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!

 

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!

A Space-Saving Solution

Ah, the laborious but necessary task of switching seasons of clothing for the kids!  Honestly, it is not done but a dent has been made, and until the weather makes up it's mind about whether it's still summer or we're headed towards winter, there isn't much point in continuing.

I've come to appreciate the flexibility of our little house.  Every item must have a purpose and a home (good luck with it always getting there!), but there has been a decided fluidity to the rooms throughout the past 12 years.

Case in point: a diaper changing space. 

After hearing my mother's tales of back pain from changing diapers on a low bed, I figured a changing table would be pretty handy.  I saw a darling Hoosier cabinet converted for the purpose, and one thing led to another until my father designed and built a cabinet for the job. 

Doug and a neighbor hauled the heavy piece up the stairs of our apartment, and it served us well.

Until we moved to this house.  The hall to the bedrooms was too narrow and the doorways were placed in such a way that the piece could not be maneuvered into the nursery.  After I was thoroughly assured that my dad wouldn't be offended, the back was cut out to house our ancient television (yes, we have one; yes, it's a dinosaur; no, we don't need a flat screen because this still works).

I believe at one point we had a dresser with poorly-sliding drawers that served as the changing space.  With more babies, furniture was pared and it was hauled to the street where it disappeared in a hour. 

But we still had to change diapers. Not wanting to buy any furniture, we constructed a "table" in the closet.

Diapers, wipes, and clothes were close at hand, and there was plenty of storage for all the extras.  An inexpensive door mirror entertained baby.  I even purchased cute little tags to label all the baskets of clothing (onesies, sleepers, pants, etc.), but it was one of many uncompleted projects, dying to the tyranny of the urgent.

When Josie came along, we once again had to assess sleeping arrangements, and this time baby was moved into the other room with the big boys.  Another "table" was needed.

The doors of the closet were removed for ease of use and to give the illusion of more space.  The big boys clothes easily fit on the bottom shelves, and baby's go up high.  Dresses are hung on a tension rod running back to front of the closet, and wipes, diapers and extra sheets are all easily available.

Josie has since been moved to the other room she shares with the "little" boys (another space-saving solution post right there), and Katherine now shares space with the big boys.  The changing pad is no longer needed and it won't be long before the small bins will be unable to hold the boys' larger clothes, but it has been a perfect solution to our family's small bedroom dilemna.

The Rhythm of Our Days: Fall Edition

It's finally starting to feel more like fall and a few leaves are starting to turn.

We had fallen into a pleasant school routine before heading off to the beach, but it wasn't too hard to pick up where we left off.

The days still start with morning coffee on the back porch but for the last week it has also required a blanket or warm quilt.  With a cup of coffee in my system, I can face making breakfast.

Dish loading, teeth brushing, and bed making done, we all head out for a brief walk in the neighborhood.  It feels a little cumbersome at time to herd six kids (many on wheels of various sizes) down the street while carrying on multiple conversations and watching out for vehicular traffic; still, it is one of my favorite times of the day.

And of course there is the mandatory stop to visit Katherine's favorite puppy.

Once home, we launch into learning.  Andrew pretty much handles his work on his own, but the others require my help on everything.

Reading is the top priority, but it also means that I'm stuck to the couch for a hour or more listening to children sound out stories.  And two of them are doing the same work which means I get to hear the same story twice in a row.  I get a little antsy to say the least.

That is until I had a breakthrough.  I discovered that I could easily do handwork like smocking and quilting while glancing sideways at the book being read.  Multitasking at it's finest!

Mid-morning the kids are ready for a snack so we gather together for our common work (Bible, memory work, history, and a read-aloud).  When we're done, I do math with the boys and Andrew finishes up his work.  The girls are always in and out.

Lunches al fresco are such a blessing and once the boys realized they had less cleanup, the more they insisted on eating outside.  Often I will read a fun book to them ( Man of the Family by Ralph Moody is our current selection).

