Christmas Gifts Part 2

I did pretty well using the rhyme for Christmas purchases. The kids both got books (about 4 each) and a couple of outfits. S got a cell phone for her want and Little Mermaid sheets for her need. TT got a R/C helicopter for his want and we couldn't think of anything big for his need so he got a few little things like shoe laces with skulls on them.

I also filled their stocking with fun things like a Webkinz, new Heely wheels, and those incredible growing toys that you put in water.
The rhyme helped me on a mental/emotional level because I didn't get the feeling that I needed to run out on Christmas Eve and buy more gifts. It felt good to just let it be.

Christmas Knitting

I made these Jan Brett inspired mittens for T's second grade teacher. I had a few other people from the school on my knitting list but I didn't get their gifts done so I gave them IOUs.

I had a few problems with the mittens (including gauge, placement of thumb, and writing the pattern) but overall I am very proud of these mittens. I hope to write the pattern up and maybe offer it as a Mitten of the Month.

Sally

This post is for Lia. I haven't talked much about Sally lately. She has mostly outgrown her chewing stage or we have gotten smarter and provided more acceptable things to chew on. She is still learning appropriate guest manner as she gets very excited and jumps on people.

Her main hobby is hanging around the kitchen looking sad and pathetic and hoping someone will drop something. Unfortunately (or fortunately for her) I am quite clumsy and often she gets lucky if I can't grab it before she gets it.

It is too cold for much running or walking but she enjoys playing in the snow outside and will sometimes not want to come in.

She is a good dog, very smart and loving.

T's Birthday Party

If you are a VIP, you might get a special invite to T T's "Party Like a Rockstar" birthday party. The invitations are 3-D with T T rocking out on the top, flames, and adoring fans. Also there are VIP All-Access pass for you will wear to the party so security doesn't kick you out.

The party is next Thursday so if you don't get an invite this week, sorry maybe next year.

Christmas Gifts

So I have a tendency to go a little overboard in the gift department during Christmas. The list of people I give gifts to has everyone from the mailman and trashman to the lunch lady and secretary at the kid's school. It's all really too much. In addition usually the week before Christmas I freak out and go buy the kids extra gifts just so they can having lots to open on Christmas morning.

But this year I am making a pledge before all of you, I will not go overboard. I am trimming my list and giving holiday greeting cards with a handwritten thank you's to those I would usually buy a gift card for i.e. lunch lady and school secretary.

Also I am using a cute I idea from, my friend, Allison's blog for my kids. Gifts from this poem: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Lucky for me, we are having our school book fair next week and I will be able to get some good deals on books.

I expect that you guys will hold me to this.

Thanksgiving in Chicago

Here's a few pictures of our trip to Chicago over Thanksgiving break.

We drove up on Tuesday night.

Then we sent 3 days going to major attractions in Chicago.

Here's the list: Navy Pier, Chicago Children's Museum, Michigan Avenue, American Girl Place, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, Sears Tower Skydeck, IKEA, Millennium Park, and Giordano pizza

More pictures on my flickr account.

Jan Brett Inspired Mittens

If you have never read a book by Jan Brett you are really missing out of some quality illustrations. My kids and I love "The Hat" and "The Mitten." I love them for the beautiful knit sweaters, hats, mittens, and vests worn by the characters.
I decided I would create a pair of mittens inspired by the books for T's teacher, as a Christmas gift. The pattern is based around a Norwegian star. I will keep you posted on my progress.
Thank you to Becca for helping on the chart.

Learn to Knit

Sometimes in the Learn to Knit class people wonder what they can do with their first little knit item. Mostly, we tell them it is some sort of Barbie clothing. Lucky for us, we found a Barbie in the shop yesterday night and were able to have a little fashion show.
This is Sweater Barbie wearing a Cascade 220 turtleneck sweater dress. And yes, she is riding on a Donkey.

Happy Diwali

Saturday night S and I were invited to attend the local Diwali festival. S's best friend is from India and her mom lent S one of her beautiful Saris to wear. The food was amazing -spicy but delicious.

A Couple of Knitting Things

I'm slowing working on another Clapotis. This one is made of Ella Ray Merino Lace. The colors are wonderful and there is no pooling, which is a good thing.

VOTE

Go vote today, it's your American right.

Mug and Cozy Swap

Saturday morning, Wichita KIP had a wonderful mug and cozy swap. We had 1o people at Cafe Moderne, the food was yummy but the service was yucky. More pictures on my flickr page.

