The Answer is Fishing

This past weekend was a test. 

 #5 turned the big 0-4 on Sunday. 

It rained so we made a trip to the big city... Famous Dave's, THE MALL, Barnes & Noble, etc to celebrate.  Everyone had a good time seeing all the fun things to buy {they don't get out much}!!!

On Monday, Memorial Day, we took a fishing trip to a quiet little lake. 

 

Dad spent most of his time tending to poles.

The girls worked together...and they baited their OWN hooks.

 This guy caught a few fish {bullheads}.

  

This guy put the fishing plans into motion and was the only one who didn't catch a thing.

He kept a great attitude.

 

 

His sister was there for comfort.

 

So, the test for the children was-

 

"Which day was your favorite?"

 

Bet you already knew the answer.

 

Monday - the most perfect day.

 

Becky

Sewing with #3

While the oldest two were away at 4-H camp this summer, #3 and I had a

"just me and you" sewing day.

First up ... a skirt.

 

Look, Mom!  I used pins! 

Mom said to me, on more than one occasion, that she didn't know how any of my sewing projects ever turned out because I NEVER use pins.  With kids...you HAVE to use pins...UGH!

 

The hem IS even.  She's just sticking her booty out for comic relief.

Then on to the pennant banner for the girls' bedroom.

 

She cut out the triangles.

 

 

I PINNED them onto the bias tape... right side down.

 

#3 stitched them together with a zig-zag stitch.

 

 

I finished the other one because attention deficit set in and she had TV to watch before the other two got home.

This is a super simple project even if you don't sew...use fabric glue or heat-n-bond.

 

Later-

B

Leech Lake

I know...who wants to go to a lake named "Leech" Lake?  We did.  It is beautiful.  It has the clearest water of any lake I've ever been in.  It's in northern Minnesota...and yes it has GINORMOUS leeches.  These suckers are huge.  To the landlubber they look like eels!  BUT...they don't attach to people!  Thank goodness because this mom can do a whole lotta things but taking leeches off of her kids is not one of them.

We stayed at "The Bayside Resort".  Mike's cousins have a lake cabin a few feet away from the cabin that we rented.  They were our very most hospitable hosts for the weekend!  They catered to our every need.  It was fabulous and TOTALLY relaxing.  I'm going back.  Beautiful country and friendly people.  If you're looking for a quiet vacation spot, then this may be the place for you. 

 

A few photos...ok a lot! 

 

 

 The kids went tubing...

We sat on the deck...

They fished for crawfish...and caught MANY....

look how they can hang on!

 

 A few of us kayaked...my arms still hurt.

We...um...well...I guess I don't really know what #4 is doing here...but he's sure having fun!

 

One of us modeled...continuously!

 

#2 sat on the dock in the bay.  Get it?

 

We fished...

#3 had a blast with an enormous beach ball...

#4 would have slept in his life jacket...

 

#1 enjoyed the boating....

 

It was a bit chilly and rainy for a few days.  However, after this HOT and DRY summer it felt marvelous.

 

Except for some occasional try-to-take-a-nap TV watching, there were no electronics included in this vacation package.  I love that!

 

Becky

Tent

The 4-H countdown is on!  #2 made this little number for her child development project.  We found the project at Lowe's Creative Ideas.  Keep in mind that SHE did NOT do ALL of the work BY HERSELF.  She and I (with some help from Dad) put this thing together.  It's fun when I get a chance to work on a project with one kiddo individually.

The covering is a painter's drop cloth.

IMPORTANT:  wash the drop cloth BEFORE cutting it to the correct width.  We thought we had this baby licked.  We washed the fabric.  We placed it back on the frame.  #2 was ready with the staple gun and we realized that instead of being four inches too wide it was now TWO inches too short. This shtuff  (< not a typo) SHRINKS!

Instead of falling in a heap on the grass like a frustrated 3 year old (me not #2) we decided to add the jute webbing to the ends.  Problem solved and it adds a nice contrast.

This sucker is big!  #2 and I both fit inside comfortably.  This is going to be her reading hideaway.  When it comes home from Achievement Days it will be donned with Christmas lights and large fluffy floor pillows. 

We kept the color neutral so it could be passed on to #4...

and it's easier than hemming a large piece of fabric on all 4 sides.

Tess enjoyed the shade from the 100 degree temps.

Here's to creating with your kids. 

 It's amazing what they tell you when you have time like this together.  Sometimes they are waiting for just the right moment to ask you that thing that's been on their mind.  What better place for these conversations than in the garage/workshop/craftroom/...

