Fall Passport

mildlygranola, , 2 Comments

Because our Summer Passport was so successful I decided to make one for fall too. When cooler weather hits we usually fall into a rut, so I’m hoping this will keep us trying different things all fall.

When the kids complete an activity they get a sticker in their passport and a sticker to wear. For the summer passport I only gave out stickers the first time we did an activity. For the fall I have changed that; there are a few activities that will allow the kids to earn more than one sticker. I’ve noted those activities in the list.

Activities in the fall passport:

Go to the zoo (can earn a sticker for up to four trips)

Visit Center Grove Orchard (can earn a sticker for up to four trips)

Visit the Science Center (can earn a sticker for up to two trips)

Go to the Learn and Play Center at the YMCA (can earn a sticker for up to four trips)

Hike (can earn a sticker for up to four trips)

Visit the State Historical Building (can earn a sticker for up to two trips)

Visit Living History Farms

Meet Aunt Kathleen for lunch (I should probably ask her about this one)

Play at a park in Cedar Falls

Go on a picnic (can earn a sticker for up to four trips)

Make bagels

Make pita bread

Make sugar cookies with camel and giraffe cookie cutters

Walk to the coffee shop

Go to story time at the library

Go to the Fall Festival parade

Go on a carnival ride

Play with Daddy on a vacation day

Mail a package to Aunt Mary-Claire

Make a pretzel cake

Celebrate Audrey’s birthday

Visit Riley Park

Visit Beaverdale Park

Visit Quail Cove Park

Camp with Sophia and Bryan

Visit Annie’s farm

Go to the Omaha Zoo

I really enjoy having the passport. If we don’t have plans in the morning we can look through the passport to see if there is something we want to do. It also helps me make sure we get to the things I want to try – like making pita bread.

WIP Wednesday: 37/52

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Happy Wednesday! I’ve been knitting away this week, making progress on most projects. I haven’t touched my sock project at all. It feels weird to not be working on socks, but I’m just not feeling them.

I’m getting so close on my sweater. I’m actually to the point where I’m excited to be working on it because I’m so close to having a new sweater for fall. I just need to finish up the second sleeve.20180919_1242287837708890853937678.jpg

I started a stocking last week and made a 10 rows a day goal. I’ve been sticking pretty close to that, with the exception of yesterday when I did 10 rows and the heel. Doing 10 rows a day is perfect for me, as I don’t love colorwork and this breaks the project out. 20180919_1238243756778440712550706.jpgThis is the fifth stocking I’ve made from this collection. It is the first time I’ve made the heel as written without any issues. It was actually pretty simple and now I’m wondering why I ever had trouble with it. Has that ever happened to you?

Breaking Up With My Phone

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I’m currently reading How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price. It is wonderful. I can’t stop talking about it, so if I’ve seen you over the past month or will see you at any point over the next year I’m sure I’ll gush about it to you.

The book is full of tasks to complete over a four-week period to end the addiction to your cell phone. I’m only at the beginning at week 2, but I am astonished at how much more time I have. I deleted Instagram (I’m planning to reinstall it once I have a better relationship with my phone) and suddenly I have so much extra time. I’m trying new recipes. I’m knitting more. I’m knitting faster (it’s amazing how much time I spent playing with my phone between rows).

The main reason I want to break up with my phone is I want my kids to have a mom who is engaged with them, not one who always has her face in her phone. I also didn’t want to be out with friends and wonder when the next time I could check my phone was. I hope I continue to find great help in the book. I’m never going to give up my smart phone, but I am going to use it as a tool, not something that keeps me from ever being bored.

If you have ever thought you spend too much time on your phone I highly recommend the book. I will probably share more about it once I’ve finished the book.

Beaverdale Fall Festival

mildlygranola, , 4 Comments

I love our neighborhood. We’re within the city of Des Moines, but it often feels like we’re in a small town. I get that feeling the most often during our fall festival. The neighborhood comes together to celebrate all things Beaverdale. We spent a lot of time enjoying it this weekend.

