Helping Hands

These little "helping hands" made our "kissing hand" cookies on this last of our "lots of Mommy days". Their little hands will be kissed tomorrow, and I may need to take a kiss with me as well!

10 Sleeps 'Til Kindergarten

When Simon went to Kindergarten, I wrapped about 7-8 books about going to school.  He was given one each evening at dinner, with a number taped on top.  Each number was a "sleep", counting down the number of sleeps until Kindergarten.  The only rule was that within the book, the mother could not be sad and crying and the child could not be overly hesitant about going to school.  That message entering my child's head defeated my purpose.  I wanted to give him the biggest pep talk about going to school.

It was lovely.

It is now time to do the same thing for Norah.  On August 16, we will begin our "10 Sleeps 'Til Kindergarten".  Last time, I scoured used book stores and even wrapped up library books.  Here is the line up of books:

10.  Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

 9.  Pete the Cat The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean

 8.  Froggy Goes to School by Jonathon London

 7.  We Share Everything by Robert Munsch

 6.  Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin & James Dean

 5.  Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

 4. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

 3a.  Boomer Goes to School by Constance W. McGeorge 

 3b.  David Goes to School by David Shannon 

 2.  In My Heart by Molly Bang

 1.  The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This handmade kissing hand will be given with the "1 sleep 'til kindergarten" book, and tucked into the front pocket of my Lil' Miss's backpack. A little Momma's love with her at all times! (It is my hand).  I may also make hand and heart shaped sugar cookies, for a special kindergarten send off.  If you yet don't know Chester Raccoon and The Kissing Hand, it is a classic to hold dear to your heart.

I love my little girl.  I am soooo excited that she is able to attend Kindergarten as all parents dream, in regular education.  I would be so very sad if her educational career began with more of a struggle.  She is developing as she should, and the joy of Kindergarten will be hers daily.  But, still, my baby girl is going to get on a bus and ride away from me, and spend part of her day with others.  

If you know my precious Norah, you will know that she adores and loves to chat, sing, and play away the day.  That she finds joy in almost any object, that her imagination is huge, that she will befriend anyone young or old, and that she is happy.  I am sad that her little early childhood is ending.  Not so much yet, but I know what all day in first grade brings.

Here she is, with her new backpack packed with her school supplies. She is ready to meet her teacher (Aug. 23rd), and start Kindergarten (Aug. 26th).  She loved school supply shopping, by the way.  She did not realize that we only bought what was on the list, not every interesting item!

Please God, let this next year slow down, just a little bit.  For this mother's heart.  And keep her a joyous little girl.

Bags

This will be a trip with bags!  To help me stay organized.  I am taking the kids to MN - for the summer trip to see Grandma and Grandpa, to see my sister and her husband who are visiting from Japan, and my High School reunion.  We will be staying at a few places over the course of the trip.  Since I am solo in schlepping our stuff, organizing our events, driving, and caring for the kids - I need bags to organize myself.  It keeps me calm.  Items belonging in dedicated compartments, ahhh - bring on the peace!

Bag List:
1.  Sunday night bag - with our pajamas, Monday's outfit, and toiletries for our hotel night.
2.  Clothes bag - a total of 3, one per person.
3.  Swimming bags - with suits and towels, sand toys provided by Grandma's bath toys
4.  A cold weather bag to stay in the trunk - with a sweatshirt, pants, and socks per person for a potential chilly evening
5.  Car bags - with a few kid-picked items to entertain during the multi-hour journey back and forth
6. Snack bag - to munch on during the multi-hour journey
7.  Project bag - FOR ME - always have to have something to read and some yarn project to keep my hands busy
8.  Gift bag - can't arrive empty handed!

That may be all!  I always say I'll pack light.  But somehow, it's not always that light.

Ornaments 1-4

I was supposed to make 2 ornaments a month.  This project began on July 26, 2013.  Four ornaments are now completed, only 21 to go!  I love this project; quick completions with new skills learned.  I think I have figured out slip slip knit vs. knit 2 together.  I also learned the picot bind off (the snow on the house).

The goal of this project is to spend no money.  The pattern was completely free from Ravelry.com, just search for Advent Garland, designed by Frankie Brown.  I may have purchased the ivory yarn, because I did not have that and would use it often throughout the project.  But all other yarn to be used must come from my stash.  So far, it has - reminding me of projects made and given!

Our Advent calendar is under way!  Eric will design a wooden tree to place these ornaments each day.  I will plan out devotions that coordinate with each ornament.  Either a Bible story, verse, book to read ("The Legend of the Candy Cane" - for the candy cane, "Who is Coming to Our House? - for the mouse", "Room for a Little One" and "The Tale of Three Trees"- for the tree), a kind deed to do for someone, song to listen to from Christ in the Carols, etc.  We did Christ in the Carols last year.  We read the meaning and history of the song, then listened to the song while reflecting on the words.  It was a beautiful Advent.  Since I am thinking about the devotions, I altered the chain ornament.  I was supposed to make 4 chains, but since I want to tie the devotion to the Trinity - I made only 3.

We only have to figure out how to "hide" or present each ornament and directions of what to do that day.   I am thinking of having the trunk flip open to place the ornament and devotion for each day.  Or string simple numbered bags across our fireplace to remove each day.  Much better than The Elf on the Shelf!

School in the Sea

Look what we found!!!

