Eight Years

So hard to believe that Max is 8 today. In someways it seems like only yesterday he arrived on the scene and then on the other hand it seems that he has always been in my life. Can't imagine life without him and am so proud and blessed to be his mother. We had a wonderful pool day with some of our friends - his and mine- and Grandma Sue visiting from Seattle. Five boys, three moms and a few younger siblings thrown in . .. the perfect day and we all had a great time. We had pizza and cake and Max really enjoyed himself. Love this new low key approach and the impromptu birthday party.

After dinner tonight, we had a small family celebration with a cupcake and sparkler candles. These candles make every party lots of fun! Max loved it!

He is such a sweet, fun, loving and often wild boy. Every day he attacks with a energy and zest for life. Steve and I are proud to be his parents.

Looking at this photo taken tonight, I must admit I almost don't recognize him as my baby. He is growing up so fast and I often think . . . he can't be just 8! Then we are often reminded how sweet, young and innocent he is!

Happy Birthday to Max. We love you like crazy!

Homefun? Last homework of the year was almost enjoyable.

The last days of the school year, friend or foe? I have to say I am just not sure. The hustle and bustle. Party after party. All the thank-you gifts, my head is spinning. It would be so nice if it could all wind down nice and slow. Instead at my son's school the end of the year stuff starts in mid-may. By the time the last week comes all the kids, teachers and parents are just done.

Last week Max asked to practice his spelling words. My response is if you can find them, I will read them to you. I just don't care anymore, make it end! At the start of the year when we went to open house and the teacher called homework, "homefun" I really had to chuckle. I thought the kids were too smart to fall for such a silly catch phrase.

Although that is exactly what Max called it all year. When he would say, "I have to go finish my homefun" I would often snicker under my breath. Not much about the little bit of homework a 2nd grader brings home and getting him to do it, never was much fun. I really digress, but wanted to remember years later how excited he was to actually be of an age where he had homework.

So although I hate this lame duck period when the kids go to school to basically hang out, watch movies and enjoy some serious recess time . . . I was thrilled for him to complete his last "homeFUN" project of the year. The kids were each given a classmate to make a year end award for. They were to write down words that describe their classmate and then pick one to use for the theme of an award. The award could take on any form.

Max was given his friend Sophia. He described her as friendly, sweet, nice and positive. He decided that the word Sunny really summed her up and included all the descriptive words. She is just fun to be around. He wanted to make the award useful and we did some brainstorming. I think all the pillow swaps I have been participating in gave him the idea. It was fun to see his creative wheels turning and see his ideas take form.

Once he had Sunny Sophia . . . the rest just came together. He thinks that purple, bikes and hearts are her favorite things. Well we had fabric that represented the first two. So here is what he came up with.

The proud pillow artisian displaying his creation

The picture of Sophia and the lined fabric print added a lot of whimsy and made the project quick and easy! Love this Cosmo Cricket fabric.

Actually surprised how easy the fabric printer sheets were to use. Max ran it under cold water to set the inks and dried it between two paper towels. The images came out bright and fun! Super easy to do.

Love the crooked circle and how his zig zag did a little more zag than zig. We did use some fusing under the circle and he stitched all over everything, so it should stay put.

The back was the worst trauma of the project and had to be ripped out partially and redone. We pinned the envelope flaps in the wrong order, which is a trend for me with every pillow I make. It looks like I teach others the same way . . . Another picture with a quick note to Sophia made it personal. Who knows maybe they will end up best buddies years from now and this will be something they can laugh over.

Last homework project done, check. Play-off baseball game on Thursday. Field day on Friday. Mayor's Cup Saturday. Father's Day on Sunday. Class Picnic on Tuesday. Then school is out for summer next Wednesday!

A year of practice and about a minute of dancing . . . lots of looking cute though!

Ellie started taking dance lessons this year when she was about two and a half. It started off with the older girls in her class (4-5 year olds) leading her around the classroom like their cute little doll. Finally she started to get the hang of it and started to actually dance. She loves it! She usually belts out the songs and wildly swings her leg as she works her big step - heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe.

