Kissable Crew

Forget Dolce and Gabbana

Crew prefers Phineas and Ferb.

Seussism

Nine

When Kinley woke up on her ninth birthday, we snuggled under my cozy comforter while I told her all about the day she was born. We talked about what a beautiful, strong, crabby baby she was and how I sat on the floor of my apartment sobbing for weeks because she screamed like a creature from a horror movie whenever I tried to set her down long enough to pee.

I shared with her my favorite Kinley toddler story: Once upon a time when Tanner was a newborn, he was swaddled up happily on our bed (I had learned a thing or two since the ol' Kinley shrieking days) when I climbed into the shower. Kinley was 2 at the time and was watching a cartoon downstairs in the livingroom of our townhouse. Shortly after I got into the shower, Tanner started crying.  Loudly. I tried to hurry, but by the time I had finished rinsing out the conditioner, he had quieted down. When I peeked out the bathroom door, I saw a sight that I shall never forget as long as I live. Kinley had come up the stairs when she heard him crying, and climbed onto our bed. She was laying next to him rhythmically chanting "sh-sh-sh-sh-sh!" and whispering very calmly and purposefully slowly into his ear that he was going to be ok, one arm slung across his chest to pull him tightly to her. She was mimicking in perfect detail what she had seen me do to soothe our new baby. 

She continues to be a very attentive and protective sister to her brothers.  She will throw a board game so that her brother can know the thrill of victory.  She always spends her hard-earned school tickets on trinkets and treats for the boys.  If Crew bites off a piece of apple that she deems dangerously large, she will launch across the room to fish it out of his mouth.  I could go on forever.  Wise beyond her years, she has a very tender and nurturing little spirit and is a powerful peacekeeping influence in our home.

The princess' birthday celebration began with french toast and veggie sausage in my bed. Because that's where the best Saturday morning cartoons are broadcast.

Daddy took Saturday afternoon off from work to take us down to Provo!  Crew stayed with my friend Ally (thank you, Ally!!)

Against my recommendation, Kinley wore her Sunday shoes, no socks.  I didn't have to say "I told you so".  The blisters did it for me.    

First stop, BYU Bookstore!  Kinley has long desired BYU gear, so we surprised her with a hat, t-shirt, and a hoodie.

True Blue, through and through.

We planned to eat at Tucanos, but failed to make reservations.  Unwilling to wait 2 and a half hours, we ended up leaving Provo altogether and ate at the new Brick Oven in South Jordan.  Just the same as our old Provo haunt!

For one final surprise, Kinley received a set of the new girly Legos.  She was thrilled.

Happy birthday to our favorite gal!

Happy Birthday, Kinley Rose!

Happy birthday to a girl who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Nine years old. Wow. Today you are half way to adulthood. Your Daddy and I feel queasy.

I Love Me Some Crew

Kid's Marketplace

Recently I volunteered at the "furniture booth" for a third grade money management event put on by our school district.

I was really impressed with the program and it was absolutely fascinating to see how differently each of the children managed their money.  The event was educational, smooth, easy to staff, and super fun for the students.  A gold star for Kid's Marketplace!  It was developed by the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech.  If you want to bring it to your school, I'm sure you could contact them for more information!

Riverton

Heretofore, we have donated primarily to large, high-risk hospitals and regional support organizations that service multiple facilities.  It hasn't been intentional; it's just the way it's worked out so far.  Many hospitals (I would venture to say most hospitals) do not need a gargantuan supply of micropreemie diapers for their bereavement needs.  This little batch of 24 diapers will be donated to the Labor and Delivery Unit of Riverton Hospital.  It will meet their needs for quite some time.  

The bunny fabric was dropped off on my doorstep anonymously one night and I think the pattern is so cute.

Kinley for President

I just fished this school assignment out of Kinley's backpack...

How I Would Become President

"First, a reason you should vote for me is because I am pretty.  I'm very nice.  And I'm adventurous.

Next, you should vote for me because I am a girl.  So I will be the first girl president.  And you will be proud.

Then I would help you save money because I would lower taxes.  And then you could buy more things.  And you would have more food and a stronger shelter.

After you vote for me, you will love me.  And be very happy.

Next, I would make lots of money and using that money I will buy children books for libraries and schools.

I can make this country a better place.

Last, I am very kind.  And if you don't vote for me, you will regret it.  I mean it.

And that's how I will become president."


So folks, this is a very important election year.  Consider the candidates carefully.  Then vote "Kinley for President 2012"! And you will be proud. And very happy.  I mean it.

Terrah's Scraps

My friend Terrah saw the diapering possibilities in leftover flannel fabric that she had purchased for another project. She dropped her stash off on my doorstep and I was able to turn them into 16 diapers (8 tiny ones and 8 "big" ones) for Utah Share of Davis County.  A little fabric goes a long way!  Thank you, Terrah!

Toothless Tanner

Our big man lost his first tooth!

Teeny Tears Nappies!

