The Finch Coop

KINDERGARTEN CHRISTMAS PARTY

2010-02-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

Charli's Kindergaten class had a Christmas party in December, right before they went on winter break. All the kids made super cute reindeer head bands, Santa made a special visit and talked to each kid, the kids filled stockings with gifts from everyone in the class, and Charli and I made Mrs. Levin a couple gifts! I made her some dish towels to match her kitchen and Charli decorated a mug with her very own drawing on it!

KIDS GIFT EXCHANGE AND A SURPRISE VISIT!

2010-02-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

In December we had our 2nd annual kids gift exchange with our group of friends, and Santa made a surprise visit! Brooke Well's was very gracious to open her house for the exchange and some how Santa knew all the kids would be together that night! He even brought each child a special gift! Santa was for sure the hit of the party! Charli got a rockstar guitar from Owen and then Charli gave Taylor a transformer.

POLAR EXPRESS DAY

2010-02-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Levin has done it again....Charli's Kindergarten class celebrated Polar Express Day in Dec 09, and they all dressed in their pj's for the day! They where all so snuggly with their pj's, blankets and favorite stuffed animal! Mrs. Levin played the train conductor and punched each ticket so you could board the Polar Express! A movie was enjoyed, cookies where decorated and hot cocoa was was had by all. And Charli and Gracie had to pose for a picture!

2nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE

2010-02-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Jenna and I held our Christmas Boutique

for a 2nd year

in Dec 2009!

It was a great success and enjoyed

by all that attended.

I featured my Charli'z products

and Jenna featured her Sweet Baby products

LENTIL SOUP

2009-11-16T12:19:00.001-08:00

Today I made the most yummy lentil soup ever! I have never made this kind of soup before. It was so easy and tasted so yummy. Lentil's are packed with protein and I have been trying to increase my protein this year, for various reasons. You should make this some time.

LENTIL SOUP

2 tbsp olive oil

2 large onions, cubed (I didn't add onions, I don't like them)

1 tsp minced garlic

3 carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

3 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes

1 1/2 cups lentils-soaked, rinsed and drained

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3/4 cup white wine

2 bay leaves

7 cups chicken broth

1 sprig fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1.) In a large stockpot, saute the onions in oil until they are glossy. Stir in garlic, paprika, celery, carrots, and saute for 10 minutes.

2.) Once the veggies have sauteed for 10 minutes stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, lentils, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Stir well, then add the wine and bring the mixture to a boil. Slowly reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour on low to medium heat or until the lentils are tender.

3.) Sprinkle the soup with parsley and parmesan (optional)

ENJOY!

TROJANS SOCCER

2009-11-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

Trojan's Soccer

Charli's first official sports picture!

Trojan's soccer team: Coach Kristi, Michael, Charli, Gracie, Alli, Braden

Marcus, Aubrey, Martin

Soccer friends!

James (The Cheetah's)

Brian (The Panther's)

Charli (The Trojan's)

Charli, James, Gracie

This day Charli and James played eachother

Charli enjoyed a very yummy snow cone after a hot day of soccer!

SCARECROW DAY

2009-11-10T14:48:00.001-08:00

My little scarecrow!

Mrs. Levin reading the class a story

Charli was picked to be the helper of the day

notice her sitting in the special chair

in front of the class

Taking pictures outside the classroom

in front of the art wall

with the class scarecrow

Chad took the day off to par-take in the special day.

helping Charli make a crow

Charli passing out the cookies and Halloween candy

that we put together for the class

Look at all those cute Scarecrows!

This was a super fun day in Kindergarten! All five Kindergarten classes participated in this day, and each class had special things going on in their classerooms. Charli's class had face painting (I got to paint faces!), make a crow craft, and games. The school plans a theme for each grade and Kindergarten takes the Scarecrow theme. This is how the school gets around letting kids wear their Halloween costumes to school. Chad took the day off work to par-take in the festivities and I think he had as much fun as the kids.

TJ FARMS

2009-11-10T14:32:00.001-08:00

Juliette, Charli, Gracie, Hailey, Kiley

waiting patiently for the bus to arrive

Charli & Gracie's first bus ride, ever!

Kids where excited

Parents where nervous

Amy helping Charli grind the corn

Gracie's perfect pumpkin

Charli's perfect pumpkin

The Curious George Class

TJ Farms was a very fun filled day for The Curious George class. The Kindergartener's rode the bus to the pumpkin patch and then Amy, Owen and I met them there in my car. The kids got to grind corn, feed the farm animals, pick out the perfect pumpkin (Mrs. Levin told them, the perfect pumpkin is one that you can carry all by yourself) they also got to play in a hay maze. Charli had a great day until she noticed that her "perfect pumpkin got mud on her, and then it was all over as we know it. Mrs. Levin got to see Charli's dark side that day. Charli threw one of the biggest fits, even I was impressed. I pretty much ignored her and put on a happy face as she melted down. Eventually Charli recovered...in her own time...and we were able to enjoy the rest of our day. After TJ Farms, Amy, James, Owen, Charli and I went to lunch and also to the candy store for some very yummy gelato.

MATCHING OUTFIT DAY!

2009-11-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Charli and James in their adorable shirts that Amy made!

They really are the graduating class of 2022

Is that crazy or what!!!

I also made Mrs. M and Mrs. Levin matching shirts!

Mrs. M is the Clifford class

Mrs. Levin is the Curious George class

I also sewed their room numbers each shirt

I also sewed a linking monkey shirt for Mrs. Levin!

Both teachers loved their shirts

I was so excited to make these two amazing teachers shirts!

Oct 2nd was Matching Outfit day at school! Amy and I knew exactly what Charli and James would wear on this day! Over the summer Amy sewed matching shirts for Charli, James and Renton. The three kids who would be going into Kindergarten in Aug. We got so many responses from parents and teachers when Charli and James wore their shirts this day. 2022 seems so far away, it is crazy! I also wanted Mrs. Levin (Charli's teacher) and Mrs. M (another Kindergarten teacher) to have matching shirts. They both loved their matching shirts.

OBSTACLE COURSE DAY!

2009-11-10T14:05:00.001-08:00

Charli and Drake

jumping into the huge

bounce house obstacle course

The humongous basketball hoop!

The balls where almost bigger than Charli

Another obstacle course!

Charli running back from the obstacle course

Go Charli Go!

The 4 way tug-o-war!

This was the coolest tug-o-war I have ever seen

The kids loved it!

Charli's whole school was treated to an Obstacle Course Day, hosted by the high school students!

The kids loved all the events set up but I think they loved the 4 way tug-o-war the best!

GEORGE...ART...SKILL-A-THON

2009-11-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

Charli was picked to take the

Curious George backpack home

along with all his treasures!

(She is in the Curious George class, if you couldn't tell)

1.) Curious George and I took a nap together

2.) Me and George watched Buddy (Elf)

3.) Curious George and I watched the Giants with my Daddy.

Go Giants!

Mrs. Levin posts the class art work outside the class room

Charli is standing directly under her masterpiece!

Big Buddy day!

Amy's 6th graders from Evergreen 6, are the Kindergarten's buddies this year!

Charli and her buddy Lexi

working on the Skill-A-Thon

DISNEYLAND!

2009-11-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here we are in front of California Park

waiting to start our adventure!

Princess Charli had royal makeup applied

before she met the princesses

Doesn't she look beautiful!

Charli lucked out

she got to meet 4 Princesses

Cinderella had to take a tea break

so Aurora elegantly stepped in

We toured Mickey Mouses house

and got to meet him

he was waiting in the back

They announced to Mickey that he had

royalty coming to meet him

and he bowed down to Charli when she entered the room

SO CUTE!

Disneyland was all decorated for Halloween

when we visited

they had a huge candy corn display.

Charli also found the cutest little house to play in

I think she would have played in that all day if I let her

she also posed with a Lego Darth Vader and Mater and Lightening MacQueen!

Charli also hitched a ride when ever she could

Daddy and Uncle Dave were always willing to pick her up!

Here we are waiting to see the Bugs Life show

It was called "It's tough to be a bug"

We had to walk out of the show

Charli was hysterical

it was a very 3-D show and too scary for her!

Overall we had a wonderful trip and can't wait to go back. We are thinking when Charli is 7 yrs. So in two years! We also learned that you can't tackle Disneyland and CA Park in just one day. So next time I hope to go for two days. One day at Disneyland and another at CA Park.

Uncle Dave, Aunt Sherri and Aunt Marie all made this wonderful trip possible for us and we are so thankful for that! We flew down to Corona and stayed with Dave and Sherri on Thurs Sept 24th, went to Disneyland on Friday, Chad and Dave golfed on Sat while Sherri, Charli and I played at a local park and then flew home on Sunday. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but so much fun!

ZILBA...

2009-10-05T21:18:00.001-07:00

Zilba

8 yrs old

2009

Last month we chose to make the heart retching decision to have Zilba put down. It was a strange thing to go through all around. Chad was for sure ready way before I was and I thank him to this day for letting me be the one to make the final decision that it was time. I think Chad just knew that he would never win that battle. So like any good husband, he sat back and let me come around to when I was ready.

We got Zilba in May 2001. He was only 6 weeks old. Chad and I instantly fell in love with this tiny furry grey...steel blue eyed puppy. From that moment I knew Zilba was meant to be our dog and also fill two very important voids in my life. That Zilba came through with flying colors. At that time in 2001 I was feeling the baby itch...pretty bad! But we weren't quite ready to start a family. My open adoption with Chiara and the Muratore's was still so new and fresh and I was just needing something to hold onto. Zilba was the prefect fit, for all my desires. He became MY dog in no time.

As the years when on Zilba had many health issues from very sensitive skin, to ear infections which would turn into hematoma's. I think he got around 10 hematoma's in his life time. He seemed to also have boarder-line separation anxiety, which was no fun to deal with.

In Nov 2007 Zilba bit Charli on the face, and ever since then our trust was lost with him, around Charli. From that point on he was never allowed around Charli unless we were in the room with him. Otherwise he was kept away from her or any children when in our house. That was very stressful and caused Chad and I to always have our guard up and be on alert at all times.

So this last Sep. Zilba got another ear infection which caused a hematoma and I just knew in my gut that it was time. Chad and I had talked about our options with Zilba and both of us felt exhaused by him overall. It seemed to be never ending with Zilba. I also started to emotionally detach myself from him this last year, knowing in the back of my mind that this day was coming sooner that I would probably like. So we decided that we would have our vet put him down. I told Chad that I couldn't take Zilba in and hoped that he could step up. And of course he did. I was very emotional for about 2 days leading up to the day, Chad seemed fine until it was time for him to actually take Zilba. I was go relieved to see Chad show some emotion around this. It made me feel like I was not alone in this decision.

Overall I know we made the right decision. It was not easy by any means but I know that Zilba is relieved of his medical issues, we are relieved financially, and we have now been able to really connect with Leia (Zilba's daughter) whom we absolutely love! Leia is such a great dog and we are really enjoying being a one dog family.

Zilba I hope you have forgiven us for sending you to doggy heaven sooner than you probably planned...but I hope you have found your brother Will, and I hope he is being nice to you up there. We miss you and love you.

CHARLI'S 5TH BIRTHDAY.....

2009-09-30T22:00:00.001-07:00

My little girl turned 5!

I can't believe how fast the last 5 yrs has gone!

Charli you have changed mine & your daddy's lives in so many ways

I can't imagine life without you.

I love you so much

I love your sweet little smile in this picture.

You really enjoyed your party.

Emily, Kadence & Charli

on the twisty slide.

Kadence & Charli

having a great time!

Charli admiring her beautiful

Hello Kitty cake

created by my amazing friend

KELLY

Charli so excited to receive her very own camera

from Brookie!

She asked Brookie for a camera for her birthday

back in March

and of course Brooke fulfilled Charli's wishes!

Look at all these very patient friends

watching Charli open her presents!

