Hot Cocoa Swap and the end of another week.

I think the timing of this will be perfect. We can all use a pick me up after the flurry of holidays. The Hot Cocoa Swap sign ups start December 16th. Check it out. Leave a comment there that I sent you, and I get an extra entry in their contest (Dec 1-15). Sign up on the 16th, and it could be me sending yummies to your home.

And to add some sunshine to the day (it's raining here)... A sunflower from my friend's yard. I took this last week when we were playing in their backyard.

I guess I don't get this because it's not often like this. But in other places where it's really winter...do you have to leave the lights on all day just so you don't feel like you're in the dark? I feel like every light in the house is on...and that just makes me think of an old country song. Do you know which one I'm talking about. It always makes me laugh. M and I have an inside joke with this song, because a neighbor got carried away with those solar yard lights...and now their "front walk looks like runway lights" =0).

It's funny how I know the words to that song...even though it's been years since I listened to Country all day long. Just after I got married, I was convicted about what I was putting into my head. Since then, it's pretty much been all CCM when I get to choose, and I'm even more careful about the kids. I can still sing "Don't give up...don't give in...don't step aside...don't run and hide, You've got to just hold on...and Keep your eyes on HIM." And that was from a musical when I was in probably in 3rd grade. My current kid favorites are Steve Green and Hermie and Wormie. I love that when these songs are in their heads...they're memorizing scripture. We also really love this CD from CEF. I don't think that it's ironic that I have a better day when my disc changer is loaded with these CD's. I think I need to order more for stockings.

Knitwise: I knit away on my fingerless garter mitts last night. I have less than 10 rows on the 2nd mitt and I'm starting to worry that I may run out of yarn. This can not begin to be a trend for me. I just can't live with one skein projects taking me too much yarn. And these mitts are in KPPPM. There's no way I'm getting more of the same yarn. I don't even know if I still have the ball band.

On Morestripes, I've finished the front and back!!! =0) Now I have to sew and cut the steek. I'm excited more than scared, but I need another adult in the house if I'm going to pull out the sewing machine. Then all I have to do is sew up the sides and put on the ribbing at the neck and arm bands. I hope to be wearing this soon.

I bought this pattern. And I think I already have yarn that will work. I hope to start this just after Christmas...and then I'll have a white sweater for spring. When I'm always looking for a little something to wear with a sundress or just over a tee.

Nativity

Tammy asked this question, "What are your favorite ways to get ready for the holidays?" on her blog this morning. It was such a good question...I decided to post here.

On a radio program (probably Focus on the Family) the year we got married, I heard about a family who collected nativity sets. Then on Christmas Eve, the Mom and Dad hid all the baby Jesus figures. When the family returned from the Christmas Eve service, the kids had to hunt for them, and replace the correct baby Jesus before any gifts could be opened. They were talking about how their kids were in college and still insisted on the hunt when they were home for Christmas. I decided right then that I wanted to collect nativity sets. But, only one per year.

This year I set up a wood nativity in 2's room. And the boys have our playmobil set in their room. The little people set is by the fireplace. And my big glass set that was a gift is still waiting. We also have a nativity calendar with soft people to velcro up, and a Veggie Tales set (I love the pea in the wagon), and a hand carved wooden set that came with paints to "paint your own" but I've left it as is. This year, I've ordered this set.

I really want to add photos to this for my family memories...but for now...I'm a bit behind.

I'd love to know..."What are YOUR favorite ways to get ready for the holidays?"

Come on down...

You're the next contestant on the Price is Right...Sorry...feeling a bit silly today =0) I closed the contest and drew names (can't do anything in my house if we don't do 3). I just haven't had time to post. Send me an email with your addresses (my email is on the profile page)....

And the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

I love those little fingers. Each kid drew a different winner in the contest. But in my book...we're all winners every time we focus on THANKFULNESS! Now I'm off to decorate for Christmas. I can't wait to start the Christmas music...but I always wait until the day after Thanksgiving.

