Chunky Yarn Therapy

I've been busy toying around with some new hats for the kids. It's a work in progress, and still a rather delicate game of numbers as I try to figure out sizing issues, but the construction is fairly simple and using super chunky yarn is a great way to learn. I've sort of just taken all that I've learned about hats and gone off-roading with a few improvised patterns of my own.

Ruari wanted a blue hat and hers was a breeze. I feel like I got the decreases just right and so the top isn't too pointy. I did a quick crochet around the border, which tightened it up a little too much, but we're hoping it will stretch out over the next few days.

This earflap hat was actually cast on for Maija but I got the sizing WAY off and so it ended up being for Saoirse instead. The flaps are a little bit too big for her, but the way I see it they'll just help keep her cheeks extra cozy and warm.....

This hat also got some crochet around the edge, along with a couple of i-cords and a few pom poms. I've never been that great at assembling these add-ons and so we'll see how long they hold up. Saoirse's pretty rough and tumble.

I really adore making things with my own two hands, it's peaceful and satisfying and really a lot of fun. I suppose it helps that I have so many people to knit for. Too bad I don't have a lot of patience otherwise I'd wrap these up as Christmas gifts. Oh well, I'll just have to knit something else for under the tree.

Knit Around

We spent the morning at the Zoo today, me and three littles, and it was exactly what all three of us needed. It's funny how the Zoo becomes a little bit boring by late summer, when you've already walked the paths a dozen times and seen the animals doing all their fancy tricks enough times that they just don't seem that fancy anymore. Until of course the cold fall weather sets in and you find yourself feeling those first few pangs of cabin fever as you realize that another long winter will inevitably keep you inside more than you'd like to admit.

And then of course you realize that you'd give just about anything to walk those paths and see those fancy animals every single day, even if they are just sleeping, so that you can get out of the house and get some fresh air. Plus, it's even more fun if you have a brand new homemade hat to rock out in. Saoirse was very much obliging to wear her new creation for the entire morning. Look at how she's just grinning away at her big sister.

I made this hat with some super chunky yarn on size 13 needles in about an hour.

I forgot how great it feels to finish something, to actually cast off! As soon as we got home and tucked in for naps, I grabbed my needles and started another hat in shades of blue for Ruari.

Would you just look at how much BIGGER Nuala looks than everyone else with those legs dangling down. I used to get stopped all the time by people with twin questions, but those days are long gone.

Cats

As if cakes and dances and parties weren't enough excitement for one weekend....why don't we just go ahead and add a couple of cats into the mix, shall we?

Allow me to introduce Kiely and Brenna.

Just saw a bird....

We brought them home late Thursday evening and so the kids woke up to a lovely surprise Friday morning. Everyone was thrilled, you should have heard them! The girls are in heaven, even Miss Saoirse is down right ecstatic about it. As for the "new girls", they're adjusting well. Brenna is taking her time and prefers staying under the bed for the most part. She did come out during the party yesterday to see what all the fuss was about and she slept with us last night so we're making progress. Kiely keeps Brenna company but comes running out the second you call her and wants you to pet her ALL.THE.TIME. They are both extremely sweet and it is very clear that the family we adopted them from loved them very much and raised them well.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a couple of cats to go cuddle with.

Three

I'm not going to write a big gooey love letter this time. I'm not. How could I possibly put into words how I feel? I keep trying to start this, to write this birthday post and I keep winding up with tears in my eyes and that's not what I want for this. There is no sadness here, just light and laughter and incredible love. I still catch my breath and feel my chest tightening when I realize just how lucky I am to have them, to know them, to get to spend every day with them. To have been blessed with them, by them, for them. Damn these tears.

Who knew that this is where we'd be three years later? Three years in the blink of sometimes teary eyes and I wouldn't change one.single.thing. Thank you God, Great Spirit, Whoever You Are That Knew And Gave This To Me, Universe. Thank You.

Seems we have traveled so far together.

I am so glad we got a new camera.

Big thanks to Sydney for bringing over the coolest cake on the planet! Thanks for making their birthday so special.

Night And Day

Last night, in the midst of twin birthday chaos, Sidhe and Maija got ready to attend their first real dance at school. The Harvest Ball 2010 was a costume event, and these two decided to go as "light" and "dark". Fitting I suppose, given the fact that they are as different as night and day sometimes.

They really do compliment eachother in a graceful lovely way. They came home from the dance with so much energy and tons of gossip!

Two Turn Three

Happy Birthday my lovies. Miss Noodle and Mr. Otter. I can't believe that it's been three full years since I first cradled you in my arms. You are so incredibly wonderful and I am so grateful to be your mom.

More on this tomorrow, right now I'm going to cozy up in front of a roaring fire with your dad and reminisce about the day you were born. The day our hearts filled so much they practically overflowed. The day our arms stretched so wide they practically gave out. You have given us so much in three short years, more than you'll ever know.

Bunk Beds

We finally did it. We no longer have three cribs in the 'nursery'. About two weeks ago we moved the twins into a bunk bed and they love it. I was of course worried, but they have been doing an amazing job. There are some nap time shenanigans and our night time routine has changed a bit, but honestly I thought it was going to much more difficult than this and once again they have proved me wrong. It was a little bit hard though, taking apart those cribs and realizing once again that there is just no turning back. I feel as if those cribs represented the last little bit of their 'baby-hood' and while it's exciting to look forward at everything that awaits us in the future, it is bittersweet saying goodbye to those little bits. There is something great about big beds though and it's that I can now cuddle with them each night during our tuck in time, and it nearly makes up for any of the lasting taste left over from letting go.

Nuala is hilarious up in her 'nest' and her new thing is to take her pj's off every single night. Oscar loves the bottom bunk because it's sort of like crawling into a 'cave', at least that's what he's been calling it for the last two weeks. "I have to go in my cave now mom".....It's so dark in there I couldn't really get a decent shot of it, but here's Nuala's view from the top.

So, we're down to one crib. Saoirse still naps in our room during the day (we have a port-a-crib set up in there), but all three go to bed together in their room at night. Pretty soon Saoirse will have a trundle bed that tucks under the bunk and we will be crib-less for the first time in years!