I told you she loves cheeseburgers.
Project 365
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Dragons and Cheeseburgers
Sylvie and I are frequently the only two in the car as we're traveling here and there for drop offs and pick ups and whatever else and now that she's getting older she definately has an opinion as to what her favorite songs are and will request them repeatedly. The two most common requests? The Cheeseburger Song and The Dragon Song (Puff the Magic Dragon).
Monday, August 30, 2010
I ♥ Faces - Photojournalism
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ruffle Sleeve Top
I'm a nanny to two pretty cute kids which is definately fun cuz they're good kids but quite frankly more times than not I feel a bit like a stay-at-home mom (not that thats a bad thing!). So there are days when I feel the urge to do something, something besides entertaining kids, feeding kids, breaking up squabbles and wiping noses and bottoms.
Lately I've been a bit of a blog stalker and I've gotten so inspired by all the wonderful creative things that are floating out there in the blog world. It took me awhile but my need to create finally broke through. I had a number of various tutorials bookmarked (and still do!) and I've slowly started working my way through them. Now you should probably know that although I've always been creative and have enjoyed making things, sewing definately was not one of my creative outlets. Until about a month or so ago the last time I touched a sewing machine was in home-ec class my freshman year of high school, over ten years ago.
I found this adorable and insanely easy tutorial for the Ruffle Sleeve Top over at Sparkle Power and just had to try it out. It was one of the first things I made for Sylvie and I think it turned out pretty cute even if I did make a few rookie mistakes in sewing process.
Lately I've been a bit of a blog stalker and I've gotten so inspired by all the wonderful creative things that are floating out there in the blog world. It took me awhile but my need to create finally broke through. I had a number of various tutorials bookmarked (and still do!) and I've slowly started working my way through them. Now you should probably know that although I've always been creative and have enjoyed making things, sewing definately was not one of my creative outlets. Until about a month or so ago the last time I touched a sewing machine was in home-ec class my freshman year of high school, over ten years ago.
I found this adorable and insanely easy tutorial for the Ruffle Sleeve Top over at Sparkle Power and just had to try it out. It was one of the first things I made for Sylvie and I think it turned out pretty cute even if I did make a few rookie mistakes in sewing process.
The material was actually a men's dress shirt which I had purchased for a different project that never was even started and Sylvie had more than enough pink in her closet so I opted to make her something blue. 
When I first measured, cut and began sewing it didn't take me long to realize that the top would actually be too short for Sylvie. Thankfully I had just enough fabric left from a previous project to add a band at the bottom. Honestly I think its much cuter with the band at the bottom than it would have been without it.
Even after adding the band it looked a little incomplete so I added a pocket. I had saved the pocket from the dress shirt so I trimmed it up a little on the bottom sewed it on and added a little pop of orange and little applique inside the pocket.
I think the pocket is my favorite part.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Desperate to get out of the house but still be indoors
We’d pretty much had a lazy week this past week as we were all recovering from the 4th of July. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything. It was too hot to go to the beach (we had record breaking temps on the east coast this week) and there aren’t many options for indoor activities. You’d think living on Long Island there’d be more indoor options for children but aside from the libraries and the occasional bouncy place there’s only the aquarium and the children’s museum. Daring to brave the crowds and desperate to get out of the house I took the kids to the museum yesterday, it was a blast. I thought for sure at least one if not both of them would tucker out or lose interest within an hour or two but nope we were there for a solid five hours. Five hours! Can you believe it? I was amazed, clearly they had a blast. Rhys even turned to me at one point and asked, “Can we come here again tomorrow?”
There was grocery shopping to be done,
train rides to be taken,
and adventures on motorcycles to be had.
Disco lights were also a big hit. Rhys preferred to be in charge of sound and lighting, while Sylvie put on a song and dance number.
And what kid doesn't love bubbles? Especially the kind that are bigger than their heads?
There was grocery shopping to be done,
train rides to be taken,
and adventures on motorcycles to be had.
This kid is gonna be an engineer or something when he grows up, just look at that concentration.
Sylvie, on the other hand, will be the demolition expert. She enjoyes the building process but the demolition is so much more fun.
Disco lights were also a big hit. Rhys preferred to be in charge of sound and lighting, while Sylvie put on a song and dance number.
And what kid doesn't love bubbles? Especially the kind that are bigger than their heads?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Holiday weekend
It’s been a bit nuts since my last post. All week leading up to the 4th of July I was wondering what I might do for the holiday. You see, I grew up in the Midwest and the 4th of July is a big holiday with days spent at the lake, late nights and lots of fireworks, I mean lots of fireworks. When I moved east to New York, I guess I didn't know what to expect but I've been highly disappointed. So in the week leading up to the holiday I began scoping and wondering what I could do or where I could go to enjoy some fireworks.
