What's a Quarter of a Century Where Excitement is Concerned?

My husband and I just got word last Friday that H had the opportunity to attend kindergarten at a school that is at a nearby university. The program is excellent with national accreditation and not easy to get into without being a professor at the university or having attended yourself (yes, it's been in existence a long time). So after talking to the folks we know who have had children attend and going for a visit ourselves, we decided to enroll H. It's farther from home than the school he was going to attend and is more expensive, but we feel like it will be worth it and our younger children would have the opportunity to attend there in the future (there are programs for 3, 4, and 5 year olds).

We go later in the week for orientation where H will see his classroom and meet his teacher (he didn't go with us for the visit).

With all that said, we (C and I) are so excited! You'd think we were confident kindergarteners-to-be! Maybe because we saw the classroom and observed (from the observation room, yes they have one) or just because we really feel this is the right decision, but we are looking forward to orientation! I was feeling kind of silly and so told C "I know it's funny, but I'm excited about kindergarten." Imagine how tickled I was to hear him say, "I know, I am too!"

So whether you're five or thirty something, it seems learning is exciting!

Ain't Disbehavin'

That's an H on that green sticky note. After I made H's birthday cake and he and C frosted it and the cake cover went on, he brought the sticky note over and put it on top. (If you can't tell it has an H written on it). You know, in case we were confused about whose birthday cake it really was, or Mommy or Daddy got any ideas about a sweet snack during the night ;) He gets it honest, I am very -um- particular about my stuff. In my defense, I had some bad lending experiences in the past (way past, like third grade) that really made me guard my possessions.

I try to type into my iPhone all the funny comments H makes, so I thought I'd share a couple:

One evening before we left to go out to dinner, he was not behaving well at. all. When I asked something like "what is wrong, why are you so upset, are you going to act like this at the restaurant?" he replied, "That's why I'm acting like this because I wanted to disbehave in the restaurant." The ironic thing is, I really think he meant he wanted to BEhave at the restaurant. Ahh, sometimes it's hard to keep a straight face as the parent.

In early December '09, we were reading our nightly Bible story. After reading Jonah and the Whale, he asked how the whale knew to spit Jonah out. I said, "God told him to." H's reply: "I didn't know whales spoke God."

He's just too smart (in more ways than one). A cutie too! I do love that kid!

Side note: Fourteen (14) One Four. That is the number of gray hairs C pulled out of my head last night. He'd fallen down on the job since the whole hospital/ER fiasco that was our Christmas and New Year. Yes, I do have him pluck them out (I laugh in the face of that old wives tale about 'for every one you pull two take its place'). Let's hope that this surge in graying was a result of all the trauma from said fiasco and not a recurring event. I hope to have some pictures of some sewing and knitting and even crocheting up soon. Must get my IT guy on those pictures ASAP.

Thankful for Two

Today, when I think of the many things I am thankful for, one that is at the top of the list is for my two boys. I am thankful for them both individually, of course, but today, when I saw W share his Doc car with H without my prodding, I thought: I'm so glad to have two. I went to the kitchen where we were frantically cutting, cooking and googling how many TBS in 1/3 of a cup, to tell C, "I'm so glad we have two. Two to grow up together and learn from one another." One for each of my arms to wrap around to pull into a mommy-special group hug. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Blessings to you and your loved ones.

It's a Beautiful Morning

Actually, it's rainy, but I sometimes really enjoy a dark, rainy morning. It makes staying inside and sewing completely guilt-free. After dropping H off at school this morning, W and I came home to enjoy a snack that included hot chocolate for me, yum. Then I checked out a few of my favorite blogs and discovered that I have won something from A Lil Welsh Rarebit, woohoo! Sorry to have been missing around here for a bit. I've been sewing a pretty goodly amount (for me). Pictures to come of my projects soon. I was hoping to take some today, but the weather may push it back a day or two. I am also trying to adjust to our new schedule now that preschool is back in session. W is going a couple of mornings, so I have some time all to myself. But instead of feeling like I have more time, I try to squeeze all of my errands, grocery shopping and the like into that time which makes me feel busier. (If that makes sense at all). H is really learning a lot already. A few weekends ago he wrote the numbers 1 through 12 out on the dry erase easel, um, wow! Then, we talked about The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. C and I are so excited to see and hear all that he is learning. W loves music time at school. He's a little dancer (he gets it honest, I boogie around the house often). And, W is now sleeping in his big boy bed! No more crib. Oh, and I've been reading too. Maybe I can do a book review of one that I absolutely loved. All of my reading has been for book clubs, promise.