Colors

I was taking photos in the yard on Tuesday to make color books with the kids. There is a color page to go with each of the colors, and I had stickers too. We've been talking about mixing colors. We'll print these photos for their books. We took picture of --

Red..

Yellow...

Blue...
Orange...

Green...

Purple...Brown...

Black...
and it wasn't on the list but...PINK...


This is the same rose. The 2nd photo I took on Tuesday. The first one is from last weekend. I love how roses open up. Nancy's brother gave her a November Rose. If no one's given you a rose lately...consider this one from me to you. Hugs-XOXO

THANKFUL!

Yes, it's my crazy life. But, I'm THANKFUL that I can be a mom to 6, 4, & 2!

Monday, when I was calling Dr's to find someone who would see us before the holiday, Nana came and took 2 for a special trip. They were heading to Great Gramp's so that he wouldn't be alone for Thanksgiving. They'll spend the day with my Gram's sister and her family. 2 will be the princess...she'll be the only little one. All of my mom's cousin's kids are in college.

Tuesday we visited the orthopedist (a different one) for a cast. When M had 4 at the ER, only the radial bone was broken. About 2 hours before the cast appointment, 4 & 6 had a fight over a soccer ball in the backyard. When they re x-rayed 4's wrist. Both bones were broken. M & I think he broke the 2nd bone in the backyard...but we'll have to pick up the x-rays from the hospital to prove it. I'm having a difficult time convincing this one that he can't do handstands coming off his bed with a broken wrist. And yesterday...he showed us that he can still ride his razor with a cast. OY! It's going to be a long 4 weeks until our re-check.

We had an amazing day yesterday at our Co-op Thanksgiving Party. We had a pot-luck last year and enjoyed it so much we did it again. I will say that our party was better than the real Thanksgiving for me. And it might be this year too. The highlight of the afternoon is the leaf pile. C (our host) decided to collect her leaves (and the neighbors too) for the week leading up to the party. The kids had so much fun jumping in and throwing the leaves.

She sent each of the kids home with a goodie bag too. Perfect for taking to our family celebrations today. There were dried apricots, pretzels, raisins, stickers, a maze book for the big kids, and a turkey craft. I know...I homeschool with a bunch of over achievers. When I catch up, this will all be on my other blog.

This morning, we had our traditional Holiday French Toast. I'm totally missing 2...but I know how important this gift of time was to Nana and to 2. Nana appreciates the hugs of little ones as she's getting over her loss. 2 loves her Nana lots!!! I'm often reminded this is pay back. I was that close with my Gram. And I want that for 2 as well...so I'll let them have all the special time they want. 2 is so precious...I can't keep her to myself.

This afternoon, we'll head over to M's sister's house. She's cooking the turkey. Which is a good thing...because if I was in charge, we'd be having PB&J's. I just couldn't do the cooking this year. I'd rather color with the kids than eat an elaborate meal.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

(This craft is from last year, but I didn't know about blogging my photos then. And I'm not totally crazy. We did the hands one day in the back yard...a big piece of paper...paint in a paper plate...kids in their underwear...and they ran in the sprinklers to get clean. The feet a different day...one kid at a time...and I just traced 1's foot...no paint for her. Then we assembled these another day. I think the craft took 2 weeks. Just so no one thinks this earns me a Supermom award.)

Little Girl Purse

Before:

After:

My last little kid purse.

Pattern: Ladybug bag from Pursenalities

Needles US#15, 16"

3 Cascade 220 pinks. Hot pink held doubled. One HP and one Quatro held together. Q doubled. One Q and one light pink held together. 2 strands LP. 2 strands of fun fur held with the LP for 3 rows before the decrease round.

***I just noticed this in my drafts. I'm leaving the old date on the post and just hitting publish.

Saga of the Tiger Socks

A story in pictures. There once was a Mom who had hopes of "orange kitty" socks for 2 boys before Christmas. She knit, measured, and calculated 40 hours knitting time. Not so unreasonable since there isn't other gift knitting to be done. She decided that these socks couldn't be a surprise...because she would need the boys feet to try on the socks. Here is sock 1 knit with US#2's on 6. It seemed a bit loose.