Charli's birthday party was a great success! This year we held her party at a local park and everyone that attended had a great time! My wonderful friend Kelly came through...once again with an amazing Hello Kitty themed cake...per Charli's request! The cake was a huge hit and the boys enjoyed watching Hello Kitty get cut up once it was time to serve the cake.

This year I opted to go as simple as possible for Charli's birthday party. And I have to say I actually got to enjoy the party for once... instead of stressing about the little details. I let it all go this year and am so glad I did. Charli had a great time....and I think all 21 of her little friends did too. Thank you everyone for making Charli's day so special.

And thank you so much Dad for taking all the amazing pictures!

OUR KINDERGARTENER......

2009-08-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

James, Renton and Charli

are the future class of

2022!

Amy made these cute shirts

for these three kids

who are all going into Kindergarten

August 11, 2009

The first day of school!

This is one of my favorite pictures!

Charli with her new school bag!

Rug time in Mrs. Levin's class

Charli and Mommy doing the first project together.

*******

It's official....Charli is in Kindergarten, and we have completed a week of school already! Charli is really loving her new class, her teacher Mrs. Levin (we just love her), making new friends, and she brought home her first packet of homework today! It is all very exciting! We have had some ups and downs at home lately but overall things are going well in our household. I know that we will all get into this new routine and everyone will be fine.

Tuesday was a parent/student orientation at school from 8:15 to 10:00. Chad took the day off, and was able to participate in the day too! Mrs. Levin introduced herself to the class, sent the kids off on a tour of the school while she went over her program with the parents. The kids came back to class about 30 mins later and we participated in a project of getting acquainted with the classroom.

Wednesday, second day of school from 7:55 to 11:15. Charli had a rocky morning and wanted to wear the same outfit from the day before. Finally she found an outfit that would work. Thank goodness because there was no way I could let her wear the same outfit on the second day of school. She had a great day at school, but that was about as far as her good mood lasted. I think she left it at school or gave it to Mrs. Levin. Melt down after melt down with me for the rest of the day.

Thursday, 3rd day of school was a great day! Home behavior not so much but really it was only 2 outburst for me, so I can't complain too much.

Friday, 4th day of school, again another great day at school. Charli had a hard time when it was time for me to leave. This afternoon has been fine though. She is currently asleep at 2:40 in the afternoon. I know that she has got to be tired from this very new routine we are all on, and all the new everything she is taking in at almost 5 yrs old!!!

JULY 2009

2009-08-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

July 3rd

we attended the Chico Outlaws game

and enjoyed fireworks after the game.

It was Charli's first baseball game!

We took turns painting eachothers hands for

future canvases in our bathroom.

I am planning to re-paint our bathroom

I am going with a brown, cream & orange theme.

We went camping with all our good friends

in Lake Almanor

the kids had a blast

swimming, eating smores, getting dirty!

Charli had such a great time in her Summertime Tot's class

She loved Teacher Lori and all the activites she planned

The kids had bike days, swimming days, art activities!

All of us friends threw Brooke a baby shower

for her soon to be surprise twins!

Kelly made the peas in a pod cake

Brooke got some great gifts

I think Brooke enjoyed having some company for the day.

Since being on bed rest.

I enrolled Charli in a week long dance camp

at the ballet studio where she takes ballet

It was M-F from 8:30 to 12:00

the last week in July.

On the last day

all the kids put on a performance for the parents.

The Hula!!!

I finally got my camera up and running again

after sitting on the shelf for about 2 yrs.

I also bought myself a hand crafted camera strap

I couldn't resist when Jenna told me she added these products to her line.

Her shop is currently on vacation but you should check her out anyways

You can check her out at:

www.inspiredbyjenna.etsy.com

www.inspiredbyjenna.blogspot.com

JUNE 2009

2009-08-10T15:34:00.001-07:00

My sister Emily graduated from high school

and will now be entering the life a college student!

I can't believe how fast Emily has grown up

I remember being in jr. high when she was born

and dressing her up and styling her hair.

Emily I love you & wish you the best!

Our wonderful friend Brookie had a birthday this month

while styling the preggo twins belly!

Charli performed in her 3rd ballet performance

The theme this year was Circus Circus

and Charli was a dancing bear!

And this poor family

Just look at them.....

The dad, mom and baby

packed up all their belongings

because

"Their house burned up and they had to go to a hotel"

According to Charli

Charli grinning ear to ear is very optimistic they will be just fine!

*********

These are some of the events that took place in the Finch household this last June. Enjoy!

FIRST HANDMADE KINDERGARTEN OUTFIT

2009-07-27T16:14:00.001-07:00

I know that I am so far behind in my blog posts! We have been really busy this summer and time has just slipped by. So to try to catch up I thought I would post about the first of many outfits that I plan to make for Charli because yes it is true...my baby is going to kindergarten in 2 weeks!!!! I am really happy with this skirt and matching tank top! It is the first time I have worked with elastic (for the skirts waistband) and I have to say it was so easy peasy! I really wanted the skirt to be more gathered and flowey but it is more of a straight skirt, so I decided to add a ruffle at the bottle and that seemed to really add some pizzaz and made me much happier. I bought the tank top from Walmart for $3.00 and added the coordinating skirt fabric to the top. Charli put it on today and instantly smiled and thanked me for making her this outfit.

2009-06-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my booth at The Spring Boutique

this last weekend!

Joyce, my mother in law

joined me and sold her hand painted bottles, jewlery and jam

Fairy wands, tooth fairy pillows, crayon/marker/pencil roll ups

Childrens felt food

Charli and her lemonade stand!

You should always taste your product before selling it!

Gavin, Emma and Charli

selling their lemonade.

I was invited to participate in a Spring Boutique this last weekend. And it was so glad that I did! I have been sewing away for the last month....stocking up on my products. My house was let go as far as cleaning goes and sewing was the priority. In the end it really paid off, I have added a lot of new products to my Charli'z line and with Green Baby Expo fast approaching, I am feeling confident with what I have. My mother in law and I shared a booth and we had a blast together! Some of the other vendors that attended where, Silpada Jewlery, Close to My Heart, Beauti Control, Mary Kay, Tupperware, a some local companies. Charli and her friends Emma and Gavin sold lemonade at their very own stand! It didn't take long for the 3 of them to figure out the whole selling and money making thing. People would pull up to the Boutique and even before they got out of their cars the kids would yell "CUSTOMERS" and start filling up a cup of lemonade as fast as their little hands would allow. Over all the day was a success! I have been working on some changes in my business such as new business cards, a new website and lots of new products to my line! Check out my new site and let me know what you think. www.charlizboutique.com if you are feeling nice you can leave a review on my website about the products. I am feeling really great about Charli'z and can't believe how much has come from this business since I started in the summer of 2007, who would have thought! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this adventure.

SICK AND TIRED.....

2009-05-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

Charli * James * Owen

bathing babies

Storytime before bed

And look at this...
we will be attending
that is right my child will be going into
Kindergarten.
Very exciting and scary at the same time.

So I really want to be posting about my amazing Mother's Day Spa Getaway...but I am waiting on pictures, so that will be the next post....stay tuned!

But for now I will talk about my life currently....let me just say it is a little out of control....and I want to be back at the wonderful Spa and be waited on all day. Last week I came down with a minor cold, no big deal, and I usually don't get sick and when I do it is the mild version of what everyone else has. I contribute my good immunities to the daycare that I run and all the little ones that I deal with on a daily basis. But this time around I was not so lucky to say the least. 7 of us lucky mommies went to an amazing spa in Reno this last weekend and I was without a voice for the whole trip, coughing followed and feelings of tiredness as well. I tried my best to ignore the symptoms while on our trip. When I returned home on Sunday I just collapsed and my cold took over....bummer! I have since then been fighting off a nasty cough, fatigue, and pink eye on top of it. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I want it to be here right now!!!! Is that too much to ask? Charli came down with pink eye last week and I was blessed with it as well this week.

********

The Behlke boys stayed the night last night because Amy has a conference out of town. All three kids had a great sleep over but caring for 3 littles really took it out of me. Dinner...Bath....PJ's....Brushing 3 sets of teeth.....Bedtime Story....and succesfully asleep by 9:30pm, really was more work than I had expected. I take care of children for a living so how hard could it be, but the evening time is different. Overall the kids were great and had so much fun. Charli and James shared Charli's bed laying opposite ends of eachother (James stole all the covers) and Owen slept on a bed next to the other two!

DISH TOWEL MANIA.....

2009-05-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Lucky you....here is a preview of some of my new Charli'z products! I am really enjoying adding new products to my line, and these dish towels have been a blast to make. What do you think?

SNEAK PEAK...

2009-04-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

Have I told you how amazing Tracy is?

Look at how she transformed Charli into a little fairy

flying to a flower!

I just love the coloring in this picture
of my little fairy!

Now this picture I have been wanting to take

for over a year now!

And I finally did it.

I just love it

look how the thread is just over flowing

Tracy came up with this one on her own

and I really like it.

So this is a sneak peak as to what is to come for Charli'z. I am working on designing new business cards and these first two pictures of Charli are in the running. I am happy with my current cards but am ready for a change....turn over a new leaf....start with something fresh! Green Baby Expo is fast approaching and I am ready for some fresh cards! I have been frantically sewing away on new Charli'z products that I am adding to my line, all of which will be available for purchase at Green Baby Expo on June 20th. Pixie skirts, fairy wands, childrens capes, embellished dish towels, lots of crayon, marker and pencil roll ups (I can't ever seem to make enough of these hot items) embellished shirts and onesies, and much more! I am only one woman with one sewing machine and one hot glue gun but I have faith that it will all be completed in time. I will need one large glass of wine after June 20th.

EASTER

2009-04-15T09:16:00.001-07:00

Decorating Easter eggs

Look at what the Easter Bunny brought Charli!
He also brought her a Ariel fish tank.

(The Easter Bunny scored at the dollar section at Target

That's one smart bunny!)

Hunting for eggs in our jammies!

Look at all the eggs I found!

RECENT ORDERS.....

2009-04-15T09:06:00.001-07:00

A pink and black coordinating gift set

A onesie for a sweet baby named Alia

Pink and black Taggi

and a coordinating stitched gift card

Brown and Blue mod dot Taggi

Tie onesie

Coordinating VW gift card

Groovy guitar gift set

Onesie, Taggie and gift card

I recently put these gift sets together for some very special future babies! I hope they enjoy them as much as I had customizing them. I am always open to custom orders and it is so fun knowing who it is going to.

On a side note please check out Simple Bean's blog. I surprised Lilly with a birthday present and Jenni was so kind to post about it. Lilly I hope you love your Pixie!

CLEANSING MY MIND.....

2009-03-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry about no pictures....2 posts in a row. But I have good reasons for the lack of pictures.

* The Plumlee Family....our good friends just surprised us with a Wii yesterday. The UPS guy pulled up to my driveway and handed us a box. I opened it up and with great surprise I found a Wii, two remotes and a LEGO's Star War game inside! I was speechless to say the least, and couldn't believe their generosity. I have to assume it is a thank you from them to us for helping them these last couple months with the playhouse Josh has been building for his daughters, Caitlin & Allison. Chad and Josh have either been on the phone or email these last couple months a lot. Chad guiding Josh on how to build a house.....small scale. I can't wait to visit The Plumlees and play in that little house! Now because of their nice gesture I really want a Wii Fit, maybe for Mother's Day!!!! I have been a good mommy all year.

*2 out of the 3 computers in our house have crashed and it is not looking good. I am really hoping to retrieve some saved crafty ideas, recipes, and whatever else I have saved from my
laptop. I really hope Chad can work his magic and save my info. I always thought it was crazy and so unneccesary to have 3 computers, I mean who really needs that many in one household. Well now I am thanking my computer savy husband for the 3 computers. I am also trying to figure out the in's and outs of this computer, so that is the reason for no pictures.

