In the moment...but looking ahead

Corbin got to visit his future school on yesterday. It was amazing. He started out nervous (as I expected, he is a little to much like me about big pressure events and meeting new people) and ended with begging to go back. We were invited to participate in the Kindergarten classrooms from 8:15-9:00. It was rain day. The kids were all dressed up in rain clothes and had umbrellas and there were "rain showers" happening every few minutes as the parents and teachers sprinkled the kids with spray bottles. They were all having a blast and it got me pretty excited about the enthusiasm and overall method at the school. Corbin LOVED exploring the classroom. There was watercolors set out at a table, coloring at another, a weather station, zen garden (sand and pebbles), magnetic building sets, blocks, and the list just goes on.....I wanted to stay and play. The teachers and parents were friendly and I just (*almost*) wish that school started tomorrow. I really appreciated that they had set up this opportunity for all the kindergarten families. I know Corbin is just that much closer to being ready for Kindergarten as a result. Sorry for the blurry-ish pics but I was trying to not be that mom that just "had to have her phone out" so I was kinda sneaking them in. 

Corbin loves bees and puppet stages. I got a pretty good show hehe

A rain storm had just rolled through. Corbin watched from a safe distance and colored. :)

We had fun reading each story that was on the back of these shapes. I loved that Chicken Soup with Rice was up on the wall. One of my favorites from when I was in school. 

My sister Whitney has been going through sciatic nerve pain and is going to physical therapy to try and get it under control. As a result I have been getting a ton of nephew time!! I love getting to know my little Riggs and having a baby to snuggle. Watching my boys with him just warms my heart even more than I expected. There is just something about the invisible threads of family. I love watching them strengthen into the next generation.

Noah was singing to Riggs <3

Corbin was happy to be getting his doe of holding Riggs. Noah was generously sharing his "blanky" so that Riggs would be warm. He was tying it on so that it didn't "get lost" hehe 

 In crafting news, I'm getting back in the groove with my knitting. I finally pulled out my snap press and put the snaps on my needle "case". I can now have it hanging in the closet and keep my needles accessible and orderly. I look like I barely have any smaller size needles but unfortunately they are all busily sitting in various projects lol.

My now functional circular needle case. I sewed it sometime last year and it was just waiting for it's snaps!

I got all the sizes written on with a fabric ink pen. Not the prettiest but it was fast and easy.

I LOVE my snap press. One of my best purchases ever.

 I am already starting to think about what knitting classes I'll be teaching this fall. Zuzu's Petals was an easy choice! I love Carina Spencer's patterns and designs. I started this cowl early afternoon and it was on (although the ends still need to be woven in) by 9pm. So fun and I can't wait to make another one using Noro silk garden or some other gradated yarn.

Back view of Zuzu's Petals. I knit it out of Malabrigo Worsted in hollyhock. So yummy!

I couldn't resist throwing it on for a quick snap shot. 

Unintentional Traditions

It has been a fun family weekend! My young cousin Micah spent two days with us and we enjoyed a few adventures together! 

Friday evening was so beautiful and we knew we wanted to burn some energy off the boys to ensure an easy bedtime and knew the boardwalk at Potter's Marsh would be fun (I am always a fan of "closed" spaces for the boys to stretch their legs, nice and safe!). We read and talked about the birds and animals that make this area home. Enjoying the scenery, company, and lovely educational signs.

Saturday was sale day at the shop so the boys were on their own until 4pm. At 4:03pm they swung by, picked me up and we headed out of town. It was overcast and spit a little bit of rain but it was still lovely and warm. We made the quick drive down to Girdwood and counted waterfalls and watched for dall sheep along the way (we did see some nice and close on the way home!). We were late for the start but still got to see a good 20 people or so compete in the annual Slush Cup they hold at Alyeska. It was lots of fun, the boys enjoyed playing in the snow, watching the competitors in their crazy costumes, and their big splashes into the pool. Before heading home we stopped at the gas station there and had a picnic (another new forming tradition). 

Today was lovely and after church we spent the day at my parents enjoying lunch and catching up with a family friend. The boys went out with their dad for a treat and I took the dogs out for a walk in the beautiful sunshine. Gotta say I'm pretty blessed!! 

Checking out the signs right at the start of the boardwalk

Seeing what he can see!