This Mom decided to knit a bit farther before deciding. After the heel, it became obvious that this would be just too loose. And this Mom remembered something that the knit instructor told her while in the LYS.

For a sturdy sock, the stitches should be tight. When the stitches have less room to rub against each other...the don't wear out as fast. The stitches on the #2's were loose and so were the socks. So the answer must be smaller needles. This mom drove to a new LYS to find metal DPN's. Here she bought Addi's 2.25mm. They didn't have the 2.5mm. She knit a few rows on the sock in progress. (compare the orange stitches US#2's, and the white stitches 2.25mm)

The tighter stitches seemed nicer, so she let 6 Frog the entire sock. She CO with the new needles. They're not as pointy as this mom might have liked. Blue BOYE needles from Gram, and Shiny Silver Addi's from Velona's.

Ribbing with a needle that isn't pointy enough isn't fun...but at least the ribbing is only for 1" of the sock. While the kids slept, and the Dad played pool with some men from the Sunday School class...the Mom knit this. She went to bed happy about the sock.

In the morning, the Mom wanted 6 to try the sock on again. It wouldn't go over his toes. Notice something different about the feet in this photo...they're from 4! The new sock is even a bit snug on him.

So, this Mom has some choices to make. But no mater the decisions that follow, these "orange kitty" socks won't be ready for Christmas.

1. Continue with the socks, and maybe they'll fit 2.
2. Stick with the 2.25mm but CO more stitches (these start with 52)
3. Go back to the US#2's, but CO fewer stitches.
4. Go back to the US#2's, but continue the ribbing except for the sole of the foot.
5. If this Mom knits that much ribbing there won't be 4 socks.

Any suggestions?!

Huckleberry Ascot

IK Holiday Gifts 2007.

Huckleberry Ascot by Kat Coyle.

Nashua Creative Focus Worsted, Color: Carmin

220 yards, Plus enough to finish the BO

Needles: US 7

I knit this the week my dad was in the hospital. It was soothing to knit garter stitch, yet interesting enough because of the short rows. If you want to get practice with short rows, this is the way to do it. Even the bobbles were fun. Since my hair doesn't cover any of the back of my neck, I'll definitely need this for the winter. Even our mild California one is chilly when your neck is exposed like that.

Not what I wanted to write about...

I wanted to show off my sock...I knit 4 rows with the #0-1 addi's that I bought just to see what I thought. Then I frogged. Or rather, I let 6 rip up his own sock. I'll start again soon.

I wanted to show off my FO. The Huckleberry Ascot from the Holiday IK. I even took photos.

I wanted to get on my NOW blog and write about the last 3 weeks before I forget what we've done.

I wanted to blog about the winner to my contest...but since I'll have to crop the photos...that will have to wait too.

Instead, because I'm anxiously waiting for a phone call from M, I decided to check my bloglines.

Check out Marie Grace - Yarn Slayer. Leave her a comment for some free yarn. I love her designs. I knit her Daisy Cardigan for 2. It's a free pattern at The Garter Belt. And I'm thinking about The Lily Cardigan for me. Also...there's new designs up at The Garter Belt.

So...I got the phone call I was waiting for. M was at the ER with 4. He broke his arm. It's the right arm. 4 got out of the bath...and got a pull-up on. Then he wanted to show us how fast the new brand of pull-ups made him run. M was at the end of the hall...4 ran into the living room, turned around and ran back. Just before the end of the hall he tripped. His arm and head hit at the same time. I just thank God that M was there. The kids are getting heavy for me to carry. And with my knee...I can't walk when carrying heavy objects...like the kids.

It's almost 10PM, M and 4 are home now. 4 is so tired as this is way past his bedtime...he just keeps on saying "This off." about the wrap they put on him in the hospital.

***You can stop reading here if you want...but I have to type this out.***


This 3 hour ordeal has been just enough to make me all jumpy. I struggle with anxiety. There I've said it here. I'm not so interested in pretending that I'm all about happy knitting and a perfect family. I struggle with perfectionism...working to the best of your abilities is a good thing. Never thinking that you are good enough isn't. I struggle with trying to be a Supermom. Because I want other people to think that I have it all together. I don't. No one does. But, why can't I just let it stay at that and relax a bit. Probably it's my first-born perfectionism. And the anxiety...well that's another story.