*Lilly I have to apoligize, your birthday gift has been sitting on my counter for about a month now, all packaged up and ready to ship, I just need to get it out to you. So again I hope you forgive me. I promise it will be going out really soon!

*I made Sally's baked spaghetti last night and it was so yummy. The whole family enjoyed it and we have a ton of leftovers. I love leftovers!

*I have had lots of Charli'z orders lately, almost too many that I am having a hard time keeping up. I am really not complaining because it is only a good thing, but trying to get my orders fullfilled and trying to stock up for Green Baby Expo, can be a bit challenging. Again I really am so thankful for all the orders.

*Tuesday I had a really great family meeting! My family has been turned upside down in a sense this last 8 months and all of us are trying to find our way. I have been somewhat of a roller coaster of emotions since August but I really think things are becoming more clear and positive for me.

*Earlier this week Charli and I planted our garden. The little seeds are in their little potted homes and are sitting in the kitchen window. Mid April we will plant them outside! I am crossing my fingers that they all take and grown into a fantastic garden for us to enjoy!

LIST/RAMBLING KIND OF TUESDAY.....

2009-03-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

***There are too many March birthdays!!!!! 7 birthdays, I tell you 7 birthdays we will have been invited to and attended by the time this month is over! 3 of which are this upcoming weekend. With this said....I have decided that I do not want a March baby, so Chad and I will be skipping the month of June to conceive. There is just no need for the Finch family to add another birthday to the mix. Now don't get me wrong I am very honored to be invited or I should say Charli has been invited to 7 parties this month. but I am starting to feel burned out a bit and when April comes around I will be able to take a break from all the cake, presents, balloons and everything else that comes along with childrens birthday parties.
***All the children in my daycare including my own, had horrible coughs and runny noses last week. Noboby had a lack of energy with all the symptoms going around, so I felt like I was in the clear, because all last week I felt very healthy. Well come Saturday I started getting a sore throat and a cough. Then Monday morning I woke up with a full blown cold and it has carried into today. I am really hoping to kick this cold soon, hopfully by the weekend for those 3 birthday parties we will be attending.
***Also I woke up with a kink in my neck last Tuesday and it has carried into this week. Since having this kink, headaches have come on all day and nothing seems to be helping them. I have tried ibuprofin, excedrine, and aleve. My good friend Babette who is a massage therapist treated me to a massage on Saturday, hoping to help my kink go away but the kink is still there. So not fun and I never usually deal with body pain. I just want my neck to be back to normal soon.
***I have been dealing with some hormone issues this year and have been talking with with my midwife, Ellie about all of this. She had me take a saliva test to look at my estrogen, progesterone and cortisol levels. I took the test in February and when we got the results back, Ellie reviewed them with me and said that my estrogen and cortisol levels were normal but my progesterone levels were in the post menopausal range and almost at a zero. I should be reading in the premenopausal range which is 0.1 to 0.5, I am at .05. So Ellie recommended that I supplement with progesterone and also see an acupuncturist. So currently I am supplementing and seeing an acupuncturist. It has also been recommended that Chad and I take a break from trying to get pregnant for a while, which I am actually fine with and glad to have the pressure off for a while. I really don't know when we will start trying again, maybe after June or even after Charli starts school in August. I really like the idea of getting her settled in school and into a good school routine and then focus on getting pregnant. I am really proud of myself for being so carefree with the whole adding to our family, and I am such a believer in "it will happen when it is meant to happen" and this one "everything happens for a reason"
***Charli and I are planting seeds today for our garden. We will be planting carrots, tomatos big and small size, beets, squash, green beans, lettuce and cucumbers. I also bought a pack of sunflower seeds. I am planning to plant these in Charli's garden up against the fence and once grown to peak heigth they will be 6 to 7 ft high. I can't wait to see what Charli thinks of these huge flowers.
***I am finally catching up on my heaps and heaps of laundry. And my bathroom so needs a good cleaning but that is just not going to happen today.
***The other day Chad and Charli were peeing. Chad on the regular toilet and Charli on her little on next to the big potty. She looked over at Chad and said "Daddy I like your penis." Chad was speechless.....needless to say! Gotta love kids.
***Charli gets great enjoyment out of saying POOP, BUTT, STUPID, and sticking her tongue out at people. All of which are not things that are allowed in our house and she knows it. Gotta love that 4 1/2 yr old power.
***Green Baby Expo is fast approaching.....3 months to be exact, but who's counting. I have so many new products to add to my line and not enought time.

***Overall things are good in my life and I have a lot to be thankful for. It's just that at times, when I step back and take a look at what is going on and what I am trying to balance, I get overwhelmed. That is when I feel out of control. I really try to live in the moment and just day by day and that seems to help me not get overwhelmed.

CHARLI'S SCHOOL BAG

2009-03-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Front of the bag

The back with a big zippered pocket

Front of the bag with the flap up.

Two pockets for stuff

The inside of the bag

with three interior pockets.

I hired Glam Baby Designs to make Charli a messenger bag. I have been on a mission to find my child a school bag that is different than all those backpacks that you see all the kids carrying around, yet practical for her to use once she goes into Kindergarten in August. I searched on Etsy for a while and came across Glam Baby Designs and fell in love with her messenger bags. DeAnne and I talked out the details and what kind of bag I was wanting and then she created this master piece! I picked out a couple different fabric choices and showed them to Charli and almost instantly she was drawn to the birdy fabric. I can't say enough about how happy I am with this bag and even Charli's eyes lit up when we opened it up today! Thank you so much DeAnne for making Charli's messenger bag! Now for school to start....

MEET THE CLASS OF 2022!

2009-02-23T12:08:00.001-08:00

Yes it is true...

Charli, James and Renton will be going to Kindergarten

in August!!!

But wait

didn't this just happen?

And this....

Charli on her birth-day (hours old)

Renton 6 months old

James 3 months old

Oh how the time flies....I really can't believe that my baby will be going to school in August and turning 5 this next September. Chad and I attended the Kindergarten information meeting last Thursday and today was Registration. I was #3 in line, so that was a great bonus. Registration started at 9:00am and I got there around 7:30 am. Very worth the wait because overall it went very smoothly and I was out of there before 9:30 this morning. Until last Thursday I was feeling very emotional about this whole going to school thing but since the info meeting I feel so much better and actually am very excited for Charli. Her future school is a really great school and everyone is really supportive of eachother. I am looking forward to working in the classroom and volunteering in the school.....whatever that may be. Also on a side note, I am looking into Girl Scouts for Charli. Aunti Brooke is super excited about this one! So watch out all you locals, before you know it you will be getting hit up by Charli to buy those famous cookies.

PIXIE'Z & PASTA....

2009-02-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

Pixie skirt # 2

I think I am more in love with this version
than the water pixie skirt.!!!

And then there is this!
Which is on the top of my to do list
BUY IT!!!

So I came up with a 2nd version of my PIXIE'Z. I am so in love with this version and I did a little tweaking as well. I tried the first pixie on Charli and it fell right off. So I knew that I needed to make all my future skirts a bit smaller. Pretty much only an inch less. So I tried that this go round.....and guess what.....it fits her perfect! Which made me so happy. I became inspired to try a different version when Charli was wearing her Tinkerbell costume yesterday and the bottom of the skirt looked similar. I can't say enough about how happy I am with the end result of this super wispy pixie!!!

My parents asked me last month what I would like for my birthday.... and after some thinking and an invite to make homemade ravioli's.......I knew exactly what I wanted. So hopefully soon I will be the new owner of a pasta machine. I am so excited to be able to make my own pasta and know exactly what I am consuming when pasta is on the dinner menu. This little baby is an Atlas brand and from what I have seen....is super versatile. I know that Charli will just love helping out with making pasta, so I am looking forward to that as well. She is always wanting to help out with cooking. It makes me happy to see her so interested because at times I view cooking as a chore instead of an enjoyment.

PIXIE'Z

2009-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peak at what is to become a new product to my Charli'z line....I think I will name them PIXIE'Z

My first Pixie skirt.....doesn't it look like a water fairy would wear this.

Overall I am very happy with my first try. I finished it last night at about 10:30 pm and really wanted to wake Charli up and try it on her, but instead I used a good amount of self control and waited until she woke up this morning. It was a bit large around her waist, so I think that is my first adjustment to my future Pixie'z. So what do you think?!?!?! Please give me your honest opinions, I am looking for any advice and improvments before releasing them into my line. So excited to actually work on a product that is very different than what I am use to. This truly is a preview of more to come. I have some fantastic dress up ideas for Charli'z!!!

VALENTINES FORTUNE COOKIES

2009-02-12T15:48:00.001-08:00

Look at what we made today!

I have had this idea for about 2 years now

and finally got around to making them.

I was a little bummed that it turned more into

a project that I ended up putting together

than the kids being able to make

But overall it was fun non the less.

RANDOM CHAOS....

2009-02-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

My beautiful new business card holder!

I just love it so much!

I also love this new fabric so much!!!

So here it goes.... I have been stewing for some weeks now about this post and have had some hesitation as to how to go about it and when and how to get all these thoughts out of my head and physically written down and out of my brain. I am hoping that this will be a some what of an emotional release and also a cleansing. So I apoligize in advance if you get half way through this and think that I am crazy and feel compelled to pay for my future therapy sessions. Just kidding, but really.... prepare yourself it is going to be a lot of rambling. If you are a parent of a young child, maybe you will see the humor in this and may also relate.

*Nap time no longer exsits in my house hold, we now have what we like to call "resting time or quiet time" the kids lay down and watch a movie. Owen my youngest daycare child still naps but that is only one child in my care. Overall this no napping thing is going better than I expected. So I do give myself a pat on the back. It just means that I have no down time during the day.

*Kindergarten is fast approaching and next Thursday the 19th is Kindergarten orientation at 6:30pm and then the 23rd is Kindergarten registration!!!! It is inevitable.... my child is not a baby anymore and will be thrown out into the big bad world. Or at least that is how I see it. I am very emotional about this new and up and coming change. I know that Charli is going to thrive, is on track developmentally, makes friends easily and follows the rules of what teachers expect of her, is potty trained and loves going to preschool and any organized activity that she has been a part of.....but there are mean kids out there that say and do mean things and as a result make you cry and hurt your feelings. And I know this will happen and I will cry right along with her and hug her and not want to let go. But I know this only makes you a stronger person, so really it is good for you. But still....really....my baby girl is going to school in about 6 months!!!! SIGH....... I need a glass of wine or maybe a whole bottle.

*I think someone or something has taken over my child!!! PLEASE HELP.....I also think that my child and almost every child that has ever exsisted has multiple personality disorder. You can not dispute this if you have a child. My sweet Charli is an emotional roller coaster through out the day....most days. She probably gets sent to her room at least twice a day. It can range from not getting something that she wants, to not wanting to share something or just simply me not understanding what it is that she is wanting or asking for. Or god forbid I didn't allow her to have that big frosting rose on the birthday cake, of the birthday party we just attended this last weekend. Big frosting roses are really important when you are 4 yrs old!!!! As a result of these random outbursts from my 4 yr old, I am very drained by the end of the day and for the most part takes a lot of self control on my part. I am constantly reminding my child to use her manners, hitting a friend on the head is not acceptable, screaming and yelling is not how we talk to people, we use our words and never tell our friends that they are not your friend any more that they can't come to your birthday party, when in reality they will be getting an invitation to your birthday party and your friends will always be your friends......And I am worried about kids being mean to her, watch out Kindergarten, here comes Charli.

*Green Baby Expo is fast approaching and I am already preparing, planning and sewing in my spare time. I am very much looking forward to this year. It will be my second time attending and this year I will be sharing a booth with a friend. I have some ideas in the works for products that I want to add to my Charli'z line. I am very excited about this.

