It's a Tu-Tutorial...

When I found this "how to" for Tu-Tu's (back in 2008...just after the kids were born) I knew I would need to make one of these; therefore I became a follower...as you should, because she has awesome ideas!!!  This has to me the cutest Tu-Tu, I have ever seen.  It cost me $7.81(have seen them for 4x that at etsy stores) and took me 40 minutes from start to finish.  The hardest (ok...not really hard, more like tedious) part was cutting the tulle into strips...after that it was all smooth sailing. 

I did have to sew the elastic together (I have seen some that staple, but I needed mine to survive), overlapping 1/2" - 1".  I reinforced the stitching by, continuing to sew over and over again...I needed it to hold.

I, then slipped the elastic onto my thigh, and began looping the strips of tulle. I did it while watching a football game...really, this was the easiest thing! After about 20-25 minutes of looping, I was finished.  This is the cutest Tu-Tu I have ever seen...would make a great costume, a welcome to any dress up box, or even a great idea for a party favor!!
 

My Ballerina thought it was the best thing ever...she ran around the house twirling, standing on her toes and even lifted a leg once in a while.  I think she is preparing me for dance lessons, but for now...this is PERFECT!!!

CHRISTmas in the Land before Time...

We celebrated CHRISTmas in the "Land before Time" with my family the first weekend of January. The kids love going to Nanny & Paw Paw's and to see Aunt Tee, Uncle Earl and Shelby makes it even better. We have been celebrating CHRISTmas in January for a few years now, and it takes the pressure off...no rushing around, no worrying if you are going to get ham or turkey AGAIN...this is relaxed and fun.

Aunt Tee loves James and Maggie as if they were her own, and always has them the coolest presents. Like the Elmo and Zoe hats...what could be cooler.  James and Maggie thought they were hot stuff with those hats...

In addition to their hats, James and Maggie received a Radio Flyer Wagon. This is an awesome gift, and will be used a ton while they are home each day with Mimi. One person cannot push two tricycles, but pulling a wagon is easily done! They are in heaven...

In addition, James received a new set of tools and Maggie received a new baby (which is also named Baby Maggie...like her other two babies...she's goes with what she knows).

All in all, the day was great...and a much needed nap was taken on the way home. See, I told you he loved his new Elmo!!!

I am such a proud mama...and I am so glad all the hustle and bustle is over...welcome 2011, please try to go slow- I want to enjoy the moment!

2010...a year in review!

Lots of milestones met and conquered...many more to come in 2011



2011!!!!

a day in the park...

On New Year's Adam (the day before New Year's Eve) we went to the park.  It was a great day...a little cool, but with layered clothes it was perfect.  We played, slid, chased and climbed for an hour and a half.  Even the Mama slid down the slide...thank goodness there were no pictures (the diet begins Monday-ha!).

This is the best together picture we have had in a long time!  Yea for snack time!

a Semi-White day after CHRISTmas...

The weather man said it would be a white CHRISTmas and we did see some flurries (with no sticking) on CHRISTmas day, but the day after was more snow and actual sticking. James and Maggie loved it, and were quite sad when we had to go inside...

CHRISTmas unwrapped...

CHRISTmas Eve was great, we celebrated in the morning with Aunt Candice, and our friends "G" and Big "R". We have celebrated CHRISTmas Eve with their family for 8 years, and now that everyone has kids, it is even more fun. We exchanged books this year and it was wonderful!

Then we ate dinner and off we went to look at CHRISTmas lights. This was great for 15 minutes, until Maggie decided she was ready to go home. Once we got home, we watched A Muppet CHRISTmas Carol and then it was bath time. We prepared Santa's snack (apple slices, fruit cake cookie, banana bread muffin, cheese for Santa Mouse and a glass of milk) and took photos next to the fire place.

(No matter how many times I took this picture, James closed his eyes...so, there you have it.)

(Maggie was more interested in the funny faces Dada was making)

To help teach the real reason for CHRISTmas, we have always given James and Maggie three gifts. These three gifts are representative of the three gifts Jesus received not long after his birth. They were so excited with their gifts, they immediately began playing and did not want to stop for breakfast.

Maggie loves her "Magdoodle", she can make/draw everything and she is so happy...

James and his Dada are working together on a Magna-Doodle masterpiece!

James and his Dada also share the same morning hair-do!!

Our CHRISTmas day was wonderful: we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, ate breakfast, packed up and went to Mimi & Papa's for the afternoon and then to their Great Ruppy & Mo's house for dinner.  Such a great day to spend with family.