Spring Break

My lovely sister Sabrina visited us this past week and we all had a blast! We hit up all my favorite Las Vegas restaurants-  In N Out Burger, Hash House A Go Go, Pin Kaow and Sushi in Summerlin. We spent a considerable time in Target's beauty department, buying way too many lip balms and nail polishes. Does any one else experience that Target 'time warp' - when you think you've been shopping for an hour but it turns out to be 3 hours? Its a real thing, i'm sure. Sabrina and I even did the tourist thing and we walked the Strip. I made sure to get pictures of her in front of the Bellagio water show, The Volcano at the Mirage, in front of the many statues Caesar's has to offer and all the other classic Vegas venues. All in all it was a fun,laid back time- full of iced hazelnut coffees,glitter polish and backyard movies (camp-out anyone?) It was a wonderful change of pace to be 'Amanda', not just 'Mommy' for a few outings. Not that we didn't do kids activities either ;) There was park time, a bunny petting zoo and a fair share of tickles and giggles as we spent most of our time home just enjoying family.

I hope you and yours had an equaling fun spring break and I'll be sharing pictures from Easter in my next post. 

xo

Amanda

Brush Optional

 As a parent, there are times when you put your foot down and insist that your children follow your lead- for instance, teaching them to use a fork and spoon, not their hands. Other times,hand usage is a little more lenient. Like when your children start rubbing their bodies with paint, you could either stop them and repeatedly show them the correct method of brush on paper...or you could just let them at it and get the bath water ready. I did the later.

 After all, its just washable paint. Not spaghetti sauce.

Noro Hexagon Blanket

Currently on this mama's needles, the Bobby's Garden blanket knit up with Noro Kureyon. I haven't blocked it yet, but when I do i'm hoping it will lie flat and not pucker as much as the picture shows. Unless i'm doing something wrong- then knitters, feel free to share tips on how to knit a hexagon that lays flat! 

This is my first project using the famous Noro yarn, and though I love the unexpected color combinations and overall am satisfied, I have to say I thought the yarn would be a softer wool and a little 'stronger'.  The roving has broken on me a couple times, but perhaps i'm just pulling a little too hard as I adjust to using DPNs for the first time. 

Yes m'am, that's right! This is my first project using DPNs as well! I have avoided them for the past two years I've been knitting but have FINALLY decided to give them a go. And you know what- I caught on very quick and they aren't hard at all! I can't believe I've actually had nightmares about them...(slight exaggeration) The first needles I used were by Tulip and a terrrrrible purchase. I picked them up at a local craft store since the store didn't have the right sized Clover needles in stock. Within a few hours they were already splintering, and in a week I had to order new needles and throw those away. I purchased  Brittany needles to replace them and I am completely satisfied! I won't make that mistake again...

If you'd like to keep up with this project or any of my (many) other WIPs, check out my Ravelry page!

xo

Amanda

We're Moving to the UK!

THAT'S RIGHT!

My USAF hubby just received orders for a permanent change of station to Lakenheath AFB. Lakenheath is in the Suffolk area of England, about 2 hours away from London. Our family couldn't be more excited! Not only will we be able to experience a different culture, but we will be a train ride away from France, Spain, Italy,Greece, Prague...the list goes on. Our assignment is for 2-3 years, so you better believe we will be taking full advantage of this opportunity to travel! We move this September so the gears are already moving for this huge transition. Sure, it will be a lot of work- getting everything ready for the uproot- but the excitement of the end result has this family in high spirits :)

I just had to share that big news with y'all- and on a totally different subject, I wanted to share the blanket i've been knitting up.

I took a quick shot of the the blocked pieces- some already sewn together. The pattern is the 2009 Mystery Afghan Knit-Along, and the yarn is a 80% cotton/ 20% merino blend, Cascade Sierra in Dove. Worked on size 8 needles, the stitches are a bit loose, but i think that will lend to a nice draped effect. I thought we were going to be in Vegas for awhile so I wanted to make a light cotton blanket.But now that I know we are heading over to cold England- I wish I had used a 100% wool yarn!

xo

Amanda

Shenanigans

phew. 10 days since my last post. It has been a crazy 10 days indeed!