*So after all this is said and done....I stumbled across this super cute business card holder, which I received last week and just love! It really is perfect. I can keep it in my purse, I know right where my cards are and keeps them perfectly organized and is super cute to display. Also I came across this new line of fabric recently and just fell in love with it. It is a whole new line by designer Heather Ross and is called the Mendocine line. I purchased 2 underwater sister versions and 1 kelp forest in plum. I bought all three fabrics through this etsy seller. Super great seller and she has quite the variety to choose from.

*I am very inspired to make these super cute Valentines crafts that Jenna crafted up. I just need to find a mailbox and then I will be good to go. So cute and so easy to whip up. You know in all my spare time.

DOUGHNUT MUFFINS

2009-01-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

Doughnut Muffins

6 oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
1 C sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 C flour
3/4 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 C milk

Topping
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, melted

Method
1.) Grease a 12 cup muffin pan. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Add the eggs, a little at a time, beating well between additions.
2.) Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg together. Add half to the creamed mixture with half of the milk. Gently fold the ingredients together before incorporating the remaining flour and milk. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan, filling each hole to about two-thirds full. Bake in a preheated oven, 350 F, for 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are lightly brown and firm to the touch.
3.) For the topping, mix the sugar and cinnamon together. While the muffins are still warm from the oven, brush lightly with melted butter, and sprinkle over the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Enjoy warm or cold.

I only had about a 1/2 a cup of white flour so I used whole wheat flour for the rest, of what the recipe called for. I also sprinkled ground flax seed into the batter as well. I always try to find ways to incorporate flax into my recipes. It is so good for you and especially if you can sneak it into your childs diet. I am so sneaky, they never know the difference!!!

These muffins turned out really yummy and the kids ate them up. I think Chad will even like them. Thank you Amy for the wonderful muffin book for my birthday! I want to try all the muffins in that book!

UPSIDE DOWN

2009-01-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

Look at these goof balls!!!

They were all watching a movie on my bed

and the next thing I knew they all

were upside down

MY BIRTHDAY....

2009-01-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

I just love this picture!!!

Charli's arms wrapped around my neck

while I attempt to take a picture of us.

Who needs birthday presents

when your child gives you a hug

like this.

Charli and I enjoying our pedicures

for my birthday.

Even though Charli opted out

for a pedicure

she enjoyed the nail dryers

Maybe next time she will get a pedicure

Amy, Brooke, Kelly, Charli and I

all enjoyed our girl time together

Look at our pretty toes!!!

So Kelly and I decided we would treat eachother to pedicures for eachothers birthdays. Mine being in January and hers in July.

So some of us girls enjoyed an afternoon of pedicures, wine, truffles, and snacks.

Charli was our little waitress and delivered all the snacks

while our toes were getting the royal treatment

I was hopeful that Charli would partake in a pedicure but she was not so sure and chose not to

Maybe next time she will do it

I thought her little toes would be so cute all painted and accented with a little flower.

Chad and I at Ojiya for my birthday dinner

The Behlke's & Finches at dinner

Look at all that yummy food

Our chef was great and very entertaining.

Opening some of my birthday gifts

The Kennedy's, McGregor's, Behlke's and Finches

I had such a great couple day's celebrating my birthday this year. I am now officially "In my 30's" or as my step mom likes to say "Your 30 wonderful". I love it and am truly embracing the 30's. I love that I am still young and enjoying life but at the same time am so done with the teen and early 20 years. 30's really are great and I hope they just get better.

KNITTING AND MOVIE NIGHT....

2009-01-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

So one of my New Year Resolutions was to learn how to knit. And look what I have done! I was so proud of myself, I went to a local knitting store and they gave me a little lesson. I picked out my starter yarn and they picked out the knitting needles. I really like the green yarn that I picked, it has orange, brown tints in it as well and is so pretty. I can't wait to finish this little scarf and start my next project. It really has been fun to learn a new crafting skill and am so excited to actually be able to be craft when I travel or just watching tv.

So last Sunday we had our 2nd Family Movie night and the movie of choice was Betthoven. The one with the Saint Bernard dog. It is an older movie and I thought that would be a light hearted family movie for the 3 of us to watch. Well come 7:00pm Sunday night we cleaned up and got our movie treats and drinks all ready for movie viewing. Half way through the movie there was a scene where the vet, the bad guy in the movie stages that Betthoven bites him and this fake blood is all over his arm and on the dogs snout. Well Charli starts crying and I instantly cover her eyes and try to convice her that it is just pretend and that everyone is going to be okay. Of course I started thinking that Charli's little run in with Zilba, and when he bit her all came back to me. And if I was thinking it I am sure that Charli was too. I felt like the worst mother in the world and was sure that my child would need a life time of therapy after the movie. But we all survived and Charli is just fine. I had no idea that scene was in the movie and if I did, I would have fast forwarded through that scene.

Whole Wheat Strawberry Orange Muffins.....

2009-01-09T10:25:00.000-08:00

Today we made some yummy muffins....with the help of 3 little monkeys! They turned out really tasty, as you can tell. I was inspired by this mom and got the recipe from here

If you are looking for a new and very different muffin, try this one. I added ground flax seed as well to my mix, I always try to sneak flax in when ever I can, for that added healthy-ness.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-05T09:26:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone is having a great New Year so far! We have started a new tradition in our house, yesterday.... every Sunday night we are doing Family Movie Night. Last night we watched Bridge to Terabitha. We bundled up on the couch with our hot cocoa and marshmallows and Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix. Overall it went really well and I think we will continue this tradition in our household. It was actually really good for me because it made me stop running around the house doing mindless household stuff. I got to sit for about an hour and a half and just relax. Charli loved it!!!!

*****

So I don't usually think about New's Years Resolutions.... but this year I have some. Whether or not I stick to them that is beside the point.

*Be more frugal. I am currently reading Your Money or Your Life. Simple Mom started a book club and is tackling this book. I am super excited to be a part of a book club. This is new to me.

*Learn to knit & remember how to crochet.

*Stay more organized. I cleaned my whole house on my recent vacation and I am determined to keep it that way. With 6 children in my house 5 days a week, it is a constant battle to keep my house organized and decently clean.

*Family Movie Night every Sunday night.

*Make a Chore Chart for Charli. She is 4 years old and I think she can start doing some small things around the house to contribute.

*Start my Christmas crafts, projects, gifts in September. I am not kidding this time. I know it may seem a bit early in September to even begin thinking about Christmas but this year I thought I was giving myself enough time but of course I ran out of time and was scrabbling around last minute to finish up.

*Be more patient with Myself, Chad and Charli.

*Accept my flaws and be okay with them. I am human right?

I'm sure I have more but for now this is what I have. I think it is a great start.

Christmas Eve and Christmas...

2008-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve at my Grandparents

Charli in her new Christmas PJ's

I just started this tradition this year

and am so excited to start a tradition in my house

I even bought myself some new PJ's!

Grandma Ann & Charli

opening our gift to her

Cousin Caleb, Great Grandma Ann (GG) and Charli

I have many pictures like this

growing up with my cousins and my Grandma

When we got home from Grandma's on Christmas Eve

Charli and Chad put out the reindeer food

rolled oats and silver glitter

We woke up to a white Christmas!!!

Sort of....

We had a major hail storm around 7 am

also two bursts of lightning and thunder

Which woke up the whole house

Look at what Santa brought!!!!

A Leapster 2

Disney princess even

Charli was in heaven all morning

She told me after all the presents were opened

"Mommy I am so glad I got this Leapster!"

Just about everyone of Charli's friends have one

and she has been asking for one this past year.

Santa is so good.

Charli opened a Leapster Tag, pen and two coordinating books

from Uncle Mike.

These were really cool

and so sweet of Uncle Mike

It is a whole learn to read system

and just right for where Charli is developmentally.

He is the best gift giver.

Daddy opening up his calendar

Charli and I make him one every year

for his office.

Charli asked for an iron for Christmas

So of course I had to get one.

I bought the iron on Etsy for $6.00

and the ironing board was found at

Kat's Meow in Chico.

And a Christmas dog!

Christmas festivities

2008-12-31T11:24:00.001-08:00

Charli made these hand drawn pillows

for all her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles

We sprinkled cinnamon inside the pillows as well.

All the lucky recipients loved them.

(Thank you Jenni for the fantastic idea)

Skyla and Charli celebrated a little Christmas together

These two exchanged gifts, shared a lunch and had a great time.

Charli laying out all the pieces of our Gingerbread House

Mommy and Charli putting our Gingerbread House together

Isn't it so cute!!!

This little house was $5.00 from Trader Joe's.

Complete with cute little frosting family, family dog and decorations.

So simple, fast and easy!

Owen, Charli and James

I think if Santa needs any new elves

These 3 would qualify.

Charli had her annual Christmas performance.

This year her ballet class danced to

Santa Claus is coming to town

Charli and Annabell

Waiting for their turn to perform

backstage.

Charli, Daddy and Leia

What a cute little family.

Leia is such a great dog.

We have really enjoyed her.

Decorating for Christmas....

2008-12-31T10:33:00.001-08:00

Charli and Chad took on finding the perfect Christmas tree this year. I on the other hand was so busy preparing gifts, running around, and sewing gifts like a mad woman, that the last thing I had time for was finding the perfect tree. So one day in early December Chad asked me if he and Charli should just pick up a tree while they were out and about. I very gladly agreed. And I think they did a wonderful job! I thought it also might be fun for the two of them to take on that task, Father * Daughter bonding time.

*****

Charli was given the honors of putting the star on top of the tree....with a hoist from Daddy. She also loved playing with our little wooden carved nativitiy scene. It used to be my mom's and I always loved it growning up. I am so glad that Charli is now getting a chance to enjoy it.

Look at what I did...

2008-12-29T18:52:00.001-08:00

I just finished Charli's letters for her room, tonight. I bought these letters when Charli was about 6 mths old and they have been stashed in her armoir ever since, with the best of intentions to actually do something with them. So guess what.... I actually started and finshed these beauties this week, while on my Christmas vacation. I am really please with the finished product and think they look so cute hanging on Charli's wall. The little Crown hanger in the picture, holding her robe, I am going to cover it with pink glitter. We are also going to make an art work display board on this wall. I ordered jumbo size clothes pins recently. Those will get attached to a board, painted and then hung on her wall. So happy that I am actually making some progress on this kids room. Hopefully it will be in good shape by the time a second kid comes around. Chad swears that if we have a boy, he is sharing the pink room with Charli, we shall see about that. No we are not pregnant but we are trying to be. Wish us luck!!!!

My Grandma came to visit today!!!

2008-12-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

My Grandma came to visit today, and it was really such a treat! My uncle Bill drove to Fort Bragg and picked her up right before Christmas and she will be in town until after New Years. She has been making the rounds of visiting family since she has been here and today was my turn. She looked really great and in good spirits. Which is so wonderful to see! I also made her some dish towels and matching wash cloths. This was Charli's second time meeting her Great Grandma.

I ELFED THE FAMILY.....EVEN THE DOGS!!!!

2008-12-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Winner (or runner up....well second runner up!)

2008-12-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

Check out my winning recipe! I entered a recipe contest through www.gorgeouslygreen.com and Sophie Uliano, the author featured my recipe on her site. I am so excited to be featured on her site. I am receiving a bake ware set!!!

Update...

2008-12-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

So my Grandma is doing amazing and is going home either today or tomorrow. My mom shared with me that my Grandma was experiencing chest pain about 2 weeks ago, went to her doctor and was giving some medication to help with the pain. Well she experienced the pain 3 more times, the first two the medication took the pain away but the 3rd time not at all. So my Grandma called 911, they took her to the hospital where they performed an Angio and also put 3 stents in. And then yesterday she had her heart attack. I have to believe that because my Grandma went to the doctor when she first experience the chest pain and was giving medication, that is why she has recovered so fast. I think if she would have ignored the pain she could have had a worse heart attack. I am so relieved to hear that she is doing so well and will be returning home shortly. Thank you to all who have sent your kind thoughts and prays.

