Little House Curtains

I finished the curtains for my little house. I was surprised how fast and easy they were to make and the thought came to me "Why have I never made curtains for my own house?" Then I remember how we move almost every single year.

When I decided to make curtains these are the ones that I envisioned in my head. I love how they turned out. I hung them using a dowel. I put the curtains on the dowel and then sewed the curtains to the "wall". I then added a ribbon in the middle to add a little more support. I love that the kids will be able to open and close the curtains.

Next: The Door... maybe.

Twilight in the Park

Livin' it up in San Diego: Twilight in the Park

I have lived in San Diego now for a little over 3 years. I feel like I have a good feel of fun things to do around town, especially with kids. This city has so many fun things to offer. I decided I would begin posting some of my favorite things to do around town to help out the new San Diegan or the vacationer.Twilight in the Park is a free summer concert series in Balboa Park's Spreckels Organ Pavilion. It runs in the summer from June 16 to August 27. Concerts are every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:15-7:15. All are welcome, including children. Bring a picnic, sit back and enjoy the music. For more information go to Twilight in the Park Summer Concert Series.
Lily eating her free microphone.

Azure Sky Creations

My very good friend, Kim, just opened an etsy shop called Azure Sky Creations. She makes and sells the cutest hair accessories. I have been shopping with Kim when she is buying materials, and let me tell you, she is very picky. She only uses the best quality materials to create her hair things. She is very careful and meticulous when making them. She makes them perfect. And the best part is she is selling they are SUPER inexpensive.

Today she is hosting a giveaway at Give Away Today. So go enter to win and if not just go to her shop and buys some bows.

P.S. Kim did not ask me to mention her on my blog. I just really like her product. Not that my blog is all that popular.

Little House Window

I had been wanting a little house/tent for my kiddies. Then I saw this ONE on Make it and Love it and decided to make my own. I have lots of plans for my little house. I'm going to keep you updated as I go along. Because lets be honest, this project is going to take me awhile. Today I made the wall with the window. This was my first time sewing plastic. Luckily when I made the chalkboard placemats my friend Chantal told me that if I had any trouble sewing with oilcloth to use tissue paper. I did not have problems with the oilcloth but did with the plastic. I just put the tissue paper on top and sewed it all together. When I was done I tore the tissue paper off. Genius.

Tomorrow: Curtains

Card Factory

If you are in my family, you know how bad I am on birthdays. I never send cards, I rarely call. Sometimes I even remember it is someone's birthday, or I will think about them ALL day, but never pick up the phone to wish them a happy birthday. Last year I made a new years resolution to send a card to everyone (meaning family, sorry friends) on their birthday. I didn't even do the January birthdays.

I decided it was time to get organized. First, I wrote down all the cards I needed for the next year. Second, I pulled out all of my scrapbook supplies that has been sitting unused for years. Third, I started a Card Factory. This is the first time I have really ever made cards. So here are a few. If you are family, beware you might see a card coming your way, if you want it to be a surprise, close your eyes. Cards for the November babies.

I made almost 20 of these. They are simple and it was really easy to replicate, over and over and over.

I only made a few present cards and two unique birdie cards. I did the birdies at midnight when my brain was fried.

These are my absolute favorite. I was inspired by Meg at whatever's designs for the shirts she makes. Let me tell you, something about making these flowers is super therapeutic. I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time I was making the flower cards. I only wish I had a stash of pretty fabric like my stash of pretty scrapbook paper.

Flower Pots

Before:

I painted these flower pots for my daughters first birthday party. The colors were great for the party but not so much for the everyday.

After:

I wanted something bright and cheerful. The name of this paint was True Blue. I told Justin I am just getting ready for BYU football.

Lemon Cake

Every year my husband requests Lemon Cake on his birthday. Last year I found this super yummy recipe from Martha. I made it again this year and I am sure I will make it every year on his birthday until I die. Find Ligurian Lemon Cake recipe here. Seriously, it is really good.