This past weekend Mel and family came for a visit. I was so excited to see them. I got to hold that little sweet girl of hers, and she is a darling, let me tell you. The boys entertained us all what with all the running through the living room and loud voices. Of course, I also got to show Mel some of my latest sewing projects and fabric purchases. We also continued work on the boys' swing set this weekend. My mom came over to help watch the boys, so I could help C with the swing set. We made some good progress, and H really stayed out with us most of the time. He is really, really into space shuttles right now. He watches clips on you tube as long as we let him. So, he sat in the "fort" part of the tree house and pretended it was a space shuttle while I did the countdown and acted as Mission Control. It was so fun for me too! I love to see his imagination in action! I always hoped I would be able to play with my children and enjoy it, but I sometimes feel so busy. It was great to play. I sometimes forget how fun it is to pretend. Let's hope I always remember!

Bumper Crop

We harvested our first two squash a few weeks ago, and both boys were quite excited, sure to point them out to Daddy when he arrived home the evening of the day we picked them. It's fun to see their interest in our tiny garden. They help me water the plants and like to walk over to "take a look" at them. C fried those squash up recently (using an egg from our neighborhood for the egg-wash before flouring). They were yummy.Plants aren't the only thing growing around our home. Looks like my oldest is going to need some new pajama pants come fall.




















These are some berries and berry stems off a few of our trees. On the first day he began picking them, H explained that he's making a few collections for me because I am special. Then a few days later, he was gathering some more and said, "You're our mom and Dad's wife, so you are special." Now, hearing words like that is, indeed, a bumper crop.

What to Make, What to Make

Aahhh, and this is just how they were stacked in the package. The colors flowing into one another (well, except for maybe that bottom, Denyse Schmidt, one). That thing in the background? It's a fabric catalog. Yes, you read that right, a fabric catalog. Who knew these existed? It's like a book of dreams. When the catalog came out from between the layers of fabric, I exclaimed, "Look at this! Do you know what this is?" H said, with matching excitement I might add, "A fabric magazine!" That's my boy!

I'll blame this fabric purchase on two blogs: mmmcrafts and her co-conspirator ViolaAndPearl. That's where I read about the sale, and so I went to just look. I resisted for a whole day, but then I was left in the house with only W. He was happily playing...I was happily shopping. I did at least wait for C to tell me I wasn't going to break the bank with one more fabric purchase before actually hitting the Buy Now button. However, I have a terrible non-use problem going on here. I love buying the fabric, but making something with it? Ehh, not so much. I completely planned to tackle Weekend Sewing's Yard Sale Wrap Skirt, but when I look at pictures of this skirt that others have made (via Flickr), they don't look so great. I mean, they are not very flattering. It's not just that they emphasize one's waist, the length doesn't look right. So, what to make? I am thinking the Weekend Sewing Trapeze Sundress. We'll see...

We are NOT Getting Wild and Crazy

You know how sometimes you say something, and when you hear it coming out of your mouth, you think, that's not sounding exactly like what I meant to say? That happened to me the other night. Now, as you know, if you've visited here much, I am an avid fiction reader. In fact, I like to read so much that I have actually cut myself off for now, so that I can accomplish things (but that's another post). Now, my husband, C, is not a fiction reader. Give him a photography book or even an instruction manual, and he will read it like he enjoys it, but fiction? *sigh* No can do.

So the other night I was getting the boys ready for bed. C had just left H's room (to go look for Lightening McQueen again). The boys were on H's bed and starting to get a little rowdy, and I said, "We are NOT getting wild and crazy, we are going to READ BOOKS!" I hear a little laughter from the other room, and then C calls, "Can I get that on tape?" Followed by more snickering. I'm afraid I will not live that comment down. I think he may have said, "What? You're not a wild and crazy bookworm?" As soon as I said it, I knew it would not be the last time I heard it repeated back to me.

