Overheard This Week

Sister, you are going to have to go kiss that bear somewhere else, I am busy.  Please, just go kiss that bear somewhere else!

A Bit of Magic

We received a really nice art desk/Easel from my brother's family and put it under my son's loft bed.  We're working on rearranging the kids' room.  It's quite dark under the bed and so I decided to hang up some lights I bought months ago.  It really added some needed lighting and color.  Plus the kids just loved helping hang the laterns.  I did however discover we are 8 lanterns short of what the package says we ought to have, oh well.

Now we just need some art on the walls.  These lights should help with that!

What A Difference Wool Makes

Sometimes I'm stubborn, okay most of the time.  I hadn't worked with felt much since childhood and figured, you know felt is felt.  I do strive to use natural materials, but aren't there always exceptions?  Since having my kids I have been looking at more kid centered crafts, and many of these involve felt.  On the websites and books they usually state to use wool felt.  I did the price comparison and wool felt is quite a bit more expensive.  So, I just kept using the other stuff.  I finally decided a month or so ago that if everyone keeps talking about it, then it must be worth using.  So I ordered some (as I haven't found a local shop that carries it).  Okay, everyone is right!  I am never going back.  It's amazing how much nicer to work with the wool is.  Plus the wool just looks nicer to start with. 
I made my son his birthday crown last year using, you guessed it, the poly felt. (The stars are wool as they were added this year).

I made my daughter's out of the wool felt this year.


Yes, L's has had a year of rough play behind it, so maybe next year I should pull them out to compare again.  But I think these pictures speak for themselves.  I didn't use a pattern, just what I remembered from reading The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections. Which if you haven't checked out this book, you should.  I now know that birthday crowns are a Waldorf tradition, but reading this book was my first introduction to them.
I'd like to say that from now on I'll listen when people call for a better quality material.  Yes, let's leave it there, I'd like to say that I'll listen.

Popsicles in January

When my little man asked for popsicles the other day, I thought why not?  It's not like Texas is very wintry during the winter.  

We had all the ingredients, but I couldn't find my molds or toothpicks for the old standby ice cube tray trick.  After work the next day I stopped at a kitchenware store (oh, what a delight!  Good thing I stuck to my mission because there were so many wonders there).  Buying popsicle molds in January is not the easiest, but what was lacking in choice was made up for by the clearance price!  We now have new popsicle molds, and my little ones got to make their wanted treats.  

I like this recipe Banana Bluebery Swirl, I really like having the yogurt, but juice works perfectly too!

These are the Prepara Volcano 4-Piece Pop Set. They are a little bit finicky about popping out of the cups but if you place them in a very warm bowl of water for a minute or two they release just fine.  One thing that is a bit odd about them is they are hollow in the center.  At first I didn't like this, but since using them, I've discovered it cuts  the portion size down perfectly for smaller children. (This is just my personal view, I am not advertising for anyone.)
 

Overheard This Week

Son: Why is Sam I Am bamming with those pointers?
Me: He's not bamming, he's pointing to here and there.
Son: Why?
Me: Because he's asking will you eat them here or there, and he points to help get his idea across.
Son: Why?
Me: I don't know you'll have to ask Sam I Am.
Son: Silly Mama, characters in books don't talk.

January Shirt

One of my New Year's resolutions is to make a piece of clothing for each child each month.  Well, at least I can say I'm on track!  I made the Long Sleeve Raglan Tee from Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe:

I used to work for a certain natural foods retailer who loves to give their employees tshirts.  Which means I now have a fairly sizeable collection of shirts that I no longer wear.  Since I had two of these guys I thought my little man might like an all green long sleeve shirt.  I also forgot to get a picture of the completed shirt until after my little man was wearing it and being quite uncooperative for photos!

I added a dinosaur applique ala Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style.  I used another old vendor shirt in a nice bright yellow.  We also went to see an animatronic dinosaur exhibit at a  local museum where my son proudly wore his mama made shirt!

Overheard This Week

Me: Goodnight sweet prince.
Son: Why did you say that word "prince"?
Me: Because a prince is the boy form of princess, so your sister is a sweet princess and you are a sweet prince.
Son: Stop saying that word.
Me: Why?  Would you rather be a princess?
Son: No, I just want to be a boy who isn't a prince or a princess.

Watch This

I had never heard of Bud Nip before watching this video last night.  Now I have another reason to add to why I strive to eat organic.

Overheard This Week

Son: Mama can you see your eyes?
Me: No, can you see your eyes?
Son: NO! Why can't I see my eyes?

Overheard This Week

"Yee haw!  Yee haw!" Yelled by my almost 2 year old as she ran across the livingroom to jump on her brother's back for a horsey ride.