The Truth about Potty Training

I think there are some parents in the world who just have it figured out, at least about potty training. I was not one of those people. I knew that I had NO idea what I was doing. A couple of months ago I tried to teach my son how to use the potty. We tried everything and nothing was working. I started asking everyone what worked for them. I found a lot of advice on using positive encouragement, and no pressure. But nothing was working. We tried sticker charts, m&ms, setting a timer, bribery, begging, and unfortunately punishment. Can I just say that Tanner filled up a whole sticker chart and he still didn't tell me when he needed to use the potty. So we stopped potty training for a couple of months. I know I needed a break.

But I knew it was time to try again. I was embarrassed that he was still wearing diapers at 3. I know that it is generally acceptable. But I always had the belief that kids could be taught a lot younger than that. I just didn't know how to teach him.

So last Tuesday it was official, Tanner was a big boy and we started training again. Halfway into the day we were right where we left off. Frustrated, Annoyed, Depressed, and Discouraged. I know I just expected it to happen in one day. Like magic. Like all those people who blog about it just taking their kids hours. Out of desperation I turned to the internet. Not for how to potty train but to see if I could pay someone to come in and do it. At that moment I was willing to give anything to just have it over with. I know some might be thinking "Its not that bad" well I thought it was.

I couldn't find anyone to pay to actually do it, but I found several "Potty train you kid in 3 days" programs. I figured I was desperate. As far as I could tell all the programs looked pretty much the same. Except one said that it trained the most stubborn of children, I decided that one was for us. I purchased the program off of 3 Day Potty Training by Lora Jensen. I am kind of embarrassed to admit that I bought it and that I needed help.

When I bought the program I downloaded an ebook. I read all 40 pages and felt a new determination that we could do it. The program is not rocket science. After reading it I thought ,"That's it, I should have thought of that, it is so simple."

So do you want to know if it really only took 3 days? It pretty much did. By day 4 he would pee a few drops and then tell us he had to go. A week after training begun Tanner has had NO accidents. He is able to hold it while we are out. I do have a potty in the back of my van for when public toilets are too scary for him. He has only used it once. We were having a harder time at night, so Justin started taking him to the bathroom when he wakes up at 5:30am. Tanner goes to the bathroom and goes right back down to sleep. Tanner is actually sleeping in later because he doesn't have to wake up to go to the bathroom.

The program suggest the earliest to start potty training is at 22 months. I am anxious for Lily to turn 22 months to try it out on her.

We are really happy with the results. If you are feeling desperate or confused like I was just go buy a program. I am not getting paid to tell you all this (I wish I was). I just am passing this along to help any desperate mothers like I was.

Articles of Faith

In our ward (church congregation) when the primary children memorize all 13 of the Articles of Faith they get a certificate presented to them in our sacrament meeting (Sunday service). On Sunday I was impressed with a little boy in our ward who received his certificate. He seemed so young. Then I got to thinking, if Tanner (3 years old) can memorize the Pledge of Allegiance, and all of his books then he could learn his Articles of Faith. So I made a goal that as a family we would memorize our Articles of Faith. One a month, until they get too long then we might take two months. I hung this in our entry to remind us to go over it every day. I thought having pictures would help Tanner, because he can't read.

Lily's Apron

Wow! Have you missed me? I have been out of town for 4.5 out of the last 7 weeks. I got home a week ago but have been recovering from being gone for so long. I feel like I will never get things back in order.

We are having a major cleanse at our house. We are getting rid of all of our junk, and all the things we have been holding on to for years now. I'll let you know when we are finally done.

I started this apron for Lily last summer at a church activity. I didn't finish it until December. Luckily it is just starting to fit her. For the straps I used pink grosgrain ribbon. I was a little nervous at the beginning because it was one of my first sewing projects. But it turned out to be really easy. I also made a boy version for Tanner, but he was not willing to be a model. I will have to try to get it on him another day.