Nesting...

I find it really amusing that I have been doing some serious nesting. It also seems like a God given gift to pregnant moms who need to get things ready for the new baby.

This first 'project' isn't really related to preparing for a new baby, but it is related to saving my back.  I had been keeping my cookbooks in a lower cabinet and kept straining my back to lean down to get them out.  One time I even knocked over a jar of coffee, shattering it, in the process of pulling one out.  I found this little shelf at IKEA for 39RMB which is about $6US.  I can just call up the handy repairman employed by our apartment complex anytime I need something drilled into the wall - he only charges 10RMB ($1.55US) per time to drill as many things as I want.  Here is my new shelf that will save my back and keep my cookbooks, timer and salt and pepper shakers right and arms reach!  You can also take a peak at that corner of my kitchen. The appliance in the top right of the picture is my oven.  I've had it for almost 6 years and it still does a great job.  If I remember correctly, it cost me 280RMB ($43US).  

 One other nesting project that was something I pondered for quite a while included the putting up of the quilt that was part of the bedding I used with both boys.  But, I actually found that although the quilt is adorable and I love the colors and design of it, it wasn't the most comfortable thing for a baby to sleep with. I guess most quilts that come with baby bedding are probably that way.  Also I could never find a great way to "display" it - hanging it over the side of the crib always required folding it so part of it was not visible.  After looking online at some pictures I realized hanging it up would be a good option. The local curtain lady had a scrap piece of rod, brackets and knobs all that matched the dark wood in the nursery.  She sewed the backing on the quilt that made it possible to put in the little hooks that would connect to the rings.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.

I also completely rearranged the nursery including moving the huge armoir (closet), sofa bed, crib and now the room has a lot more space and feels more open.  I'm also getting it ready for my parents who are coming next month for a visit! Yeah!

Mason's Birthday Part 1

On the actual day of Mason's 3rd birthday I took cupcakes up to his school to share with his class. I thought it would be a simple thing but his teachers were so sweet and I guess make a big deal of birthdays if they know about it.  These pictures are out of order... I'll just explain them that way.

Mason sharing his cupcakes with his friends.  I don't think any of them had eaten a cupcake before -they normally eat cakes (different from ours because they normally have fruit in them).  They got chocolate icing all over their faces :)

 Here's Mason with the cupcakes.  Notice the party hat - he wore it to school and kept it on the whole morning.

 Mason's teacher had each student come up individually and wish Mason a happy birthday in the way they wanted - they could either say something, sing, dance, give him a hug or kiss.  This is Mason's best friend in the class, Lucas, and he sang the whole birthday song (in chinese) to Mason and gave him a big hug and kiss.

Ms. Ying, Mason's teacher started out by explaining that in one year, the earth rotates around the sun one full time. Then she used the small globe and went around Mason three times, having the class count with her, to show how Mason had been alive for 3 years.

It seemed like we they sang Happy Birthday multiple times, once to music on the CD player, once with the teacher playing piano, a couple more times when the kids just wanted to sing it.  I think I brought out the candle on the cupcake during the first time and then wondered if I had acted too soon on the others.

It was super hot that day and I was sweating up a storm as I watched and helped serve cupcakes. My big ole pregnant belly was soaking my shirt :)  But it was a special time to celebrate Mason at his school.  It's funny how different my boys are because last year I asked Reister if he wanted me to bring cake to his school and he answered with a certain "No".  But Mason seemed to really enjoy being the center of attention.  He would never demand it or even do anything to try and get attention, but he doesn't mind it :)  He's so precious!