It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To...

We had a family party for Sarah on Saturday. I made lily pad cupcakes for the guests and a frog cake for the guest of honor.












Sarah has 3 loves in life...her froggy blanket she has slept with since she was first born. Her froggy non-slip tub things, and a purple stuffed frog, not much smaller than her, that's a replica of her cousin Dallin's frog.

Because of these, frog cake seemed the ideal treat for the birthday girl. She wanted nothing to do with the cake however. We even decapitated it so it was a smaller piece thinking she'd eat it then, but no luck!







Lots of family came to celebrate with us. We know there was lots of family that wishes that they had been here as well, and Aunt Patty did a pretty good job rubbing it in their faces.












Sarah was spoiled (not by mom and dad). Her dad likes the ball popping toy as much (if not more) than Sarah does. At first she cried and cried because it scared her, but now she loves it!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Sarah Jane

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Big Girl Around Here

DOES ANYTHING LOOK DIFFERENT?











Yeppers, Sarah Jane is in a toddler carseat.



















It arrived Friday afternoon.

Richard and I couldn't be any happier.

The binkie just might become a thing of the past now.

Sarah couldn't be happier.

She made many gleeful sounds whilst we ran errands on Saturday.



Britax, you are my new bestfriend!

"She looks just like me!"

M.I.A.

Yes Dad and Grandma, I have been Missing In Action and here's why. I am a crafting, sewing addict, and I can't seem to get enough. CRAZY WEIRD but I love every second of it. Here are some of my latest and greatest, if I do say so myself. (pretty much i am only super excited because never before have i enjoyed or given these kinds of things the time of day.)

I was asked to help out with my ward's Super Saturday and while I rejected the original idea they presented me, I did agree to a couple of others. I put together a Gospel ABC Book as well as a Latter-day Prophet quiet book. It was a lot of fun and I am pleased with the way they turned out. On Sunday it was exciting to see some of the moms pull them out of their diaper bags and hand them over to their kiddos. We had a great time on Saturday completing all the crafts, having cooking demos, tying off quilts for the humanitarian aid, and chatting with the girls. Richard watched Sarah all day and they had quite the day together. Thanks babe!

Yesterday I mailed off my sister's family's Christmas/birthday gifts...all of them, except one (sorry Kendon) was homemade. I had a blast creating things that I hope they will love.

I made Sarah a November, Thanksgiving skirt. I especially like the flower embellishments. I am going to attempt an entire dress for December with some darling plaid, red and green courdoroy I found.

Lately my obsession has been dolls. Sarah turns one on the 30th of this month and I wanted to get her a doll. I decided to make her a funky one I found a pattern for. I attempted a tester and it turned out so well, I have made a couple for gifts. Still working on Sarah's...

That's all folks!! Hopefully I can keep up on the blogging as well as the projects I have planned; we'll see.

For This ONE Reason ONLY...

...I am sad I am a stay at home mom.

Sarah Jane A-D-O-R-E-S her dad; da-da. Adores may be an understatement. Each morning when Richard leaves for work she crawls to the window, calling out his name, and peers at him as he walks to the garage. There is a porch swing hanging on our porch that obstructs her view when he gets farther away and so she ducks down, low to the carpet, so she can see underneath it. MELT MY HEART! Then upon his return home if she sees him coming, she again, scurries to the window and the morning ritual repeats. Never have I seen a bigger smile then everyday when he returns home from work.

I want a smile like that!! It must make you feel so very good!!

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Sarah's really into these 2 things lately...

opening and shutting doors and

bananas or nanas as she calls them. She really knows what they are. Yesterday morning she and Richard went into the kitchen for breakfast. She looked in the direction of the fruit bowl and started howling, "Nana...nana....nanananananana!!" and then, it was gone in a matter of seconds.

A Day to Remember

I was glued to the television last night. I mean G-L-U-E-D! As I watched the events unravel I was excited. I couldn't help but be excited; it was in the air.

After Obama was announced as the 44th man to be elected president, my students from South Central came to mind. I have been thinking about them eversince. My hope for them right now is that today, they believe more than yesterday, the words I used to share with them, "You can do or be anything you want to be!"

Isn't it wonderful that in America, they truly can!

SCRUMPTIOUS

Just because she looked so cute in her jeans and ruffley purple sweatshirt!!!

CANstruction

This was a cool, FREE activity here in Los Angeles. I only heard about it because we received a postcard in the mail. It was at a business complex near our house so we thought we better venture out to see it. I am glad we did. My favorite is the one of Watts Towers! When I taught in South Central at Barrett Elementary, another teacher took me on a field trip there one Saturday. It was amazing!

Usually when Richard puts Sarah on his shoulders she sits up, this day however she was content just like this. Silly goose!