Wedding Preparations

My third sister is getting married on Saturday. I feel a little out of the loop because with three little kids I haven't been able (or allowed) to help much in the planning and preparation part. I was responsible, however, to get the matching dresses and vests made for my little kids (It has become tradition for all the cousins to match at these events). For some reason, I had a hard time getting this done. See here and here.

Thankfully, I finally finished the last outfit on Tuesday. I had finished the actual dress the week before, but the slip that I had inherited to wear under it was too long, so I finally got around to shortening it. For some reason, I made several very stupid mistakes on this easy project, but eventually I got it right. Well.....right enough that I am not going to change it again.

Here it is:

(Poor Brynnie was sinking fast from a cold when I made her try her ensemble on.)

Now I just need to do a little ironing on the grown-up clothes....yuck.

Project Day for Jeta

I haven't had time until today to blog about last week's project day.

I think my youngest may be working on a project of her own: teeth.

She used to nap beautifully and entertain herself on the floor, but for the past few days she has demanded a little more attention. Thankfully she settled down for a really good nap this afternoon, and I got caught up on a few things.

That brings me back to Project Day.

My sister offered to host again, since her usual Valentine's Day Party got pushed aside by a new baby this year. I thought it would be fun to have the kids make something special for the new baby, so I bought some fleece and cut it into 8 ten inch squares. Then I sewed them together two at a time (with a 2" seam allowance) and then cut the allowance into a fringe.

The idea was for the kids to knot the fringe, and then the pieces would be sewn together and knotted again to make a 12x12" "Taggie".

My notion of the kids' ability to knot fleece was rather inflated, and only Mia had any interest in the project. She diligently knotted away!

Ellie wanted to help, but was satisfied to color instead.

I finally finished the project today. This picture shows the top, and there is an identical piece for the bottom. I sewed those two pieces together inside-out, and then reversed it.

I hope Jeta enjoys it.

Valentine's Day Countdown: 2 & 1

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's finally here and the countdown is done!

Yesterday was another crazy Sunday, which meant that I didn't get a chance to sneak something into the kids' mailboxes. To make up for that, I made their favorite snack about 15 minutes after breakfast ended: Strawberry-Blueberry smoothies.

Then, while Blair FINALLY took a good nap, I got to work on the official Valentine's Day Valentines. This one included candy, because Ian hinted that the past few surprises have been deficient in that department.

And just so my husband didn't feel left out on the big day I made dessert for supper tonight.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Countdown: 3

The other day, Ian asked me for a flag, so today I made him one.

Now I just need to find a stick to fly it from.
Brynn especially liked her "B for Brynnie!"

Once again, felt and tacky glue came to my aid.

Happy Valentine's day.

Valentine's Day Countdown: 4

I made cookies last night!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Countdown:5

Until today, I have done identical surprises for each of my two older kids. Today I decided to go a different route. This countdown has turned in to a way for me to get rid of all kinds of little scraps and items that I've been saving for "something" but never actually using (like those little take-out boxes from yesterday).

One thing that has been in my collection for a while now is a little wooden box in the shape of a heart. I have no idea where it came from, but it has just been sitting there, taking up space. I thought it would be a perfect treasure box for Ian. So I added some felt (Sorry, Tandis) and put his name on the top in glitter.

Brynn might have enjoyed a treasure box too, but I only had one. So, I decided to make her something that I knew Ian wouldn't appreciate: a pendant heart necklace. I hand-sewed hearts (cut from saved felt scraps) together, stuffed it with other scraps, and then laced through a ribbon (also a saved scrap). It is a little large, but Brynn likes her bling, so it worked just fine.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Countdown: 6

Since the past few days of the countdown have included candy in one for or another, I decided I better do something a little more healthy. I know, I know, raisins are mostly sugar too, but it's "all natural" so that's better....right?

To make the healthy treat a little more exciting, I wrapped them up and

added these stickers taped on the top.

Ian took one look at the raisins and tossed them over his shoulder. Oh well.

The sticker, however, was a success. Why? Because it was the right size to be a "Valentine Police Officer" badge.

Kids!

Happy Valentine's Day.