Becky

Camp Stool

It's July....crunch time for 4-H projects

. 

This Friday is Fashion Revue.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with 4-H, this is an event in which the 4-Her makes a clothing item and then models the item with coordinating accessories in front of a judge.  Back in my day this provided "Toddler and Tiara" type of competition amongst as Johnson County 4-Hers.  Not kidding.  Things aren't as ugly around here.

While I'm having flashbacks and hotflashes about midnight sewing sessions to finish the clothing projects, I thought I'd procrastinate a bit more and show you the project that #1 completed last week.

We found this cute little raggedy camp stool at Habitat for a dollar.

#1 sanded the legs to get the grime off and then rubbed on a coat or two of clear wax.

Then he made a new seat out of vintage cowboy canvas using the old seat as a pattern.

Notice the tape on the machine?  This is a life saver when teaching kids how to sew.  Place the tape where the seem allowance needs to be and the child has all kinds of room to keep the edge even with the tape and the seem allowance will be consistent (best case scenario).

He covered the nails with decorative vintage looking nailheads. 

Took him about three hours from start to finish to complete. 

That's excluding the we-(Mom and #1) need-a-break-from-eachother moments.  Everyone has these when working with their kids, right? 

Step away...just step away.

It can hold up to 50 pounds...

(probably more - but we won't test that until after Achievement Days.)

Now I'm ready to head back to the sewing room with #2.

Becky

Peace

How are those resolutions coming along?  I strongly dislike the word "resolution".  I believe that we are who we are and we really can't change too much, and we really don't need to (with the exception of hardened-criminals).  The problems come about when we decide we're not happy with who we are.  Quite philosophical, huh?

Think about it.  We EAT when we're upset, sad, angry, bored, etc and we gain weight.  And then we're fat and ugly (we think) and we eat some more.  We SPEND MONEY because something, we feel, is missing in our lives and we end up broke.  When, in fact, if we all chill out a bit and take an outsiders view...we're not that bad.

Here's what I pray for...peace of mind. 

Here's what I pray for for my children...their happiness and peace of mind and for me to quit nagging them to be the person I think/thought they should/would be.

I digress...getting back to the peace of mind thing.  I truly believe that every prayer ever said can be reduced to having a peaceful self.

My "resolution" this year has been to help God out with my earthen peace.  I'm doing what I can to identify the things that make me nuts, inpatient, upset, angry, etc...and find a way to eliminate those things or at least deal with them in a grown-up and intelligent way.  That's opposed to going bat-shit crazy when one of the kids leaves a sock on the floor in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Am I preaching to the choir or what here?!  That's okay you don't have to testify.

Here are my triggers (well, the ones I've identified anyway) in no particular order...

LAUNDRY

Problem: it's never done.  DUH!

Solution: by washing, folding, and putting away 3 loads everyday I can stay on top of the piles.  This way I don't spend an entire Saturday doing laundry only to have the hampers full again by Sunday evening.

KIDS AND CHORES

Problem: endless complaining, crying, and whining about what needs to be done.  It's really not endless, it's just really annoying.  Then I fall into my lecture about third world children and how lucky the are to live with me.  Then my face hurts from talking. Then I'm grouchy.

Solution: LISTS!  When the kids get home from school there is a list waiting.  The list has everything each child has to get done before TV/computer/wii/ds time.  Shockingly, this works very well.  I have done this in the past but kinda slacked off.  Need to be more diligent with this task.  When the kids get "the list"  they know what's expected.  No surprises.  Mom doesn't nag. STUFF.GETS.DONE! 

MEAL PLANNING

Problem: coming up with what to feed my family is the biggest stresser in my life. (Pretty good life I've got.)  If I don't have a plan by the time everyone walks in the door from chores, it's chaos and I'm a freaked out wreck.

Solution: Monthly menu!  I did one today for the next SIX weeks.  I feel so in control!  I'll share it later.

COMPETITION

Problem: OBVIOUS!  Those who aren't competitive...you need to sponsor some sort of "in-service" and invite me!  It's not as bad as it used to be...but it can be improved upon.

Solution:  Stepping back.  Relax.  Deep breaths. Teach my kids and myself to be the best that they can be and angels could do no more.  Last summer I tries to talk #1 OUT of taking a certain 4-H project to Achievement Days.  I shared that it wasn't purple ribbon worthy... he says, "Isn't it about making things together and spending time together?"  My heart broke and smiled at the same time.  Clearly, he has a better handle on life than his mother does.

