Knitter in Progress

I cannot believe that it is mid way through July already! For the past couple of summers my kiddos and I make a list of goals we want to accomplish over the break; in addition, I have them work out of the Summer Bridge workbooks and read during the weekdays over the summer. I think all of this gives them some structure and keeps the wheels turning in their brains(and mine) when school is out. My goal list has not progressed as fast as I would like. I have been super focused on working out since last August--I had been working out 6 days a week without fail. Notice the operative word "had". On June 16 I started feeling a sharp pain on the outside of my right knee--it was sharp enough that I thought, "Kim, you need to take a break and rest that leg." So that's what I did. For about a month I did not workout and I iced my knee quite a bit in the first couple of weeks. I also think I could buy stock in Advil at this point. I felt like I could feel myself getting fat...

Naps2apr2011 , a photo by KnitterinProgress on Flickr. On March 24, Casa KiP added two more to our ranks. Meet Molly(left) and Max(right)--Molly named for Molly Weasley and Max for one of my favorite hockey players. They are Abyssinian kittens, they are sister and brother, and they are 4 months old. This is the first time I was able to catch them asleep together where one, the other, or both didn't pop up at the slightest sound. I have not had kittens in 14 years and the last time it was only me teaching them the rules of the house. Now they have to fit in with DH, Diva, Rage, and a very disgruntled/confused Bailey(our 14 year old Tonkinese). These two are very smart, probably too smart for their own good. Max is a lot bigger and a giant bundle of love and playfulness. Molly is half Max's size and I believe she is working her tiny cuteness so that she can get her own way not only with the humans in the house but also the other cats. She seems to have a bit of "bully"...

About a week ago Casa KiP got back from 6 days in Walt Disney World. And for those of you who knew about our last trip , yes, we did in fact take Rage. I, personally, was not really interested in going to Florida in January BUT we had to go then because my sisters and one of my brothers-in-law were participating in the Goofy Challenge. The Goofy Challenge for the uninitiated is running the 1/2 marathon and the full marathon during Mickey's Marathon Weekend. Why would one do this you ask? Well, because you get three medals--a Donald, a Mickey, and a Goofy. They also got three very sweet shirts. I will admit that during the excitement of the weekend I wondered why I didn't decide to do it too but then I remembered I HATE running. I have never once gotten a "runner's high" mostly I just curse every step I am taking and then I curse those steps for days afterwards because my shins and my feet hurt so much that I can't walk so running 39.3 miles in two days was not...

From Left to Right: Diva's pumpkin "Moe", Rage's pumpkin "ghosts", Mommy's pumpkin "vampire with victim" Again this year Diva designed her own pumpkin. Rage picked his out of a pumpkin carving book--he scooped out the pumpkin and I carved. I decided I wanted to make a pumpkin this year (and I wanted more seeds) and I found my pattern in a book as well--I love it I wish it would last longer :)

Rest in Peace Dreamcatchers Kahlua (aka. Cracky) October 20, 1996-October 4, 2010 You sweet little bundle of energy. You were the most talkative, most high strung cat I have ever been around but you were so sweet. I will miss seeing your beautiful blue eyes, hearing your voice around the house, and hearing you purr when someone said your name(that's all it usually took). Letting you go is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My head understands why I had to but my heart didn't want to. I am glad that I was able to bring you home for one last weekend with your family, enjoying the sunny spots in the house, and soaking in all the love we could give you before your final journey. I love you so much and I will miss you every day. Good bye my sweet girl.

The kiddos finished school and we are on to summer vacation stuff. In addition to our usual summer stuff, I decided to have Diva and Rage make a list of 5 goals for the summer. Diva came up with her list without too many problems. Rage, on the other hand, has 5 "goals" that all revolve around watching TV and playing video games--consequently his list is still a work in progress--my definition of "goal" is more along the lines of trying something beyond your normal. In the interest of being fair, I also made a list of 5 things I would like to get done this summer. Now I just have to get my husband on board--maybe that should be my sixth goal ;)

13 years ago today my two Tonkinese cats were born. Bailey and Kahlua--or as they are known today, BB and Cracky. They were the only two kittens in their litter and even though I only wanted one kitten, I ended up coming home with two and I'm so glad I did. These kitties have been with me through my first real job, my marriage, three moves, and two kids. I love them both dearly. BB is my lovable boy; he loves to sleep and cuddle. He gives kisses and "head bonks". He is the cat who made me realize that I will probably never get a female cat again. Cracky is his sister--and the other reason I will never get a female cat again ;). To say she is high strung would be a gigantic understatement. EVERYTHING freaks this cat out. Folding laundry, throwing out paper, any sudden movements. She's a basket case. And do not even get me started on her "talking". She always has something to say and she will not leave you alone until she feels she has been heard. I don't ...

