Archive | August 2015

Happy 5th Birthday Miss Echo

There is no such think as unlucky Friday the 13th for this family. After all, in 2010 in the early morning of Friday, August 13th we welcomed Miss Echo into our family. And life has never been the same!DSCN0904

The baby of the family has officially hit a milestone. 5 is the age when she can start going to Home Depot for the monthly wood working craft (Just not September as we double booked ourselves that Saturday! oops!), she is of age to really join our classroom… and according to her – big enough to no longer have her cone in a cup at McDonald’s (the jury is out on that one when mommy had to eat a portion of her birthday cone in order to save the birthday outfit).IMAG0536

IMAG0537Anyway, the birthday DAY… Daddy spoiled her with birthday tiny toast (french toast cut into small pieces).IMAG0505

Grandma called all the way from Canada!IMAG0503

Miss Echo had her photos taken (with Trinity) at the flower garden outside the library.DSCN0896

DSCN0892IMAG0513While there she ALSO had her first present (from Gammie)… a unicorn… which brought a HUGE smile!IMAG0518

IMAG0523IMAG0532IMAG0524-COLLAGEWe had her actual birthday party on the Sunday following with Aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and Cousin Robbie. She helped pick out her own colours (blue) and her own cake (Olaf!) on her birthday when we were out running errands. Small and intimate and perfect. Though the poor thing took TWO MINUTES to blow her candles out… she kept blowing up. I was sure she would hyperventilate and pass out into her cake.IMAG0559

DSCN0905DSCN0916Talk about excitement, family, presents…DSCN0900

IMAG0560IMAG0567AND a battery for her inherited Barbie Car! Thanks Nana and Baba…IMG_20150816_140423

Definitely a 5th birthday to remember for Miss Echo. Now for the extra pictures to enjoy… Note the amazing batgirl bear from Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie! IMAG0507

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This entry was posted on 28/08/2015, in Uncategorized. 5 Comments

Bunnicula… a book review

A new series and a new reading partner with this one… Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe was added to our summer reading program (with the rest of the original Bunnicula books) thanks to Gammie. She has enriched our summer learning beyond belief and we are so very very thankful! 

This is a young readers book, but as an adult I had an absolute blast reading it. To get the full experience of the book you MUST read the Editor’s Note first. (and the author write up at the end where you read about how his wife helped with the creation of this series but has since passed away) The main characters are all entertaining animals… pets actually, and their human family entertaining as well. 

This is definitely a great book for all ages. I would think my girls would enjoy it as well, though so far it feels more geared to my sons’ interests (what with the children of the family being all boys). There is a good giggle or two in there, an adventure and the potential of a new friend/permanent family member…

Is Bunnicula more than just a rabbit with unusual markings and features or are we looking at a case of mistaken identity??? Do check this book out if you get the chance! But don’t take my word for it… ask Zander! (beware of spoilers)

Zander: I like Harold because he is so smart. Harold is the dog. I like the story because it was full mystery. I think Bunnicula was the cutest thing. I think the ending was funny (there was a funny part at the end). I think anyone who knows how to read should read this book. I want to read the whole series because I like how it is full of mystery and funny parts. Not a ton of books have a lot of funny parts in them. 

And that is what he said… so check out Bunnicula and the books that follow RIGHT NOW! 515MBTEMKYL

My First County Fair…

A little slow on the post but with Renee’s support (and ride to drop the items off) Emanuel and I entered our very first County Fair (well American one, I remember entering a fair way back in 4H as a child…). The Anoka County Fair. Very exciting. I entered 7 pieces and Emanuel one. There was no fee for entry (just if you wanted to come and see your entries while the fair was going on… we didn’t) and small cash prizes for placing. 

We didn’t expect much and were over the moon when Renee reported back that it looked like we had received some ribbons! In fact, what we thought was a participation ribbon for Emanuel’s was in reality THIRD PLACE !!! He did a unique creation… a Lego version of the Minecraft zombie villager. So very proud!!!

Yours truly entered (as I mentioned) 7 items, out of the 7 SIX placed either first or second in their categories! The only piece that didn’t place was my baby hat with beard and I threw that one in more because it was in my store and on hand than anything else! IMAG0407

Now for the pieces that DID place! I have to give design credit for TWO of my first place ribbons – Rapunzel and the zebra were both designed by Kristen’s Kords. I love her designs and have had the great privilege to test many of her pieces. You HAVE TO check out her Etsy store… she also sells the amigurumi she makes herself there HERE.IMAG0401

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My other two first place items are both up for sale CURRENTLY in my Etsy store! I was rather surprised that my baby sweater DID get such a high ranking, it is a relatively simple pattern. Ken says it was the adorable buttons… and the comments on the back of the card DID state that they WERE adorable! (Of course HE chose the buttons) The other is my lamb bag that I made a few months back as part of my stash buster attempt (successful I might add). I have multiple bags up for sale with differing flower colours. It was fun to make and I actually really love the final look! You can find the items for sale HERE and HEREIMAG0410

IMAG0409And now for my two second place pieces! First off my Blue, White and Red Granny Square. This was a bit of a surprise to me, a very simple single granny with colour changes. Though there was a suggestion to switch to a smaller hook size midway to keep the square shape more square that I need to research further (I actually like the pulled look. It looks almost 3D when stretched out). The other was a surprise to me as well – my dragon scarf… I have one up for sale in my store as well HERE and have made multiple versions of this. This particular scarf was Ken’s Christmas present last year! With how many scarves entered coming in second was certainly a bit of a surprise! Anyway those are my placers… next year I plan to enter more things!! Just… gotta think of them first…IMAG0414

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