Happy to be outside!

Micah looking for birds :)

Treat time!

Our picnic after the Slush Cup!

Happy Puppies!

Every year....

during spring in Alaska I find myself doing the same things. I try to get outside all winter but it takes more effort. Springtime hits and I find myself outside without even trying! I get motivated in my projects and it general have more energy to "get things done". Here is my picture heavy post that sums up this past week.

My Sampler quilt is coming along!! I wasn't happy with a certain block that is pretty chunky and too dark. So I pulled my fabrics back out to make a replacement block. Next step sashing!

My replacement block. A churn dash! I forgot to take a picture of it sewn, so here it is just cut out.

The boys and I took a "practice walk" (an hour long), we are working up to walking to our local Tastee Freeze. Corbin was keeping us well protected. Shooting any "bad guys" that we came upon.

They were so happy to be out in the sunshine

A happy moment I wanted to remember :)

We finally got back to the zoo! The boys were very excited <3

More zoo fun

I admit it was very encouraging to see the ducks back!

I had the privilege to have Riggs in the Ergo, this was my view <3

Got the borders on my Dr. Seuss quilt. I LOVE the rainbow stripe :)

Labor of Love

When my husband made it through the testing for the Anchorage Fire Department I knew I wanted to do something to show my support (and excitement) for him. It was a big deal. He decided about 10 years ago that he wanted to be a firefighter with AFD. It has been a long and often disappointing journey. We had almost given up and then....he made it! Next came the 3 month academy. It was grueling. It was also ended up being the hardest thing our marriage has survived (for which I am blessed). He was so tired and busier than he has ever been. There was so much stress and if he failed at any point he was out, which turned my easy going, energy filled, happy husband into a grouchy, stress ball mess. I've always liked to joke that when we got married he knew I was the grouchy one and that he was the happy one. It definitely tested my ability to be the sacrificing, understanding, and loving spouse. I won't pretend that I did very well. But I did want to express my deep feelings of love, admiration, and thanks for everything he was doing, which not only fulfilled his dreams but provided for his family. 

I decided to make him a quilt. 

I jumped into the hardest quilt I have ever made. A log cabin. There are definitely more advanced quilts out there but this one tops my list in my (short) quilting history. I wanted it to be accurate. I wanted it scrappy. I wanted it to be manly. I feel I succeeded, which is a wonderful feeling indeed! It was a great deal of cutting and piecing, but I loved it every step of the way!! The end result was even better than I had hoped for.

Willow LOVES any quilt I put on the floor. She always has to "test" it out. 

 

I had a "firefighter" design quilted onto John's log cabin.

Love the homespun plaid that I put on the back, and that it had been 70% off!!

I dropped it off to John today at the fire station and he was very excited to finally get to sleep under it.

 

My other achievement regarding this quilt (which I have mentioned in other posts I'm pretty sure) is that all the fabrics were discount fabrics. Every fabric purchased was between 50-70% off including the backing. I think the total cost of the quilt was just under $200 including the top, batting, backing, and quilting. So I love that it was such a good deal for a XL twin size quilt. 

In other sewing news I got a pretty awesome birthday present from my amazing husband. He completely surprised me! I had no idea and he even got me the brand (and two models nicer!!!!) that I had been saving for myself. I will also note that he should win an award for bravery as he did his shopping with my crazy 3 & 5 year old boys in tow. That by itself impressed me!! 

Here's some other projects are that in the works....more to come on them soon!

Dr. Seuss Quilt. Just needs it's borders

Too long

It has been ridiculously long since I last posted. I don't know why I get into these ruts of staying away from my mac but I do. However a benefit is how much crafting I've been doing!! I haven't been organized in my pictures so most of them won't get posted. But I am trying to do better.

Here is one of my latest. Very simple panel that I quilted and put on the binding. Of course on top of the quilt is my handsome and darling new nephew!!! His nursery is done in a woodland theme so when this came into the shop I knew I had to make it for him. I can't believe I haven't posted about little Riggs. It has been so amazing to have a new little one to spoil. My sister and I have grown even closer as well, go check out her blog to see more about him (as well as my boys, she's posted pics of them several times hehe)

Though here is a lovely picture my husband took yesterday afternoon. Make my heart grow.