Pants

I think it is quite apparent that River is a big boy. And as well as EC is going I am not venturing into diaper free outings quite yet. Big baby + cloth diapers= incredibly huge booty. Typical clothing just doesn't do for the boy. And impatient parents that need to dress said, "wants to move all the time, wiggly worm ginormous baby" need something to get on that big booty fast. It has been time for awhile, and we are going the way we did with Asher- the T-shirt pant. Stretchy, economical and so easy. Grab yourself a pile of old shirts- I am trying to rid all evidence of the park district from my wardrobe so I have lots on hand. Find a pair of pants that you love your kid in, turn them inside out and fold in half to get one leg.Cut shirt out into the two legs allowig at least a quarter inch for seams. I like to then cut the front of the leg in a bit in the leg as I like the way they fit this way, it tapers it a little. If you look closely to the picture you can see the top is smaller, don't do the same to the crotch, well you can but then lining things up may be a little more difficult (not much though)Sew right sides together of each leg. Turn one of them rightside out (in?). Anyway, place the rightside one inside the wrongside one. And here folks is the magic.I first sewed pants in highschool and I remember being amazed by their ease and the almost magical way that they came together. Line up the right sides touching crotches of each leg, I definitely recommend pins here. Sew it up and voila, pants... not quite, but now they look awesome already. I like to get a bunch of pairs to this stage before turning on the iron and proceeding. With a hot iron, fold the pants about half an inch and then another inch, iron and pin. I really recommend not stepping the pinning here if you are going to skip anything, skip the iron. I get all my pants pinned and then sew them all in a row. Make sure to leave about a one inch opening in the round to get the elastic in. Measure the kids waist, subtract an inch and cut your elastic. Thread it through with a safety pin and sew the elastic together. I don't know about you, but it drives me crazy when the elastic twists, so I use thicker elastic and am pretty meticulous about making sure it is all going in the same way. Oh and pin the elastic to sew it, maybe common sense but I am known to try it without and I always have to remind myself to pin it. you can then finish sewing that inch hole for the elastic casing or leave it open. I choose to leave it open as my kids grow fast and then I can easily let out or replace the elastic...depends on who you are, I for one suck at finishing things so it is nice that this can be functional and the finishing can be excused.
Pretty instant gratification and easy wardrobe for the kids. I am planning on freezer paper stenciling some as well to funk them up a bit.

A Picnic Blanket

There was a little crafting prior to our trip. The type of crafting that needs to get done because you are already 2 months late for the special persons birthday. This picnic blanket was thought of in July and I am happy it was made, although I wasn't incredibly pleased. I was having some major conceptual blocks.

It was definitely saved by some last minute freezer paper stenciling and a little bit of decorative stitching.

We have put it in the hands of it's new owner, stitched with love (Asher and River both helped with the machine) backed with a paint tarp to make it somewhat water resistant, it is ready for many picnics for years to come.

Happy belated Bubbie!

PA: Solebury Orchard

It doesn't seem like a real fall without some apple picking. And as we have lost our pomology lab connection we didn't get to go last year and didn't think we were going to make it this year... still need to make it out to Wolf Orchard in Monticello, but Curtis Orchard really doesn't cut it for me. Thankfully we are back to a home of sort and got to pick apples at Solebury Orchard, where Ben and I frequented when we lived out here. This was A's first apple picking experience so it was of course great. And fall apple photos are some of my favorites.

We picked a couple bushels, hooray!

PA: Del Val Picnic

Bubbie picked out a perfect location for a fall picnic. Everything was planned perfectly. After playing at the castle, we had lunch. A great overcast day perfectly showcased the fall foilage. And as much as I don't agree with feeding the wildlife, it was pretty awesome to see the fish.

Asher was excited to see so many fish come to eat the bread. We collected beach nuts and colorful leaves.

PA: Castle Park

We headed to Doylestown for day one in PA. Bubbie has been raving about this playground for some time and it definitely lived up to the hype. For those who love Meadowbrook's playground this is that times 100. The tallest tower at MBK is the lowest one here.

the castle itself is a maze of paths up to the four towers, each equiped with constellation riddles. Lot of the paths involve crawling and the tunnel slide from the top to the bottom is nothing less than awesome! The green tube is long and pitch black inside plus it feels like anyone talking at the bottom outside of the slide is always at your feet.

Bubbie sliding down the paths- super smooth wood let you slide instead of having to crawl down.

Asher had a super fun time. Besides all the climbing they had a pretty substantial creative play area as well. We will definitely make this a regular stop when we visit.

Ada, Ohio

Our first official stop on the trip was Ada, Ohio. New home to a very loved family in our house. It took Asher about a second to reconnect with his May Dawsey, i really can't explain in writing just how excited he was to be going to her house- but in attempt he spent the last 20 minutes of our drive screaming, "I'm going to May Dawsaaaaysss!!" directed to Huckle in the video he was watching.

And oh the fun we had in the 36 hours we were there. Walks, dinner,trick or treating, baths, more walks, some sleep, more candy and tot'ing.

Streaking by Asher on Northern Ohio's Quad.

Playing at the Ada Park.

I think only May's crying when she had to say goodnight to A, "i don't want him to go" over an over as she fell asleep really sums up how these two love each other. No one can replace A's May.

River and Cy had their own fun.

Doing those things babes do.









We will return to Ada on our way home for some more fun.

Things I'm Loving

Sunlight that has been too occassional around here, but oh so lovely.Carrot cake and coffee pick me ups.Organic, fruit juice lollipops, not sugar free, but CORN SYRUP FREE. Decorated with bats for friends.Welcome November, one of my most favorite months!