Homemade Skeleton Costume

I bought a pair of black sweats, some white felt, and double-sided iron on adhesive to create the costume.
My inspiration was this Pottery Barn skeleton costume, but the price tag was just too steep to justify for a single wear outfit.

So, I drew the bones on plain white paper to use as a pattern for my felt.  Then I cut out my felt and adhesive material based on that pattern.  Before starting the ironing I top stitched around each bone in black.  Tedious?  Yes.  But, worth it?  I think so.  It adds quite a bit of character and it's how the PB one is, anyway.

Then I just ironed on the bones in the appropriate places.  I would have sewed them on but you really can't get into sleeves and pant legs with a sewing machine.  Unfortunately, I ended up hand stitching the bones on after ironing them on because they kept falling off.  So sad.

Here's the finished project on my 5 year old, complete with glow-in-the-dark skeleton gloves that we found at the dollar store.

Musings

Credit for these plans goes to my best.husband.ever.

Today I got out the flannel bed sheets. I love Autumn.

This week I'm going to make these DIY- recycled crayon cupcakes with Lachlan.  I was just debating throwing out the broken old crayons and now I don't have to.

My friend, Natalie, got these amazing shelves built in her garage as a birthday gift.  I've been struggling with storage solutions so I asked my husband if he would build me some...and he said "yes".  I'm so, so, so excited!  He was out measuring for the shelves and cleaning the garage today and right now he's drawing up the plans.  That's what happens when you're married to an architect...garage shelves get their own plans (pictured above).

I know I already posted about it, but I'm so grateful that my little guy is finally walking.  We were able to get stuff done around the house today and he just toddled around entertaining himself for the most part.

I love this idea to make 10/10/10 memorable.  Tomorrow, with the help of my 4 year old, we're going to do 10 nice things.  My only regret is that I didn't find it sooner so I could spread the idea to more people.

In some places, it's rainy season right now, which reminds me I still need, okay want, yellow rain boots and  a yellow umbrella. Really, it's on my bucket list to own these items.  Someday...

This article inspires me to be active in my concern for others, but not to worry.

When I'm feeling especially stressed out, disoriented, nervous and generally out of sorts it helps me to see what needs to be done written down.  I think these organizers will be finding a place in my life very soon.  Have I mentioned that the organizational/storage tub aisle or the cleaning supply aisle at Target will also calm me down?

Just discovered this blog called the nesting place and I adore it.  Her '31 days to a less messy nest' project has some great ideas.

Last but not least, Anthony got a nearly perfect score on a midterm exam and Lachlan wanted to surprise him with cookies.  Actually, his first idea was for me to stay up all night baking cookies, so I suggested instead that I'd whip up the cookies while my boys were at the Kangaroo Zoo.  Even though I did all the work, I was impressed at his thoughtfulness.

Bipeds and Pedalers

On June 26, at Lachlan's gymnastics meet, Zane started taking his first steps.  He attempted to toddle back and forth between his dad and papa Kim.  It was adorable and I even got it on video.  We were optimistic that this meant we'd have a walker soon, but that was not the case.  Since then, we knew Zane at least had the ability to walk.  He would get up and walk for fun every now and then but to get around he we crawl or "walk" on his knees.  I guess that was more efficient.  Either way, on about September 17, at 17 months old, Zane decided it was time to join the bipeds and start walking.  

Here's Zane about 2 months ago...walking.

Lachlan's new development happened today.  At the beginning of the Summer, Anthony took Lachlan's training wheels and pedals off his bike.  He got the idea to do this when he saw a Skuut Balance Bike in one of his biking magazines.  The next best option to buying one was to turn Lach's current bike into a Skuut.  I have to say that it really worked too.  Lach was coasting down our driveway with both feet off the ground the same day the pedals came off.  Then, today, the pedals went back on and after very little coaching from dad, Lachlan was officially riding a big-boy bike.  It was such a proud moment for me, as a mom, to see how big my first baby is getting.

I asked Lach "how do you feel now that you can ride a bike?"  He answered "I feel great!"

I Love My Dirty Boys

Last Saturday my fabulous, Jack-of-all-trades, husband ran a 10k race called the Dirty Dash.  Did I mention that among being a the best husband and father ever, an insanely hard worker, and a dedicated student that he's a runner too?  No?  That's cause he's not.  Not really.  He's more of a mountain biker, but that just shows you how versatile he is.

What a great opportunity this was, too.  He ran the race on a team with two of his sisters, one of his brothers, and his brotheri-in-law/friend since high school.  They were 'Team Mossy Gums' (combining the last names of Moss and Mangum).  My brother-in-law designed their team shirts which had a picture of a smiling pig with mossy gums.  They were awesome!

A fellow runner actually thought they were a team of dentists.

At the end of the run there was a mud pit leading to the finish line that Lachlan got to cross with his dad, even though this wasn't going to be his sole opportunity to get muddy.

