The Rimes Times

We visited the Butterfly Garden on Mackinac last week.  I do so love a butterfly garden.  Most of the time they are very quiet and peaceful places.  This one was full of children, so it wasn’t so much quiet and peaceful.  But the butterflies were out in abundance and it was fun.

Miss R liked trying to catch them on her finger.  None of the butterflies decided to land there, but she was very patient (as patient as an almost 5 year old can be).

She got very close that time!

This one is one of my favorites.  I had to wait forever for this silly butterfly to open his wings. He was really into his lunch on the hibiscus flower there.

Even the Donut had a good time.  He never actually saw the butterflies I think.  All the other kids were fascinating though.

One last try!

Goofy face.  Behind him were about a dozen butterflies.  He totally missed them.  But no matter, he still had a great time! As did we all.

Our little ballerina had her recital a couple of weeks ago, and I forgot to post some pictures.  I don’t have many, because they asked us not to take any while they were up dancing, but I do have a couple from the day to share.

First, she wanted to do her own makeup.

We remedied this before we got on stage.

There was much anticipation and she had a great time playing with friends backstage before her two dances.  The first was ballet to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The second dance was tap to “Baby Take a Bow.”  Both were very good.  I was very impressed with her performance mostly because the day before during rehearsal, she just stood there like a bright eyed lump.  But, she pulled through when it counted and did all her steps that they had been practicing since January.

After the show, she got lots of flowers, and enjoyed all the attention from everyone.

Even the Donut enjoyed it.

Yesterday, it was sunny and 86.  We played in the pool, planted flowers, and sat around soaking up the sun.  After the wild child went inside, it was time for the little guy to come out and play.

We splashed in the water!*

We crawled through the water! **

We checked out Mommy’s camera!

It was a lovely 20 minutes of playtime before the sun threatened to burn little skin and big skin alike.

Then, today, it was the total opposite.  It rained. It thundered.  But no lightning! That means it’s time for puddle jumping!

A good thing we had umbrellas to keep the rain off our heads.

We wouldn’t want to get wet in the rain.

I’ll bet that one makes a splash!

Mommy had to show her how it was done.  No really.  Ms. R refused to jump in the puddles until I did.  Then there was no stopping her!

Definitely a good holiday weekend.

*Pardon the naked bum.  It was much easier to send him out naked than to deal with soggy diapers.

**The little floating petals are left over from Ms. R’s attempt at becoming a water fairy.  It is a known fact that you cannot become a fairy without having peony petals in the water.  Hopefully, there weren’t enough for Donut to become a fairy.

It’s been one of those weeks.

During spring break, we took a trip into Chicago for a few days. It was lovely, if a bit chilly.  We all had a great time.  We visited Threadless Kids where everyone picked out a shirt, even the Donut.  Actually, I picked it out for him, but he likes it! E picked out her own-it was nearly immediate.  “I like the one with the rainbow!”

She made a picture of everyone on one of the art pads.  That was a seriously awesome store, totally geared to kids.  The adult T choices were pretty kid friendly as well.  Threadless can get a little risque for the adults. Great experience it was, and if you can’t get to Chicago, I highly recommend checking out the online store.  All the Ts are created by artists who submit ideas and those ideas get voted on and the winners get their art printed on a T.  What an excellent endeavor!

There were several other excursions, but we’ll get back to those later.

We took a family portrait in the art garden of the Art Institute (just like everyone else!)

It’s a giant bean created by Calder.  It’s really shiny!

On our first night, Miss R asked if she could go pet one of the pigeons.  ICK! But of course, she spent the rest of the time in Chicago chasing down the very tame pigeons trying to give them a rub.  She won’t touch dogs, cats, or horses, but a pigeon? Sure, let’s pet THAT!

“Well, what did you think of Chicago?”

“I wuvved it, Mommeeeee!”

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, the daffodils were blooming.  Miss R had a new dress (and new socks too!)

Speaking of which, the March socks are complete. And boy do I feel clever.  I designed that little heart on the back of her heels all by my onesies.

Miss R looking all adorable.

Using the daffodils as an umbrella?

Uncle Jon hanging with the Donut. He was worried the Donut was going to drool all over his cool skater shirt.

It was a very nice little Easter weekend.  Chocolate bunnies, potato salad, a puzzle, a nap, some yarn, and a very exciting church service (we even got to use little fire crackers to send confetti all around the sanctuary).

Daddy told me a funny story and I just had to share it.
Last night, I was away at the library knitting while Daddy took care of the kids. Donut was getting a bath, and Miss R was helping out.
She really likes helping out with bath time.
Anyway, they’re doing the bath thing when the baby does what babies tend to do in warm water; he made a fountain.
Miss R takes a look at Old Faithful and then says to Daddy, “So that’s what it’s for!”

We made these goofy hats awhile back with Grandma.  They are just rectangles sewn together on three sides with tassels.  This is actually MY hat, but Miss R has decided that she really likes to wear my hat more than her own.  Hers is bright pink with rainbow colored tassels.

We made a mini one for Donut too!

Then, when we were over at Grandpa’s this weekend for his birthday, something extraordinary happened.  Donut’s feet grew too big for his shoes! In fact, they grew so big, he could wear his sister’s shoes!

Ahhhh!  He’s growing up SO fast!

Miss R to Donut: “You are so Ridicwyious!”
Daddy to Miss R: “What?”
Miss R to Daddy: “Ridicwyious Daddy, Ridicwyious!”

I wonder if that spell would put bunny ears on a little brother or maybe some squiggly antennae?

Without listing all the excuses for why I haven’t updated in a while, I’ll just give you some pictures.

The kids hanging out together.

Finished February’s socks (on March 5th, a little late, but totally done!). These are Bellatrix pattern-slightly modified to skip the yo’s on the instep since they were a bit bulky.  The yarn is Happy Feet.  Loved it.

Donut likes the socks.

He also likes chewing on his wooden spoon.  It’s quite tasty I hear.  He has also started eating rice cereal. I have a movie of that, but haven’t been able to pull it off the camera and edit it yet.  Will try to post it soon.  He LOVES his rice cereal.  This kid is going to be a champion eater for sure.  I’ll have to start saving now for when he’s a teenager and eating everything in the house.

A finished sweater vest. Mondo Cable vest by Chic Knits.  I used the Shepherd’s Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill-local to Michigan! The color is Spring Green, so appropriate!  I have an extra skein left over that will become matching mitts, hat, or cowl.  I haven’t quite decided yet.

All that knitting and posing for the camera has made us sleepy!

Aside from all the knitting I’m getting accomplished, I’m also working on my thesis.  It’s not going great, but I’m slowly plugging away at it. I’m still gathering resources because my adviser wants the books/articles first before I start working too hard on the rest.  Which means, I’m making a list, but not actually researching anything as of yet.  This thesis stuff is so not mu cup of tea.  But if it means I will have a Master’s Degree, then so be it.  I wonder if I get a raise?