A dolphin pencil case.  Last year Simon had a metal tin case for his pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, etc.  It returned home on the last day in okay to fair condition.  In 1st grade, we had to replace his plastic supply case mid-year.  I am all about the tin case.  We went to an office supply store solely to buy my academic calendar.  On the way out, my eye caught this!  A 3D dolphin case.  This picture doesn't really show the depth of the image, it is way cool.  So with his shark pouch holding some supplies, his dolphin case will hold the rest.  Quite exciting for an 8-year old boy.  I prefer this over super heroes and other popular characters and what not.

Oh, and that calendar.  Came home and discovered the one I chose was for 2013, not academic 2013-2014.  Ugh, I'll have to go back.

School Supplies

It is not even August yet, but we are preparing for school supplies!  I have seen my first "back-to-school" t.v. ads.  I have printed Simon's and Norah's school supply list.  I have purchased jeans and long sleeves, with great "new-to-me" prices; with knees in tact and room to grow!

AND -
One school supply item has been secured.   Rather, hand-made that is.  Yep, we are prepared to store pencils, markers, or whatever Simon decides to put into his shark supply pouch.  I secretly like that there will be a part of "Mom" in his desk every single school day, with love in every stitch.  I secretly hope that he is happy with his Mom-made shark pouch.  I bought the yarn one day, and the next day Simon asked if I was done.  Once I completed it, he put it on his bed.  I think he likes it.

The pattern was great, free, and easy to follow.  I used nylon crochet thread, in hopes that the pouch is more sturdy.  The pouch does not have that soft, fuzzy yarn feel.  I am hoping that it will not get fuzzy, pilled, or ripped as easily.  I really like the sheen and finished feel of the fabric - very shark-like.   I added a few touches for more embellishment.  I slip-stiched around the tail and fins to make them more sturdy and substantial. I single-crocheted around the whole jaw for a more finished look.  Each round I was supposed to chain one and turn.  I didn't like the look of the chain one, so I just turned.  This project was crocheted in the round, but joined and turned at the end of each row.  A bit trickier, but made for a consistent look since the jaw parts are crocheted back and forth.  The only thing I am not the most pleased with, are the teeth.  Mine seem to stick straight out and not point up.  Minor, but a small annoyance.  I don't think Simon even notices. The zipper was hand-sewn in with not much difficulty.  I, perhaps, am becoming a pro at zippers.

Of course Norah wants one, but school supplies in Kindergarten and first grade are community property.  She may have to wait until 2nd grade for her own.  She told me I could make one and stuff it to be a "furry friend".

An Article Worth Sharing and Reading

The Invisible Mother

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, ‘Can’t you see I’m on the phone?’

Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? 

Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, ‘What time is it?’ I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel?’ I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please.’

Some days I’m a crystal ball; ‘Where’s my other sock? Where’s my phone?, What’s for dinner?’

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history, music and literature -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going, she’s going, and she’s gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, ‘I brought you this.’ It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: ‘With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.’

In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: 1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. 

A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees.’ 

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was Almost as if I heard God whispering to me, ‘I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.

No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. 

When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, ‘My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.’ That would mean I’d built a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, he’d say, ‘You’re gonna love it there…’ 

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.

—Anonymous

School Supplies

Wouldn't this be too cute for pencils?  

And this just perfect for markers?

I may just have to add this to my project list!

What do you do to stay cool?

What do you do when it is over 90 degrees and very humid, one of the hottest stretches of the year?   One would think of swimming, sprinklers, staying inside, keeping the shades pulled, running the AC constantly, eating popsicles/ice cream, wracking your brain for no-cook meals, playing in the cool basement, etc. etc. etc.

Well, this is what I have done the last few days:
1.  Went to Goodwill solely looking for jeans for the upcoming school year.  Because who is looking for cold-weather clothes right now?  Nobody.  I figured the used jeans would not be picked over and the knees would be in good condition.  I prevailed! I found 2 pairs of size 6 jeans that fit Norah well now (because all of her size 5 jeans are above her ankle).  And 2 pairs of size 6 jeans that are quite long, so she is allowed to grow a bit, if needed.  A long sleeve shirt with a snowman on it and a long sleeve dress for school.  We also found a pair of size 8 jeans that allow for a small bit of growth for Simon.  All other size 8 pants fit perfectly, and I would not take the chance of a growth spurt.  My concern is the next size is 10/12 for boys - what happened to size 9?

2.  Used the last of our fresh-picked raspberries from MI to make our own raspberry sorbet.  It is a sweet and refreshing frozen treat.

3.  I returned some items to a Lands End store, and could not resist perusing the back rack of not-quite right items and returns.  I left with a down vest, a turtle neck, and a long sleeve shirt - when it was 90-ish degrees outside!  I have been wishing for and looking for a down vest, but could never found one I liked for the price.  I just needed summer!

4.  Finished knitting a collegiate scarf for our neighbor.  She is off to Valapraiso University this fall, and this will be perfect for football games and walking to class on brisk days.  It is knit in the round, using a jogless jog.  I love that this is a stockinette stitch, and I knit the entire project!  No purling - thanks to knitting in the round.  The fringe makes it fun.  A very warm scarf; I would repeat this project.  Pattern inspired from Ravelry.

We honestly tried to go to the pool, 1 1/4 blocks from our house.  Two days ago Norah took a monster nap and yesterday Simon took a nap.  Then a rain spell rolled through.  Perhaps today, but storms may likely thwart our plans.

Hope you are nice and cool!

Two A Month!

Oh, and I forgot about this project! I'll have to make two each month to make it to Advent devotions this year.  The pattern is completely free on Ravelry, and I am predicting I have enough yarn on hand to make it!