I typed the next sentence 4 times and deleted them all. I think that's all I can say for now. I'm just still struggling with all that's happened in the last month. The loss of a mentor's father. The loss of my dad. The loss of a friend's 2 1/2 year old a week later. The loss of a Pastor's father. And just yesterday (Saturday), this time someone I didn't know...but a friend's friend...17years old and a high school senior. I'm overwhelmed with the death all around. I'm ready for 2007 to be over...and feel a fresh start. But, what I have to realize is that each day is a fresh start. And tomorrow, I'll have a change to live for my King again.

Last night was rough too. But for different reasons. I went online and looked at Beth Moore's site. I've got a couple of her books that I couldn't live without. I found some scripture typed out that I printed to read. Thank You God for Your Word. So, I'm off to read those pages again before I want to crawl out of my skin. I have to be strong tomorrow. I get to visit my orthopedist again...but this time for 4.

Really? BAMBOO?!

Ok...I may have to rethink this. I've heard all the talk about bamboo...and I love my bamboo circs and larger dpn's. But, I was holding the birch #1's in my hand last night at my LYS and didn't buy them. I just figured that my kids would end up breaking them in the first week (if I didn't snap one myself).

I've been using my Gram's metal dpn's. And they're fine. I haven't dropped stitches on this sock yet. I really like her old 'plastic?' ones. I'm not sure what they actually are...I think one package says luxite. They're lightweight, have some flex, and I haven't broken any yet. She had 4's, 6's & 11's in this. I guess I should hunt garage sales if I want more of those.

I don't mind buying Addi's if I know that I'll not break them day 1...so just to find where I can buy them. There's one more LYS that's sort of close by that I haven't been to yet. The Cozy Cottage didn't have any metal.

I've taken a break from the sock to finish another little girl purse for a birthday next week. I may do 2 more for Christmas...but otherwise this is my last one. I've done at least 7 of the same little purse. It makes a great gift...but I need to move on.

About the socks...I just don't want to make 4 if they're not quite right. I talked to Miss Me about the socks because they seemed huge...and decided to try it on 6...what do you know...they fit. My baby has huge feet! They actually look great. But someone at my LYS mentioned that with socks...the tighter the gauge the better they wear. (Did I say that right?) So...I was only thinking that I should try this sock on 1's to get a tighter gauge...the sock would be a bit smaller, but that's ok because they're a bit loose right now. But loose socks on a growing kid...not such a bad thing. I took photos to show my progress...but my computer doesn't like my card reader or something, so those photos are still in the camera. I'm about 1" past the heel. I guess it wouldn't be so bad to just finish these socks. I'll still need the #1's though. I have a skein of STR for myself. =0) I probably won't get to those until after Christmas.

I hope this makes sense. I'm typing before I've finished my first cup of coffee.

Thursday already?!

Wow...this week went fast.

Sunday: My Dad's brother and his wife arrived from Texas. After church, M took the boys to a Gem and Mineral show (we've been working on a Geology Rocks kit for school).

Monday: It was a school holiday around here. 6 commented that since all the teachers cars weren't in the parking lot across the street, that it must be a holiday...so we shouldn't do school either. A friend called, inviting herself and another friend over for lunch. They brought with them 5 kids and 4 pizzas. The 8 kids played in the back yard on the slide, with the soccer balls, and in the sandbox. The mom's got to sit and talk. It was warm out, so we moved out to the yard and sat at the table with a cup of coffee and a cookie. I called M later...that was one of the best days I've had in a long time. AM and UJ and my mom (Nana) were over at our house for dinner. We got burgers from a 'famous' local joint. I worked a bit on 6's tiger socks.

