Christmas Advent

During the holiday season, kids are bombarded by the thoughts of gifts, 'gimmes', and more, more more! It's important to me to make sure my kids are also taking time to remember the meaning of Christmas, that God sent Jesus to live and die for us.

So, I thought I'd share what we are starting for our Advent Calendar this December.  Last year I went through the Bible and found verses that I wanted my kids to be hearing about the Christmas story.  Many of them are Old Testament prophesies followed by the New Testament fulfillment in the birth and life of Jesus.  We used a paper chain last year, but this year I made a tree out of lights and put the Scripture references inside.  Our star verse is the reason that God sent Jesus, to save us.  

1. Jeremiah 33:14-16

2. Isaiah 9:6-7

3. Matthew 1:1-17

4. Luke 1:5-12

5. Luke 1:13-25

6. Isaiah 7:14

7. Luke 1:26-38

8. Luke 1:39-45

9. Luke 1:46-56

10. Luke 1:57-66

11. Luke 1:67-80

12. Mark 1:1-8

13. Matthew 1:18-24

14. Micah 5:2-5

15. Luke 2:1-7

16. Luke 2:8-20

17. Matthew 2:1-12

18. Matthew 2:13-16

19. Matthew 2:19-23

20. Luke 2:21-40

21. Isaiah 40:1-5, 28-31

22. Luke 3:1-14

23. Luke 3:15-18

24. John 1:19-34

25. John 3:16-21

Feel free to use these verses as part of your holiday.  I would love to hear the traditions you share with your kids during the Christmas season!

Paris Party

The theme that Aevyn wanted for her birthday party this year was 'French Cafe'.

Some may ask why a 7- year- old would pick that...  We live in a college town that has an incredible English Language Institute.  People come from all over the world to study English here, and some stay in local homes during their time. We've enjoyed hosting, and in the past 2 summer have had students from France. 

 Anthony stayed with us this past summer,

and Julia and Fanny stayed with us the

summer before.

Also, one of my oldest and dearest friends works and lives in Paris right now, so we skype weekly with her.  So, Aevyn loves all things France!

I spent some time working on ideas to make a Parisian party that would still feel like little girly.  Here are my inspirations from my Pinterest board.  We decided to do a tea party, with lots of black and white and pink.  With black bistro chairs and damask prints at table, our dining room naturally turned into our French cafe.

I'm always looking for new ways to use streamers, so I had found one image that look like a tent canopy.  I wrapped long pieces around our lamp to make them in a striped pattern.  They were the perfect backdrop when we added all the balloons. 

Aevyn's most favorite thing to do is color, so we set up an art table.  I had traced and copied images of a poodle, treat stand, and frame for a masterpiece.  We set out markers, glue, scissors, buttons, ribbons, and feathers.  Those girls were creative!

Aevyn asked that everyone wear stripes, and they looked adorable!  Here's the birthday tea toast!  They had tea and pink lemonade, cheese and crackers, and grapes.  We made mini cupcakes with strawberry frosting and nutella cake balls, and bought madeleine cookies.  Yum!  It was a delicious party!

We sent the girls home with a bag that included a cake lollipop, pencil, and a bunch of Haribo gummies that my friend, Jenni, had sent from Paris.

I hope my sweet girl had a wonderful time at her party!                                    

Hot Pink Set

Hats and Aevyn have always been a tough combo!  Her head is the same size as mine, and has been since she was four!  Making cute, girly stuff and sizing it out right has been hit or miss for me!  But you can't go wrong with hot pink, right?

I love Patons Silk Bamboo yarn.  It feels so good and is super warm as a hat!  I had knitted a few hats last year with this yarn, based on the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret pattern, found on Ravelry.  I changed some of the numbers and increases (testing my math skills to the max!).  The silk bamboo yarn does stretch a good bit, so I tend to make it a little small and plan for growth over the season.  Aevyn's hat is one size smaller than I would make for myself, but with little hands pulling it on and off, I figured it would get plenty of stretch.

Once I finished the hat, I realized she still had a huge gap in her coat, exposing a sweet little neck that needed warmth.  So, I made a scarflette to match the cables.  

This can also be worn alone as an ear warmer.  I think Aev really likes that part a lot!

My little girl will be cozy and warm this winter, and her little pink head will add brightness where she is!

7 years!

7 years ago, my first baby was born....

November 15, 2004

It's hard to believe she's grown into this....

November 15, 2011

Happy birthday to my sweet girl, Aevyn!

She has changed my life in so many ways, revealed things about myself I never knew, and continues to stretch me every day.  God surely did make her wonderfully!

Hi there!

Hey, it's Lacey!  Welcome to my new space!

Naming things has always been hard for me... I just have a hard time committing to titles.  It always seems so final!  But with blogger, it's not all that bad.  They make it so easy to just add a new blog!  

Enter Kozy Knit!

While I'll still post about the things that inspire me in life, most of what I'll be sharing will be related to whatever knitting projects I'm working on.  I've been so encouraged, and have learned a lot from other knitters online, so I'd like to be able to share my perspective in hopes that it may help other beginners!  

So to start, here's a picture of my coffee table right now:

It looks like this most days!  Right now, I'm working on the first sleeve of my Mama Au Lait sweater, making Aevyn a little scarflette to match a hat I made last week, and waiting for the motivation to seam the sweater for new baby girl.  I don't know why I can't just stick to one project at a time...

I hope you'll check back every once in a while!

Have a happy weekend!