Life « A Sugar-Mamma's Thoughts

Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Travels

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

We leave for Swaziland, Africa in less than a week. It is hard for me to believe! Even harder for me to believe that the last time I was out of the country was the summer before we got married and it was to…Africa. Kinda crazy!

The team I traveled to Africa with in 2004.

I love traveling and experiencing new cultures, but I hate leaving home. This trip will be especially hard because we are leaving Mikayla behind with the grandparents. I know she will be in good hands, but I sure will miss her smiling face and cute little actions. We hope to post some while we are away, but no promises. Internet can be kind of tricky in other countries.

Mikayla and I will be making a quick trip to Indianapolis with Lara and Lylah this week, so stay tuned for updates on that. We are going to the Children’s Museum. I am so excited to see how Mikayla interacts with the exhibits.

Tags: Africa, summer, travel
Posted in Life |

Kimono Dresses

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

For the second installment of “Sewing Boot Camp” I voted to make a kimono for my goddaughter’s baptism gift and of course one for my darling as well. After Dacia made one (to test out so she could be a better teacher), she thought it would make a cute kimono dress. I agreed and so we proceeded with the project. It was super easy, and I actually (proudly) made Mikayla’s all by myself. Go me! I didn’t get any shots of Molly in hers, but maybe her mommy could send me some. I used a pattern tutorial (from this website, just email her), made the length five inches longer and at an angle instead of straight down. Here are what the measurements looked like for a 6-9 month dress and 12-24 month dress (I hope this isn’t too confusing).

Make one of these (this will be the back of the dress)

(Make two of these one for right side and one for left so you will need to flip the pattern.)

Measurements for 6-9 / 12-24 month dress (all measurements in inches):

A – 17.5 / 20

B – 5.5 / 6.25

C – 3.5 / 4

D – 14 / 15

E – 10.5 / 12

F – 2.25 /2.25

G – Connect corner of C to end of F

H – 6 / 7

I – 13 / 14

J – 7.5 / 10.5

In addition to these three pieces you will need 1/2 inch bias tape (66 / 70 inches). We had a great time putting these together. Here are a few shots of the final products.

Molly’s Kimono dress from the front.

Molly’s Kimono dress from the back.

Ms. Sassy Pants modeling hers (it wasn’t wrapped very well because she was extremely squirmy)! It is a little big, but I think it is cute!

Tags: sewing
Posted in Life |

Field Trip #4

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

For this field trip we traveled out of the city, county and state. At 10pm on Saturday evening we got in the car and began the trek to Tallahassee, Florida to visit some dear friends and their precious baby! We drove through the night and arrived in time to take showers and head to Molly’s baptism. A few months ago we were honored when Catherine and Dave asked us to be Molly’s godparents. It worked out perfectly that we were able to come down and be a part of this special day with them. Here are some pictures from the event (courtesy of Catherine because I did not take my camera). Molly did beautifully and Mikayla actually stayed in the service right up to the sermon.

After the baptism we went back to the house where Mikayla took a really long nap (I guess she was tired from our car ride). On Monday we just hung out at the house while the girls took alternating naps. It was almost hysterical how it played out. When one would go down the other would wake up. Ben and Dave ventured out to play disc golf and Cat and I even managed a trip to a fabric store!

On Tuesday Mikayla and Molly got to experience a first together (which I think is really special). They both got to visit the beach/ocean for the first time. At first Mikayla wasn’t much of a fan but after awhile she seemed to enjoy herself. Here are some highlights.

It is kind of hard to see, but the sand says “MLK 6-22-10”

Swimming in the ocean with daddy (this was before we discovered the horseshoe crabs and nobody wanted to get back in)!

Mikayla was just as content sitting in the sand eating snacks and drinking her water.

Altmaiers with cutey Molly!

Hanging out with daddy!

Cheesy grins!

Family photo op!

“Mom, look at the water!”

Just hanging around!

Digging in the sand.

We love visiting with the Altmaiers. We have a special type of friendship (you can read about it here). Thanks for hosting us and letting us be a part of Molly’s life!

We are at the end of June, which means summer is almost over. I have a few more field trips up my sleeves so stay tuned. You can read about previous field trips here, here and here.

Tags: field trips, friends, Mikayla, summer
Posted in Life, Parenting |

A Picture’s Worth…

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

What do you think Mikayla just got done enjoying in these pictures?

Tags: Mikayla
Posted in Life, Parenting |

Field Trip #3

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

For our third field trip of the summer we decided to head to a local hotel that has an indoor fountain and glass elevator. I thought Mikayla would like to watch the water and ride up the elevator and see the “sights”. I think she had a great time. Daddy got to come along for this trip which made it extra special. We watched the fountain for a bit and stuck our hands in the water. Mikayla really liked to feel the different plants and point to everything! She even got a kick out of the stone turtle and frog that were hidden in the plants. She loved going up and down in the elevator and watching everything along the way. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Laughing as she climbs off the ledge.

Pointing to the fountain (and please ignore the fact that she isn’t wearing shoes)!

She was very cautious about sticking her finger in the water.

Daddy taking his turn going up the elevator (sorry about the flash).

So high you can hardly see them!

My baby girl and me!

In case you missed our other field trips you can check them out here and here. Stay tuned for our next adventurous field trip.

Tags: Ben, field trips, Mikayla, summer
Posted in Life, Parenting |

Field Trip #2

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Disclaimer: I forgot my camera at home so there are limited pictures. Pictures that I post have been “borrowed” from other people.

