First Day of School

There she goes again, on to school again. She had so much fun last year that it was easy to take her again this year. I am so glad that she is learning so much, and has fun doing it. It sure makes it easier on me when I drop her off!

The best part of school is that every day is a new adventure. Some new activity, or new story, or new friend. We have enjoyed seeing her flourish in a school-like environment.

She is now in "Pre-K", but I think the curriculum is about the same as last year. ABC's, 1, 2, 3's, etc.

This picture was taken in our front garden, what she calls "Mommy's garden". I was going to take it by the light pole with the black eyed susan's still in bloom and the sedum Autum Joy starting out its fall show. But, nope, she wanted the picture to be RIGHT THERE. And, of course, Morgan got right on in the action!

Another year, many more adventures to come!

The dress she is wearing was made by my sister, Stephanie, using the Oliver and S Tea Party Sundress pattern. The dress was a gift. I have not been convinced that I like this pattern, until, of course, I saw the final product in person, and on it's even better! This is a very flattering dress, with a cute flair at the hips. It's perfect for Corinne, who I think has a long torso. She likes it, so that's what really matters.

I may attempt a winter dress of this pattern in Corduroy. I think it will be really cute with a matching long sleeve shirt and tights. And with Mary Janes, of course....

McCall's 5369

I made a special dress for a certain someone who had a birthday party recently. It took me almost every night for one week straight, but it got done in time for the party, which was my goal.

I loved how it came out.

I realized, though, at the cutting stage of this dress, that I am not good at critiquing the patterns I choose to sew. I need to improve here. Had I realized that each ruffle would need to be hemmed, and then sewn on, I am not sure I would have chosen this pattern. It took a lot of time.

In the end, it was worth it. She loved the dress. She wore it with no problems, and I was ready to hear the "I don't want to wear that" argument. Nope, it was her party dress, and she knew it, and she loved it!

She posed so great, too, for my pictures! Wow, it's amazing that she has become such a sweet little person.

I had to add two buttons to the bag, rather than the one it called for. The dress, size 4, was WIDE at the top. The two buttons I added enabled the bodice of the dress to fit better. I think it came out looking just fine.

This dress, size 4 came out a little short on her, so she wore some small shorts underneath. If I did it again (which I won't - nope, this was a lot of time), I'd add one more ruffle for length. I ran out of fabric for that.

Is it September Already?

Although my blog has been quiet during the month of August (and for the most part all summer!), it's not been quiet here. It's been a busy summer. August flew by.

This summer we've:
* Had two long vacations
* Visited DC
* Had a birthday party
* Hung out at home
* Enjoyed time on a boat
* Seen a helicopter up close and personal
* Ridden horses
* Introduced our little ones to fun on two wheels
* Gotten some crafting done

Back to reality this month...

More Summer Fun

I have yet to share some of the great stories and related photos from our trip to PA in early July. Below is a handful of pictures from that whirlwind trip!

We went to Hershey Park, PA, on July 4. What fun. The kids, obviously, were looking forward to a fun time!

Yeah! We are finally here! Let's have some FUN!

Waiting in anticipation for really fun rides. (Holding balloons, of course.)

And enjoying the rides when they got on. Lots of enjoyment. Corinne in the middle, Elissa to the right, and Ryan to the left. They all loved it. Look at Ryan! Can't you just eat up that smile?

We also took a train ride on a real steam engine train! I knew this would be a winner. We have a few train lovers in this house!

Isn't he a big boy, mounting that train stair all by himself?

This was before the train took off. That little hesitant smile should give away how much "fun" we had on that train ride. It started out GREAT. But, we had a meltdown in the middle. Not just a small meltdown, no, the big, all out, I am mad and going to let everyone on this train know it and too bad you are all stuck on this train with me. With nowhere to go. And no no way to make me happy. Nada.

Luckily, in the middle of the train ride, there was a place called Cherry Crest Farm. What a lifesaver! And, what a fun place to go! They had live animals, two huge jumping pillows, one for adults and a smaller one for kids. I have no pictures of that because, well, I was just having too much FUN jumping on that thing. Talk about AIR. They also had a large corn maize, a farm tour, games, and other fun, outdoor, things to do. And slides built into a hill that were the length of a snow tube ride. Again, no pictures. Too much fun going down those on a burlap sack! Corinne said this was the best part of the whole trip. She went down the slide, by herself, countless times!

We all held live, day old baby chicks! I wish I had a camera of Ryan's little GRAB of the chick. He picked one up like it was a baseball. Poor guy.