They started practicing for the recital in about January on their routine to "There ain't nobody here but us chickens" . I really thought that we would need to not attend the recital and that it was too much for a three year old. However, it soon became apparent that she loved it and that she wanted to be a part of the big number! Even that night I thought that she might be a little too scared . . . not at all! She sat backstage with all the other girls and took it all in. She shared her lip gloss and proudly applied it before going on stage. It was a riot. When I had to leave and she left to actually go onstage, she seemed a little nervous, but held the helpers hand and went right out. We were sitting on the floor right in front of the stage, so she relaxed as soon as she saw us. Max gave her the thumbs up and she blew us kisses, yelled "hi, mommy" and was good to go. (over 500 tickets were sold for the event and it is held in a big auditorium.

Here are the photos, you can see she started off looking around and then began to dance.

Backstage waiting for their turn to dance

Was checking out the stage when they first came onstage

then looked out at all the people, over 500 tickets were sold and it was pretty full, scary for a three year old . . . then she saw us right in front of the stage on the floor watching and you could see the tension leave her . . .

Maggie and Ellie danced next to one another and they spent a lot of time smiling to each other and looking around at the start of the routine

her favorite move . . . heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe!

then some loud kicks (she loves this part!)

a little attitude and sass!

the big finish, they crouch down and then jump up with hands in the air (didn't get that shot!)

thrilled to have flowers from her brothers - loved them

leaving with their new umbrellas

sam didn't want to leave all the girls and loved playing with his umbrella

Max was very sweet to his sister. He told her how great she did, how pretty she looked and that he loved her. It was a proud moment for her to get her brother's thumbs up!

waiting for Sam who was having lots of fun in the puddles and rain! This was Steve's first big day off the couch and he was sporting some stylish footwear - lose the black sock grandpa!

Good to be a medium (and growing) fish in a little pond and other life lessons

Not much sewing around here this weekend, but a whole lot of sports. To be exact 13 days of sports each night and counting. Thanks to some rain today, I think we might have a break.

Last week was the first week of baseball. Steve is coaching and Max is playing. It is their second year in Bantam and what a difference a year makes. I actually learned a lot this weekend. Team Spirit and a positive attitude makes all the difference. The team is having a lot of fun and it is really contagious. The kids are having fun, the parents have fun and it is just what youth sports should be - fun! Max woke up on Saturday am, after a close game on Friday and exclaimed he thinks the reason we won is because we had more team spirit and fun. He gets it. It has taken a while for him to get here, but HE GETS IT!

The Bantam League is mainly for first and second graders (7 & 8 year olds) but there are some third graders and a few kindergartners. Max will be 8 in three months and is in second grade and this is his second year playing. He had a great weekend. It is good to be a medium fish in a safe, comfortable pond. Lots of hits in all three games, some wonderful plays in the field including a diving line drive catch and then making it into a double play, and finally two over-the-fence home runs in a game- including a Grand Slam.

All it takes is a little confidence and wow! He has really matured since last year and is secretly so proud of himself, what fun to watch as a mom. I think my favorite part when both Max and his friend Garrett hit home runs is to watch the reaction of the other kids on the team. They were all so happy for each other. All the mom's cried. It was one of those special moments.

The next day at Max's soccer game he had a little more spring in his step and for no reason his soccer enthusiasm improved a bit. He didn't mind the teasing the third graders give him quite as much. He had gained some self confidence.

It made me think of all the kids I come in contact with on a weekly basis and how much a little encouragment or accomplishment, even small means to them. I think as a society we need to help kids have a little success. Accomplishment leads to more accomplishment and self-confidence. I realize my parents goals were to help us grow-up with the sense that we could do it. I think that was the outcome of my Smith College experience, learning woman can do whatever they want as well. If that means being a mom- great, having a career-great, and having both-great. I hope to pass that on to my kids and other kids I encounter along the way.

Day 12 of nothing but flip flops since vacation. I force her into appropriate footwear when necessary.

