Oh, my...the sweetness of this little guy!
He may be a little bit bigger, but he's just as sweet! Happy birthday, Matt-Matt!
Showing posts with label Celebrating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrating. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2017
In Which Matthew Turns Nine
He may be a little bit bigger, but he's just as sweet! Happy birthday, Matt-Matt!
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving Antics
What a beautiful day to celebrate Thanksgiving!
It's always good to be out-of-doors and this wild crew had plenty of energy to use.
There was biking and basketball,
races on foot and on bike,
swinging and shooting,
working up an appetite for a lunch time feast.
It's always good to be out-of-doors and this wild crew had plenty of energy to use.
There was biking and basketball,
races on foot and on bike,
swinging and shooting,
working up an appetite for a lunch time feast.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
The Pie Feast
Thanksgiving and pies just go hand-in-hand so why not host a celebration dedicated to this humble food?
Years ago we attended a weekly co-op that held a Pie Feast the week before Thanksgiving. It was simple: bring your own lunch and a pie to share.
It was always fun to participate, and it's one of those things we've missed. So after reading a reference to another Pie Feast last week, I decided it was time to host our own.
A simple message out to our church small group, a trip to the grocery store, and the baking began: savory (tomato pie featuring the last of our vine-ripened crop and a cottage pie) and sweet (apple, coconut cream, and chocolate whoopie pies). Others brought chicken pot pie, pumpkin, pie and sweet potato pie.
And it was a roaring success! Our little house was a full-to-bursting with some of our favorite people, feasting on good food and catching up on life. Yet another time of gratitude in this Thanksgiving season!
Years ago we attended a weekly co-op that held a Pie Feast the week before Thanksgiving. It was simple: bring your own lunch and a pie to share.
It was always fun to participate, and it's one of those things we've missed. So after reading a reference to another Pie Feast last week, I decided it was time to host our own.
A simple message out to our church small group, a trip to the grocery store, and the baking began: savory (tomato pie featuring the last of our vine-ripened crop and a cottage pie) and sweet (apple, coconut cream, and chocolate whoopie pies). Others brought chicken pot pie, pumpkin, pie and sweet potato pie.
And it was a roaring success! Our little house was a full-to-bursting with some of our favorite people, feasting on good food and catching up on life. Yet another time of gratitude in this Thanksgiving season!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Trick-or-Treat 2016
October 31 was a sweet day for our family.
Earlier in the month the kids started tallking about costumes, and three wanted to be vending machines. I wasn't too thrilled about having three large boxes hanging about so I suggested that they all choose a particular candy. They agreed (with the requirement that I buy them that particular candy/treat).
Our neighbor then mentioned that she was making matching costumes for all five of their family, and I thought, "Well, I can't let her show us up!" The challenge was on to come up with something for Doug and I to wear as well.
I jokingly told Doug that it will go down as the year that I stayed home from church to make Halloween costumes. It's true, but only because we were all battling a really bad cold. I actually ended up taking Andrew to a walk-in clinic Sunday morning (with one craft project in my bag!).
Here's the run-down on costumes:
Naturally Doug had to be a Sugar Daddy - he's a good sport. I snagged this remnant of yellow fabric at Wal-Mart on Saturday along with red felt. It was just a matter of cutting out the necessary shapes/words and using fusible webbing to quickly iron it on (think, 4:30 Monday afternoon). For me, Jelly Belly was the perfect way to laugh at myself. Also last minute, I stitched up some pieces of clear vinyl on Monday afternoon and the boys blew up small balloons to fill up my costume. (I did drop many during our walk through the neighborhood - I could improve the construction).
Construction-wise, Andrew's probably turned out the best. I carefully enlarged a Snickers logo, cut out the letters in fabric and fused it to some plain white fabric. I made a border with red and fused it to a brown pillowcase. I plan to restitch the seams so it can be used on his bed.
Here's a great example of free! Stephen's no-cost costume is big on creativity - Doug freehanded the logo, I painted it by moonlight, and Stephen added the final touches to the back.
Simplicity at it's best. We chose felt based on an existing shirt, and then made a small round pillow with a simple enlarged logo on the front. This will also live on his bed.
Jonathan wore the twin pillowcase to Andrew's with simple enlarged and fused letters. It's shiny and fun, and I will stitch it back so he can continue to use it.