Grandma Alice...

2008-12-17T10:37:00.000-08:00

Great Grandma Alice with Cousins Silas, Charli and Dale

Her sweet Great Grandchildren.

Grandma Alice made this jacket for Charli.

Isn't it cute!

My mom learned how to sew from her mother

So my sewing skills go back to my Grandmother.

I am so thankful for her for this.

Charli and my Grandma meeting for the first time

Shortly after she moved to Chico from Alaska.

I just got word today that my Grandma Alice, my mom's mother had a heart attack today. She lives in Fort Bragg, CA and was air lifted to Santa Rosa. My middle name being Alice is after this Grandma and I have always felt like she has held onto the old time traditions, which is something that has always been intriguing to me about her. She has always sent birthday cards to everyone, no fail, so amazing! Shortly after Charli was born my Grandma Alice moved back to Chico from living in Alaska for many years. I was so excited to introduce the two for the first time. There is something so great about an innocent child and their Great Grandparent. Both being frail and so sweet. Here are some pics that I have of my Grandma. Please pray for her. I don't have many details on her situation at the moment.

Our 1st SNOW....

2008-12-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

When your child puts on their snow boots and starts making snow angels on the kitchen floor....You know it is time to let them go outside and play in the snow.

Eating the 1st snow of the season!!!

Look at the happy face. I don't think her smile could get any bigger

We got our first snow of the season yesterday, and we all enjoyed the snow, cold weather and the fact that it was a Sunday and had nowhere to go. Well sort of....Charli's preschool class was scheduled to have a Christmas Singing Performance. Due to the snow fall it was cancelled. We were pretty bummed, especially Charli. But staying home allowed us to get our Christmas baking completed. Once the snow started falling, Charli got very excited and decided to shove her feet in her too small snow boots.....laid down on the kitchen floor.....and attempted to make a snow angel.....on the cold hard tile. At that point I decided it was time to bundle Charli up and let her play out in the snow. I did discover that this is the last year she will be fitting in her snow clothes. Next year we will be investing in bigger ones. Chad went outside with Charli for a little while....put her on his snow board and pulled her around a little. Charli was convinced that Chad and I needed to get our skis out and go skiing. I stayed inside and took some video.....and Charli told me to close the door and that she would let me know when she was ready to come in. So that is just what we did. Our child happily played in the snow and the parents stayed inside and watched through the window.

CHRISTMAS BAKING....

2008-12-15T10:43:00.001-08:00

Charli and Chad hammering the candy canes

Look at all those bags of marshmallows, peanut butter cups, and brown sugar

Dipping dried apricots in melted chocolate

Mommy's little helper...

So Charli and I did our Christmas baking yesterday. We baked from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm! We were sugared out buy the end of the day. I don't think Charli actually consumed any nutrition the whole day, nor were we ever really hungry do to all the tasting, baking, and smelling all the goodness going on in our kitchen! We made Peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cups, peppermint rice crispy treats, chocolate dipped apricots and carmel corn. Yummy * Yummy * Yummy

Now we will package them up and send them off to all the lucky recipents on our treats list.

Unfortunately it snowed yesterday, I have no 4 wheel drive and all the schools are closed today... so the shipping will have to wait until tomorrow.

1st Annual Kids Christmas Party and Taylor's 3rd Birthday....

2008-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

We had our 1st annual Kids Christmas Pary! Now that our group of friends has expanded by about 10 more bodies it has become apparent that we need to do a kid friendly party. We all had a blast and I think the adults had as much fun as the kids. The party was hosted by The Kennedy family. Taylor Kennedy's birthday is Christmas Eve so we also celebrated his birthday at the party. We thought it only fair to do his birthday first and then start the Christmas party. So.... Taylor got to open his presents, eat birthday cake, and enjoy his birthday evening and then we started the Christmas party. The kids drew names at our 1st Annual Thanksgiving Dinner with Friends. So at the Christmas party they exchanged gifts. The kids did fantastic and were so interested to see what they all got for eachother, and also what they were getting themselves. Charli drew Keegan's name and she got him a Lightning McQueen race track. Paige drew Charli's name and gave her a baby My Little Pony, that Charli has just fallen in love with. Tayor got a dress up trunk as one of his birthday gifts and that became a huge hit with all the kids. As you can see Charli enjoyed transforming into Cat Girl, with just her Dora panties and sparkely red socks, and also a Knight. Us adults also did a gift exchange. The night was really a lot of fun and we plan to continue this tradition.

RESULTS....

2008-12-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would throw this in for funnzies!!!

Zilba has chronic issues with his ears

Lately he has had a head wrap on

to prevent scratching.

We like to call him

Mother Theresa.

Charli got the honors of

mixing up the names of the people

who entered my

first Charli'z giveaway

Close your eyes

and pick a name

No peeking!!!

And the winner is.......

ERIKA

Yeah for you Erika

I was so pleased with my first ever giveaway. I had a lot of fun doing it and got 19 comments. Pretty good for little old me. So fun. Thank you to all of you for entering and I plan to do more in the future.

GIVEAWAY TIME.....

2008-11-29T19:09:00.001-08:00

This is my 100th post!!!! WWOOO HHOOO. So to celebrate I am doing my first ever Giveaway. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store.... tell me what Charli'z product you like the best.....and if your name is drawn....you will receive that product. It's that easy! So go now, to my Etsy store, come back here, leave me a comment about which product you like best and hopefully your name will be drawn. I will put all the names in a hat and let Charli pick out the name. I think I am going to keep this giveaway open for a week and then draw the name.

Also just a reminder Jenna and I are having our Christmas Boutique this coming Thursday December 4th from 6-9 pm. We would love to see you there for some fun Christmas shopping. Sweet Baby Creations and Charli'z products will be available for purchase. Community Seeds Magazine will also be there and Daisy Doo ( children's hair clips, headbands, and embellished picture frames). If you have any questions let me know. Hope to see you all there!

GETTING MY PRIORITIES IN ORDER....

2008-11-26T12:20:00.001-08:00

So today I was blogging and went on C Jane's blog, that I keep up with on an almost daily basis. Well she posted that Nie Nie had a surprise on her blog, so....... I had to see what it was! I went there and of course cried my eyes out like I do every time I visit their blogs. You will too....just wait. So after reading this post.... go to their blogs and read the entries and watch the video by Christian, Nie Nie's husband.

So after watching Christian's video it made me realize that I have been such a slacker in sending off these Softi'z and Taggi'z to those 5 amazing children. 4 of which are Christian & Stephanie's and 1 The Chief being C Jane's. I couldn't leave him out!

I am putting my Christmas Boutique sewing on hold and am going to finish writing my letter to this family that will accompany the gifts.

I have been crazilly sewing away trying to stock up for my Christmas Boutique, that is fast approaching. My house has been neglected because of this, my child needs a bath (which she will be getting tonight) I need to pack for our Thanksgiving travels, we leave in the morning, but that can wait till tonight. For now I will write my letter to this amazing family that has been through soooooo much and yet has the most amazing outlook on life. I aspire to The Nielson's (I almost wrote Nielsen). I will finish this letter, and race on down to the post office today and send it off. After doing so.......a great weight will be lifted off my shoulders, knowing that I have finally completed my gifts to the Nielson and Kendrick family.

Enjoy.... and I would love to hear what you think of the Nielson's and their amazing family and overall strength.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

CHRISTMAS PREVIEW.....

2008-11-24T07:37:00.001-08:00

Us Finches at Christmas Preview 2008

Charli sitting with Santa
She sat on his lap
all by herself!!!!
And even smiled.
I was so proud of her.

Look at these two cousins
So sweet
Their eyes light up every time they are together.

Charli watching the Nutcracker dancers
outside Kat's Meow.
I think she was truly mesmerized.

Charli, Renton and Keegan
taking a ride in the wagon.

We had so much fun this year at Christmas Preview! All the kids had a great time and seemed to really enjoy the Christmas spirit that is truly put on every year by Christmas Preview. Everyone seems to really be in the Christmas spirit. All the stores are open in downtown Chico and they serve cookies and cider and you can just walk around and take it all in. We got a great spot in line to see Santa and almost everyone enjoyed sitting on Santas lap. Owen and Keegan cried but they are the youngest out of the bunch. My little monkey was amazing. She was a bit hesitant at first but then just walked right up to Santa, sat on his lap and gave the biggest, happiest smile. She was also so happy that he gave her a piggy bank and a candy cane afterwards.

I did make my way into one store, Kat's Meow. A nice little childrens boutique, Chad used to work with the owners husband, so we always like to support their store when we can. Such a fun store to check out whenever I am downtown. I was able to cross one more item off Charli's list! WWWOOO HHHOOO. Charli recently told me she wants an iron from Santa. I thought she was kidding but no she stuck to it. So of course I went on a mission to find her a child size iron and ironing board. I was successful....I found a vintage iron on Etsy, for $6.00 and last night at Kat's Meow I found an ironing board for $19.00. Just Charli's size! I am now going to cut up some of my fabric and put it in a basket and Charli can use it as her own fabric to iron! I am so excited for her to open this gift on Christmas morning. She watches me sew all the time and enjoys hidding under my ironing board when I am ironing and my fabric is draping over the side. And before we know it she will have her very own set. I really think she is going to enjoy this very unexpected gift. Last year it was the dollhouse....this year iron and ironing board.

CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE....

2008-11-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

I am having my first Christmas Boutique with my friend Jenna
I will have my Charli'z products on display and Jenna will have her Sweet Baby Creations products on display. If you live in the area, you should stop by and check it out. You may have to click on this flier to enlarge it if you are having a hard time reading it. Yeah fun.... I can't wait..... Now on to more sewing.

PLAYDOUGH...SEWING...MUFFINS

2008-11-12T10:56:00.001-08:00

Here are some Christmas onesies

that I embellished

yesterday.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I have to give Amy credit for these

They were very yummy

Peppermint playdough

Mommy and Charli

on our day off

Veteran's Day

I had a day off on Tuesday for Veteran's Day, and it was so nice. Charli and I made Peppermint Playdough, thanks to Jenna for suggesting that. I added peppermint extact to the playdough and a little red food coloring and waa-laa!!!

We also made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. Amy got me on this because she made some as well and I couldn't resist. So Charli and I took a trip to the store and got the ingredients. I changed the recipe a little and they turned out great. It called for 1 cup of oil, I added 1/2 c. oil and 1/2 c. apple sauce. I also added ground flax seed to the mix as well. I try to add flax seed to anything when I can.

I was also able to get a little sewing done, which is always good for me.

How nice would it be if we all had a day off during the middle of the week, every week. I think I would be so revived. By the time Thursday rolls around I am always ready for my weekend.

OUR 2008 FAMILY PICTURES

2008-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

I think this is one of the most amazing pictures of Charli yet.

Our 2008 family picture.

Swinging in the park

Family hearts

Family hands

Once again Tracy captured some amazing pictures for our family. She has such an amazing eye for capturing the moment. I can't say enough great things about her. If you live in the area and are looking for an amazing photographer with good prices I highly recommend her.

This year we went to a park around the corner from our house to take our annual September pictures. Charli did such a great job posing for all the pictures and has started looking forward to Tracy taking our pictures.

This is a little preview of what you might find in your mailbox around Christmas card season. If I don't have your address and you want to be added to the list let me know. Hopefully if all goes as planned we will have these cards finished and ready to mail out by December 1st. I am so trying to stay ahead of this holiday season this year.

LUG THE SLUG.....

2008-11-06T20:53:00.001-08:00

Meet Lug the Slug

(Rhymes with bug)

We found this very large

Slug

on our window tonight

Charli instantly named it

Lug

Lug the Slug......

She then sang Lug

Happy Birthday

I guess Lug told Charli that it was

his or her birthday tonight.

