Focusing on the funny things

So, it was another Sunday that Julia decided to skip a much needed nap. Thankfully, we had a friend's 2 yo birthday party to go to this afternoon. Much to Julia's dismay, it was not her birthday - although she kept trying to convince me otherwise by saying "MY BIRTHDAY!". All in all, the party was fun but the drive home Julia was crying and begging for her "paci" which I didn't have with us. Jackson said, "Julia, you don't need your paci because you are a big girl". To which, I agreed. But, then Jackson turned to her defense, "but she likes her paci when she's crying". I explained further that she needed to stop using it and that he didn't need one when he was crying. "But, I need bandaids!"

Chopstick Skills!

Here's Jackson eating chicken nuggets with chopsticks. I'm impressed! He actually wanted to order Chinese food and did try the dumplings. He was inspired by a cartoon Ni Hao Ki Lan, which is a cute show about a Mandarin girl and her friends. Actually, it's Julia's favorite show and she demands it regularly. Thankfully, Jackson gives in to her requests most of the time.

An Out of this World Room

Recently, Jackson and I added this cool wall decals to his room. He loves planets so I choose this for his "big boy" room decor.

A fun magnetic chalkboard in red - his favorite color!

His 2 print series paintings of "waterfalls".

The sun and hat are pinatas from previous birthday parties. Not too long ago, Scott added an activity table to his room. One day maybe he'll actually use it:)

Julia's 2nd Birthday Party

My grandma from Florida even came to my party.

Big "cheese".

My special yummy cake.

Blowing out the candles and making a wish.

Eating cake with friends.

Yeah! Presents!

Big brother helping her.

Yes! Dress up like a ballerina butterfly!

My new favorite outfit!

Even with my crocs on the wrong feet!

Jackson with his "best friend", Katherine.

Rocker Redo

This rocker was my dad's when he was a boy. My mom had recovered it probably 15 years ago in this cream fabric. Not a good color choice for actual toddler use. Julia use to teeth on the back of it. So, it was in major need of new fabric.

Here it is now in a fun microfabric zebra print (a Ufab find for $9/yard). I love it! I plan on making pillowing for this family room with the same fabric.

And you can see, Jackson is a fan!

A start with sisal

Finally, I decided on a rug for the eat-in dining area. It's sisal with a black fabric border. I think it pulls the room together, and with the eventual addition of valences, this will be an awesome area. I made a run to UFab, which is a discount fabric store in Cary town, this past weekend. Of course, I found fabric for other projects. I bought a cool zebra print microfabric to recover the kids rocking chair and make some fun pillows for the family room. But, I'm still on the hunt for valence fabric. I'd like to find a reversible print some I can use on side for the eat-in area and the other side for the kitchen window. This was done in the house we rented in Duck and it looked great. Maybe Williams and Sherrill will have what I'm looking for. Guarantee I'll pay for it if I find it but I do look at these windows everyday!

My Sweet Baby Girl

Ok, not such a baby any more! She's turning 2 this Friday. Many things lately have reminded me of her getting bigger. He recent escape from the crib (always a nightmare to have a child learn this skill). Her trying to comfort Jackson if he's crying. Her saying potty and sitting down on her little potty. Her snuggling her baby dolls and feeding them a bottle. Her ever expanding vocabulary and sentence making. Her wanting to dress herself but can't quite accomplish the task. Her scaling the rock wall to the jungle gym in our yard. But, fortunately, there are many things to remind me of how little she still is. Her wanting to be held and laying her head on my shoulder. Her paci-addiction - one for the mouth and one for each hand to go to sleep. Her refusing a sippy cup for nighttime milk and wanting a bottle while snuggling on my lap. Her special way of saying "mommy". I love my little girl:)