You Want Me to Sew WHAT? - Update 7/22/12!!! Shocked?!?!?! So Am I!

[aboveH20]

So I couldn't go to bed without giving y'all at least ONE new page.

I know, I know, you're thinking, "What?!?! Just ONE?!?!?" but it's an excellent ONE, I promise! It has tons of "AW!" factor and I even made it bigger than the normal pages


I'm sorry I've been slacking on the updates. I've had to work on Phalen's birthday invitations and Finn hasn't been sleeping well, so that means lots of lack of sleep for me at night, which in turn means instead of working on new pages while the boys have 'nap time' in the afternoons, I've been napping too. Which is why, instead of staying up late again tonight, I'm going to post this and then go to sleep - so hopefully I can get more pages done tomorrow

You're right about the awwwwwwwwwww factor. How precious. (Gotta go across the hall now and pat my 24 year old on the head. )

OMG I love it! I'm hoping to see Mulan! It's one of my fave movies ... and now I'm wondering if my kids have seen it! Perhaps I should rent it before we go! Maybe make a list of movies I don't think they've seen.

Anyway ... absolutely adorable story and pictures!!!!!!

When my son and his girldfriend were home over Christmas she wanted to watch Mulan -- her favorite. I hadn't seen it for years. I have to say it must resonate with you or not. I'm a 'not' .

 

[mphalens]

Awww... Miss Marianne... To make you feel better, you can start planning our trip to WDW next year.

D~

: Oh how I wish! :

yay for getting a paycheck again!

or you can plan some activities when we come to Charlotte this summer

That's right!!! Oh! How much fun is THAT going to be!!! When are you coming this summer again? I think we need to get D~ to make the trip at the same time :

You're right about the awwwwwwwwwww factor. How precious. (Gotta go across the hall now and pat my 24 year old on the head. )



When my son and his girldfriend were home over Christmas she wanted to watch Mulan -- her favorite. I hadn't seen it for years. I have to say it must resonate with you or not. I'm a 'not' .

They grow up fast, don't they? I was just thinking tonight about Phalen's first trip and how much of a big boy we thought he was then . . . and now he'll turn 7 in a couple of weeks

I honestly don't think I have ever seen Mulan in its entirety I think Finn & I might need to have a movie & popcorn date sometime soon and borrow it from the library to watch. Mulan the character was on our "must see" list because she's the Warrior Princess and I think it's important for the boys to see girls in roles like that

I apologize again for not having an update for you . . . I ended up spending the morning running errands with my bestie (a much needed outing for both of us as we have had a major disconnect lately and today we were finally able to spend some time together) and then my demo sessions for work that I thought would be cancelled turned into a wonderful afternoon reading to 6 classrooms of children Tonight I had dinner with a couple of friends nad then it was our monthly BUNCO game. Long story short, I am sitting in front of computer now and it's midnight... So - let's hope I have some time tomorrow afternoon after work and a focus group for Britax carseats (woohoo for Britax and their parent advisory group - I take the boys to try out their new carseats and we get a free one for our time!)....

 

[DMGeurts]

: Oh how I wish! :

Me too...

[That's right!!! Oh! How much fun is THAT going to be!!! When are you coming this summer again? I think we need to get D~ to make the trip at the same time :

We would all have a blast... Ya never know - I might be able to swing it for a weekend or something...

Lisa - when are you going?

[They grow up fast, don't they? I was just thinking tonight about Phalen's first trip and how much of a big boy we thought he was then . . . and now he'll turn 7 in a couple of weeks

I honestly don't think I have ever seen Mulan in its entirety I think Finn & I might need to have a movie & popcorn date sometime soon and borrow it from the library to watch. Mulan the character was on our "must see" list because she's the Warrior Princess and I think it's important for the boys to see girls in roles like that

I apologize again for not having an update for you . . . I ended up spending the morning running errands with my bestie (a much needed outing for both of us as we have had a major disconnect lately and today we were finally able to spend some time together) and then my demo sessions for work that I thought would be cancelled turned into a wonderful afternoon reading to 6 classrooms of children Tonight I had dinner with a couple of friends nad then it was our monthly BUNCO game. Long story short, I am sitting in front of computer now and it's midnight... So - let's hope I have some time tomorrow afternoon after work and a focus group for Britax carseats (woohoo for Britax and their parent advisory group - I take the boys to try out their new carseats and we get a free one for our time!)....