Halloween

Last Saturday, we went to our friend's annual Halloween party. The kids decorated pillowcases for trick or treating, made cupcakes, and hit on a pinata.

Last night, we went trick or treating with friends. The kids got tons of candy.

Excuses, Excuses

Sorry, loyal blog readers. I have been overloaded with school work these last few weeks. This semester is much more intense than the last semester and I'm feeling it. I don't know that people want to hear about the papers I have been writing and the homework which takes up most hours of my day.

I just wanted to let you all know I'm still around and I will try to find some interesting things to blog about in the future.

Rock Springs

On Thursday and Friday, the 4th and 5th grader from S's school went to Rock Springs for a camping trip.

We canoed, hiker, rode horses, did archery, and did a leadership course.

The weather was beautiful, slightly chilly but no wind or rain.

We hiked all over the grounds and S collected pounds of acorns to bring home.

More pictures are on my Flickr account.

Flying

I know I shouldn't let my kids jump on the furniture but haven't you ever wanted to fly?

Both the kids love to run from the dinner room and leap over the arm on the sofa. They take turns video taping each other. This will usually keep them busy for an extending period of time as they try to get the perfect shot.

Cowtown Field Trip

Finally, I was able to go on a field trip this year. T's class went to Cowtown last Friday.

It was the Annual Fair and Education Day.

GO Shockers

Last night, we went to our first Shockers Volleyball Game. Those women are awesome, they won all three games. The games are fast paced with lots of opportunities to stand up and cheer.

Studying and Whatnots

I have many pictures I need to post but I'm currently studying at Panera and don't have my camera handy. Mostly, studying is what fills my days lately. Physiology of Exercise takes a large chunk of time - studying, writing papers, doing labs, and studying. I have decided that I don't have to get all A's this semester and should strive for a balanced life and B's.

I have been knitting (in between classes), I completed one mitten and I am working on a Clapotis. Lia sent me some wonderful yarn from Alaska which I will make into some amazing. And Lara gave me a beautiful skein of handspun and hand dyed as a thank you for allowing her to borrow my spinning wheel.

So I haven't been blogging much but I am on Twitter so if you want more regular updates about my life you can follow me there.

Weekend

Most of my weekend was spent studying for my insanely hard Physiology of Exercise Unit 1 test. But I did find some time to hang out with Angelique who was visiting from New Mexico. When I came to the shop on Thursday it seemed so natural to see Angelique sitting on the sofa knitting. Now I will expect to see her next time I am there but alas, she had to return home on Sunday. Saturday morning was the KIP cowl swap, artfully organizer by Becca. Everyone knitted a cowl, wrapped it up, then we picked numbers and choose. I was so happy to receive Amy's cowl which I had been fallen in love with because it doubles as a headband for my curly locks. In a strange twist of events, Amy choose my cowl, made with Noro in Twist colors. Everyone's cowls were beautiful and I am so grateful to Becca for organizing it.

Dove Self-Esteem Fund

I sent an hour and a half looking at this website. Lots of great information. I worry about about S and her friend's perception of themselves and women, especially when I see the sexy Halloween costumes being marketed to little girls.

Baby Surprise

I made this Baby Surprise Jacket as a sample for the shop.

T9

I feel so old because I had to have a 20-something teach me to use T9 to text on my cellphone. This whole time I have been texting the old way.

Thursday

Thursdays are my favorite day of the week. I have class from 8-9:50 in the morning then I go work out in the circuit room with my friend, lunch on campus, and then field experience ( we are assigned to do observations at a school.) Then it's the best part - I have no classes on Friday so I have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. And as a bonus, I get to go hang out at Twist on Thursday night. Life is good on Thursday.

Smoothie King

This morning I was running late so I skipped my regular morning fruit smoothie and it throw my whole day off.

I have a regular morning schedule, I get up at 6:30, put in a load of laundry and unload the dishwasher. Make a cup of tea and a fruit smoothie and read e-mails and blogs for a few minutes. That's my "me" time for the day.

Four Day Weekend

Four day weekend, already? Geez, we just started school.

It has been a nice couple of days, last night we went to the drive-in and saw "Star Wars: Clone Wars" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth." We love the drive-in, popcorn, peanuts, and hot dogs. We back into a space and open up the back of the van. The kids lay on their blankets and pillows and watch the movies. D and I sit in our lawn chairs.

