Happy 4th Birthday Eli!!

Our big boy is now 4 years old. We celebrated by watching a couple extra Transformers, cake and ice cream with family, opening presents, and playing with new Transformers.

He's getting bigger physically as well as in his maturity level and knowledge. It's a joy to see him grow everyday and we're looking forward to seeing the person he comes.

Here he is over the last 5 birthdays.

A Little Craftiness

Here are some of the projects I've been working on while Eli is busy playing.

A baby blanket for some friends. I love how it turned out. (Quilted and flannel backing)

A Swiss flag quilt for my Mom's birthday (Quilted with crosses as well)

Inspired by this quilt

Crocheted Mike Wazwoski for Eric's office

My current and ongoing project: a flag quilt for Eric 

(He chose 24 flags, these are just the first 7 I finished)

Inspired by this quilt

And the obligatory Eli pictures of course.

More Than Meets the Eye

It's still Transformers all the time around the Nies house. Eli loves his toys that are Transformers, and turns others, like Legos and cars, into them. He will not draw anything else and is constantly requesting to look at pictures of Transformers. Not to mention watching the original show on Netflix, the current offshoot of Rescue Bots, and reading the books he has that include Transformers. AND they are included in the story (or continuing saga, if you will) Eric tells him every night before bed.

He has reached the point where he looks at a picture of a Transformer (say, Sunstreaker), then he draws his version of Sunstreaker, and proceeds to build him out of Legos. He is very precise in his building and transforming. It's almost a point of pride for him. 

He also enjoys playing that he himself is a Transformer. His current modes are "guy", "box", and "lion".

 Here is Eli with some of his Transformers (toys and Legos) all in "guy mode". 

 The same Transformers in "vehicle mode"; Eli is in "box mode".

 Ultra Magnus - drawing by Papa, aka Les Nies and built by Eli (guy mode, front view)

 Ultra Magnus - (guy mode, back view - green Legos in place of gray)

Ultra Magnus - (vehicle mode)

I have a feeling we will be enjoying the company of Transformers for many months to come.

Christmas Crafting

We had a wonderful Christmas at our house. Despite Elijah being sick the weekend before, and me half sick the day of, it was a great time. My mom helped me cook a delicious Swiss meal and everyone laughed at the amazing goofy gifts we exchanged.

I'm thankful it's over though. Back to regular routine for Eli and I. Which includes my usual sewing time. The weeks leading up to Christmas were busy ones for me and fraught with tension as I hurried to get gifts finished by the big day. Next year I definitely need to start earlier. Below are some of the projects I presented to those I love. (The links provided show where I got patterns or tutorials.)

A stuffed teddy bear for my nephew's birthday

Crocheted minion for a friend

Crocheted Hobbes for Eric 

Crocheted owl TP cover for goofy gift

Sewn purse for a friend

Rice bags for family members 

(by next year everyone will have gotten one from me)

Hot pads for mother-in-law and sister-in-law

Mug rug for my mother-in-law 

(yes, there is a story behind the skull fabric)

Fabric box, rice bag, and mug rug for Eric's co-worker

Denver Broncos colored afghan for friends

And, of course, while I was taking these pictures Eli had to get in on the fun and photobomb me.

To Keep the Family Happy

Here are some recent pictures of Elijah.

 Transformers in the tub

In his Christmas jammies

 

Pretending to be Daddy in his exercise shoes and bandana

Working hard at drawing

Smiles

Lunching at McDonald's