Medal Winner

Gymnastics is more and more fun every week. Lilly mastered the newest set of "move-up tricks" and is movin' on up to the next class. She will be one of the very, very youngest but is such a hard worker and good listener and loves it so much. Several weeks from now she will participate in her first tumbling meet. I am proud.

The correct answer (in a nutshell) to the previous post--
Doc Octopus sucking up Spiderman (But how nice that they are both smiling, even in a fight to the death!)

Caption it!

I was shocked when I browsed the artwork lining the hallway outside Ian's kindergarten classroom. Some of the faces these kids had drawn, in my opinion, were elaborate: eyes had eyeballs inside and eyelashes, too. People weren't just sticks and some even had clothing!

Well.

Ian's people drawings may be a bit primitive compared to some in his class. But this kid's drawings are OOZING with substance, action, personality, and come with elaborate technical explanations. There is always something HAPPENING in his artwork, and you can bet it's a whopping story.

So tell me, what do you think was his story in this picture? And yes, there is a correct answer.

Between you and me, I'll be a little sad when those deliriously happy faces with hollowed out eyeballs disappear someday from his art.

My Many Colored Days

First up: Ban on Bands (or Bandz). These multicolored offenders have been banished from kindergarten at Ian's school. It's a good thing Lilly isn't there yet. She's pretty attached, most specifically, to these Strawberry Shortcake scented pretties.

Are Silly Bands all the rage where you live, or is this just a local craze? Do tell.

Speaking of multicolors . . . ever feel like your life is summed up in Dr. Seuss's book, My Many Colored Days? :
"You'd be surprised how many ways I change on different colored days."

The beginning of kindergarten for Ian has transformed our lives in so many ways. In EVERY way, it seems. I've (we've--okay, mostly I) had red days, blue days, black, orange, yellow and pink days.

Today is one of the first days Lilly and I have just hung out at home. We painted and read, played with toys and watched videos. We rode bikes and sang songs. We put ribbons and feathers in our hair. Life as it was pre-August 24 (except with one instead of two).

This Mega Block Cloud City was constructed Saturday morning by Nathan and the kids. Oh yeah. It's still sitting right there where you see it. We now especially TREASURE those quiet Saturday mornings together, and those silly weekend nights . . .

And as long as Ian still searches for that Lovey each evening, I still feel like he is little. MY little fella. Maybe kindergarten hasn't changed everything after all.

Speaking of changes, I have my first job interview in YEARS tomorrow afternoon. I am returning to teaching--well, just substitute teaching. I can't complain: I've been able to be home with my children for five years.

Life is changing, but in the words of Dr. Seuss,
"But it all turns out all right, you see. And I go back to being . . . me."

Here's to feeling like ME again soon! How is your life changing right now?

Craft Hope book winner

I got a thrill from all these comments! Your favorite crafts include old standbys like sewing (my personal fave) and scrapbooking, but also reach to the borderline-exotic (Addie, your organic dog treats take the cake, and Amy B., yes, sidewalk chalk definitely counts!).

Thanks, everyone, for entering the giveaway. Nancy, congrats! Please email your address to me at yeebird[at]gmail[dot]com.

Giveaway! Craft Hope Book

(GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED)
Here it is, friends: the Craft Hope book giveaway. To enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite craft, be it painting, scrapbooking, sewing, underwater basketweaving, etc. If you are reading this on my Facebook, please click over to yeebird and leave your comment on my blog.

The giveaway will close Wednesday, September 8 at midnight, with results posted on September 9. Winners will be chosen at random (in other words, Ian will pull a name from a hat).

Also, check me out here!

And one more thing--Dana Willard of MADE is doing a giveaway of the Craft Hope book too, so after you enter here click over to her spot (if it is not posted there yet, try again later today) and enter again.

Now, a few photos of this morning--Lilly's very first day of preschool. I'm not sure if she was excited . . .

As for the obnoxiously huge tulle hairbows . . . last night I asked Lill, "What do you want to wear on your first day of school tomorrow?" Lilly replied, "Um, PURPLE." And there ya go. So, when we parked this morning, she said, "I need to get out and go show everyone my hair." She is an absolute TRIP. I love it!


When we arrived it was pretty much, Mom and Dad WHO? Cool.

Remember to leave a comment to win. Happy Thursday.

Brunette Beauty

Today was her first dance class--tap+ballet+tumbling. Lilly loved it. I can't help but notice she stands out in a lovely way with her dark hair.

My next order of business is to sew Lilly a one-of-a-kind ballet bag for her sweet shoes. I planned to make a can-can skirt inspired bag covered with pink and purple ruffles, until I saw these beauties and fell in love. Now I am undecided. What's your opinion--chiffon ruffles or satin ribbons?

Stop back tomorrow for a giveaway--the Craft Hope book!