Last night we walked downtown to get some food and let the kids pick a ride. Audrey had never been on a ride and was incredibly excited to experience it (after all, Pig from If You Give a Pig a Party goes on carnival rides with her friends, so it must be amazing). Elliot got so far as to go up onto the platform and then screamed until John handed him back to me. 20180914_1809213789777245907480539.jpg

After the ride we let the kids try cotton candy. It was a HUGE hit.

They enjoyed the cotton candy on the walk home and we enjoyed the quietest walk we have had in quite some time.

This morning we were up bright and early. We loaded up the stroller and headed off to enjoy the morning.20180915_0858406182858676259470280.jpg Our first stop was my dear friend Laura’s house for brunch. It was great to catch up with her and spend some time with her family.20180915_0919202326140436678133535.jpgAfter brunch the whole house headed a few houses down to watch the Beaverdale Fall Festival Parade. I planned ahead this year and brought bubbles to keep the kids entertained until the parade started. I also brought a mimosa with me, which really makes parades more enjoyable. A little champagne makes firetrucks, horses, dancers, and members of Congress just a tad more enjoyable.

We had planned on heading back to the fall festival this afternoon, but it is so hot here we are staying put. Taking toddlers going through a post-parade candy detox out to a crowded street in 90 degree heat sounded like a recipe for disaster.

What’s On Deck

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I’ve finished the first sleeve on my sweater. That means I really need to sit down and get to work on it. But I’m not doing that. Instead, I’m planning what to knit next. I have three items on deck.

First up: Stockings. I’m making two for my friend’s girls. My plan is to work 10 rows a day on these. That will get them done by Thanksgiving, and I won’t get sick of colorwork if I’m only doing 10 rows a day. I’ve made these stockings a few times. I love the design, but the toe and heel have given me fits each time. I am going in to this project knowing I’m going to ignore her directions and do what I think makes sense.20180914_1155287694026387886452700.jpg

Sweater Knitalong. My friend Ivy and I have had Craftsy sweater kits in our stashes for too long. That changes now. We’re each working on our sweaters with the goal of finishing them by Thanksgiving. This is a bit of a stretch goal, as I can’t start on the sweater until I finish the one that is already on the needles. I’m going to make the Zadie sweater in Caribbean. I’m hoping the relaxed fit and casual design of this sweater will have me reaching for it instead of a hoodie this winter. I don’t remember which sweater Ivy is making, but I do know it is a different pattern. If you have a sweater waiting to be knit you should join us in making a Thanksgiving sweater. 20180914_1154413517288618213395725.jpg

After I finish the Zadie Sweater I’m going to start the Everyday Shawl by Jenny F. At least I think I am. I am still undecided on the pattern, but I know I want to make a shawl with my latest batch of CSA yarn from Garden Wool & Dye Co. I won the drawing for free yarn for participating in her knitalong, so I received two skeins in my box this month.20180914_1153521253118397113837728.jpg

I am really going to miss being in the CSA, but I don’t knit fast enough to justify it for more than the three months subscription.

If you have any shawl suggestions for this yarn please let me know. I want something simple that lets the yarn shine. I also want to knit something that is interesting to knit so my brain doesn’t turn to mush when I pick it up.

What are you planning to knit next?

WIP Wednesday: 36/52

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Do you ever get to the point with a project where you just want it done? That’s where I’m at with the sweater. I know I’m going to love it. I know I will wear it a lot. I’m just sick of working on it. 20180912_1641441213270568361292031.jpg

I’m getting there. I should be able to finish the first sleeve this week. If all goes well I’ll finish the second sleeve next week. I would have made more progress this week, but I could not stand to look at the ends hanging loose any longer and sewed them all in. I was going to try waiting to weave in ends until I blocked the sweater, but I don’t think I will ever have the patience to do that.

I managed to stay away from the sock most of the week. I only have an inch to go until the heel. It will probably take me months to finish these. I have all sorts of knitting that I want to do when I finish my sweater, none of which is socks. 20180912_1640338355456867042896113.jpg

Both kids staged a nap revolt today, so I’m hoping they fall asleep early so I can get a lot of knitting done. Wish me luck.