Santa Claus is Coming to Town

We went to the court house to visit Santa Claus. It was the first time that Tab didn't freak out. He loved it. He is so excited for Christmas. Benton was indifferent.

For Mr. Magoo & the Peanut Too

So I've been wanting to be "crafty" for a while now but was having a hard time pinpointing just what I wanted to do. Then my briliant sister made these. I was lamenting to her about how it isn't fair that there is such cute stuff to make for girls and I have boys. She then informed me about softies and that I could make a robot or something. Google it she said. So I did. And I found these and fell in love. I showed them to my sister and told her I wanted to make an octopus. It was at that time she informed me they were squids. Whatever... I had my mind set that I could make one. So I set to it.... So for you Alissa...here is how I did it.

First I drew up a pattern for what I thought would make a squid. And have since altered a few of the pieces and added a circle piece. But you get the idea.

Then I cut everything out. Making sure to cut out a contrasting color for the tentacles.

Then I pulled out my broken down older that older sewing machine and occupied Tab.

Then sew the head peices together on the sides and top, and clip around the corners.

Then sew these little pieces together along the bottom edge with the scallops and clipp the curves. Then you turn them right side out and iron them flat. (Please excuse my old ironing board. And for Benton's I will be making these scallops even bigger so they lay flat a little better.)
Then you stitch the scalloped pieces to the top of the two rectangle pieces with very little seam allowance.

This is what I mean by very little.

Then you stitch the two rectangles together on the short sides with a 1/2" seam allowance with the scalloped pieces facing eachother. Then trim the seam close to the stitching. (sorry this picture really didn't turn out so that you could tell what it was)

Next you turn the rectangle so that the scallops are facing outward and you slip it inside the head, so right sides are together, matching up the seams. Stitch togehter with a 1/2" seam allowance. (It will look like this after you stich it together and pull the rectagle piece out of the head)

Next you stitch the fleece piece of the tentacle to the contrasting fabric tentacle again with very little seam allowance.

Then turn it right side out and press it.

Oh, this part kinda stinks to do unless you have one of these beautiful things. I guess a pen could work too.
And if you want it to look like this, I recommend doing the stitching before you stitch the tentacle together rather than after you attach it to the body. Let me tell you from experience it is a royal pain int he butt to decide after it is attached because then you have to detach it and slip a needle up and down the tentacle. I promise it is easier the other way.

Then you have to attach the legs to the body. You need to pin them to the body with the contrasting color facing the middle. Sew them with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Then turn him right side out and stitch on some eyes and a mouth. Isn't he so cute?Then turn him inside out again and pin the circle to the bottom of the body, making sure the legs are all inside. Stich with a 1/2" seam allowance. Make sure to leave an opening large enough to turn and stuff. Trust me LEAVE A BIG ENOUGH opening. It stinks to try to rip stitches out of fleece. I recommend that you pay enough attention to not leave the opening it the front, not like this. It doesn't really matter but I prefer that the hand stitching not be in the front.Then stuffAnd now stitch shut.
Then you have this:In case you were wondering, this is what the first one looked like. I made a few alterations before coming up with the one above.

Mommy, Mommy, Watch This!

Tab's new thing is doing the splits. He just thinks it is the greatest thing in the world. He has been practicing for about a week now. I have to say he is getting much better.

Benton in the Spotlight

Benton never has enough pictures posted. So although, Tab is also in a few of these, this post is for Benton.

Sacked Out

After his shots... This picture doesn't properly demonstrate what a crank he was for the entire day following the shots

Benton Playing with his toys... once again being dominated by big brother.
All of the cousins that were there taking a bath together at gradma's house. Ok so this one isn't just of Benton... but at least he's in the picture. I just had to share. Are they so cute? And you should have seen how disgusting the bath water was after. NASTY
Benton with Great Grandma Solter
This time Dad is sacked out.

