Weekend Nuggets

I've started so many posts this week it's ridiculous.  In theory I'd like to have something meaningful to say but the reality is I'm plum tuckered out.  So how about the abridged life update version ok? ok.

This week has been good, slower but good.  The girls both came down with a cold bug, causing both to miss their first days of school (more because they looked worse than they felt).  This meant NO "free time" for mama this week and a whole lot of lounging and snuggling.  An ok trade off every once in a while I think.

In pregnancy land, I'm starting to get some energy back.  Spent the whole day Thursday SCOURING our main floor.  Surfaces haven't been this clean and decluttered in ages.  It feels amazing.  What does not feel amazing is all this nausea   I'm REALLY hoping that second trimester switch on Monday prooves miraculous.  As of yesterday I seem to finally have an appetite so there's hope!

Louise's playschool "twos news" day was such a success.  What started as a bit of a pain, trying to find a toddler appropriate article in the news is REALLY hard, ended with a delightful email from her teacher thanking Louise for being the ONLY kid in her class to bring in an article and for doing a little "public speaking" to boot.  My girl sure does love playschool.

I've finally delved into the halloween costumes.  Ainsley's Heidi costume is about 80% complete and Louise's baby goat costume is all cut out and ready to sew.  I'm excited for my girls.  They look so cute!

::bustled dirndl skirt made from an old pair of cotton lounge pants, vintage embroidered trim from darlybird.com, gathered apron made from an old crostitched pillowcase.  I have the vest all sewn and just need to make the holes for the lace up front and we're done!::

We're back into homemade gift giving mode after a solid 6 week respite from the crazy summer birthday present making.  Ainsley has a few friend's birthdays coming up and when I asked her what she wanted to give them she replied "hot cocoa mommy!" so I obliged.

I found this simple recipe online and we made a huge batch one afternoon this week.  Filled up a small jar for her friend and saved the rest for our own indulgence.  I think this would be such a great holiday gift, especially for those adults that are hard to shop for (it's DELICIOUS mixed with coffee.)

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3 c. dried milk powder
2 c. powdered sugar
1.5 c. cocoa powder
1.5 c. white chocolate chips (I think milk chocolate would work equally well here)

Process in batches in a food processor.  Add 1/3 c. to 1 c. hot milk and enjoy.  DELICIOUS!

::the girls loved helping to mix up the cocoa::

::half naked with a skirt, or skirt over the grammy nightgown, 

pretty much standard afternoon attire these days::

I've started perusing for the few gifts we're going to purchase for the holidays and Ainsley's birthday.  Seeing as there's already so much I've picked up from garage sales and thrift shops I'm finding I'm quite choosy about what makes the cut.  One idea I was excited about was a mancala board for Ainsley.   She LOVES games and counting and anything that uses those tiny nimble fingers of hers.  Yet even on etsy I couldn't find quite what I wanted and the ones I did want were WAY too expensive.  So the other day in the midst of cleaning we made up our own game.  It works perfectly, cost us 85 cents for the rocks at IKEA (could be free if you collected your own), and we had a whole hour of fun (with lots more to come I know!)

:: two wooden salad bowls, 1 egg carton with the top removed, 48 game pieces (we used rocks, but marshmallows, buttons, marbles etc. could work well too)...whalla!  mancala!::

This morning we got all ready for a friend's birthday party.  Ainsley proudly helped make the wrapping paper and wrap up her hot cocoa.

Louise was pretty thrilled to help with the wrapping paper too.

And because as much as a 4 year old will love her own jar of cocoa mix I had to add a little something extra.  My new obsession of course, a little bo peep skirt, this time in soft flannel for the colder fall and winter weather.  Ian thought that bold floral print was a bit much with the sunshine ruffles, but I think that's what I like about it.  It's like a beautiful quirky quilt you get to wear, with ruffles!  I hope she likes it!

The girls had such fun at the party.  A princess dress up theme with crowns to color and treats galore. Thanks for all the Saturday morning fun Gigi!

So lots of good stuff this week.  I'm bummed that the girls colds and my last week of first trimester "blah" made it hard to get out much, but am savoring all the snuggles and fun indoors as we start to prepare for the full holiday season ahead.  

Happy Weekend to you all!