Crafts with Lily

I have discovered something. I don’t claim to be the first person to discover this, but it’s made our lives more fun the last couple of days – buttons. Lots of buttons! Lily LOVES buttons, and can play with them forever. Which is great, cuz we can get bored doing the same thing every day. So this little fad has been a welcome change to our lives. We get the buttons and pipe-cleaners out at least once a day, and have fun making things. Or in Lily’s case, she chooses the buttons she wants me to use to make things. It’s been good times.

I thought I was making a necklace for her, but when Lily saw the finished product, she immediately claimed it was a crown. So of course it became a crown.

Like so!

Flowers!

So you other moms out there, any other easy craft/project ideas for toddlers I can use?

Oh, and while I’ve got you here, how about some more recent pictures of the kiddos?

Play-dough has also been making a regular appearance in our house as of late.

One of her favorite things to do is wear our socks… whatever makes her happy!

Look at those little lips! He’s killing me!

Aren’t these little cowboy boots awesome?!? I couldn’t help myself when I saw them, I had to buy them.

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Rachel’s two! Last Saturday we went to Rachel’s (Lily’s cousin who lives in Auburn) birthday party.  It was a small family party with Andy’s parents and brother, us, and one of Dan and Ben’s cousins, Paul Mashler, with his family there. Rachel kind of hung back at first, mostly because she had just woken up when the party was starting, but pretty soon she was playing with the other kids and she had no problem tearing into her presents! Actually, some of the other kids had no problem “helping” her! :) After presents we all enjoyed cupcakes and ice-cream and some other snacks. It was really fun, especially since it’s been so long since we’ve hung out with Dan and Andy and Fam. Thanks for inviting us, guys!

Rachel still warming up to the party while sitting in her mom Andy’s lap. Andy just passed the halfway mark in her second pregnancy!

Cute Neva, Paul and Joanna Mashler’s little girl.

Playing Ring Around the Rosie – Rachel decided to join in!

I think this one is so cute of Neva and Stephen Mashler holding hands.

   Funny lighting, but I like this picture anyway. Hmm, remind me to wear lipstick next time.

Bubbles!Look at Rachel’s sweet little curls.

Opening presents!

I love her red hair.Dolly!

Unwrapping her present from Lily – it took quite a bit of persuasion to get Lily to give up the ball so I could wrap it, and then as soon as Rachel had it unwrapped and had moved on to the next present, Lily claimed it for the rest of the night! I guess I know what to put in Lily’s stocking now!

Rachel was a big fan of this cute pink pig!

We’re starting to think that Michael might walk early too, as he’s showing the same preference for standing that Lily did. We’ll see!

Cake time! The cupcakes Andy made we’re cute little rainbow cupcakes and were super yummy.

Mmmmm….

Yummm!

Jonathan, Andy’s little brother.

As you can see, the cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

 

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Water Polo Game

My brother invited me to his last water polo game of the season the day before Halloween. I hadn’t been to one of his games this season, so I was glad when it worked out that we could get to Enumclaw for it. I decided to try taking pictures of the game, and I had a lot of fun getting pictures of big splashes and the boys’ fierce faces as they played. Plus I felt all special that they let me get closer to the pool (inside the fence that separates the audience from the pool!) just cuz I had a big camera. ;) So here are a couple of my favorite pictures. Josh’s team are wearing the maroon and gold headgear, and he’s the goalie.

Hi Uncle Josh!

I think the blue of the water in this picture is awesome.

My handsome brother after the Varsity’s game – his team won by one in over time! Woo-hoo!