Thanksgiving in PA

We spent Thanksgiving at parents house in Pennsylvania. We visited all of the places I love and enjoyed a lot of rain (that is the nice was of me saying dude it rained a freaking ton). Tab as well as my sister's kids thoroughly enjoyed my mom's chickens, as can be witnessed below.











Here is Tab encountering his first chicken, courtesy of my little brother. Can anyone guess what habit is being displayed in this picture that makes me want to scream?
And here is Tab taking his turn gathering "grama chicken eggs"



















Grandma showed them all the different parts of the chicken.
















Don't worry, he ain't scared. He loved holding the chickens. Weirdo.
























Hmm... maybe he saw grandma doing it a few times. Mom, it still makes me laugh to think of you snuggling your chickens.


The kids also had a blast playing in the soggy wet leaves.

Miles and Tab were the best of friends and the worst of enemies.
Exhibit A: Play Also known as chasing eachother in circles, which was very cute I might add.




Exhibit B: Hitting





Exhibit C: Now that we're friends again, let's play.




Again the boys playing. There was a LOT of this going on. And I just have to give Tab props for winning with a score of 153. lol




And just for fun, what happens when Tab has someone to play with 24 hours a day.

Headed Home

I think that no matter where I live and no matter how long I live there Pennsylvania will always be home. Friday afternoon we are packing up and driving the 16+ hours to Pennsylvania to visit my family for Thanksgiving. There are so many things I look forward to when going home and as I think about it they are quite weird. So to get some of my excitement out so I don't go crazy over the next few days, here are a few things I'm looking forward to.

My mom's crazy messy sewing room: My mom always lets me pick a pattern or project or whatever to work on. And she helps me make it. Did I mention that she always just happens to always have the perfect fabric just sitting around? She is seriously amazing.

Roots: Prounounced with the best Pennsylvania Dutch accent you can muster. Every Tuesday in Lancaster there is a huge farmer's market type of thing. I LOVE this place. They have all sort of booths with people selling their produce and various wares. And in the evening they have an auction-a food auction. I love going to this with my mom and sisters. I'm always way too nervous to bid for some reason. But I love watching my mom do it. And I love the randomness of what we end up taking home with us.

Gabriel Brothers: This store seriously rocks. They sell clothes from all different stores that for one reason or another didn't quite make the cut to end up in that actual store. So they are generally cheap! I'm talking Limited, Express, Aeropostale, Abercrombie, The Children's Place, Gap etc. etc. etc.

D & K: This is a surplus grocery store. (Read: An old, semi-dirty, hole in the wall, tiny aisles, freaking cool store). Another cheap cheap cheap store. They get in some of the most random things. It is fun!

Fall: Fall is gorgeous in PA. I can't wait! I'm seriously jumping up and down at the thought of it. The crisp air, the leaves, the smell, mmmmmm (deep inhale)... oh the smell.

Wood Stove: I love my parents wood stove. It is the smell and feeling and and and...it is home.

Martin's Potato Chips: You can't buy these out west. Ok... I guess that I am technically in the mid-west now. What are they, you ask? Only the best Kettle Cooked potato chips in the world.

Really do I need to go on to demonstrate how much I love it or how excited I am to go home? Because let's be honest, I could go on all day and night and the next day.

Hey there blue eyes...

Which one of us are you referring to you ask? Yes that is right, Benton definitely has his daddy's eyes too! I am quite pleased. How couldn't you be- I mean just look at them. Now if only I could get a picture of him where he doesn't have red eye so you can tell. Alissa you are going to have to teach me that one.


And lest you all think that I forget I have a second child. Here are a few more of Benton.

I don't take good pictures...

... But I'm trying. I've really been trying to take somewhat better pictures. I'm rarely successful. I think that these are some of my best. Kinda sad huh.

I know I really need to get and learn how to use photoshop to crop and brighten up these pictures a bit.

Now if only I had the camera of my dreams and could learn how to use it...sigh.