warning - overload!

This is just a small WARNING!  I’ve been crazy busy and tired (and pregnant) and it’s made me sad that I’ve had no time to blog.  Especially because I’ve had all sorts of fun things to blog about, so prepare thyself, because there will be compensation over the next few days.

While I considered dumping everything into one terrifying Godzilla-blog, I think I’ll settle for spreading it out over a few days at least.

Except for today, because this is just a warning and it doesn’t really count.

(apparently, Where The Wild Things Are, is in Great Grampy’s garden)

summer vacationing

So I know it's only the beginning of July, but it since we just got back from our vacation, it seems like summer is already over. Here's hoping for some lovely summer weather (lovely, not hot) to bring me back around. Anyhow, being gone for two weeks and then needing at least a week to recover, here I am having posted nothing for three weeks! Crazy. Well, while I have been enjoying some crafting while I was visiting, my thoughts today were more on the traveling in general. This is the third time we've flown my little man coast to coast and back, but only the first time since he started walking. Fortunately, both my husband and I were traveling together, and the airlines and other travelers were really nice. On the way there, the guy next to us was letting Bugaboo play with his blackberry playbook (nice, but not too wise) and on the way back, another man switched seats so we'd have three in a row so we could have extra space. Thanks again!

(Apparently planes make him silly; he insisted I should take a picture of his tummy, which he found hilarious)

However, other than the good luck and the 2:1 adult-child ratio, we did have a few tricks up our sleeves, which was a good thing because the airlines only had one episode of the Backyardigans and while we did watch it three times, it wasn't cutting the mustard. Again, nothing revolutionary, but man, did these make life easier:

Travelling with Toddlers Trick #1: Toy Travel Pack

Basically, this was a lunchbox filled with toys, some of which were brand new. We'd only take two out at a time (one for each hand) and kept switching things up when he got bored. Here's some of the things we used, and the ones that worked best are asterisked.

1. Stamp set (not necessarily with any ink, depending on your child. Bugaboo=no ink)


2. *Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Train (we just found Thomas and Toby together on sale for $9, woot)


3. Puzzles (the little wooden ones without too many pieces are best)


4. *Cars (Hotwheels, Matchbox, etc.)


5. Little People (Fisher Price toys)


6. Books


7. Twistables & Colouring Book (or just a pad of paper)


8. Finger Puppets


9. Rubber Duckie


10. *Pez Dispenser (we don't give him the candy, but he really loves the toy part)


11. *Oh and don't forget any soothers or bottles or any other must haves. Bugaboo has recently started putting things in his mouth when he gets tired, so we give him chewy soothers to chew on.

Pretty much any smallish favourite toy that doesn't have parts that you can lose and that doesn't make noise (especially if you are on a plane for a few hours) works well. And our other trick...

Travelling with Toddlers Trick #2: Snacks (duh)

(note: that was my V8, he wouldn't have anything to do with the stuff; the bottle however...)

Well, it's not as obvious as it sounds because I know that they sell stuff on the planes, and there's all sorts of things you can buy in the airports if you have time, but it's hard to get something healthy so your little one isn't feeling all gross and junky for the next leg of the trip. Conversely, especially if your toddler has trouble with their ears on take off and landings, you need something to either chew/suck on or that's just so yummy they don't notice their discomfort. We ended up feeding Bugaboo a mix of carrots, cheese and crackers during the flight, and then gummy treats as we landed. We goofed for the first flight and had nothing on hand, and while he's normally fine he woke up during descent so cranky+ouchy ears=upset little boy. However, the promise of chocolate (the end all be all as far as treats are concerned) was enough to calm him until we touched down.

Oh, also, we got to actually use his Trunki, which we got for him just after Christmas. I guess that counts as Trick #3. Our opinion: ride on luggage=awesome. It doesn't turn well and it's not for rushing (not until he gets some better balance at least) but he didn't mind as we trekked up and down the terminal in search of a food vendor that preggo-mommy would actually be able to eat at. It was really nice being able to pull him along instead of trying to carry him or worse, get him to walk (he was exhausted; we all were). Plus, as an added bonus, watching him enjoy himself made mommy and daddy feel better too.

So we ended up with a decent (if exhausting) trip and a marvelous vacation. What a wonderful way to kick start our summer. Now, what to do next?

baby thoughts

I finished it! And with perfect timing on my part I might add. What you wonder? The BABY BLANKET! The one I started knitting for my brother-in-law's baby-to-be seven months ago. She is now almost two months old, so yeah, I'm a little late but, we are going to visit them (and the rest of our families; yay!) over the next two weeks, so yeah, squeaked it in just in time! Oh, also, having a fun summer sweater knit a long starting today might have been the extra motivation I needed. Either way, yay me!

Oh, and here it is:

It was an easy enough pattern, I just didn't realize how long it would take for me to get through it. Any experienced knitters could probably get it done in a few weeks, or a new knitter with more time for that matter. However, it's done, I'm finished yay!

Oh, and speaking of baby gifts, here's a thought: what are some fun, useful handmade gifts? Well, I've been to a friend's baby-shower a few weeks ago, and had a few of my own back when I was pregnant with Bugaboo, and feel that I am therefore qualified to offer you this list of some of my favourites (to make and receive)!

