The nature preserve and a few side notes

We went to this nature preserve near our house today. It was the first time we have been to it. It was fantastic. It's a bummer we didn't know about it earlier. It was the perfect day to go too. It's been a little bit cooler here lately without the humidity. Perfect to be outside. There's a boardwalk for the most part. I like places with boardwalks because I can let Sydney run around and she is still contained!

A little Florida scenery for you. There is a creek that runs through the preserve and out to the boat ramp that we use. Hopefully, we will be able to find the time to kayak or canoe down it.

A few side notes.
Sydney and I have been doing art together lately. I bought her some jumbo crayons, markers just for toddlers, and some paints. Crayola has been loving me! She loves it all. Once she is awake, the first place she goes is to the kitchen table to color with crayons. She also really loves the paint. "More please." That is what I hear the whole time because her favorite part is to put more paint on the paintbrush. Here's one of the pictures she drew today.

Matt and I went to this business dinner thing last week. Here's the picture we took on our way out the door. I'm really not much for business dinners but this one was surprisingly pleasant. It was nice to replace the lounge pants and sneakers for a dress and heels - even if it was just for an evening! : )

Miami Children's Museum

We went down to Miami this past week/weekend. We hadn't taken a trip in awhile so we were due. We had a really great time. Here's our pictures from the Miami Children's Museum. I think Matt and I had more fun there than Sydney!

And yes, Matt did find the siren button on the police motorcycle!

They had all sorts of exhibits - teeth & exercise grocery store & food, Dr. Seuss, under the sea - just to name a few.

This girl loves to climb stairs.

I thought this was funny but she didn't like the tail too much.

We were able to drive around Coral Gables. It's like a suburb of Miami. Oh my, was it beautiful. They had incredible houses and the neighborhoods were lined with the big, unusual trees. I would have loved to taken a picture but they was no way of getting a whole tree in one picture! Either way, I really enjoyed it.

Miami Zoo

Here we are at the Miami Zoo. It was kinda hot that day but, really, it's Miami! Syd really loves the zoo. She loves to watch all the animals and run around like she's one of them.

She loves giving kisses.

Chasing the ducks and chickens at the petting zoo.

Feeding the giraffe.

We also went to this awesome craft fair in Delray named Stitch Rock. I found this craft fair awhile ago but it's about 2 hours from our house so not worth a day trip for me. It just so happened that we were going right by it on our way home from Miami!

Really, I didn't plan it that way!

Matt's the one who picked his days off. It wasn't your grandma's craft fair either. No offense to the grandmas reading this! They had all sorts of funky finds and redone vintage stuff. Very cool stuff! The woman who put it on owns a bakery in Delray. She was selling her famous cupcakes at the craft fair too. Yummy! Delray is such a nice town too. The downtown area was beautiful. Maybe we'll have to go back down there someday...

Pictures of this Weekend

Here's a lot of pictures of Sydney from this weekend. We went to one of Sydney's friend's 1st birthday party. It was at a pavilion with a park which was great. Sydney loves to be outside. She also likes balloons.

Just playing in her room. Dad, Sydney and the bears have the most wonderful tea parties!

She can blow her own bubbles!

Taking a nap. I thought the pose was funny. So what would a good mom do while her baby sleeps? Take a picture!! : )

5 days, 5 projects

Matt was out of town all of last week. So, since I have a huge list of craft projects I want to do, I made a pledge to myself. I have 5 nights to crank out 5 projects. I'm proud to say I accomplished my goal!

Monday: A scalloped edge blanket from Bend the Rules Sewing from Amy Karol (who's has a great blog). A shout out to my sister-in-law for the great fabric used in this blanket.

Tuesday: The cat from my Japanese Animal Mascot book.

Wednesday: A tote from the Amy Butler Sew-it Kit. A shout out to my mother-in-law for the AB fabric.

Thursday: I bought these regular flour sack dish towels then dyed (using RIT) and embroidered them. Here's the cupcake one. Who doesn't love a cupcake. Dedicated to my college roomies where a cupcake solved all bad things! : )

Friday: A bunny made from washcloths. It goes over your hand. It's for Sydney's bathtime and got the idea from Martha Stewart's Living Magazine a long time ago.

What a week! I'm glad I finally got some stuff done and glad Matt's back too. I'll post some pictures of Sydney soon.

This Past Weekend

On Sunday, we took the boat out with some of our friends. It was a lot of fun and here's some pictures to prove it. Jessica took this picture of Sydney and I.

Here's Sydney (with a cracker in her mouth) and Jessica. And just in case you were wondering, Syd doesn't have the life jacket on because we were stopped next to an island and not moving. I mean, geez, Matt is the safety officer at his work!

