Projects

A couple of weeks ago I started some new projects. I had been thinking about making the girls some new pettiskirts, possibly for Caitlyn's birthday, and decided to do them in the colors for Brandon's brother's wedding. I know what you are thinking. The last time I talked about pettiskirts it wasn't the most upbeat experience. I have two words: nylon chiffon. I found some online and it was so much easier to work with. And I was able to do all of it at home without my mom's serger. Of course sewing only at night and nap time it took me a little longer, plus I took some time off for a certification credit class. So this is what I started with. Green satin for the waistbands, purple chiffon for the body of the skirt and white chiffon for the ruffle at the bottom. One waistband has a white ribbon, the other purple because there wasn't much difference in the length of the skirt.

I finished Caitlyn's first, and it only took me a week from when I got the chiffon in the mail. She was very excited about her skirt but a little bummed that she can't wear it just yet.

Britton's skirt took me a little longer, other things to finish, but I did manage to get my gathering foot to gather tighter on hers so it is a little fuller than Caitlyn's. When I started this project for the girls William said that he wanted me to sew something for him. So I got some material for a shirt, which I haven't started yet, and then I started thinking about the skirts and figured that I might have enough of the green satin left over to make a vest for the wedding so the kids would match. So I got some black broadcloth for the back of the vest, and convinced Mom to help me out.

Here is the finished project. I know he doesn't look incredibly excited but that is because I interrupted his playing to have him model it for me. While I was putting it together he kept telling me how nice it was looking and what a good job I was doing. My kids make the best cheerleaders. Now my big projects are done, just the shirt left.

Now I Know

Caitlyn is so funny. I just have to share. She is the biggest thumb sucker. She has been since she was about three months old. She has never had a favorite. She likes the left one as much as the right. I remember once when she was almost ten months old we were trying to get a picture of her without her thumb in her mouth so my mom pulled one thumb out but before we could get the picture she stuck the other one in. Mom was pulling her thumbs out for about five minutes, and it was hilarious to watch. Brandon asked Caitlyn the other day how long she was going to such her thumbs and she told him "Foreber", in case you were wondering she substitutes a b for v lately. When he asked her if she would still suck her thumb when she was five like William she told him no. When he asked if she would suck her thumb when she was three she said yes. So we aren't sure how long forever is. But she did tell Brandon why she sucks her thumb. According to Caitlyn, one thumb tastes like strawberries and the other thumb tastes like blueberries. If they tasted like grass or dirt then she wouldn't suck on them. Now we know.

9 Months

Britton is 9 months old. Time is flying by. I have to tell you that I love the 9 month well check, because there are no scheduled shots. That said, Britton did get the first of her flu shots so there was a little trauma. She is 29 inches tall and 19 lbs 8 oz. Compared to the other kids, she is 1/2 an inch shorter than William was and 5 oz lighter. She is 1/2 an inch taller than Caitlyn was and 13 oz heavier. So she is no longer the lightest. She is happy for the most part. She likes to play Peekaboo, clap and laugh. Sometimes she laughs so hard she squishes her whole face and snorts through her nose.

Britton is on the move. She finally started crawling around the second week in August. When she first started crawling she got inside this toy and freaked out because she couldn't get out of it. I wish I had taken a picture then cause it was really funny but this is later when she could get out all by herself.

Britton new trick is to use things to stand up. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it is semi stable. She can't do anything once she is up but she likes to be on her feet. This means that Caitlyn's hair is no longer out of reach when she is in bed. Now Britton stands up at the head of the bed and pulls her hair while I read to the kids.

It's official, Britton is tall enough to play the piano. She discovered that she could pull herself up by the bench and reach the day that we went to the doctor's. Now it is her favorite thing to do. I don't know why my kids are tall, I know I'm not, but I still say keep them short as long as you can. But it won't be long now till she is one. Crazy!

Kindergarten Rocks!

William has been so excited for Kindergarten. All last year he wanted to know why he wasn't going to school and he was so excited to sign up this spring. He told me on his birthday that the best part was that school was starting right after his birthday. This is on the first day. The first day was just an hour where they introduced the teachers, showed the parents where to drop the kids off, where to pick them up and then it was home again. Caitlyn really wanted to be in this picture, she had fun on the tour but wanted to stay and play on the playground.

This is the second day, the day William was looking forward to because we weren't going with him. He is in the afternoon class, which is good because that means more time in the morning with Brandon, but we have to eat lunch really early and since this was the first day with that schedule we were running a little late and we were watching kids for a friend who went back to school so I didn't get to drop him off. Brandon and Caitlyn got to walk with him and they got there just in time for him to walk in with his class. Brandon had to carry Caitlyn home, she was crying because she was sad William waved goodbye and went into the school without her. After she cheered up she kept asking when we were going to pick William up.

William gets out of school in the middle of nap time. So I'm trying to get Britton on a little different schedule and this was how well it worked the first day. I could tell she was starting to get tired, so I was trying not to cuddle her cause I knew that would put her to sleep but she just keeled over on the floor.

William said that he had a great first day. I think the hardest part for him will be following directions. He was excited that there are some kids in his class from Primary. Caitlyn is having a harder time with the transition, but now she is just sad that when we drop him off we don't stay and play on the slides and swings. but she is still excited to go get him every day. The second day we picked him up she ran and gave him the biggest hug. And when I ran to the library after lunch, before picking up William, she told me to wait for her and then asked if I was going to get William. When I told her no she was suddenly unconcerned with me waiting for her. I hope she makes it through the school year. Next year should be really fun.