New Year - New Skills

Another sewing class today and I'm thrilled with all the new skills that I have learned. Buttonholes, sewing on buttons, blind hems, a variety of ways to machine applique - it was all very exciting for me. I've been stitching up EMN's curtains in between butterfly painting and it's all coming together quite nicely.

 

I posted recently on Facebook that I had meal-planned for all of January and I got quite a response! Quite a few people seemed genuinely interested in how I do it so I'll post my method here for anyone interested. It's not new or novel but it works for me. I've been monthly meal planning for about four months now and I don't know if I could go back to the weekly planning again. I like getting it done all at once. It helps with grocery shopping, budgeting and being flexible. And it does give me a certain amount of control that is extraordinarily helpful when little else in our lives is predictable.

 

The butterflies have arrived

There are now butterflies decorating the walls of EMN's room. We're not even half way done since it's slow, tedious work, but we all love the look so far. We'll probably have to do second coats on most of them but it's all well worth it! Everywhere you see little pieces of blue painter's tape will be another butterfly. The outlines are all on the wall, I just need the time to paint them all.

In other news, I have a brand new sewing machine since mine died about a month ago. I LOVE my new Bernina (Thank you Grammy!!) and took my first class on Saturday. I sewed up this little zippered bag as my first project. I've been sewing off and on for probably 20 years and this is the first zipper I've ever done (that I can remember). I'm ridiculously thrilled with this little thing and I look forward to many more projects on my new machine!

So a few videos of our Christmas day fun. First is the stockings where every gift was punctuating with exclamation - just the way you hope for! Second is EMN opening her much anticipated "dog and minivan for my dollhouse", the only thing she asked for from Santa. Good work Santa! Third is MTN opening his garbage truck and fourth is him playing with it. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

All the best to each of you!

Nothing sweeter

My little boy said his nighttime prayers by himself tonight. It brought me to tears and it probably always will. Seeing his chubby hands intertwined tightly as he holds them right above his nose, eyes squeezed shut, in his raspy voice saying the standard toddler "now I lay me, down to sweep, I pray Lord, soul to keep, love with me, through the night, wake me with, morning light". He peeked his eyes open with a big grin and I gave him the tightest hug I could. He was clearly proud of himself as he should be.

The other night at dinner he wanted to pray and he started out reciting the prayer above but then sidetracked into some other stuff. Even just a snippet was enough to leave me needing a tissue. I had no idea he knew the words but Mike did and he knew I would boo-hoo when I heard it. I did the same thing when EMN recited her prayer the first time too. It reminds me that they really are listening to what I say and what an awesome responsibility I have in raising them.

Fun Glasses

Nonna sent cool glasses that make lights look like hearts and rainbows. Perfect for viewing our Christmas tree!

Resourceful

These days, MTN tends to wake up demanding food. No "Good Morning Mommy", no hugs, just "I need breakfast". Yesterday our little trooper woke up earlier than his parents did so Mike turned on the TV for him and returned to bed. I woke up soon after and found MTN at the table where he exclaimed "I did it myself!" Sure enough, he got breakfast for himself. Cold stir fry noodles. He was thrilled and all I could do was laugh. The morning before he tried to dress himself but got stuck taking his shirt off so came running into our bedroom with only his shirt on. I have pictures of that too but they're not suitable for the blog as they include little boy nudity.

Last night we had a great time at the Schluter's house. They are friends of ours from our Osan days. We saw their neighborhood Santa and introduced the kids to smores. MMMMmmmm good!!

Wrong Number

Isn't is a bit sad when the folks who used to own your phone number get more phone calls than you do?? Michelle and family are no longer at this number. No, I don't have their new one. No, Greg can't come into work today. No, I never have worked in an OR. But I always wish the mistaken caller Happy Holidays!