Reusable Snack Bags

Normally I post about a Gabbi adventure, but tonight I decided to post about something I did for Gabbi, and the planet.

A couple of weeks ago my cousin, Heather, posted a sewing project on her facebook page and it gave me an idea.  I decided to make Gabbi some reusable snack pouches from material I had leftover from other projects.  My cousin's design was a useful one, but required a surge machine, which I don't have.  Then I remember a design I saw online and decided I could design something myself.  They came out so well, I thought I would share...Enjoy!  

Here is what you will need:
7" zipper ($1.99)
Leftover fabric cut to 15" x 7 3/4" (free)
Utility fabric cut to 15" x 7 3/4" (I purchased 1/2 yard for $2.50 - it was 50% off!!)
Coordinating thread
Pins and scissors
Iron

Cut fabric and utility fabric

Right sides together, stitch ends

Simple straight stitch used

Once these two ends are sewn, turn right side out and iron at seams.  This will make it easier to sew to zipper edge.  Then, with right side out still, sew short sides to zipper so in the end you have a cuff.  To me this is the most difficult part because of width of zipper.  Take your time and if you have it use a zipper foot.  After this step you should be left with the following "tube".

Turn right side in and pin the open sides.  Sew a straight stitch about a 1/4" from the edge.  Be sure to reverse the stitch at ends since this project will likely get a lot of wear and tear.  I also added a zigzag stitch to the edge to reinforce the sides and stop any fraying.
 

Ta Da!!

And there you have it!  A great reusable snack bag that cost less than $3.00 and will last for a lot longer than a whole box of ziploc bags.  Gabbi loved the bag and already put it to use, as a toy bag.  Snacks or toys it can be used for anything.  I also enjoyed using leftover fabric, that was too small for any other major projects.  Certainly beats paying the $8.95 or more on different sites.

C is for Camping

Gabbi and I recently took off for a Mommy & Goo camping adventure.  Gabbi and I visited the Lake Sylvia State Park, about 45 minutes outside Olympia,WA.  I have to say, this was the best site I have been too.  Great set up, great park office, fun activities, and fantastic amenities.  

We arrived, Gabbi started to collect little sticks, leaves, and moss for our evening campfire while I started on the tent.  Once she collected enough for the fire pit, she started to build her habitat.  More on that later.  Mommy was extremely successful setting up the tent, solo mind you.  Totally admit that I was giving myself a high five at this achievement.  

We had a great time!  The first night we explored the camping area and participated in the park's scavenger hunt, which Gabbi did great at and was awarded with a Junior Park Ranger card.  We also had a chance to head over to the lake and beach.  The park has a wonderful (and new) playground area for kids near the lake and Gab's loved it.  She enjoyed digging in the sand more.  Once we got back to the site, it was time for dinner and more time to spend on the "habitat".  

Ok, so this HABITAT...it is the best, most amazing habitat you will ever see.  Gabbi has always been drawn to science, nature and environmental things.  As a science nerd myself, I am loving that she is into this stuff.  When she went to Yellowstone earlier this summer, she picked out an animal pack that came with about a dozen little toy animals.  So when she brought them camping, she had to make them a habitat at the end of the table.  She had moss, grass, handmade trees, flowers, "logs" and even a beaver dam.  She is too cute.  

Day two of the camping adventure, included a hike (on the search for a water turtle), lake time, some rest and my favorite... kayaking.  We rented a kayak for an hour and paddled around the lake.  We loved it!  Gabbi even paddled for a bit a few times.  

Another great dinner, homemade chili.  Gabbi kept asking for roasted marshmallows, but Mommy didn't bring any.  So cookies served as a pretty good substitute.  

When we woke up on Sunday, we woke up to a bit of rain.  We powered through, had a great morning fire, packed up and headed home.  Gabbi's chores, to clean the table and pack up her habitat. 

Since we left a bit early, we had plenty of time to take a detour for lunch and a stop at our state's capital.  I had never been there before, and was pleasantly surprised that it was open for tours.  Gabbi was not into this detour, or the tour, but was pretty happy with the free coloring book and a fun game of hide and seek on the lawn.  Another detour...31 flavors for a quick treat.  

Then it was back home.  Stay-cation came to a close with emptying the car and trying to wash off the campfire smell.  

To sum up...it was a great!  This will certainly be an annual tradition for Gabbi and I.  And we will certainly visit Lake Sylvia again.  

Watch Out World

She's 4 now!  How did I not post this already?  I guess I just assumed everyone already knew. 
Gabs had offically left the toddler years behind her and is a big girl now, according to her.  She is 4 going on about 10.  Her dad and I have always wanted to teach her to be independent and to use her words, and boy is she.  Gabbi is a very logical person, with a whit that is way beyond her years.  The stuff she says, or remembers is just crazy to me.  Like I said she is little Miss Independent, but can also be Miss Dramatic.  She is a hoot. 

Back to the party... When asked what type of party she wanted she didn't take long to chose a Dino theme, rather a Dinosaur Train theme.  If you haven't seen this show (and have little kids) you are missing out.  Seriously. 

