Favorite Things (September)

A new friend invited me - and a BUNCH of other gals - to a Favorite Things party.  With the goal of getting to know each other better, we were each supposed to bring four of our favorite things to give as gifts (four identical gifts) and plan on coming home with four different gifts from other people.  Each gift should cost $6 or less.  Fun idea, right?  Oh, and of course we brought food, as well!

Here's what I brought.  Thank goodness for used books and a good friend who is a Jamberry consultant, because I brought my favorite work of fiction, my favorite treat, and my favorite goodie for my nails.

Here they are, all wrapped up.  It was really fun to see other people's favorite things, too.  

I came home knowing a little more about the other gals...and also got some nail polish, some Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and some candy and lip gloss.  I think my favorite things are still my faves, though!

Dresses for Grace, Grace, and Maddie (September)

Alternate title:  My Mom is Super Talented

Mom made this dress for Grace last year on her birthday, and she made a matching dress for Grace's Bitty Twin, Maddie.  Grace wore it for Easter...and lots of other times, too.  When Mom found out that Maddie got a big sister, she planned to make a matching dress for her, too.  Well, here are the dresses...and the dolls...and the thrilled little girl.

When Daddy is Gone (September)

Jeff went on a hiking trip with his buddies for five days, and we stayed busy.  We did all the normal stuff, of course, but we also took a trip to a special park.  It distracted the kids...and also Jeff called when he had just summited Mt. Whitney.  We were glad to hear from him since he didn't have cell coverage for most of his trip!

We had a great time at the park...but we were so happy when he was home safely.

Young Eagles (September)

 Jonathan recently participated in a program called Young Eagles.  Local pilots take kids on plane rides...for free...at local municipal airports.  Thanks to the Cub Scouts, we found out about this fun treat for him!  He got to choose which plane to try...and met a WWII pilot (hero!) as well.  Google it, and you might find a free flight day near you, too.  We're excited to participate again next time!

Apparently, It Was Ninja Night... (September 17)

In September...We Watched Hot Air Balloons

We have talked about doing this with Todd and Corinne and Charlotte for awhile, and this year it finally worked out.  We watched the hot air balloons launch, and then we went to get breakfast together!

In September...They Started Gymnastics

They were excited to get started on their first day, and they continue to love it!

I took a few pics through the windows.

Jonathan didn't want to take gymnastics like he did when he was little, so he reads, does homework, and chats with me.

A Dress With a Story

When Gracie was little, I made a diaper bag out of some favorite fabric.  I used it so much that I wore it out, but I still had some of the fabric left, so I made a dress for her to grow into.  While she was growing, I spotted an outfit for an 18" doll using the same fabric.  (If you're on Zulily, the AnnLoren brand has a lot of cute doll outfits for good prices now and then!)  Since it was $8 or $9, I had to order it, of course.  And when we had one day of fall weather this week, I surprised Grace with the doll outfit and the fact that she was tall enough to wear the dress I had made - finally.  (You can't really see the matching parts because they are covered by Grace's hugging hands.)  You can see that she's pretty happy about all of it, right?  It was fun to do this for her.

How to Brush Teeth...Hands Free

This Never Gets Old

Taking pictures of my sleeping babies, I mean.  It never gets old.

Jonathan is a little harder to catch on camera these days.  And, that bowl in the second picture is not because Benjamin was sick.  He likes to stand a cup of water in a bowl so it doesn't spill.