TURKEY FRIENDS

2008-11-03T19:46:00.001-08:00

Charli's turkey has a boyfriend!!!! I love how these two versions turned out. They are absolutely adorable. I am going to make a couple more of these. I am thinking a brown version next. FUN FUN!!!

Side note: I have almost posted 100 blogs!!!! WOO HOO....... I am thinking of doing a Charli'z giveaway for my 100th post. I will keep you posted as it gets closer. I have never done a giveaway, so this should be fun. Stay tuned.

TURKEY SHIRT.....

2008-11-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

I made a turkey shirt for Charli today. In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, that will be here before we know it. This turkey has buttons for eyes and is pretty darn cute!!! Charli didn't feel like putting it on but wanted to take a picture with it. Silly girl. I am planning to put some of these turkeys, boy and girl versions on some bib'z and get them out in my stores soon.

HALLOWEEN.....

2008-11-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

After Trick or Treating at the Behlke's house

Charli and Daddy.

Charli got cold while trick or treating

So Chad

the nice daddy that he is

carried Charli the last bit of

trick or treating

Little Red Riding Hood (Charli)

The Wizard (Brian)

Darth Vadar (James)

Storm Trooper (Owen)

All had a great time

Amy and I both agreed

this was the best Halloween yet

with the kids

Darth Vadar and Little Red Riding Hood

Trick or Treating

on our road before heading up to the Behlke's

for more treat fun.

Our Little Red Riding Hood

Let me just give myself a pat on the back for this costume this year. I really tried to reuse what we already had. The white dress is Charli's flowergirl dress from Brooke's wedding this last summer, the white tights, we already had, the basket is a Toto the dog basket that we already had. I bought the sparkle shoes from Target and the red cape was purchased from Etsy. So proud of myself.

We had a great time this Halloween. We celebrated with The Behlke's, and Donnell's. The kids really seemed to get the whole trick or treating thing this year. Brian was hilarious this go round, I think he walked into 3 houses. Literally opened the door and walked right in and helped himself to the candy. It was so funny and he really had no idea that you are supposed to knock and then someone answers the door.....and then you get the candy. In his mind it was just easier to help himself.

Charli loved Halloween this year and could not wait to go trick or treating. She started asking when we were going to go....the minute she woke up. And about every 10 minutes after until we actually went. It is soooooo hard to wait when you are 4, and there is so much build up for the big event. From a mom stand point, I love that we didn't get loads and loads of candy. Just enough to last us about a week or two and then all gone.

Now I have a question for anyone that may be able to help me out. When I uploaded my pictures this time the last picture that I uploaded became the first on this post and so forth. This seems like a new development for blogger and a bit frustrating for me.

I"VE BEEN TAGGED....BY JENNA

2008-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

1.what i did before: I had a child..... I don't know. I probably had a lot of free time on my hands. I know I watched a lot more TV, went out to dinner when ever I wanted, read a book whenever I pleased. Napped when I was tired. Naps? What are those?

2. what i do now: I have a husband of 9 years, raise a daughter of 4 years, manage my two businesses. Daycare Provider of 5 years and Charli'z owner of 1 year. Currently I have 6 daycare children 5 days a week. Sew in my spare time for my Charli'z business. Watch House, recently addicted to this show.

3. what i'd like to do:Take an amazing vacation. Take Charli to Disneyland, some day. Have another child, make more hours in the day, Drink a nice cup of tea while soaking in a hot tub, have finacial stability, spend mor quality time with my daughter and husband.

4. what attracts me to my husband: He is patient and kind with Charli and myself. He knows when I need space, and allows for that to happen. Hates to see me upset, and trys everything in his power to fix it. Provides for our family with his incredibly stable job in this incredibly unstabe economic time. Loves me unconditionally, even when I look my worst or feel my worst. Is a very non -judgemental person, and respects that everyone has their own opinion.
5. favorite food: Hot and Sour Soup, Chinese Chicken salad, Mexican, Bean Tostada from La Comida with extra cheese and oil and vinegar dressing. YUMMY!!!

6. what i say most often: "Keep your hands to yourself" "You are only in charge of yourself and no one else" "Mommy needs some space" "Charli why are you not a little baby anymore, can I shrink you" "Use your words...PLEASE"

7. pick 7 other blogger: This was actually a lot of fun, I am usually not a big fan of these things. I only have 4 people to tag but here you go.... Kelly, Amy, Jenni and Sally. Have fun ladies.

NIELSON'S GIFTS AND CRAZY KIDS....

2008-10-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished my gifts for The Nielson Family.

Claire, Jane, Oliver, Nicholas, and The Chief

Are the lucky recipients.

These Softi'z all turned out so cute

I am so happy with the finished products

Look at these crazy kids!!!
Owen, Charli, James and Brian
were the lucky ducks
of these tye dyed pumpkin shirts.
They turned out really cute
and the kids loved their festive shirts.

WITCHES BREW...BUGS...HALLOWEEN PROJECTS

2008-10-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Charli's versions of jack-o-lanterns
I love this one with all the circles

Candy Corn hand prints

Witches Brew (pudding)

Bug Bite crakers

The kids didn't know what to think at first of the snack.

After they tried it

of course they asked for seconds.

CHARLI'S SECRET GARDEN....

2008-10-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our side yard

Before the clean up

More of the side area

It has been used to store lots of junk

And I am tired of it not being cleaned up

AFTER!!!

We moved Charli's play structure over to the newly cleaned up area

And we inherited a trellis from my mom

We are going to grow flowering vines on the trellis

Maybe some star jasmine or bogevillia.

Charli is so excited about her new flower garden!!!

Charli came up with the greatest idea!!!

She suggested painting the fence in her garden.

I thougth it was a super idea

but didn't like the idea of painting it

and then when the time comes to replace the fence

the mural on the fence goes down as well.

SOOOOO......

I suggested her and I paint some plywood instead of the fence

and then lean the wood up against the fence

in her garden.

This new little cleaned up area was a nice do-able project that we tackled this last weekend. Charli is soooo excited to have her very own garden. It is right outside her bedroom. So she can look out her windows and see her garden. I have had this idea since we bought our house in 2003. I always knew that our future children would be in that room and I thought how cute would it be to dress up that area of the yard, for our child.

*****

Charli and I are planning to visit "the flower store" as she likes to say, some time this week. This is her garden so I am going to let her pick out whatever flowers she feels like planting in her garden. The only things I am planning to do is control the two climbing rose bushes in there, by training them to grow along the fence. And then every month buy the birthday flower for that month and eventually we will have every months flower in her garden. I want to find little stakes so we can write who's birthday it is that month next to the flowers. I passed this idea by Charli and she seemed to like it.

NKOTB CONCERT ! ! !

2008-10-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Kelly, Tara, Brooke, Amy, Kristin, Luke, Kelly and Brooke

We posed in front of Arco before the concert!!!

Amy and I anticipating the start of the concert!!!

Kelly, Brooke, Kelly

Look at Brooke's hair

She crimped it!!!

The New Kid's On The Block!!!

Performing right in front of us

We had really good seats.

We had a blast at the NKOTB concert. All of us went all out in our shirts with neon puffy paint accents, crimped hair and side pony tails, bunched up shirts, belts around the waist, pegged pants.

Kelly M. said it right, we went in as 30 yr olds, and when the lights went out and the show started we became 12 and 13 yr olds. We were all screaming at the top of our lungs, and jumping up and down the whole time!!! We all woke up with very sore throats the next day and very tired eyes. I didn't get into bed until 2:00am.

I would do it all over again, they really put on a great show. It was so entertaining. These guys are all in their 30's and maybe 40's, have familys and childen of their own and they danced and performed the whole 3 hrs.

The following week I went through NKOTB withdrawls. Hee Hee

MY GREEN STATEMENT FOR THE DAY...

2008-10-14T15:36:00.001-07:00

I bought this new line of Kashi cereal today. It looked so yummy!!! I was also reading the side of the box, of which I tried to take a picture but my camera was not very happy zooming in and only took a blury picture. So here is what it says: "Or add our package to your compost pile-we use 100% biodegradable soy based inks for printing." I was so excited to see that when I have finished my yummy new cereal, I can skip out to my compost bin and throw the cardboard box in, and know that I have done my green part for the day!!! We have been composting for almost a year now and I have to say what we are throwing in our actually garbage can has significantly dropped. We have downsized to the smallest garbage can, from the garbage company. I can honestly say that we throw more in our recycling bin and compost bin now. The only things that we can't throw in the compost is meat, dairy, fried or oily foods. Otherwise all other foods can go in.

PEANUT BUTTER BUCKEYES

2008-10-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

We made these babies yesterday and they were sooooo yummy!!! Very simple and fast. My only complaint is that I think it calls for way too much powdered sugar. The peanut butter was too sweet for me. So it depends on how sweet you want your peanut butter to taste. I think you could cut the amount of powdered sugar in half. Here is the recipe:

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

1 3/4 C creamy peanut butter

1 C butter, softened

4 1/4 C powdered sugar

2 C chocolate chips

Toothpicks

In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and butter, until light and creamy. Add sugar, mix well. Roll into small balls, place on wax paper and chill for about 1 hr or up to 8 hours. Melt chocolate chips. Using toothpicks, spear each ball and dip lower half into chocolate and return to wax paper. Referigrate to harden and keep stored in the fridge between layers of wax paper.

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE....

2008-10-08T07:15:00.001-07:00

Zilba and all his tangled legs & feet

Leia and her tucked snout.

She has done this since she was a puppy

If she seems even a bit cold

she will curl up into the smallest ball possible

and tuck her nose under her leg

and just burrow in her warmth

NKOTB

2008-10-07T14:18:00.001-07:00

Yes you are looking at New Kid's on the Block shirts. I made them myself, actually I made 8 of them. This Thursday 8 of us will be going to the NKOTB concert. Yes that is correct. We are reliving our childhood and are going to love every minute of it. I am actually interested to see how many other 30 yr old mom's will be there. We are planning to embelish these lovely shirts with flourecent colors. On the back we are going to write "NKOTB Cover Girls" and also our names. HEE HEE, this should be a blast. The only thing I am not looking forward to is, the concert is on a Thursday and we all have to work the next day. There will be some tired eyes come Friday morning.

IT'S BEEN 9 YEARS

2008-10-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

Happy 9th Anniversary to US. I am still in shock that it has been 9 years. Time really goes by too fast. Our wedding went off without a hitch........ well almost. Chad broke his arm 5 days before we got married. He was pitching hardball, and broke it while pitching. I think it was in the first inning, and once he fell down from the break, he looked around and asked "Did I get the guy out?" He refused meds in the ambulance ride to the hospital, we were told it was probably cancerous and he would need surgery. But once the orthopedic surgeon looked at Chad, he said it wasn't cancerous and that Chad would be fine. So they wrapped him up, gave him some pain killers and muscle relaxers and sent him home. We decided to cancel the vest Chad was going to wear with his tux and just have them remove the right sleeve of his shirt. I told him, as long as he showed up to the wedding, I didn't care what he was wearing. With all those drugs in his system, he was pretty much done by the end of the wedding. We pinned up his X-rays at the wedding. Everyone seemed to get a good laugh out of that one.

*********

The next year approaching our 1st Anniversary, Chad did it again. 13 days to the day. He was playing on the same hardball team and broke his arm doing the same thing. He has since given up hardball and now plays softball.

*********

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate. We have plans to have dinner at Benihana's in Sacramento. Charli is spending the night with Grandparents and we are getting out of town, for the night. I also ordered a cake from the bakery that made our wedding cake. Amaretto Mocha Latte. MMMmmm....

*********

In these 9 years we have accumulated 4 cats, 3 dogs, 2 turtles, 5 fish. Not everyone is still with us. We have moved 4 times. Have gone through 9 cars, 2 of which we currently drive. Bought our 1st house. Have one child, our Charli, and are hoping to have another. Chad and I have done a lot of growing together. I think I love him more today than I ever have. He is the most amazing father, and Charli just adores him. I can only wish for many more amazing years ahead of us.