After the Dirty Dash, Lachlan got to participate in the Piglet Plunge.  His ticket to the event was a tattoo of a pig that he had us stick to the inside of his forearm.

The Piglet Plunge consisted of running up the "big pig climb" (a VERY muddy hill), going down the slop n' slide, and back into the mud pit.

There were a few moments there when Lachlan was less than thrilled that he was covered in mud or that the mud pit was FREEZING, but overall it was a success.  After we were back at the car Lach said he wanted to do the Piglet plunge again next year.  I think when Zane's big enough he'll want to do it too.

Cows and Pigs and Sheep, Oh My!

This is the first time going to the State Fair that Lachlan will actually remember, I think.  He loved it!  He was especially fascinated my the dairy cows being milked.  He asked those poor farmers question after question and we stayed in the dairy barn for probably half an hour.  That's probably my fault.  I have to confess that I've been on a quest to milk a cow for ages.  It's on my list of things-to-do-before-I-die.  Sadly, milking a cow has proven to be harder than you'd think.  The farmers at the fair don't want to let me milk their cows and there just aren't many dairy cows just wandering around my neighborhood, waiting to be milked.  A friend suggested to me that I could start by milking a goat, but I refuse to lower my standards.  I set my sights on a cow and a cow it will be.

We went on an obligatory pony ride, which I thought was hilarious.  The pony people (do they have a more professional sounding name?) are incredibly efficient.  The kids are herded from one waiting area to another then the pony people take a kid off a pony and immediately plop another one in the saddle without missing a single beat.

I feel like the State Fair is an appropriate backdrop for telling a story about my husband that absolutely cracks me up every.single.time.  During the first year that we were married, Anthony and I went on a trip to New York City with his classmates from his undergraduate architecture program.  Our story takes place on the subway.  Some of the boys were seeing how long they could balance without holding onto the handrails, including my husband, when he said (ON THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY) "this is kind of like riding the tractor back home"  Hahahaha!  No matter how many times I tell it, that story just never gets old.

Anthony grew up on 100 acres of absolutely incredible orchards.  He spent his summers picking cherries, apples, and peaches and, of course, riding the big tractor to spray pesticides on the trees.  They owned peacocks, chickens, skunks, dogs, cats, and turtles.  He was even a member of the FFA throughout high school.  That is why I couldn't resist getting Lachlan to pose for this picture:

That's right.  Those are FFA uniforms you're looking at and, unfortunately, my husband never owned one :(  Maybe for Halloween...

That cute girl wearing the female version of the FFA uniform?  That's my friend's daughter Ryah.  Lachlan loves every opportunity he gets to play with her and they have so much fun together.  It was a blast watching them at the fair.  They pet the animals, rode the rides (Note to self: My stomach is NOT a fan of the Tilt-A-Whirl) and the ponies, and went down the big yellow slide together.

I love, love, love this picture.  Don't they look sweet?  

Childhood Memories

At a church activity a few weeks ago, Lachlan was given a glow-in-the-dark rubber bracelet.  He is absolutely obsessed with it and has to charge it up in the light, every night before bed, so that it will glow it's brightest in his dark bedroom as he's falling asleep.  This reminded of some GlowWorms I had when I was little.

Luckily, my mom saves everything, so these were in a box in her basement.

It wasn't until I was lining them up on Lachlan's headboard that I remembered how dear they were to me.  The way I had set them up looked all wrong until I realized that the snail was supposed to be in the middle.  Since he's the most differently shaped of the bunch this made everything look nice and symmetrical.  I guess I was a little neurotic even as a kid.  

Just like Lachlan and his bracelet I would put them under the light from my lamp until they were charged up.  Then they would glow by my bedside, my little night lights, until I was fast asleep.  I know they're just toys, but it warms my heart to watch my little guy enjoy these bugs as much as I did.

Lachlan's 1st Soccer Game

He's the number 6 in the middle.

Oh my goodness, this game was SO fun! 

I didn't know how well it would go since Lachlan's still learning the importance of good sportsmanship.  Well, after they put him in the game and the first goal was scored, he slumped over to me crying.  I still don't know if he thought the other team had scored, which they hadn't, or if he was sad that he didn't get to score.  Either way, it passed quickly and the rest of the game was a blast!  The teams would be running down the field kicking the ball as the coach shouted "Wrong way, other way!".  So funny!

Lachlan got in some good kicks and I think he even scored a goal, except the sun was right in my eyes so I won't know for sure until I watch the video.  I do know that he was running with all his might and trying as hard as he could to help his team.  I'm so proud of him!

Keep Calm and Carry On

Image from here

 These words were printed on a poster by the Ministry of Information in 1939.  Its purpose was to boost the morale of the those in Great Britain in case the Nazis succeeded invading their country.

It could well have been written for a mother, though.

In fact, I'm going to order a replica of the poster from here and frame it to hang on my kitchen wall next to this.  I don't know what a poster would have done for the English people but I do know that it will serve as a reminder to me that, whatever happens, "this too shall pass".

Pits or Stones?

