Kids Choice Challenge

Over on Elegance and Elephants there is a sewing challenge this week! I love these excuses to step out of my comfort zone. This week is Kid's Choice. We are challenged to sew something for our kids - the catch is that they get to choose the fabric.
T picked out this satin with a slight stretch and a bright watercolour floral pattern. This was a remnant she picked out a year ago that I've never done anything with. I let her raid my fabric stash and she pull this out with an excited "THIS! DEFINITELY THIS!"

I've been working on a pattern based on a peasant top but with a ruffle cap sleeve. It was the perfect pattern for this fabric. Especially since it doesn't need a lot of fabric, and I only had half a yard!

T says this top makes her feel like a teenager. Which to her is the best feeling in the world. I don't know why they want to grow up faster than they already are... I'm just glad she still enjoys things like picking flowers.

Going to the Fair

We took the girls to the carnival this weekend.

T has been begging to "go out" with her little friend P. We organized it so our families were at the fair together and they went on their first "date" (their words, not ours). They were adorable.

At one point during the evening he leaned over, put his hand on T's arm and asked her if she'd like him to win a prize for her. The sweetness of that gesture just melted my heart completely. Then T did something I'm proud of despite it spoiling the moment. She said "That's ok. I can win my own."

It looks like I have a budding rollercoaster buddy in little D. I had to take two seasons in a row off from riding because I was pregnant two summers in a row. Since then the logistics of going to an amusement park with two littles has evaded me. I'm hoping to get out to a park on my own at some point, but that hasn't happened yet. We went on Wednesday night as well. She said she didn't want to go on the swing (made for her age group) but insisted I take her on the Ferris Wheel. As we rode up she said "This ride is AMAZING". Saturday the line was too long, so instead she opted for the swing.

On our way back to rejoin the group she saw the strongman bell and needed to try it. It was supposed to be 3 tries for $2. She couldn't get a decent swing going and it was too cute (and there was no line) so she got to try a lot.

And sometimes you get a capture that makes you think "What's going on here". T was trying to close the teacup door and she literally got all up in D's face.

The Bear

I don't consider where we live to be "in the country" but we're definitely not in the hub of civilization. New York City is about 30 minutes away. We have just over a quarter acre complete with a fabulous artificial hill made by our septic system. Eventually when it's in the budget and we have the time we're going to re-fence the yard with a white picket fence and I'd like to plant a few fruit trees and some raspberry bushes. Right now we have 4 or 5 different types of fencing surrounding our yard. Weeds everywhere and so many of our bushes and trees are in desperate need of pruning. We are slowly getting to the yardwork that needs to be done. Yesterday Justin trimmed the bush that was blocking the gas meter.
Last August Justin and I got married. While we were away on our honeymoon our friends who were staying at our house discovered that we had another visitor as well. A bear. This bear made a few appearances but I guess he was returned to somewhere appropriate for him to be because by September he was gone and we haven't seen him since.

Last night the ice cream truck came by and the whole neighborhood came out to indulge. It's amazing the sense of community that a frozen dairy treat can bring. One neighbor that our friend the Bear made his presence known yesterday morning. He's back.

Welcome to summer!

What does summer mean to you? Are your summers full of ice cream, neighbors and bears?