thimbly things

This seems to have become an “On My Desk” blog.  I apologize.  There’s much more going on around here than me arranging stuff on flat surfaces.  But anyway.  On my desk today is a bowl full of various trims and scraps, small yarn balls, embroidery floss, and an unwieldy stack of fabric.  I can’t tell you yet what all this business is for, but I promise to keep you updated.  Lord willing, that is.

In today’s quest to procrastinate from the aforementioned secret project, I fiddled with Flickr’s Picnik tool.  Which I suppose is akin to Photoshop.

Yeah.  This is kinda addictive…  Especially when one has Hundreds of pictures of sweet babies.

Sorry I went missing for so long! I haven’t been on the computer much this week. In fact, I imagine that my RSS feed is up to 700 posts by now. Yikes! I’ll probably just clean the slate and start afresh.

The main reason I have neglected my blog is that I’ve been busy learning what to do with my toddler. She’s changing. And that’s good. But I don’t know how to change with her. Thus, I am learning–reading a lot and trying new tactics.

This week I found a pamphlet entitled Creative Family Times: Practical Activities for Building Character in your Preschooler amongst the books that Ruthanne sent me. Though my parenting style doesn’t match all the suggestions given by the book (it can be a little rigid), it had a great idea about making “mommy & daddy tapes” for your toddler. In fact, Evan and I are trying to figure out how to record audio on our home computer so we can make her a CD.

Here are some of the ideas in the book:

• Bible verses
• Songs
• Alphabet
• Godly character definitions
• Numbers
• Days of the week
• Months of the year
• Child’s name, address, and phone number
• Manners

It even has a sample script. I think it will be fun to gear this toward Emily and her many and varied interests. And I think it will be more constructive than even the best children’s television programs.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and any other ideas you have for keeping toddlers busy, challenged, and on track. Please! :)

Also up for discussion: How do you create “more hours in your day?”

[EDIT: Jacob turned 3 months yesterday!  Happy quarter-birthday to him!]

But you’re all welcome to enjoy.  Emily asks to get in the “rock-king chair” all the time now.   She’s such a sweetie.

Sorry to go away for so long. We’ve been under the weather for a few days. Anyway, I’m glad several of you enjoyed Polyvore. If you join, let me know. I’d love to see your creations!

I’ve been feeling the burden of ‘thank you’ cards. Do you ever feel that burden? I hate to call it that. Indeed, I am grateful for what others do for us. My problem is that when Jacob arrived, I stopped writing those lovely little notes. I wrote several beforehand (which I have yet to distribute), and then it all came to a screeching halt. There’s much irony in the situation. Much. But anyway, I’m confessing to you, Dear Reader, that I am slack and need to get to it. (Here’s something to help. And to remind me that I’m not alone. Thank you, Amanda Soule, you awesome fellow Bloglandian.)

As a ‘thank you’ for visiting–

And here’s a bit more catch-up–

We went to the Riverwalk here in Tulsa a couple Saturdays ago, and Emily had just about the best time ever. As a side note, she’s wearing the dress her Bibi made her. Isn’t it cute? Thanks, Bibi!!!

She played with sticks. She made a friend. She played in the water. She cried when it was over.

Though Emily’s not accustomed to showing affection toward her peers, her new friend taught her a lesson or two. Very cute.

Then we let Emily loose in the fountain. She slowly built up her courage and was eventually running (yikes!) through the geysers of water. Many thanks to our friend Heather for helping with this exciting activity so I could photograph it.

That would be Heather in the cool black & white dress showing Emily how to present her best spirit-fingers to the waterspout.

Here is something I’m pretty sure you’ll love if you’re female and have babies.  And if neither of those things are true of you, you still might enjoy it.  But no guarantee.

We got a package in the mail today.  Yes.  Another.  Because we have so many kind and generous people in our lives.  Evan’s parents are packing up their home and moving, so a few neat items were passed on to us in the process.  Mom D also made Emily a dress, but I have to do a little something to it before it’s finished.  Then I’ll share.

Aren’t these plaques adorable though?  The first one reminds me of Emily and Jacob.  The second reminds me of my niece, D’Lorah.  I never see her, but I imagine she looks something like this.

I found a similar plaque at the QTS a while back.  These two were made by Mom D.  And the potholder was made by her grandmother.  It’s destined to go on the wall too.  But I might frame it first.  Hmm.

Welcome to our home, sweet little sentimental things.

(The “Sugar” and “Coffee” needlepoints were thrifted from the Salvation Army a few months ago.  I just never got around to sharing.)

Yesterday was Jacob’s 2 month birthday.   This is the best picture I could get of him almost-smiling.  He can roll from his tummy to his back and can turn 180 degrees in his bassinet.  And I think he sees us all pretty well now.  We love him.

We had a cookout in the park with friends, went to the zoo, had a chocolate cream pie milkshake from Sonic, and ate at Daddy’s favorite local restaurant.  We also got all caught up on Battlestar Galactica.  What wonderful things did you guys do to celebrate your daddies?

To all the daddies in our life!  We love you all.

Grama Debbie sent a package to Emily and Jacob this week.

Now they have new summer wardrobes.

Thanks, Grama Debbie and Grampa Scott!

I’ve had more sewing adventures that I’m eager to share, and we’ve had plumbing problems that I’d rather not talk about (blah).  Anyway, I will try to update more this weekend and stop being such a slacker!

I’ve had to simplify life while Evan is away, and that’s why I haven’t been able to update much.  Really, it’s because I’ve got my hands full with these babies.

Emily has been a constant source of entertainment, singing on the phone for Grama Debbie and Grampa Scott and saying, “Ponies!  I love you!” during Mansfield Park (which seems to be scorned by many of the reviewers on Amazon.  I’ve never read the novel, but I enjoyed watching this adaptation.) and begging a stranger for a banana in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.   And Jacob has been smiling more than ever, which is just great.

So I haven’t had time to craft since I’m squeezing Wii Fit in every chance I get.  I love love love this new contraption.  I love unlocking new exercises.  I love checking my BMI.  I love seeing improvement on my balance.  Wii Fit is just about the most genius way you can spend $90.