So, we may not be getting wild and crazy, but I will be trying out a recipe for Lemon Poppy Seed Bread tomorrow and Mel and family may be visiting tomorrow and bringing some dinner which means I get to see the sweet little baby girl! Let's hope the recipe turns out well, and maybe we'll have some dessert=)

Oh, and in case you're keeping track, right now all Cars cars are present and accounted for. H has taken to putting some of them in his nightstand drawer before bed. Since my last post, we managed to lose and find "Old Lightening" and find Mr. The King. C found them both, go Daddy! We also introduced "New Lightening" aka H's Lightening, not because we thought Old Lightening had disappeared for good. We actually bought a set, the parts of which will be used for prizes for H for working on his writing. The set included Lightening, and H was awarded his very own Lightening after doing really well sharing with his little brother over the past couple of weeks. That sounds a bit saccharine, but we really are very proud of him for learning to share with W.

Cars Play

I don't know if I've mentioned that I decided to let the boys watch the movie Cars, but I did. They love it, and I do believe they would watch it all day long. W starts in the morning, "Watch Car movie 'night, peeeze?" However, it seems that we actually re-enact the movie, as Lightening McQueen (the Hot Wheels-size version) goes missing for a few days each week. Don't even get me started on how long the blue car has been missing. W insists on calling Mater Hopper. We can only surmise that he is trying to say 'copter (short for helicopter, which Mater rides in at the movie's end). C laughs at how we (meaning the adults) get sucked into this movie. I think if one day I can actually watch the whole thing without getting up to wash dishes, get snacks, put up laundry, etc., I might be able to resist the pull. For now, though, it does often pull me in for brief periods. I love the "oldies" songs, so fun..."life would be a dream, sweetheart." Some of the language (and overtones) are really not very G-rated, but at least for now, all of that seems to go over the boys' heads. Must go rest now, tomorrow is the last day of preschool picnic.

Nothing Better

"There's nothing better than sitting at the window, watching the raindrops, and eating a juicy popsicle, Mom." That's what my four year-old just said to me. He makes me smile so often. My little one was using a hot wheels car as a phone last night. He holds it up to his ear and says, "Hey, Caillou! What doin'? Bye, Caillou!" Then, he takes the phone away from his ear, turns it over, and pretends to push a button (as if turning off the phone). I adore that sweet little cutie. So, really, it's those sweet, funny things they say that are my gifts on Mothers' Day and every day. I love my boys!

Head Case

Sorry for my blog neglect. Remember the ceiling fan episode? Well, a week ago, my right ear started feeling strange again (the doctor calls it enhanced hearing), so I've spent the last week going to doctors and worrying myself sick over my ear. The eye-ear-nose-and-throat specialist says to give it some time. I don't know for sure if it's from the ceiling fan or the tremendous amount of pollen in the air around here right now. Anyway, after quizzing the doctors as to whether I might have a blood clot in my head, excess cerebral spinal fluid, a tumor, and being told no to all, I am trying not to worry about it (ha!). Still, my right ear is more sensitive to sound than my left, and it is a strange feeling to say the least. So that's where I've been, and of course, I'm reading a lot to keep my mind off my worry.

Here are some highlights from my week:

Last Saturday, H was a ring-bearer for the third time. He did well, but the wedding was about a 3 hour ride away. That's a long time in a car, really.

H rode a horse at the yearly picnic hosted by the school district and Rotary club (the horse was led around a ring by teenage volunteer). So proud of him! We could see that he was nervous while waiting, but he did it!

I made an effort to get out of the house each morning that H did not have school, even if it was just a car ride to take our electric payment. We visited a local plant/flower store just to look around, stopped by Dunkin Donuts, and went to the fabric store. A strange thing happened at the fabric store. We were waiting to have our fabric cut, and the elderly lady who was having fabric cut asked the employee if she could "leave this for you to read at your convenience." The employee looked kind of mad and replied, "you can leave it on the counter if you'd like." I am guessing it was some sort of religious pamphlet, but I really have no idea what it was.

C and I went to a concert last night. The music was fantastic, but we got a late start and the traffic was horrendous getting there. Still so worth it though, but boy have we been tired today. Afraid we are feeling like old folks.

Tonight, we went to Chik-Fil-A for supper. As we were walking out, I saw a familiar face. It was a girl I knew from college. It was surreal. I saw her and immediately knew her face and name. I hesitated for a split second, but then saw her recognize me. I have often wondered how she was doing. I had not seen or talked to her since 1998. Unbelievable! She was stopping there on her way to a concert.

We went and got a rain check for a swing set that was on sale. Not sure when they'll come in, but we think the boys are going to love it!

So that's about all I can think of right now. I need to wash dishes and get to bed. Tomorrow, we are going double-stroller shopping!

