My brother James was here for a little over a week. We had a nice visit, full of sports events (because that's what James does), but lots of just sitting around hanging out too, which was nice. I haven't had a lot of time just hanging out with my brother over the last few years; our visits to Halifax are just too busy. But I have spent a lot of time worrying about my brother (some justified, some just because I tend to do that), so it was great to have him sitting around on my sofa for a while, drinking soda and asking me to make cookies so he could eat the dough.
See that picture? He's a bit of a goof. But lots of fun to have around.
But, whenever we have house guests, we are inevitably tempted to change the kids' schedules. First thing that happens is Olivia is allowed to skip her nap so that we can extend our sight-seeing sessions. Then Liam is allowed to stay up late a night or two to experience something special. For example: we took him to a baseball game that started at seven. Can someone please explain to me how I decided to take a kid who is usually in bed at 7:45 to a game that ended at 10? He was good for about three innings (James would argue two), then he was totally wired, and finally he started begging to go home to bed. FUN. And after three days of no naps Olivia thought she was a hummingbird. (Remember on The Simpsons? when Apu thought he was a hummingbird? No?)
James wasn't all that psyched about having children before he came.
Anyway, James and Mark went to a Broncos game on Saturday and drank beer and oogled at cheerleaders, so I suppose that was fun. I sat at home and knitted and watched Michael Phelps, and that certainly was.
So I actually finished a knitting project this week.
No babies in sight; I just had to knit this pattern. And lord knows I have enough sock yarn stashed for an army of babies (oh yes). I cast on for this dang thing over a year ago, but I kept screwing it up. It's not even difficult, and then it's made even easier by a plethora of spreadsheets that account for every stitch, but I just couldn't get it. That's not quite right; I got it, I just couldn't DO it. I suppose, in retrospect, I should have used stitch markers, but this pattern calls for the kind that stick right into the stitch and I was worried they'd stretch out. Not a good call.
But now that it is done, I am excessively pleased with myself. It's still sitting out on the kitchen counter just so I can admire it (not that it has anywhere to go). If you are unfamiliar with the Baby Surprise Jacket (or BSJ), it is knit in one piece flat and then folded up like so much fabric origami and seamed. It's quite the trick, and I'm sure that has a lot to do with my smugness: I guess I really didn't think it would turn out until it already had. Plus I think the buttons look like candy.
So there will probably be another someday. Now, are any more babies coming? Anyone?
I am so intimidated by the BSJ. Why??? Is there a lot of counting and keeping an eye on the pattern? I don't think I could handle that.
I always wished I had a brother, and a cool brother to boot!
Posted by: Nadine | August 23, 2008 at 06:43 AM
The BSJ is super cute! I need to knit one of those.
Hmmm... it's great to have visitors, but it is hard to have the schedule just go out the window.
Knitting + Michael Phelps sounds like a pretty awesome combination to me. :-)
Posted by: Jodi | August 23, 2008 at 07:45 AM
What a cute family!
Posted by: Stacey | August 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Too bad no one had fun while your brother was in town. :)
Love the jacket! The yarn is gorgeous.
Posted by: Jody | August 23, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I think it is really hard to visualize what the end product is with the BSJ until you completely finish. Yours is beautiful.
Best birth control in the world - spend time with other people's kids. :)
Posted by: Holly Jo | August 23, 2008 at 09:29 PM
The BSJ came out great! I have seen so many lately, it's very tempting to cast on for one! I knit a TON watching Michael Phelps. I couldn't pull myself away from the tv.
But...your brother...he's a cutie. I would have left the tv. hee hee :)
Posted by: Kristin | August 24, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Yummy sweater.
I'm finally at the level where houseguests = babysitters. I'm just not going to try to schlep kids along on anything fun again.
Posted by: stefaneener | August 24, 2008 at 10:56 PM