the sky is pink

Yesterday Spenser was sick. Sawyer took three 10-minute naps the entire day. During "nap" #2, I made some hot chocolate for Mason and myself. I was almost able to drink the entire mug before the baby woke up. I had to gulp the rest, knowing if I didn't drink it then, it wouldn't happen at all. It was one of my most peaceful moments of the whole day. Then I decided to work on the zippered pouches for the nursing home. I popped Sawyer in his Exersacuer next to my sewing machine and chatted to him as he talked back. This was zippered pouch #1. What was I thinking?!? I sewed the lining to the wrong side of the zipper! I tried to rip out the seams, but there were a lot. So I tossed it aside and started to work on the others. I made three more and they turned out right. I still have more to sew. And this morning -- I think I'm feeling sick.

I was able to get my niece's birthday presents sewn this weekend. A personalized birthday tote with matching tissue pouch. Can you see her name "Alana" embroidered on the lower right? It's more obvious in person. And a dish towel apron . It's a Martha Stewart towel, which makes it nice and sturdy. Five tissue pouches to go along with some zippered pouches (yet to be sewn) that our church is going to donate to a local nursing home for their bingo prizes. These were made entirely from my scrap basket. And look at this lovely little bingo bag that Karyn sent me. It's adorable. And the bingo card is so tiny and dainty. The overall bag is only about 4x4". (I found the bingo cards for her at the beloved Swap Shop .) They would be fun to make for the bingo prizes, huh? I don't think I'll get around to that much embellishment.

This morning school was two hours late. One might think that I'd have two extra hours to get my act together. Where did those two hours go? I know not. Nor do I know how this little man turned 5 months old (yesterday). Five! See his two big teeth on the bottom? Or this young man, my firstborn, could possibly be ten years old. Sporting his Weeblo uniform and his scowl, while holding his cake for his Blue and Gold Banquet. (The theme was "Cubs around the world." We made a black forest cake and decorated it with German flags and scouts. Apparently I'm getting lots of hits on my blog for Blue and Gold Banquet foods and desserts.) Maybe we've spent the time baking blondies in the Easy-Bake Oven. Or napping ... or most likely not napping. (This was a ten-minute nap at the very most.) Or doing Shrinky Dinks with the children. Life is busy. Life is fun.

This morning at 3:00 a.m., my bedroom door open and I heard, "Mom?" It was Carter (8). All I kept thinking was, "Oh, please don't let it be he peed the bed. Please !" Then he said in a crying voice, "I just threw up." All I kept thinking was, "Oh, please , why wasn't it just pee?!?" As I got out of bed to assess the damage, my stomach flip-flopped every which way but loose. (I've mentioned it before, but I'll remind you that I cannot stand throw up. The sight. The sound. The smell. Even thinking about it makes me sick.) Joe followed me into the bedroom, where he said the words I was longing to hear: "I'll clean it up." I know I married that man for a reason. Needless to say, neither one of us got much rest after that incident. Tonight is the annual Blue and Gold Banquet for cub scouts (Taylor and Carter). I don't know what to do now. Joe is working today and then flying to Massachusetts this evening and coming h...

It's been a while since I've posted a corner. This is an "outside" corner of our home. At the bottom edge of our property we have a train track that is used daily. It's just past our barn, chicken coop, play yard, trampoline and garden. The train hauls stuff to and from the nearby quarry to local businesses. The train goes by our house all day, every day, all hours of the night and day. It's not loud at all. In fact, because we live "in town," the train goes slowly as it crosses Main Street. We can usually only feel the house vibrate a little. Sounds like a distant thunder. Most visitors to our house, both young and old, enjoy watching the train. My children and I never tire of it either. (This photo was taken through the screen of our French doors. The snow and ice were piled too high to open the door.)

Let's play a little game. Shall we? It's called "Would You Rather." Would you rather ... take an hour flight from Massachusetts to Baltimore or have someone who just had eye surgery less than two weeks ago drive you from MA to MD? Because apparently, as of this morning, Joe is flying to MA on Friday to drive a colonel to Maryland. Brave man.

The boys are back to school as of this morning. They had three snow days last week. One delayed arrival. Two days off this week. Joe is back to work. He went to the doctors yesterday and they are so pleased with his progress from over the weekend. In fact, they have cancelled his remaining appointments until his one-month checkup. He still doesn't like to drive at night. Actually, I'm not allowing him to drive at night because his eyes aren't focusing well at night. He came home from work before dark yesterday, which is quite unusual. And because I'm "head family chauffeur" at this time (not much change from normal), I had to drive the boys to karate, which Joe has been doing since the baby was born. And tonight is cub scouts. I'm just ready to stay at home and take care of the things that need to be taken care of. After three trips (1 1/2 hours each way) to Walter Reed Army Medical Center last week, where he had his surgery and numerous doctor's app...