The little kids have more of a handful lately than usual. I have decided that three is actual the terrible twos for them and that this is perhaps the new normal. Since I had nothing to lose, I decided to try and boost their confidence a bit and guess what, it worked. I know for me it is so easy to lose sight of what matters and how important a job raising good kids is. A little work on my part and the two of them have been a delight. So what if this is how Ellie wants to dress on a 40 degree and rainy day. We went out with this crazy outfit on (top over way too small sundress), but she did it herself and loved it. Sam is having fun getting his shoes on and other do it myself stuff. Yes it took 10x longer to hoover today, but they were proud of helping me.

Okay I have done a tiny bit of sewing and after counting some buttons for a big order, I think I will finish up project two for the {Urban} Home Goods Swap. I love all Echino, but the red scooters {swoon} and the new stuff is in stores today. I pre-ordered and am thrilled! Also I have just signed on for a Meg's Kids Clothes Week Challenge in conjunction with kids sewing week in May. It looks fun!

Note to self, week 1 of the diet was a success with 6 pounds lost - keep going and don't cheat! Also the Grade School Yearbook is almost done- thank goodness. Get started earlier next year please!

Our Favorite Homemade Playdough

We have been making this recipe at least six times a year for the past five years and we love it! 2 cups flour 1/2 cup salt 2 cups water 2 tsp vegetable oil 2 tsp cream of tarter 2 packages of kool-aide Our favorites are cherry or grape for both color and smell. We bought a lovely el-cheapo non-stick pot that is dedicated to this venture. All the ingredients are in and now Max is giving it a good mix before it hits the stove top. This is what the dough looks like after being over medium heat for one minute. The dough is "cooked" on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, but it is really all about the way it looks. Stirring after the mixture goes from straight cake mix looking form to the photo above is key. This shows the dough almost ready to come out. Perhaps a minute or so more. We then scoop it out and place it on wax paper to set a moment or two (usually Max can't wait to get goey, so he dives right in after it cools enough to hold) The reason why a cheap non-stick pot is critical. A good soak and a little scrub and it is good to go for next time. Max prefers to knead his play dough with his shirt off so he can really show off his muscles . . . The real story is he got dough on a favorite Red Sox shirt a couple of years ago and is careful now. We usually let it cool off more before putting in either a plastic bag or airtight container. Max couldn't wait to get his tutorial on-line and finish the project, so we rushed a bit. The cream of tartar in this really makes the play dough last- if you keep it refrigerated it usually lasts us at least 3 months. We often pitch it, just so we can make more. At 7 Max doesn't admit he loves to actually play with the dough. He claims to be making it for Ellie and Sam. Today he let them play for a half-hour, before he took control and made the awesome Short Track Oval with Apollo Ohno skating to victory for the USA, with two Korean competitors crashing just before the finish line. Max showing off his latest play dough art . . . he is working on a downhill course with a Bode Miller!

Thank-you Mrs. Eversole and Starbucks

So everyone who has known me for a few days, knows I have a coffee habit.  Lots of locals here and other places we have lived support their local coffee shop and I get that . . . but for me Starbucks is my local coffee joint.  One of Max's first words was "hot bucks" and for sure the Starbucks logo was the first one he knew.  Now that we live in a city without a drive-thru and two toddlers who are somewhat difficult to control in a Starbucks, it has become a weekly treat and not a daily trip for both Max and I.  So when asked to chose a special treat, 9 times out of 10 he picks Starbucks.  Enter his gift for Mrs. Eversole this year.   He decided he wanted to get her a Starbucks card because she was the BEST teacher.  Also some books because that is just what teachers like to do, shop for books.  Thanks to this tutorial and post, we recycled (copied) a wonderful gift idea.  Max presented the gift cards in the Starbucks cup along with a cosie and a key fob.

As we were doing the crazy morning rush, I asked him to write a note, when I came downstairs this is what he had done . . . by himself . . . neat, good spelling and all done!  I love seeing his handwriting and how much it has improved this year.  He has had a great year - became a whiz at math, his reading is fantastic and only missed one spelling word all year!  So proud of you.  

Mrs. Eversole at yesterday's first grade picnic opening Max's gift and accepting her class gift.

