Burp Clothes

Made these super cute burp clothes the other day to give as a baby present.  They were easy to make.

Here is the tutorial on how to make these trendy burp clothes.  It is by homemade by jill and the link is below.

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2008/01/burp-cloth-tutorial.html

We would like to thank all of our wonderful family and friends who have been with us over the last few weeks while I was sick, as well as all of your love and support this fall after my miscarriage.  Your phone calls, help with the girls, kind emails, as well as bringing us dinner, has meant more to us then you will ever know.  There are many things in life we are gracious for, and all of your love is something we say thank you for every day.  I could not say enough.

Here is proof that we are all up on our feet again.  We have fresh homemade day old bread waiting, Mama Emily's famous soup simmering, and brownies baking in the oven.  From the smell of our house, anybody would know we are up and going, and ready to make the best out of 2011. 

May the remainder of 2011 bring our family as well as yours, health, happiness, and good luck!
All our love, ~Mama Betsy

Well we survived the holidays sick and have bounced back to ourselves again and back into our daily routine! I wish I could rave about the holidays but being sick and in bed is never fun.  We have started the new year out with a movie adventure to see "Yogi Bear", appointments, bread making, painting, pizelle making, and quilling!

To Children's Memorial we go for Sara's BPI appointment.

Sara not so happy, but pizelle in hand:)

In the waiting room in our new matching sweaters playing with the biggest doll house EVER!

fresh baked bread 

water color project with Papi

New pizelle iron

first attempt quilling

All in all it has been a busy start to a new year!!!

Is she really mine???  Becuase I think I am absolutely in LOVE with her!!!!

What a cutie!!!  She was in good spirits this day, despite 8 days of fever, a pink eye, and a bad ear infection!  I love my girlies soooo much!!

This is the last night before Christmas Eve.  I am excited.  Excited to see the girls faces as they unwrap presents in awe and wonderment from the so called "Santa" and "Baby Jesus" (to whom bring presents to the children of Venezuela and our home too).  When they leave the plate of cookies for Santa and the reindeer, and in the morning awake to a tree full of presents, and the magic of Christmas.  Little do they know in their 4 year old and 2 year old minds, that we have been experiancing the magic of Christmas all month long.  The excitement, the preparing,  the giving to others, and the sharing with friends and family. 

There are many things I am excited to give this season, but there are two things extra special.  One is a little white teddy bear for each of the girls that was bought for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital for childhood cancer's.  Although the girls don't understand, and we will never know the the families, the children, or the faces behind our donation, the most important thing of the holiday is giving.  We can never forget or turn or head from those in need. 

The second gift that I am most excited about is something personal for our family.  This summer I went to visit Grandpa in July.  After Grandma passed in March, I decided that one of the things I would like to have is Grandma's recipes.  Grandpa had no problem with this, and while thumbing through her recipes I came across a recipe for pizelle's.  I had forgotten all about how Grandma used to make these Italian cookies. It brought back a nice memory for me, and I decided that I would like a pizelle iron so I could also make these cookies for our family.  My hope had been to make them for my Dad for Christmas since Grandma was his mother.  The iron is backordered so it won't come till January.  So, I will still give a poem to my Dad that I had originally hoped to attach to the cookie box, and a rain check for some Italian cookies in January.  I look forward to giving this simple, but meaningful gift tommorrow. 

From a long time back the memories will come

As soon as you try one

Memories of a time gone by

To which we look back on and sigh

Of a person that was close to your heart

And with you from the very start

Our memories we will always hold dear

And close to our heart she will always be near

~BACC

I look forward to updating you all in January how my adventure in pizelle making goes.  I hope my Dad is touched. 

Happy Holidays from our home to yours.  Wishing you all a peaceful, healthy, and happy holiday.

~Betsy

Earlier this fall I enjoyed a wonderful crafternoon with my good friends Sara (Gigi) and Jean (Jellybean).  Along time ago, in a place far away, the three of us worked together at Girl Scout camp, hence the nicknames which were camp names at the time. We had stumbled upon a DIY on reusable snack bags, and we all know that kids consume lots of snacks.  I fell in love with the idea of not having to use any plastic and not having any waste.  Here is the tutorial on how to make them:

http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/09/embroidered-reusable-snack-bag-tutorial.html

And here is how they came out, I was very pleased!!!

I made 5 of them, the butterfly's were for Paula and I, the Sesame Street for Sara, and the brown one for Miguel (special thanks to Jean for giving me fabric that was more gender nuetral!!!).  I chuckled at the thought of Miguel showing up to work with a butterfly bag!

The Outside

The Inside (a non bleached and no color fabric)

I was pleased with how they came out.  They are great for bringing snacks in the car or for a lunch to go.  I would not recommend them for a sandwich becuase the bread gets a little stale, especially after prolonged time.  I have also used them to carry the baby silverware so they don't get dirty in the bag.  Another cute way to use them would be toothbrush and toothpaste for a sleepover at Grandma's or in a more adult design as a make up bag. 

Happy Crafting ~Mama Bets

I looked at my girls today and I wondered, would these days really fade???

Crys

Temper Tantrums

Play Time Ended by Childhood Sisterly Fights

Ballerina Tutu's for her Outfit Day after Day

Footed Pj's

Slippers to Match Mama's

Cuddly Fair Isle Pj's

Baby Jumps Followed by Diaper Crinkles

Our Fridge Packed with Childhood Art

Grins

Smiles and Giggles

Sisterly Hugs

Play Time with the Kids

I know they will grow as all children do, but please don't let it happen to fast.  For today, let them be my babies!

~Mama Bets