Cutie Pie Thursday: Lincoln and his Stocking

Whoops---these ended up in reverse! Ah, well--naptime is nearing its end so I must hurry! I will be using Christmas picks for a few weeks, as we got a lot of good ones! Some of my favorites were of Lincoln and his stocking from his Cool parents, and here he is surrounded by his booty.

Showing mom and dad that he knows how to use his new sparkly cup.

The cup was a huge hit, and as I purchased it last year for a quarter, well worth it!

Much excitement over the Curious George DVD!

Placing his horse--the first thing out of the stocking--with the nativity, where he clearly thinks it belongs.

Christmas Knitting Revealed! Part One

First off, we gave Lincoln a drum for Christmas. We are awesome parents--that, and I really love breaking out the egg shakers during folksy songs. But now, to round one of revealing some of my mystery Christmas knitting this year--I still have one Christmas celebration to go, so not all can be revealed.

Mr. Cool received a replacement hat (he lost his first one!) knit in Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (a yarn name that begs for a classic Office joke, which I won't type here, as my mom reads this blog) and a pair of mittens knit in Patons meant either for a photographer or a sharpshooter.

Wee Cool received the a very homely bear, knit in Noro Kureyon and begun for the Knitting Olympics. (At first, he was excited, but as you can see in this picture, he is realizing that the ears are misaligned, the arms overstuffed, and the tail badly off-center.)

He also received a little elephant finger puppet, which turned out much better than the larger bear.

My own dear Papa Cool received this pair of classy fingerless mitts, knit in Patons.

Very hip brotha-in-law Cool received this tie, knit from Prairie Silks, as only he is cool enough to pull it off.

My mom received a little bluebird of happiness knit in Wyoming wool from a Ewe Count kit.

My young and hip knitting pal had requested a Rudolph finger puppet, so here he is, although his antlers are hanging on by a thread!

My often chilly but always loved Mama Cool received a hot water bottle cozy, knit in Patons Shetland Chunky Tweed, which encases a difficult-to-find hot water bottle, which hopefully cozies up her toes.

And for my Uncle's gift card gift, I made up this small mitten holder/ornament in an hour!

So, as you can see, it was a very knitted Christmas, and following subsequent celebrations, I have about 7 more things to show off!

For my knitting readers, I tried to link to every pattern I used--the hot water bottle is a Ravelry download, and the mitten was my own hacking of a Better Homes & Garden Christmas craft.

Merry Christmas!

Baby Jesus defeats a wise guy.

Cutie Pie Thursdays: Morning Reading

While I shower, Lincoln hangs out in his crib with a pile of books. One morning I came in and found him lounging and "reading aloud" his book.

Cutie Pie Thursdays: Tub Curls

My attempts to photograph the new haircut failed, so I present his curls in the tub, pre-haircut, for your dose of cute.

Rough Men Doing Good Work:

On November 23, 2010, Weld County Deputy Sheriff Sam Brownlee was shot and killed in the line of duty. I can't say I knew Sam well, but all of my interactions with him were positive and professional. By all acounts he was a good man and a good cop. He will be missed.



Officer Down.

Over 200 marked Patrol and Police cars partcipated in the processional.

In the military and Law Enforcement, the casket never stands alone.

Just a sample of the 120+ officers from the WCSO present.

Sam's radio number was WC 679 - making the "last call" significant and heart wrenching. "Weld 679, Dispatch...Weld 679, Dispatch...no response...Weld 679, Dispatch...no response - God bless."

A striking image - a hero remembered.

Our Honor Guard stood a Silent Watch in pairs, on rotating 15 minute shifts. From the Hospital, to the Morgue, to the Funeral Home, until he was laid to rest.

Butler-Hancock, on the University of Northern Colorado Campus, may not be pretty, but it is the only place big enough in Weld County to host the estimated 2,400 uniformed personnel and another 1,200 civilians who attended.

"Amazing Grace" played by the Denver Police Drum and Pipes Corp. A reverant ending to a beautiful tune. And woe to the man who makes fun a man wearing a kilt, whose belt carries a Glock. I would not mess with this man.

The Rank and File. The Deputy in power blue was a former WCSO, who travelled from Maryland to attend. Chicago PD, LAPD, NYPD, almost every State, County, and Municipal Law Enforcement Agency sent a representative.

As we honored WC 679, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes by George Orwell: "People sleep peacably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Sam was shot by a fleeing felon in the height of his duties, a rough man standing ready - only be taken too soon.

Photos courtesy of WCSO and the Greeley Tribune

Cutie Pie Thursdays: Howdy

Howdy, Mama.

Guess I'll be moseyin' along.

Photographed at Mama Cool's lovely place, with the wooden brand design courtesy of my Grandpa. All mess shown is mine!

Mystery Christmas Knitting #7

What is it? Who is it for?

Cutie Pie Thursday: Daddy Naps

Shh! If you approach quietly and cautiously, you can capture an event difficult to photograph.

When a small babe is tired but unhappy, sometimes the best thing is a daddy nap. Part of me thinks that daddy might encourage these himself!

Only 24 Days Until Christmas!

Is your knitting done, mama?

Cool Girls Christmas Crafting: I'm Just Wild About Animal Crackers

Last year we started the tradition of using the Friday after Thanksgiving for a Christmas Crafting Day with me, Mama Cool, and Sista Cool. This year, Mama Cool showed up with pink and white felt, beads, and Mother's Circus Animals animal crackers. Yes, the ones from your youth covered in pink and white sugar-wax and sprinkles. We drew our inspiration from the pattern in Fa La La La Felt, and by the end of the day I had made 4, Mama Cool 2, and Sista Cool 2. We were pumped, and planning kits for friends and family. Best Christmas Craft yet!

The toughest part for me was randomly placing the beads. If you look closely at the elephant, my first one, the beads are very evenly spaced. I worked to become more random, and was eventually helped by pulling out a cookie and copying its sprinkle placement. Any craft with cookies as an inspiration is a winner!

Cutie Pie Saturday: Vanquished

From earlier this month, our brave young hero prepares to vanquish any orcs that hang around. In reality, he has been a bit vanquished by a runny nose. In any case, even though we are late, we would like to say thank you to everyone who reads the blog!

Stay-At-Home Mom Files: Velcro Stage

Thanks to my new Toddler's Busy Book, I continue to find ways to pass our non-park wintertime. This idea involved gluing velcro to a piece of wood, and then the opposite velcro to some small figures.

Mr. Cool kindly supplied the wooden base, McD's and Arby's supplied the circa 1980s figures, and a glue test led to superglue forming the bond of choice. He has been happily ripping and sticking his bear/elephant friends onto the stage all morning!

Cutie Pie Thursday: Busy Week

I helped mom clean up around the house.

I walked on the treadmill with dad.

I was my usual cute and charming self, still obsessed with hats.

I ruggedly modeled my new snow boots.

And I stacked blocks together all on my own.

Stay-At-Home Mom Files: Flannelgraph Mat Man

Don't be scared, dear reader: this is a flannelgraph of one of Lincoln's favorite storytime activities, Mat Man. We sing a song about Mat Man's various body parts, and I thought this was something I could make fairly simply. So, $3 of felt from Hobby Lobby later, Lincoln was bopping along to his home version.

Here he is checking it out.

Without any prompting from me, he realized that the mouth/smile fell off.

Again, without any prompting, he put it back on the face.

Ta-da! Genius! I'm planning to make more smiles/faces/beards/hats, etc.