Brian's taking an intensive 6-week class for his Master's Degree, and this is week three. So I've been picking up the boys on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It's quite a feat, considering I get out of work at five and both boys need to be picked up by 5:30. Tonight's pickup was quite rainy...when I got to Will's school the sky just OPENED up and sheets of water ran down over me and my white and pink sweater. With last week's tornadoes in Massachusetts, every time there's a thunderstorm Will gets anxious that another tornado is coming. It's going to be a long summer....I wasn't crazy about driving in it tonight but I put on my game face and we made it a fun race to the car.
By the time we got home I was already sick of being wet. To shake off a bit of the "scaredies" I offered up dinner picnic-style in the living room, picnic blanket on the carpet and all. And to sweeten the deal, there was a new "Phineas and Ferb" DVD waiting for us. I love that show on the Disney Channel, perhaps almost as much as Will does. It's educational, it's entertaining and there's LOTS of little adult asides that go right over the kids' heads. (Like when the boys parody every cop/detective TV show in one of their episodes. The CSI Miami reference was the funniest one!) Both kids went to bed happy and had a good time, forgetting about the thunder, lightning and buckets o' rain. And neither child put up a fight and just went to sleep with no trouble.
That's what I call a perfect night.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Baggin' It
Finished Object: The Christine Bag!
This was my first choice as my first cabled project. But after trying it a few times in two different yarns, I realized that at the time, I didn't know how to count. So I gave up. Now, apparently I DO know how to count, 'cause here she is!
This is a birthday gift for a friend, who requested a bag for a birthday gift. I chose the color (amethyst) 'cause I know she's a purple-lover just like me. The original pattern has the bag with a big, floppy bow. My friend is NOT a floppy bow-kind of gal. So there's no bow, and that is that!
Eventually, I am going to make one of these for myself. In fuchsia. And yes, I already have the yarn in the house. And I may or may not be a floppy bow-kind of gal, we'll just have to see.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Snuggles with Daddy
This poor buddy is pushing like four more teeth. Refusing to nap in his crib, Sean found the only comfy place in the house for him to close his eyes and get some rest.
Friday, June 3, 2011
A Discovery Day
Last Saturday, Hubby suggested we go out on an adventure, and take the kids out to a museum to get out of the house. We ended up at the Children's Discovery Museums in Acton, MA. What a fantastic place for kids!
It's divided up into two houses that serve as the museums...the Children's Museum and the Science Museum. At first I balked at the price of the tickets: $10.50 each. Including Sean. But this was an adventure, and we'd already driven there. And I am happy to report that Sean definitely got his money's worth on his ticket! This was the coolest museum for kids their age.
Sean was absolutely obsessed with their water table. He loved splashing it with the toy nets, and laughing as he got Mom wet. I dragged him away a couple of times so that we could go and see other exhibits, but he kept toddling back. Definitely the favorite of the day.
Treehouse Will! Will's favorite was the Jungle Room, with this Treehouse that had a slide as well. Our little monkey sure loved climbing around!
Sean playing with magnetic blocks in the Baby Room. This room was just for the babes, with mirrors on the ceiling, "indestructable books," a pile of soft dress-up clothes and these blocks. One of his favorite things to do at home is to re-arrange what big magnets he can reach on the fridge, so these were a huge hit!
Daddy and Sean in a rowboat in the Ocean Room. Pirate Will looks on, searching for treasure.
Why yes, that is Mommy, teaching Will how to use a hammer in the Science Museum. We also got to use a C-clamp, a hand drill, screwdriver and level. Sexy goggles, no? Only after this photo was taken did they tell me that there were adult goggles on the top that were more attractive. Ah well, makes for a funny picture. And remember--safety first!
All in all, it was a wonderful day. In between museums we had a delicious pizza lunch at Not Your Average Joe's, and Hubby treated me to a surprise trip to a fantastic yarn shop in the area. He even kept the sleepy boys in the car while I went and browsed. Will's been talking about this museum non-stop since our trip there. We can't wait to take them there again someday.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
So Many Projects, So Little Time.....
Last weekend, I did the gage swatch for my sweater and it came out like this:
I know. You, reader, are just as excited as I am. :)
Then, I abandoned the sweater measurement-taking and winding of yarn. Instead, I picked up "The Christine Bag." What...you don't practice knitting a sweater by knitting a bag? Weird.
Naahhhhhh......I picked this cute cabled bag to whip up as a birthday present for a good friend. I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky, colorway Amethyst. It's going to be gorgeous when finished, though I am going to need some help when it comes to lining the bag. The knitting's all finished as of tonight, all that's left to do is attaching wood handles and the liner. Perfect for this friend's end-of-June birthday! Deadline met...whoo hoo!
Speaking of deadlines, I'm driving myself a little crazy here. It's not right that I'm feeling the Christmas burn. I have so, so, SO many things that I want to make! Not to mention now I know of not two, but three babies to knit for that are making their big debut this Fall! :) My head is spinning. I am finishing up on a charity project in the next two weeks though...I have some more pink baby hats and a couple of blankets for Stitches from the Heart. (It was really about demolishing the pink skein of yarn. I made six hats out of it and STILL had yarn left.)