With Sprinkles on Top

Yesterday was my four year-old's last day of soccer clinic. I've been excited to see him following directions so well, and he even won the little race yesterday when they ran dribbling the ball and the coach gave him a "good job!" I worry quite often about his social skills with other children. Yes, he goes to preschool. Yes, he can be a great conversationalist with adults. Still, with both of his parents being almost painfully shy with strangers, it worries me. After he got his award certificate and t-shirt yesterday, we headed for the car. While I was buckling him up, he says, "Coach said to raise our hands if we want our parents to take us for ice cream after soccer. Can we do that?" I decided an ice cream treat was just the way to end a good few weeks of soccer. When we were ordering his ice cream (plain vanilla in a cup), the person helping us asked what topping H wanted. I told him that H just likes it plain. He asked again, wouldn't you like some sprinkles, and H sort of gave me the nod. H ate ice cream with sprinkles on top. Now, I know this is probably the norm for most children but not H. I was so excited and thanked the person helping us. We've been working on getting H to try new things (activities, food, etc.), so for me this was a breakthrough. What with going to the local library book club in the evening, I had a day with sprinkles on top!

Say My Name

Sorry to be MIA this week. Just the usual running around with a fever for H thrown in (seems to be completely gone just some lingering sniffles) and soccer clinic (H did so well compared to last year at this time-hooray!) I also attended our monthly MOPS meeting and did a bit of shopping for my cousin's wedding. Also, after hitting a consignment sale and my mom using a department store coupon last week, I had some washing to do for the boys' Spring wardrobe additions.

Anyhow, I am very excited to say that I think this year, H will be the only one "taking" soccer clinic! Meaning, I'll just be watching from the sidelines rather than "taking" it, too, as I did last year. The first thing the coach did was to ask all the children to gather around him while he checked off the names. There were a couple of children with the same names, so some moms or dads had to step up to say, "this is Drew so-and-so or Aiden so-and-so." So, the coach calls "H." H doesn't respond, so I walk over pointing to H. The coach asks, "Is your name H?" H shakes his head no, and I have to say, "Yes, this is H." Of course, everyone laughs, but I wonder why he didn't respond to his name. Turns out, the coach's British accent threw H off a bit (although the coach did pronounce it correctly). I was so proud of H after the class, though, just for doing everything without me and listening well. I gave him a great big hug!

My head seems to be healing up from last week's trauma! Thanks to everyone who was wishing me some better days. I have several posts in draft form that are just waiting for me to stay up late one evening or somehow find some time to do some typing.

Take a Breath, Count to Ten

Based on Christy's comment, I am going to try to utilize some of the methods in Kevin Lehman's Have a New Kid by Friday. C really thought H's behavior improved when I was trying to stick with the advice in there. Click here to see my post about the book. (Apparently I meant to post a part two, but that didn't happen). Basically, he says respond don't react, stay cool, and don't make mountains out of molehills. Anyway, I've also decided that my expectations are a bit high for a four year-old. No, he shouldn't be slamming doors, but maybe he doesn't understand why I just threw the toy he was asking for out the bathroom door (that would be to get it away from his little brother who is about to go in the bath). So, I come clean about what made him angry (I hope C doesn't read this one). Still, C and I had a conversation and decided that we completely expect him to act like a rational adult. I think that may be setting the bar pretty high. Also, I find that certain things bring out the contradictory boy in him (being tired, eating). He really wants to make all the decisions himself and call the shots, you know? I guess one thing I struggle with is when to let it roll off my back and when to respond. Sometimes, when he's being contradictory, I'll give him a grin, and he starts to grin back. He can definitely be a bit of a cheeky monkey. Thanks to everyone who commented I responded in the comments on the previous post.

In other news, the weather this weekend was be-yoo-ti-full! We went to the park Saturday morning (if you haven't been on monkey bars in a while, take it easy, I thought I might pull my arm out of its socket). So, we spent lots of time outside, digging in the dirt, practicing some tee-ball, and blowing bubbles! Aahhh, Spring I feel your breath in the breeze.

How Do You Handle Anger?

