Sewing Project: Erin's Backpack

I recently made Erin a backpack to bring to church so that she (who am I kidding? I) can carry her books and toys she plays with during worship. The diaper bag was just getting too heavy! I purchased Grant a cute toddler backpack that is personalized with his name on it when he was Erin's age. We usually pack his stuff in this. However, I was not completely satisfied with the backpack. It was very cute, but it did not have a zipper. It closed with a drawstring and with the weight of three or more books it would come open.

I came across this pattern on a blog that I frequent. The blog is Made by Rae and if you like to sew, or like to buy homemade items check out her blog and etsy shop. The pattern is perfect for my little ones! I purchased the pattern from Rae and went to work. The pattern is well designed and the instructions are very clear. I think Erin's backpack turned out nice.

I ordered my fabric online from Fabric.com. They have a large selection of fabric and it's much easier for me to order it than to haul my two little ones to the Joanns. The only drawback is that I can't feel the fabric before I buy it. (Stephen says I have to touch everything I see in the store. It's true. Erin does the same thing.) I plan on making Grant a new backpack as well. However, I am going to enlarge this pattern because it would not hold the standard coloring book. I will also put interfacing in the bag to give it a little more shape. I am still looking for the perfect fabric for a little boy's backpack. I might have to go with a solid and applique something on it.

I hope every one's having a good week. We are having the pine trees taken down in the front of our property and Stephen's parent's property. It's a mess out there! (and we are stuck inside) The machines that take these pine trees down are amazing. Grant thinks it's pretty cool. Maybe I will post pictures of it when they are finished. The clean up is going to take months!!! The results will be worth it though!

Family Picnic at the Park

With mother's Day coming up in a few weeks I wanted to get photos of my grandmother, mom, myself and Erin together. You know a mother/daughter shot. So, we planned a trip to the park for some picture taking and fun for the kids. We packed a picnic and had dinner while we were there. It was a beautiful evening, but it was very windy. So windy that we didn't get a good shot of all four of us because our hair (especially mine) was blowing all of the place. The picture below is actually my favorite of the bunch. The evening was still successful because I got some great shots of little Erin and a bunch of Grant on the play ground. I thing I took over 300 in all. Here is just a sampling of them.

My mother, Erin, my grandmother and myself

four generations of girls
I was so excited to get a few photos of my kids together!

I love the big trees!

Grant is growing up so quickly

Precious!

I love this one

I love these guys so much!!!

I might post more this week. I am worn out and I am turning in!

Pool Pictures

We have had beautiful weather here in the Sunshine State this week. I decided, on a whim, to take the kids to my parent's house to swim this morning. Grant woke up begging to go swimming, which made me want to go too. After we bought groceries this morning I bravely headed up to my parent's house for a swim. I have never taken them swimming by myself before. Last year was just too hard with Erin being a little bitty baby and Grant needing someone to be stuck to him like glue in the pool. He's definitely more careful/afraid of new things than Erin. She LOVES the pool!!! This year Grant will venture off the steps and "swim" around the shallow end by himself. Erin even took herself for a ride in a float. She'd kick her feet and float around the pool. She will even hold onto my neck while I swim around. (I can get a work out while they play!) It was a successful trip and I plan on many more this summer.

A rare picture of the two of them together

I can't get enough of the ruffles!

Big Boy!

This was Erin's float. She's smiling underneath that hat!

Here she is with the hat off, but the sun is too bright!

Potty Training

See my little guy. He's such a good big brother. He loves his sissy very much and hugs all over her. He also amazes me with all the new things he does daily. He's 2 1/2 now, and while I am trying to wait out potty training him until he is "ready", I am getting a little impatient. I have been told by many people to not to push the issue until he's ready. The problem is he's afraid of the potty. Not just the big potty, but the little potty too! He knows when he needs to go, but prefers his diaper. He won't even sit on the potty fully clothed.

Today, as we got ready to go outside, I decided to put big boy under ware on Grant just to see what would happen. Of course, he resisted it at first, but finally gave in. We did not even make to the swing set before he had wet himself. He realized what he had done right away. So, we went back inside changed into new big boy pants and tried again. He ran around outside for 45 minutes no problems!

When we went inside to have lunch he told me he needed a diaper. I tried to get him to use the potty instead, but it's like trying to give a cat a bath. I wish you could see it. He grabs hold of me with every ounce of his being. There's no forcing him to use the potty. After several minutes of this and lots of tears I gave in and put a diaper on him. He relived himself immediately. Poor guy.

So we will try again. My question is: Has anyone else out there had a child that is afraid of the potty and how did they get over it? Just need some advice.

Lads to Leaders Convention 2009

I have attempted this post a couple of times this morning. The kids have turned the computer off twice while I am trying to post. It's rainy and I think it's driving us all a little crazy!