Week two of summer vacation has come and gone and that meets it is time to update on our second field trip (in case you missed field trip #1 you can check it out here). Our second field trip was to my hometown, Somerset, to await the arrival of my niece. My sister went into labor (with her third child) on Sunday morning and Baby Taylor arrived on Sunday evening. We spent the day at my parents house playing with Mikayla and my nephews. We made bird feeders from pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. We ran up the hill and rolled back down. We shot basketball. I taught T-Bone how to set the table. Had a yummy BBQ chicken dinner courtesy of my mom.

Finally, we were able to head to the hospital to meet and greet the newest addition to the family: Taylor Nicole Absher. She weighed in at 8lb 5.5oz and was 21 inches long. And a head full of dark brown hair, more than Mikayla had! Everyone was excited to finally meet Baby Taylor, even Mikayla. She loves babies. Congrats go out to Christa, Kris, Tyson and Tanner on their newest bundle.

Tags: Family, field trips
Posted in Life, Parenting |

Sewing Envy Decreased

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Awhile back I made a post about having sewing envy and my desire to learn to sew. Just recently I made a post about “Sewing Boot Camp” and how I wanted to make this shirt for my first project.

“Boot Camp” started on Wednesday. We began the day by trying to figure out my hand me down sewing machine. It turned out that we needed a different sewing needle. Apparently my husband who also uses the machine likes to sew with a really large needle! Dacia braved the pouring rain and headed to the store for supplies while I stayed home with the kids. When Dacia returned we began cutting out the fabric pieces and got right to work.

After four hours of sewing, talking and tending to kids we still had a lot of work to do, but “boot camp” was over for the day. After I put Mikayla to bed I got back to work. I finished the pleats all by myself. They were actually a lot easier than I thought they would be. At 9:30 I decided to put the sewing away and go watch the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.

Progress Day One – With pockets, chestband, shoulder straps, and hem still needing to be done.

Progress Day One – Without pockets (this is what I ended up with), chestband, shoulder straps, and hem still needing to be done.

Up close shot of pleats.

On Thursday I headed to Dacia’s house to finish up the shirt. And here is the end result (please ignore my hair and jewelry, I was wearing brown).

Sewing was not as difficult as I thought it would be and I am excited to have learned some very important skills on this shirt (straps, pleats, ruffles and hems). If I did it over again there are some things I would change, but all in all I am pretty excited about my first sewing project. My next project is going to be a skirt for Mikayla. I think I might try this skirt made from dishtowels!

Thanks again to Dacia for helping me out and Carson, Callie, and Mikayla for putting up with us sewing for two days!

Tags: friends, sew
Posted in Life |

Sewing Boot Camp

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

I am enlisting my friend Dacia to help mentor me in a sewing boot camp (thanks friend). Camp will take place on Wednesdays throughout the summer so I can learn to sew some fabulous clothes for Mikayla and myself. My first project is going to be this shirt.

I might be a little ambitious, but Dacia says we can do it! I am going to attempt to finish it in June for the Make it, Wear it Challenge. We will see how things go. You should join the challenge to, and maybe win some fabulous prices in the process!! Stay tuned to see if I survive the Boot Camp!

Tags: sew, summer
Posted in Life |

Looking forward to summer…

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

School is over in 6 days for the kiddos, 7 for me and I can’t wait for many reasons. Here are just a few:

Spending lots of time playing, cuddling and loving on this cutey!

Not getting up early – at least not early and having to get ready to do something. Breakfast in Bed on Mother’s Day with Mikayla, a relaxing morning.

Not having to control a classroom of five year olds (although I really dearly love my job).

Drinking a cup of coffee and not worrying about having to guzzle it down because class starts in five minutes.

Enjoying my lunch, not having to eat in less than 20 minutes.

Gardening and eating produce that we grew in our backyard. I can practically taste the homemade salsa as we speak!

Cooking more – let’s be honest, I don’t cook that often during the school year!

Crafting – what kind of crafts will I create this summer??

Going on one field trip a week with Mikayla. My good friend Lara came up with this idea and I love it!

Potentially going to the Famer’s Market two times a week.

My sister having her third child, my first niece.

A two week visit to Swaziland, Africa (*excited about the visit but not leaving Mikayla).

Playing in the pool with Mikayla.

Getting to see my husband more. Currently he works on Friday and Saturday and some weeknights, so Sundays are our only free day together.

Engagement photos – What a goofball!

Highschool flashback!

I can’t wait to see what summer offers this year!

Tags: Ben, Mikayla, summer
Posted in Life |

My “Blon-ket”

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

As a child I was given a blanket hand made from one of my grandpa’s nurses. I treasured it and couldn’t sleep at night if it wasn’t with me. I took it to sleepovers, on road trips and campouts. While not the prettiest thing (especially after years of snuggling), I loved it!

I slept with it up until the time I got married when my husband told me I needed to move on. I sadly placed my “blonket” in my Great Grandmother’s hope chest hoping that one day I could pass it on to a child of mine. When Mikayla was born I took it out of the hope chest and waited anxiously until she was old enough to snuggle with it. That day has finally come! Mikayla has started to take an interest in my “blonket” and carry it around the house. I am going to pretend that she is carrying it around because she loves it as much as I do and not that she is currently in the “carrying everything around and placing it in random places stage”!

**When I refer to this specific blanket I have always said it “blonket”…I am not sure why, but it makes it even more special!

Tags: blanket, Mikayla
Posted in Life |