Lachlan's grandma Marsha, who also happens to be the best mother-in-law EVER, got us a cherry pitter.    Well, she got it for Lachlan because he just kept insisting that we needed to have one.  Side note:  It's technically called a cherry "stoner" and my husband laughed like a teenage boy when he read the box.  I've never heard a cherry pit called a "stone".  Anyway, Lach was so excited to come home and pit cherries, so I had to come up with a good use for pitted cherries.  To tell grandma thank you for the brand new cherry pitter we made a cherry pie.  It was both mine and Lachlan's first fruit pie ever.  I looked up what seemed to be a reliable recipe (thank you, Betty Crocker) and we got to work.

Doesn't that look so good?  With my absolute love of butter I could've just eaten that up with a spoon...and maybe I did.

There it is.  The finished product.  Lachlan was so proud of our pie and as soon as it cooled a bit we drove straight to grandma's house to deliver our thank you gift.  Grandma seemed pleased too and made whipped cream to go on top.

Note to self:  Next time try a different recipe because once the pie cooled all the sugar settled at the bottom.  Maybe the Lion House cook book next time.  

Beautiful Banners

Please take a minute to look at my friend, Karen's, truly inspirational blog at karinaink.blogspot.com. She is making these custom name banners that you can purchase here. Karen has an amazing talent for cleaning, decorating, organizing, and being a wonderful mother. Just take a look.

I Love My Kids

Sometimes I just need to stop and remember that I love my kids.

Does that seem strange or heartless?  

I hope not, because I really do love them.  

It's just that after spending so much time with these boys who always want to be rightbyme all the time, I start to freak out a little.

  Okay, not just a little.

  This simple reminder: "I love my kids", helps me to be more patient and inspires me to put the time and energy into making positive memories with my boys.

My cute Lachlan found this rock for me while we were picnicking up Milcreek Canyon with the family. He said I had to keep it for ever and, of course, I will.

Sssh

One of my favorite things to hear Zane say is "sssh". What does it mean? Can you guess? It's his word for "fish". Anytime we spot a picture of a fish, see one on tv, or pass by our pet Spike Spread-Out-Tail (named by Lachlan) this is what he says.

Three Winks Studio

My friend, Stacy Young, is an absolutely amazing and extremely talented photographer. You can find her at www.threewinksstudio.com. This year she is doing a 'Celebrating Life' series, with pictures of people from 29-50. I was lucky enough to be her 31-year-old. She did a fantastic job and I just love this picture.

I think I was telling Stacy a story and being really animated. When I did this "leap" she snapped the picture and I thought, ugh, that's not going to be good. Next time I will keep my mouth closed because it turned out to be my favorite one.

Flip Flop Fun Meet

Lachlan has been talking about the 'Flip Flop Fun Meet' for months. The kids perform routines that they've been practicing in class, like the...

...uneven parallel bars

... and the rings

... and at the end every kid got their name called, stood on the podium, and received a trophy and a certificate.

Walking is Way Overrated

I wish I could say that since Zane turned one that he's has started walking, but that is not the case. That little boy CAN walk, he just chooses not to use that as his main means of transportation. I've been reassured that at one point he will walk and it may even be before he starts kindergarten.

...but for now he's having fun being pushed on his tricycle...

...and tasting it.

Lachlan, on the other hand, is having no problem walking and has now added biking to his repertoire...

...almost. Look closely and you'll see that this bike has no training wheels or pedals. Anthony removed them both so Lachlan could learn balance and he's doing great. It was a little rough at first and there were a few tears of frustration, but he's so proud of himself now!

Parent of the Year Award? Anybody?

No captions necessary.

There's No Place Like Home (or mommy's arms)

This poor little man was so crabby and was crying and crying.  To tell the truth, my patience was shot.  So, to calm both of us down, I wrapped him up in a blanket and rocked him while singing "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley.  Both of my kids have loved this song.  I find myself singing to my babies a lot and I think it's almost as much for me as it is for them.  It just puts me in a calm frame of mind.  Maybe it's having a peaceful mommy, rather than the singing, that helps them relax.

Happy 1st Birthday Zane!

Zane is 1 year old! One year has gone by so very quickly. We started out with quite a fussy, colicky baby with gastric reflux. Now we have a happy little guy who's smile seems to light up a room and his dimples just melt my heart.

I wanted to do something bug related for his birthday so I settled on a caterpillar cake. It's made of 5 separate cakes that I baked in glass bowls. I then assembled and frosted. This cake was a lot of fun.

Lachlan could hardly keep himself from tearing open all of Zane's presents, since Zane did not seem at all interested.

We gave a whole segment of the caterpillar to Zane to dig into. He was not impressed.

Than, as per family tradition, we gave him a slice of lemon. Usually this results in some great sour faces, but no, not impressed. He did eventually start screaming though.

I just love this picture with the balloon.

Snow in April?!

This is what I saw when I went out on my front porch on a "beautiful" Spring morning. Ack!