Sonder & Whimsy

I learned to knit when I was a teenager. I definitely enjoyed having yet another way of expressing my creativity, and it was fun to see the surprise and wonder on people's faces when they saw me doing something that was more frequently associate with much older women.

When I started, my skills were understandably limited, for several years I only made scarves of varying lengths. It wasn't until after I had children that I started attempting larger/more complicated projects, like blankets and hats. At one point, I borrowed some knitting videos from the library, which is how I learned how to purl, rib, & cable. 

It was after my current youngest was born that I started trying to do even more. Since she was born I've knit a sweater, a tunic, learned how to knit lace patterns, and have made countless baby bonnets. 

It's the bonnets that I've really put my focus into. I mean, is there anything cuter than a sweet babe in a knit bonnet? I've created quite a few of my own designs, as well as figuring out how to make some based on pictures I'd seen online, and then adding my own flair to them. 

Last fall, I dreamed up some adorable Christmas bonnets and decided to open an etsy shop, that I named "Sonder & Whimsy, " to sell them. I got a few sales last year, and a few early on in the spring, then came the summer lull. But, even though I wasn't knitting as much, I was still brainstorming and planning. And finally, last Friday, I listed just a small helping of what I've been creating. These are more Halloween themed, and I wanted to get them up weeks ago, but better late than never, right?

I've got some more autumn designs and colors, as well as some new Christmas bonnets I've been thinking up... We'll see how much I can actually accomplish with this newest babe due in about a month, ha. Honestly though, this new little one has helped light a fire under me. I've come up with some new patterns and have been knitting up a storm testing them out. 

For now, a quick share of my newest listings. Aren't they darling and perfect for this time of year? 

It's 2018?!

I've been pretty absent from this space, for quite a while - I know,
but I wanted to pop in real quick to tell you...

I can't believe it is 2018. We're living in the future! This is crazy.

*all photos by me, using a long exposure and my husband's flashlight, 
edited on my phone with the snapseed app.

baby party

Alternate title: "the time I said yes when I wanted to say no"

Some of the decor:
tiny "little sister" jammies,
homemade paper circle garland,
ribbon tassel garland,
mini white pumpkins,
and balloons.

After my baby shower a couple of weeks ago, my sweet bossling2 was inspired. All that night she told me how, when she got older, she wanted to throw showers for people. Then, her eyes lit up and she asked if she could host another shower for me. One that she could also invite her own friends to, of course. My first thought was to say no. I'd just had a shower, and I didn't want to seem ungrateful by turning around and basically hosting a shower for myself (with my daughter's input, of course, but still.) But she was so excited by the idea, I figured it wouldn't hurt to discuss it a bit further.

First, I pulled up the calendar on my phone. I told her the first thing we'd have to do is pick a day. I figured one week would be too short of notice, while two weeks would mean the party happened the day before my due date. I thought it was a bit risky and ambitious - we'd have to cancel if baby came early, but I told her that day was probably the best choice.

From there I started asking her what kinds of snacks and decorations she'd want to have at the shower. She listed off a few ideas, and then we talked about games. I told her about some traditional baby shower games that we might be able to do and we talked about what we could do for prizes. The ideas were simple enough, and her excitement was pretty contagious, even though I was still feeling really self-conscious about the whole idea, I decided to go forward with it.

I created an event on Facebook with a description explaining that this party was E's idea, and was all about her and that she is finally getting a sister. I considered things that we already had on hand to use for decorations, and then picked up a few extras - important things like balloons, and unimportant impulse buys because I wanted to make it extra special for my girl.

As we got closer to the day of the party I started to stress a bit. I was feeling extra worn out, and overwhelmed by why needed to get done. Specifically getting the house ready for guests, but there was also shopping and food prep that I needed to accomplish. When it was all said and done, though, we managed to pull it off. Mr. Boss helped out with the cleaning, and my last-minute-panic abilities set in, which helped me accomplish what I'd wanted.

I was trying to get the food all put together and set up when our first guest arrived. She was super awesome and helped me out with those final preparations, which I really appreciated. Especially because it gave me the opportunity to run and rinse the specks of day old mascara from my cheeks that I'd never gotten around to. Oops. Ha ha.

I frequently have this desire to host gatherings, but every time I actually do it I find myself feeling frazzled and don't really get a chance to enjoy myself. This time was different. I was still running around a bit, but also had the opportunity to sit down and chat and enjoy myself. E got to have some of her friends there, which made it so special for her. Plus, a friend of ours brought her 3 week old baby to the party and all the bosslings got to gush over that sweet, tiny boy.

It was probably the craziest idea, but we pulled it off and had a lot of fun.

The food - my favorite part.
Fruits, veggies, caprese bites, pink fluff, better-than-anything cake, and my favorite frozen pizza,
plus some pink lemonade - because it was pink!

One of our party games - the memory game.
The other game was guessing the size of my bump.
Imagine the surprise and amazement of all when the string of one of the youngest party-goers
was the exact length to touch perfectly end-to-end around my belly!

