New Bikes!

Want to see two happy girls? Get them new bikes. "Big girl" bikes, with Barbie things, and streamers and glitter and a bell and a basket or a backpack and a little bike that can hold a Barbie doll on it and attach to the handle bars or come off for some fun inside too. Want to see how happy they are?

Big smiles. :) And as I tucked them into bed tonight, I told our little Peanut how much of a big girl she is with her new bike and she said "I love my bike" with a big smile. As I tucked Goosie in, she said "Thank you for my new bike" with a big hug. Made me so happy to see them so happy.

The downside? Poor Goosie has "growing pains" frequently. I always thought it was just a saying, but she feels it. Wakes her up. And it just did, as I was typing here. Both feet are hurting her from all that bike riding. Her seat is lower than it needs to be for the pedals but just right for her to reach the ground-she's at an in-between stage. She never ends up sore in the mornings either, which is good, but right now she's not so happy. :( Poor baby. But, thankfully, as I said, tomorrow it will barely be a memory.

So, I'll leave you with one more great shot. I love this one...

A Little Organizing!

I wanted to organize my cupboards a little. I have a corner cupboard that is so deep, I can't see how many bags of marshmallows I have...(three!). Or nuts...(four!). Or Fig Newtons...(two!) So I decided to put it all in the pantry. This meant several appliances, devices, books, and occasional dishes had to be moved.

So, here's the pantry before:

Take note especially of the top shelf and bottom two. Here's the after shot:


Then there are the two cupboards that I cleared out to add to the pantry. Here's the before shot:


And after:

Now, I know the pantry looks incredibly messy still, but I can reach in there and get what I need, can see it all--even those stacked cans--I have garbanzo beans on the bottom of 2 stacks and then one on top, then black beans on the bottom of others, and one on top. All other different kinds of veggies/beans are in the front, all easily seen. We'll be able to eat from the pantry before buying more. (And, the Fig Newtons? Yeah, both were beyond their time. Of course they sounded good today.)

But here's the cool part. See that corner cupboard? I removed the center shelf to get those tall things in there--that's a Kitchen-Aid mixer, a popcorn popper and a toaster oven. All on that shelf. Where were those before you ask? On my counter! (Well, the popcorn popper was a new acquisition this weekend.)

So now, not only can I see all the food we don't need to buy more of, I don't have to see all the appliances we don't use daily. Hooray!!

Where am I? What season is it?

This was a scene in my neighborhood yesterday:

How very fall-like.

Today? It's currently 89 degrees (F) and feels like 96 degrees, and is windy but 57% humidity (but feels worse if you ask me). You can't breathe out there and the wind just pushes the wall of humidity in your face more. It's weird! The good news is that it's supposed to thunderstorm again here tonight. Last night there was weird heat lightening going on-lots of it. Ah, Michigan, you are such a weather tease.

I tried fall/winter clothes on the girls today. My little Goosie, who is 4 1/2, has some size 4 pants that don't fit anymore, and some that are too big. But she only has 5 pair to wear or grow into. Shirts? Enough to start the season in, but none to end it in (or wear in between!)

Peanut, who will be 3 in September, has some size 2 pants that she can wear still (overalls and leggings) that she can start the season in, tons of size 3 pants and shirts from big sister, but the pants are all too big, especially in the waist. :/ Should be an interesting season for her!

Projects

The girls love a project. "Let's do a project mom!" So, about a week ago, I said it to them first-"Let's do a project!" They were more than ready for one. This idea came from a group on Ravelry called "Little House on the Prairie". We are reading the series and doing projects from within the chapters. (We're ahead on the reading, but don't tell anyone!)

I took a pillowcase and cut it into 2 pieces. Then we ventured outside and picked some flowers. Armed with wooden blocks, you place flower petals under the pillow case (over newspaper or magazines) and pound away. We had some trouble with the blocks, so the girls tried rocks-perfect! Pounding away any stress, frustration, or extra energy, we pulverized the pretty flower petals (and stems, leaves-even chives!) and made these great prints! I will heat set them in the dryer and frame them. I have the perfect spot to hang these, and the girls were so proud. (Although I think I needed to do the pounding more than they did!)

Catching Up

Well helloooo!! I know, it's been forever. I said I'd do better. I haven't. But it's nice out and we're busy and .... I know, you don't care. :) But I've got something to write about and a few minutes to do it, so here it goes.

Memorial Day weekend we bought some new furniture. We didn't like the pillows on the floor models, so we had to order the furniture and they said it would take 6-8 weeks. But times are tough and slow, right? Surely it wouldn't take that long.

At the beginning of week 8, I called, just to check in. "They must have just arrived this weekend! They're still on the truck." Cool. Can I have them please? "Sure, on Thursday." (But it's Monday!) So I called and had my old, worn, cream leather couch, chair and ottoman picked up for charity on Tuesday. Then the new furniture was delivered on that following Thursday, 2 days shy of the full 8 weeks.

(no, not last Thursday, this was a couple weeks ago now. I just haven't blogged...as you well know ;) )

We're completely thrilled and love the furniture. It's all a bit greener than these pictures show, and the carpet is darker too. But those walls--yeah, it's time to paint those bare whitish walls. I love how new furniture can point that out so well for you.

The chair on the orange wall was supposed to be Derek's and mine was in the corner. However, they were supposed to be switched--his in the corner, mine on the orange wall. My chair, however, has a beautiful arched back that left the top of the chair back against the wall with the back legs a foot away from the wall--too far out for that spot. So I put it in the corner...where Derek promptly claimed my chair!! I'm not happy about this.

Also? I planned on moving to "my" chair for knitting rather than the far side of the couch, where I used to knit. But now I can't see as well because the lamp just doesn't go over there. So I'm back to the couch...and that poor lonely chair on the orange wall sees very little love. But I did knit on it while the girls napped today. :) That can be my daytime knitting/spinning chair!

Anyway, we love the furniture. Sturdy, cushy, oh, and those back cushions on the couch? The ones that I fretted over while shopping because I was afraid they would sag and get all slouchy and ratty looking? They have zippers along the bottom so I can reach up there and re-fluff as needed, re-fill if ever needed! How great is that? But for now, they are nice and firm and I don't have to be concerned. Love!

My Notta Birthday

Today, as I was in the shower, my girls came in and said "Mom, when you're done, can you make my bed and your bed?"

"Umm, sure..."

Peanut said, "Mine too?"

"Sure...why?"

"'Cause we have a surprise for you."

"Ok, tell me when I can come down!"

So I went down and found this:

The Partygoers and decorations:

My gifts:

The Party Planners:

It's not my birthday at all, but I think we'll have ice cream after dinner tonight, just for fun. :) And yes, that's B.O.B. from "Monsters vs. Aliens" in a knit cape. You don't have one of those? We love to line up the "guys" around here and organize them. There are certain families that have to go together according to Goosie, and she gets pretty bent out of shape if Peanut doesn't follow the orders.

I love my surprise.

Making Butter

Yeesh, it's been forever. No excuses, but thought I'd share here that this summer we are reading the Little House on the Prairie book series and doing crafts/projects as we go. Today we made butter. :)