RE gets painty

Nothing quite like the glee a toddler gets when presented with a big T-shirt, and a license to make a mess. I still have paint on my house key from using it to open the paint tubes. Must do this at least once more before the summer is out.

It's almost Fall...and apples are in season

As many of you know, I love apple pie. Not just a little bit, but obsessively, and wholeheartedly. I make it many times each fall, believing that apple pie is no worse than some sugary cereals as a breakfast food. After all, there are apples in it, right?

So, 2 years ago, when I found this apple fabric at a great shop on Bainbridge Island, I had to have. It's been sitting in my stack for ages, waiting for the right time, which happened to be last week. So, I whipped up this jumper, pants, and an applilqued T-shirt for RE. She loves it all, and referred to the pants as her "party pants". It's a success.

Oh the possibilities...

I have 75 feet by 18 inches of crafty possibilities, and I cannot wait to dig in. I'll be creating some stencils with the freezer paper, and getting crafty on some solid tees that RE has...if hers turn out well, I'll probably do some of my own as well! I've even got a skirt planned out in my head to paint on.










Speaking of digging in, this being the first post and all, I do hope that those of you who choose to read this blog enjoy the crafty goodness we share with you on here.

How did the name come about? Well, in addition to being 2 mommies to 3 kids, wives to 2 husbands (separate, of course), having a full time job, a part time job, a small business, and 2 households to run between the 2 of us, we're crafty too! Anytime the children show up in a handmade, or handcrafted, or hand altered garment, the chorus resounds with, "Oh my goodness, you craft/sew/knit/crochet/embroider/draw/paint/write too?"

Yep, we do.

Rainy Day Activities in the Seattle area

I stumbled on this list the other day while I was on the hunt for something fun to do with RE in the bad weather. Most, if not all, of the community centers are only open during the school year, and I haven't double checked all of them, so I'm not positive they're all still up and running, but it's a great place to start. We've been to the Old Redmond Schoolhouse a handful of times, and love it. Some of the Seattle Community Centers might be kind of far, but fun nonetheless!

Happy Rainy Season!

Seattle

Alki Community Center , 5817 S.W. Stevens, 206-684-7430. Noon-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, $2.

Ballard Community Center , 6020 28th Ave. N.W., 206-684-4093. Toddler gym, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $2. Play room, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, $2.

Bitter Lake Community Center , 13035 Linden Ave. N., 206-684-7524. 1-2:30 p.m. Mondays; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, $2.

Delridge Community Center , 4501 Delridge Way S.W., 206-684-7423. 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, $2.

Garfield Community Center , 2323 E. Cherry, 206-684-4788. 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, free.

Green Lake Community Center , 7201 East Green Lake Dr. N., 206-684-0780. Play room, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, $2.

High Point Community Center , 6920 34th Ave. S.W., 206-684-7422. 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, $2.

Jefferson Community Center , 3801 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-7481. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $2.

Loyal Heights Community Center , 2101 N.W. 77th St., 206-684-4052. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $1.

Magnolia Community Center , 2550 34th Ave. W., 206-386-4235. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, $3. Age 3 and under.

Magnuson Community Center , 7110 62nd Ave. N.E., 206-684-7026. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays through Feb. 9; 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays Feb. 16-April 13, $2.

Meadowbrook Community Center , 10517 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7522. Play gym, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, $2. Play room, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, $2.

Miller Community Center , 330 19th Ave. E., 206-684-4753. 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, $1.

Queen Anne Community Center , 1901 First Ave. W., 206-386-4240. Play gym, 10 a.m.- noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, $2. Play room, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, $2. Age 3 and under.

Rainier Community Center , 4600 38th Ave. S., 206-386-1919. 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $2.

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center , 6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E., 206-684-7534. Toddler gym, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, $2. Age 5 and under. Playspace, 10:15 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, 3:15-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:15-8:30 p.m. Fridays and 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, $2. Age 4 and under.

Eastside

Crossroads Community Center , 16000 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue, 425-452-4874. 9-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, $3.

Gracie Hansen Community Center , 27132 S.E. Ravensdale Way, Ravensdale, 425-432-1272. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, $2.