Gushing over our friend's tiny boy and getting all the more excited for our baby to arrive!

Cupcake is 4!

I know I kind of disappeared last week. I wanted to get some posts up, but between a bunch of appointments and other busy-ness (as well as feeling exhausted), it just never happened. Trying to change that this week. First things first, here's a little recap of the most recent bossling birthday.

Oh, how I love his perfect little face!

We stretched our newest 4 year old's special day into three, which he didn't seem to mind. He's so awesome.

On his birthday, as per tradition, I made him a special number 4 pancake, even though he first said he just wanted cereal. Once he saw the pancakes cooking, he got so excited. "Is dat my four pancake?!" Cutest.

I wrestled with his cake throughout the day, I had to keep walking away because I would get frustrated with it, plus I would just get tired. It was getting late and dark by the time I finally finished it, so I decided that we needed to wait until the next day to do the whole song-and-cake bit. I think he was a bit bummed at first, but it also gave him something to look forward to.

Originally, he'd asked for a light saber cake, and I'd been brainstorming how I could do that for quite a while, but was feeling stumped. I was pretty relieved when he said he'd like an R2-D2 cake instead, it just seemed like a more straight-forward idea to me.

I really love making special cakes for my babies. They stress me out, and I struggle with perfectionism, but even when I feel like I've totally botched their cakes, they are always so excited by them, which is all that really matters, right?

It was  a couple of days later that he got some special birthday mail from his Grandma Rosie. As he was examining and naming the animals on the front, a $5 bill fell into his lap. He set it aside for a moment to look inside. I love the face he's making as he's looking at the open card. Is it because he can't read, or because grandma got confused and thought he was only 3 this year? Ha ha. Oh well, between her thinking he was 3 and sending a fiver, it all evened out. ;)

The cake. Perfectly imperfect.

Happy birthday, my special Cupcake!

photo heavy birthday recap

Another birthday come and gone. We had a great time celebrating our new nine year old. The day started out running smoothly. I got started on the pancakes earlier than on Z's birthday, so there was a lot less whining before breakfast was served.

After breakfast was over and cleaned up, I started on the cake decorating, all the while feeling a sort of déjà vu... wasn't I just doing this? Of course, little N was right there to help take care of the leftover frosting. He's so thoughtful. 

This was the third time I made the ant cupcakes for my boy, this time was a little different though, because I also made a small cake with an ant hill on top. I love making fun cakes for these monkeys.

We sang to him before dinner, because it was still light, but it was so windy, the dang candle wouldn't stay lit. It was a little bit frustrating and a little bit funny. We finally managed to get a flame to stay long enough for him to have a chance to blow it out. Good times. 

The next morning, C got to take a walk to the mailbox where, sure enough, there was a card waiting for him. There will always be something so magical about getting a package or letter in the mail, especially when those special deliveries contain a little bit of birthday money. 

Nine years. Still can't quite wrap my mind around that one. 

nine years old // birthday pancakes

Today my oldest is nine years old. I almost can't believe it. Like, how am I old enough to have a nine year old? Also, how did that time sail by so quickly? But here we are and so begins the last year of having children younger than double digits. 

I started the tradition of the birthday  pancakes when he turned three. I don't recall where the idea came from, but it has nonetheless become a favorite tradition. 

I've done this before, but I thought it'd be fun to show all of his birthday pancakes from then to now. He's grown and changed so much! And my pancake skills have definitely improved, don't you think?  

birthday season has begun

At our house, birthday season runs from June to October, not counting mom & dad's birthdays. Birthday season kicked off nearly two weeks ago when our sweet, bright, wild, boisterous, blonde 3rd child turned six. SIX!

We started the day with our traditional birthday pancakes, including a special TARDIS pancake for my Dr. Who loving boy. By the time I was done making pancake art, the rest of the bosslings were acting like they were starving. Oh the drama! But my birthday boy was pleased as punch, so it was worth it.

After that I got to work decorating the TARDIS birthday cake. I wore rubber gloves to keep from dying my hands blue, meanwhile sneaky little fingers and mouths were stained as the vanilla frosting was tasted in each of its various shades. Life would be so bland without my helpers. Ha ha.

It took a few hours, but I finally finished and had each of my children in awe of the finished product, none more than the birthday boy. He was positively thrilled, which always feels good.

That night we enjoyed a special birthday dinner of hot dogs, fish fingers and custard, eaten while watching an episode of Doctor Who on mom's computer. Then it was time for cake, and the rest of the episode. 

The next morning there was a walk down to the mailbox where a birthday card from grandma Rosie was waiting. At first there was a little confusion as to why he only got two dollars, until we did the math and everyone realized that there may have only been two bills, but our birthday guy still got six dollars.

We had so much fun celebrating our special boy, and I think he had a pretty spectacular day. 

"Ah, mom, just give us the pancakes already! "

Decorating the cake wouldn't be complete without my frosting-sneaking "helpers".

Absorbed by Dr. Who.

Birthday mail is the best!