Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Knitting for my child

I have tried knitting in the past.  It was not a successful venture for me.  However, big L wanted to learn, and I was determined to become a better knitter myself.  So I began searching for easy patterns, and came across a contest to win a whole bunch of yarn, you just had to knit one of their patterns with their yarn.  No problem. 

Well, a month later I have a finished product it has holes, and I seem to have a habit of adding a stitch (and hole) and not dropping the stitch. 

Here it is, my highly imperfect top for little l:

I need a lot of practice!  I hope I win some more yarn.  Big L wants something next. I told here mommy needed to start with something smaller, but that I would make her something soon....my poor fingers are not thanking me. 

It was fun, and I do feel a sense of accomplishment.  Hopefully on the next one I can spot my boo boos earlier enough to rip it out and fix, these I didn't see until I had a lot more done, and ripping stitches is something I am slowly becoming more comfortable with. 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Learning to Communicate

When big L was this age, I was working, quite a bit.  More than I wanted to, but it was necessary.  I don't remember watching her learn to communicate the way I can with little l.

Little l is pointing, her way of saying, "what is that", or "i know what that is!".  Today for the first time she told me she wanted a nap.  Not normally something she volunteers for, but she laid down on the floor, wiggled around and cried until I laid her in the crib.

Babies are amazing.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Re-examining our current relationship

Big L and I have been having a power struggle, for what feels like forever, but really has only been really bad for about a year now.  I am sure my husband can remind me if it has been longer, but that is what I am going with. 

It is hard.  Every other weekend she lives without rules.  She stays up late ( i mean really late), and gets up early so she can run around her father's home screaming like a banshee.  Okay maybe that last part is a slight exaggeration. 

Then the poor child has to come home to the mother she swears she loves, who isn't a fan of using outside voices in the house.  This weekend while she was gone, I decided I am done.  Unless she is about to hurt herself or the baby, I am going to do my darndest not to yell.  No matter how frustrated I am.  If I have to, I will put myself in time out.  We will see how this works. 

This morning was a true test to my new plan.  It is rainy and cold here today, quite the change from the 80 degree weather of last week.  My lovely fashion conscious child came out in a strappy sundress.  I love the dress, she is adorable in it, but I calmly explained how cold it is, and requested she changed.  She reluctantly went in to her room.  She did change, into shorts, leg warmers, and a tank top.  I kid you not.  I looked at her and said, L, I told you to put on some pants, it is cold today.  She glared, then glared some more as she ate.  I ignored, ate my breakfast interacted as if nothing was going on.  She did at least wear her warmer coat with a hood and sneakers (though she tried to wear her new sandals, i explained how wet the playground would be and that she would ruin her new socks). 

I am not sure if I did the right thing.  Maybe I should have yelled firmly for her to change, but I don't think it would have changed the outcome.  She really does not like to be told what to wear.  She will be cold on the playground today.  I guess that is the consequence she has to face.  I remember though growing up that if my mother told me to go put on pants I could get mad, smuggle shorts in my backpack, but I could not leave without the appropriate clothing on my body. 

Maybe I am doing something wrong.  I don't know.  What I do know is that me yelling and her getting mad and throwing a fit is not working.  All of the ideas the therapist gives us only work for a week or so.  No prize is causing her to behave.  No punishment is causing her to behave.  Perhaps she wants the guidelines and responsibility to make her own choices.  I don't know.  I do think that until she behaves the extras she takes for granted will have to be earned.  I am tired of running around so she can be a social butterfly, but not being appreciated for it.  It is expected. 

Any suggestions? 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Morning Wake-Ups

This morning I was awakened by a little one whispering, "can I ride my bike this morning?"  Sure I said just let me WAKE UP!

The concept of leaving mommy alone until 7:30 is one we are still working on.  However, we had discussed walking/biking the night before, so the excitement was expected.



This is our bike wearing attire.  Knee high socks, new sneakers, pink hoodie, and sparkly princess bike with coordinating pink helmet.  Quite cute actually. 

This was the view from the highest point we walked/biked to.  Apart from big L screeching a few times because the hills were a bit steep (read: scary for my cautious child on her bike) it was a quiet and peaceful morning. 

Going up the big hill though was brutal.  I have to wonder when I will ever be able to make it up with out completely losing my breath.  No matter, it caused us to pause and appreciate the surroundings, and peacefulness of the morning, which I guess is good.  Maybe my breathing issues have something to do with that haze over the mountains........I take good air days for granted, and forget that you can't see the junk you are breathing when you are surrounded by it. 
It was a beautiful morning walk, and little l even kept her new sun hat on the whole time!

Monday, March 12, 2012

A little Tree

So last Friday was a very busy day.  We three girls hopped into the car and headed off to the park.  Our neighborhood girl scouts were busy planting a tree in honour of our 100th birthday.  It was a blast, the girls had fun, learned a little about planting, and history. 


All fun!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Borrowed from Soule Mama, visit her site to share and to see more.

Busy and artistic weekend: Part 2

The second project I worked on was a bench that we have had since big L was 2, and it was getting so weathered I knew if I didn't do something soon we would be replacing slats.

Here is the before picture:
Acutally the post sanding picture.  I, of course, forgot to take true before pictures. 

After sanding, staining, and clear coating, this is what we have now:
This should stand up to a few more years of weather before I have to repeat.  (Ignore the hose in the picture!)

I also worked on a rocking chair that we rescued from my grandparent's barn.  Here is the before:

Again, before is post sanding.  This one took a lot more sanding.  It had a few rough splintering spots.  My fingers can attest to the splinters, which I did finally get dug out the day after sanding.  It is a fold-able rocker, which is kind of cool.  It was held together so tight, there was no way to get the pieces apart at all.  Quality craftsmanship!

Here is the after picture:
Looks pretty good if I say so myself.  I decided to paint the flower on the back of the chair so that it would be more accented, and girly.  We are a house filled with mostly girls you know.  It is always nice to use furniture that was once used by family.  I really have purchased very little furniture for myself.  It was only in the last couple years that I had to buy furniture (other than a bed) because I didn't have a hand me down to do what I needed.  This chair will be used by Big L, and eventually little l, hopefully it will last to be used by grandchildren as well.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Busy and Artistic Weekend

This weekend I finally got around to completing (starting) a couple projects that have been bothering me for some time now.

First, we have lived here for almost two years, and there has been a big white blob on my wall left by the previous artistic owners.  It really needed to be completed, it was driving me crazy.  My dad had said he was going to do it, but still had not gotten around to it.  So I attempted to be creative, and this is what the finished product looks like.
I think it turned out okay.  Not perfect, but much better than the lump of white that was on the wall!

Now to see how long it takes my dad to notice I finished it.  Everyone should be here this weekend, so we will see!

More tomorrow!!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Music and little ones

My children never cease to amaze me, or help me to see wonder in the world where I know longer saw wonder.  Lately, we have been playing a lot of music.  We normally play music in the car, and sometimes around the house, but lately it has been a bit louder. 

Big L, up until about a year ago, did not think there was any kind of music other than classical or kids tunes.  She would put up with my music, but didn't like things I consider basic (Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews).  She has since seen the light, but still prefers to listen to violins. 

Little l on the other hand, puts up with our classical/operatic moments and prefers music with loud electric guitar, pounding bass and a good drum beat.  This is what I gather based on her desire to move anytime she hears said music. 

Gotta love the personalities and the differences!