Friends Birthdays

We had two birthday parties to go to this weekend. On Saturday it was Oliver's party, and on Sunday was Phoenix's party. It's so fun to get together and have such a special reason to celebrate. Here are some of the best pictures from Phoenix's party.

knit hats for baby boys

I wanted to make something special for all of the other babies that we hang out with because all of their birthdays are coming up soon as well. I decided to knit them all hats (a crazy idea considering I'm still trying to finish making our Christmas stockings, planning Adelaide's party, thanksgiving, and also making 150 cards for my friend). I have plenty of time right? I found a pattern that I liked, but it was knit flat and then stitched up the back. I always prefer to knit in the round, but decided to try this one and see how it turned out. I followed the pattern for 12 month size. The first one I made turned out WAY too big, and I hated the way it looked sewed in the back. I did learn a lot from this one however, and have changed a little bit each time. Poor Phoenix gets the first one because his birthday was first, but I promised to knit him another one that fits better once I get a chance! The second one was for Oliver. I used the idea but made up most of the pattern myself because I knit it in the round and used less stitches and a different size needle. I also made my first ear flaps =) It turned out too small!!! To fix this problem I simply added ear flaps to make sure his ears would be covered. Here are some pictures of the first two.



They always say the third time is the charm - so here is the hat I made for Jai. I think it's the right size and looks pretty good. I'm very proud of this one, and so is my lovely model!!



And lastly, here is Adelaide helping me wrap them.

Baby Polar Bear

Cure All Chicken Soup Recipe (Thanks Beth!!!)

My friend Beth gave me this recipe and I really think it's the "cure all" for the winter. I've made it twice now, and plan on having a pot once a week. It's like magic this soup - warms you up and makes you feel better inside!

(Start this in the morning)

2 bone-in,skin-on Chicken breasts (organic, free-range)
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (optional)
2" ginger, thinly sliced (optional), julienne
celtic sea salt and pepper
* can also add parsnips and chopped italian parsley (I do!!)

Fill a heavy bottomed 6-8 qt pot with cold H2o. Add chicken breasts and bring to a rolling boil. Skim off foam. Reduce to simmer. Allow Chicken to simmer for 4-5 hours OR MORE- skimming foam as needed. Fill a large bowl with cold H20 and add chicken from pot. Remove skin, bones, fat and discard. Place chicken meat in seperate container. Pour this H2o into the soup pot, add veggies and chicken meat. Return to simmer. Allow to simmer until veggies are cooked. Season w/ salt and pepper. Best 2nd day.
Eat liberally at onset of cold, flu or low energy or depression!

Acoustic show

Our friend Mike had a great idea to put together a show where our friends played music in the day so that all of us with kids could come and hang out. We didn't expect there to be so many babies! We got there and there were kids and babies everywhere! They are going to do this every few months so we are excited to see how it goes. Adelaide loved the live music and watching the other kids dance and sing. It was fun to see our friends that have kids that we never get to see. Too bad Mike was out of town and missed it all.

Adventures in Reading and Standing

Gifts for Molly

My friend Molly is going to have a baby, so I took some time to make some special gifts for her. I didn't get to go to the baby shower because we were in South Carolina, so I gave these to her when she got back.
First was a hat I made using this free pattern. I'm not sure I like the way it turned out because I used cotton yarn....but it seems cute enough? I might try it again with something different to see if it's better. Here is the one I did

I feel like the white flower might be too big!!??
I also attempted to make a little lamb mobile. It was hard to capture in a photo, but I basically embroidered on some felt, did a lot of sewing and ta-dah. How do you like it?

Revival Road is back

This was the second year of the Revival tour. It was at a bar where Adelaide wasn't allowed (and it was too late for her anyway), but we got to go in early and watch them do the sound check. It was really fun and Adelaide loved it. Myles was so happy to because he got to see Frank Turner who is his FAVORITE right now. He also stayed to watch the show and said it was amazing. Here are some pictures of us with Trav and Kerry, and also a little video of Chuck Ragan playing Adelaide a song on his mandolin. Its really dark, but sounds nice! It was perfect!

More Halloween

We went to the zoo on halloween. They had a scavenger hunt set up, and Adelaide got to see lots of other kids in costume. I don't think she had a clue that anyone was dressed up. She was a little tired and just kicked back in her stroller with her leg up. We only saw one other MAX all day...and he was dressed more like from the new movie that just came out. Myles and I carved pumpkins after Adelaide went to bed. It was fun.

Happy Halloween (with the crown!)

Halloween Costume

I knew for several months now that I wanted Adelaide to be Max for Halloween. He is from the book Where the Wild Things are. For some reason I just thought it would be a cute costume for her. It took me a while to figure out how to make it work. I took a trip to Joann's to get some felt, fake fur, and giant buttons. I put this all together hoping that I wouldn't have to make the crown, but then decided that it was necessary to make in order for others to tell who she is supposed to be! I took these photo's during the process. In the end I have moved the buttons around and added the crown. Also notice her furry feet, and the pink tail =) Stay tuned for the final pictures of her with it all together.

Things to do

Here is a list of things I'm trying to get done ASAP.

1. Make Adelaide's Halloween costume
2. Finish Molly's baby shower gift
3. Make and send Adelaide's Birthday Party invites
4. Finish Jamie's photo and get her approval to start her cards
5. FINISH KNITTING STOCKINGS
6. Work on B-day gifts for a bunch of boys I know.
7. Figure out Adelaide's gifts for Birthday and Christmas.