Choo Choo the big Train is Coming Down the Tracks

We went to the Sacramento Train Museum a while back and had a great time! I admit I was surprised at how few girls were there. The place was crawling, hoping, climbing, and jumping full of boys. One older woman as a guest there even commented on me wasting my time bringing my daughter. Naturally I politely disagreed and went on my way.

Anyway, here are some of our photos:

Mischievous grin, thinking she's gonna hop the train.

You can't tell but some of these trains were MASIVE.

Apparently for some there are no boundaries

Hot Wheels Leading the Way!

Do any of you remember playing with Hot Wheels/ Match Box cars?

I recently went through one of my old childhood boxes of 'treasures' and was SHOCKED to see a shoe box full of old hot wheels. It was almost better than Christmas as I unwrapped (yes I wrapped each car in toilet paper and put them in a box inside of a box...they were my childhood treasures after all) each car and tidbits of memories came back to me.

One of my fondest memories is the coveted color changing 1980's Lamborghini. My younger brother and I would clamor for my older brother's willingness to share. It was lucky that the car was a Barbie pink, it's probably the only reason Scott let me touch the silly thing.

What's left of the original:

Just a quick walk down memory lane tonight.

Celebrate Good Times Come On

I found a link online, showing how to make uber crepe paper. I've lost the link but here's the idea-which was not originally mine.

Pick two colors of crepe paper, you can even use three if you can handle the pressure.

Adjust your machine: Highest tension and largest stitch

Now the easy part: sew. The streamers ruffle on their own

If you're not satisfied with the amount of ruffle, use your hand to slow the thread even more and increase the tension even more. 

I stuck the crepe paper on a 'dowel' aka a wooden kitchen spoon. This made non-stop sewing a breeze. 

Made a grand total of over 50 feet in less than 33 minutes (33 to be exact because that's how long Emma's cartoon was).

See how cute?

...Color my World with Hope...

This table was a birthday gift. Emma LOVES her table. She put 'Pig' on the other chair all by herself and even makes 'Pig' color-good thing these are Crayola's color wonder pens!

I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry

Dear Conrad Maag-

you will be sorely missed.

Fathers, be good to your Daughters...

Daughters will live like you do...

Sunny days, chasing those clouds away...

Emma's 2nd birthday party was the other day and I thought I'd recap for those who couldn't attend (this post is mostly for the grandparents)

Some Sesame Street Monsters came to visit

The goodie bags I made

Emma and Payton-best friends from nursery

We did a 'Letter Hunt (like an egg hunt)

Whoever finds the Letter E and the Number 2 get a prize!

Pin the nose on Elmo

The winner of this game took home a goldfish-just like the one Elmo has

Unwrapping went so much better than last year :)

It appears I'm out of the loop on these crazy toys called Zhu Zhu pets-Emma's new favorite toy!

She was hesitant about the fire: "Fire HOT Mommy!"

My cupcakes (sorry it's fuzzy, those Elmos are really very cute)

Playing with the bubble mower the next morning.

We really had a great time. Emma was unsure about all the guests at first (mostly nursery children she knew from Church). She did warm up to the idea quickly and soon became social and excited. I think she even caught on that this was all for her.

Emma, your parents love you. 

At Two years old:

1. You love to sing and dance: the favs include itsy bitsy spider, twinkle little star, ABC's, Old McDonald

2. You are obsessed with Dora The Explorer

3. Your favorite food is Lasagna and anything else that involves Ketchup

4. You fit into size 18 months

5. Your parents took your binky away 2 weeks ago (it's used only at night now) and you're taking it like a champ!

6. You say the funniest things, some of the regulars: Oh No, it's 9 o'clock!, Where Daddy go? Oh Daddy at work, *phone rings* Papa?! Mommy phone, Papa!!