On Saturday I received this wonderful package from Karyn . A few weeks ago she was looking for some bingo cards. I found some at the Swap Shop and sent them to her. In return, she sent 2 lovely fabrics (Michael Miller's Dotty Dot and Alexander Henry's/Phillip De Leon's "little green" ), a bag of buttons, and a change purse (which, by the way, she sells at her etsy shop ). She wasn't sure if I'd like the Alexander Henry fabric and said I could take it to the Swap Shop if I didn't want it. Never! I've never met an Alexander Henry fabric I didn't like. Thank you, Karyn! Spenser and I sat down to sort through the buttons and admire them. I didn't get a chance to get close to them because Carter, Jackson and Mason scurried over and started playing with them. They picked out their favorites and sorted by color and size. They had a blast. Spenser ultimately hoarded all of the buttons. During cleanup, Spenser would take two buttons and "cli...

Who doesn't need a friend like this? A friend who will come and free your car from inches of solid ice and snow so you can take your baby to the doctor. This is one of my best friends, Kim . She came over yesterday to help dig out my car. She came wielding her own digging iron, pick axe, and shovel! She's one tough girl. *** Health Update: A special thanks for all of your sweet comments. The baby is doing better. He is still wheezing, but he's doing well. And he's just as smily as ever. Spenser is on antibiotics for her ear and she has an appointment with an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor on Thursday. Joe's vision is blurry (more blurry than minutes after the surgery) and he is still in pain. We are returning to the army hospital this morning for his "last" followup. I think they may want to see him next week. He is still taking Percoset around the clock for pain and it's not helping. The medicine is giving him an itchy rash which is adding ...

I have a new little love this Valentine's Day: And he's sick. Things have been hectic. Joe was out of town Thursday through Sunday. Sawyer was sick since about then off and on. I thought he was getting better, but I was wrong. Joe had eye surgery on Monday (at Walter Reed Army Hospital) and had a followup appointment on Tuesday. A lady (a stranger) walked up to me on Tuesday to tell me that Sawyer was wheezing. Huh??? Really????? When we came home yesterday, Spenser had strange discharge coming out of her ear, which reminded me of when my eardrum burst. We took her to the doctor, and they listened to Sawyer's breathing. He was wheezing and gave him a breathing treatment, then sent him for a chest x-ray, and then to the local emergency room for pnuemonia! He received another breathing treatment there and has to have them at home for the next few days. The pharmacy did not receive the faxed prescriptions from our doctor's office and the office was closed last ni...

Loving the surprise Valentine package from Beki . (Thank you, Beki!) Children sorting and loving zippers. Loving a chubby little man. Kissing him so fast it makes him giggle. Loving the skein of geese flying above our barn. (I've always thought it was " gaggle ," but I was wrong.) Loving the sound of them honking. Still deciding if I am loving my new rocking chair seat pad.

Carter doing latch hook. Puppet shows in our new puppet theater. Fighting the February Funk: the curtain call .

After soapmaking : Cookies. From the Easy-Bake Oven . And she shared. And model-airplane assembly. (Carter) And Taylor had his stitch removed.

Soapmaking. Well, actually the melt & pour variety. It's much safer for little ones than using lye. And quicker, too. Each child picked his/her own scent, coloring, and bug/lizard/butterfly for his/her own bar of soap. (We have green apple, strawberry, coconut, and strawberry-green apple. My hands smell yummy . No one wanted eucalyptus or the other scents I have.) They are anxiously awaiting for their bars to cool and harden. Did I mention it's a snow day? I may be sending S.O.S. signals today!

Yesterday I changed more dirty diapers than I care to remember. I guess that's what happens when a little one is just starting solids after a stomach virus. It seemed yesterday flew by, without my accomplishing much. It seems that is happening more and more frequently lately. Anyway, it's been bitter cold and the children have had lots of extra energy. Last night the boys decided to do some yoga before their bath. Spenser had just hopped out of the bath and decided to join them.

There's been a lot of talk about fighting the " February Funk ." Although February doesn't really affect me a whole lot, I thought I'd try to play along this week and post photos of how we are keeping busy. We have nearly a house-full of sick children, so things are moving slowly. So, today is "m ovie morning." The kids are watching a movie (which we don't normally do in the mornings) and I think there will be some popcorn soon. Oh, and what is the movie today? King Kong . Mason chose it. I'm not sure if Spenser will enjoy it. (She just joined us.) At least it gives us a break from Strawberry Shortcake. Update : We are now watching Baby's Day Out . Thank goodness! King Kong is outta there! It didn't last long. Well ... it lasted long enough!

It must be my lucky week! Yesterday I received a package from Tasha . She was having a 100th-post giveaway. And I won! I never win anything. Ever. But not this time. Not only did I win the giveaway, I scored big! Tasha sent me the Hawaiian rice fabric, and two most adorable banana fabrics. They are wearing grass skirts and are doing the hula, the limbo, and dancing (or "shaking"). It's absolutely adorable. In fact, as soon as I opened it up, Mason yelled, "Make me something from this!" He loved the orange fabric and Spenser grabbed the pink fabric. She also sent two candy bars that just scream "Hawaii" to me! Yum! I have been ever so patient not to eat them so I could take their picture first. So, now that I've done that, I might have one for breakfast. Thank you, Tasha! It was a very nice treat. And the boys were so happy to hear a package came "all the way from Hawaii!" ** On the family front. Taylor fell off his bed (somehow) on W...