Tuesday: AM wanted to buy some yarn (a woman after my own heart). So, I sent AM & UJ to Santa Monica to visit wildfiber. We did our school quickly so we could play at the park with friends at 11am. When I got home from the park, there was yarn from Ursula in my mailbox. Now, if I could just remember what safe place I put the huckleberry ascot. Someone in my Sunday School brought us a yummy roast with red potatoes and salad...and an amazing pineapple coconut pie.

Wednesday: Our NOW day. We learned about Italy. In the afternoon I took AM to Cozy Cottage, while UJ and Nana stayed with the kids. That was a treat for me...and for them. UJ loves my boys. He's only had granddaughters until this summer. But a 5 month old won't be crazy with you yet. And don't get me wrong...his granddaughters have him wrapped around their little finger, but there's something special about boys. =0) Any mom with boys knows what I mean.

Thursday: Today M is still home. 4 has a dentist appointment at 8am. I can't bear to take the boys when they need work done.

So the contest is over...I'll close the comments...and have the kids draw a name. I should be able to post the winner tomorrow...with some flowers. And then I have lots of knitting to talk about. And just a question...I looked at some bamboo size 1 dpn's...and I don't think it's wise for me to buy them. So I'll look for metal ones. I haven't yet tried socks on 2 circs or the magic loop or anything like that...and I may like it better, but for now...is there a good kind of metal dpn's to buy...and where should I buy them?

Can I really have a contest?

I was just enjoying my coffee and bloglines with a side of ravelry this morning, and thinking of all this year has brought. I knew that my blogiversary must have been close...or just passed...but it's TODAY. I only posted once in 2006, and didn't really start until January, so I was just going to let this slip by...but now that I'm here I can't.

I love what blogging has been for me. I'm so happy to write my thoughts. I love meeting knitters. They're an amazing bunch. Before I met knit bloggers I would have never imagined that 'friends' send yarn and hugs (sometimes just because). So, today...as I'm off to my Dad's memorial (or rather this morning I'm trying to avoid the thoughts)...I'm having a contest.

It's November, a season of Thanksgiving. This weekend we celebrate our Veterans. May dad, his dad, my mother's father, my FIL, M's grandfather, my cousin...and so many more. I'm so thankful for my freedom...and I'm thankful for the men and women who protect that every day. As Thanksgiving approaches, we'll listen to this CD at our house again. And, I'll be overwhelmed at what our ancestors gave for our liberties.

So, leave me a comment. Send me your friends. I want to know what you're THANKFUL for. I think reading our thankfulness will strengthen and encourage me as this season will be hard without my dad.

If I get a lot of comments, then I'll leave this open until Thanksgiving (American). And then I'll come up with some prize...just today I don't have a plan.

All sorts of progress

When I wasn't blogging...I made so much knitting progress all at once.

Hospital Knitting: Huckleberry Ascot.

I knit this with the Nashua Creative Focus Worsted in Carmin from Ursula (my FFBE pal). Its a gorgeous color. And as I was finishing up, I noticed its the exact color of a strip in my knitting chair. Maybe I should have knit a pillow for my chair...but I love the ascot. I think I'll keep it for myself. I know it would look good with my black wool coat. I don't know when it will be cold enough for all that here...but there's bound to be at least a few times I'll wear a coat. I ran out of yarn with about 40 stitches left to bind off. Ursula was so kind to mail me a few extra yards since she still had some in the same dye lot.

Morestripes: When I got on Ravelry, and saw all the finished Morestripes...I was so excited to finish mine. The back is done, and the front is at the part where I begin shaping for the steek. I really enjoy the 4 x 1 rib when I'm watching TV and wanting to veg. I've got just a few more inches before I start the armhole shaping. I'm so ready to wear this.

Fingerless Mitts:

When I went to wildfiber in Santa Monica, I bought some Koigo. One skein was for my FFBE pal, and with the other skein I started with some fingerless mitts. These are from Leigh Radford's One Skein book. The first mitt is done, and I've started the 2nd. I think I'm keeping these too. The colorway matches my Morestripes. That's pretty amazing since the Morestripes is 2 yarns striping together...and the Koigo just happened to include all those colors. I couldn't have planned it better.

