Thursday, May 28, 2009

Get your sh*t together!


I need these posters RIGHT NOW... I'm finding it very difficult to get things done these days. I can't be the only one... Can I? I'm sure if I had these hanging in different spots in the house it would remind me that I can't spend all my days lazing around on the couch with my sweet little baby and my toddler. Things need to get done... laundry won't do its self, the garden won't seed its self, my kids can't feed and take care of themselves... and my sewing projects won't sew themselves... You get the picture. Anyone have any tips on how to get motivated... and better yet. Stay motivated!





Monday, May 25, 2009

Weekends are for treasure hunts

I had a busy busy weekend... but it was lots of fun. Saturday was spent at home with the girls, doing gardening while Pappi worked during the day. I also spent time going to bulk barn and making tons of tiny baggies with candies in them for the treasure hunt I was planning on Sunday. On Saturday evening I invited my mom and niece over to have dinner and to watch the Eurovision contest that we had recorded from the week before. We had a lovely time and Ella had fun putting maple keys on the kids noses. Lottie decided she didn't want to go to bed, so she stayed up and watched the Eurovision with us till about 9:30 and fell asleep in my arms... she's so cute.
The whole family was up early on Sunday... excited and ready for the treasure hunt at Opa's. We were supposed to leave the house by 9am so that we could be at Opa's for 9:30am... but that never happened. I always forget to factor in at least 1.5 - 2 hours to get ready to leave the house. With two children now, its becoming increasingly difficult to leave the house in a timely manner. Anyhoo.. we made it to Opa's (my dad) house for shortly after 10am. I unpacked all the kids and then set to work setting up all the pathways for the children. Each child was to hunt or follow the pathway of bags of treats with their own assigned ribbon colour. Sophia had to hunt for bags with pink polkadot ribbons on them that ultimately matched the bags they recieved at the end of the hunt. I made library book bags for each of the children and then put some sticker books and other summer toys in them. The kids had a good time looking for the bags... but I think they had more fun just being able to run wild on the farm. Sophia always enjoys going to Opa's for that very reason. My dad and Wende made a really nice lunch of salad and quiche... hot dogs for the kids and homemade pie from Edna Staeblers cook book for dessert. It was perfect.

By 2pm we were all tired and ready to head home back to the city to have naps with our kids. I had a really good time ( I think my friends did too) . I find with all of us having families and children now it is becoming more and more difficult to get together. I think it would be perfect if we could do something once a month with all the children...maybe I'll make that a goal for this summer. I think it is important. Life is too short... you should spend it with those you love... and I love my friends and family. Next month I think we will go to the donkey sanctuary that is just 20 minutes from home. I'll post on that later.

Friday, May 22, 2009

The birds are singing...and I feel like sewing!

I love spring and summer... waking up to the sounds of the birds chirping away at 5:30am is wonderful. Yes... I am awake that early many days and not because of my four month old Charlotte... Nope. It's cause of my almost 3 year old Sophia. She's a very early riser, no matter what time we get her into bed. I feel sorry for my parents because apparently I was the same way. The only thing worse is that I actually used to leave the house to see if the neighbour kids could play. My parents put that to a stop after a couple of times with a very high lock on the door :) Anyhoo.. back to topic.. the birds are singing bright and early its getting warmer and the neighbourhood is coming out of its winter shell. It's now easier to go outside and keep Sophia entertained. With new seasons brings new fashions for my little ones. I love summer because I get to make cute shorts and pants for my girls and I am thrilled that Sophia likes to wear skirts because I have been wanting to make her one for ages. A couple weeks ago I finally got to make her a skirt. This was the outcome.
This is a prototype skirt for Sophia to see if it fit, so I ended up using scrap fabrics. I think it ended up looking really cute and I'm excited for it to be warm enough for her to wear it to the market. She should be able to wear it in a couple of weeks. I also need to make some shorts and samurai pants for Sophia and Lottie. Lottie is already wearing Sophia's samurai pants from her first birthday. They are big on Lottie but will keep her cool in the summer. I'm not a big fan of naked babies out in the sun. I would rather have my pale vampire kids with a light layer on if its possible. Sometimes it isn't when its too hot... then its time to break out the pool. I got out Sophia's summer pants from last year that I made her and they are actually perfect little capri length pants now... and I actually think they will fit her as longish shorts next year ( If they survive the summer!) How wonderful are pants that fit your child for three years! My samurai pants are very wide legged which makes them super comfy for children to wear and play in.
Now that its mid spring and summer is approaching fast and the curtains are open more.. I've been noticing more of my clutter in my house and its starting to get on my nerves. I started to sew these little fabric boxes. I have only made a pattern for teeny tiny ones right now, but I want to make some larger ones for the toys and laundry that accumulates on the main level. This is the very first one I made... isn't it cute.
My goal for next week is to get a couple more of these made for around the house and to make pants for the girls.. we'll see what happens.