This weekend we had the privilege of attending the 40th annual Lads to Leaders Convention in Orlando. I have been to 17 of the last 19 conventions only missing because of clinic one year and Erin's birth last year. It was a busy weekend, as usual, made even crazier with two toddlers along for the ride, but we survived.

We arrived late Friday afternoon because Stephen had to go into work for a few hours that morning. (I have decided that this will never happen again!) He had to leave us as soon as we pulled in because he had to go upstairs and judge puppet theater. Luckily, my dad met me downstairs and parked the car for me while I got us checked in.

Friday evening we went to the awards ceremony. It always begins with the Parade of Winners. They play Chariots of Fire and turn the lights down while everyone claps and cheers for the kids. Grant did not like the loud noise and we only lasted 30 minutes before we called it a night. Grant referred to the ballroom as the "loud room" for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday morning I had the chance to go and hear one of my girls give her speech she did a great job. In fact, she won first place this year!!! She has been such a joy to have in class and is such a great example to her peers. I will miss her next year when she moves up to the high school class. Saturday afternoon it was my turn to judge song leading.

We took the kids back down to the swards ceremony Saturday night. (why? I don't know) When we got down there Grant did to want to stay and there weren't any seats for us. We stood in the back for a while and then some of the men got up so that I could sit down with Erin. About thirty minutes into the ceremony we ended up going upstairs and putting the kids to bed.

Grant got his first shiner Saturday afternoon running around with some of the kids from the youth group. He ran straight into the wall!

I went back down to cheer the kids on while Stephen stayed upstairs with the kiddos. This is what I found when I came back to the room after the devo Saturday night. So cute!

Sunday morning the Easter bunny had come to our room. This kids enjoyed their Easter baskets.

This is Erin "smiling" by the way.

Grant all tuckered out on the way home.

Family Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday morning we enjoyed another Easter egg hunt with the cousins on Stephen's side of the family. I really think my kids have this egg hunt thing down now. Here are a few snapshots from our day.

The bunny cake I decorated for the party. I felt a little bad when it was time to slice her up and eat her!

Daddy's girl

Compromise

Isn't this cute? Grant and Dixie have a good time playing together. (Although, he might be trying to convince her to give up the car in the photo.)

Dixie, Grant and Lindsay playing in the tree.

This butterfly landed on Grant and crawled right up his arm. Grant said it tickled!

The girls

I thought this photo turned out neat because I was able to catch his reflection in the bird bath.

County Fair 2009

We went to the county fair last night with our friends Jon and Amy, Tim and Kelly, and their parents. We have a good time, but were worn out when we got home. We started out checking out all the livestock. Then we moved on o the "playground" (as Grant called it) or rides. Grant chickened out on all the rides we put him on except the big slide. He tried to chicken out on that one too, but he loved it once he gave it a try. I am still blaming our trip to Wild Adventures last summer on why he won't ride carnival rides. I hope he outgrows this stage. Erin will show him up next year if he doesn't.

Grant with the baby chicks
Stephen and Grant way up at the top of the big slide

That was fun!!!!!

I just love the swings, but I seem to be the only one that wants to ride them. So, each year comes and goes, and I don't get to ride : (

Getting some luvin' from her daddy

Erin checking out the rides. I believe she would have ridden one is she was only tall enough!

More swings!!!!

Erin rode with her feet propped up most of the night

One more time! Weeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Treasured Heirloom

Yesterday, Erin wore one of my baby dresses to church. This pale blue dress was hand- smocked by my mom for me. It truly is beautiful! I am fortunate to have inherited several beautiful baby dresses that have been hand made by either my mom, grandmother or great-grandmother. I have dabbled in smocking myself, but have yet to complete a project. (Maybe I should start now on a Christmas dress!) Techniques like smocking and hand embroidery are becoming a lost art. I hope to pass these heirlooms down to Erin's little girl one day and she can look back and appreciate the women that came before her.

Here is a closer view of the smocking. It's white smocking on pale blue cotton. Erin looks very pretty in blue. I need to dress her in it more often!

Our Church Easter Egg Hunt

Our church had its pre-school Easter egg hunt today. We had such a great time! We had a great turn out with about twenty kids showing up this year. The weather was nice (a little humid) and the rain held off. The kids played on the playground while we cooked hot dogs. Then they hunted eggs! Grant seemed to get the hang of it quickly. Erin, once she realized there was candy in the eggs, just wanted to open them up. She didn't get as many eggs as Grant, but that is ok. We are having a family egg hunt here next weekend! Here are a few pics from our day.

Erin just sat down and wanted Stephen to open them. I think they were "sharing" the loot in the photo!

This is what happens when Mommy turns her back and trusts that Daddy is handling the situation. What a mess! I probably would of had a heart attack if this had been Grant, but with the second child you just take pictures!