1. baby towel - a friend gave us one, all it was was a regular towel with a ribbon of hot-air ballons along the edges, and it's lovely. There are a lot of other ways to snazz up a towel too, adding a hood, and monogramming are other suggestions. Very useful either way.



2. top-knot hats



3. blankets or quilts



4. baby-bottle-cozy - you know, something to keep the bottle warm.



5. diaper clutch - think teeny-tiny diaper bag. Basically, any cute purse just big enough for a few diapers and wipes.



6. change pad



7. receiving blanket/burp cloths



8. soother clips



9. baby clothes/diaper cover



10. teddy or doll

If you're wondering, I made my friend's little one a dress. Sadly, I never took any pictures but I found the pattern here on Made by Rae and it was wonderful, although I might adjust the lining a little bit to cover some of the seams on the inside more if I make it again.

Oh, also, no matter the gift, the best way to wrap it is in a receiving blanket. Just one of the cheap gerber ones from Walmart that come in three-packs (or more apparently). You can just never have enough of those things (whereas we still have a box of once-used baby gift bags that we are slowly giving away).

Well, with that I'm signing off for a while. My little boy is growing up more everyday and I need to spend some serious summer-time fun with him! More crafts in a few weeks! (well, maybe a blip in the meantime).

Celebrate The Summer Boy: Day 5 - Shorts!

Ok, so I'm a day late, but whatever. We went camping! First time with the little guy and it was a blast.

Back on topic; DAY 5! I have successfully created something summery for my little man for every day of this mini-summer-edition of Celebrate the boy, and man, am I pleased with my self! For day 5, I give you shorts, but not just any shorts, Flat Fronted Shorts with Pockets!

The pattern is by Dana of Made, the co-genius behind celebrate the boy. The pattern was a little odd to follow because it was an addition to an addition, the pockets to the shorts to the flat fronted pants which were a new version of the basic pants. However, if you have access to the interwebs, it's all simple enough. Also, my cheapy-cheapy theme (or it could be my reduce-reuse-recycle-theme) continues as these were made from a ladies flannel shirt I got from a clothes swap earlier this week. Boo-yah!

The little bum pockets were already on the shirt, and I sewed them shut so they wouldn't fill up with sand/rocks when he's playing. They're comfy-cozy soft because they're flannel, and they are nice and cool because they're cotton. Oh, and they look awesome!

Well, I hope to have at least one post this week, but I'm definitely feeling a bit sewed-out, so I'm taking a break. Yay summer!

Celebrate The Summer Boy: Day 4 - On The Rocks T

Today's project was a mix of simple and challenge for me. The idea and materials, very easy. All I did was take an old shirt of mine and mini-size it for my little guy. The challenge: I am again faced with my old nemesis, knit fabrics.

Ok, so it wasn't that bad. Basically, I have a shirt from a rock climbing event, that was never really my colour, but I've always liked. I chopped it up into a smaller size using one of Bugaboo's t-shirts as a guide. I tried to use as much of the existing structure as possible, like the hems on the sleeves and the collar, which made it a lot easier than my strong man tank. Because of the logo I couldn't use the bottom hem, but that wasn't much of a concern anyways.

All in all, not bad I'd say!

Bugaboo seems to like it too.

...cute kid, eh?

Well, with only one day left of this crazy week, I've got some sewing to finish up. Hope tomorrow's post will be sweet!

Celebrate The Summer Boy: Day 3 - Summer Jammies

Woohoo! I'm loving the progress I'm making with this 'project-a-day' week. However, the downside it that I'm having a hard time photographing everything. That brings us to today's super simple post. Great project; fast, easy and money saver, but I don't have any pictures of it actually being worn! I'm just too bleary eyed to remember to get a photo of my little man in the wee hours of the morning. Whatever, I have another, even more amazing project (that I did not have any hand in making) to showcase as well. Yay, two for one, here we go.

Firstly, jammies. My little man is a skinny-minnie-miller, so he always outgrows things in length before he outgrows it around. Too easy. So what I've done is taken all his 1T size jammies that are too short and lopped them off into shorts and t-shirts. Save a little money on new jammies and it literally takes about 5 minutes to do, max.

(my 'before' and 'after' pictures are of different sets of pjs that both got the summer-treatment. Can't find the guitar ones anymore. Silly laundry.)

Now for the good stuff. It may not seem summery, but check out this super awesome poncho knitted by Grammie!

He loves it, and while it's still too big, he NEEDS to wear it (he gets testy about shoes and sweaters for some reason; everything else he could care less about). It's perfect for our Canadian summers, especially early in the morning, out playing in the yard before the sun has really warmed things up.

Thanks Grammie!

Celebrate The Summer Boy: Day 2 - Strong Man Tank

I love love LOVE this tank! I'll be honest, it was very difficult for me to work with knits here, however, I did it and I'm pleased with what we've got. I think one of my favourite parts is that I started with a $3 Joe Fresh T-shirt; yay clever me!

I saw it done by Muthase on elsie marlie's Kids Clothes Week Challenge, and was awed. It is so clever (and so perfect for my skinny little man)! It's a little cool outside today, so we took all of our pictures indoors (...ahem...please excuse our messy house).

(this is his "strong man pose")

Well, without too much more to say, here's a few more pictures!

(apparently he's having a Dr Seuss day)