On Wednesday night (June 30th) the idea was raised that I might go to Washington D.C. for the 4th, so I began looking into it. Fortunately it’s pretty cheap to get from New York City to Washington D.C. if you're willing to take the bus; unfortunately booking a last minute hotel room over a holiday weekend is not so cheap. As much as I was wanting to go I knew I couldn't afford it, but then my boss offered to pay for one of the two nights I'd be in D.C., how could I pass on that offer? I couldn't and I didn't, by Friday I'd booked a hotel room and paid for a bus ticket and I left early Saturday morning. It was a whirlwind weekend to say the least.
Saturday, July 3rd
As helpful as bus drivers were once I got to D.C. and tried to take a local bus to stop that was only supposed to be about 5 blocks from my hotel (I'd checked it all out online before I left NY) two out of two bus drivers managed to give me the wrong directions and I got off at the recommended stop only to find out I was about 15 to 20 blocks from my hotel. I did eventually end up where I was supposed to be but I was too early for check-in and not wanting to leave my laptop in my luggage in the luggage check I waited around for an hour or so until I could check in. After getting into my room and getting settled I grabbed a bite to eat at the fast food joint across the street then proceeded to walk mile or so from the hotel to the National Mall. In just a few short hours I went to the National Museum of Natural History and walked from there to the Washington Monument. By this time the sun was beginning to set and not wanting to be out to late or in the dark in a strange environment I headed back to the hotel to get a good night’s rest, knowing that next day was going to be a doozy.
Sunday, July 4th
I was ready to curl up in a ball and die by the end of the day, I was so incredibly sore from all the walking but it was totally worth it. In the course of the day I managed to squeeze in visits to, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Air & Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and I watched the fireworks from the steps near the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. After the fireworks were over it took me an hour and a half of non-stop walking to get back to my hotel. Part of the reason it took so long was because Independence Avenue was closed so I had to take the lllooooonnnnnggggg way back, which included walking all the way around the Tidal basin. I didn't know where I was or what I was seeing at the time but on my way back I walked through the Korean War Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and I walked past the Jefferson Memorial. By the time my day was over I was ready to chop off everything from the hips down and have it all replaced with a new version. Let me just say it was totally worth it and the fireworks were stellar, the best I've seen since I moved east. I was close enough to where the fireworks were being lit off that I could physically feel each explosion in my chest as it burst in the air. I love that feeling and I was one of the many cheering and clapping throughout the show.
Monday, July 5th
I caught the hotel shuttle back to the Holocaust Museum. On holiday weekends the museum only allows a limited number of people through the permanent exhibit and they hand out timed tickets and I'd missed out on that portion of the museum the day before so I went back hoping to get in. When I got there, there was already a long line and by the time I got to the front of the line the earliest tickets they were handing out were for 2:15 in the afternoon, problem was I had to catch a bus back to NY by 4:00, there wasn't any way I'd be able to see the permanent exhibit. After hesitating for a moment I decided to use my Midwestern charm and ever so politely ask if there was any possible way I could please get in to the exhibit because I had to catch a bus that afternoon and after all it was just me, I only needed one ticket. The gal behind the counter looked at me in sympathy and glanced up to her superior and looked back at me then back to her superior and asked him "Wanna give her a comp?" the older gentle man didn't quite give me a sympathetic look (it was closer to a glare) and asked "How many are you?" and I said, "One, just one. It’s just me." Grudgingly he handed over the ticket at which, of course, I gushed about a dozen thank you so muches and rushed off to see the exhibit. It was worth it, totally and completely. I've always been incredibly interested, although of course not in a morbid way, with the Holocaust, I think it’s because it’s so hard to fathom or even understand everything that happened during that period of time and this museum is unbelievable. I can't even describe, I'm at a loss for words even as I'm typing. There is no decent description for all that is this particular museum, if you're ever in D.C. you have to go to the Holocaust Museum, it’s astounding.
On Wednesday night (June 30th) the idea was raised that I might go to Washington D.C. for the 4th, so I began looking into it. Fortunately it’s pretty cheap to get from New York City to Washington D.C. if you're willing to take the bus; unfortunately booking a last minute hotel room over a holiday weekend is not so cheap. As much as I was wanting to go I knew I couldn't afford it, but then my boss offered to pay for one of the two nights I'd be in D.C., how could I pass on that offer? I couldn't and I didn't, by Friday I'd booked a hotel room and paid for a bus ticket and I left early Saturday morning. It was a whirlwind weekend to say the least.