The boys have a mandatory 30 minute reading session while I read to the girls.  Katherine still naps, and Josie and the boys are free to disappear downstairs to play with LEGOS or go outside (I don't really care as long as I'm not disturbed).

Science and Snacks happens a couple of times a week, but otherwise the afternoons are free for them to entertain themselves, preferably outdoors.

 We've been so blessed with great neighbors, and the girls often head across the street to play or vice versa.

Dinner & cleanup.  A bit of play and then bedtime stories.  And it's time to call it a wrap of a day well spent.

In Which Katherine Turns Three

How did this happen?!

 

This delightful little bundle of laughs and giggles is three and toddlerhood is coming to an end.

And in honor of the day, we had a little party with friends.

I love this expression, but she really was enjoying herself...it's just very hard to wait for lunch when you are hungry.

The girls ate everything and then squealed in delight as sorbet was served (our ears were literally ringing from the decibel level of those squeals!).

Kat-too took hers and retreated to the floor to visit with the baby.

Everyone else quickly followed suit.

This seems really sweet...only the reality was that things quickly turned sour with too much loving.  But all in all, it was a darling party for a darling little girl.

The Rhythm of our Days: Summer Edition

I'm calling it the Summer of Fun.

Sure, most people probably call it that.  But I feel like I've not been at my best for the last dozen summers or so, what with either being pregnant and/or nursing, generally sleep-deprived and drained.

This year is different.

It sure didn't hurt to start the summer with a trip to Florida.  And then there was a LEGOLAND and Lake Winnie.

We've settled into a comfortable routine at home that looks more or less the same from day to day.

Naturally early risers, the kids don't sleep in during summer (or weekends or any other time).  By 6:30 almost everyone is up and stirring (usually begging for Woody Woodpecker or Tom and Jerry).  Doug and I sneak off to the backporch with a cup of coffee to talk and listen to the birds.

Breakfast is served and chores are done (there is great rejoicing if this happens without grumbles or searching).  The kids head out while I start a load of laundry, make a half-gallon of tea (unsweet, decaf with mint or blueberry), and cook something (sandwich bread, load bread or yogurt - summertime makes for hungry kids).

I head out to tend to the garden (we are in desperate need of rain!), chat with the neighbor (sometimes chats take quite a while!), and come back in to switch some laundry.

Joining a pool has been the greatest investment for the summer.  The kids love it and are worn out; we received some relief from the heat; I can completely concentrate on and enjoy the kids; and a healthy tan is the added bonus!  Mid-morning we pack our lunches and head out.

Nap time is still necessary, but flexible.  Everyone needs some downtime before regrouping for a snack and game or stories.

The kids will often head back outside to play, explore and just mess around.  I take care of housework and start dinner.
 

There is reading practice at some point, and read-alouds for everyone.  And then bedtime so we can start again tomorrow.

Out of the Nest

I had eight birds hatched in one nest,
Four cocks there were, and hens the rest.
I nursed them up with pain and care,
Nor cost, nor labour did I spare,
Till at the last they felt their wing,
Mounted the trees, and learned to sing....

If birds could weep, then would my tears
Let others know what are my fears
Lest this my brood some harm should catch,
And be surprised for want of watch,
Whilst pecking corn and void of care,
They fall un'wares in fowler's snare,
Or whilst on trees they sit and sing,
Some untoward boy at them do fling,
Or whilst allured with bell and glass,
The net be spread, and caught, alas.

Or lest by lime-twigs they be foiled,
Or by some greedy hawks be spoiled.
O would my young, ye saw my breast,
And knew what thoughts there sadly rest,
Great was my pain when I you fed,
Long did I keep you soft and warm,
And with my wings kept off all harm,
My cares are more and fears than ever,
My throbs such now as 'fore were never.

Alas, my birds, you wisdom want,
Of perils you are ignorant;
Oft times in grass, on trees, in flight,
Sore accidents on you may light.
O to your safety have an eye,
So happy may you live and die.

In Reference to Her Children Anne Bradstreet