A wonderful organization based in the United Kingdom sent me an email last week indicating their desire to incorporate Teeny Tears diapers into angel packages for families suffering the loss of babies from early miscarriage all the way through the neonatal period.  Upon Butterfly Wings has shared the pattern with their bereavement crafters; Teeny Tears diapers nappies will now make their way into hospitals and funeral homes for tiny angels across the pond!

One of my new British friends, Pinks, sews for Upon Butterfly Wings through her own organization, Little Baby and Co.  She focuses on providing keepsake boxes for parents who have been affected by early miscarriage.

She was able to shrink the Teeny Tears pattern down to a quarter of the normal size for this purpose. While babies born small enough and early enough to fit this diaper are generally too delicate to dress for burial beyond a bunting, this tiny little diaper will be absolutely perfect for Pinks' keepsake memory boxes.

You can see the difference in size. The top diaper is the very very very small diaper, the bottom diaper is our small pattern. Pinks made the diapers out of a ribbed jersey fabric.

Thank you, Lucy and Pinks!

Pumpkin Pie Cake

This recipe is for all of you fellow pumpkin pie lovers out there. This. is. better. For realsies. I got this from my friend Susie and it's the bomb diggity. I think it's something like 8000 calories per bite, but it's worth it.  Not exactly cake... not exactly pie.... just think of it as pumpkin perfection on a plate and go with it.

Crust:
1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup for topping)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg

Filling:
20 oz pureed pumpkin (not 29 ounces!)
12 oz can of evaporated milk
1 and 1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Topping:
1 cup cake mix (that has been reserved)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 cup butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 pan (I used just a metal cake pan).

Mix together CRUST ingredients and spread into the bottom of pan.

Mix FILLING ingredients together very well and pour over crust.

Mix TOPPING ingredients together until crumbly and sprinkle over the top.

Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Let cool* and serve with whip cream or cool whip!


*It was delicious after it had cooled uncovered for about an hour, but it was even better the next morning after it had been sitting covered with tin foil all night. If serving guests, I would bake it in the morning, allow it to cool for a few hours on the counter uncovered. Then cover it for the rest of the day until ready for dessert.

For more of our family's favorite recipes, please visit Vittles Divine.

Pumpkin Prejudice

I made a delicious new recipe tonight, a "pumpkin pie cake".

Megan: Ok, Justy! This is your piece!

Justin: Gross, no thanks. I hate pumpkin.

Megan: Except for pumpkin pancakes.

Justin: Right.

Megan: And pumpkin cookies.

Justin: Yep.

Megan: And pumpkin-apple streusel muffins.

Justin: Yeah.

Megan: And pumpkin bread.

Justin: Uh-huh.

Megan: And pumpkin roll.

Justin: You got it.

Megan: Ok, just checking.

The Littlest Liar

Crew uses an iPad, but I'll save those details for another post.

Today I am simply reveling in his naughtiness.

Along with a wide assortment of educational Apps that have been recommended to us by various Early Interventionists and Speech Therapists, Crew has a propensity for wandering shamelessly onto Youtube.

I know. You cringed, right?

The other day I told him "NO YOUTUBE!" and stepped out of the room. When he heard my footsteps coming up behind him a few minutes later, he quickly flipped off Youtube and stared at me blankly.

I walked back out. When he heard my footsteps again, he frantically turned off Youtube and swiped wildly across the screen to one of his approved games. Then stared at me blankly.

Now, if Kinley or Tanner had done this, my zero-tolerance policy for deceit and disobedience would have erupted into fiery indignation and sorrowful punishments for the perpetrators.

But... I find his duplicity exciting. And cute. It says such good things about his development.

We're in trouble.

Quickstart Beginning Tennis

Kinley tried her hand at tennis this month and really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to warmer weather when she and I can hit the outdoor court together!

Her own personal cheering section...

Getting very bored.

But awfully cute.

Night of Service

My friend Stacie invited me to speak to the women of her church congregation for a Relief Society Night of Service. We enjoyed a dinner of fake Cafe Rio deliciousness, I spoke for about 20 minutes, and then the ladies fired up their sewing machines to make 108 diapers for families serviced by the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah!  They were able to finish 75 onsite; volunteers collected the rest to finish at home during the week.

Of course, I can't go anywhere without my trusty assistant.  It was really nice for her to catch up with a friend.... and make tortilla snowflakes.

Several women donated flannel; aren't they so adorable?  A little fabric goes a long way!  Did you know that (if you are very very careful) you can make 8 "big" diapers and 8 tiny diapers with just one yard of fabric???  (My sister is able to anyway.  I can't claim to be that successful myself!)

One of the evening's Super Sewers works as a nurse in the Labor and Delivery unit at IMC.  She delivered all the diapers to IMC herself and knows just how needful they are for the tiny angels and their families.  I am so glad we could be a part of Service Night!  Thank you, Stacie, for the kind invitation, amazing food, and wonderful evening with your neighbors!