Done List

I had a post written out in my mind of all the things I wish I were doing but am not.  Luckily before I sat down at the laptop I stopped myself and decided to write a post on all the things I am doing.  This isn't meant to be a bragging list.  Just a reminder to myself that I am accomplishing something. Even if it's not all I think I should be doing.

1. Read with Sophie tonight.  In Spanish.  OK. She read to me in Spanish.  Against her will.  She thought I chose dumb books from the library, but once she started I couldn't get her to stop.  Watch out world, Sophie will conquer you!













2. The dishes.  Always an accomplishment.



3.  I made this.  All of it.  Including the shoes.  (Just a quick shout out to Liberty Jane's amazing patterns.  If you're ever in the need for doll clothes, check them out here!)

4. I exercise at least 3x a week.  I'd like to do more, but for now 3x is good enough.



5. I took 5 minutes tonight to be awe-struck by the beauty and vastness of a star studded night.  Even in the city the stars never cease to amaze me.



(All images found via google image search.  Except the one of my doll Saige.  I took that. ;)

Here's to getting stuff done!

My Little Seamstress

Lyndsi has recently taken an interest in learning to sew.  In August I finally got around to helping her get started.  She made her first little project-a purse for Sophie. (Which Sophie happens to really love.)  My mom took a day off earlier this week to come hang out with me and the kids (aka the new baby).  McKay ended up playing with a friend and Sophie wandered off to do her own thing. The baby was sleeping as all good week old babies do, so mom and I decided to teach Lyndsi some more sewing.  I actually had a simple tote project all ready to go, and seeing as it was something I was doing for a Christmas name-gift for her cousin (Marchants-no spoiling our name gift!!) I thought it'd be perfect for her to do.  And bonus I figure we can use it for an activity day goal.  (Assuming we ever find/replace her book.)

Lyndsi started out using this book and tracing the pattern piece and cutting it out.  I believe she may have even helped G'ma cut the pattern pieces from fabric, too.

These things seem to be much easier if Grandma is here to tag team with me.

This is me trying to be creative and catch a candid shot of Lyndsi.  Not easy to do.  She always looks up right before I take the picture. 

Lyndsi did almost all of the sewing herself including sewing on the webbing handles and the velcro closures.  I only sewed the bottom of the bag and put the lining and outer bag together. She worked really hard on this and did an amazing job.  You should see her seams!  The girl is a natural.

Here's the finished project:

She's already got 2 or 3 more planned out for other gifts and possibly one for herself.  She's pretty darn proud of herself and her work.  I must say that I am too. You go girl!!

(This one is a little less "mom's caught in the act")

So happy I could cry

This morning I headed out on what seemed to promise to be a frustrating yard saling morning. I was going to a sale out in Draper and thanks to classic Utah road construction, I ended up taking a 15 minute detour to my first sale. Then I hit every red light possible but just barely missing the green. (Are you feeling my frustration?) I was debating about turning around, but see I had this dream. So I kept going. Eventually I made it to the yard sale (sorry to the trucks I cut off mid day dream). It wasn't a huge sale and I was already an hour past opening. But guess what? Dreams do come true. I drove the whole time dreaming of finding this little gem, and expecting if I did find it to pay much more. I think my eyes popped out of my head when I saw what I was looking for just laying there with a sticker saying $20 Doll + Book. That's right my doll savvy friends. I found an American Girl doll. Elizabeth to be exact. I seriously almost cried. I did jump up and down and scream when I got home and relived my fortuitous moment. Lyndsi gets what she wants for Christmas (so don't mention this great story in front of her please) and Jeff and I don't have to pay full price.

I also found this other great little item to stash away for Christmas.

I {heart} yardsaling!

Celebrating

For the 4th, we went down to the cabin for the annual Maynes' family reunion. This is the big kahuna with Jeff's family and his dad's TEN brothers and sisters and their families (and their families, too). Ok-so not everyone attended. I think that would be a miracle if every Maynes descendant of Roy and Carol made it on the same weekend. It was great to visit with those who could come.



Jeff's aunts crack me up. Cheryl, Virginia and I decided to form an anti-rose club (sorry rose lovers) and 1st on the agenda was deciding the best possible ways to rid our yards of those flowering shrubs that don't ever seem to die. I would share more details but have been sworn to secrecy. ;)



All of Jeff's brothers and sisters (minus Elder Maynes) were there which means babies galore! It was great to see the moms and dads, too. The kids had a blast on the rope swing and the zip line and the partially finished playground including the 2 sandboxes. We had all kinds of yummy food. Bry and McKay decided they were going to build a fire (yikes!) so they could roast marshmallows. One problem boys-you're stacking the would between the gas-run generator and the enormous, gas station-worthy propane tank. Fortunately, grandpa helped them relocate the potential flames.

I also made sure to bring each of my new cutie pies their very own black apple dolls. Really-they are a great baby doll. They are soft and there are no parts that will come off and be swallowed. Here are the 3 newest (l to r: Avery, Ella and Sadie):

To cap the weekend off, we were able to celebrate the last of the niece's blessings. Claire was given a beautiful blessing by her dad which was followed up with beautiful testimonies from her parents. It was such a pretty day to enjoy being with family, too. The weather was cooperative and even cloudy at times, but the temps were always comfy. Isn't she so cute??

Teacher Gift

Today is Lyndsi's last day of school. Yay!!! We've been trying to decide for some time to come up with an inexpensive but lovable gift to give to her teacher. Here is what we decided on:

What can I say? I'm addicted to these adorable Black Apple dolls! This is Granny. She comes with a jar of brownie mix. Mrs. McDougall is always telling the kids that she is an old granny, so I thought it'd be fun to give her something to do on the break with her grandkids. While they're all playing "baby" dolls, she can play with her "granny" doll and then they can all bake together. Ok. Maybe it's a little corny, but I like it.