Pumpkin Hat...how cute it this?

I, like may people around me, am catching a bug. Not one that includes a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, or fever, but a craft bug. Well, I sure hope I'm not catching the "flu" bug as so many are. But lately, I've really been wanting to learn how to sew well(ok..first step here would be to learn my "new" sewing machine that my folks picked up for me at a garage sale back in June), and crochet. I would love to be able to make all the neat things people are selling. We sure could use some extra cash and I think it'd be fun. Not to mention the fact that they make great baby shower gifts.

I've pretty much convinced myself to take a beginners Crochet class through the City. Well, first, they have to get enough interest to put on a beginners class...so if anyone out there wants to learn to crochet with me...let me know! I'm hoping to learn to make some of those adorable hats for baby girls that are in all the professional pics I've been seeing. Heck..maybe I can figure out a manly enough hat for Craig to wear as well. I did find the above pumpkin hat and an acorn hat that was stinking cute..that would make an adorable fall photo in the leaves!

One of these days, I'm going to make a date with my sewing machine and hopefully become an accomplished crafty SAHM (which, is short for Stay at home mom, which now isn't short for it, since I typed it out anyways).

From the Blog of Crochet Patterns Only

Baby Legs...What's your take??

Baby Legs, originally uploaded by merri3.

Baby Legs. Baby Leg Warmers. Zootie Patootie. You know what I'm talking about. I love, love these things!! I finally broke down and bought Craig a pair a few weeks back from Mamabargains.com. I think they are stinkin cute and a great thing to have for when he's crawling all over the place.

Imagine my surprise (ok, not really), when Jason put his foot down on Craigy's new attire. No way. What?! But, they're so cute! Nope..he looks silly...like a girl. He won't be going out with those on!! Then, I get the feeling Saiah thinks they are pretty dorky as well. And then, I get the same feeling that my Mom isn't sure what to think about them either.

So...my question to those who read...all two of you: What's your take on Baby Legs? Yay or neigh? :)

Let's Go Fly a Kite

The wind was blowing, so we decided to pack up and go down to the field at the school nearby our house to give Jason's fancy dancy new trick kite a whirl. For sure there would be enough wind. Um, no. Sadly, the kite has still yet to soar in the wind. One of these days we'll get it up. We enjoyed kicking around the soccer ball and enjoying the cool breeze nonetheless.

Yep..Go Blue!

Sleepy Baby

Sleepy Baby, originally uploaded by merri3.

Sweet and rare moment of sleeping Craig on Daddy.

Saiah and Craig in PJs

Saiah and Craig in PJs, originally uploaded by merri3.

"Mama, take a picture of us!". I couldn't resist. Saiah wanted a picture of her and Craig in their PJ's and she loved that Craig was cheek to cheek with her. Sweet moments.

One stubborn tooth

I truly don't remember ever having a problem losing my teeth. I found most all of my loose teeth quite fun. How fun to use your tongue to push the tooth around. Better yet, was when it was so loose, you could actually get your tongue to go into the whole! What a fun, weird sensation that was. If I remember correctly, I was never one to shoot the gun and try yanking out teeth before they were truly ready to come out. Mostly, I'd play with it and when it was truly at the point where it was ready to come out, I'd give it a few good twists and out it came. Twisting was always the key!

Saiah's first two teeth were pretty normal (you may remember a video I posted of Jason giving it a good yank to loosen the roots and Saiah's priceless reaction). Other than a Dad helping it to get loose, they came out fairly easy.

Not so much with her first top tooth. I don't know, maybe it's because this tooth had a history with Saiah. Back when Scooter was 3 years-old, she was doing some silly dance with both feet in one of my slippers. Well, she apparently lost her footing during a jump, couldn't get the landing down with both feet in my slipper, and proceeded to crash to the ground, hitting her mouth/teeth on our wooden bedframe on the way down. Blood everywhere and a front tooth that was now at an obscure angle, pushing backwards. Oh yes. Fun times. From that day on, it's always been a bit loose, off color, and well, just unique.

I should not have been surprised that Stubborn Tooth, which shall be named ST from here on out, would want to go out in big fashion as well. Picture a pretty, sunny day and Saiah is out playing on her "new" swingset. Wait, she's playing on the slide that is not yet attached to her said swingset. Next thing I know, in she comes hurt. Apparently, she was walking up the slide, lost her footing (gee, sounds familiar), and hit her face on the slide, mouth first, which in turned, knocked her already loose tooth very loose. Did I mention ST has been truly a "loose" tooth for about 5 months now. So...I deem that yep, that tooth is really ready to come out now. Saiah then proceeds to attempt for two hours to get ST out. ST is loose, yet it is hurting her terribly. Just touching it caused a lot of pain for poor Saiah. It's so sad to hear your 7 year old, crying while sitting on the counter, praying for God to please let this tooth come out!! She worked hard, yet it wasn't coming out. Throughout the day, she'd go back and give it a try to no avail.

Next day, brought more attempts. She was able to pop a few more roots. I felt so bad that she was in such agony and I knew that I had to get it out for her. So...I told her I was going to check it and try to get it out. I grabbed some TP to hold on to the slippery thing and gave it a good hard pull. Feeling that it was going to take more than a yank, I had to just keep tugging and pulling. After about three or four tugs, Voila! It was out!! Yay!! I'm pretty sure Saiah was shocked that Mommy pulled out her tooth, but she was super pleased about it as well. I'm hoping it was just because it was ST, and that the other top teeth won't follow it's path.

Blackberry Goodness

Last week, we headed over to our nice neighbor, Larry's yard to pick some very scrumptious blackberries. I tell you, it was the nicest, most enjoyable blackberry picking we've ever experienced!! He has it all trimmed so the berries just cascade over the top of his fence. We picked for less than an hour and went away with three huge bowlfuls. I still think Saiah may have eaten more berries than she picked! Craig enjoyed the time sitting and playing on a blanket. Homemade cobblers and syrup for waffles was made with our abundance of the sweet berry. I have always loved how easy it is to find and pick blackberries here in Oregon.

I do believe we are headed back over soon, as I'm ready to try my hand at Blackberry Jam. Oh yum!

Craig, taking in the fun

Our blackberry goodness!

Grandma and Saiah with their bounty