Since we didn't get home till after midnight from the movies - everyone slept late today. Then we did some grocery shopping and went to the book store. I love being able to spend unstructured time with my family.

Fall Semester

Dear Friends,

I want to apologize in advance for my behavior during the following 4 months. I have a heavy work load ( 6 classes, 16 hours plus field experiences) at school plus all my other commitments.

I may become stressed out, irritable, unresponsive, angry, sad, irrational, exhausted, among other negative states of being. Please be patient and calm with me.

Thank you in advance for your kindness.

The Many Faces of S

One of the kids favorite pastimes is making short movies of themselves or taking super close-up pictures. Here's a photo montage of S from the baseball game Friday night.

Stitch 'n Pitch

Shelly, the families and I had our own personal Stitch 'n Pitch last night at the Wingnuts game. It was very hot, that's why we look so shiny. The game was rather exciting with the Wingnuts scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.

T was so happy to spend his allowance on a little silver bat and get it autographed by one of the players.

Shel was working on the September Sock-of-the Month - it's fabulous and made of Tofutsie and that's all I can say about that.

First Class of Semester Canceled

If your bored between classes you can try to guess The 100 Most Common English Words in 5 minutes.

Since I joined Ravelry sometimes I forget to post pictures of my finished objects. This is Shalom Cardigan. I used Cascade Eco Wool. I'm happy with the finished project and think it will make a great gift for a special someone who is rumored to be returning to Kansas for a visit soon.

My published pattern

Check it out: my Sake Sock pattern in on Knitting Pattern Central.

First Day of School

I'm trying to keep myself busy since the kids started school. I have worked in the front garden, went to the recycling center, cleaned out the kids closets, scrubbed the inside of the fridge, done countless loads of laundry, helped out at the shop, and knit.

Jewelry

I don't wear much jewelry but the things I do wear are special and above all simple.

I always wear a charm which reads "Create your own Destiny" from Amy Peter's Studio. I bought it for myself after my first multi-sport race which was a duathlon in Manhattan, Ks in October of 2006. It reminds me that all things are possible, I rode that race on a mountain bike (everyone else had super fast, super cool road bikes) and it was freezing cold; I had to run to the mall, the night before, and buy a long sleeve top to wear. I really had no idea what I was doing but I made it through and I won 3rd place in my age group. I wanted to hold on to that feeling forever.

I also wear a bracelet made from a bike spoke with a iron girl charm on it. This reminds me of my friends. Angelique gave me the bracelet at Christmas and I got the charm in Vegas with Lia and now they have both moved away. I wear them to keep my friends and the things they have taught me close to my heart. They remind me to follow my heart and my dreams, be brave and make life an adventure.

I didn't mean for this post to get so sappy, really I just wanted to share my newest jewelry find. Lisa Leonard Designs makes hand stamped jewelry from sterling silver. I love how simple and personlized the designs are. I think the stackable rings with my kid's names could be a good addition to my regular jewelry.

Walk this Way

Back before my half-marathon, 5K's and triathlons, it all started with walking.

About 5 years ago, D and I would push the kids in a stroller and walk 3-5 miles every evening. It had many benefits, it was a great way to connect with each other, it was free, the kids liked it and most importantly it built the base for the rest of my fitness life.

This summer I have been sorely lacking on my fitness practices and goals. I have lots of excuses for not working out but they are just excuses.

So I'm going back to my roots, where it all started, WALKING. If you see me out walking in your neighborhood give me a little toot, toot on your horn.

Wake-y, Wake-y Eggs and Ba-cey

It's so hard to wake the kids up in the morning when I am exhausted from staying up late watching the Olympics.

D and I were on our feet last night watching the Men's 4X100m free relay. Wow, what a finish.

Summer is winding down for us, D went back to work this week and the kids start next week.

Yesterday, I took the kids to Great Plains Nature Center and for a little "hike" in Chisholm Creek Park.
All these pictures were taken but the kids on the little half mile trail. We also saw a deer but it was too far away to get a picture.

We saw a bunch of turtle and they swam right up to the bridge we were standing on.

Since we were already on the East side we made a stop at World Market. S and I got some Hot Coffee Ginger Chews and T got a Yorkie Bar. He was so excited that it said "It's Not for Girls." He decided that if a girl ate a Yorkie Bar their head would explore. We begged him for a bite but he was concerned about our safety. He didn't what our heads to explore.