hey there cupcake

"I bet my mom makes better chocolate cupcakes than your mom."

halloween haul

Our little construction crew had a good haul tonight on their first stint at trick-or-treating. Logan is a natural: belts out "trick or treat" with delightful cuteness and never forgets to say "thank you" or "good-bye". Carter was tricky to get over his shyness and venture out of the stroller but eventually did and found it was a fun time. Not to mention the haul they took home. What ever happened to treat-sized candy and chocolate bars? Full sized bars, pop and chips. Almost makes me wish I was a kid again. Almost though because you know those two little boys can't possibly eat all that candy themselves!

Opa took some pictures of the boys too. I have to see if I can post those as well as these...

family traditions

Last Christmas I started a tradition with the boys. We fill two boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child -- one for each of the boys. They were quite oblivious to the event last year but I think Carter might get into it this year. It's such an easy thing to do and gives another child such joy as well as the message of God. So I'm challenging all of you: one box. a box for one boy and one girl. or one box for each of your kids like we do -- or one for each of your grandchildren. You decide.

Watch the video at Samaritan's Purse to see how your gift impacts these children.

How to Pack a Shoebox:

1. Select a shoebox: use a regular-sized shoebox or pliable plastic box. If wrapping, wrap the lid seperately. Contents are examined for safety and appropriateness before presenting to the children.

2. Boy or Girl? decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl and the appropriate age category: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.

3. Fill your shoebox: a variety of items from the following categories

• School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
• Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
• Hygiene Items - Please place soap in a sealable bag
• Personal Note - Include a personal not e and/or a photo in your shoe box (not inside the donation envelope)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
• Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
• Used items (due to customs regulations)
• Liquids or items that could leak , melt, freeze, or break – Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
• Items that can scare or harm a child – War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.

4. Include a $7 donation to cover the cost of the project as well as shipping costs. Make your donation online or place a cheque or cash in an envelope inside your shoebox.

Your printable shoebox labels:

Find a drop off location and drop off your box(es) during the week of November 16 - 21.

Enjoy filling your shoeboxes and think about the child who will receive it and the joy it will bring them this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas!

a little more sewing

I was wanting to make one of these little numbers for a while -- especially after seeing them in the Cath Kidston catalogue (which you should have delivered to your door -- it's so pretty! and free.)

First I found this tutorial using French seams but decided to take the sewing plunge with this tutorial first. I'm quite happy with my finished product -- so much so that I can't decide what to put in it. I do know that I need a bigger one to house diapers, wipes and a change pad in my bag while on the go.

The "blue with cherries" fabric is authentic Mary Englebreit and the lining is a lovely green plaid left over from sewing curtains, bedding and such for the nursery before Carter was born. I finally found a project to add the cherry ribbon I found at Michael's so long ago.


(my! my camera takes crappy pics of these kinds of things...)

tree planters

Wanting more leafy or shall we say, deciduous trees on the acreage, we started some tree planting this fall: a Hawthorne tree near the garden in front of the house, an Aspen on the side between our house and Mike's parents' and just for me: a Manitoba Maple to give shade to our future deck. It was a quick dig on a Friday night (Sept 25) before dark set in. Of course, Carter and Logan had tonnes of fun. Carter is always very serious about yardwork and projects -- Dad's right hand man. Logan can always see the opportunity for fun and never hesitates to take those opportunities. Enjoy the sights!

(not sure how Logan ended up with Carter's hat on but that's the reason for the hat he's drowning in.)

There seems to be more interesting things in the bush... Let me see...

I was right! look at these pinecones!

They put me back to work.

When Logan's pants dried, they stood up on their own. I'm not kidding.

sewing for boys

Let's be honest: there aren't a heap of sewing projects for boys (in comparison to girls, I mean). We did, however, participate in the September sew-along on Sew, Mama, Sew!: pj pants. I found a lovely tutorial online and we were off! The boys picked out some fabulous fabric at Marshall's.

I goofed on Logan's pattern and forgot to stretch the waistband of the pants while drawing the pattern so his pants were a little narrow in the hips. And if you know our Logan well, you know that that just will not do. That fabric will get used for something, someday.

Fortunately, Carter's fabric pick was a bolt end and the kind girl at Marshall's gave us all of it for the price of one meter (it was 60" fabric to boot!) and voila! A pair for Carter, followed by a pair for Logan. There will be more. The boys love their pants and it's fun little evening project for me during hockey season (it's started already, you know).

Mom is next!

the current situation

No pictures of this one -- sorry to disappoint but I'm not sure if it's appropriate. I had some paperwork to do this morning and when I emerged from my office I found two little boys who had shed their clothing -- all but the undies. Logan was trying with all his might to remove his diaper as well and was eventually successful. Why are they so hard to catch when naked?

Thinking the diaper would come off again, I put one of Carter's undies over Logan's diaper. Seems rather close to being the same as his big brother, right? Here's where your imagination comes in: Logan still desperately wants that diaper OFF! He is currently running around the living room, still with underwear over his diaper but the diaper is undone, the front and back tabs flapping up and down -- it's clear the diaper has sustained a good amount of tugging and yanking in removal efforts and there he is. It is a sight.

He so desperately wants to be potty trained. I'm worried about the communication gap but I think I may try it very soon!

(underwear is certainly a hot topic in our house of late. please don't think we're weird. we're just toilet training.)