Candy Mold Crayons

So, I made these crayons out of our broken bits of crayons.  Melted them down and poured them into candy molds.  This is the only picture I got as I was doing it while tending to a fussy baby.  But basically I sorted the crayons into blues and red/oranges and then tossed them into a metal can (I used a can that had crushed tomatos in it) and put the pan into a pot of boiling water to melt them down.  Once melted I poured it into a small measuring cup I stole from the kids' kitchen set and used that to pour them into the molds.  You have to work fast otherwise they start to harden before you pour and you make a huge mess :)

Anyway, I popped them in the fridge and they set and the came right out of the molds with ease.  These will be in their Easter baskets this year as I am trying to keep the candy to a minimum between feeding issues and allergies.

Yarn Along

Well, it is true! At last at last!! The Nemo mittens are completed!!  Overall, considering I did these at the end of a pregnancy and postpartum and they are for a 4 year old who is not too critical I think they came out fine.  But here is some of my worst knitting to date.  It just came out sort of sloppy.  And, well, I just don't like those double points!!  But they are done and I am moving on to making something for myself!  I am starting the Shalom Cardigan.  I love this cardigan and I am praying that my resizing works out (the pattern only comes in small)  So I chose Vintage Chunky in very dark Forrest Green.  As you can see I haven't even casted on yet.  Just bought the yarn and did a few gauges yesterday.  Hope to cast on today.

As for reading.  I just finished that Laura Ingalls Wilder biography last night and started West From Home.  These are letters Laura wrote to Almanzo on her trip west to visit her daughter in San Francisco.  Can you tell I am on a Laura kick?  After I read A Wilder Life I printed out the authors bibliography and I am trying to work my way through it here and there.  I have always had a thing for Little House and Laura Ingalls and all that related stuff.  It makes good bedtime reading.

To check out some more yarn alongs (which I recommend if you like knitting and crocheting because you will find lots of inspiration and pattern ideas) go visit Ginny.

Musical Interlude

Awesome Giveaway...

Going on over at Living Montessori Now.

Head over there to have a chance to win an Ipad2!!  Lots of different ways to enter.

Good luck!

Don't Worry It Is Just "Red and Orange" Hair

One of the activities today for Ben's Little Saints Preschool program was to make an outline of his whole body and then color it in.

You can click on the picture to see it larger...if you dare  ;) 

First of all he is so ticklish that to get the outline done was very difficult LOL...he simply could not lay still!  So cute.

So he always says he has red and orange hair.....Crayola has it covered with a red-orange crayon.  So he scribbled over the top of his head with it to make hair.  And then we always talk about how his eyes match his hair....so those two red blotches that look like gunshot wounds on his head are his eyes of course LOL..

The dark green drawing on his shirt is supposed to be a crocodile since that is what was really on his shirt today.  But after realizing his drawing wouldn't be as crocodile-ish as he liked he scribbled over it.  Perfectionism is such a little devil.

But he did really enjoy this activity and it came out really cute.  But it is huge so I don't see us keeping it hanging for TOO long!  What do you all do with all the little art projects and drawings?  Keep or toss?

After we finished our lessons for the day we went outside, but I was so tired after a really bad nights sleep.  So I just sat on a beach chair and Ben was chatting away to me, but my exhaustion just got the best of me and I told Ben that I was going to take a rest and he said, "Yeah....me too.." and he climbed onto the chair with me, curled up and we were both asleep almost immediately.  Ohhhh it was the sweetest nap I have had in a long time!!!!  We slept until Claudio finished work and came looking for us!!!

Tonight Anna is sleeping without her pacifier for perhaps the first time in her life!!!  A little bittersweet for me I have to be honest.  :(

Because I Can't Resist...Even MOORREEE Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesdays

**2M 8lbs12oz (if I don't put the stats in the blog the info will be lost)

Presenting An Interview with Benjamin

So I FINNNALLLYYYYY started the Little Saints preschool program with Ben today. One of the activities was tape record an interview with your child. I have to imagine tape recording was suggested because it was written before everyone had cameras that can take video. So we went with a video interview. He was a bit distracted by the fact that had a bevy of paints in front of him and I was delaying his artwork. But still cute.