Doug is the #1 most laid back guy. Matt probably being the second. I guess all the "laid back-ness" is rubbing off on Syd.

I finally got my Amy Butler Sew It Kit! I was kind of disappointed because most of the patterns I already have in my InStitches book. There were a few new ones and I absolutely love so I guess it was worth it. Here is one of the projects I made. I think the project has a lot of potential for parties and holidays.

Also, this weekend I made Matt & Sydney come to Macy's with me to see the new Martha Stewart collection. Oh my, the kitchen goodies are so nice. I know what's on my birthday list! : ) I bought the citrus press and a small cutting board. I just love the colors! Matt made fun of me for buying such a small board but I love it. It's perfect for fruit and other snacks I cut up for Sydney.

I'll have more pictures of crafts coming. I on a "5 days, 5 projects."

Well...this has been a great post - a walking billboard for two of my favs, Amy Butler & Martha Stewart! : ) My job is now complete.

Happy Friday!

Sewing for Sydney

I made Sydney a new dress. It's McCalls pattern M5415. This is a fanastic pattern. This is just the basic dress. I think the next time I'm going to jazz it up a bit. That's the great thing about sewing - there is endless possibilities.

Oh geez! This is not my child! So much for the modeling career...

(and yes that is just the pointer finger. No offensive pictures here!)

Labor Day Weekend

We've had a good Labor Day weekend. We went to Orlando and shopped around on Friday. We went to the pool on Saturday. We left early since there was a Caddyshack moment. You know the BabyRuth in the pool! They had to clear everyone out to clean it and add more chemicals. Since we had to wait 30 minutes to get back in, we just went to the park and went home. Sydney was definitely the prime suspect since she was the youngest. But I can say with confidence that is was not her. I know this for many reasons that I'm sure you really don't want me to discuss! Today, we went to a friend's house for lunch and to swim. It was really nice and relaxing weekend. Below, is some pictures from this weekend.

I love this picture. Sydney is reading a book and using Dixie as her pillow. As you can see, Dixie could care less.

She gets so busy when she plays. We removed the couch cushion (as you can see). She loves to play on it. Jumping, crawling, you name it - she does it. Her favorite things these days is Elmo (just like her cousin Karalyn). Thankfully we don't have too much Elmo stuff. The 2 dolls and 2 books. I swear Sesame Street knew what they were doing. I think that sat around choosing a character that had the brightest color and the easiest name every baby could say. Great marketing if you ask me! She can spot Elmo from a mile away too. Example: We're at Target. "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!" I don't see an Elmo - oh wait - is that a one inch Elmo doll way in the back corner of the store? Why yes, it is. "Good job Sydney! I do see Elmo."

Here's her tired look coming home from the pool. Nap time!

Hope everyone had a good weekend too.

More Craftiness

I've still been busy with crafting. I have a huge long list of stuff I want to make and scrapbook. Now it's just about finding the time. Here's a couple things I was able to check off the list.

First, I embroidered this onesie for my friends who just had their first baby. On a side note, I went to the hospital yesterday to see them. The baby, Edward, was just so precious. I love holding newborns. Chilbirth is a miracle. It just shouldn't seem physically possible but there, in one moment, is the smallest little person to love upon. Incredible! It's also hard to believe Sydney was once that small.

Okay...let's get back on track! : )

The seal that was next on the list from the Animal Mascot Book. Here he is. These animals are very easy to put together. The longest part is hand sewing on the eyes, nose, etc.

I made my best friend's daughter a dress like I had made Sydney. I added ruffles on the bottom for that extra touch.

Mini Mozart

Sydney definitely has my love for playing the piano. Maybe it's because I played to her everyday while I was pregnant. Who knows! But here she is playing the piano. She's just so happy.

Sydney & the pets

Sydney really loves our pets. For Dixie, she loves to brush her, give here "Dixie Treats," and also to pet her. For Martha, she loves to pull her tail! The other day, Sydney was holding on to Martha's tail. Martha got up and started to run away. Well, Syd still had her tail and didn't let go. So Sydney ran behind Martha for only just a minute and then was pulled onto the ground because she couldn't keep up with the cat. She did to cry too, poor thing. Oh man, it was funny though! Matt and I were trying so hard for her not to see us laughing. I wish we would have gotten that video taped. We, for sure, would have won the $10,000 from America's Funniest Home Videos. Ah yes, the good times with kids!

Here's Martha, being deprived of attention, snuggling with the monkey.

Here's Syd giving Dixie a kiss. Doesn't Dixie look so happy?!