RELAXING

Problem: I DON'T DO IT!

Solution:  Make myself do it.  Currently, I'm addicted to "Angry Birds" (only after the kids go to bed of course).  This includes making time for myself to be creative and not feel guilty when I paint, sew, craft, and the ginormous list of creative things I like to do.

HOUSEKEEPING

Problem:  I don't see the beautiful house that we live in.  I see the dirt!

Solution:  I hired a fabulous woman to come every other week to clean my house.  I LOVE HER!  The night before she comes, we have a "picking up" party.  Everything is put in its place.  I come home to a spotless house.  WOO HOO!  This has also given me time to work on clutter and cleaning things that would normally be overlooked. 

That's enough of my rambling.  Hope I've inspired someone.  Hope someone can identify with this craziness.  Gotta go...load number 3 is dry!

Becky



Technologically Advanced

To all of those out there trying to find the perfect gift for your "techie", I give you the

OVERHEAD PROJECTOR!

I have been yearning for one of these for a very long time.  Truth be told, probably since first grade.  How this would have made playing school SO. MUCH. BETTER.

Just a mere $25 bought me this beauty from a recent stop at my local Restore.  These Restore places are amazing, I tell ya.

Look what the children did with it.  First they circled like a bunch of sniffing dogs.  Then they touched it.  Then I showed them what it could do.  Then the creativity started flowing.

First up - the eldest. 

 ('cuz that's how we oldest kids roll... backa the line...we know it's a problem.)

Here's his contribution.

I'm not proud.

Notice the "d" is backwards?

Who's the dork?

#2 had to retaliate...

What she wrote is not suitable for my audience to see. 

I didn't even know she knew how to spell those things.

I'm not proud.

#3's chance...

Now we're all dorks.

When she was done the last line read, "I am the goodest."

Really, they do go to school.

Notice her evil smirk.

Notice her sisters' disgust.

See there...it doesn't always take the latest in the tech world to make kids happy.  Try something simple.  My kids thought it was the "newest thing".  Then again, THEY are simple.  They had a blast insulting each other with a dry erase marker for about an hour or so. 

Happy Christmas shopping.

Becky

Halloween Recap

Happy day after Halloween.  The farmers are working late to get corn harvest wrapped up before the possible rain/snow reaches us later in the week.  So instead of eating my way through the candy BUCKET; I thought I'd share some photos of our Hallows Eve activities.

First on the must-do list:

Carve the pumpkins!

This year I raced home a little early and gutted all 5 of them before the kids got home.  Some extra work for me but more efficient in the long run.  I'd also like to add that we didn't get the pumpkins planted until June this year due to the wet spring.  This led to SMALL pumpkins.  Worked out great for the "pumpkin gutter" - the littler the pumpkin, the easier to gut!  All these years of motherhood and I just NOW figured that out.  Usually, I persuade the kids to pick out the biggest ones they can find.  Then make the child carry the 40# pumpkin to the house.  They can be such whiners.

Daughter #1 is an expert when it comes to organization and efficiency...

...need I say more?

Second on the must-do list:

Take the traditional photo of each kid with their pumpkin in their chosen holiday attire.

Wait...who's this creepy old guy?

It's number 1. (aka Uncle Fester) 

#2 - funky witch...very nice symmetrical "holes", #2.  How DOES she do it?

#3 - our resident pissed-off angel.  She's not having the time of her life.  Aunt T made her wishes come true with the costume but she drew the short straw when it came time to choose pumpkins.  This is a forced smile.

#4 - the bull rider. Equipped with a cowbell donated by his cousin.  Those of you who remember him last year...this is totally different from being "just a cowboy".  (wink, wink)

#5 - the duck.  She's only a duck because mother guilt set in and I (Nana helped) HAD to make her a costume .  I'd made all the other kids a costume once in their lives...(and the dialog goes on from there in my tiny little guilt ridden mind)

Third on the list:

The family picture.

Dad's a bull fighter, for obvious reasons and I'm a knight. I love saying this part..."My mom made my costume." Seriously, she did, I swear. Actually she made it for my niece who wore it in a horse show. The horse has matching garb - I chose not to ride the horse through the streets of town. People might talk.

Fourth on the list:

Picture for the Christmas Card

"Funny face" pictures are my favorite!

Only one fun-sized bag of Skittles was harmed during the making of this post. 

Becky