Last Week

Not sure where the last few days have gone! Here's a quick overview of last week...

The Bug went from this:


to this:


Landon-Man got into his first (and hopefully only) fight. Long story short, there is a family that lives about a block from us. One of the boys is in 2nd grade, and like his older brother, is a trouble maker and bully. One day last week (Wednesday, I think), he was picking on the Bug and the Man, shoving them and throwing mud at them. Then, he took off with Landon's backpack. Landon finally had enough and punched the kid in the nose. I think Jeremy (and the grandpa's, uncles, and cousins) were maybe a little too proud of Landon.

I read a good book (twice!) that I'll be posting about on March 3rd.

Saturday, we went to Lincoln to celebrate little Ori's first birthday.


Check out the awesome cake my sis-in-law made!


I finally got around to a super simple project that I've had on my mind for a few months, now:



The piece of wood is from the farm, and is about 24" long. I found the knobs at Hobby Lobby for $1 or $2 each (they were 1/2 off when I bought them). I still plan on dry brushing the board, and I have to add hangers to the back. I'll be sure to repost it when it's completely done and hung up.


The knobs are 4.5" from the end with 5" between each knob. Just mark your board and drill a hole big enough to screw in your knobs.


The screws on the knobs are super long, so I used this little tool (borrowed from my awesome dad) and my husbands muscles to cut the extra length off.


I also needed to use a counter-sink bit for the back so I didn't have to worry about scratching up the walls.


Add your knobs - you'll probably have to use some pliers to lighten the nuts on the back - and the hangers, and you're done!


I'm currently working on another project, and will show you that as soon as it's finished, too!
Hint:

Quick Drive-by

Yesterday was a nice, quiet, calm day till about 4:00. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow, and will hopefully have a project to show you, too!

Journaling and Discussing

There is so much negativity going on in the world, and I've been seeing it's effects on my boys. I worry about them being pessimists, and I want them to look for the good in everything, even if it takes a while to find it. So, they've started journals. Landon's goal is to think of 2-3 good things each day and write them down. Then I ask him to tell me a little bit more about each thing. Taylor's goal is the same, but I also encourage him to write a little more about how he felt during the day, and that sort of thing. We only talk about what he puts in his journal if he wants to.

Last night, after I helped Landon with his journal, he started asking me questions. First, he asked why I could say a word that he wasn't allowed to use, and wanted to know what that word meant. So, I had to explain that the word was a bad word, and I only used it because I was telling grandma about a quote that I had read recently in a book. The word was in this book a lot because the story takes place in the 1930's in Alabama, and people didn't know any better. We talked about what the word means, and about how it should never be used.

Then using his 5-year-old vocabulary, he started asking questions about those who are in the country illegally, and wanted to know why it appears that some things are different for them than they are for us. I did the best I could to answer his questions, but it was hard. I want the boys to make up their own minds about things by looking at all sides of the issue before making a decision. When they ask questions like that, I do my best to give them all the angles. That set of questions was especially hard for me because that is one subject that I have strong feelings about. It did make me revisit my opinions, and while I haven't changed my mind, I think it's good for us all to think about why we think the way we do.

I think my kids teach me as much, if not more, than I teach them!

Calendar Girls

Have you seen this movie? It's one of those movies that becomes even more enjoyable every time you watch it. It has been a couple of years since I last saw it, so I checked it out from the library. I had forgotten how much I love this movie! Chris and Annie = my mom and I...can't take us anywhere! I can only hope that I'm as spunky as these ladies in another 20-30 years!

Oh! If you haven't seen the movie "Up!", yet, you definitely should. It's hilarious!

Crayon/Pencil Roll Tutorial

I had fully intended for this to get up this afternoon. And it would have been, if my computer wasn't evil. Just as I was about ready to click "Publish Post", I lost it all. I didn't have time to redo it before I picked up the boys and had to do the whole supper thing. But, here it is (keep your fingers crossed that I don't lose it again)!



This tutorial is for a crayon roll that will fit 24 regular crayons. At the bottom of the tutorial, you will find measurements for 8 and 16 regular crayons, 8 and 16 big crayons, and 12 and 24 colored pencils. (I goofed when I was cutting the fabric for this tutorial, so the pictures will show a 16 crayon roll instead of 24, but they all get assembled the same way, so there shouldn’t be any confusion!) I apologize for the photo quality. Natural light is almost non-existent in our house, especially on really cloudy days!

Materials Needed:
(3) 26.5 x 5 inch rectangles of fabric
(1) 26.5 x 5 inch rectangle of flannel
24 inches Ribbon/bias tape
24 Crayons
*Alternate*
Instead of (3) 26.5 x 5 rectangles, you can use:
(2) 26.5 x 5 inch rectangles
(1) 26.5 x 2½ inch rectangle (this will be your pocket piece)
26.5 inches bias tape


Instructions:The first step includes alternate instructions, so please read through before proceeding!
1. Pick out your pocket fabric. With wrong sides together, fold in half and press. Set aside.
*Alternate Instructions*
Take your 26.5 x 2½ piece of fabric, and sew your 26.5 inch length of bias tape along the top side.


2. With your flannel, measure 1¼ inches from edge, and draw your first line. Measure 1 inch from line and draw next line. Continue to draw your lines 1 inch apart all the way across, leaving a 1 ¼ inch space at the end.



3. With the lined side down, layer your flannel, inside piece, and pocket piece, and pin.


4. Flip the stack over, so the lines are facing you. Sew along those lines, backstitching at the top and bottom.


5. Take your ribbon and fold it in half. Pin it to one side of your roll.


6. With right sides together, pin the inside to the outside. Using a ¼ inch seam, sew all the way around, leaving a 3-4 inch gap for turning.


7. Turn right-side out and press.


8. Sew a ¼ inch or smaller seam all the way around. The photo below shows where I line it up. I think it might be about an eighth of an inch.


9. Add crayons, roll up, and give to your favorite little artist!

*Notes and other Measurements*
This tutorial uses 1" pockets, but they do tend to stretch a little, and you can usually fit 2 crayons into each pocket.



I'd love to see any photos of what you make. Maybe I'll even start a flickr group for all our creations!

12 Pink Balloons

Monday was our sweet little Madisyn's 3rd birthday. I picked up a dozen pink balloons, and we headed over to my sis-in-law's house to send them to Maddie. Once we could no longer see them, Landon said, "Well, they must be in Heaven, now!" They must be.

*************************

I'll be back this afternoon with that Crayon/Pencil Roll Tutorial.

Remembering

Madisyn Jade Walker

February 1, 2007 - August 12, 2009

(Photo taken & edited by Maddie's mom)

Smile When You Think of Me....

I am not gone I have only slipped into the next journey.

I am I and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other, we still are.

Speak to me in the easy way you always did.

Put no difference in your tone.

Laugh as we always laughed when we were together.

Play, smile and go on with your lives.

Let my name be the household name that it always was.

Let it be spoken without affect, without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was.

So smile when you think of me, for I am somewhere very near, just around the corner and all is well here!