Split Neck T-shirt: I'm adding shaping to this as I go...so I've ripped more than I've ever ripped in a project. I'm using one of my favorite 3/4 sleeve tees as a guide. The thing is, that tee flares out more at the hip...and I think that the sweater wants to fall straighter. I may have to rip back my 2 increases (about 15 rows) to lengthen the straight part between the decreases and increases. If I could figure out how to ask for help on that one on-line then I would. I don't want it to bell out too much and add to my widest part. I've kind of set this aside for a bit until I can make objective decisions.

Oh...and this came in the mail on Wednesday.

I had totally forgotten about the purchase. There was a Postal strike in England that resulted in a backlog of parcels. I had M purchase this since I don't have an ebay account. When I asked for the tiger yarn, he found a seller that 3 different Rainforest yarns for sale and bought the bundle. Miss Me knit these socks for her younger son. And I knew my boys would just LOVE 'orange kitty' socks. The Bangles are even their favorite football team these days. They like Tony Stewart better than Jimmy Johnson because of the orange car. Hopefully I can finish tiger socks for the boys by Christmas. I have to be okay with knitting 4 of the same sock. This could be so much worse than having 2nd sock syndrome.

I made it through 2 more days...

I made it through Wednesday. I LOVE our homeschool Co-op! I brought a parachute and some balloons to play with the 2 & 3 year olds (3 moms 5 kids). That was so much fun!!! And the bright colors are enough to cheer the day. The boys were out in the pool house learning about CANADA. I'm so behind on my other blog, I have yet to write about that lesson or MEXICO last week...but I will get to it.

M leaves for work at 4:30 am...and Wednesday he didn't get home until after the kids were sound asleep. That doesn't happen a lot, but the kids are so sad...and I'm so tired. We really miss him.

I made it through Thursday. We had a fire in the fireplace and lots of library books in the morning. All that reading made me want to get to my book. I was tricky. After I put 2 down for a nap, I filled the tub. Each boy got 30 minutes in the tub...and I got an hour to read. It was chilly in the house...and I didn't want to turn on the heater...so I just turned on the heated bed pad...and the kids snuggled with me and a book when not in the tub. I finished reading The Robe! I won't spoil it. I also finished the PowerPoint for my Dad's Memorial service this Saturday. That's where all my image editing time has gone. If I could do that all day instead of clean the house and laundry, I probably would. I spent a lot of time in Photoshop with my before kids.

Today our EF visits (educational facilitator). I know she's understanding...but I'm still nervous about the lack of schooling these last 3 weeks. Her last visit was the day my dad went into the hospital. I know that having the kids close at times like this are part of the reason I homeschool...but I have a hard time when I feel like I'm just scraping by as a mom...and not really being a teacher. I know all mom's must feel this...but that doesn't make me feel better.

Now, on to the weekend...then looking for a fresh start. Hopefully I'll have lots of knitting pictures for the blog. It's been gray outside...now I get why people struggle to photo knitted items in bad light.

I just realized...it's Friday. Here's some flowers. My husband's office sent these. The basket is HUGE.

Made it through Tuesday...

Each day, I say that to myself. Right now...a lot of life is just trying to make it through one day at a time.

5 is now 6! And because he's tall and heavy...by law he no longer needs a car seat. (In CA you need to be 6yrs. & 60#) He road yesterday without one! But, he prefers the booster since it has 2 arm rests, and asked why all the regular seats in the car didn't have the amenities his booster did? He said he'd like to keep the booster in the car so he can choose. I was hoping to get rid of the car seat. Oh well, at least if I need a friend to pick him up in a pinch...I won't have to worry about the extra booster.

MOPS was great. Another mom brought cookies to Luke's class so they could sing Happy Birthday to him as it was his actual special day! Thanks Lisa. This kid has done nothing but mention his birthday for the last month...and he LOVED that the class sang for him.

