you've got to pick a project or two

(that title is supposed to be a play on words to an Oliver! reference)

In an attempt to act like I have a life beyond my cute kids, I like to experiment with all kinds of crafts. Sure, crayons and glue sticks are for kid crafts during the day, but these projects I definitely do while the helpful little hands are asleep! In the past month or two I've done a project in all kinds of categories. I'd like to show you:

Home decor:
I picked up these dinner plates (about 13") at Ikea and decorated them with silhouettes of my kids. Sorry the picture isn't so good/detailed, but they are being displayed on top of my kitchen cabinets and I didn't feel like pulling them down for a picture and putting them back up. They look better in person!

Sewing:

These car seat canopies are for my friend and her friend. She picked out the fabric and gave it to me to sew. They turned out really well, but I'd like to expand my sewing skills beyond (relatively) straight lines. Someday I'll take a class....

Baking:
These ghost cupcakes use cake balls and marshmallow fondant, which is so easy to make and super fun to use. It's like finally play-doh you can actually eat!

(Doll)house wallpapering:
Before.
After! This dollhouse hangs out in our front room and I got tired of looking at those ugly yellow walls. Nothing a little scrapbook paper and mod podge can't fix!

Jewelry making:
I admired all those mother's necklaces on etsy for so long and was going to order one until Brad suggested I just make it. So I got some tools and supplies, watched an online demo, and then started hammering away! I love it and wear it almost everyday. The kids like to play with it and find their name. I've got some more pieces in the works including coordinating necklaces for each kid, a runner ID bracelet for me, and a Mimi necklace for Brad's mom (don't worry, Robin, I haven't forgotten). :)

See, (I tell myself) I'm good at more than just diaper duty!

Ryken roll

A few days after turning 4 months Ryken started to roll! He is growing as fast as he can to catch up to his siblings. At his 4 month check-up he was about: 10% for weight, 90% for height, 10% for head size and I suspect if there were a measure for it, he'd be 90% for ear size! He is so cute and so sweet and I love him to pieces. When he got all his shots he just let out a little wimper and then blew raspberries at the nurse--so brave! In honor of my brave little boy I thought I'd take a short walk down memory lane with some pictures that never got posted. It's easily apparent how precious he is!
The first official roll on September 8.
Swinging at 4 months.
Lounging at 3 months.
Smiling at 2 1/2 months.
Also 2 1/2 months.
Smiling for Mammaw at 2 months.
Almost 2 months.
So serious at 1 month!
Sweet little sleep smile at 1 month.

Please don't get any bigger. Stay my little baby forever.

little G hits the big K

Galla started kindergarten on Aug 9th! On the first day the kids got to bring a small stuffy so, of course, Galla brought her beloved monkey (see him hanging out of her backpack). She is so funny and had to accessorize Munk for the big day with one of her bracelets fashioned on him as a necklace. She is all about the bling!
This is outside of her classroom. There are cute kids painted all along the wall. (She made a new friend, but her personality is a little flat. Ha, ha...not funny but I couldn't resist.)
This is her "Day 2" outfit. She loves her Skechers "twinkle toes." She is doing really well at school, but having a little bit of a hard time with having to go everyday. As I was walking her up the other day she was saying how she didn't want to go everyday and that it's "boring, boring, boring!" But when I picked her up she had changed her chant to "kindergarten is awesome!" I have all of those bitter-sweet feelings that come with kindergarten, but I'm really proud of my little lady.