Our Weekend

We had snow and then a lot of ice this weekend. The kids were not as interested in playing outside in all the ice and it was pretty cold. So, our weekend was pretty slow and lazy - mainly playing games, reading and making a few more troll clothes. It was nice and cozy inside with our fire burning and the ice coming down. Bethany and Tess did spend a little while this morning pulling icicles off the house and some were pretty big. 

We read The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill and enjoyed it. The kids laughed a lot as I read this book. It's basically the story of a new teacher that comes to a town in Alaska where all the teachers end up leaving pretty quickly. This teacher is different - she doesn't get frustrated with the kids easily, she gets rid of all their old textbooks and then she brings out her own books. All the kids love her new way of teaching, but they can't help but wonder if she will be leaving them soon just like all the other teachers. The girls did like this book and it was a quick read.  I can't say it was a favorite, but it was different than what we have been reading lately and sometimes a change is nice. Though, we are still trying to find another book similar to The Four Story Mistake and Then There Were Five. Those two books thrilled the kids. 

Bethany and Tess made a few more clothes for the trolls and I enjoyed watching their creations. 

So Many Projects

This weekend Bethany started a new project - she has so many projects going on right now. She is working on advent calendars. She got the idea from her math tutor and started immediately. We went out to get the material and things on Saturday and today after church she started working on them and she worked all day long. She decided to try to make them and sell them for Christmas money and has two orders already. Not bad. Of course, one of the orders is from her Sunday school teacher that always supports Bethany's endeavors to make money. The calendars are actually not a quick project. I think she was pretty tired by this evening, but said she would continue to work on them again tomorrow. I absolutely love watching her enthusiasm when she gets a new idea. 

Tess is also working on weaving this weekend. I'm not sure what she is making yet, but she has spent a couple of days working on this off and on. I am hoping she will continue with it and have something made in the next week or so. She seems to be enjoying weaving again.. I think there is something about fall that makes my kids do even more projects than usual. 

New Project

Bethany told me she is working on an new project - making a stuffed cat. She just started on it and said she planned to work on it over the next few days and hopefully have it finished by the weekend. She has several doctor appointments this week so she doesn't have but so much time. Her CF appointment is tomorrow, and it will probably take at least 3 or so hours and then she will have to get an x-ray. But, there is plenty of time this summer to work on sewing projects and I hope both she and Tess learn to sew a few new things. 

We picked flowers out of our garden for the first time today since they seem to really be coming in now. 

Sewing Class

Today was sewing class for Bethany and Tess. This time they made something rather unusual - a pumpkin. I don't think I have even seen any like these before, and I think they are rather cute. Both girls are happy with theirs and said they will put them out to decorate for our pumpkin carving that we are having on Sunday. 

Sewing Project

We are finally pretty much back into our normal school routine. It has been a little slow to come, but I finally feel like everything is coming together. The kids have started back to their after school activities and I think very ready for fall and a change from summer. This year I was definitely ready for summer to be done and gone and since fall is about my favorite season I am enjoying this time. 

Bethany and Tess are back in their sewing class and this past week made these cute little bags. They really did an excellent job on these. I am so glad they both love these classes and they are learning so much. I love seeing all the things they make. Bethany has been busy making pillows for Christmas -- just little accent pillows to throw on a bed or sofa, but very cute. She is earning money to do her Christmas shopping, which I know is quite a ways off, but it does take time to make them. 

So Much Rain

It seems to rain constantly. Daily. I love rain and sitting on the porch with Bill and the kids watching it and enjoying a storm. But, lately it's just too much. Today Bethany told me for, I think, the first time in her life she was kind of bored. I don't think I have ever heard those words out of her mouth before. We have all just been inside so much that I think we all are a little tired and bored. 

It didn't take Bethany long to discover something to do and her boredom was forgotten. She hasn't had her sewing machine out for quite a while and today she decided to make a doll carrier or snuggle or something like that. She found some fabric -- it did have pumpkins and apples and autumn leaves on it but it was pretty and it was just about all she had. Anyway, she went to work making her pattern and drawing and cutting. She did a really nice job and was pretty happy with the end results. 

