Summer Fun is almost here

So last night I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch 4 season final. Yes 4! Sheesh. I will actually be glad when they are all over and I don't feel obligated to see what happens. Last summer I cut off the cable because everything was re-runs but this summer Blake is here and that won't fly -although my plan is to not watch TV when I get home from work this summer. I plan to spend most of it outside with Bailey enjoying the hot sun and little pleasures in life (water sprinkler, pool time, blowing bubbles, side walk chalk, reading library books...) Even though I still work the same hours it feels like there is more time in the day because the sun stays up until 7:30 PM.

A popular post among blogs is to make lists of summer activities to complete with your child or children. I have been thinking about what things and places to go with Bailey but didn't think about making a chart for her to mark off items. I started making a list of things to do with Bailey before the summer is over - our last summer as a family of three. Then I started thinking about all the things I needed/wanted to accomplish this summer...a few big things, but doable. It's going to be a great summer and we are excited that Blake will be here...he was gone the summers of 2008 & 2010 and half of 2009 with the Air Force.

I will see how the chart goes - it's Tuesday Craft Night tonight! I might have to skip on making baby shower gifts and make a fun check list for Bailey.

Weekly Dinners

Blake has been off orders for the past 3 weeks so dinner time is back in full swing. We have a regular sized pantry full of food with "nothing to eat" so a few weeks ago I took inventory of the freezer and pantry to make lists of meals. I came up with 8 meal options (2 weeks of dinner)...not bad for "nothing to eat". Finally, our pantry started to look bare and the freezer only had bagged vegis and some old ice cream. The meals I prepare take about 30 minutes to an hour to cook. If using chicken in a casserole, I try to cook it the night before while doing laundry or some other chore. If I'm browning hamburger meat I just do it all at one time and half it for another meal later. But I have found that "meals in a box" are delicious! And we love the skillet meals, but there isn't enough food for 3 so I throw in 2 cups of frozen vegetables to make more of it.

Week of May 8 -14:
Sunday - leftovers from cookout and lunch
Monday - Chicken and rice "meal in a box" with broccoli
Tuesday - Blake's Birthday Dinner at restaurant
Wednesday - Soft tacos with hamburger meat and fruit
Thursday - Sloppy Joes Hamburger Helper
Friday - Night out
Saturday - Leftovers or Frozen Pizza

It's nice planning ahead for the week because Blake can help if he gets home before me. Also, if I need to grab an ingredient or two I can stop by the grocery store on the way home. I have meetings or things to go to at least once a week but we plan to eat before 5:30 so I am usually able to eat together as a family before going.

Another Burp Cloth

This is my favorite one so far...just because it's layered. I wish I had a more elaborate monogramming machine but I love the way this turned out and it makes for a great gift. Even though I can't do big things these 4x4 appliques are just enough for most items.

Burp Cloths and Pillow cover

My Sunday school class has 2 upcoming baby showers in the next month so I started a while ago working on a few things but I finally finished up the boppy pillow cover with their last name embroidered on it. I also added ribbon and appliques to two cloth diapers/burp cloths for gifts as well. I made binky ribbon tags a while back as well for part of the present. I will add a few baby items to the gifts and they will be ready to go. Below are pictures of just one of the gifts.

Linked to:

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Kilts

I am back on the sewing wagon and enjoying it again so when asked a few weeks ago if I could make a kilt I said, "Sure, if I had a pattern that was easy to follow and materials." I didn't mind because I had time to work on it while Blake was gone for 2 weeks traveling for work. Plus, I am saving up for baby furniture so it worked out great. They are costumes for the Warrior Run in Tennessee. I had never heard of it but it is a run through obstacles and mud while wearing costumes. I didn't make them with a slit in the front since they are running in them but I put plenty of pleats in the front to give the look of a slit. They asked for a drawstring as well for when it gets wet and there is an elastic waistband.

Working on all four at the same time made it easier. I would get the basic shape of the kilt and sit on the couch watching TV while cutting the ends all the way around and pinning the 1 1/2 inch pleats.

Linked to:

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Easter 2011

We celebrated Easter on the weekend before and the weekend of Easter. Bailey participated in 6 egg hunts over those two weekends. We saw the Easter bunny, ate some peeps, and enjoyed being with family and friends.

Another BIG Change in Plans

This year was going to be a big year of change for us because Blake was hopefully (finally) going to the pilot board, but as of last week we were told it would not be until November...putting it off 8 months from the original date. But before we knew it was going to be put off that length of time we decided to "give-it-a-go" in the baby making department and we were very successful. I had my first ultrasound yesterday and I am very pleased to say that there is just 1 healthy baby...no more than that...I just look like I'm 20 weeks instead of 11. We were planning on putting the house up for sale in July when we found out about his school but now...we just wait. I had plans of not returning to work until we moved to Texas, but now that won't do. Bailey's school is changing up as well so we are looking into other Pre-K programs for next year (just in case...but the way things are going lately...) and a new summer daycare since Blake will not be on orders she can not go on base like we planned. Blake has to find a new job during this waiting process but he can't do that until he finishes 15 more hours out of 40 to complete his pilot hours...which can take over a month to do as...meaning more $$ going out then coming in. It's also hard to apply when he has a 2 week flight scheduled at the end of May, but It's $$ and a trip vacation to Purto Rico so there are no complaints.  Since we were planning on moving before or soon after the baby arrived we were not going to do a nursery; now that we are going to be here longer there isn't room for a baby and a craft room/putting green in my house so Blake and I are giving up our shared room to make room for blues and greens?? (We are hoping for a boy!) So yes there is lots of change and my favorite even worse ...lots of waiting but God knows the big picture so I will just keep trusting him. It will work out better than I imagined if I don't mess up God's plans and try to make it mine so in the mean time I will be cleaning out my craft room and selling a few things I don't "need" to pay for baby furniture. It was a lot to take in and I was feeling stressed out about some all of the things, but mostly I was stressed thinking about the baby and would it be like last time and after the great check-up and seeing that he/she is fine I feel so much better and can finally start being excited and just laugh at all the change in plans, because nothing is in my control :)

I took Bailey this past Saturday to get her 4 year old pictures done and these turned out so cute. She has been very helpful now that I can't do everything I used to. Such a sweet girl.