I put 2 down for a nap when we got home, and the boys helped clean up the house. For almost the last 3 weeks I've let everything slide. There are even stacks of unopened mail. I'm just praying that we get all our bills paid this month. My FIL was the first to arrive, he works for Northrup and goes in super early to work. He got to my house at 2 or 3...I'm not sure. I still have only changed 1/2 the clocks. Then he occupied the boys and I could finish last minute preparations.

My mom and Gramp arrived with balloons. Then M came home early with a cake. Yesterday, when I was freaking out since the bakery near us is closed on Mondays, he ordered a cake at the bakery near his office. It was expensive, but it was yummy and I didn't have to make it.

Then my MIL arrived with my nephew at 4:30. SIL & BIL were still at work, so other nephew stayed at daycare. The kids played LEGOS...until dinner was ready. 6's big disappointment was that it was just family. He so wanted to invite Josh and Stone and Dylan and Isaac. Maybe I'll have to plan special play dates with each of those boys.

I ordered Pizza from a small family owned shop and picked up salad from the Corner Bakery since it's in the same lot. We ate at 5 (which the kids still thought was late because of the time change).

Then opened presents.

Then ate some cake.

I was exhausted. I didn't even knit. I just went to bed. But, then I read. I've been reading...and I can't seem to put The Robe down. I just got to chapter 12. I know I have lots to write about. I just have a difficult time composing my thoughts. This time change is kicking my butt too. I can't seem to get up before the kids. They get up at the new 6am...which last week was 7...but they don't understand. I'm having a hard time getting up at the new 5am since it's black outside and cold in the house...and I've been up until 11pm reading. =0)

Now, I'm off to get the kids all dressed appropriately (not in costumes, and not in shorts) so we can head off to our co-op. Today we learn about CANADA. And tomorrow, I'll say I made it through Wednesday....

ps...I'll probably add photos this afternoon when 2 is napping and the boys are listening to Paws & Tales.

Another Supermom Moment

How am I supposed to explain to a soon to be 6 y.o. that birthdays and funerals don't go together. 5 has been describing in depth what kind of cake he wants...and all the friends he wants to invite. I'm planning on having M's parents, my mom & brother, and my Gramp over for dinner tomorrow. That's 5's actual birthday. The weekends on either side of the birthday got swallowed up in other things. I'm glad I hadn't sent out tons of invitations that I would have had to cancel. But, I feel like my job description as mom is supposed to include homemade frosting. Seriously, I know that I struggle with perfectionism...just why do all my faults have to stare me in the face at once. Why don't I learn that I don't have to be a SUPERMOM?!?!

Somehow, tomorrow will include a morning at MOPS and a family party in the evening. I think that I'll make a new rule...no school on your birthday. That should be easy enough to keep up with. At least as long as we homeschool. Now, if I can just breathe calmly.

For the LEGO moms...check this video out. M just sent me a link.

And there's been tons of knitting...but I haven't been taking pictures. Hopefully I'll be able to update during the week.

Oh, and yesterday, I caught 2 in her first lie. A deliberate lie. At 2! She found the bag of dried apricots on the counter, and claimed that the 3 she had been given were "Gone! In Nana's mouth." Too funny. I had to call my mom to be sure, but 2 had indeed been given apricots, and she had eaten them herself. We do monitor the number of dried apricots our kids consume...because if you didn't know...there's a relationship with number of apricots consumed and number of diapers changed. The last thing I need this week is yucky diapers.

Sureal...

There's no other way to describe this week. Today, these were delivered to my house. Thanks MOPS ladies! And we've had 3 yummy dinners delivered. It's been great to have the support of family, our Sunday School class, my MOPS table, and our homeschool group as we try to regain equilibrium here.

Yesterday was the service at the Riverside National Cemetery. Here's a few photos of the day.



My Mom received the flag from the honor guard. She was so grateful to be holding 4 on her lap through the service. There's nothing like the cuddles of a little one to sustain a Nana's heart.


My hand placing 5 roses (for the 5 in my family) as a final good-bye.

My mom had chosen a "pine box" as that's what the woodworker in my dad would have wanted. And while this is "good-bye" for now. I am so grateful that I have the assurance we'll be reunited in heaven one day.