BAKED....

2008-10-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Look at what I just ordered!!!! I stumbled across this amazing bakery in blog world. They are self titled Baked. This is a bakery out of New York City, and their products look so scrumptious! I ordered their cookbook and their Mountain Blend Granola. I am a huge granola and yogurt consumer. I have recently started eating plain yogurt with different kinds of granola. It is so filling and pretty good for you too. My cookbook book comes signed and wraped in butcher paper. So excited to receive this new find. Especially with the holidays right around the corner. I get in the baking mood during the holidays. Check them out, you will be hungry to eat their goods if you do, so be aware.

PICTURE... CHAI... SANDWICH

2008-09-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

Charli drew this picture yesterday

(Left to Right)

The Tin Man, Mommy in her favorite dress, Charli, Elliana, Jenna

I hope you like how you look Jenna

You have really long legs!

I have fallen in love with

Chico Chai!!!

And.....

My new creation of a sandwich.

Taa Daa!!!

Toasted sourdough, tofu (marinated in teriyaki sauce) then cooked in a pan, carrots, zuchini, cucumbers all sliced, cilantro, and a mayo-pesto-italian dressing spread. I dipped the sandwich in Teriyaki sauce today because it seemed a bit dry.

So YUMMY

I could eat it everyday for lunch.

Charli finished off the rest of the tofu, and she would drink my whole chai if I let her!!!

FABRIC FOR THE NIELSON'S

2008-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

I was out fabric shopping today

for The Nielson's

And look what I found!!!

I am so excited with my new findings!!!

It really is more fun to buy fabric

when you know who it is for.

So stay tuned as to what these fabrics

turn into.

This is just a small preview.

On a side note:

It is so strange for me to write

Nielson

when my maiden name is

Nielsen

It just feels weird

to write it a different way

And let me tell you

there are so many variations

Nielsen

THE NIELSON FAMILY

2008-09-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

I came across The Nielson Family, in blog world recently, and have just been amazed by this whole family. They truly are the most amazing group of people with so much support for one another. You may have heard of them. So here is what I have gathered so far:
Stephanie & Christian Nielson were in a private airplane crash in Arizona on August 16, 2008. 30% of Christian's body was burned and 80% of Stephanie's body was burned. They are both currently being treated in a hospital in Arizona. These two amazing people have 4 children all under the age of 6. Claire, Jane, Oliver and Nicholas are all being care for by their most amazing aunts and uncles. Stephanie has a blog that her sister is keeping active www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com and Courtney, Stephanie's sister is taking care of three of the children, she has her own blog www.blog.cjanerun.com. I have been feeling very compelled to do something for this family and there 4 children. I finally decided I would make the children their own Softi and Taggi blankets from my Charli'z line. I am also considering throwing in a few Crayon Tote'z and Bib'z. I contacted this family by email and the children's Godmother responded, very delighted to have her Godchildren receive a little spoiling. I am so excited to actually be able to give these children something soft to hold on to and to hopefully put a smile on their face. These children seem so strong and resilient, through everything they have gone through. I can only ask that if I were in a similar situation, that my family and friends would do the same for me that The Nielson Family has done and is actively doing.

NEW SWING AND COWGIRL BOOTS

2008-09-10T13:18:00.001-07:00

Charli got a big girl swing for her birthday. She also chose to wear her pink and white cowgirl boots, out to play today! Chad put up the swing last night and the kids went crazy over the swing today. There was lots of waiting your turn, and is it my turn now, with the swing. Charli tried all the swinging angles, sitting on her bottom and swinging, laying on her tummy and swinging and sitting sideways, like it was a horse. I can remember swinging as a child, and I think it was one of my most favorite things to do.

CHARLI'S 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

2008-09-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

I took this picture on September 2nd at 8:43 am

The exact time Charli was born

And this is the result.

Not exactly what I wanted

But I think this is what you get when you have a 4 yr old

Charli's 4th birthday party ended up being at The Behlke's house

Kelly made the very adorable Strawberry Shortcake cake.

The party turned out so fun

And all the kids had so much fun

Playing in the water

Riding bikes

And consuming lots of sugar!!!

The adorable Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Thank you Aunt Kelly

You did an amazing job!!!

I made personalized cookies for all the kids

and #4 cookies

All the kids decorated their name cookies

And of course the present chaos!!!

And Charli opend present with no pants on.

If you know Charli

It was impressive that she had her shirt on.

IT'S PINK!!!

2008-09-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here it is

Finally painted!

We busted out the painting skills

this last weekend.

The result is so cute

And we are all very happy with the PINK

This back wall is a darker pink

An accent wall.

Now we have to paint the polka dots

Build a bunk bed

And get a big girl bed!!!

TRANSFORMING INTO PINK

2008-08-31T17:03:00.001-07:00

Charli really wanted to help with painting.

So I gave her the roller

before it had paint on it.

She had fun, even with no paint on the roller

Good bye Wizard of Oz, blue sky and green rolling hills

Hello Pink walls!!!

Charli and Daddy painting her room

She missed the wall

Can you tell?

The pink is really coming along

And I am actually doing okay with the idea of a pink room

We do have a girl after all

And she is soooo into princesses, ponies, strawberry short cake

So it really is fitting.

This is just a preview of what is to come. Soon there will be polka dots, new curtains, furniture, lighting and accessories.

POLKA DOTS

2008-08-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

So here is the concept we are going for, for Charli's new updated room. We are going to paint her walls a light pink, white trim on the windows and base boards, and polka dots all around. I love these different size and color polka dots in this picture!!!

I cleared Charli's room out and just her big furniture is left. We are going to break down her bed, which is a crib that converts into a toddler bed, that she is just getting too long for. Chad is going to be building a bunk bed that will replace the toddler bed.

Tomorrow is clean the walls and prep the room day. Saturday is prime and paint day. And Sunday and Monday are finishing touches day. We both have Monday off so, my goal is to have everything painted and back to normal by the time Tuesday rolls around.

2008-08-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

A wonderful reminder.....

On Being A Mom

By Anna Quindlen

All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow but in disbelief. I take great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost adults, two taller than I am, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom, zip up their jackets and move food from plate to mouth all by themselves. Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with a rubber ducky at its center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except through the unreliable haze of the past.

Everything in all the books I once pored over is finished for me now. Penelope Leach., T. Berry Brazelton., Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education, all grown obsolete. Along with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories.

What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations --what they taught me was that they couldn't really teach me very much at all.

Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay. No one knows anything. One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can be managed only with a stern voice and a timeout. One boy is toilet trained at 3, his brother at 2. When my first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies were put down on their backs because of research on sudden infant death syndrome. To a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will follow.

I remember 15 years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton's wonderful books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil for an 18-month-old who did not walk. Was there something wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged? Was I insane? Last year he went to China. Next year he goes to college. He can talk just fine. He can walk, too.

Every part of raising children is humbling, too. Believe me, mistakes were made. They have all been enshrined in the Remember-When-Mom-Did Hall of Fame. The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language-mine, not theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed. The times I arrived late for preschool pickup. The nightmare sleepover. The horrible summer camp. The day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her geography test, and I responded, What did you get wrong? (She insisted I include that.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald's drive-through speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch the Simpsons for the first two seasons. What was I thinking?

But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

Even today I'm not sure what worked and what didn't, what was me and what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were because of what I'd done. Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over the top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with the three people I like best in the world, who have done more than anyone to excavate my essential humanity. That's what the books never told me. I was bound and determined to learn from the experts.

It just took me a while to figure out who the experts were.

Thank you, Jenna for posting this amazing reminder of what is really important in life, when raising children. I was very touched by this and I hope others who read this are too.

3 * 4 * 5

2008-08-19T18:31:00.001-07:00

We have 3 birthday's coming up this month and next month.

I am on a big personalized shirt kick,

and the end result always turns out

cuter than I had expected.

Skyla, Charli and Evelyn

are the lucky recipients!!!

Here are the back of the shirts.

It really is so easy and so fun to make.

CHARLI'S NEW PAD!!!

2008-08-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

So I came up with a crazy idea today to completely redue Charil's room. We are going to paint her walls a light pink with white trim and different shades of pink, white, black and red polka dots, different sizes. I think I will paint the polka dots like a border around her room almost like a chair rail border. She is upgrading to a twin size bed in September from her toddler bed. Her room is currently painted blue and green. The blue is the sky and the green is rolling hills to resemble the hills in the Wizard of Oz. My original goal with her room was to paint Wizard of Oz murals all around. Well I was 9 mths prego when we painted and I had this grand idea that it would all get accomplished and I would have all this time after Charli was born to finish. Well needless to say Charli is turning 4 in less than a month and the murals have never been completed and never will. So we are starting over with a more fun kid theme that i think she will really like. Once we start I will for sure post some pictures of the progress. I am soooooo excited for this new and fun change.

LOTS OF NEW STUFF!!!

2008-08-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

There seems to be lots of things going on in my life all at once. Some good and some I am having to get used to.

* I am still liking my new hair style. It is really easy to do and seems to stay cute for the whole day. That is a big bonus, given that I have kids in my house all day and by the end of the day I don't feel so pretty. The only thing I am not so much liking is that not all my hair will go up. The hair at the back of my neck is pretty short and will not stay up. But otherwise I am able to bobbie pin the majority up and get it out of my face.

*I recently purchased a set of alphabet and number cookie cutters. I was so excited when these two things were delivered. I am starting curriculum with the kids next week. We will be learning a letter a week. I can cut out sandwiches, quesadilla's, cookies or whatever else to coordinate with the letter or number that we are currently learning. I am also planning to make #4 cookies to have at Charli's 4th birthday party.

*Speaking of Charli's upcoming birthday. I have not quite come to terms with the fact that Charli is turning 4 soon. Which means that she is that much closer to going to Kindergarten. We won't even go there. I just get emotional when I think about that. Anyway's Charli's past birthday parties have always been held at Bama's house. It has always been such a great location for her birthday. Well we have had some family changes as of late and it seemed aparent to me that maybe we should change the location of her party this year. I decided that a local park here in Paradise would be a good new location for this year. While I know Charli is fine with the new plan I am having to come to terms with this. Change is just hard sometimes.

*One of the gifts Charli is getting for her birthday is a big girl bed. She is soooooo excited about it and asks me on a regular basis when she is getting her bed and when is it going to be her birthday. I have hung a calendar in her room and every day she crosses off a day to count down to her birthday and her party. It is some what helping but it is just so hard to wait when you are 3 yr old. In Charli's words " mom it is going to take a hundred years!!!"
Once she gets her new bed there will be no more crib, and Charli will offically be a big girl and not a baby anymore. All you mom's know what I mean. I am having a hard time with this one as well.

* We are planning to add to our family as soon as possible. Charli keeps telling me that she has the baby in her tummy and do I have one in mine. I tell her I don't have one yet but hopefully soon. She does go back and forth about wanting a brother or a sister. Usually she says she wants a sister and she is going to name it Charli just like her. So we shall see.

NEEDING MEAL IDEAS

2008-08-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

I need help!!! In the meal planning department that is. I feel like I am in a rut as far as what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It seems we have been eating the same meals every week and I am buying the same groceries every week. I know we need to change it up a bit in our house. So I am asking for any and all ideas for new and exciting meals. Tell me what you and your family eat and what your family meals are. I am open to any suggestions.

NEW HAIRSTYLE

2008-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

I got a new hair cut today, and totally went off on a limb. I will be the first to admit that I am not daring with my hair. I wish I was more outgoing but for some reason I have never been able to get up the courage to just go all out and get a really fun haircut. Jenna cut her hair a while back and was so carefree about it. I really wish I was more like that. Sometimes I feel like my hair is a extention of my body and just can't bear to part with it. But today I took the plundge!!! I have really been liking the new trendy A-line hairstyles. So today I told Marianne, my stylist that I was really wanting an A-line hair cut. She is just so amazing and I just love her, I think that is why I have stayed with her for 8 yrs now. If you are looking for a new stylist I highly recommend her!!! She just knows me and my personality. She know that I am conservative with my hair. I think she was amazed that I got such a haircut today. Marianne you really are amazing and one of the most amazing people I know. I love you!!!

