He's HOME!

M made it safely home. He was a bit sick one day on the trip (I think 2 days ago) and has been taking some medicine since then. I'm praying this goes away quickly. That this was just a virus. If you don't know, I had a parasite after a trip to China in 98...I was ill for 9+ months. Emotionally, this is hard for me to not know when M will be well. I owe pictures and prizes and things....I'll get there this week I hope. Some of that will depend on how M is feeling. For the last 10 days I've just been trying to keep my head afloat with single-parenting. I'm glad to be somewhat back to normal. Now...if I can just catch up with my email inbox.

I'm still alive

but, I'm learning all kinds of new respect for single parents. Friday was quick. M left after lunch. We just enjoyed our afternoon after the crazy rush that was packing for the trip. The kids watched Bolt at bedtime and then were asleep. Saturday we picked up around the house and my mom took 7 to hang out with my brother. I took 5 & 8 to our churches dedication of the new building. When we got home 5 started complaining about an earache. As in screaming because she couldn't bend down to take off her own shoes. I gave her some Tylenol and told her I'd take her in to the DR in the morning. She was sleeping in my bed and cried much of the night. Sunday I took her to the Urgent Care as soon as they opened and we came home with an antibiotic for the ear infection. Sunday evening I had an event to take the kids to, but I needed to leave 5 home since she was running a fever. My mom stayed with her and the boys got to play soccer with some friends. Monday my "teacher" with our charter school came to collect our first set of samples. When she left, I fed the kids lunch and then we took off for the library. I emailed my mom and asked her to come and feed the kids dinner since I was asked to go wedding dress shopping with M's cousin. How could I say no to that?! The bride's mom was running late and we had the dress chosen before she arrived (turns out that was a good thing).

Then I encouraged her to buy the cutest red shoes! They're so fun.

Tuesday morning the boys had their first fencing class. I think we're really going to enjoy this. In the afternoon, 5 had her book club and one of the guys M mentors came over to hang out with the boys. They ate pizza and played Legos.

I took 5 to David's Bridal on the way home from Book Club to check out the flower girl dresses. She was in need of a bath from finger painting at book club and playing with bugs in the yard so we just looked, but I think we'll need to go back and try some on. ;0) She was in heaven in that store.

Tuesday night the kids just did not want to go to bed. I'm pretty tired from the late nights. I'm trying to send emails and do some cleaning up when they're in bed, but when the boys aren't down until 9:30....mom is really tired. Today is ballet/tap for 5 and hopefully an earlier bedtime for all. I had intentions of knitting an entire child size cardi while M was gone and I haven't knit a stitch! Hopefully tonight I knit!

B is for Balboa Beach

We study a letter a week for school. We started this when 8 was in kindergarten and it's been such a fun thing for our family that we keep on going. We do take breaks for holidays or other things, and I only go through the alphabet once for the school year. Two years ago we read through My ABC Bible Verses. Last year we did alphabet Muffin Tin lunches. And this year I'm teaching the kids about a hymn a week to go with our letter. I've got some great books/CD's that talk about the story behind the hymn. The books don't go in alphabet order so I've chosen our arrangement of songs. This week we'll be learning about "Blessed Assurance." And some other fun B's in our week... BBQ Burgers and Baked Beans, Blueberry Bars, Breaded Chicken with Brussel Sprouts and Baked Potatoes, Bean Burritos, and...Balboa Beach! Sunday night we enjoyed a Bonfire with some CSUF Exchange Students. That was a great way to close out the weekend.

8 & 7

7 & 5 (Is it any wonder I've been asked if they're twins?)

My toes in MY beach! This is the beach I lived at the summer of 1995.

And the fog didn't roll in so we were able to enjoy a sunset! Amazing!

Knitterly Stash Enhancement

I visited Knitterly when I was in Petaluma. It seems like so long ago. Traveling home and unpacking and starting school have been some L.O.N.G. days. I had saved some Christmas money to spend on yarn. I just couldn't spend it on bills. My mom fell in love with Ella Rae Book 20 (I did too) and so she bought it for me. The 2 sweaters I want to knit are on the cover.

I found some great buys on the sale rack. I'm hoping I can make them work. The Cashcotton is for Lulu.

The Princess yarn is for the Saffron Pattern.

I decided to CO for the Saffron since it's short sleeves and right now 5 has a new dress that would look cute with this cardi. I figure I have to do better than on my Knitterly Hoodie. This can't take me a year. I had lots of problems with the swatch. This is my 2nd one. I couldn't decide if the lace pattern was supposed to line up or be staggered...and I kept having problems with the stitch count. With these problems I figured it was no wonder I couldn't get gauge. I asked for help on FB and then I decided to look at the Ella Rae site. Of course, there were corrections on this pattern. Someone from Ella Rae emailed me back so quick and I'm frogging my swatch and trying again. I do love how it matched my little table cloth so well. Nice summery colors.

And since these photos aren't up on the Ella Rae site or on Ravlery I'm showing you a few of my other favorites. How can you not LOVE this book?!? I mean these are so stinking cute. I LOVE the contrast ruffle on the sleeve here.

I LOVE the ruffle at the neck here and I just might need to find a toddler I can knit for.

I LOVE the simplicity of this one and I know it would be so squishy soft in garter stitch.

So...what are your new knitting LOVES?

Last Call

I had to get my little model to put on some hats for me. These hats are going with M to a mountain region where it will be very cold this winter. However, it was 113 yesterday in the city he'll visit next month. What a shock of temperature! I know these will be appreciated so much. He leaves at the beginning of September so it's not too late to send in a hat. I've also got some washcloths (still have to buy the soaps) and then I'll take photos of those. THANK YOU to those who have knit for others.

Here's a peak at part of the prize. I picked up this hand stamped project bag in Petaluma.