H knocked a hole in the wall. He slammed the bathroom door open, and the doorstop didn't do its duty. So, the doorknob went through the wall. I am feeling a bit lost. I don't know what to do with that kind of behavior. Should I spank him? Not in the heat of the moment, I am too angry myself. Do I take away privileges like a show he likes to watch? Taking away toys is pointless, unless I take a lot of them or maybe even all of them. I do have a temper, but I promise I don't slam doors. Later in the day, when I was bemoaning the fact that I don't do enough to help him learn, I said, "H, I haven't helped you learn anything today." He replied, "Well, I did learn never to knock a hole in the wall ever again." I had to turn my head to keep him from seeing my grin, but really, it's not funny that he gets that angry. He is not what I'd call a "bad kid," but he does have a temper and always wants the last word. This doesn't bode well for the adolescent years. Is it just his age (4)? Is it a phase? Does he need military school?

Sometimes I feel so alone and helpless in parenting. I am the one who is with him all day, and I just worry that I am not doing everything right. So, how do you handle your child's anger.

Make That Winter White

Well after all my Spring talk, we've got a winter wonderland here! The view out our back door was so beautiful last night, I went back to H's room (I had just kissed him goodnight) and carried him to the door to look out. Then, I was all inspired and started reading some Robert Frost poetry before going to sleep. There is just something about snow that really brings out the dreamer and kid in me. We got almost four inches (which is a good bit around these parts). Oh well, you know what they say about March, in like a lion, out like a lamb. So far, we've got the first part right.

So we played, shoveled, brushed off shrubs and finally, came in for some snow cream. I think this snow was too wet to make good snow cream, but that didn't stop me and W from eating it up. H is a bit pickier (as you may already know if you've been here before).

This final picture does speak a thousand words. Just imagine: this mommy letting W get that far ahead of her walking outside, uphill, in the snow. Sweet children, they make every day sparkle like snow in sunshine:)

Odds & Ends

The BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is way better than the version with Keira Knightley (I did, in fact, rent it this past weekend). If you're wanting the movie to be like the book, you definitely want to watch the BBC version. I think I might be getting old. I watched the Keira Knightley version and thought, "what's with all these long, drawn-out, just looking at her or her face scenes?" I guess the cinematic devices are just not my cup of tea (maybe it's because I haven't seen a movie in a theater in years?) Also, what is up with the sound on DVDs of movies? Why is it always too loud or not loud enough? Maybe it's just our player or something, but I always have that problem.

This weekend, I was putting H's socks on and pulling them up so they would keep him warm.
H: Mommy, don't pull my socks up! (He's pushing them down toward his ankles).
Me: Well, I have to at least pull them up to get them over your heel.
H: Don't pull them over my heel.
Me: Do you even know what a heel is?
H: (pauses, blinks) No.
I just started laughing. I love his honesty.

This coming weekend is book club. We'll be discussing Loving Frank about the love affair between architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mamah Cheney. It was a bit long, but boy did the ending surprise (particularly since I did not know anything beyond the fact that FLW was a famous architect). I am so looking forward to book club as I missed our last meeting due to W's surgery. So I haven't seen these girls in what feels like a looong time. I also get to car pool with one of my good friends to book club, so I'll get to catch up with her on the way there. She's kindly offered to drive, letting me have a glass of wine or two without worry :) What a gal!

Hoping to post some more soon! Still waiting on Mel's baby as far as I know!

Feeling Bubbly

This morning, while W was napping, H and I headed outside to blow some bubbles. The wind was lifting and tossing the bubbles, some as high as the tree tops, before they burst! What a beautiful, taste-of-Spring day. I am always reminded of the simple pleasures when watching H watch his bubbles. We discovered some flowers that have put on their Spring best.

We also spied this little guy trying to hang on to his branch during all that wind.

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H and I talked about how some seeds travel much like the bubbles. It was a very science-y sort of morning. Then, in the evening, I headed for my library book club where the discussion of Pride and Prejudice lasted over an hour and someone had to come tell us that the library would be closing in ten minutes!!! That's some good discussion, y'all! And, if talking about Jane Austen for over an hour with other book-lovers doesn't make me all bubbly, I don't know what does. I gave my mom a hug when I got home for watching the boys for me, so that I could attend the book club. There was also some discussion of the two currently popular versions of P and P: the BBC version and the Keira Knightley version. I am a die hard BBC version fan, as I believe Colin Firth was born to play Mr. Darcy. However, I do confess that I have never even seen the Keira Knightley version. So, after listening to all the talk about them both, I feel the urge to watch the one again and the other for the first time. If you've seen both, tell me which one you like best. I see a trip to Blockbuster in my (hopefully near) future.

