Phoebe is SEVEN

Today Phoebe turned 7 years old. I kind of can't believe it, in that OMG-I'm-getting-so-old-it-seems-like-she-was-just-born-yesterday kind of way.

I wanted to do a slideshow for Phoebe like I did for Charlie and Belle, but truthfully I just ran out of time. Poor Phoebe has had to put with up boxes and tape and a yardsale and getting rid of massive amounts of toys and junk in lieu of a birthday party. And I'm sort of unsympathetic, so be sure to shed a tear or two for this underprivileged child, wouldja?

Actually, she was pretty great, and took it all in stride. She got her precious damn rollerskates that she's been asking for (since January, for realsies) so she was completely satisfied. Also, the annual Woodchopper's festival was this weekend, and I sort of had her convinced when we took her to the fair that Bryan and I orchestrated the entire setup for her. I know, I'm a dirty, dirty liar.

The cool thing was that there were fireworks this evening to end the festival, so although she didn't get a party, she did end her evening with a bang. Get it?

Bryan and I explained to her that next year will be different. We won't be in the middle of a move, and we'll be in a much bigger city with many more things to do for her birthday. She immediately decided she wanted a gymnastics party. Depending on how I feel, I might prefer to move again instead.

So, this concludes the ridiculous birthday and holiday bonanza that is the month of May in our household. Instead of taking a nice long nap, we have to get ready for the movers. They'll be here in 10 days. *gulp*

KCWC: Day 6

Alternately titled: Today is my birthday!

We didn’t really have any big plans which was honestly fine with me, but I did get some birthday money that was burning a hole in my pocket (thanks dad!) so Bryan suggested we head out to Beckley to spend it.  Because:

A) He knows there’s a JoAnn fabrics there
B) JoAnn fabrics was having a sale
C) There’s a Starbucks in Beckley
D) All of the above are some of my favorite things

Isn’t he the bestest?

Instead of sewing for today’s challenge I bought a ton of fabric instead.  My fabric-shopping choices out here are pretty limited, so while going to JoAnn’s might seem boring to most people, it’s a huge deal for me.  Most of my cute fabric has to be purchased online, which is hazardous.  You can’t tell how thick a knit is by a picture on your monitor, or how bright or muted colors may be.  It’s a crapshoot.  It’s nice to actually pick up a bolt and feel the fabric and see how big the pattern repeat is.  You know?

I will admit that even though they were having a sale, I did get a little crazy up in there.  I couldn’t help it.  My husband not only waited patiently, he actually encouraged the craziness.  This is one of the (many) reasons why I love him so.

In case you’re wondering (and I’m telling you anyway), the materials are (from bottom to top):

1. Grey suiting destined to be a seashore dress for Phoebe
2. 5.8 oz denim destined to be more puppet show shorts for the middles
3. 6 oz denim destined to be class picnic shorts for the middles
4 & 5. sky blue cotton with a floral pattern & yellow broadcloth (will probably go together to be a kimono dress for Thea)
6 & 7. white cotton with a green, yellow, and navy diamond pattern and navy broadcloth (will probably go together to be another kimono dress for Thea)
8. a really fun pink patterned cotton destined to be a class picnic blouse for Charlie
9. navy patterned cotton destined to be a seashore dress for Charlie
10. a purple patterned cotton destined to be a class picnic blouse for Phoebe
11. some yellow striped glitter knit that will be as many Tees for Two as I can squeeze out of it

Whew.

I may or may not stick with that list, depending on how my mood strikes me, but I bought yardage according to those projects so I would at least have a plan.  Otherwise, I could’ve been in there for hours.

I also got a 45mm Olfa rotary cutter and extra blade, one white spool of serger thread (I have 3 in my machine right now, and the fourth spool is pink. ha!), black cotton thread, and 4 different colors of piping.  Can you believe I can’t buy piping locally?  INSANE.  My husband also picked out a self-healing cutting mat to go with my rotary cutter.

Non-sewing related birthday goodness: coconut mocha frappuccinos (soooo good), burgers from Sonic, and a cute little cardigan that was priced at $19.99 and rang up for $4.  It was a damn. fine. day.

Mother's day

Instead of flowers, the husband bought stick-on mustaches for the girls.  He knows me so well.

Belle didn’t get the memo, and got moles instead.  Cheater.

I think this one is my favorite.  I love how Thea’s ‘stache makes her angry face more… angry.

I hope all you mothers out there had a fabulous day filled with love and laughter and stick-on ‘staches. 

Jetsetters!

OMG.  This trip to NYC was much busier and hectic than the last trip.  I had meetings for 2 days, then went in to the office for another day, then the husband and I lugged the baby, all her crap, and a CAR SEAT on the subway and train to NJ to look at apartments.  Then we had one day of messing around and shopping before we came home.

The trip was really productive, although nightmarish at points.  There was an episode where we got on the subway with the baby, the diaper bag, the stroller, and the CAR SEAT.  We went the wrong direction.  We got off the subway and stood outside trying to get our bearings, while the husband headed over to a Starbucks to get me a coffee.  While he was gone, I got caught in a downpour. LIKE. THAT.

But, I’m glad we were able to get as much done as we did, and still squeeze in a little bit of fun.  We stayed at The James on Grand — truly a beautiful hotel.  The staff was amazing, especially the guys that worked the door — I think they became BFFs with Bryan. 

We met up one night for a group dinner with some of the fantastic people I get to work with everyday but rarely get a chance to see in person.  We had a pretty big meetup, and it was a total blast.  The food was delicious.  Really good times, and Thea actually slept through most of it.  So adorable, no?

Our trip to NJ was surprising — the area looked *nothing* like I had envisioned.  We drove around the Westfield and Summit areas, and settled on a place pretty quickly.  I’m hopeful that the rental process will be straightforward and we’ll get the place and it will be a piece of cake and the kids will love it and we’ll move in without a hassle and the kids will make a majillion friends and we’ll love it and…. you know.  All that stuff.

I’m getting excited about the move and living near and working in such an insane city.  Oh, the possibilities!  I want to get going on all the packing and yard-selling as soon as possible, so I hope we’re able to figure out this apartment thing but quick.  I’m antsy to get this show on the road — the sooner the better.

 

Charlie's birthday slideshow EXTRAVAGANZA!

I don’t know if it’s really an “extravaganza” per se, but whatever.  It makes the title So! Exciting!  I wanted to have this posted yesterday on her actual birthday, but Vimeo was being an asshat.  So it’s a day late, but you’ll forgive me when you see the cuteness inside.  I cannot believe she’s five.  Five!  She had her first birthday the year we moved out here, and that is just so bizarre to me.

Also? If it doesn’t make you tear up a little then you are a cold, heartless robot.  (Like me.)