My thought is; Bernina's are so well made, they are actually better for beginners :) because you don't get the thread jamming up, they have better alignment :) I don't know. I just want one... it's like the Cadillac of sewing machines.

Today I sewed some pillow cases. Yeah, I know. How easy can you get right? I needed pillow cases for my Sobakawa Cloud Pillows. I have two of them. Best pillows ever. Since I started using them early in the year, I no longer have neck problems. But they only come with one pillow case, and I can't find anywhere you can buy more of them. So I decided to sew up a few. Especially since I plan on bringing them with me to the hospital when I have the baby.

They turned out just fine. I bought two yards of materials and got 4 pillow cases out of it. Liam wanted to model one of them.

The Old Lady in Me

For a while now some of my sisters (maybe all of them) have teased me that I'm already an old lady, at least a stereotype of a type of an old lady. And I have to agree with them. Here is why: I love being at home. I love cats. I love wearing house coats (so much lighter than a robe and gives you more freedom to roam around in pj's... or underwear). I love reading (when I find the time). I love crocheting and painting. I love watching old black and white movies. I love watching the food network. I love a hot cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa. If I ,sadly, out live David I would make our home very girly with lots of little knick knacks. I enjoy talking to myself. I love luncheons with my girlfriends. I love playing card games and board games. I love gardening. I love babies.

Today I bought a new housecoat. It's lovely and comfortable... it reminded me of how I'm already an "old lady".

What does David think about it? Well, I think he likes it. When he sees me sewing/crocheting, gardening etc... he always smiles at me. Besides, I still know how to turn on the sexy... that's what matters, right? Lol. Besides, David is kind of like one of those really kind old men. Always smiling and making jokes, he especially likes word play. He puts on a robe almost as soon as he comes home. He enjoys a simple life, drama free.

We make a really good old couple :)