Saturday, July 3rd
As helpful as bus drivers were once I got to D.C. and tried to take a local bus to stop that was only supposed to be about 5 blocks from my hotel (I'd checked it all out online before I left NY) two out of two bus drivers managed to give me the wrong directions and I got off at the recommended stop only to find out I was about 15 to 20 blocks from my hotel. I did eventually end up where I was supposed to be but I was too early for check-in and not wanting to leave my laptop in my luggage in the luggage check I waited around for an hour or so until I could check in. After getting into my room and getting settled I grabbed a bite to eat at the fast food joint across the street then proceeded to walk mile or so from the hotel to the National Mall. In just a few short hours I went to the National Museum of Natural History and walked from there to the Washington Monument. By this time the sun was beginning to set and not wanting to be out to late or in the dark in a strange environment I headed back to the hotel to get a good night’s rest, knowing that next day was going to be a doozy.
Sunday, July 4th
I was ready to curl up in a ball and die by the end of the day, I was so incredibly sore from all the walking but it was totally worth it. In the course of the day I managed to squeeze in visits to, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Air & Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and I watched the fireworks from the steps near the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. After the fireworks were over it took me an hour and a half of non-stop walking to get back to my hotel. Part of the reason it took so long was because Independence Avenue was closed so I had to take the lllooooonnnnnggggg way back, which included walking all the way around the Tidal basin. I didn't know where I was or what I was seeing at the time but on my way back I walked through the Korean War Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and I walked past the Jefferson Memorial. By the time my day was over I was ready to chop off everything from the hips down and have it all replaced with a new version. Let me just say it was totally worth it and the fireworks were stellar, the best I've seen since I moved east. I was close enough to where the fireworks were being lit off that I could physically feel each explosion in my chest as it burst in the air. I love that feeling and I was one of the many cheering and clapping throughout the show.
Monday, July 5th
I caught the hotel shuttle back to the Holocaust Museum. On holiday weekends the museum only allows a limited number of people through the permanent exhibit and they hand out timed tickets and I'd missed out on that portion of the museum the day before so I went back hoping to get in. When I got there, there was already a long line and by the time I got to the front of the line the earliest tickets they were handing out were for 2:15 in the afternoon, problem was I had to catch a bus back to NY by 4:00, there wasn't any way I'd be able to see the permanent exhibit. After hesitating for a moment I decided to use my Midwestern charm and ever so politely ask if there was any possible way I could please get in to the exhibit because I had to catch a bus that afternoon and after all it was just me, I only needed one ticket. The gal behind the counter looked at me in sympathy and glanced up to her superior and looked back at me then back to her superior and asked him "Wanna give her a comp?" the older gentle man didn't quite give me a sympathetic look (it was closer to a glare) and asked "How many are you?" and I said, "One, just one. It’s just me." Grudgingly he handed over the ticket at which, of course, I gushed about a dozen thank you so muches and rushed off to see the exhibit. It was worth it, totally and completely. I've always been incredibly interested, although of course not in a morbid way, with the Holocaust, I think it’s because it’s so hard to fathom or even understand everything that happened during that period of time and this museum is unbelievable. I can't even describe, I'm at a loss for words even as I'm typing. There is no decent description for all that is this particular museum, if you're ever in D.C. you have to go to the Holocaust Museum, it’s astounding.
Pictures to go with the next post
Washington Monument
The Capitol Building
The Air & Space Museum. Indescribably huge.
Look at all the people!!!
Monday, June 28, 2010
If you ask him
If you ask him, he'll tell you his name is Rhys and he's four and a half.
If you ask him, he'll tell you "yes" he knows his clothes are on backwards.
If you ask him, he'll tell you "yes" he knows his clothes are on backwards.
If you ask him if he's going to turn his clothes around, he'll giggle and run away
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Summer's here . . .
with raging temperatures, between 99 and 102 this week. Unfortunately those high temps have been raging through the body of this poor little guy. He's spent the majority of his (usual) waking hours like this:
Napping two to three hour naps everyday this week.
Sylvie and I were starting to go a bit stir crazy staying in the house everyday when the weather was so beautiful and since Rhys was starting to feel better we went to the beach for a little while today.
We were only at the beach for about an hour or so but shortly after we got home this is how I found Rhys. Poor little guy, I hope he gets better soon so we can really begin to enjoy our summer.
Napping two to three hour naps everyday this week.Sylvie and I were starting to go a bit stir crazy staying in the house everyday when the weather was so beautiful and since Rhys was starting to feel better we went to the beach for a little while today.
We were only at the beach for about an hour or so but shortly after we got home this is how I found Rhys. Poor little guy, I hope he gets better soon so we can really begin to enjoy our summer.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Entertainment in the condiments
So over the weekend, while helping a friend get ready for her graduation party I found myself in a fast food restaurant that I haven't been in, in years. While waiting for my order I was perusing the selection of condiments only to find an assortment of witty comments on each on one. These were a few 0f my favorites.
