Feliz Cumpleanos a mi hermano!!

Today- my brother turns the big TWO-ONE!!

Happy Birthday Elder Nauahi! Your nieces wanted to tell you happy birthday too...

 Our "photo shoot" was ... entertaining, to say the least.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY ELDER!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

The Dress

About a year ago, yes- a year ago, I bought fabric and a pattern for a dress to make for Marley. After buying it, putting it on the shelf, and staring at it month after month in hopes it would magically make itself, I thought it was time I finally get to it. I've made blankets and quilts, but never a piece of clothing. And seeing as how the pattern was for a long sleeved dress, it was perfect timing for the chilly weather.

I couldn't have done it without my mom. She told me of how when she was younger and beginning to sew, her "home economics" teacher was a perfectionist when it came to sewing clothes. The rule was "the inside of the garment must look as good as the outside". Which means- no loose threads, everything hemmed, ironed and completely lined. Maybe this is how you're really supposed to sew- but needless to say- DO NOT LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF THE DRESS I MADE. I had never used a pattern before and I'm pretty sure I asked my mom the same question a million times on how to lay it out and cut it. Who would have thought you have to cut it at a certain angle or on a fold or flip over the pattern so you cant see the writing??? I'm confusing myself all over again just thinking about. Maybe one day I'll build up the endurance to attempt another dress...

But, probably not. One time was enough.

However, I think it turned out really cute, if I do say so myself. And Marley LOVES her new dress.

I should have made a skirt so she could wear it for like 4 years. That way- I wouldn't have to do another for a long time. Dangit.

Pumpkins, Paint... and Homework

It's been far too long since I have blogged. And I'm only doing it now because my sister-in-law has threatened my life if I don't. Love you Court.

This past week, we went to THE PUMPKIN PATCH! Marley had such a fun time with her cousin Claire looking for the perfect pumpkin. However, every single pumpkin we came across was "the perfect pumpkin", I'm glad we managed to make it out of there with only 3 rather than 30.

Marley only wanted "baby" pumpkins, you know the kind you can hold in the palm of your hand, but I convinced her to get a bigger one too. 

I'm not a big fan of carving pumpkins- A) it's exhausting B) it's messy C) they never look as cute as they do on the package of stencils you use to carve them and D) they last for like 4 days and then turn into mush.

No thanks.

So instead, today, we went to the craft store (my new found paradise) and I bought 4 paints- they were only .88 cents each- SCORE- so Marley could paint her pumpkins.

Plus, while Marley was painting, I did homework. Win-win. However, it would have been more of a Win-win if homework wasn't involved. But hey, you win some, you lose some, and I better get an A on my Organic Chemistry test. That's all I have to say.

Marley and Claire in the "seedbox"- similar to a "sandbox" except this one was full of corn kernels and pumpkin seeds. This was one of the several fun things to do at the Pumpkin Patch.

At first, I loaded the cart with like... 16 different colors. Then it dawned on me- if I got the 3 primary colors, I can just mix them to make any color I want. 

... Yes, I AM a college student. Art isn't my thing, okay?

Marley painting her "mommy" pumpkin.

And then her "baby" pumpkin. 

The finished pumpkins. 

My future "Picasso", she's so talented!