I know how you feel... I have a few besties and it's so hard sometimes to maintain relationships - especially when, for a while, you don't have a lot in common... My next door neighbor and I used to be great friends, with no hard feelings we just grew apart a couple of summers ago - and our friendship was really strained - when we were together - we really had to work hard at finding common ground. This last summer, I noticed that she was really great friends with another neighbor, and it really hurt my feelings - so I made a conscious effort to try harder to be a better friend... That didn't go so well - as we still didn't have much in common. Finally, I just gave up - I know that sounds horrible - but it's not exactly what you're thinking - I just stopped trying so hard to make an effort (becaise I felt like I was the one making all the effort) and decided to let the chips fall where they may. In the last few weeks, we have done quite a bit together again (Christmas shopping, New Years....) and things seem much better - easier. HOpefully it continues that way, if not, I am OK with that, as I am happy with my life - the hobbies I have - the friends I have - and I guess that's what I had to realize in the first place. Does that make any sense?

^ Sorry 'bout that - in an effort to relate, I wrote a book.

That is really awesome about the car seat - Britax is the best - at least it was when my girls were little. I am not sure how their quality is with their product at Target, since they started carrying their seats though???

D~

 

[mphalens]

Me too...

We would all have a blast... Ya never know - I might be able to swing it for a weekend or something...

Lisa - when are you going?

Oooh! Lisa - do you see this??? I think we need to work on D~ coming to Charlotte this summer while you & Megan are here!

I know how you feel... I have a few besties and it's so hard sometimes to maintain relationships - especially when, for a while, you don't have a lot in common... My next door neighbor and I used to be great friends, with no hard feelings we just grew apart a couple of summers ago - and our friendship was really strained - when we were together - we really had to work hard at finding common ground. This last summer, I noticed that she was really great friends with another neighbor, and it really hurt my feelings - so I made a conscious effort to try harder to be a better friend... That didn't go so well - as we still didn't have much in common. Finally, I just gave up - I know that sounds horrible - but it's not exactly what you're thinking - I just stopped trying so hard to make an effort (becaise I felt like I was the one making all the effort) and decided to let the chips fall where they may. In the last few weeks, we have done quite a bit together again (Christmas shopping, New Years....) and things seem much better - easier. HOpefully it continues that way, if not, I am OK with that, as I am happy with my life - the hobbies I have - the friends I have - and I guess that's what I had to realize in the first place. Does that make any sense?

^ Sorry 'bout that - in an effort to relate, I wrote a book.

Books are perfectly fine Novels, encyclopedias, short stories . . . all A-Ok Someone has to add to this TR and it doesn't appear to be me posting new trip pages at the moment!

That is really awesome about the car seat - Britax is the best - at least it was when my girls were little. I am not sure how their quality is with their product at Target, since they started carrying their seats though???

D~

Britax is still right up there in the carseat hierarchy . . . I've learned a lot being a part of this panel. . . they have different cover fashions for their various seats - so usually a cover you would get on a seat from Target you wouldn't see anywhere else. . . Babies R Us has some like that too . . . but the seat itself is the same seat across the board
I'm just excited that Finn will finally get to pick out his "big boy" car seat. We needed the last focus group freebie seat for Phalen and there's no way we could buy Finn a new seat like he wants . . . so he knows he had to wait until we got to do another focus group panel.

 

[mphalens]

It's just three pages, but at least it's an update!!! I'm going to work on some more pages until I need to leave for my MNO (mom's night out) . . . this week is pretty crazy - I'm never out this much and suddenly I have something every night of the week!

 

[DMGeurts]

What an awesome update Marianne! I love the Duffy bear - he's so cute! And I love the outfits the boys chose.

And, of course, I love your Epcot outfits - those were just fabulous!

D~

 

[miprender]

More updates YEAH! Love how Phalen wanted to go see the princesess

OT: But so far neither of the Joanne's near me have the StarWars Cotton fabric. Looks like I am going to be stalking the store until they come in.

 

[mphalens]

What an awesome update Marianne! I love the Duffy bear - he's so cute! And I love the outfits the boys chose.

And, of course, I love your Epcot outfits - those were just fabulous!

D~

More updates YEAH! Love how Phalen wanted to go see the princesess

OT: But so far neither of the Joanne's near me have the StarWars Cotton fabric. Looks like I am going to be stalking the store until they come in.

Wow! Y'all are fast! I got up from the computer to go make sausage dip for MNO (we're having a crock pot cook off) and come back to update the links page and you've already posted!

Michelle - that really stinks that they still don't have it! Hopefully it comes in soon!!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Good thing the boys each chose different outfits for Duffy so they can share!

sorry about the rain the missing the parade...one of my fav's too!

have fun tonight with your friends!!