Greater Maple Valley Community Center , 22010 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley, 425-432-1272. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $2.

Highland Community Center , 14224 N.E. Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, 425-452-7686. 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, $3.

Issaquah Community Center , 301 Rainier Blvd. S., Issaquah, 425-837-3300. 8-11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday, $2. Through age 3.

Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club , 2825 W. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, 206-232-4548. 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays, $3, club membership not required.

Community Center at Mercer View , 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island, 206-236-3545. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, $3. Up to age 6.

North Bellevue Community Center , 4063 148th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, 425-452-7681. Noon-5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, $3.

North Kirkland Community Center , 12421 103rd Ave. N.E., Kirkland, 425-587-3350. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, $2.

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center , 16600 N.E. 80th St., Redmond, 425-556-2300. 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $2 (free under age 1).

Si View Community Center , 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend, 425-831-1900. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $1.

South Bellevue Community Center , 14509 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue, 425-452-4240. 10 a.m.-noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $3.

North/south

Grace Fellowship of Puget Sound, 6328 180th St. S.W., Lynnwood, 425-670-8984 (run by Family Support Center of South Snohomish County ). 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, $1 donation suggested.

Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N., Kent, 253-856-5000. 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $2.

Monroe Boys & Girls Club , 816 Village Way, Monroe, 360-799-0829 (coordinator). 9:30 a.m.-noon Mondays and Wednesdays, $20/year club fee. Open to all ages.

Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion , 5303 228th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace, 425-776-9173. Drop-in, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. $3.75/hour.

Northshore Family Center , 18315 Bothell Way N.E., Bothell, 425-489-6343. 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays, $2/family suggested donation.

SeaTac Community Center , 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac, 206-973-4680. 9:45-11:45 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $1.50.

Shoreline Center , 18560 First Ave. N.E., Shoreline (in the Spartan Gym), 206-418-3383. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, $2.

St. Edwards State Park auditorium , 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore., 425-489-6343 (run by Northshore Family Center). 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, $2 suggested donation.

Tukwila Community Center , 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila, 206-768-2822. 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $1. Age 3 and under.

Commercial play spaces

3-2-1 Bounce , 13434 N.E. 16th St., Suite 110, Bellevue, 425-378-0321; and 1111 80th St. S.W., Suite 200, Everett, 425-438-0321; www.321bounce.com. Bellevue drop-in: 9:30-10:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-noon Mondays and Tuesdays. Everett drop in: 9:30-10:45 a.m. and 10:45-noon Wednesdays and Thursdays. $6 per child. Age 2 and up. Socks required. Eight inflatable toys, plus break area with free games.

Family Fun Center , 7300 Fun Center Way, Tukwila, 425-228-7300 or www.fun-center.com/WA. Four-level climbing structure. $5.50. Maximum height 58 inches. Socks required.

Funtasia Family Fun Park , 7212 220th St. S.W., Edmonds, 425-774-4263 or www.familyfunpark.com. Climbing structure. $5. Maximum height 56 inches. Socks required.

GYMagine Gymnastics , 3616 South Road #B3, Mukilteo, www.geocities.com/gymagine or 425-513-8700. Drop-in playtime, 9:15-10 a.m. Fridays. $12. Ages 1-4.

Illusionz , 1025 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah, 425-427-2444 or www.illusionz.com. Three-story, 4,000-square-foot play complex. $5. Age 3 and up.

Kidz Bounce, Preston Industrial Park, 8178 304th Ave. S.E., Preston, 425-222-5439 or www.kidzbounce.com. 10-11:15 a.m and 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for ages 2 to 5; 6-7:15 p.m. Mondays for ages 2 to 12. $6, $4 for siblings.

Jump Planet , 22310 20th Ave. S.E., Suite 200, Bothell, 425-481-5867 or www.jump-planet.com. Facility offers 11 inflatable jump structures. 6-7 p.m. Mondays (age 5 and under) and 7:15-8:15 p.m. (ages 2-12); and 9:30-10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Wednesdays (5 and under). $6, $4 siblings.