These pictures may look like it is nice and sunny but it had just finished pouring down rain. 

It kind of turned into a family affair with so many kids interested and watching. Tess decided today that she was going to ask for a sewing machine for Christmas so she and Bethany can sew at the same time. Then Sarah said she wanted one, too. I can see this idea snowballing. 

After the doll carrier was finished we decided to make some cinnamon swirl bread -- one more thing to do on this rainy day. It was a success and enjoyed by all. Hopefully, it won't rain everyday next week. 

Sewing Class

Today Bethany and Tess had sewing class again and they made these little baskets. They turned out really cute and I think the girls will use them to put hair things in -- though Bethany says she is putting candy in hers. Hmmm. I don't think she is going to fill it with candy. 

Sewing Project

Tuesday, Tess and Bethany went to their sewing class again and made a zipper bag. I kept meaning to post a picture, but kept forgetting to take one -- got one today. So, now they have learned how to put in a zipper, though I am not sure they will remember at home. They made these little bags to put some of their sewing stuff in. 

Today was a rainy, messy day. Bethany asked to go out to play in her kitchen and I said it was too wet and messy, but she reminded me that wet and messy was the best time to make mud pies. So, she and Tess went out in their kitchen and played for a couple of hours. 

I gave them clothes pins today so that was the first thing they did -- put them on their dish towels so they would not blow away. I don't think I gave them enough.

Somehow, I don't think they cleaned their white cloth very well -- looks rather dirty to me.

Sewing Project

Bethany and Tess made their next sewing project and I meant to post it in last night's blog post, but somehow left it out. They made pillows and they turned out nicer than I thought they would. I wasn't very excited about this project, but now I'm glad they did it. They were going to put the pillows on their beds but then ended up giving them as a birthday gift. 

Almost Daily

It seems like she is always on this machine. She loves it. One of the best Christmas presents she has ever gotten according to her. So glad to see her enjoying this almost daily. 

This Machine

I would have never guessed how much everyone would like this sewing machine that Bethany got for Christmas. Everyone is constantly standing over the machine and watching whoever is sewing and trying to get a chance themselves. It has been used constantly since we got it set up and working. Andrew seems to have really taken a liking to it. Bethany isn't always happy about that, as he wants to take over and try out everything on the machine -- that's the way he is, always taking things apart and trying out anything and everything he can. Piper has already said she is asking for a sewing machine for Christmas -- thinking way ahead. 

I actually get a lot of joy watching them sew. I think Bethany has used up every single scrap of material she can find and now says she is saving to buy more. Watching them makes me want to learn how to sew.

Andrew is figuring out how to do something new as the girls all wait - again, I don't think Bethany wants him to figure out anything. She just wants to move ahead on her own. Actually, this evening I found Bethany in a room all alone with the machine set up and sewing. She said she just wanted to sew by herself. I guess we need more than one machine. 

Baby Blankets

The girls got to their sewing class today to learn that the material we bought would not work. We bought a fleece and we were supposed to by flannel. She said the girls were not ready to work with the fleece. So, we had to run buy more material and fast. They only had a few minutes to pick out the new fabric as the instructor was waiting to start their class. But, I think they both picked out really cute fabric. I think I actually like it better than the fleece they had chosen before. They worked all morning on the blankets and they turned out really nice. Bethany took her new machine that she had gotten for Christmas to the class and the teacher helped her get it set up. So, she used her own machine this time. 

The fabric that Tess chose. I think it is really cute for a little boy.

Bethany chose this for the girl. We just call them the boy and girl as my daughter and her husband have not chosen names yet. The one Bethany chose was nursery rhymes. 

Then Bethany decided to get out her machine and practice. She and Andrew got it set up and then he wanted to learn how to use it. They practiced for a pretty long time - until I realized Bethany had not done her math and the math tutor comes tonight. 

Somebody was getting a little irritated with her brother for hogging the machine.

Finally, all hers to use.

Unfortunately, Piper had to work on her ABCs and it was taking her a long time. She did not even get to try out the machine because it was put away before she finished.