A Day at the Zoo

Yesterday Claudio had off from work so after a quick (and seemingly pointless) followup with Anna's surgeon at CHOP we went for a trip to the zoo!

We have been having unusually warm weather for March. So it was sunny and about 80 degrees out. (and interesting note on the weather. I am a people watcher...I can spend an entire day sitting somewhere watching people go by....and it was interesting to see so many families in shorts and tshirts and sandals etc, but still a large amount wearing long sleeve and long pants and heavy shoes. Some even in jackets. I wondered how many hadn't checked the weather and how many just are not prepared in mid-March to break out the summer clothes. *shrug* Of course then I noticed that even though I had my kids in shorts and tshirts and I was wearing capris and a tshirt....and I even took off Beatrice's socks and pants, that my husband was wearing jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and hiking boots LOL. I know his reasons though. He is just goofy like that!)

Anna just cracks me up to just look at.  Sitting there in her enormous pink throne carseat with baubles in her pigtails, and the sunglasses....it's just too much LOL

We packed our lunch and ate at the cafeteria at CHOP before heading to the zoo (notice Claudio doing "bites" with Anna to get some peanutbutter and jelly into her.)

Moe, Larry and Curly....

This is basically what Beatrice did all day.  She woke mid day for a bottle, but otherwise snoozed....what a life!!

Once the kids heard there would be kangaroos they sort of wanted to skim past everything else and get to the kangaroos (which were of course the last thing we saw on the way out of the zoo LOL)

"Ben, you want to put your face in there and be a monkey??!"  "No" Yeah that is my Ben...arms crossed and all.  Never one to perform on request.

We all giggled at this lion because she sleeps just like our cat Bunny.

I was so proud of this little guy.  He is the type of kid that is just very reserved and shy...and I would say misunderstood.  He likes to approach things on his own terms and at his own time and the more he is forced or rushed the longer he takes to warm up to a person or situation (I could write a whole post on this topic.  Largely I feel like this is fine and just how my otherwise lovely and sweet kiddo is, but there is a fine line between shy/reserved and rude/antisocial....anyway someday I will tackle this topic).

So when I asked if he wanted to ride the carousel I was SURE he would say no (as he does before many times).  But he said YES!  And then told me that I should not hold his hand because he was going to be brave.

And he LOVED it!!   

pardon me passing through...

We love hedgehogs!!

Ben was hilarious with the zoo map!  He would stop and study it and direct us where to go.  As Claudio says, "He is not shy about dictating."  So true.

And as I said, in his time he was ready to put his head through the little hole and let me take a picture LOL

Giraffes for Grandma JoJo

Finally my little kangaroo meets his beloved favorite kangaroos for real!  He was of course exhausted and half asleep by this time but he loved it (the kangaroos were exhausted too as most were lounging in the dirt LOL).  Next time we go to the zoo we will go the reverse route we took so kangaroos are FIRST!  Lesson learned 

Such a Snooze!

 I hope Claudio doesn't get mad at me for posting this.  Luckily I am not sure he knows I took it and he doesn't read my blog...so he may never know!  It was just too precious!!  And I love that they are all sitting on what looks like a Toy Story toy and sippy cup and who knows what else is underneath them.  And the handy pencil behind his ear *sigh*.  I love how Beatrice's little hand is just barely touching Bunny and he isn't running away.  Bunny is afraid of Ben and Anna.....and with good reason.

 A closeup of the gorgeous little bundle of deliciousness!!!  Today it is just the two of us.  The olders went to my inlaws for the day.  I love having a slow quiet day like today with just my tiniest.

I was just thinking yesterday of the freedom I had with Ben...to leave him wherever I liked.  I remember I would put him on his activity mat every morning and he would fall asleep there and I would then take him and put him down for a nap in his crib.  If I left Beatrice for even a moment on her activity mat she would likely be sat on and body slammed by one of the other children.  But on a day like today she can snooze or play without fear wherever she likes.