No, you cannot say "we meet again" because quite frankly I've never met you before.
I burst out laughing when I first read this one. Right up my alley and quite entertaining, don't you think?
No. No, I will not marry you. And quite frankly if anyone should ever happen to propose to me in this manner no matter how much I loved him the answer would still be, no.
What a story that would be to tell your children. "Well, honey when your father proposed he took me to a fast food joint and ever so slyly slide the sause packet across the table and waited patiently and expentantly while I read the text written on said sauce packet."
No, you cannot say "we meet again" because quite frankly I've never met you before.
I burst out laughing when I first read this one. Right up my alley and quite entertaining, don't you think?
No. No, I will not marry you. And quite frankly if anyone should ever happen to propose to me in this manner no matter how much I loved him the answer would still be, no.
What a story that would be to tell your children. "Well, honey when your father proposed he took me to a fast food joint and ever so slyly slide the sause packet across the table and waited patiently and expentantly while I read the text written on said sauce packet."
I've heard some engagement proposal stories over the years. It's always fun to hear how your father or mother or brother or sister or friend or whoever asked (or was asked by) their significant other for their hand in marriage. Come to think of it I have no idea how my dad proposed to my mom . . . hmmm, I think I may need to ask him. Do you have any good engagement stories?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Well, I'm going to make another attempt ...
we'll see how this goes. So where do I start? How about with the most recent events and I'll slowly work my way backwards until we're all caught up, how about that?
This past Wednesday (June 9th) marked the "official" beginning of summer for the kids and I, as it was their last day of school. Let me just say Thursday and Friday were somewhat unpleasant as the kids didn't really have an idea of what to do now that their usual schedule as been completely abandoned. I've got to figure out a daily routine for us to follow otherwise we're all gonna go crazy. I tell you these kids need a good schedule to follow.
One of the things I've decided to do with them, now that they're older, is cooking. They both love cooking and helping out in the kitchen and they're more likely to eat what's in front of them if they are the ones who made it. Right now there's not a whole lot in the house to work with but I found this recipe for Marshmallow Fluff over at this website and let me just tell you, I didn't make the whole recipe and we still ended up with a TON of fluff but Rhys and Sylvie loved it.
This past Wednesday (June 9th) marked the "official" beginning of summer for the kids and I, as it was their last day of school. Let me just say Thursday and Friday were somewhat unpleasant as the kids didn't really have an idea of what to do now that their usual schedule as been completely abandoned. I've got to figure out a daily routine for us to follow otherwise we're all gonna go crazy. I tell you these kids need a good schedule to follow.
One of the things I've decided to do with them, now that they're older, is cooking. They both love cooking and helping out in the kitchen and they're more likely to eat what's in front of them if they are the ones who made it. Right now there's not a whole lot in the house to work with but I found this recipe for Marshmallow Fluff over at this website and let me just tell you, I didn't make the whole recipe and we still ended up with a TON of fluff but Rhys and Sylvie loved it.
This girl loves her fluff!
Rhys wasn't so fond of getting all sticky so while I cleaning up he was spending some quality time with Zoe.
Marshmallow Fluff + Nutella + Graham Crackers
= S'Mores!! mmmmm, yummm
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wow, whatever made me think having a blog was a good idea?
What was I thinking when I started this blog? I must've been crazy, I've never been able to keep a diary or a journal. What possessed me to think I'd be able to keep a blog? Well it's been a good six months or so since my last post, and honestly, except for one thing, there isn't much of anything worth noting that has happend in the last six months.
The only thing truly worthy of noting is Isaac is home! I haven't been able to get home to see him yet, as he's located in Minnesota and I'm out here in New York but I'm hoping to go home for a few days sometime this spring.
Well, umm that's about it, I can't think of anything else to say at the moment so I'll leave you with a few new pics of the kiddos enjoying the "blizzard" that hit today. *I must be biased or something cuz quite frankly if you can still see your neighbor's house across the street than it doesn't really count as a blizzard. Plus it was barely below the freezing point, the first few layers of snow melted as soon as it hit the ground.
The only thing truly worthy of noting is Isaac is home! I haven't been able to get home to see him yet, as he's located in Minnesota and I'm out here in New York but I'm hoping to go home for a few days sometime this spring.
Well, umm that's about it, I can't think of anything else to say at the moment so I'll leave you with a few new pics of the kiddos enjoying the "blizzard" that hit today. *I must be biased or something cuz quite frankly if you can still see your neighbor's house across the street than it doesn't really count as a blizzard. Plus it was barely below the freezing point, the first few layers of snow melted as soon as it hit the ground.
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