Babbling

From Craftzine

• I Can Art - art kits in a can for kids, developed by artists
• I posted this before, but I love these wool felt log kits
  

Overheard from a coworker conversation: "Imagine trying to stay remotely cool in junior high when your grandmom is the lunch lady (dentures, hairnet and all)"

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T was invited to a couple of birthday parties recently. He has a great time at parties so if we aren't doing anything in particular we always go. However, it feels at times that we are spending a lot on birthday gifts. Especially since T hasn't received any in return, not having had parties with kids the last two years. Maybe it is just my inner miser coming out.

Anyway Saturday was a party for his classmate Jake (4) and Jake's 13 month younger brother Luke(ie). Three weeks ago T and I went to the bookstore to get a gift for Jake and one for Zora, whose birthday party was right after Thanksgiving. Feeling miserly I decided that we didn't need to get Luke a gift since Luke would probably have friends from his class at the party. We spent $16 on a really fun book called Harry and Horsie. Of course after leaving the bookstore I felt guilty and kept questioning my reasoning of not getting something for Luke. I posted to my mom's group about birthday etiquette and everyone thought in my shoes they'd get something for both boys.

This past January we went to parties for two of T's classmates where I bought books and made a little puppets to go along with the book (here is the Grumpy Bird). So I decided if I ended up with the time I'd make puppets for the boys to go along with the book. Saturday morning T and I got busy. Or, I got busy and T helped for the first 20 minutes or so, then went on to play other things. At first he was quite upset that the rocket I made didn't match his vision of a sleeker looking vehicle, but later, while I worked on Horsie, he rocketed it around the house. I decided then these might work out as gifts. Although there are 'issues' on both puppets I am happy with how they came out.

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As mentioned the book is a lot of fun. The story is sweet, the illustration fantastic - like old comics. I posted photos of the puppets to my mom's group and one mom replied this is a favorite book of her three year old. I think if I got it for T it would become a favorite of his as well. He enjoyed the story in the bookstore as well as when I pulled it out to make the puppets. Very cool about it, proceeds help other children through the child developed Free The Children.

Photos will come later, but T had a blast at the party. It was at a toddler 'gym' that had trampolines and a ball pool. T LOVED the ball pool.

This year we picked a little boy named Iziah from the angle tree at the church. His card said he is 2 and asked for puzzles, shape sorters, and picture books appropriate for his age. This is what T and I picked out.

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'Just' came back from a craft show (must go back tomorrow as I didn't make it through all and it is worth it to try). Very interesting but I was greeted differently by the folks showing than I sometimes am. Pretty sure it was my outfit. A comment from one of the food purveyors sealed the thought, "I like what you are wearing; very great colors, I mean I like how you put that together."

I saw this outfit yesterday on Amanda's SoulaMama blog and it inspired me this morning (which also reminds me of this outfit from Betz White that I love - I want I want Frye boots! And this skirt that I have been thinking about). I finally took scissors to my 2004 ON orange wool sweater I accidentally shrank last year, stuck it back together with my dahlia pin from Oregon, pulled out tights from high school (yes, I have one pair from high school - quite amazing!!), added the $11 Old Navy t-shirt skirt I got this summer (with slip from 1994), Ann Taylor boots from 2004, and topped it with the suede jacket from Italy (circa 1997), and frayed rayon scarf I made in 2004 to create this outfit:

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Was it the last piece of pumpkin pie? The home whipped cream? The dressing eaten at lunch? Was it a virus?

Whatever it was it laid me low Wednesday. Vomiting and diarrhea at 3:15 am or so (after rocking Tommy from 1:30 - 2 when he woke from a nightmare), then again at 6:15. I called in sick, got T dressed, then slept on and off until 11:15 when I got a call from work. I did a few things for work, then crashed in bed again - my hands fell asleep very strangely while typing an email so that I could barely type. By 3:30 I got up and lounged on the coach. First food at 9:30 at night still turned my stomach.

Today has been better. No vomiting, no diarrhea, though my stomach has been noisy. One piece toast w/ peanut butter, two crunchy granola bars, three pita points, two cups ginger tea, one cup decaf coffee with milk and honey, some water. I'm cruising for a dehydration headache...

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I lost at least four pounds - that's one way to lose without dieting and exercise!

From Cool Mom Picks

• Three child craft friendly advent calendar instrucitons from Kids Kraft Weekly, and advent calendar filling ideas from Jorden Ferney
  

• From Julie K, How to make kids pants adjustable waist pants
• Simple Vanilla Syrup, just right for gifting to flavored coffee lovers
• Irish Creme Liquor recipe from Skip To My Lou
• Blanket stitch tutorial on Future Girl
• Do with kids wreath ideas at Alpha Mom
• Chalkboard placemat tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets - only issue is that the chalkboard material off gases such that it is not recommended for kids under age 12! Uhg.
  
• Resin Rings tutorial from Such Sweet Tierney
• Toddler backpack tutorial at Blueprints
• The Nook posted a yummy looking biscotti recipe - orange cranberry pistachio
• Mommy Blessings posted a fairy wing tutorial and links to two more.
• Silly mustache tutorial at 5 Orange Potatoes
• Check out the series of felt food tutorials at American Craft and Felt
• Pinecone shaped pom-poms tutorial on Resurrection Fern
  

"Mommy, panthers crawl," T said dryly and in explanation as he looked back at me in the dining room. He was on his hands and knees; I was trying to be mommy panther on her hind legs. It didn't go over.

T woke up twice last night demanding milk. He was almost quite desperate for it and water. I asked if he was having bad dreams, but he didn't respond. The second time he woke he said, "I want you to get in bed with me." So I did, except the little guy was in the middle and there isn't room for me to squeeze in too if he is in the middle. He said, "This isn't very comfortable." "You'll need to move over a bit for me to fit in," I said. He tossed around a bunch throwing a leg over me, then half is body over my legs. Eventually he said quietly but forcefully, "Get out." So I left, only to have him call again, and to the point of panicing a little while later. He ended up in our bed and slept until 7 am.