cuddly strip quilts for the girlies

After doing a few baby quilts recently, Amara asked for one. I hadn't done one for her yet, because she is SO attached to her green blanket, I didn't figure she'd care for anything else.

But, I got some fabrics for her and she picked them out (we did it together really) and we got to work.

We also picked out some fabrics to make one for Cora--complete with some hello kitty fabric thrown in, and we had our path ahead of us.

But, I got some fabrics for her and she picked them out (we did it together really) and we got to work.

We also picked out some fabrics to make one for Cora--complete with some hello kitty fabric thrown in, and we had our path ahead of us.

Last night, we finished the bindings and washed them, getting them all ready for the girls.  We were going to hold them back and surprise them on Cora's birthday--but we figured there will be so much else going on, no reason NOT to give them to them today.

This morning, Eric fished them out of the dryer (among the Valentine's pillow cases we made and also a horse one for Irelyn) and Eric presented them to each girl.  The BOTH squeeled (literally, i've never heard Amara make that sound) with excitement and asked immediately to be covered up and get all snuggly.  It made my day--and week, for sure.

Later in the day, they were used as gymnasics mats for Amara's cartwheels, a shroud for Cora--with only her tiny face peeking out, and to cover up numerous sleeping babies too.

The work (though not even that much) was SO well worth it. I can't wait to start on my next ones for them.  Maybe Amara will help me pick one out for her new room remodel? we'll see--

Happy valentine's day, Daddy

It's tough to sometimes coordinate a gift to daddy from the girls.  I thought what better way to celebrate with him, then to have his valentines surprise him at work! 

I got some yummy cookies from Leslie at the Pink Apron--one of his favs, coordinated an early pickup with Sarah, and we headed downtown.

Our friend, Tony Howard helped get me in the building and coordinate the surprise, then the girls helped daddy pass out his valentines to his friends.  They also enjoyed spinning in the office chairs and watching the trains go by the building outside.

It was a fun short visit for daddy--I think he'd had enough, haha, but everyone had a sweet time with him.  xoxo

Colin's winter picnic party

On a perfectly snowy, dreary winter day, what could be better than spending it with great friends--celebrating a special birthday?

We headed up to Recreations Outlet for Colin's bday party after a low-key Sunday morning at home, but as soon as we got there, the girls took off!

Amara played with Fiona and some of the other kids, and Cora set off climbing anything she could get into.

The kids had a blast playing, eating, and celebrating with Colin.  The end of the party came so quickly, they didn't want to leave (but the catnap on the way home from Cora was a sign that she tired herself out.)

I can't believe Colin (and Cora) are 2 this month--next year will be an entirely different party :)

star student of the week poster project

Amara was selected this week to be the star student of the week in her ladybug class.  We had a poster "all about me" to fill in and we decided to work on it together after Cora was in bed.  Some of the sections included her drawing a picture of her family, things that she likes, and things that she didn't like.

She also had to jot down 3 wishes, and there was a section that talked about her height, weight, hair color, and she wrote her name on the poster.

She had a hard time finding things she didn't like, but she said that she didn't like scratchy things, medicine, mud, and a few other things.  Things she liked was much easier and ranged from waffles and oranges, to yellow daffodils, pink flowers, and a beautiful sunset and house picture. 

She was very proud of it when we were done, and daddy printed out a pic of our family for the top section.  She carried it into class the next morning and Ms. Misty was thrilled to see her artwork!  I know she got to present her poster in class to her friends--i'd have loved to have seen that, but I'll just have to imagine :)

here comes the wedding girl

This weekend, while grandma and gramdpa Young were visiting, Amara disappeared upstairs for a bit. Eric had gone up to check on her and caught her in the middle of her big debut.

She hustled him back downstairs and within a few seconds, Amara appeared at the landing of the stairs in all her glory. She had put on a dress, and was wearing a sequin shirt around her neck as a scarf. She was carrying a stem of some type of flowers that she had brought home from grandma Jahn's the night before.

She announced herself "here comes the wedding girl," and we all smiled at her confidence as she made her way down.

Eric met her at the bottom of the steps--at which point we all gathered around and she started to get a tad shy. 

I thought it was super sweet that she called herself the 'wedding girl' and took this all upon herself--she's not much of a dress-up person, so this was all especially sweet to us.

Cora joins the JumpBunch!

In the middle of winter, it seems as if the kids never get enough play time. I was thrilled to find the JumpBunch! class through parks and rec, that gives kids exposure to different sports--when they can't get outside to play.

Classes were on Saturday mornings at 9:30, right after Amara's swimming--so it worked out perfectly...and since Cora used to go to the red barn with us for Amara's class, we hoped she'd be thrilled to finally get HER chance to play.

The first week, they took turns with pool noodle javelin darts, had an obstacle course, and played with silly snakes (that were like rubber resistance bands) by stretching them, standing on them, and just horsing around.

Whenever she could, she'd make a break from me and run to where daddy and sister were.  (a little distracting)  but we had a good time!  It's a 6 week session to get exposure to different activities and make new friends. I think she enjoyed having her own class in the red barn after always watching Amara's class there.

quilting for cousins

With 2 upcoming cousins joining the Young family this Spring, we decided to get busy and welcome them in with our latest hobby.  I found this cute log cabin pattern for Kristin--then finding out they were doing sports, Eric and I got busy finding the perfect fabrics.  We got lucky with some of them, but still had to order the hockey and golf fabrics online.

Eric helped with the fabric layout (he's REALLY good at that) and I got busy assembling the quilt.  I was back and forth on how to quilt it but ultimately decided on stitching it in the ditch, so make the fabrics the star--not the quilting.  I gave it to her at her Lancaster shower last weekend and she seemed to really like it.

Steph's quilt was a new pattern too-- a modified rag quilt pattern we found on Pinterest.  I picked out some soft flannels with help from the ladies from Quilt Beginnings and again, Eric helped me with the layout.  The girls saw it lying around and wanted to keep it--so now we are working on flannel rag quilts for them too.  Steph said some of the muted colors will match baby girl's room, so I'm super glad it will work out for her.

I like that E's nephews will have personal gifts to welcome them home, and hopefully they enjoy them for years to come.