Party time

Last week a couple of kids in our Toddler Time group celebrated their second birthday.  Their mommies were so nice and brought cake, cookies, and a whole bunch of birthday fun to our group.

You know what?  Even though it's super exhausting to be a mommy, one of the perks is that I get to see the world through a set of fresh, new eyes.  Through Baby Chuck's eyes, everything is new and amazing.  Take a look at the birthday hat and bubbles, for example.  Baby Chuck just loved them both.

A 2012 review

So much happened in the past twelve months.
Here are some of the nicest things, toughest things, and favorite projects of 2012.

January
 
Nicest thing:  Introducing Baby Chuck to my sister
Toughest things:  Taking Baby Chuck to get tested for allergies, Saying goodbye to grandparents


February
 
Nicest thing:  Finding this lovely yellow second hand couch
Toughest thing:  Struggling with Baby Chuck's eczema and getting him retested for allergies


March

Nicest thing:  Baby Chuck getting his first two teeth
Toughest thing:  Adjusting to our new dietary restrictions
Favorite DIY:  Trying out a DIY chocolate face mask


April
 
Nicest things:  Baby Chuck and I ride a bicycle,  Enjoying our new (old) couch
Favorite craft:  Making a salt dough necklace

May

Nicest thing:  Tulip Time
Toughest thing:  Mysterious fussiness
Favorite DIY: Hubby transforms our table into a chalkboard table


June

Nicest things:   Seeing family visit, Holding our first garage sale at Beth's
Toughest things:  Having to say goodbye to friends (x2)


July

Nicest thing:  Drawing a small Tulip Time book
Toughest things:  Putting Charlie down, Trying to recover from a disastrous move


August

Nicest things:  Having Katie and Kim visit, Meeing up with old friends, Celebrating our anniversary
Favorite craft:  Making multicolor crayons

September

Nicest things:  Celebrating Baby Chuck's 1st birthday party, Seeing guests enjoy my crafts, Visiting the NY Renaissance fair and Bronx Zoo
Favorite craft: Felt Lapel pins


October

Nice things:  Celebrating Halloween, Visiting the Queens Farm Museum
Toughest things:  Parenting struggles, Hurricane Sandy
Favorite craft:  Faux Stained glass


November

Nice things:  Making new friends, Seeing old friends, Illustrating my Poem
Toughest thing:  Baby Chuck begins transitioning to one nap
Favorite craft:  Cardboard trophy head

December


Nicest thing:  Christmas, Hanging out with old friends
Toughest thing: Sharing that I quit my PhD program, Sandy Hook Elementary

Favorite craft:  Making heart (and other shaped) Christmas lights

Crapty DIY 2013 New Year's Glasses

Every year I keep meaning to get a pair of 20-whatever glasses, but I always forget.  This year, I combined my desire for glasses and crapting by making two pairs of 2013 glasses.  Hubby and I'll be wearing these as we ring in the new year.  (I tried making a tiny pair for Baby Chuck, but he ripped up my initial models.  Maybe next year?)

If you'd like to make your own pair of glasses, you can use the printable below.  I think this would be a fun activity for a party or crafty kids.  I cut the pieces out, traced them onto cereal boxes, cut the shapes out, decorated them, and then taped the pieces together.

2013 printable New Year's glasses pattern
And because Baby Chuck went to sleep early tonight, hubby and I had a bit of fun shooting some photos with the glasses.

Let me know if you try making these for yourself. :) I'd love to see photos.
Happy New Year!  See you in 2013.

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family.  

Here are some photos and a video from our recent Toddler Time Christmas party.

 

 

PC218897.AVI from Pink Stripey Socks on Vimeo.