Pattern Crafts for Spring!

We do quite a few crafts at our house so I thought I would start sharing some. I am always looking for ways to reuse things and incorporate a lesson as well. Yesterday we had some fun painting and working with patterns. Em is really enjoys patterns! I found some spring foam stickers at Michael's and have been waiting for an opportunity to use them. For the eggs I just drew and cut out the shape and let them paint it how they wanted and once they dried I helped them put the stickers in color patterns. Super simple and they loved it!

For the caterpillars I just cut an egg carton bottom in half and let them each pick two paint colors. I put a color dot on top of each section so they knew what color to paint to make a pattern. For the head I used pipe cleaner antennae, hot glued googly eyes on and drew a mouth. They loved both projects and when the little girls mom came to pick her up she was proud to show her mom the "tattern."

Six Months Old!

Emilee hiking up Kootenai Creek. She was like a little mountain goat and loved it!

Ethan hamming it up for his mommy. Six months old 3/16

It has been somewhat of a busy month around here and the time just keeps on flying. We are finally getting a break in the gray weather and it seems to make the days busier but it is so nice not being trapped inside the house.

My dad seems to be doing much better although his heart did go back out of rhythm after they got it back on track. they did a procedure where they stop his heart and then restart it and hopefully it gets back into normal rhythm. To me it sounds scary but it was an in and out procedure and it just made him tired for a day or so. Hopefully now his heart doesn't give him anymore trouble. He says he is feeling much better now except his shoulder is still hurting pretty bad. Hopefully it is just still healing.

Jimmy is enjoying the nicer weather and has decided to redo our bedroom. The popcorn ceiling is gone and the walls are now a nice light blue. He is replacing all the trim with nice new white trim. It is going to look really great in there and be light, crisp and clean. I can't wait. We have been camping out in the front room which is not bad except for the mattress taking up half of the room plus Ethan's room is a wreck. It is making me decide what we really need and what we can get rid. Can you say SPRING CLEANING!?!

Ethan is doing great. He had his six month appointment today and just over 15 pounds and 26 inches. He is in the 10-25% for weight and 50% for height. He seems so small compared to Em at his age but she was such a chunky monkey. She was always in the 75-90% for weight and at six months weighed just over 17 pounds. He is starting to enjoy baby food and still loves his cereal. I love feeding him because he gets so excited and its fun to watch. He is really sitting up well and reaching for everything as well as getting ready to crawl. When he is on his tummy he looks like he is trying to swim and gets his little arms and legs moving and if you put him on his hands knees he will rock for a little bit before going to his belly. It won't be long now!

Emilee is doing great. We are working on potty training and she does really well when she is willing to stop what she is doing long enough to go. She is just so busy all the time and "doesn't have time" for this silly potty business. She is becoming quite the social butterfly too. I subbed at the pre school one day and she came with and had a blast. She made a bunch of new friends and enjoyed having someone to play with other than Mom. She also has a couple neighborhood friends and can't wait to play with them at every opportunity. I love watching her interact with other kids and see her having fun.

As for me, I'm just doing the mommy thing and enjoying being with my kids. Babysitting has switched to Mondays and Tuesdays and starting next month will be going to four days a week. It is nice making money and I am saving my earnings for a trip to California this June. I am still keeping up with my Photo blog although some days its more of catching up with it. I am also still running with my friend three days a week. We are up to running two miles and within the next couple of weeks hope to make it to three. Next month we are thinking about running a race in Missoula so we need to keep training.

This next month should be exciting. Jamie and Justin will hopefully get to find our if they are having a boy or girl and Shawnee, Luke and Austin will be here on the first. Dad and Marsha also will celebrate their 25 year anniversary. Looks like it is going to be busy busy busy!