Arena Sports Fun Zone , Arena Sports Magnuson, 7400 Sandpoint Way N.E., 206-985-8990 and Arena Sports Redmond, 9040 Willows Road, Redmond, 425-885-4881; www.arenasports.net. Magnuson Park hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Redmond hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Hours may vary, so call ahead to verify. Three inflatable toys. $5 per child for members, $7 nonmembers.

Metropolitan Gymnastics , 6822 S. 190th St., Kent, 206-575-4138 or www.metropolitangym.com. Noon-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-3 p.m. Fridays. $6/hour. All ages.

Pump It Up , 11605 N.E. 116th St., Kirkland, 425-820-2297; and 18027 Hwy. 99, Suite J, Lynnwood, 425-820-2298. www.pumpitupparty.com. Eight inflatable jump toys. Drop-in hours: 9-10:15 a.m. or 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. First-come, first-served; first session is usually less crowded. $6, $4 for siblings. Age 5 and under. Socks mandatory.

Seattle Gymnastics Academy , 12535 26th Ave. N.E., Seattle, www.seattlegymnastics.com or 206-362-7447. Drop-in play, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. $6. Ages 1-5.

Urban Monkeys, 1124 Harrison St., Seattle, www.gourbanmonkeys.com or 206-262-9282. Open-gym hours: 2:30- 6 p.m. Tuesdays; 9-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays; 2:30- 6 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Sundays. $10 per family. Age 6 and under.

Zoomazium , Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, www.zoo.org or 206-684-4800. 8,500-square-foot nature-themed play area. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Free with zoo admission ($10.50 adults, $7.50 children ages 3-12).

Silence, please.

"Mommy, please don't talk to me."

This is what RE told me after I asked her to eat her Cheerios while watching Curious George, or I was going to have to turn it off. Oh my. The attitude is already so intense some days.

Funny thing is, when I'm having a day, and don't actually WANT to talk to her, all she wants to do is snuggle.

Blueberry Picking

We picked bluberries at Bill Pace's Farm in Bellevue with the playgroup crew and what fun we had! The rain held off, and we even got a few shots of sunshine, and the adults enjoyed chatting while the kids picked blueberries. Ahhh, child labor.

Then, after we got home, we baked a super yummy blueberry cake...mmmmmmm.

Socks (and shoes)

To be quite honest, I dislike socks. Judging by my sock drawer, you'd never guess it, but I really do kind of hate them. Why, you ask?
1. They're restrictive. And I'm claustrophobic.
2. They ALWAYS cut off my ankles (and I don't have fat ankles) and leave awful sock muffin tops on my legs.
3. They require closed toed shoes. Which is generally not a problem, however, it's August, and I'm not ready for closed toed shoes. I'm still digging my flip flops.

And today will be no more than 65, and quite rainy, so I've dug my fabulous green polka dot rainboots out, and plan to go berry picking in the mud with RE and her/our buddies. Should be good times!

Ack!

She's driving me bonkers...is 2:24pm too early for a cocktail? Is it less than fortunate that I'm wondering that?

She's been eating since 8am. I don't know why. She's had oatmeal, mac and cheese, string cheese, pickles, grapes, blueberries, fruit strip, and I don't know what else. Crazy amounts of food, and she's STILL whining that she's hungry. I think she's bored, or growing, but I honestly don't know what else to feed the darn kid.

So, she's running around the living room taking pictures of her chalkboard, her toes, and the carpet...awesome.

I'm tired already.

Our first major disappointment

We were supposed to go to a birthday party today, but it was pouring. Not just a little rain, either, but full on downpour, crazy heavy rain. So, the party was canceled. I tried to make it up to her by taking her to a covered play area, getting her a milk from Starbucks, getting cupcakes at Safeway (since that's what she really wanted anyway), but alas, no good.

Mommy, my party is broken.
Yep, Ry, it's broken.
It's far, far away and we can't get to it?
Yep, it's far, far away and we can't go.
Mommy?
Yeah?
Get out your tools and fix it.
Oh, man, I can't...I'm not that good.

I tried to fix it with the cupcakes, but it was less than satisfactory.

ETA: On Tuesday, which was not a rainy day, she announced that the weather man had fixed her party with his tools. I don't know where she gets this stuff...

