She's Crafty!

I always knew I enjoyed having creative outlets, but it has taken me a long time to allow myself to really dive into any projects. Last fall I sewed Ethan's Super Why costume for Halloween (which I was pretty proud of despite the fact that he didn't like to wear anything but the pants). But I think having a deadline and the perfectionism in me really made that experience too stressful to be therapeutic.

In the past few weeks though, I've gotten some inspiration! I think it started with the visit from my dear friend Kelly who lent me some yarn and taught me how to knit. I began knitting a scarf for Salla (which, no, I haven't finished yet, but that's besides the point!) Soon after, I dusted off the old sewing machine and headed to Wal-mart, where I knew I could find some inexpensive fabric and patterns. Within a few days I had produced a cute little dress that Salla demands to wear whenever it crosses her line of sight (though that has more to do with the Mickey Mouse pattern than my super sewing skills).

Feeling a little more confident, and inspired by another blogger Amanda Soule (one to check out girls!), I dove right into another little project. It's a simple elastic band skirt with a ribbon detail along the hem. It was pretty easy, and there was no pattern! The instructions were free online from a pattern designer Oliver + S. So this morning Salla and I made a field trip to Jo-Ann's and got the fabric and the ribbon and tada! Tonight we have a new skirt! It is so sweet, and I hope she lets me try it on her tomorrow...

I'll start with Easter...

Ok, so here I am. Attempting to gain some inspiration to start blogging again. Between, visitors, traveling, and weeks and weeks, and weeks, of sickness, I haven't felt much like writing. So, tonight I will start with the story of our Easter, since it should be pretty easy to tell!

First, I was excited for Ethan this year, since he seemed to really understand that it was something to celebrate. I'm not sure how much he equated to the resurrection of Jesus versus the visit from the Easter Bunny, but we'll get there. As I mentioned above, we have all just been sick forever this spring and it took me until Saturday night to go get stuff for the baskets. I felt a little guilty that I didn't put more time or thought into the process, I do like Tracy's idea of the "resurrection baskets" and I will, perhaps, be more inspired next year. What I really enjoyed, even though it only took a couple minutes, was hiding the eggs out in the back yard. It put a smile on my face picturing Ethan and Salla finding them.

Sunday morning we had breakfast as the kids looked through their gifts and then get ourselves ready for a crazy crowded 9:30 mass. (Ideally, we would have like to have gone to the much calmer 7:30 mass, but we probably would have showed up in our PJ's.) But really, it was insanely crowded and I spent my energy trying to keep Ethan and Salla contained and happy instead of really listening to the readings and homily. I regretted it as we were leaving church, it was probably a day I could have used it!

After church we came home and had a snack (fruit and chocolate, of course) when Ethan finally realized there were eggs hidden outside on the back porch. We went out for our egg hunt and I just loved how into it Salla was! Even last year, Ethan just didn't seem too excited by the concept. Salla surprised me and I was really glad I set it up.

I don't really remember what we did the rest of the day, but I imagine we changed into more comfy clothes and played a lot. Dinner was yummy and as the day came to a close, I was relaxed and grateful for the special day with just the four of us.