 

[hjohnson6]

Great trip report so far Marianne! I am looking forward to the rest. BTW your Figment bag is cool!

 

[mphalens]

Good thing the boys each chose different outfits for Duffy so they can share!

sorry about the rain the missing the parade...one of my fav's too!

have fun tonight with your friends!!

Yeah - the boys are good at things like that - of course, they won't REALLY share but they could

I hope your day was filled with good memories. I've thought about you a lot today!

Tonight was a lot of fun! lots of laughs and yummy food and great company!

Great trip report so far Marianne! I am looking forward to the rest. BTW your Figment bag is cool!

Thanks Heather!!!! and thanks about my Figment bag! Isn't it just awesome??? I LOVE LOVE it!

 

[disneydancer429]

lurker her posting to say that your boys are adorable!!! I'm really enjoying your report keep up the good work (those outfits are amazing!!)

 

[Lidian]

Awesome update (as usual!)!!!! Very precious!

Sorry you missed MSEP.

 

[momminnie]

I just started your TR and I am all caught up. I love the scrapbook style. It makes reading it so much easier. No to mention that I am a scrapbook girl and love to look at everyone's photos. Can't wait for the next update. Your boys are just too precious.

 

[babynala]

Love the update! Too bad everyone missed seeing the electrical parade. That is the only thing I dislike about going to Disney at Halloween or Christmas time - all the party nights make is so they only run the regular parades on a very limited basis.

I'm impressed that you got any pictures at all with Finn on your shoulders. What a great memory.

 

[DMGeurts]

Oooh! Lisa - do you see this??? I think we need to work on D~ coming to Charlotte this summer while you & Megan are here!

LOL I need some dates... and some extra $$

[Books are perfectly fine Novels, encyclopedias, short stories . . . all A-Ok Someone has to add to this TR and it doesn't appear to be me posting new trip pages at the moment!

LOL I can't imagine how long it must take you to make each of your pages... I am actually surprised you are posting them as fast as you are.

[Britax is still right up there in the carseat hierarchy . . . I've learned a lot being a part of this panel. . . they have different cover fashions for their various seats - so usually a cover you would get on a seat from Target you wouldn't see anywhere else. . . Babies R Us has some like that too . . . but the seat itself is the same seat across the board
I'm just excited that Finn will finally get to pick out his "big boy" car seat. We needed the last focus group freebie seat for Phalen and there's no way we could buy Finn a new seat like he wants . . . so he knows he had to wait until we got to do another focus group panel.

Excellent factoid... Just glad you get a free seat... They are so expensive and it always made me feel so much better that we had good car seats - thankfully we never needed them, but you just never know.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Mini Soapbox moment...

Good car seats are so important! That is the only reason Mr D is still alive today! His car seat broke into, but he survived. My husband uses that seat in his classes to show why they are so important...and yet, people STILL buy them at garage sales!!!!!


Off the soapbox now!


I love reading your tr! They are worth the wait...

Nini

 

[mphalens]

lurker her posting to say that your boys are adorable!!! I'm really enjoying your report keep up the good work (those outfits are amazing!!)

thanks! and welcome out of lurkdom!

Awesome update (as usual!)!!!! Very precious!

Sorry you missed MSEP.

Thank you!!!

I just started your TR and I am all caught up. I love the scrapbook style. It makes reading it so much easier. No to mention that I am a scrapbook girl and love to look at everyone's photos. Can't wait for the next update. Your boys are just too precious.

Aw!! Thank you! I'm definitely enjoying making this trip report! Glad others are enjoying it!!!

Love the update! Too bad everyone missed seeing the electrical parade. That is the only thing I dislike about going to Disney at Halloween or Christmas time - all the party nights make is so they only run the regular parades on a very limited basis.

I'm impressed that you got any pictures at all with Finn on your shoulders. What a great memory.

Yeah - it was the only night we were there that the electrical parade was happening I was so bummed to miss it!!!

Lucky for me, Finn knows how to keep himself steady on my shoulders so I can snap a few pictures. . . unfortunately for me, how he does this usually results in some major neck pain for me after he's down from his perch

LOL I need some dates... and some extra $$



LOL I can't imagine how long it must take you to make each of your pages... I am actually surprised you are posting them as fast as you are.





Excellent factoid... Just glad you get a free seat... They are so expensive and it always made me feel so much better that we had good car seats - thankfully we never needed them, but you just never know.

D~

Yes - Lisa - when are you heading to Charlotte this summer?

The pages don't really take that long (the smaller ones without a lot of text anyways) - It's pretty much the same format on every page and on a mac when you know the shortcuts it's really quick . . .