I seek balance

Banana Bread

SERVES 12 -16 , 2 loaves (change servings and units)

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Ingredients

• 4 very ripe bananas
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons applesauce
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cardamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Mash bananas in a bowl.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
3. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans (or you can pour it all into one, but it rises enough that you can split it in half). Sprinkle chocolate chips across the top, if desired.
   
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

No joke, this is some of the best banana bread I've EVER made. And I make a lot of banana bread. We would otherwise waste a lot of bananas!

But, it's a lower fat recipe, so when you add the chocolate chips, you're not really doing too much damage. It's always a balancing act.

When I was your age...

I feel old everytime I drive past a gas station. Why? Because every single time, without fail, I say to myself, or to Ryan, "I remember when gas was only a dollar".

Then I got excited when I saw gas for $4.01 today. Then I got sad that I got excited about that. That's actually the cheapest it's been in ages. I think I'm going to move somewhere less desirable, where life is less expensive. Well, not really. I plan to die here in the PNW. You can't get me out of here, sorry.

But, let's make this interactive (for the 3 or 4 of you who read my blog. Blogging is such an exercise in narcissism.). Fill in the blank: "When I was your age..."

Hallmark really does make a card for everything

I found these at the Hallmark store today, among many others that I didn't write down, but should have:

Anorexia

Adoption

Miscarriage/stillbirth

Support for parents who’s children have made bad decisions

Bad day

I think that might be my dream job, writing for Hallmark. I don’t know if I could do it, but I think I’m pretty clever much of the time, and I know it’d be a blast. Can you imagine their meetings?

Let’s brainstorm new ideas for cards, folks!

Oooh, I know, how about a “Congratulations on your breast reduction/enlargement!”

Or, “Congratulations, you’ve found Viagra!”

Or, “I’m so sorry your anti-depressants don’t seem to be helping”

Or, “I’m so sorry your son got his girlfriend knocked up”/”I’m so sorry your daughter got knocked up”

What fun! I so want to work for Hallmark.

The Milky Way and Life's Butter Dreams

I'll get to it, but eventually this will be a recap of Mike's wedding weekend in Fort Bragg/Mendocino. Complete with an explanation of the bizzaro title.
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Woe, woe, woe, your boat
Gentie down da streem
Merriyee, merriyee, merriyee, merriyee
Life's a butter dream
~Ryan Elizabeth

We all had a hard time getting over RE's adorable "butter dreams" this weekend. She sang the song all on her own, without prodding, many times over (thank you Owen for teaching her that), and really, there is nothing sweeter than a two year old's rendition of just about anything.





And life truly was a butter dream this weekend. My little brother got married. To a wonderful woman with a wonderful family. I peed on the beach (ie, not in a toilet) and as a many of you know, this is a pretty big deal for me. Quite liberating, really. I saw the Milky Way, and a quantity of stars I had no idea existed. I saw shooting stars, and yes, I made wishes. I think I even wished on a satellite. Oh well. Maybe it'll come true anyway. And no, I'm not sharing. We had a bonfire on the beach that was broken up by fire-fighters, dressed to fight.




I took a million photos of the dahlias in bloom at the gardens where the ceremony took place. Some of them are even good. I traipsed through the wilderness in wedge sandals, and lost half the skin off my feet to the dirt exfoliation that I didn't realize was a part of the wedding package. I used a portapottie in a formal gown, with a toddler, also in a formal gown.






I danced to "Shout" with my Peanut and my hubby. I ate really good food all weekend. We built sand castles on the beach, and RE saw a doe and 2 fawn in the backyard of the vacation home. I was a beachcomber, and found fun shells and rocks to do something crafty with (watch out glue gun, here I come). I got to see my dear friend and her darling children who are growing at an astonishing rate. I got to see all of my brother's dear friends who have grown into fantastic, eloquent, well-heeled young adults. We toasted the sunset at 8:30pm on August 2nd, 2008. Congratulations Mike and Allison. If your life together has half as much beauty as that sunset, you'll be blessed.







I'm not sure how much I can really verbalize how great the weekend was, so I'll have to let the pictures do what they do, and speak 1000 words for me. And I'll have to do it tomorrow, as I am tired.
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Or in three days, because I'm super busy!!