I should mention that as of tonight, I have knit 5.23 miles this year. MILES. That is about the distance from my house to my job. If I let all the yarn I've gone through since 1/1/11 trail continuously in one line out of the back of my car, I could drive to work and make it into the parking lot with the yarn still flowing. The total for the year last year was just over five miles. What's the total going to be on 12/31/11?
I am definitely curious, and can't wait to find out.
I know. You, reader, are just as excited as I am. :)
Then, I abandoned the sweater measurement-taking and winding of yarn. Instead, I picked up "The Christine Bag." What...you don't practice knitting a sweater by knitting a bag? Weird.
Naahhhhhh......I picked this cute cabled bag to whip up as a birthday present for a good friend. I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky, colorway Amethyst. It's going to be gorgeous when finished, though I am going to need some help when it comes to lining the bag. The knitting's all finished as of tonight, all that's left to do is attaching wood handles and the liner. Perfect for this friend's end-of-June birthday! Deadline met...whoo hoo!
Speaking of deadlines, I'm driving myself a little crazy here. It's not right that I'm feeling the Christmas burn. I have so, so, SO many things that I want to make! Not to mention now I know of not two, but three babies to knit for that are making their big debut this Fall! :) My head is spinning. I am finishing up on a charity project in the next two weeks though...I have some more pink baby hats and a couple of blankets for Stitches from the Heart. (It was really about demolishing the pink skein of yarn. I made six hats out of it and STILL had yarn left.)
I should mention that as of tonight, I have knit 5.23 miles this year. MILES. That is about the distance from my house to my job. If I let all the yarn I've gone through since 1/1/11 trail continuously in one line out of the back of my car, I could drive to work and make it into the parking lot with the yarn still flowing. The total for the year last year was just over five miles. What's the total going to be on 12/31/11?
I am definitely curious, and can't wait to find out.
"There's No Place Like Home"
Last night was scary.
Massachusetts was hit by a few tornados, some funnel clouds were seen in the city that I work in. (and live next to) The western part of the state was especially affected, and Central MA as well. There was hail. There were terrifying thunderstorms, with lightning that was frightfully beautiful. I'd never seen anything like it and I hope we don't again anytime soon. We had the TV on the news at all times, with a basket to grab by the basement door should we, the boys and Joey the Dog have to head downstairs to seek shelter. Thankfully it didn't come to that, as we kept a watchful eye on the television, and all of the tornado touch-down activity was either west or south of us. The activity did worry the boys, and the thunder woke up Sean a couple of times. Will spent the night on our floor, which made me feel better, having him close by.
I never thought I'd see something like that in Massachusetts, what little I did "see" on TV. I can't imagine living in 'Tornado Alley" and have the potential for that to be a regular occurrence.
Springfield and Brimfield MA, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Massachusetts was hit by a few tornados, some funnel clouds were seen in the city that I work in. (and live next to) The western part of the state was especially affected, and Central MA as well. There was hail. There were terrifying thunderstorms, with lightning that was frightfully beautiful. I'd never seen anything like it and I hope we don't again anytime soon. We had the TV on the news at all times, with a basket to grab by the basement door should we, the boys and Joey the Dog have to head downstairs to seek shelter. Thankfully it didn't come to that, as we kept a watchful eye on the television, and all of the tornado touch-down activity was either west or south of us. The activity did worry the boys, and the thunder woke up Sean a couple of times. Will spent the night on our floor, which made me feel better, having him close by.
I never thought I'd see something like that in Massachusetts, what little I did "see" on TV. I can't imagine living in 'Tornado Alley" and have the potential for that to be a regular occurrence.
Springfield and Brimfield MA, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Inquiring Minds
For today's post, I have three questions...
1. Why is it that we complain all winter long about the incessant piles of snow and cold temps...and then crow about the first heat wave of the year? Human nature is a funny, funny thing.
2. How in the hell did my family of four accumulate so much stuff!!?? I'm currently going through piles in my house and doing the seasonal clothing switch for all four of us. (this process, because of work and school and everything else, takes about a week and the living arrangements get so badly piled with stuff that it is one miserable week.)
3. I just finished Tina Fey's new book "Bossypants." If you're a Tina Fey fan like me, you will like her even more after reading it. If you're not a fan, well, you will be by the end of the book. Especially if you are a working mom. Or if you like to laugh.
4. Yeah, I just realized that the last one wasn't a question. I guess the last question could be...."Have you seen my mind? :)"
1. Why is it that we complain all winter long about the incessant piles of snow and cold temps...and then crow about the first heat wave of the year? Human nature is a funny, funny thing.
2. How in the hell did my family of four accumulate so much stuff!!?? I'm currently going through piles in my house and doing the seasonal clothing switch for all four of us. (this process, because of work and school and everything else, takes about a week and the living arrangements get so badly piled with stuff that it is one miserable week.)
3. I just finished Tina Fey's new book "Bossypants." If you're a Tina Fey fan like me, you will like her even more after reading it. If you're not a fan, well, you will be by the end of the book. Especially if you are a working mom. Or if you like to laugh.
4. Yeah, I just realized that the last one wasn't a question. I guess the last question could be...."Have you seen my mind? :)"
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