Later today we will be visiting our beloved Dr. Blair for Beatrice's 2M well check.  Can't wait to hear how big she has gotten.  Ben was 10lbs by his 2M.  I couldn't find Anna's 2M info but I found her 3M info and she had just hit 10lbs at 3M.  I am positive Beatrice is no where near 10lbs.  I will be shocked if she has hit 9M.  We shall see.  She is definitely a tiny smidge of a thing.

And last, but not least.....my dear Bunny.  My mushy squishy lump of a cat.  He only comes around once the kids are in bed....safely tucked away.  Otherwise he can be found snoozing on my bed.  Literally he snoozes on the bed ALL day.  Once the kids are in bed he comes down to snooze on the couch.  When I go to bed he comes back upstairs to snooze on the bed.  I would like to sign up for just ONE day like that!

Tag You're It - The "It's An Honor To Be Nominated" Edition

Cynthia over at the LOVELY Finding Great Joy tagged me in a fun little meme.

First I must thank the Academy Cynthia for tagging me because mine is the little unknown, unread, unloved blog.  I love to take part in the reindeer games though!!

Such fun!  It is all about the randomness that is Jamie!  I am nothing if not random!

So without further ado.....

THE RULES!:

1.  The first rule is to post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself then write 11 things about you/your life.
3. Answer the questions for you set in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter to tell them you have tagged them.

I think finding a photo of me was the hardest part! I am the camera holder and snapper! Rare that I am in the picture!

1. I dream about CHOP just about every night these days.  Last night my neighbors growing up were working at the hospital AND I misplaced Anna on some level of the hospital you couldn't get to from where I was (interpret that however you like but the fact of the matter is if you have ever been to CHOP you know that this is a legit fear.....that place is a labyrinth!
2.  Growing up I used to hide my Cabbage Patch Kid under the cover of my bed for fear that someone would peak in my window, see the doll, and try to steal her!
3.  Now I sleep with a mushroom...much less concern about abduction!
4. My mother's maiden name is Fagot...I don't think any witty commentary is required.
5. I don't like the Beatles
6.  I also don't like Elvis
7. I have a degree in music education and used to play the flute quite well (I can also play the clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and can fake it at piano and french horn)
8.  When I was little I used to practice Candy Land to improve my skills at the game.
9.  All of my kids were born on Tuesdays
10. Ben was born on Super Tuesday AND Fat Tuesday
11. I once told one of my professors in college that my mom said she was the devil.  I can no longer remember if my mom actually did say that or if I made it up.

Ok, now the questions Cynthia came up with for me:

1. Mini-van or other?  Yes mini van
2. Favorite clothing item?  Oh my gosh.  I am a fashion moron so I have no idea.  My jeans, or my slippers, or my Crocs...depending on mood/season
3. Best friend in the whole wide world? Why? Can I pick two??  Of course I can this is my blog!  First Linda who has been my friend since 5th grade.  She is the least judgmental most devoted and encouraging friend.  I feel like she is always the same while I go through all sorts of crazy phases of life...she is a rock. And my #2 is my friend Sharyn who lives in Australia now.  We spent a summer together as co-counselors and she has been my soul mate of friends ever since.  Obviously, we see each other rarely.
4. Favorite movie?  Hmm, I love the Anne of Green Gables movies.
5. Your favorite trait about yourself? Sense of Humor?
6. Best concert you've ever been to?  Bare Naked Ladies
7. Most difficult decision you've ever had to make? Oh man, where do I start?? I guess to convert to Catholicism
8. What did you want to be when you were little? A mom and a teacher
9. Favorite quote? How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness -- GK Chesterton
10. Most expensive item [at the grocery store] that you have ever purchased??  I bought my Keurig at Shop Rite...so there ya go.
11. Best television series you have ever watched?  Cla and I are really enjoying Larkrise to Candleford right now

And last but not least...the tagging!

Katherine, Elia, Meghan, Rebecca, Jessica, and Allison

And your questions:

1.  What is your earliest memory?
2. What is the last thing that made you laugh?
3. your favorite nut?
4. Your favorite candy?
5. What is your dream vacation?
6  Favorite childhood toy?
7. Most embarrassing moment you are willing to share on your blog?
8. What are you most proud of?
9. If you could have a house cleaner or a personal chef which would you choose?
10. Favorite season and why?
11. Most influential book you have read?