Potty Boot Camp

Today is potty training day! Wish me luck everyone, when I get Chandler up this morning we are going to put on his training underpants and hit the potty. I am prepared with many backup pants and shorts along with a mop and the Swiffer Wet-Jet! I will keep you posted...

On the path.

Another Departure = Another Bag

It's that time again, unfortunately, when another beloved teacher is graduating college and leaving our child care center. This time it's Ms. Jessie and we are so sad to see her go. She is graduating this fall and is leaving in a week to do her student teaching in Hawaii. I mean, who wants to go there when you can change dirty diapers all day?

Ms. Jessie has been at the center over two years so that means she has cared for Chandler and Ava both and has been able to cheer them on through all their milestones, kiss away tears, sing songs, and give plenty of love and attention to our babies. And, as I am sort of making it a tradition now, I have made her a goodbye bag.


Since I made this design up, it's going to be called "Mahalo, Jessie." The Mahalo, Jessie bag is pretty darn simple, with a loop for the wrist, a zipper and one small interior pocket. This will be the perfect accessory to take to class or to the beach, no?


Good luck Jessie, we were fortunate to have you in our children's lives and I guess we'll share you with the rest of the world now.

Stay on the path...

Better Get to Livin'

What better way to celebrate the Mid-Week Lift than with Dolly Parton? I stumbled upon this great video over at the Hygge House blog. It's Alex's new theme song for her manifesto and I think I'd like it to be my theme song too!

Better Get to Livin'

With that, I'm off to live! I just spent the rest of my birthday money on fabric and it's currently in the wash ... hurrah!

Stay on that path!

Father's Day and Thoughts

So, I realized that on Father's Day weekend, I was the one relaxing! Sorry, honey. Actually, we spent a lovely weekend at my parents' home spending a lot of time with family. Cornhole (or Bags, depending upon where you are from) was played, we grilled out, and the kids ran about 80 footraces across the lawn.


Don't let these relaxing images fool you. I am back and had to, once again, crawl back underneath my pile of work. As I incubate here, I will still try to find some time to get to work on my WIPs - lest they become UFOs. We wouldn't want that.

I hope you had a great weekend and a Happy Father's day. Dads are great, aren't they?

On the path...

Playing Catch-Up

Like I said, I refuse to let my various projects get the best of me. Even though I am buried under work and housework, I have found a few moments to whip out some of my WIPs. So, this photo-heavy post should be a good update on what's been going on in my crazy house lately.

Still working on finishing that Debbie Bliss Picot Dress. I just started the arm strap and hope to really get some knitting done on it in the coming weeks. Keep in mind, this is the very same book that the ill-fated toddler hoodie came from. I hope the dress will turn out much better.



These little guys came from this pattern and I highly recommend you knitters out there to try it. Once I figured out the loop stitch, it was such a breeze. I've already knitted three and need to finish these. They just need their loops attached and some lion faces stitched on.


My garden almost bit the dust (or rather drowned) last weekend during the strong thunderstorms. There were a few tornadoes that touched down in our area but none came by our house thank goodness. We did spend a few moments getting comfy in our basement on Sunday evening though. Surprisingly, my deck garden survived and the plants are no worse for wear. There were a few twigs sticking upright in the soil, but other than that, they seem pretty happy.


I have planted some herbs, tomatoes, various peppers and some lovely sugar snap peas that are growing like crazy. I am excited to say that I have some beginnings of peppers growing already and a few flowers on my pea vine. I know, it's Michigan though, so we need a little extra time. This girl's garden is really in full swing.




Finally, an FO. A Finished Object. Yes, I did finish something in these past few weeks and I'm glad to say, it turned out great (unlike my quilt top). This is Ava's dedication dress - a little rumpled from wearing it on Sunday. It's a simple, reversible smock and I'm proud to share it:











On the path...

Apologies

I must apologize for the apparent blog schizophrenia that's been going on lately. I'm just trying on new bloggy outfits until I find the right one. All of you are in the dressing room with me. How does this one fit?

I think I'm getting closer to the right layout. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Back on the path...

Another Mid-Week Lift

It seems like I only get to my Mid-Week Lifts nowadays, doesn't it? I have been so busy with work that I have WIPs laying everywhere around my house. I am DETERMINED that they will not turn into UFOs. No. They. Will. Not. I will share them with you in a later post.

Well, on to the Lift. How cool is this lady?

By Associated Press
Updated: 6/5/2008

NEW YORK

Sandra Day O'Connor is developing a free interactive Web program for middle schoolers on the U.S. court system.


The program will be called Our Courts and allow students to participate in realistic government simulations and investigate and argue actual cases.

Arizona State and Georgetown universities are helping the retired Supreme Court justice develop the program.

Arizona State professor James Paul Gee says the program will teach children the importance of free and independent courts in a democracy.

The Web site will be launched this fall.

O'Connor is the first woman to have served on the nation's highest court.

———

On the Net:

Our Courts: http://www.ourcourts.org/

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

I mean, how cool is that? Sandra is still being innovative and on top of technology. She's using it to promote learning and really tapping into the culture of today's youth. I want to be like that when I grow up.


Oh, and for you Wings fans, this is another Lift dedicated to my husband who has sacrificed sleep in order to follow the games:


(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
In hand: Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom holds up the Stanley Cup after the Red Wings put away the Penguins in Game 6 Wednesday night.

I promise to take some time out to post more crafty bits!

Just sitting on the path...