I'm super glad the seats are free too - the last two seats we purchased were NOT cheap and basically were super super expensive birthday gifts for the boys. But, since Phalen turns 7 in a couple of weeks and is STILL in a 5 pt harness and will be for at least a couple more years (until he outgrows his seat for height & weight - and his seat goes to 85lbs harnessed and 57" tall - seated height 20" and THEN becomes a high back booster seat) it was worth the investment. Same with Finn's last purchased seat - if he hadn't started getting car-sick last summer he would still be rear-facing. We had to turn him forward-facing but his seat goes to 70lbs harnessed and 49" tall or 16.75" seated. This is the kid that's 36" tall and maybe 30lbs. He's not outgrowing that seat any time soon. However, he is DESPERATE for a "big boy car seat like Phalen's" . . . so since it was his turn to get the free car seat, he chose a Frontier 85 in Maui Blue.

Mini Soapbox moment...

Good car seats are so important! That is the only reason Mr D is still alive today! His car seat broke into, but he survived. My husband uses that seat in his classes to show why they are so important...and yet, people STILL buy them at garage sales!!!!!


Off the soapbox now!


I love reading your tr! They are worth the wait...

Nini

Nini - Feel free to have soapbox moments like that ANYTIME in my TR! I'm a bit of a crazy person when it comes to car seats. Thankfully, I've never had first hand experience of a crash that put my seats to the test, but I know too many people who have. We had a crash here in Charlotte last year where the mother (and her unborn child) didn't survive their injuries from a crash, but the daughter was fine because her car seat protected her. I really don't understand why car manufacturers aren't required to do more in the way they design car seats - if you look at the stats, my MOM should be in a booster seat to be properly restrained in a car.

 

[mommy2mrb]

LOL I need some dates... and some extra $$


D~

No dates for our trip to Charlotte as of yet....waiting on Judy to get the schedule for the girls summer camps...hope Megan will be able to join them for one of the camps...will hopefully know in the next couple of months, but will probably be late June (megan gets out of school june 21) to early July...we also hope to go down to Charleston , Megan was born there and maybe down to Atlanta to visit some other friends.

will keep you all posted when we are going!

D~ just keep sewing those amazing bags and you will make enough to come play too!

 

[DMGeurts]

I'm super glad the seats are free too - the last two seats we purchased were NOT cheap and basically were super super expensive birthday gifts for the boys. But, since Phalen turns 7 in a couple of weeks and is STILL in a 5 pt harness and will be for at least a couple more years (until he outgrows his seat for height & weight - and his seat goes to 85lbs harnessed and 57" tall - seated height 20" and THEN becomes a high back booster seat) it was worth the investment. Same with Finn's last purchased seat - if he hadn't started getting car-sick last summer he would still be rear-facing. We had to turn him forward-facing but his seat goes to 70lbs harnessed and 49" tall or 16.75" seated. This is the kid that's 36" tall and maybe 30lbs. He's not outgrowing that seat any time soon. However, he is DESPERATE for a "big boy car seat like Phalen's" . . . so since it was his turn to get the free car seat, he chose a Frontier 85 in Maui Blue.[/SIZE][/FONT]

OK... I have to vent too - even though mine is a distant memory... While Josh was in Iraq, MN passed the new car seat laws - I can't remember the exact requirements anymore - but it was sooo frustrating, because the manufacturers DID NOT MAKE a car seat to fit the state law requirements. My bff and I searched for months for a car seat to fit Allison, and it was impossible. Most of them were too narrow (and she was not huge by any means), and it was so frustrating. We did end up finding ONE car seat - and she only used it for a year before she out grew it... I don't know if things have changed, now that so many states have changed their laws, but I found it totally impossible to find a car seat to fit Alli properly, and it really angered me that I couldn't properly protect my child... Honestly, they'd still be in car seats if I could find one to fit them... Even though Allison is 4" taller than I am now.

No dates for our trip to Charlotte as of yet....waiting on Judy to get the schedule for the girls summer camps...hope Megan will be able to join them for one of the camps...will hopefully know in the next couple of months, but will probably be late June (megan gets out of school june 21) to early July...we also hope to go down to Charleston , Megan was born there and maybe down to Atlanta to visit some other friends.

will keep you all posted when we are going!

D~ just keep sewing those amazing bags and you will make enough to come play too!

Well, keep us updated.

Josh already told me that most of my sewing $$ now needs to go into our family budget (after this trip) - he saw all the dough I've been raking in (really, not so much, if you figure the math) and feels it should be part of our income now. So, less $$ for play, more $$ for bills. <---- Sarcasm.

D~