greetingarts

once in a super moon

... is about how often I blog now.  But tonight the moon is really spectacular.  Glad we all went out and saw it, even though 75% of us were in our jammies!

teamwork

The days and weeks just keep flying by, one after another after another.  Some are ordinary, with multiple loads of laundry and grocery shopping and rocket math and finding lost articles of clothing.  Others are more momentous, like when my firstborn went on a school science trip for three nights and cell phones were not allowed.  Working six days a week and getting caught up with life makes me so exhausted I just don't have the energy to sit down at the computer.

But... my mom says I really need to update my blog.

And I do like to look back and remember the everydays that I used to document here, not just the holidays.  So, I will try again.

Last weekend, Jessica ran in her first track meet.  She competed in 4 events, the 100m relay, the 50m, junior javelin and the shuttle hurdle relay.  Her school only started the track team about a month and a half ago, so they were really inexperienced and new to the sport.  And the venue was *huge* and pretty intimidating.  But the 5th grade girls did great in the long jump, and the 4th grade boys did very well with their relays, and Jessica said she had a great time.  It was exhausting, but exhilarating and exciting.  I screamed myself hoarse.

Such intensity!  This week the coaches had a pizza party for the kids on the track team, to congratulate them all.  I asked Jessie if she wanted to do something nice for them, and she immediately got busy.

She had a vision and grabbed a pen and paper, sketching out these little medals.  So she designed and I cut and sewed.  I think we make a great team, don't you?

merry making

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas (or Hannukah or winter solstice or Thursday the 26th). we had a very nice one even though my parents got sick and were unable to travel to see us.  They're feeling better now, though, so that's okay.  The weather has been totally unbelievable, hovering right around 80 degrees during the day.  C-R-A-Z-Y, don't you think?

More and more, I'm opting for simple rather than fussy, and it's suiting me.  The teacher gifts were quick and easy to put together with cello bags ordered online, and modified cupcake toppers from Target.  Well received, and didn't cause me undue stress.

I was even able to finish up two baby gifts that a friend requested for her nieces.  I didn't remember to take a photo of them completely finished with their matching colored bows, but you get the idea.  They are about 12" square, crocheted moss stitch pattern, with a simple border and kitty heads and arms attached to the center.  No real pattern, just winged it.

Looking forward to a nice break, and the coming new year.  It always surprises me now how quickly the years go by, though I know it makes me sound old to admit it.  But I guess the best I can do is fill each day with moments to remember, and try to savor everything.

Happy rest-of-December to you, we'll be playing and eating and thoroughly enjoying the last of 2013 every way we can.

giving thanks

Oh. My. Gosh.  I'm so ready for a break.  I have four glorious days off in a row and I can't wait to sleep in late, have someone else cook, and just enjoy my family.

I made a Thankful banner (pattern here) and strung it in the teacher's lounge, along with a basket full of miniature books I made with the Giving Thanks pdf from Wild Olive.  

I made 80 of those suckers last night, with a little bit of help from the girls.  I think I have about 20 left... my mom might like some, and we're keeping a few in my purse and the kids' backpacks to jot down things we're thankful for as we think of them.  I'm betting those little books get filled up fast.

Happy Thanksgiving, thanks for reading about and commenting on my sporadic ramblings.  Enjoy the holilday!

if it's orange I'll put a face on it

I know Halloween is already long gone, but I've tried posting this twice already and I'm determined not to let Typepad eat my memories.

I originally saw this fabulous jack-o-lantern fruit cup idea here, and knew it would be the perfect treat to bring for the teachers.  Did I mention I'm hospitality chair again?  I didn't really sign up for it this year, but I do love the teachers, so here I am.

The kids and I had a great time coming up with ideas for the faces, even though we did stray quite a bit from the jack-o-lantern look.

I had a Cleopatra and a cowgirl this year.  They are both getting so tall.  I love that they do homemade outfits, even though I was a bit grumpy this year and grumbled about making Cleopatra's accessories because I was really sick and am working 6 days a week.  I hope Rebecca thinks it turned out okay, it does make me feel special that my kids think I can make anything. 

I'll trick or treat with them for as long as they'll let me.