Baby Room

March 26, 2011
We have been getting things ready for Baby Jane's arrival. We decided to go with a blue and white toile print with yellow accents for her room. I recently finished sewing curtains, duvet cover, changing table pad cover, crib bedskirt, and a quilt for her crib. It has been so fun making these items and the room is really starting to come together.

Curtains and recovered rocking chair pads

Crib quilt

Crib with the bedskirt (I used my newly acquired gathering skills that I learned in sewing group a month earlier to make the bedskirt)
We wanted to get some sort of mobile to hang above her crib and I had found one on etsy - but it was a little more than I was willing to pay. So, we decided to try to make a similar one ourselves. My mom helped me get the dowels on top ready and also helped cut out the circles (thank goodness for the cricket machine). Jim and I spent an evening after the boys were in bed and put the mobile together. I think this was the first time we have worked together on a project like this. Although it was a little tedious, by the end we were getting pretty good at putting it together (Jim was especially good at it). I think it turned out pretty good too.
All complete (except for wall decor, which Stephanie has promised to help us with when she comes to visit)

Grandma And Grandpa

March 21, 2011
We have tried to make it a goal to get up to Bountiful to see Grandma and Grandpa Moss as often as we can. Often times we go up after work on Mondays, take dinner to them, eat together, and then have a short Family Home Evening with them. It has been so rewarding to have this time with them in their home and the boys just love it too!

On this particular Monday we decided to take a few pictures.
Samuel and Grandma Moss

George and Grandma

Jim and his parents

Grandpa and the boys

Me and my boys

Orchestra At Temple Square

March 18, 2011
We were given tickets to attend a concert put on by "The Orchestra at Temple Square". We were very excited to take Samuel to the Salt Lake Tabernacle to enjoy this concert. On the tickets it said that children should be 8 years old, but we figured since he has been to concerts in the past that he would be fine to attend this one as well. When we got up there and went to get seated, there were volunteers outside of the tabernacle directing people and manning the doors. Before we were able to go inside, the workers asked Samuel how old he was. He told them 5 and they then directed us to a little theatre in the neighboring visitor's center. I guess they weren't joking when the said that children needed to be 8. I learned my lesson. We were kind of sad that we didn't get to be in the same room with the instruments, but I think it turned out ok in the end. Samuel still enjoyed his time there.
Inside the visitor's center before the concert began

The first song that was played was very long and not very easy to listen to. We asked Samuel if he wanted to leave but he wanted to stay for the entire concert. We ended up getting home around 11:00PM, which is way past his bedtime - but we had a good time.

When we went outside after the concert was finished, the moon looked really neat next to the temple (the picture doesn't do it justice)

Mr. Ted E. Bear

March 14, 2011
In Samuel's kindergarten class this year, each student gets a chance to take Mr. Ted E. Bear home for a week. The idea is that they get to have fun adventures with him and then write about it and share it with their class. The problem is this: Mr. Ted E. Bear is a stuffed (germ fest) animal that travels to all different houses throughout the year without ever getting a wash. Call me germaphobe, but I am not a fan of stuffed animals and especially not ones that have been who knows where. So, you can imagine my excitement (sense the sarcasm) when Samuel excitedly announced that it was his turn to bring the germ infested bear home.

I was not excited about it, but tried to let him have a little bit of adventure (not really). He brought it home the first day and wanted to take it upstairs and have it sleep with him - NO. Jim and I both put a stop to that really quickly. He was sad, but we explained how germs can be spread, etc. So he was ok with it.

Mr. Ted E. Bear in his bag (which he never left)




The next day he went to school and asked his teacher if Mr. Ted E. Bear was germy - she of course said "No, he's not germy". We explained again - he seemed to understand. I felt like we had made a good compromise when I told him Ted E. Bear could be in the kitchen (on the floor - near the corner) when we had George's birthday celebration (thinking this would be a great thing for Samuel to write about for his "adventures' with Ted E. Bear). Well, Samuel brought Ted E. Bear into the kitchen, placed him on the floor (didn't take him out of the bag - he just "peeked" out). I felt good about the evening.

Then the next day it was time for Samuel to write about his adventures and draw a picture of them. When he brought me his completed work I actually felt a little sad. He was true to what happened and I felt like the mean mom.

HIs picture - this is a picture of Samuel sitting at the table with a piece of cake and Mr. Ted E. Bear over in the corner tucked in his blue bag with long handles


His story about his "adventure"


I did have a little chat with his teacher later and gave her a few ideas of things that would be helpful (as a mom) - for example, if she washed the bear in between houses, use a plastic toy that could be wiped down with bleach wipes or something, use something without fur/hair for germs to house in, etc. She seemed open to the ideas - at least we don't have to/get to have him at our house again this year.

George Turns 3

March 10, 2011
George's birthday celebration began with a present from Samuel first thing in the morning (a big blue bouncy ball). Festivities continued when George and I met Jim at work to have lunch together. In the evening Grandma and Grandpa Brookes came over to help us celebrate with cake and ice cream. This is the best group picture we were able to get. Jim was there too, we just neglected to get him in a picture.
Here is George's Mickey Mouse cake - My mom helped me put the M&Ms on and so George told everyone that Grandma made the cake. It was pretty funny.


We had a yummy dinner, cake and ice cream and then he opened a few more presents.
Opening his present from Grandma and Grandpa Brookes

Here is a video of the little balance bike that we bought for him. I think it was a hit.

Opening his presents from Aunt Stephanie

New birthday Jammies from Grandma and Grandpa Moss


It is hard to believe that George is 3 now! He has grown in so many ways in the last year. Some of the things he likes:
Still likes strong flavors (balsamic vinegar, curry, hummus, etc.)
LOVES larabars
playing outside
building towers with blocks
playing with cars
Continues to LOVE music
Books and nursery rhymes
playing "dump truck" with daddy
LOVES candy and chocolate

George is also very observant and is a great problem solver. He does things quietly (pushes stools over and climbs up to get whatever he needs/wants). He is such a fun boy to have in our family. He gives great kisses and occasionally hugs.

We love you George! Happy Birthday.