Embrace the Camera...soccer edition

Embrace the Camera...a weekly post inspired by

Emily at the Anderson Crew

Corey was in Iowa, I had been doing it on my own all day, and now we were attempting to get out the door to go to Soleil's soccer practice.

All I really wanted to do was take a quick photo of my daughter looking extra "girls rule" in her soccer getup...

but then I handed the camera to Shore.  

And he took it from there.

Real life at our house...

Quilt top reveal...

The first of the two "Baby Clothes" quilt tops is finished.  

I hesitate to show you photos because a quilt top is only really half, or maybe a third of a quilt...it certainly doesn't tell the whole story or compare to the finished product.

But this one is just too fun not to show...

I used snuggly white flannel between the colorful blocks so the quilt will be extra nice to curl up with.

I chose to applique the boy's initials on some of the white squares using smaller scraps of fabric...this way he'll definitely know which quilt is his!

It's windy and cool today in Minnesota so these were the best photos I could get...

just wait til the whole thing is done...this baby is going to be precious.

*squeal*

Here's to you, my sweet girl

I'll be honest, this has been a hard week with my daughter.  

I've had a lot of extra "life stresses" that have eaten up some a lot of the energy usually reserved for Patient Parenting.  

In it's place there has been much Frustrated, Disappointed, and Exasperated Parenting on my part...and that's never helpful to anyone.

So this morning I'm going to take a deep breath, forgive myself for my imperfections, and try harder to be the best mom that I can be.

Today I am thankful that even when I'm grouchy faced mom, my sweet daughter loves me...and gives me more chances.

Inspiring first grade readers

My son's first grade teacher (whom I adore) asked me to help her jazz up a little reading nook in her classroom.  It's an area that's been created with movable walls (like the ones used in cubicles) where the kids can sit and read.  

My plan was to make a curtain/wall hanging thing to cover one of the walls that would be colorful and inviting...and maybe inspire the kids to read...:)

I started by measuring the wall, and cutting a piece of light blue felt to fit:

Then I added some ribbon to the bottom to add weight so it would hang nicely...I added a second row of trim too but didn't photograph it, maybe you'll be able to see it in the finished product photo:

I wanted there to be something to read on the banner/wall hanging...

I researched reading related quotes but didn't want it to be too cliche, so I chose to just use some basic words...

Dream

Imagine

Learn

Read

Using fusible web, I cut out the letters for each of the words, positioned them on the banner, ironed, and then zig zagged around them with my sewing machine...

I couldn't help myself from adding some big button "periods" too.

And here is how it looks in the classroom...
It fits perfectly and looks really nice.  It's just what that drab corner needed.
Some of the kids were very excited about it when I put it up...and the teacher liked it a lot, too...:)

Embrace the camera. weekday morning edition

Embrace the Camera...inspired by Emily at the Anderson Crew

I'm not sure why I decided to attempt a photo session with the kids this morning.

It started out as a bribe..."whoever gets dressed and has their teeth brushed gets to take some photos with mom..."

As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized that they had sounded about as cool as offering up carrot sticks as an after dinner treat.

But, the kids played along anyway...

and then they had to get the dogs involved...

and then it started to get a little crazy...

but in a good way.

And then it just fell apart...

and I was very glad to be able to drop them off at school.

Here's to you, my sweet girl...

Mornings can be hard around here.  Soleil can have a hard time waking up and when she does often we're greeted with a mixture of hyperactivity and grouchiness.  

Sometimes there is screaming, door slamming, and tears...often times there are multiple outfit changes and tantrums over things not feeling quite right (socks, underwear, ponytails).

And then there is the daily fight over taking her medicine...and the Inspector Gadget routine that I have to do to be sure that she actually took the medicine and didn't just hide it somewhere.

  

Just getting everyone dressed, fed, and out the door can leave me feeling like I need a nap.

But then there is a morning like this one.  

And I'm reminded of all the sweetness inside my daughter...

and the gentle love that she shows all of us.

Today I am grateful for this...

Before I even came downstairs, Soleil had quietly accessorized Toni with a pink bow.

Thank you Soleil for reminding me that small acts of love can speak louder than morning grouchiness...

and that it isn't always about following a routine and getting places on time...that love and family don't always fit into my ideal Type A mold...and that your free spirit is truly a blessing.

Hang with me...please

I haven't posted in a few days, I've been a little preoccupied with family things.  

But please don't go away!  Just hang in there a little longer...

(the following photo has nothing to do with this post...I just couldn't NOT include a photo)

I'm making lots of progress on my Baby Clothes Quilt and I've done a few Home Decorating projects.

It's all coming...soon.

I promise.

I've been thinking a lot about Fall Decorating lately.  Mums, pumpkins, apples, etc.

Have you?