Josie received the biggest blessing from our day at home. I had planned to make simple painted cardboard circles, but I really thought a sphere would make a more authentic Tootsie Pop for our Toootsie. So we embarked on "one-day-paper-mache." It was a very warm day with a brisk breeze that quickly dried our layers of newspaper and flour glue. I gave it a couple of coats of purple spray paint, and when it was dry, I added the white logo. It was perfect!
I just wanted to squeal everytime I looked at her - she was just so cute! This simple costume was made of another remnant of fabric (sides stitched with a hole left for the arms, simple gathered neck with elastic; I didn't bother to hem the bottom). I then made a simple paper cone and covered it with leftovers from Jonathan's costume and added a paper "Kisses" from the end and taped it all to a glittery, silver headband.
Cost of supplies: $25.98
The joy of friendly competition: Priceless!
Earlier in the month the kids started tallking about costumes, and three wanted to be vending machines. I wasn't too thrilled about having three large boxes hanging about so I suggested that they all choose a particular candy. They agreed (with the requirement that I buy them that particular candy/treat).
Our neighbor then mentioned that she was making matching costumes for all five of their family, and I thought, "Well, I can't let her show us up!" The challenge was on to come up with something for Doug and I to wear as well.
I jokingly told Doug that it will go down as the year that I stayed home from church to make Halloween costumes. It's true, but only because we were all battling a really bad cold. I actually ended up taking Andrew to a walk-in clinic Sunday morning (with one craft project in my bag!).
Here's the run-down on costumes:
Naturally Doug had to be a Sugar Daddy - he's a good sport. I snagged this remnant of yellow fabric at Wal-Mart on Saturday along with red felt. It was just a matter of cutting out the necessary shapes/words and using fusible webbing to quickly iron it on (think, 4:30 Monday afternoon). For me, Jelly Belly was the perfect way to laugh at myself. Also last minute, I stitched up some pieces of clear vinyl on Monday afternoon and the boys blew up small balloons to fill up my costume. (I did drop many during our walk through the neighborhood - I could improve the construction).
Construction-wise, Andrew's probably turned out the best. I carefully enlarged a Snickers logo, cut out the letters in fabric and fused it to some plain white fabric. I made a border with red and fused it to a brown pillowcase. I plan to restitch the seams so it can be used on his bed.
Here's a great example of free! Stephen's no-cost costume is big on creativity - Doug freehanded the logo, I painted it by moonlight, and Stephen added the final touches to the back.
Simplicity at it's best. We chose felt based on an existing shirt, and then made a small round pillow with a simple enlarged logo on the front. This will also live on his bed.
Jonathan wore the twin pillowcase to Andrew's with simple enlarged and fused letters. It's shiny and fun, and I will stitch it back so he can continue to use it.
Josie received the biggest blessing from our day at home. I had planned to make simple painted cardboard circles, but I really thought a sphere would make a more authentic Tootsie Pop for our Toootsie. So we embarked on "one-day-paper-mache." It was a very warm day with a brisk breeze that quickly dried our layers of newspaper and flour glue. I gave it a couple of coats of purple spray paint, and when it was dry, I added the white logo. It was perfect!
And then there was The Kiss.
I just wanted to squeal everytime I looked at her - she was just so cute! This simple costume was made of another remnant of fabric (sides stitched with a hole left for the arms, simple gathered neck with elastic; I didn't bother to hem the bottom). I then made a simple paper cone and covered it with leftovers from Jonathan's costume and added a paper "Kisses" from the end and taped it all to a glittery, silver headband.
Cost of supplies: $25.98
The joy of friendly competition: Priceless!
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
My Scouts
Another scouting season has begun!
And Jonathan is starting his first year as a Tiger. I know. And I pity the poor leader who volunteered for this den. Not just Jonathan...ten more just like him!
On the other hand, there's just nothing like a room full of boys being boys.
Not only do I experience it everyday, but I got to fill in the as leader for a den (hopefully temporarily).
It's going to be a great year!
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Olympic Glory
I've never sailed the Amazon,
I've never reached Brazil;
But the Don and Magdalena,
They can go there when they will!
Yes, weekly from Southampton
Great steamers, white and gold,
Go rolling down to Rio
(Roll down -- roll down to Rio! ).
And I'd like to roll to Rio
Some day before I'm old!
I've never seen a Jaguar,
Nor yet an Armadill --
He's dilloing in his armour,
And I s'pose I never will,
Unless I go to Rio
These wonders to behold --
Roll down -- roll down to Rio --
Roll really down to Rio!
Oh, I'd love to roll to Rio
Some day before I'm old!
The Beginning of the Armadilloes by Robert Louis Stevenson
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