Normalcy

I don't usually make you look at pictures of our pets but I thought this accurately portrayed the peacefulness that is now our house again. No more illness, everyone off to school, and a small bit of what our family calls "normal". Happy Monday!

Patience...

I've had sick kids stuck in my house going on five days now and as much as I love my kids we're all going a tad bit crazy. We are now at the "still sick, but feeling good enough to fight stage" topped off with frigid weather and no chance of getting out of the house. I need my sanity back.

A moment from today...

Fantasy: Two kids playing happily together, using their imagination, and being creative.
Reality: A constant disagreement on which block should go where and what knight sits on what horse.
My Reality: Putting on Swell Season, taking a deep breath, and pounding kneading some bread.

Adventurer

This is my last installment of Christmas sewing.....I think. Last but not least was my son who needed an outfit to match the adventure game my husband had made for him. The game consists of flashlights, cards, cave music and searching for lost treasure. Perfect for a little boy. So I made him a vest with lots of pockets out of suede and a satchel to match. I didn't have a pattern for his since it was a little last minute. I just took one of his sweater vests as an estimate for the vest and added pockets on the front. For the satchel I just made a simple messenger type bag and shrunk it to fit him. All in all it turned out pretty cute. My husband was convinced he needed a genuine Pith helmet to top it off. It also turns out no one makes pith helmets for 2 year olds so he can be comforted in the fact he can wear his hat when he graduates from high school.

Prairie Girl

My oldest daughter is really into Laura Ingalls Wilder, really anything that has to do with pioneer life in general. So for Christmas I made a pioneer outfit just for her, complete with pinafore and bonnet. I was terrified at first of attempting the pattern because to be honest I'm just not a pattern girl. I'm more of a dive in and figure it out as I go sort. But I was pleasantly surprised and only had to ask for help from my mother-in-law once. It is a tad big, which I wanted, because I want her to be able to wear it for awhile! To top off the outfit her grandparents gave her black riding boots and a matching pioneer outfit for her doll. I loved that she got things she could use her imagination with. She wore the outfit all the time over break and a pioneer birthday party in a week is in the works. Pioneer games here I come.
Note: The pattern I used was Simplicity 2843 and I used basic green gingham fabric for the body, with some vintage lace around the yoke and cuffs.

Final Countdown

Only hours from now I'll get my husband back and I can't wait! Thankfully my kids don't yet know how to tell time so off to bed they went, just a tad bit early, and I'm enjoying some time to myself just relaxing on the computer with a good cup of tea.
It's been a fun and crazy week that makes me thankful I have a partner to do this whole parenting thing. I'm a lucky girl and it's been fun to get to know the kids just a little better this week.The oldest showed up downstairs in full panda regale this morning and I couldn't help but smile. It was even more precious when she actually spent most of the morning in the get up and mask. It is these small moments that I try to imprint into my memory.

Tea Party

The bamboo is a must have at any tea party
When a crazy mom forces her children to help her organize boxes, storage rooms, and anything else she can get her hands on there's only one thing left to do...throw a tea party. We made yummy cookies, prepared food, decorated the table and sat down for some child-led conversation. Today the library and a museum at a fort.
Some days are work...some are play...play days are the best!

So Sweet...

My oldest has been begging to sew this week, which is of course the week my sewing room has been a disaster in an effort to organize myself. So when I finally could see the floor she took her sewing box and fabric and began to create. There was a few moments where I feigned busyness and watched her focus on her creation. For a five year old I'm pretty impressed with what she comes up with. Right now there's not much teaching about the ins and outs of sewing, just her, fabric and her machine. A mother couldn't ask for anything more.
~Leslie

Cold

I'm fighting a bit of a cold today. Luckily, it's just me and the son this morning so we've been enjoying a lot of book reading and cuddle time. Of course now he's in destruction mode going through the pile of paper recyclables. But he's quiet and happy. I'm not complaining.While we were in Disneyland I had these done of the kids. I've always wanted a silhouette of all of them and I'm so glad I got it done and captured them as small children. I need to actually hang them on the wall sometime soon but for now they make a cute group of three on the buffet.
The middle child, the far left, and I had an interesting conversation the other day that went something like this..
Me: You need to help pick up the dishes please.
Jay: I can't I'm too tired.
Me: Well if you're too tired you need to go to bed and miss out on the family movie.
Jay: I'm not two tired, I'm just one tired.
Me: So you can pick up now?
Jay: Yes, I'm only one tired!

I think all things should be determined in numbers of tiredness. I'm two tired to do the laundry...I'm only one tired so I can vacuum, etc. A pretty good system if you ask me. She always has the most random thoughts and ideas to share!