Here are the shenanigans this family has been up to lately...

* I 'strained' my 'bicep tendon'. I put this in quotation marks because I don't think I strained anything, I just think my arm was dislocated in some way... anyways, here is what happened. One day my right arm was really sore, and as the day progressed the less I could move it and the more pain it was in. It came to a point where I could not move my arm at all and was near tears. So I went to the ER and was told I strained my bicep tendon. I visited my doctor the next day and guess what? I was told I strained my bicep tendon. And that I would need physical therapy and possibly surgery. So I go two days in pain, wearing a sling, trying to care for my kiddos,puppies and house. That was an adventure! On the third night I decided not to wear my sling to bed, since I hadn't gotten much sleep the past two nights. Well that morning I instinctively stretch, and as I did, my shoulder made this loud pop noise. And I could move my arm again. and it wasn't in pain.And I did not put the sling back on! Kind of miraculous, right? I don't know what was wrong to begin with,as x-ray results showed I did not have a dislocated shoulder, all I know is that I am cancelling my physical therapy sessions.

* Poor Evelyn has had a TERRIBLE rash the past 3 days- like, hives kind of rash. I don't know if it was from an allergic reaction to something or the side effect to a viral infection. She has been taking colloidal oatmeal baths and has been dowsed in calamine lotion to alleviate the discomfort. She has an appointment tomorrow so we will see how it goes. Oh and on top of that, she has been to the doctors twice these past two weeks for a reoccurring cough that is STILL going. geesh,poor baby.

*On a slightly more positive note, Flora is in the early stages of potty training! Early stages as in, taking of her diaper, peeing on the floor, then meandering to the baby potty when mommy gives her 'the look'. Its a work in progress.

*Evelyn has been causing quite a scene in social outings. Her new thing is saying (yelling), "I'm so hungry!" repeatedly. Which would be cute if she didn't pronounce it, " I'm so horny!" So i'm sure you can imagine the stares we receive in restaurants when Evelyn yells at the top of her lungs, "I'm so horny!" as the waiter puts her food down. It is only funny the first time.

// Flora after she has rubbed yogurt in her hair

// the face she makes when we read 'The Pout Pout Fish'

// living the sling life

// making a mess is exhausting. Notice the apple? Evelyn put that their for here just in case she got hungry :)

// finally getting around to putting portraits up on the wall!

// Flora playing fetch with Daddy and Cobalt

xo

Amanda

Find Me Elsewhere

Hello Hello!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of guest posting on the Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard blog. So if you'd like to check out some of my curated picks- specifically, what to wear to the farmers' market, then swing on by to Janee's blog and share some blog love :)

Speaking of blog love- it would be oh so sweet if y'all took the time to share a vote for me on Top Baby Blogs. Simply click on the image below and TA-DA! 

xo

Amanda

What to Wear // Valentine's Day Brunch

1.2.3.4.5.

I hope you like my picks! I'm a sucker for little vintage sequin bags- I have 3 and always look forward to an excuse to use one! The peachy pink dress is both romantic, but not too dressy- perfect for a brunch date. I actually ordered these Lotta from Stockholm shoes last week and am aching to receive them in the mail. The Chloe perfume is such a beautiful scent, I've been using it for 3 years now and no date is complete without a spritz of perfume, right? And the BRAID! I can't braid my hair. It just doesn't work out. Pieces of hair stick out everywhere, and I always drop one of the hair pieces i'm trying to wrap :( But i'm sure everyone else is capable of this simple 'do!

On a side note, I wanted to share the Valentine's Day present my hubby got me! I'm both super stoked and surprised- We usually don't do presents on Valentine's Day, just use the holiday as an excuse to go out to eat,haha. But today after brunch he pulled over to a jewelry store and said, "Let's find you some diamonds, baby" I just started laughing and was like...."good one! Lets head home, mama is full of red velvet pancakes." When I realized he was serious, I was all giggly and excited, trying on earrings till I found these. I just love them! 

I hope your V-Day is full of surprises and yummy food too :)

xo

Amanda