JULY FESTIVITIES

2008-07-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

Chad's Dad turned 80 this month!!!

We had a surprise party for him and all of Chad's 6 siblings came.

We all had a great time and it was so good to see everyone.

Here is Charli and her cousin Alaska. They are about 7 mths apart in age.

I couldn't get over how much the two girls looked alike.

I made my first "Lapbook"

It really was a lot of fun creating this book and was so simple.

Here is the inside of the Lapbook.

It has so many little pockets and flaps with all kinds of interaction for kids.

I think this is my new preschool addiction.

Here is a new #4 shirt for Charli and her upcoming birthday.

I hav another shirt that I am working on for her to wear for her party.

Charli is going to be 4 in about a month now!!

I just can't believe how fast the time has gone.

****

So I know that I haven't posted in almost a month. It has been very over due for a new post. This month has really just flown by. I am currently trying to plan curriculum for the new school year that is coming up. All my daycare kids are 3 and 4 yrs old and are so ready to start up with some new projects and learning. I am really excited about integrating my phonics program that I bought a while back.

This weekend we are taking off to San Jose and Santa Cruz. Saturday we are going to visit the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose. Sunday we are going to Sea Cliff Beach in Santa Cruz. And if we have time on Sunday we are going to try to sneak in dinner at the warf in San Francisco. It will be a very fast 2 days but with lots of fun and very needed "getting out of town-ness" I will for sure post some pictures of our trip when we get home.

RAINING ASH!!!

2008-07-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is what it looks like at my house. It is literally raining ash. There is a fire in Concow and Yankee Hill areas. For some reason we are getting all the ash.

I took this picture looking straight up from my front yard

Our lemon tree is covered.

As well as Charli's play structure.

The skys were just starting to clear up this last week and now we are back to where we started. I actually think it is worse, than when all the fires started. I just hope it all clears soon and we can go out and play. It is summer, you know and we are supposed to be out in the sun, swimming and enoying the long days. Instead we are all cooped up inside like it is winter.

4TH OF JULY IN PORTERVILLE

2008-07-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

We spent the 4th in Porterville at the Plumlee's house.

We had such a great time and I don't think any of us wanted to go home.

The kids decided to have a race in Caitlin's grandma's backyard.

Todd lined them all up and layed down the rules and then they took off!!!

Charli, Renton and Keegan eating lunch in the Plumlee's backyard

Charli and Daddy splashing in the pool

Todd and I took a lovely picture of ourselves.

Josh and Tammy were so kind to invite The McGregor's and us to spend the 4th at their house. We took them up on it and had a great time. The Plumlee's have a half acre lot and their backyard was such a great place for the kids to all run around. We never left the house the whole weekend. We pretty much swam, bbqed, played the Wii, napped and watched fireworks from their backyard. It was such a relaxing weekend that I think we all needed. Caitlin was a blast to have as a playmate and sweet Allison was so cute, she turned a month old Sunday. She for sure confirmed that I am ready for another little one! Chad lived in Porterville for a while and we hadn't been back for at least 5 years. Thanks again Plumlee's!!!

"T" FOR TIRED DOGS

2008-06-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Look at how smart Zilba and Leia are!!!

They know how to spell the letter T.

If you haven't heard of William Wegman

check him out

he has the greatest pics of his Weimaraners.

You might have seen his dogs on Sesame Street.

HERE ARE SOME PICS TO GO WITH THE LAST ENRTY

2008-06-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the smoke starting to billow up behind our house.

Chad stood on the roof of our addition to take this picture.

Charli and I getting our makeup done at Gottschalks

for Brooke's wedding

Me getting my hair done for the wedding!!!

Charli getting her hair done for the wedding

My Charli'z booth at Green Baby Expo.

I had Bib'z hanging on a clothes line to the left

Softi'z and Taggi'z hanging on the right side.

I had a clearance basket on the front table and then my crayon roll ups got up out after the sun left my table. It was so hot that I was afraid the crayons would melt if in the sun.

BALLET * EVACUATION * WEDDING * GREEN BABY EXPO

2008-06-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

I finally can take a breath!!! This upcoming weekend is my first weekend that I don't have any plans. We have been going non stop this month. I am really looking forward to doing nothing for a while. So here it goes: June 7th was Charli's ballet performance. Her class was ladybugs and it was a great performance. She was such a pro this time around because she went through this last year. So this year it all came back to her and she did an amazing job.
****
Thursday June 12th at 4:00pm we were evacuated from Paradise, along with half our town, due to the Humboldt Fire that took out over 23,000 acres. There were around 80 homes lost. I do not know anyone personally that lost a home but I do know of people that lost homes. We evacuated at 4:00pm and got into Chico at 7:50pm. it was the longest drive to Chico that i have ever made and I never want to do it again. The only way to get to Chico at that time was to take Pentz Rd, get on 70 to 149 and then to 99. They had closed Durham Pentz Rd because the fire was starting to surround Butte College. It was quite the ordeal, when we were leaving the fire was about 2 to 3 miles from our house but in order for it to reach our house a lot of homes would be burned. So we felt confident that our house was fine. The wind that day was not good and the firefighters actually considered the fire "out of control". We finally were able to go home on Sunday. I felt like we were on an unwanted vacation, the whole weekend was strange. But I am glad that we had Brooke and Jake's wedding to focus, that was planned for that Saturday.
****
June 14th was Brooke Svalberg and Jake Well's wedding, Or as we call them "The Svell's". Long story but these two had a bit of bad wedding luck. Over all everything turned out amazing. They got married at a church in Chico. Their original reception site double booked on them. So this last February we all scrambled to find a new reception site that would hold 300 guests. Tuscan Ridge Golf course seemed do-able. So they booked the place. Needless to say Tuscan became surrounded by flames and we had to find another site. Last minute we found a beautiful site in Durham. It was a private home with a lake and beautifully landscaped. Charli and I were honored to be a part of the wedding party, that included 9 bridesmaids and 9 groomsmen, 5 flowergirls and 3 ring bearers.
****
June 21st was The Green Baby Expo!!! I was a part of that day and it really turned out great. This was my first time having a craft booth with my Charli'z products. About 4000 people attended and I received a great response from people about my products. There are plans for a second expo next year and I am very interested to be a part of that. I sewed for the last couple months to build up my stock and was very pleased with what I was able to accomplish. If you are interested you can check out my Etsy store where I sell my products. www.charliz.etsy.com
****
My computer is being funky so I can't post any pictures but hopefully soon I will post some on here of the Expo.

NEW FABRIC!!!

2008-06-09T15:01:00.001-07:00

I bought some new fabric today!!!

I snuck into the quilt store while Charli was at her first preschool class.

Green camo for my boy Softiz and Taggiz

These two coordinating green I plan to use to cover my table at

Green Baby Expo, just to give my table some added color.

I have been eyeing this Volkswagen Van fabric for quite some time now

The quilt store had these two fabrics and the green ones,

on sale for 50% off.

It was like buy one get one free!!!

Couldn't pass that up.

"IN THE FOREST"

2008-06-08T10:48:00.001-07:00

Charli and her ballet class, The Ladybugs!!!

All the kids after the performance

Look at that big group!!!

Kinetic's Academy of Dance, put on another great performance

The theme this year was "In the Forest"

All the kids were so cute and did such a great job.

This was Charli's second time around and she was so much more confident this go round.

2008-05-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged!

i was tagged by Jenna! so here it goes:
4 things i was doing 10 years ago:
1.Planning my wedding
2. Attending Chico State
3. Living in Chico
4. Loving our now past away Will dog (Min-pin)
4 things i was doing 5 years ago:
1.Bought our first house
2. Went to Josh & Tammy's wedding
3. Started trying to add to our family
4. Painted over our lavendar bathroom, yucky color
4 things i did yesterday:
1. Lots of sewing!!!
2. Helped Brooke with wedding stuff (3 weeks to go!)
3.Played pretend birthday party with Charli
4. Sewed some more
4 shows i like to watch:
1. Jon and Kate + 8
2. Wow Wow Wubzi
3. Battlestar Galactica
4. Sex and the City (Just starting to get into this show)
that was fun!

I'm going to tag Jenni, Sally, everyone else has already been tagged

Thanks Morgan for helping me with this yesterday, even though you busted up laughing!!!

GOODBYE DIRECTV !!!

2008-05-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

So we did it! We have turned off our Directv. We made the decision last week trying to find ways to cut costs. I have been feeling like TV is a wasted cost anyways and I don't actually watch that much TV as it is. Sports are important to Chad and Charli watches Noggin and Nick Jr., but she has a million movies. I on the other hand if I am lucky, sneak in a viewing of Jon and Kate + 8 but that is about it, if the TV is available. Chad was a bit reluctant at first but he gave in pretty quickly when he learned he can either listen to Giant's games on the radio or online. Charli has actually been enjoying watching her movies. As a result I have noticed that the TV is on less in this house and I think we are actually surviving no TV and really enjoying ourselves more. Chad and I have gotten into a routine of watching a show on DVD when we get in bed at night. So it is all working out. DVR, HD channels and recorded shows were a nice luxury but they are not needed. We will survive.

RORY PICTURES

2008-05-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Here she is, she really is beautiful even with all her tubes and attachments. I never got to see her hair but I am told she has lots of black hair. Erin got to hold her for the first time last night and she said it was so great and really nice to be able to do that. Erin is up and around today and feeling so much better than yesterday. Rory seems to be doing really well also.

RORY MAE JOHNSON !!!

2008-05-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

So I don't have any pictures yet, but my brother and his wife, Erin had their first little girl today!!! Rory Mae Johnson was born today in Chico at Enloe. I haven't seen or met her yet but I hear that Erin is recovering well given she had a C-section and that Rory, acording to my mom is PERFECT with lots of black hair. She weighed 3 lbs 2 oz. She has got to be so tiny!!! Erin was due towards the end of June so this little baby bean was still cooking inside. I can't wait to see this new family and this sweet little bundle. I guess Rory will stay in the hospital for about 6 weeks. My mom said she is breathing fine, so that is great news. If you are the praying type maybe think of Kellen, Erin and Rory in your prayers. Once I get some pictures I will for sure post some.

CHARLI'S FIRST HAIR CUT!!!!

2008-05-12T08:26:00.001-07:00

Charli chose to sit in the Thomas chair for her hair cut
Here we go, there is no turning back now!!!
The hair cut!!!
Charli got to pick out some clips for her hair
My sweet girl with her new hair style.

We ventured out yesterday after Mother's Day activities and got haircuts

The Winebarger girls need cuts as well and Micky and I decided that would most likely be good for Charli so that she would see that it is not scary and hopefully get a cut herself. Well it seemed to work and Cool Kid Cutz was so good and the ladies that cut their hair were so nice and good with all the girls. We will be going back in the future. Charli's hair is now a little below her shoulders and it flips up a little. It is so cute and it makes her look like a little girl and not my baby anymore. Boo Hoo...

I think it is going to be easier all around and help with the battles of brushing tangles and all that. My only concern is if I will be able to get it up in a bun for ballet. We shall see. I have to remind myself that it is just hair and it will grow back. Overall Charli looks great and it is a nice change, for the upcoming summer!

MOTHER'S DAY

2008-05-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Charli, James and Owen planted flowers for gifts for Mother's Day

I had Charli plant two and she gave them to her Grandma's.

Chad, Kristin, Emily, Bama, Charli, Erin (expecting baby Rory), Kellen.

We celebrated Mother's day at my mom's for brunch.

everyone seemed to have a great time and we had great food