Had a hard time writing on the cup, but wanted it to look just like a real hot bucks.

Yesterday am, the Ott tots and I ran around like crazy and in under an hour had the gift cards and plants ready to go.  Whew . . . then the picnic . . . then home to finish the project of a photos to music DVD for everyone in class.  It was fun to put the various pictures to music.  Staying up all night burning DVD's was not that fun . . . but they are DONE.  After dropping them off this am, my role as room mom is history.  It was a great year and all the parents were wonderful - but it is a responsibility I think I will pass on for a few years.  

Thanks Mrs. Eversole for a wonderful year!

Mirror Balls, Heather Ross, Garage Sale and Baseball - what a weekend!

Has been a crazy week and I just realized although I accomplished a lot, not much is actually completed . . . goes for sewing, the house, the kids, and getting ready for our first craft/art fair since before the holidays!  A huge accomplishment for me was cleaning the basement and realizing we just don't have the storage space for all the crafty stuff I like to hoard supplies for.  I made a mental break through, which I hope will translate to a physical one.  I decided that yes I do still love to knit, but if I knit everyday I still could never use all my stash and some items I just am not that into anymore.  For example knitting socks - with 3 kids (two 2 year olds) just not a reality anymore.  Yarn I have had to make Steve a Fisherman's Sweater he has requested for 10 plus years, not going to happen.  (actually found three sets of various gray 20 skeins each bags and partial sweaters in various boxes and bags!)  Gone!  It was a wonderful experience.  It all was put out at the garage sale and what didn't sell is going to find a good home in the next month.  Lots more to go, but it was a start.  Sold about half what I put out!

I had meant to take pictures of the sale set-up.  It did take a few days, but I think it was worth it.  We got rid of lots of big items crib, changing tables, big plastic toys, baby gear, yarn, rubber stamps, linens, dishes, paper goods, etc.  This is what is left to go to charity in the am (minus the stroller which Ellie pushed over to use as a ladder to get up on the table)

Moments after the sale, it was off to watch the last game of the season for Steve and Max's team.  They had such a fun year and are looking forward to a post-season play and a game against an west-side of Saratoga team.  Great bonding for Steve and Max.  The team had tons of fun and the coaches called them the dirt devils, which judging from the dirt after washing Max's uniform was a great name.

It was a hard season for Sam and Ellie, they really didn't want to watch.  They either wanted to run onto the field to see daddy or big brother or get wet at the spray park next to the field.  They never really get too wet, just damp and then the dirt from the field really sticks to them.  Baseball for me equals bath and a VERY dirty load of laundry!

When I was taking the team photo, this is what Sam and Ellie were doing.    Sam is at the top of the frame and really just as crazy about the dirt as Ellie is here.  We are getting sand in the sandbox this week!  We were exhausted on Saturday night and everyone went to bed by 8!

Today Ellie and I went with a friend to look at all the quilts on display at the Adirondack dome in Queensbury.  We also did a little fabric shopping.  I was thrilled to find the discontinued mirror ball fabric from Michael Miller and even more thrilled to see all the yardage that was available.  I have been searching for a boy color to use as a background for a Happy Birthday banner for both boys, like the one I made for Ellie a few months back.  I didn't get around to it for Sam's birthday (last week) because I really hadn't found a fabric I loved.    I am so thrilled to have a stash of this!  It works great when you want a solid that has some zing!  I also love it for quilt backs.   Another thing I have been consumed with this week is trying to land some Heather Ross prints for a swap group on flickr.  I now have in my stash, pink bikes, pink VW vans,  blue gnomes, the dogs above and misc.  stripes and dots.  After some e-bay shopping I hope to have some of the fish and fish in the bag.  I lost a few crazy auctions this weekend and can't believe the prices on some of the munki munki stuff. I have been looking at PJ's but haven't found the deals that I am hearing some people finding on-line.  I will keep trying!

Finally I will leave you with this shot of various pink mirror balls - it is a lovely light pink, lighter hot pink and then HOT pink.  I am loving them all!  Is it crazy to be so excited about fabric?