I've been MIA ...

and there is really no real reason. Except for life. And stuff.

G is almost 1 now, and I cannot believe it. At this moment she is chasing our ancient, blind poodle around and trying to "share" a shoe with her. (outsiders may think she is shoving it in her ear.) Poor doggie.

C1 and C2 are outside playing. I'm making them play out there to give me a break. I'm on my third day of feeling like crap and we are all getting a bit cagey. (Have I mentioned that I'm grumpy when I don't feel well?) Plus, how many more warm days are we gonna get this year?

Fun in the sun

This past weekend my mom, brother and nephews spent a few days with us. We spent Sunday playing in a spring fed stream in a nearby park. That evening we grilled out and sat around a nice little fire in the backyard. It was good to see the kids just being kids together.

Cassity


Caleb


Greta


Caleb and Donovan


Donovan (6 months older than Cass)


Hunter (6 months older than Caleb)


I'm thinking of printing all these and framing them for my mom.

Apron-a-thon

I made 18 aprons for our homeschool co-op last week. I made them rather plain because we let the kiddos decorate them. We meet weekly and always make lunch together, so it was only fitting that the kids have aprons to wear.

These were super easy. Only three pieces to each apron. They only took about 2 days of work to complete. One day to design, cut and iron. The next to sew, sew, sew. The best thing is that I didn't have to buy any fabric. What a great stash busting project! I designed the apron to be made for four sizes, toddler, kid, teen and adult. I still need to finish the adult aprons because I ran out of time!

All 18 aprons

Teen size. (Notice the loops on the edge used to tie the one long strap)

Same apron, unfolded and tied.

Close up of straps

Six Months

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

Nailed

This was in my tire today.

I can't decide if we picked it up in an antique shop parking lot on Sunday or if it's an Easter memento carelessly dropped to the ground at the church where we have Brownies.

Either way it is a huge ass nail.

Mother's Day

Red roses and jewelry from my dear hubby,

a beautiful orchid from the big kids,

(I named her Lola)

and a poo heart from Greta.

Perfect.

Gray Fossil

I took the kiddos to see Sue at the Gray Fossil Site. We had such a great day. It was a bit of a drive esp. with gas as expensive as it is, but we made a day of it. We packed a picnic lunch and set of early in the a.m. with the idea that we should be able to locate a park nearby to have lunch at. Turns out there is a small park right next door, in between the Fossil Site and the local high school. It was an amazing day!