
Some went fishing. They caught and released. The pond is over-populated and the boys were asked to release the fish into the creek.
And, of course, there was eating. Lots and lots of eating. And a little tiny bit of sewing ...
Some went fishing. They caught and released. The pond is over-populated and the boys were asked to release the fish into the creek.
And, of course, there was eating. Lots and lots of eating. And a little tiny bit of sewing ...
The kids loved playing in the "fort" it made while drying on the line.
And this is the kids' favorite find of the day ...
It's a vintage Fisher Price swing/record player. You turn the handle and it plays music and swings the people around. It had a record, but it's been misplaced since. We have a Fisher Price record player with a full set of records, so I'll have to dig those out. The record had Do Re Mi and Blue Danube on it. I don't think we had those songs previously.
This was Joe's find. He was sitting in the car when he saw the lady pick it up from outside the store, price it and carry it in. He followed her into the store and picked it up. I'd say for 50 cents (!!), he did an awesome job!
After painting my little table for my bedroom, I realized I didn't want to set my bedtime glass of water directly on top of it.
After mulling it over in my head, I decided it needed a doily. And then I thought how cute a red, white, and blue doily would be (and patriotic, as I started it around Flag Day). It has been quite awhile since I crocheted anything. (Other than some wire spider webs, I was pregnant with Sawyer! And before that, it was before I was had children.)
Anyway, the pattern itself was not for multiple colors, but I thought it would be simple. The changing of the colors, in itself, was simple. The finding-a-proper-place-to-change-colors, was not.
I don't love it, but it's finished and it will do until I find a different pattern. This little project kept me busy during our drive to Sesame Place, while the kids were playing outside and late at night when they were asleep. I'm almost sorry it's finished.
Try to ignore the weeds. That big thing is a weed that is impossible to get rid of. The roots are always there, I just trim back the thick stalk.
And funny things are in abundance when hanging out with the kids. Mason chased a lightning bug and as he set it free he yelled, "Enjoy your life!"
At one point one of the funny things came out of my mouth. I didn't realize how it must have sounded until a childless neighbor walked by at the same moment and laughed. The quote of the night is: "No, don't put lightning bugs down your pants." It's a good rule to live by.
It was great for those sticky hands and faces. And arms. And elbows. And knees.
Our last cache of the day was at a natural spring. We sipped on the water ...
and played in the water for a bit.
When I saw this set of milk glass lamps, I knew they would look cute in my bedroom. I need to come up with an idea for shades? Any suggestions? I was thinking pompom fringe, but other than that, I'm stuck.
When I went to check out at the register, I got some of the worst possible news. They are no longer carrying sheets. I know. I'm having a really difficult time with this. They had the largest, loveliest vintage sheet collection I've ever seen in one place and they salvaged it all. All the bedspreads, blankets, tablecloths, sheets, towels, aprons (!). All gone. Forever.
I was so devastated, I immediately placed an emergency S.O.S. call to Karyn. And then I had to break the news to Joe. After I told him, he said, "I thought you were going to tell me something bad." Uh. Hello???? Do you live with me? You should know this is bad!! Anyway, it's so bad that Joe pointed out to me on Wednesday night that I have been talking about it everyday for a week. I have told just about everyone I know. So, now I never ever want to cut up a vintage sheet again.
And Harlem Globetrotters to meet.
Here Curly (right) is counting our children to Sweet Lou (left).
Making homemade peanut butter with the kids. The shelling of the peanuts was the most fun, unless you asked Taylor.
We I sang Found a Peanut at the top of our my lungs until we I got stuck after "ate it anyway." I remember the story line, just not how the words fit into the song.
Little hands shelling nuts and little hands eating nuts.
Jammin' to the kids songs on my ipod.
Walking on pavers as Daddy works.
Loving vintage Pyrex given to me by a friend from church. Thanks, Kat!
The cool treat was a welcome relief to the heatwave we've been experiencing. The walk was a hot one.
Every year at Christmas and at the end of the year I struggle with gifts for the teachers. I want to show my complete gratitude for these men and women who are educating my children and nothing seems adequate enough to express it. Then I have to find something affordable enough to have multiples. Eight this year.
This year (after bouncing a million ideas around in my head) I decided on a tote. I wanted to make one for each teacher, but I thought eight might be pushing it with my time constraints. I decided to buy pre-made canvas totes from the craft store and decorate them.
I used my sewing machine's embroidery feature and embroidered the teacher's first name. Then I sewed rick rack along the top seam. I made fabric flowers and sewed each one onto the tote itself.
The verdict in the end is this: They were affordable, yes (three bags for $9.99). The canvas bag itself is nice. The handles are not. They are nylon, not cotton. I wish I would have had some cotton webbing to change them out, but I didn't. And I didn't have the time either. And they were more time-consuming than I expected. I had Joe on flower-cutting duty last night as I assembled the flowers, made covered buttons, and sewed them onto the bags. Would I do it again? Probably not.
My question to you is this: How many teacher gifts do you give? And to whom? I feel like I should give something to their homeroom teacher (because they handle all the administrative stuff for the children, whether or not they have the teacher for any classes) and something to the teachers they have for subjects (not including "specials" like art, music, media, P.E., etc.). Oh, and for any teacher's aides (in Kindergarten). I wish I could give something to each "specials" teacher, the office staff, etc., but I have to draw the line somewhere. (I sent in a large chocolate bar for the bus driver who transports my children to and from school and to Taylor's instrumental band teacher because he taught Taylor how to play the clarinet.) What do you do?