A "trevor" . . .

. . . is edible. It is something that a 3-year old wants to eat. We eat it on car rides, at the pool, and at home for a snack.

A recent request

Norah: Mommy, I want some oni (pronounced "oh-knee")

Mommy: Oh, I don't know what that is.

Norah: You know, what I ate before. It is round.

Mommy: Oh, another piece of pepperoni.

I was making homemade pizzas, and we enjoy snacking on the pepperoni. I was floored by how she described it in two different ways. Her language is incredible and her articulation is extremely clear!

But I still love when little words come out all mixed up. Like when she asks to have a "trevor". Any guesses to what that may be?

Lazy Days of Summer

We are enjoying the lazy days of summer. We wake up a bit early due to Lil' Miss awakening around 6:30. I make her stay in her bed or room until 7:00. Simon sleeps and lounges sometimes until 8:30. Breakfast occurs whenever we feel like it or need it. The kids play around the house with their toys, something that is fun to see. For example, right now Simon is wearing a fireman hat, swim trunks, and his fireman rain boots. He is ready to jump in and splash out the fire!!! I eventually scrub face, brush teeth, and dress into something that is wearable in public, put dishes away, and move on to what is next. This week, we move on to swimming lessons. We walk out of our house at 10:30 for 10:45 swim lessons. This week is much more comfortable sitting and waiting for them than last week.

Today we will move to the grassy area outside of the pool for a picnic lunch and story time presented by the library. It will finish just in time for the pool to open at noon. We plan to swim away the afternoon. Shower, bath, popsicles, dinner prep, dinner, clean up, and bedtime to follow.

How are your lazy days of summer?

In the works . . .

Well, I recently made a fabulously seasonal purchase for 'Tis the Season gifts. I found these beauties,

For Simon:

Item #1

Item #2

My little boy with a summer birthday is set for trunks, as his size 6's fall off his waist this year. Will need something like this, in blue or white I am not sure. Need to check colors for matching.

Possible new pair of these.

For Norah:

Item #1

Item #2

Item #3

Item #4, in the pink/green floral

Still looking for something like this, size 5 or 6 (that way it'll last 2 years)

(Simon is now a reader, please do not mind the vagueness of details.)

So then I thought the next best thing is a bag for them to carry all of their belongings to a day of fun in the water. Then my load should be smaller. I doubt it, but one can only hope. I haver searched etsy, asked a few lovely ladies for ideas, searched the internet and now have so many options my head is spinning. Some contenders:

* purchased cinch sacks #1 and need to find #2 (I bought green as pink was n/a) at Target

* realized I could make bags, that always gets me into trouble

* cinch sack, tote bag so many choices

* canvas, patterned cotton, oil-cloth, vinyl-covered cotton, laminated fabric

* may reconsider cinch sacks at Target

The details are always fun to plan. I find that I over-think everything, which is a good thing. Because then, since it is all thought out, the final product is always perfect!

From Casting on to Knitting Off

Here is the very beginning of my first knit project beyond knit a row ande/or purl a row. Note my little helper, she was giving me my yarn, in her cute pajamas made by Grandma. Both of my children leave my projects alone, except for sometimes "helping" by holding my yarn as Igo. They are curious about my tools and how I use them, but there has been absolutely no unraveling. I also wrote out my rows to cross off when completed, which I used for approximately 2/3 of the project. Then I purchased a handy dandy counter that hangs right on the needle. From the local yarn shop that is heavenly near where my parents live.

My project as I left Minnesota. It was lovely to be able to knit each day here and there throughout and after bedtime, as I was not in my house so not as much to do. I must knit looser then required for gauge; my project measured a bit wider and I was close to the documented completed length earlier than anticipated. I completed the bottom garter stitch pattern in the car ride home as my lovely Eric drove the whole way.

A closer look where the cables turned to the garter stitch featuring a button hole. Guest appearance of my garage sale gloves that bring out the blue and yellow/peach in the yarn. These gloves are long and feel very soft - like cashmere.


(I may have to cinch the button holes a bit smaller, I think the buttons will fall through as I wear it. As I said, I may knit looser than I'm supposed to.)

Completed laying flat.

Picture taken by me. I know, I know, a neck warmer with a t-shirt looks quite silly, but I was NOT going to put on my winter coat for the full effect. Would you, in 90+ degrees with high humidity? Actually, at that point it was stormy and felt cool, relief that did not last too long.

So what did I learn with this project?

how to knit and purl in the same row

that the cable stitch is quite simple, but looks amazing

once the pattern is established, the project is quite fun and quick

how to knit the garter stitch

how to decrease in knit

how to knit a button hole

I may learn to enjoy knitting more than crochet. That just makes me dually yarnly talented!

Pics Problems

Granmda G appropriately asked for pics of my finished project. This makes sense, where else can I brag about my completed projects? This rainy morning was a perfect chance to get pictures from camera to computer, rotate, crop, upload to blog and share the story of my first knit cables. I have restarted the computer 3 times, waited minutes after each click for anything to happen, unable to close programs, other programs bug-a-boo me up when trying to get to pictures. So, I now supposedly have the pictures in my July folder of the 2011 file of my Pictures folder. I cannot open that up, and another computer restart was required. I use my work computer for easy text only posts, email checks, and blog reading. Our personal computer in the basement is completely frustrating at the moment.

We went to swimming lessons in the pouring rain with occasional thunderstorms. A "safety day" was had in the lobby. We drove the 1.25 blocks to swimming lessons to prevent complete soakage. Such is the rainy/stormy day after days of humidity. Perfect pool days, but still quite icky.

And we are back to hot and steamy, quite the soupy-soggy day!

Garment Ready for Winter, not just because of the temps.

On the hottest day of the year, I finished knitting my neck warmer. I also bought gloves at a garage sale to match. Crazy, isn't it?!?!

Imagine, in 5-6 months, days will be 90-100 degrees colder and the ground cover will be completely different.

Ecstatic/Heart Broken

The sheer joy of visiting long distance Grandma and Grandpa does not erase the intense sadness of leaving Daddy for a number of days. Excited little boy at our house this morning. Sad little boy at our house tonight.

Christmas in July

Merry Christmas to me, from my Simon! When Eric asked him what he wanted to get me for Christmas, Simon said yarn and a crochet hook. He was easily convinced that I had my stash of hooks, but he personally selected the skein of yarn. And just today, I picked out this pattern from etsy to knit for myself. This is my small project for up at my parent's house next week. I am hoping it goes smoothly I am a bit apprehensive with the cables and let's not think about the button holes/"placket". I showed him what I was going to make with his yarn, and he was extremely excited. He did not forget the gift he gave! My neck warmer will be a variegated yarn with blues, greens, and purples. Rarely do I project for myself!

Overcoming My Hesitancy To Knit

Knot that I knead another project.

Knot that I have enough time.

Knot that have unfinished projects lurking.

But, I saw this and ordered it before I changed my mind.

I figured since I became an expert crocheter by making this, I could become a better knitter with this afghan.

Sew, I now have another fall/winter project.

Pattern soon to arrive in the mail.

Yarn and colors to ponder.

Then stitch, stitch, stitch away!

I actually invited a friend to join me. Perhaps I will have a knit-along of my own!

Since I rarely give up on a project, I am sure I will conquer.

And if I get stuck along the way, I'll just yelp for help from this lovely lady. Only, she doesn't know it yet. Lucky her, huh?

Good-bye hesitancy to knit beyond knit & pearl only!