Evening playtime

No fancy Photoshop tricks yet. Someday I'll get around to it, but I'm still just enjoying my family and the nice weather. We took a trip to the park tonight – after dinner! I love all this extra daylight. It feels so good to get outside in the evenings. The long winter break from the playground equipment has made Walter a little more timid about the slides, but he's more courageous about climbing. I'm guessing he'll get past any fears he has quickly. He's going to have to. Daddy doesn't fit so well through the slides!

I'm still here!

I just spent a few days in Orlando for the 2010 Photoshop World Conference. I had the good company of two co-workers/friends and we had a great time. We learned a ton of new things, got inspired, and didn't get nearly enough sleep. As much fun as we had, I am so happy to be home with my boys. It's hard to be away from them for so long! It's amazing how much Walter changed in just a few days – he is speaking so much clearer and even putting words together. I got suckered into "one more" book about 5 times tonight before putting him to bed. Not that I minded. I was ready for some extra snuggle time. I'll have more of an update on the conference once I settle back into my routine. Right now, bedtime.

A good morning

It was one of those mornings. I slept badly. I hit the snooze button a few too many times. I was rushing around, trying to get out the door quickly. Then Walter said – totally unprompted – "Love you!" It sounded more like "wuv-woo," but I'll take it! You made my Monday, little man!

My husband is awesome

My sister and I have been trying to figure out how to wind a nice, neat, center-pull ball of yarn, without spending all kinds of money on equipment. Typical ball-winding requires a ball winder (duh) and a swift. The two of these things together can cost around $100. Not an outrageous amount, considering these are things we can share, but we like to do things on the cheap when we can. Lucky us – we were able to borrow a ball winder from our mom and Nate built us a swift! Yup, there’s the part where he’s awesome. He followed some plans that Kristin had found and, viola! A swift that helped turn this giant mass of wool:

into a neatly wound ball in just a few minutes.

Thanks Nate! You’re the best! It’s so great to have a handy husband who supports my hobbies.

I’m planning to get this yarn on the needles soon. No mysteries this time. I’m going to give the Shalom Cardigan a try, with a few modifications – more buttons, maybe some sleeves. Something like what SouleMama did here. I don’t know how much knitting I’ll be doing over the summer. Playing in the sunshine will be my top priority. (Walter’s too!) But, with any luck, I’ll have a sweater by the time fall arrives.

Ta-da!

Here it is. The big reveal. The mystery project is... (cue drumroll) the Razor Cami – pattern by Katie Marcus of OhMyStars Craft!

This was my first attempt at knitting adult-sized apparel (hats don’t count) and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

The pattern was very easy to follow. I made a few modifications that slowed me down a little. Who knew knitting involved so much math? But I figured it out and I have a fun new top just in time for spring. Hooray!

Race Day

Today was Shamrock Shuffle day!

It was a beautiful day for a leisurely run - 5k in 38:09. We had a great time, but next time, I could do without the bagpipes on the race course. As if the Observatory Drive hill wasn't bad enough. Ouch!

Almost done!

The mystery project is almost done. I'm blocking it now and I'm hoping for some nice weather this week so we can get outside and take some pictures. Yippee! A finished project is such a good feeling!