Yes, a good time was had by all.

One finished, one I give up!

Well, this project is done!

They look great, too. I am so happy with them. I lined store-bought twill curtains with a blackout lining, and I added the side and top striped fabric to make them more exciting. The reason for doing this: To attempt to keep my daughter in her bed past 6 AM (the morning light hits her room first). Did that work? No...we still have an early riser.


Oh well. The updated curtains dress up her windows nicely.

On to that mini-wardrobe challenge? Um, on a break AGAIN. Not for lack of trying....
I ripped the circle top out and attempted to add it on correctly more times than I can say - or want to own up to. I am giving up on this pattern. It was NOT easy, as the pattern led the buyer to believe.

Oh well. Life goes on. :)

My sweet family. Oh, how it's hard to have a non-stop talker, a copycat walker/talker, and a dog that wants to be in the middle too. But, after I've had time to recoup from it all, I ask myself, would I give it up? Nope. Not for anything.

Nathan is at that age in which he copys EVERYTHING Corinne does. He tries so hard. He's figuring out the world. He discovered ants this week. Mushrooms this month (lovely). Rocks are a favorite. Attempting to jump, like the older one, but feet never leave the ground. He doesn't care. He has a ball going up and down. I can't wait to see what he's like when REALLY gets air.

Corinne. Our sweet girl. Our chatterbox, built in entertainer. I mean, there's always something to talk about, or sing about, or ask questions about, or something to get into. Sigh. She can pick up the words to a song after hearing it one time. ONE TIME. Where does she get that? Not me. And, then, there's "special" songs. Songs she's made up. About whatever is on her mind. It's a non-stop singing fest with her around.

Yesterday, we got a new floaty for the pool. It's a lobster. It is a "seat" kind of floaty, that you can sort of recline in on the water. It's as tall as Corinne. Today, she walked into the bathroom while I was in the shower. Do you know what was on her arm, like her best buddy? Yep. The large, orange lobster, antennaes and all. AND, yes, it came to our sitter's today. He was my third child today - all the way in the back seat. So, on my ride to and work and home, I got to enjoy the view of the three of them in my rear view mirror.

No, I wouldn't give any of it up.

Summer flowers from the garden

Too hot outside? Not for these guys! They are happy in my garden beds.

Back Eyed Susans ('Goldstrum) and Joe Pye week ('Little Joe')

Excitement

Who knew, that someone showing me what she could make and the gorgeous fabrics she made those items in, that I, too, would become slightly addicted to looking at fabric? Sounds weird. I have other things I could spend discretionary income on. But with fabric...I can MAKE something! I can have a creative outlet! I mean, with a job like I have where I have to THINK so much (believe it or not), and be logical, and times at home I feel more like a referee than a mom, I have found I really like having this creative outlet. And, doing it doesn't require me to have sunlight (like gardening does - yes I still love it, but my daylight hours lately are consumed with playing like a child, cleaning, etc.), I can listen to music, or listen to a show that I love...I don't know. I am getting into this sewing thing right now...

Yes, I realize I have a tendency to obsess about something for a while, then it fizzles a bit -- I can count a lot of those experiences over the past few years :) So, I just enjoy my little obsessions as they come.

I digress...the reason for this post: Farmer's Market!



Let me explain - I have been visually enjoying Sandi Henderson's line of Ginger Blossom. I finally bought some a few months ago and cut into it for this project. I still have more to play with. I was very excited to see her new line, Farmer's Market come out. I ordered some...and today - it's here! And - the Internet just doesn't do it justice!




I have big plans for this!


Yes, big plans.


And - I think someone will enjoy my big plans. Heck, she's enjoying it now - and it's just fabric! :)

And, imagine how excited I was to find this place! It was downright amazing that they had so many designer fabrics in stock. Designer fabrics! Jo-ann and Hancock fabrics have some, when you really pay attention you might find it. But, I have yet to see the big fabric names there - Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Free Spirit, Moda . I can finally browse in person these wonderful fabrics before purchasing! I checked it out this week and am heading back this weekend. I know I can control myself - but will I be able to control my sister and mother who are going with me? Hmmm.

AND, the best part - Quilting Adventures offers CLASSES! A variety of classes. One caught my eye, and lined up on a day in which I am off work, hubby can watch kids, and it is so timely for the quilt I plan to make for Nathan, that I just couldn't pass it up. Call me an old fogey - I am going to learn to make QUILTS and I am proud of it.