The Old Switcheroo

I've been practicing a little reverse psychology of late in order to keep the (relative) peace. H has decided that he is only going to do, eat, read, or watch what he has thought of himself. That's right, if he didn't think of it, then it's nothing doing, folks. One of the funniest things about this is that he will completely deny facts in order to make something his idea i.e., I say that we need to "at least try" to use the potty, by some minor miracle, he does try without a fight and does in fact pee, I say "you did have some pee in there," he says (while a stream of urine is pouring out), "no, I didn't," okay, whatever (I'm thinking), Mommy needs to get you to bed. The other funny thing he pulls is if he likes the idea I've put out there, he makes it his own and denies that Mommy had any hand in it. Something like this:

Me: H, would you like to go outside?
H (imagine a very indignant four year-old): No, I do not want to go outside!
Me: Well, I am going to go put some letters in the mailbox while you stay inside.
H (now a bit whiny): I do, I do want to go to the mailbox.
Me: I thought you might like to go out.
H (completely confident with an almost teenage-like arrogance): No, I said I wanted to go but you didn't.

So, wise mommy that I am, I've learned the ropes (sort of). Tonight I said, "I'm making a sweet potato for you." (Yes, I know this was a mistake, I said I've sort of learned). He immediately starts carrying on, "No, I didn't want that." I jump in quickly saying, "Oh, that's right you wanted scrambled eggs and green peas, not a sweet potato." Now calmer, he replies, "No, no, I want a sweet potato." Great, because it's already cooking! Mommy just pulled a fast one on you!

That's what we've been learning at my house. How to "work" our child's very strong urge to be the boss.

Don't frighten me too much about his future indecisiveness or completely controlling need-to-be-right-and-in-charge-all-the-time tendencies (where did he get those from I wonder? umm that would be from the maternal side) However, if you have a child or know a child like this, please commiserate with me via a comment.

Ten Things Thursday

Ten things that have made me smile recently are below!

1) C and I are taking H to the circus, and I think we are as excited as he is (or maybe more since he's never been)! Do they still have the spinning blue flashlights?




2) H and W have really started playing together more. Now that W is more mobile they "chase" each other around with W occasionally saying, "Boo, boo, boo!" to scare H.





3) I took another knitting class this week and started my first project knitting in the round, which looks like this:





At least, this is how it looks on double point needles. There are circular needles which would look a little more round. It strikes me as very funny/ironic that knitting in the round looks like a square and a tic-tac-toe board!

4) W has been playing us some tunes on the piano in the evenings and is quite proud of himself.

5) H has been drawing on the dry erase side of his new easel. (We got him this easel because he doesn't have much interest in writing/drawing/coloring).

6) Tonight is the last night C will be home late due to working on an assignment for school (at least for this week)!

7) Seinfeld from 7-8 on our tv, thank you programmers, this mommy needs it.

8) Getting the news that my great friend, Aunt J, and her husband will most likely be visiting (from England) in late summer or early fall.

9) Finishing Peace Like a River (stay tuned for the review in February, I liked it) and starting to re-read Pride and Prejudice for my local library book club.

10) Dreaming about returning to college in a year and a bit to slowly work toward a degree in something I love.

I've Been Knitting...

Sorry to be missing around here. I have pictures, book reviews, and stuff I want to share, just no time to get it done it seems. With C back to school, blogging time is a bit hard to find. I am starting to think the only way to be productive is to get up earlier in the morning. Sigh, not what I want to do. Maybe I could try getting up earlier on the two days H goes to school. That way, when W is napping, I'll be doing something besides showering and getting myself presentable.

I went to visit some friends who just had a baby boy last week. He was one ounce heavier than H was at birth and the same length. My first thought when I saw that little guy was, "No way!" I just can't believe how small newborns are and that my big boy was once that small! I took the new little one this hat. I was very proud because I was able to do the I-cord (the drawstring) after watching a YouTube video and reading my Stitch 'n Bitch book!

Then, last weekend, I went to a baby shower for an old friend who is expecting a little girl in February. She and her husband are Clemson University alums, so I made another Clemson-themed hat. This time, I put purple around the top, but I waited too many rows to change to purple, so you can see the stripe on the top! Oh well, as far as they know, I wanted it to look like that, right?

So, obviously, I'm still loving my knitting. I'm looking forward to taking another lesson at my LYS (local yarn shop) soon and learning to knit in the round since there are more babies coming soon! I am going to try my best to get some book reviews up here soon.