**got up **fed kiddos and self **went out shopping; got Wii Sports Resort for Diva and Rage--they played it at our neighbor's house yesterday and it was very cool and I thought it might give me time to get stuff done **got Starbucks on the way home **made lunch while simultaneously doing different household tasks to prepare for company later in the week **continued household cleaning while stopping every 5 minutes to read instructions to the kiddos for the different games(if you get WSR you'll see what I mean). **continued household cleaning while breaking up fights between Diva and Rage over the aforementioned game **get phone call about Rage's swimming lessons **PROBLEM--I thought his lessons started next week but it is THIS week. Diva has to meet with her teacher every Tuesday night. Swimming and teacher meeting are overlapping times. **I curse about this for a while then Diva gets a phone call to go skating with a friend **she leaves for two hours while I continue clean...

Today DH and I have been married for 11 years. There have been ups, downs, and challenges but we have persevered and grown together. Today is actually THE day we got married. We got married on a Sunday at Turtle Bay in Kahuku, Hawaii. You know the movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall ? We actually stayed in one of those beachfront cabanas after our wedding--the view was great and the room was HUGE. This year we are looking into getting a Hawaiian quilt for our bed in our wedding colors--navy and white. I love you, honey!

On weekdays during the summer we have a pretty predictable schedule here at Casa KiP. I learned a long time ago that when Diva and Rage don't have a schedule things tend to run amok so I set up a summer routine that keeps them on schedule which makes getting them back into school in the Fall a little easier. Mornings: **wake up **eat breakfast **watch shows(as Rage likes to say) **Mommy cleans, wastes time online or on the phone with family, or a combination of those things. Afternoons: **lunch **school: Diva and Rage work from the Summer Bridge Books and read or get read to for 30 minutes(this process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on their attitudes. **errands and/or special trips(like the pool, the zoo, a playdate) **no TV/Computer/or Wii for ANYONE between lunch and dinner--sometimes that's a blessing and a curse **more cleaning, craft time, or a combo for me Evenings: **dinner **still more cleaning--it never ends **go for a walk(when our weather cooperates) **w...

Today was a big day here at Casa KiP. Rage graduated from Kindergarten. His school makes a very big production out of graduation. Each child gets a diploma and gets to tell the world what they want to be when they grow up. A few years ago when Diva graduated she said she wanted to be a "hair cutter"--she apparently couldn't remember the word "stylist" under pressure. Here's how Rage's went: Teacher : Congratulations Rage. What do you want to be when you grow up? Rage (without any hesitation): I want to be a Star Wars Wii Fighter. This was met with cheers and laughs from the audience. He was the first to choose such an interesting profession but by no means the last. His choice opened the door to many other unique professions like: a building(not a build-er but the actual structure), lots of Power Rangers, Transformers, and even a few Legos. Congrats on your Graduation Rage, May the Force Be With You! **Honestly, I was thrilled with his choice. I fully e...

Who is rapidly turning into Big Diva :) Today my baby girl turns 9. It goes by so fast. Have a great day! Big plans today: **cupcakes for school **lunch with Mommy and Rage **family dinner of tacos(Diva's choice) **and, of course, gifts :)

I don't know if it's just me but I want my kiddos to have a crafty hobby. I have been pushing knitting on Diva since she turned 6. She can do the knit stitch but the addiction to knitting didn't take. . .sigh. Her theory is 'why should I learn how to knit, when you knit for me?' But earlier last week, out of the blue, she asked me if I would teach her how to cross stitch. Not only that but she wants to design her own piece. Let me repeat that SHE.WANTS.TO.DESIGN.HER.OWN.PIECE. My thoughts went to the samplers little girls had to stitch back in old timey times. I could not be more proud. Oh, and she wants us to set aside a couple hours each week to stitch together! I love my little Diva :) So yesterday we made the trek to JoAnns for her supplies for her first piece which will also be an original piece(can you tell I'm super proud/impressed by that). I have been cross stitching since I was 12 and I have never made up my own piece. Diva is completely unfazed by the...

