Billy's Birthday Bag

Billy walks to work. He has been using a canvas trader joes bag to take his lunch and stuff back and forth with him everyday. The bag is now very beat up and dirty, but that fits his job so i wasn't worried about it. For his birthday gift, he suggested i make him a new bag that was custom to him. So- i did just that. I am currently enrolled in an adult ed evening sewing class that meets Monday nights from 6-9pm. I LOVE going to my class :) I really look forward to the break and socialization. Anyway, this bag took me WAY longer than i thought it would. I started by replicating the hotshot shield, which has a lot of detail. I wanted to make sure it was going to last and not fall apart after a week, so each letter is stuck on and sewed, the red rectangle is satin stitched onto the shield and the shield is satin stitched onto the bag. Then, the lining on the inside is covered by vinyl so i can wipe it out when his food spills all over. I also added a big side pocket to keep his keys, wallet and other stuff separate from his food. It was a little be-lated, but Billy now has his very own custom man bag :)

Mile Stones

On Monday William did something big! He threw his pacifier in the trash can! I showed him the reward he would get when he was ready to throw his pacifier in the trash- Cranky the crane for his train table. The next morning, he held his paci for a while and then walked over to the trash and said " i'm going to throw my pacifier in the trash", and did it. He was VERY excited to play with Cranky (who now has to join him in bed). Monday night was a tough one, first night with no pacifier and he was a little sick too. All the more reason to throw that germy thing away. We were all up a lot that night... but each night is getting a little easier. Phew. I love bribery. I ordered a few things for the train table to further my bribery- next potty training :) He pooped in the toilet today and Thomas came down from the shelf to play on his train table. He said "i so excited Mom!" I'm glad that William loves Thomas the train so much right now, we are making great strides with the help of Thomas and his friends!!

Zachary is cutting his first tooth! He seems to be a pretty easy going teeth er like William was at this point. Hooray for mile stones, I love my boys!

Cute

I had to write this down so i would never forget.
Today William lifted up his shirt and tucked it under his chin while he was playing and said: "I'm giving my tummy some fresh air"
He makes me smile everyday.

Truckee

For Billy's birthday we decided to go to Truckee to visit his Mom & Dad.... and go skiing of course. It was a really nice 6 days. Billy went skiing at Alpine with his Dad Friday, the day after we got into town, he loves that mountain. We came along and played in the lodge in the family den which was all set up for little kids. When Billy finished skiing we went and played in the snow just a little- built a tiny snowman.

Saturday morning I got in a little run in the cold, Rich bought the boys some toys and we went to the kid zone to get out and let William play. There was the biggest custom train table i have ever seen and William was in heaven. It was hard to pull him out of there.

Saturday night & Sunday morning it snowed and that kept us close to home with our 2wheel drive 4runner. We ended up driving to downtown Truckee to see the train station and museum. The caboose museum had another little train table in it, again, William was in heaven and didn't want to leave.

Monday (Billy's Birthday) Linda signed William up for a gymnastics class at a little kid gym. It was really fun for William, he liked being there a lot. There was a slide that dropped into a pit of balls that he played in the most. They blew up an air jumper trampoline and William jumped his little heart out. It was a cute setup. So nice of Grandma to plan ahead for us. We also met up with Billy's dad for lunch at the Blue Coyote. Then we all went out to Kings Beach on Tahoes north shore for a birthday dinner at Lanzas. That was an interesting time with everyone together and the two boys in a restaurant. I made funfetti cupcakes for the occasion, 7 years and counting. We made the best of it- happy birthday Sweetheart!

Tuesday was back to Alpine mountain. This time I dressed for skiing and went out with Billy's dad. I had not been on skis in 3 years and before that I had only been on skis maybe 4 times. I was a little nervous of how I would do. But, I picked up right where I left off I felt like and had fun making turns down the mountain. When we went in to check on Billy and the kids, Rich gave Billy his pass and sent us out together while he watched the kids! So Billy and I got to take a few runs together too. It was nice for me.... probably not for Billy since I am such a beginner and so much slower than he is.

Wednesday morning we headed out before sun up, it was a nice trip but i was so looking forward to going home and being back in the warm air and sunshine of SB.

I Love 9am

The first Sunday with the new meeting schedule was a hit in my book. The chapel was full by 9am, the kids were so well behaved (it seemed so quiet!), and I got to go to Relief Society! William had his first time in nursery without me since he was 10months old and he did great. Zachary fell asleep during R.S. so i actually got to participate and really listen. It was a perfect Sunday. Well, almost perfect.... no Sunday dinner at Mom and Dads to complete the day. We did walk over to our neighbors house to say hi and watch 15 minutes of the super bowl game. But i made one of our favorite dinners tonight - summer garden pasta. I love that i can make "summer garden" pasta in the winter. Our country has a good trade system going on :) Anyway, good day!

Released!

I was FINALLY released from my nursery calling last Sunday! I am soooo excited to be able to go back to Relief Society for a little while (until Zachary doesn't let me stay) and be spiritually fed again. It has been a fun but long year and a half in that room. Thank you new bishop!
Also, our new bishop has switched times for our meetings to start! Hallelujah! We actually will start at 9 with Sacrament meeting, the first time in 4 years!! I am so excited about this. No more Sacrament meeting last right at lunch and nap time!