So even though I said to myself we would keep it simple, once I have a theme I have to run with it.  The party was Dino-riffic to say the least.  A big part of the success was all the wonderful folks that came to help her celebrate.  We had friends from pre-school, from little gym, great friends, and wonderful family.  This was also the first birthday where my biological extended family met my adopted family.  Very cool.  I am so grateful for all of our friends and family.  They are such amazing people. 

Gabbi helped decorate and loved being involved with all the preperations.  She also loved playing with all her friends and did a great job opening her gifts.  I was pretty proud of cake.  Who needs speciality cakes when you have a great Safeway and Toys R Us? Next year's theme will be Recycle, as in I will only use the left over decor and wares from the last 4 parties.  Next year it will be an animal/princess/Cars/Dinosaur theme. :-) What else am I going to do with all of it.

So here is to my 4 year old, can't wait to see what happens this year!

It's a Volcano!!!!! at preschool

On a past episode of Dinosaur Train the Pteranodon family took the train to see a volcano erupt (yes I know that  this is full of irony).  So when she found out that Teacher Carol would be focusing on dinosaurs for two weeks AND...she would get to make a volcano...she was super excited!!

For the last two weeks she made the volcano form (thanks to a yogurt cup, small plate, foil, gauze, and glue), painted dinosaurs, painted dinosaur "fossils" and every time she told me about it she showed so much excitement.

Then came the day...time for the volcano to erupt. I am so glad that I was able to be in her class on that day!  She loved it!  She did such a great job of carefully spooning in some baking soda and poured the vinegar in perfectly.  It was a great deal of fun to watch her and her friends enjoy science!  I can't wait for the next experiment.  It made me think of my third grade science fair when I used the same ingredients to make a plastic bottle submarine.  

Momma Can Sew!

For Christmas my mom got me a great sewing machine.  Within days I was at the fabric store and went a bit overboard.  I was just so excited to make something for Gabbi.  I like the idea of being domestic for her.

I picked out a simple project to get me started, it has been years since I had sat down at a sewing machine.  My goal was to sew Gabbi a cute dress or two.  After a good run at the easy reusable bag project and some time, I decided to take on the next challenge.  I was a bit ambitious and stayed up way too late but we had a dress!

I had found a pattern that was a cute A-style dress that could easily be a cute long top if she keeps growing like she has been.  Gabbi got to pick out the fabric. We went with two, one being the "test" dress, giving me a chance to work out the pattern a bit.

I must say I was pretty proud of the little dress, but the best feeling came when Gabbi saw it in the morning.  She was so adorable and showed such great excitement when she heard that I made her a dress.  I could not have asked for a better reaction.  Right away she wanted to put it on, we could not get it off the hanger fast enough.  The best line was, "Thank you for making me a dress Momma."  Melt my heart.  Totally worth making her the next dress.  I love her so much.

What a pose!

What a dress!!

School Daze

Mailperson Day

Saying Gabbi loves school is an understatement.  Gabbi adores school.  She absolutely looks forward to it each week.  I have to admit, I do too.  I love that we found her a school that excites her and allows us to be involved in her learning and the school.

I would recommend a cooperative school to anyone.  The three big perks to coop environment is the parent involvement in the classroom, tuition costs are low, and the class ratio is 3:1.  Since I love involvement this experience has been very rewarding to me.

Mail carriers

I enjoy hearing Gabbi's excitement about what she is learning, the projects she completes and about all of her friends.  Recently, her teacher had the class learn about dentists and doctors.  They got to learn all about teeth, teeth brushing, 'sugar bugs', doctor visits, being a nurse, and even made a doctor's kit.  Gabbi was so excited to show me how she flosses and tell me all about sugar bugs. Then she got to show me all of the pieces in her medical kit and described what each piece was for.

Hearing her retell how preschool went is just so uplifting and exciting.  She loves her teacher and her friends so much and I believe it helps her learn.

And anything that helps her learn and explore I am in full support of.  A big thank you to Teacher Carol and all the parents that work with Gabbi and help her in the class.

Gabbi's special day!

Little Gym = Big Fun

Found her during hide & seek

It has been mentioned many times, but Gabbi loves Little Gym.  We have been members of Little Gym since she was just 14 months old. It is an activity that she loves to attend and has been a staple in our weekend schedule.  She continues to improve her skills, make new friends, connect with teachers, and learn valuable lessons.  I would recommend Little Gym to anyone with a baby, toddler, or early grade schooler.

Today was a Little Gym milestone for us.  Today was our last "gym" class because next week we transition to "DANCE" class.  No more gym clothes, now on to leotards, tap shoes, and ballet shoes!  I am very excited for the next phase of Little Gym, but hope Gabbi transitions well.  Luckily, one of her favorite friends will be in her new class too.

The parents also got to go in the gym with the kiddos today.  Gabs was excited to show off.  She did the low beam, high beam, rolls, and even the bars.  I am very proud of her.  When I asked her after class what her favorite thing was she said, "her forward rolls" which I must say she rocks at!

That's my kid!

I keep remembering her first class and how much help she needed to do the activities.  Just a lot of spotting and now she barely needs any.  Seems to be the perfect example of how fast she has grown.  These last 4 years have gone by quickly.  If only there could be a Tivo for life.  I guess I will just have to take even more pictures and videos.