The last time I was in Disney World--10 years ago--the Disney pin trading thing was in its infancy. Well that is no more. Before we left we bought the kiddos each a lanyard and some starter pins(duplicates of the same pin so you have something to trade). I was excited for them because the Disney staff has to trade with you if they don't currently have your pin on their lanyard AND if you find a staff member with a green lanyard, they are only allowed to trade with children. Diva and Rage traded some pins and purchased a couple to remind them of some of their favorite things in Disney--and believe it or not Rage did have one or two things he liked that actually had pins. Their park ID cards also fit into the lanyard; it makes for a great piece of memorabilia definitely unique to every trip. Diva will probably keep her lanyard on her American Girl doll and Rage will be keeping his on one of his build a bear bears(along with his mouse ears). Now I had no intention of getting swept int...

We just got back from 6 days in Walt Disney World. Fun was had by almost all in our family. DH and I have always loved Disney so we knew we'd have a great time. It was the kiddos first time and we were both excited to share one of our favorite places with them. Diva LOVED it. Loved everything about it. She got scared on Expedition Everest, The Tower of Terror, and Test Track but she soldiered on and didn't complain. A majority of her time there was spent laughing and staring in wonder at everything. Rage, on the other hand, dear Rage. The stories of travel with this child will become legend--at least in our family. He loved both airports and flights. He loved both bus rides--to and from the resort. He loved the buses, boats, and monorails that take you around the Disney property. He loved the hotel and the pool. But. . .and you know a but is coming. He hated the parks--all. . .four. . .parks. And I am not talking about just being a little upset. I'm talking about a child wh...

When DH won the trip I was thrilled with that, I mean who can argue with airfare and hotel? I certainly didn't expect anything else, but after we checked into the hotel he had to go check in with the coordinators and he came back with not one but two bags full of ProBowl swag. I didn't care too much about the footballs, baseball hats, and souvenir programs BUT I saw the bags and told him without hesitation--"Those are mine." Diva and Rage claimed the beach towels and neck pillows but those two giant tote bags were perfect for knitting or a weekend bag or whatever. They look like those LLBean or Lands End canvas totes they even have zippers if you want to close them up--I mean, what more can a crafter ask for and they are HUGE! The pillow pictured below is inside that bag with ample room to spare(and the pillow is 16x16 inches or 40x40cm). :) Almost 10 years ago DH and I were married in Hawaii and I really wanted to commemorate that anniversary with a Hawaiian qui...

Miss Cynthia asked what I accomplished on the flight to and from Honolulu. Well let me enlighten you all. When flying for over 7 hours with two young children, personal time for things like knitting, reading, zoning out, etc. are at a premium(ie. one or both of them needs to fall asleep and not on me). Mostly I colored, played cards, played various games bought specifically for the flight. I also adjusted headphones, took people to the potty, got snacks, explained about 1,000 times why the DVD player crapped out after two hours(they really need to make a DVD player with a battery that lasts for 8-12 hours just for this specific situation), and stuff like that. Luckily Rage passed out after a near meltdown after the DVD player died and I did find about an hour or so to knit. I alternated between my Jaywalker sock and my Trekking is for Necking scarf. This is actually the ONLY knitting I got done on my trip but I'm more than okay with that. On the flight back I got zero knitt...

Miles, that is, OR 2698 miles each way. That's what the KiP family logged this weekend when we took a whirlwind trip across the Pacific to Oahu. Here's the backstory: About three weeks ago DH called me to tell me he won a trip for two to the ProBowl. To say we were excited and shocked was an understatement, but we didn't stop with the trip for two we added Diva and Rage to the mix for a family trip. Hawaii is a very special place for our family. DH and I were married in Hawaii almost 10 years ago, we lived there for a couple of years(DH lived there longer), and Little Diva was born there. I was surprised we were able to make the plane flights work with such a short window to prepare, but everything worked out and last Thursday morning we took off. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is a beautiful place. DH and I kept commenting on how strange it was to be in Hawaii as tourists even after all this time(almost 8 years) it still feels like home to us. I was...

The KIP household packed up the mini-SUV and headed out into the great unknown last week. . .well actually not the great unknown, we went to visit family in the Metroplex(DFW/Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas). Read on at your own risk(and not while eating). Now this is anywhere between a 15 and 17 hourish drive and I was looking forward to a few hours of knitting time in between my turn driving and catering to Diva and Rage in the back seat. The weather was great for the drive down, but every time I tried to knit I felt like I was going to puke. I never get carsick but I was during this trip--if I wasn't looking out in front of me, I was feeling sick. We made it to the Stinkytown that must not be named(which actually wasn't that stinky this time) which is halfway and checked into the hotel. On Wednesday afternoon we made it to DFW. Then came Thursday morning. . . Rage gets up at about 5:30am and pukes all over my sister's kitchen and wakes up everyone in the house. (**why is it tha...