Stayin' Busy

It's another testing week and I'm trying to stay busy while Birch studies. He was down-in-bed sick for two weeks and has since been catching up on school, so I've had lots of time to myself.

I brought out my sewing machine and made a nursing cover. Thanks Kat, for getting me some great girl time and sewing practice! If you're interested in making one, here is a link with directions for how to sew it. It's easy and fast!

http://www.breastfeeding123.com/free-pattern-to-sew-your-own-nursing-cover/

(I guess the link wasn't very obvious, so here you go)

I was also flipping through old Ensigns and found the sheet music to "This is the Christ." It's one of my favorite songs about the Savior. I've been practicing it on the piano and found a video of it on YouTube.



Trevor and I have been to many library storytimes--gotta love the free entertainment. I asked the librarian what books would be appropriate for him right now since he's lost interest in board books but can't follow the plot of most picture books. (I know, nerdy used-t0-be-a-teacher mom that talks to the librarian). She suggested a link on our library's website that lists appropriate books for toddlers. Many were already familiar but he has also liked every other book I have checked out from the list:


Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett
Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Jr.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
The Cow that Went Oink by Bernard Most
I Went Walking by Sue Williams
Low Song by Denise Fleming
No, David! by David Shannon
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

High End Toys

If I ever strike it rich, one thing I will have no problem splurging on is kids' toys. Nothing that requires batteries to power all the lights and sounds but pretty much anything from Melissa and Doug's line. If they would just send me a sample of every toy before it hits the stores I would be happy.

But since that won't happen anytime soon I'm stuck getting creative. Here is our project from this afternoon: helping Trevor learn his "yettas." It's just a cardboard shirt box cut in squares with magnets glued on the back for him to sort on the fridge.

We've also found some funny ways to entertain him during church. Here is another piece of cardboard cut into shapes and hole-punched to lace onto a pipe cleaner.

This final product started as an empty cornmeal container. Two holes were cut in the top: a larger one for pom-pom balls and a smaller one for Q-tips.

Please share your homemade toy ideas! I know you've been desperate and had moments of inspiration.

Froggy and Dad

Recently Trevor's favorite book has been Froggy's Dad with Dad, a story about Froggy playing golf with his dad for Father's Day. After reading it over and over Trevor has decided that playing golf is what all boys should do with their dads. (Just imagine what happens when I suggest that mom could golf with him--yeah, right!)

It's actually been good for Birch to get outside and take a break from studying. What I think is funny is how happy Trevor is to be his caddy. He might hit one or two balls, but mostly his job is to put the ball down, tell dad that it went "super far" after he hits it and then collect the balls for another round.











Last week Birch took Trevor to a U of A basketball game and he lasted the whole time!

We also celebrated Birch's birthday at the end of January. Presents were opened in the middle of the day because Trevor couldn't wait (and I thought he would spoil the surprises) but we held out for cake until that night. Now he wants a happy birthday every day because he knows it means cake.

The Score is Tied

We had an ultrasound today and found out the baby is a GIRL!!! Sorry there's not a fun picture to post but we're excited, anxious and happy, especially for a healthy baby.