November Happenings

November has been a busy month for all of us. With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away - I'm getting so excited to start decorating for Christmas! Kayla and I spent most of last night trying to figure out where we wanted to put the Christmas tree this year. We still aren't sure - but I think we have a few ideas. Jim and I took a couple of days off together at the beginning of the month for my birthday and just to spend some time together. In between birthday celebrations, we managed to finish all our Christmas shopping - it was great!

For my birthday, I had asked for a sewing machine. I've grown up watching my Grams make some amazing things and I have always thought it would be cool to learn how to sew. But, my mom never learned how to sew - and I never learned how to sew....until now. I LOVE my sewing machine! But really - I can't sew worth beans. I decided I was going to make a bunch of Christmas gifts this year - the majority being doll clothes for Kayla's baby because that's what she has been wanting. However - I have quickly realized that I don't know squat about patterns, thread, material, and just sewing in general. I started making one of the doll outfits but had to stop because I can't figure out how to sew the sleeves onto the shirt. I've tried - had to pull the stitch out (twice) and just can't seem to figure it out. So - I'm beginning to think I might be in a little bit of trouble. With the help of my Grams, however, I did manage to put together this really cute little bag for Kayla and her "stuff". She loves it! I have a pattern for a bigger version that I plan on making as a diaper bag for Kayla's dolls. But until I learn a thing or two - the sewing has been put temporarily on hold. And if that temporary hold lasts too long - some people won't be getting Christmas gifts this year - Ahhh!


In other news - Kayla recently started taking ballet and gymnastics classes at Northwest Aerials here in Kirkland. She has always loved to dance and do somersaults and such - but our schedules have been so hectic, we just weren't able to do anything with her creative energy. Recently, however, I found this place just a half mile from our house that was able to accommodate our schedule so I signed her up. Her classes are every Tuesday and Thursday and are meant to introduce kids to both ballet and gymnastics - so each day she does 30 minutes of gymnastics followed by 30 minutes of ballet. We originally only had her signed up for one day a week - but after her first class, she was so in love with it, we decided to sign her up for a second day. It has been great for her and she has made a couple of new friends there too.

And just for some simple laughs - I took these pictures the other night and for those of you who know Kayla - you'll definitely get a laugh out of them. For those of you who don't - let me explain. Kayla received a hand-knitted blanket when she was born and she fell in love with it right away. She has gone through one blanket already and we had to kindly ask the lady who made the first one if she could make a second as blankie #1 was in desperate need of going to the blankie graveyard. So - we are on to blankie #2 (Kayla still thinks it's the original - she has no idea). She has managed to pull one of the yarn strings from the blanket and she likes to tickle the inside of her nose with this string while she sucks her thumb - yes - I have a thumb-sucker. The other night, she fell asleep on the couch just like this....

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!