I'm going to really try and get back into the "crafty" swing of things over here. I have so many projects just sitting and waiting for when I have a creative burst of energy...at some point.

Halloween is approaching quickly and we are having a "Not Too Scary Toddler Halloween Party" at our house on Halloween day. Not too long after that, it's Owen's birthday, then Christmas!

I should have plenty of time to accomplish what I want to accomplish in that time. Lately, I've just been zapped of any energy by two little rugrats who demand some quality time!

Wow! It has been a l-o-n-g time! I know it's been a while if my mom tells me it's time to update my blog and she's not too computer savvy!


Jack's first birthday was a success! We rented an indoor bounce facility and had a private party there. I was afraid if we didn't make his party private we'd have to worry about big kids we didn't know stomping all over the little ones. Not that it's okay for big kids we DO know to stomp all over them...but you get what I'm saying.

I'll have to post pictures of his cake when I finally edit them. I didn't make it this year. I figured I could pay someone and it wouldn't be as stressful. I was right! I did order Mickey Mouse decorated sugar cookies off the Internet for the treat bags and I decorated the bags with colored Mickey shapes. I just used an oversized Mickey paper punch for that and glued those on. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the treat bags. It was a hectic day!


Owen is attending MDO at church on Tuesdays. He is quite the talker and the boy loves to sing. He really cracks me up with some of the stuff he comes up with.

The moms group I organize is really consuming my time, as well. This weekend we are all going to a beach house for a Mom's Slumber Party. I can't wait!

La la la La
I'd like to be one of those moms who never turn on the television. One of those moms with an endless stream of creativity and knack for finding ways to entertain a toddler with a two minute attention span. Unfortunately that just isn't so. Despite all my promises to the contrary before both of these children came into this world.

I'm beginning to believe that only people WITH children should actually be able to mutter the words, "When I have a child, I'm not going to _____."(fill in blank) Because buddy, let me tell you, I am eating every word.

This brings us to this post. We're having an Elmo party. Because my child can spot "Melmo" from a mile away even on a cloudy day. He's also a lover of the Wiggles, Doodlebops (bop-bops), and Dora. So, as a responsible mother, how could I resist? Yes, I'm buying into the hype. No, I don't feel guilty about it one bit.

I'm planning on making the treat bags, complete with Elmo patches on the front. More of that a little later. However, I will not be making the cake this year. There's just something about all that red icing that just creeps me out. Plus, no matter what they say, I don't think all that red dye #34352353 is good for you. So, Baskin Robbins has graciously offered to make a cake if I'll put the figurines on the top. Apparently, they aren't licensed to deal with Elmo. Really, who is?

The boy and his train





The absolute best investment...EVER!

So I've decided to put my foot down (upon my sewing machine foot pedal, that is). It is so hard to find the time to do something creative here at home. When I'm not playing with the boys, I feel guilty carving time out for me. I think of a thousand other things I could/should be doing like laundry, emptying the dishwasher, unpacking some boxes still in the dining room, etc.

So...I signed up for two classes at my local sewing store. Basic Sewing 1 is four weeks long, every Tuesday night. I'm also taking one other class, Machine Embroidery, for three hours next week. It will be so nice to have some uninterrupted crafting time, no distractions, no guilt!