DoubleMint

Once upon a time, which though it feels like forever ago was in actuality only a few weeks ago, there was a double birthday at our house. September 2nd is the birthday of two of my babies. (I told you September is always a busy month for me!) Though instead of twins, the day is shared by my eldest and the one who currently holds the title of 'youngest'. Corynn says they are "almost twins".



Here are the outdated (few) photos of that day. I took more pictures of the presents than the children (which is just plain WRONG), but in all fairness~ I was busy making birthday requested meals, cakes, and yes~ finishing the last minute present preparations.

I intended to do formal birthday shots at some point, but then we had a visit from Lee.


Their birthday fell on a Friday, which in our house is pizza and a movie night. The requested dinner, then, was stuffed crust PLAIN pizza. As you wish....


I don't know how the whole cake business is going to work down the road, when two requests are made (especially since we are not really a cake family...) but this year only one was old enough to make a request so it worked out well.

Actually, the request was in written form and HAD been since her LAST birthday! The very night she turned seven, after eating cake, she drew what NEXT years' cake would be and I saved it in my BILLS folder ever since.

The request (hopefully) :


My "15 minutes before rest time is over so hurry up and get it done" interpretation:


Judah had to get used to the idea of cake at first...


...but warmed up to it almost immediately. Frosting does that to you.


And now for the presents. da da da DUUUUUUUUUM~~~

I have known for over a year what I would do for Corynn. Judah, on the other hand, I had no idea what to do for him. Believe it or not, I have a hard time with first birthday presents. Babies, in my mind, just... don't need (or want) anything but hugs and kisses. I refuse to clutter up the house with JUNK just because that is what you are supposed to do.

So very last minute, and after two trips down TWO different store toy department aisles, I *FINALLY* came up with something that wasn't plastic rubbish. (OR expensive.)

Wooden blocks on clearance at Target which I then spruced up by Mod-Podging photos onto them of everyone in the family~


Because, really, how much more intrigue is added to play by THIS look?


Awww............. I remember that shirt....


He liked them. But not as much as my kisses.


For Corynn, I have been planning to do a sewing basket for over a year now.


Having been given a boxed up craft room, it ended up making for a VERY inexpensive gift! I still recall when I received my sewing basket (about her age) and the tremendous feeling of overwhelming awe at all the beautiful grown-up things I could have (all for myself!) to CREATE with. I remember fondling the scissors with utter amazement. I can still FEEL it! I knew this would be a special birthday gift for her.

In the basket I included things like~

thread, fabric pencils, seam ripper and a thimble....

...a felt pincusion........


... and pretty pins (I glued on beads to the ends of pins).....

... a jar of notions. Trim, lace, ribbon, buttons. Good stuff. Lots of pink. ;-)



.... I whipped up a felt needle book with a cute little Hedgehog and Modpodged fabric onto one of those measuring tapes businesses give for free....

... I glued sparkles onto her pair of scissors so we wouldn't confuse the two (MINE IS MINE!), an embroidery hoop and some fabric from my stash...



A treasure chest of goodies, really. And one of the cheapest presents I have ever put together!





And along with it~ this book:



...and the promise of a sewing lesson a week.


I love these two pieces of me and I love that each new year brings new, delightful reasons to love them more. Looking forward to this one!