Quilt Number 2-Bricks

I started this quilt when B was TDY.  I really like black and white effects and so that is how I chose my Fat Quarters.  I could have done a little better in that department.  I scored the backing on a red tag sale and the binding was inherited from my aunt.  The binding strips were cut with my new Accu Quilt 2 1/2 inch strip cutter!  I am in love.  I followed the Snuggly Bricks tutorial, it was very easy to follow and I loved the diagrams. I had enough fabric left to make half sized bricks to add three rows to the back.  As you can see this is child-sized and Willa approved.  I am calling it my couch quilt unless I decide to donate it to the Children's Museum's silent auction coming up.  Not sure if I am brave enough to let my work go out into the world.  Next up is either a tumbler quilt or a Sudoku one.  I already cut my squares for that one.  (Again Accu Quilt Cutter).

Funnies

Willa has been getting up in the morning and coming into our room.  The other morning though my alarm was going off and she refused to open the door and come in.  I got up to get her and she says, "Mom, there's a scary noise!" Just the alarm I tell her and go to feed the dogs.  She climbs into bed waiting for me to turn on Sprout.  A few minutes later I hear her yelling help, help, mom help me as she tries to figure out how to turn off my cell phone alarm that I set for back up.  Apparently that one is not scary.

We had a learning moment (for me) later in the week.  I brought in all her clothes and she tell me "No, I do it myself." Fine then, but hurry up we have to go.  She get her socks and pants on and sits to watch whatever was on Sprout.  Hurry up Willa! "No, I do it myself."  It dawned on me at that moment that she is my child.  If my mom told me to hurry up, I went slower.  So I chilled, folded some clothes, offered some help.  Got my coat on, hat, and finally she asked me to zip up her coat.  She was ready to go.  Now I am going to bring her clothes in as soon as she comes in so maybe she will be ready when it's time to head out the door.

Willa and Brandon also continue to be far superior in the song recognition department.  This time the song only played two notes when she piped up from the back seat and said, "It's the dog song Mom."  A few more bars in (maybe a lyric too) I congratulated her on a job well done.  Not sure how she knows.  It must be her mad YouTube skills she has developed.

Her fondness for cash is starting to get comical.  She loves feeding her piggy and change doesn't sit around long at our house.  A while ago B discovered about 10 dollars in ones in his bag.  I straightened them all out and left them sitting on the couch.  B went to take a shower and a few minutes later I heard squeals of delight and a rush to grab her piggy bank.  By the times he got out of the shower, Willa had refolded and deposited all 10 dollars into her bank.  I handed her some change when I was doing laundry and she informed me, "I need dollar Mom."  I didn't think I had any but we looked in my purse.  Lo and behold, there were three ones.  Before I could even hand her one, she squealed THREE!  We may have created a monster.  On the plus side, she is building a nice little nest egg.

She was playing dress up and brought out some dresses to the living room  B asked her if one was for Mom and she replied, "No, Mom too big.  Not fit."  Yeah, not much you can say to that, though B about peed himself.

Photo Card

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Oreo Truffles

This recipe comes from my co-worker Kim.  She tempts me every couple of weeks when she brings in goodies for the office.  I usually partake because they look better than my breakfast.  These put my cake balls/pops to shame.  Even B couldn't resist.

1 package of Oreos
1 package of softened cream cheese
Chocolate Chips & Almond bark
Sprinkles, optional

Crush the oreos in a food processor and then mix in cream cheese. Chill for a few hours or overnight.  Use a teaspoon to roll into balls.  Melt chocolate and almond bark (only need about half a package chips and 3 squares of almond bark.  I dipped the balls and dropped them into mini cupcake liners and sprinkled the sprinkles.  They looked pretty.  Should make about 4 dozen.

Weary travelers.

We have had a great couple of weeks.  Christmas was really nice.  Each of us got things we needed, wanted, and some fun extras as well.  It was nice to have some quiet days before we headed off to Florida to get "Uncle KJ" married.

Willa and I embarked on our longest flights yet and B got see how we travel for once.  It's always stressful to fly because you never know what toy, object, or thing she might want.  Ironically, she slept and played so well she barely needed anything.

We arrived in Orlando in the middle of the afternoon and after some slight debacles getting the car and checking into a hotel that was habitable we trekked off to Sea World.  Much to our delight they allow military members and family to enter the park for free!  We checked out the shark exhibit and the "One World" Shamu show before it got too dark to navigate.  It was extremely crowded.  It was a relief that we didn't pay full price for the short time we were there, but we were sad we didn't get to see more.

It was off to Universal Studios the next morning for the sole intent of seeing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Unfortunately for us we were unaware of the fact you needed a return time ticket to get into that part of the park and we dwaddled in Dr. Seuss land for a while.  Willa was very happy to procure a Grinch doll there, but not a fan of riding the carousel.  At 10:00 we had tickets to get back in at 1:40!  Luckily we hit the stand by line at the right time and 45 minutes later entered to find the Hogwarts Express.  Sadly, we were there on the busiest day that week.  B put on his happy face and we stood in line for Butterbeer.  Delish!  It was so hard to move around and besides the roller coasters you can go into the shops.  Lines to get into each of those.  We got into Honeydukes and Zonkos, but were not willing to stand in line for anything else.  We found a little wagon to buy some souvenirs and Willa promptly fell asleep.  As we were walking out of the park we discovered another gift shop that had much of what the gift shop we skipped had in it. Score!  We grabbed some lunch before leaving the Studios and then it was off to Palm Coast.

The next few days were very interesting but needless to say they got hitched after only a few dramatic events.  One New Years Eve we went to St. Augustine so we could go to the Alligator Farm the following day.  It was the greatest success.  Not very many people, Willa could walk around and look and of course all the alligators!  Sharks, dinosaurs, alligators, and snakes might be her favorite things, but if an ant starts crawling on her the world is ending.  Which is exactly what happened during the alligator feeding show.  DRAMA!  We did get to hold a little gator and feed some as well.  She kept saying, "Whoa, that's a big one!"  It was off to the beach before lunch and despite being a really nice day the ocean was still cold.  We got our feet wet, collected some shells and then it was off to eat some gator.  It does not taste like chicken but it was pretty tasty. 

We headed back to Montana the next day and were so glad to be home.  In what turned out to be a blessing, our daycare was also closed on Tuesday so Willa and I got an extra day to unwind, readjust to the time zone and unpack.

It was so nice to take a vacation and do some touristy things, but now I just want to back to the Wizarding World and see all things we missed.