Memory Jar

I found this memory jar idea on Pinterest and loved it!  What a great way to remember and reflect on the past year.  I am hoping that we will keep up with it, so that we can enjoy the memories on New Years Eve.  If so, I am sure there will be plenty of things in the jar that we would normally have forgotten about.

I even wrote a little poem explaining the jar for guests who may want to participate as well.

A new year has come, 2012 is such a mystery.

But, before we know it the year will be history.

Unfortunately, the time passes us by way too fast

So we have found a way to help make the memories last.

On each piece of paper we’ll write things to remember

We will continue to do so from January to December.

Lists of adventures, stories that make us laugh or cry

Please don’t hesitate, just give it a try

In this little jar they will safely stay

Until it is time to enjoy and reminisce on the next New Years Day!

I made my jar way more complicated than it needed to be and it didn't come out as nicely as I would have liked.  But, it is what goes inside the jar that is more important than the outside!

Step 1: Found a glass jar & had Mike cut a hole in the lid.

Step 2: Created a small slit by hot glueing a piece of cardboard onto the inside of the lid.

Step 3: Cover the lid & patch up the slit with some fabric.

Ended up using a bigger piece (approx. 8x8)

Used pinking shears around the edges & hot glued to the lid

Step 4: Screw the lid back onto jar & secure with an elastic (or ribbon)

Step 5: Print title and poem on card stock & tape to the outside of the jar.

Now the jar is sitting on our mantle with scraps of paper ready for some memories!

Jump! Jump!

Bananas

We decided to see if Braden was ready to try solids.  We started with some bananas and he loved them!  Yesterday I gave him just a little taste of them mixed with some breast milk.  Tonight, Mike fed him and he couldn't get enough.  He finished the whole bowl and probably would have eaten even more.  

Five Month Birthday

A little summary of the month:
* belly laughs, particularly at at the dog
* everything goes directly into the mouth :
       toys, fingers, mommy's hair, jewelry, etc
* sitting up with support
* rolling front to back (not consistently)
* rolling back to front (only once so far)
* photos with Santa
* First Thanksgiving
* 15 lbs 5 oz, 28 inches

To Be a Kid Again

Well, we pulled it off!  Mike was completely surprised for his 30th birthday and he had so much fun!  On Saturday the 5th after Mike got out of work, I convinced him that Jon was babysitting and we were going on a double date with Cam & Sarah. I had to use this story, because I knew that as soon as we started driving to Maine Indoor Karting, he would figure out where we were going.  But, he was NOT expecting other friends and family to be waiting there for him.  

It really was a lot of fun and so easy for me.  MIK took care of the drinks, pizza, cake, racing and mini golf.  The guests provided pictures, banners, appetizers and a nice warm welcome in the parking lot.  Those participating in the racing went through some safety training, and it was very entertaining watching them get into their suits.

Great entertainment...

The Oslin Boys

Tariq

The package included an 8 minute qualifier to decide how the real competition would begin.  Then after a brief intermission/appetizer break they were back out on the track for a final 8 minute race.

The racing group

Melissa is ready to go!

Checking out the stats

They even had trophies for the winners...

The winners: 

1st Place Trophy: Mike

2nd Place Trophy: Cam

"Putt Putt" Award - for being so considerate & letting all the other racers pass!

Denise

Afterwards we enjoyed some social time, food and mini-golf.  

We enjoyed some delicious cake!

And had a mini photo booth set up...

If when given the chance Mike will be right back out on the track.  Here's to the next 30 years!  Happy Birthday!

Rollover, Rollover

Look what I can do!  Not quite on a regular basis yet and still working on moving from back to belly!

Another Pinterest Project

I had found this tutorial on pinterest and wanted to give it a try.  My first attempt involved using the iron on transfers, but it was a complete mess.  Even if I had tried to use Mod Podge afterwards it would not have worked.

On the second attempt I printed each word on card stock and cut them out as stencils.  Then I used acrylic paints on the canvas.  Even though it was more time consuming, I think the final product is much nicer.  I am hoping to make one for myself and Mike and hang them in the hallway upstairs.