Picking Berries

All ready for a day on the farm:

We took a trip to Southern Belle Farm to pick some fresh strawberries.  Kinley wasn't so sure about the bugs or the bushes at first, but she was happy to carry the bucket for me.  Did I mention this kiddo doesn't even like strawberries?

However, Merritt's enthusiasm, which you can just see over Kinley's shoulder, more than made up for her hesitations.

She might have been a little jealous of his bucket full.

So she got over her fear of bugs...for a minute.

Sweet Success!

Waiting on our ice cream.  Of course the one time they both are smiling, I chop off their heads.  Oh, well.  Such is real life with toddlers.

And yes it was only 11 in the morning, no our children hadn't even had lunch yet, but I'm telling you, their ice cream is that good.  Check them out at the Geranium Festival or go pick your own strawberries and have a cup to cool off.

The farm also had lots of new animals out for the kids to see and pet.  Kinley even got to feed a very hungry calf.  

He was VERY hungry.  

Like kick the fence repeatedly when the bottles ran out.  

Sorry there aren't anymore cute baby animal photos, but Kinley spotted this:

A little lady bug crawling on the very cute baby bump Aunt Julie is sporting.  She was reduced to a quivering, shaking like a leaf, hot mess that needed to be carried by her mama.  This child has an overwhelming fear of bugs.  We're working on it.  Slowly learning some bugs are nice bugs.  

I'm not sure if the strawberry ice cream did it or the experience of getting to enjoy the fruits of her labor, but Kinley is a convert.  She loves strawberries now.  I'm pretty sure she wouldn't cut it as a real farm girl however.  

Princess Toys

Kinley woke up Tuesday morning extra early before school and immediately requested "princess toys".  Her very sleepy mama had no idea what she was talking about.  She then led me by the hand to her closet and selected the dress up toys from her toy bins.

Apparently reading the book Princess Perfect before bed does not have the desired effect Drew would like on Kinley.  "Princess Perfect is always polite and has perfect manners.  She likes her bedroom neat and tidy."  On good days, Kinley has the politeness and manners down.  However she is in no stretch of the imagination neat and tidy.  Can you tell that from the pile of items no longer tucked into the dress up bin?
Beginning her day as a princess did not help her politeness and manners any either I'm afraid.  Every time she'd put something new on she'd run into the bedroom where Drew was sleeping and say "Look at this!  I'm pretty!!!"  Which of course her daddy couldn't agree more but still not very polite.  She also had a rough day at school with lots of pushing and hitting when other kids would not give her their toys.
So here's our collective note to selves:  Stop giving Kinley everything she wants all the time!  We've been working hard on asking nicely for things and sharing with other people when they ask nicely, but still that means she gets everything she wants if she says please.  Such a tough lesson to learn when sooooo many people might be wrapped around those tiny little princess fingers.

Spring Musical

Kinley's school had a musical last night, so I thought I'd share a video.  They sang The B.I.B.L.E., Jesus Loves Me and The Wheels on the Bus.  They, not Kinley.  She warmed up about 2 hours later and shared Jesus Loves me while we were waiting on our dinner.  I'm okay with that.  I considered it a success that she wasn't crying or being held by a teacher.  That would be the other Kynlee sitting next to her and yelling "NO!" when our Kinley lifts up her dress.  ;)

I'm on a roll

Not with blog posting clearly.  :)  Yesterday I made a "real" pair of shorts for Kinley.  As opposed to the make believe kind.  I was a little intimidated by the pattern, so I read everything twice before getting started and went slow.  They have slant front pockets on the front, which I'm sure my pocket obsessed daughter will appreciate, a flat front, and pockets on the back too.  It was hard not to wake her at 12:30am to test them out because the looked so darn cute.  I even used my serger for most of the seams.

Monday I made, with Kinley's help, another pair of shorts that might be a little more in the make believe category.  They ended up looking a little clownish.  I think the print would have been cuter as a dress.  Plus they are a little big.  Maybe next summer.

I made the tank top too, but that will be firmly planted in the pj drawer.  Which is fine because she needs more pj's.   The neck and arm bindings ended up being pretty wonky and too big.  Darn the cheap $1.50 rib knits from fabric.com.  I guess this means I just need to cave and order some more of the super nice Chez Ami fabric.  Darn!  I used my necchi to sew it though.  Which has previously just sat there looking pretty.  Next to learn how to use it's ruffler.
And lastly, I'm throwing in the shirts I embroidered for Erin's niece and nephews.  I tried making a baby shirt for Owen but failed miserably and had to head to the attic in search of a newborn size shirt instead.  For those of you in baby city right now, I highly recommend these little shirts or the ones with the snaps down the sides.  We used them a lot with Kinley when she was first born.   We slapped some little socks on her feet and snuggled her up tight in her swaddling blanket to sleep.  No hassling with pants, snaps, zippers or pulling gowns up over the little umbilical cord in the middle of the night.

Enough sewing talk.  Those of you who don't care to hear all about my sewing adventures thanks for making it through.  I promise more cutie pie photos later today or tomorrow.  I've got lots of 'em stored up.

Breaking it down

Kinley style:  I can't figure out how to load a video, so you'll just have to hop over to picasa.
Crazy hair, dirty table, plus a ketchup covered shirt and my singing in the background.  Gotta love it!  (It's itsy bitsy spider in case you needed a mommy translator.)  And another one.

In a Fog

Anyone else feel like they are walking around in a fog?  A yellow fog to be exact.  What probably started out as allergies has now turned into an ear ache and a terrible cough for me just in time for Kinley to feel better.  I believe it is destined to always be this way.  Yesterday I thought a little sunshine would do us some good.  We'd played outside till dinnertime the night before and the pollen was not noticeable.  How was I suppose to know overnight it had multiplied and taken over?  Can you tell?  

However once this little one and her two dogs were unleashed outside there was no getting them back inside.  No bribery of juice or treats would sway either parties.

Too bad the bee bop band drum wasn't a bubble to play inside and keep the pollen away.  (On a side note, the bee bop band is probably one of Kinley's favorite toys that gets use nearly every day since she was 9 months old.  I think it's a great gift idea for 1st birthdays.)
Here's some more Kinley shenanigans:

Being her bff isn't always so bad. 

 For brief moments at least:

 Just in case you're feeling sorry for Macy:

Another note, I made the t-shirt Kinley is wearing!  I'm trying to get over my fear of knit materials and learn to use my serger.  I'll call this one a semi success.  I managed to match up the stripes:

On both sides no less:

However, I'm pretty sure she looks a little like a football player with the puffy sleeves:

Today I worked on some shirts for Erin's niece and nephews.  I also have one tank top cut out for Kinley and am  trying to find an embroidery for it.  So maybe I'll have some more sewing to share before the week is over.  I've complained so much about the rain the last several months, but tomorrow I may just do a happy dance if it actually shows up and washes some of this pollen away.  

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful day spent with our families!  

We started out yesterday a little rough.  Kinley and I were up half of the night and spent the morning in urgent care.  She has an ear infection.  That ear infection has nothing on Easter however.  Kinley LOVED every minute of the festivities.  Once again, head over to Picasa to check it out.