Here's what I've been up to:

Watching the third grade perform A Christmas Carol (yes, I made the skirt and headband):


Building forts:

Helping Mr. Baby with his candy cane Santa photo shoot:

Making a piano music book bag for Sher's friend's birthday:

Watching the two cutest dancers (Syd performed later):

Helping my husband grow a totally awesome mustache in November:

Making cute applique baby blankets for my friends:

Wrestling my sewing machine to make two feather pillows out of one (not a recommended activity-you know those sitcoms where people get into a pillow fight and feathers fly everywhere? Yeah, not so far off from the truth!):

Not to mention that we've shoveled or snowblowed the driveway 4 times today!
There may not be many winter posts with the season ski passes we've already purchased, the little snowbunnies we're developing, and the awesome conditions!
Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday to James!

Hope you have a great one!

Silent Auction Items

I've made the following purses for silent auction for the elementary school. Buy them at the Open House or Back to School night for the Raccoons!

This is filled with goodies for a Mom on the Go.


This is filled with goodies for a Girl on the Go.



This is just a bag for you to fill!

CLARKS DAY 4

Story Day

See how things are back to normal because I'm not blogging anymore? However, need to report on our activities.

Day 4 was mostly spend watching TV and putting away sleeping bags. I let the kids sleep in from their non-sleepover in the basement. So morning was pretty lazy.

In the afternoon, while babies were napping, we held a writing workshop. After several writing activities (i.e. If I were the teacher....., If I was an animal, I would be....) we wrote a story. Here it is (after I told them no mentions of farting or poop):

Adventure of the Children of the Water Dinosaurs

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived a group of children named The Children of the Water Dinosaurs. They decided to go on a trip to Kansas Chili Land. To get there they had to take a magical unicorn named Bob, but because there were 9 children, they also had to find a magical poem to transform some of them into magical unicorns. They were able to find the poem, so off they went. When they got to Kansas Chili Land, they went to see the famous mayor. The mayor was kind, and invited them to go to standing computer estrella, which is a magic mat to get to the Australia. After the mayor’s house, they went in the rainforest. They fell into a deep hole which was a dinosaur’s footprint. They got out and looked at the tracks to see which way the dinosaur went. The dinosaur was actually a water buffalo. When they met up with the water buffalo, they freaked out him and he knocked over one of the children. They decided to head back to the mayor’s house and ate dinner. By this time it was very late and they overstayed their welcome. So, they went all the way into Weird Buffalo Land and slept underneath a buffalo. They had to get back to school soon, so they knew they had to head home. This time, they took a turtle. He went one foot an hour. It took 5 hundred days to get home. And then they had to call Dora to help them find the way home. But Dora was taped to a dinosaur. When they got home they were in trouble so they had to paint in their room for the rest of the day!

The End

by Miles, Owen, Phoebe, Hugh, Sloane, Sheridan, and Sydney

Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

I did take some pictures: And just to prove that the Clark children are more awesome than the James children:
Sorry, Lisa, but I think you owe them some money (although I didn't tell them HOW MUCH each star was worth, I told them it was up to you.)

Overall, a great time with all the kiddies!

CLARKS DAY 3

Exploring Day/Sewing Day continued

The kids weren't quite done sewing, so we got everyone set up. Phoebe made a purse.

Sheridan made a "twinner" one (no picture.)

Margaret wanted to get in on the action, although all she could do is look cute.


Miles made a bag for Hugh.


We went on a hike in the neighborhood (hence "Exploring Day").

We measured the height of the grass and named all the bugs we saw.

The kids got "so hot," and a couple of blisters-toughen up! Don't worry- I whipped those kids into shape! (We went through a box of popsicles today.)

After dinner we went to the pool with Jonathan, Gma and Gpa Valentine, and Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Chris, and cousins.

Pool snacks-Laffy Taffy and Ring Pops of course!

The party continued at home with a huge-everyone-in-the-basement-sleepover. Let's just say it was a late night....

CLARKS DAY 2

Sewing Day

We started sewing....but it takes forever! So only Miles Miles denim tote says, "No I will not fix your computer."

and
Owen made "potions bags" and then proceeded to find small things around my house to put in them (he made 4).

Owen got stuff done.

Sloane, Miles, and Owen also learned hand sewing which Miles then questioned, "Why should I do this when I know how to use the machine?"


There was also major fort building in the basement. Only a fear tears shed here.


Much to Margaret's pleasure there were Snickerdoodles left over.

Gma Valentine came up at night bringing watermelon, wooden cars to color, and bubbles. She was a huge help at bedtime! I even got a run in after the kids were in bed, thanks Mom!!!!

The previous night I felt a burst of creativity after the kids went to bed and made these earrings.
Aside from the fact that Porter has a fever (teething) and cried most of the day, overall a good day. However, maybe I just want 6 kids now....

CLARKS DAY 1

I'm watching my sister Lisa's (and here) 5 children while she and
husband, Chris, are having adventures here.

Baking Day

We made 8 loaves of banana bread, 3 dozen Snickerdoodles, pizzas for dinner, and a whole lot of fun!
Hugh entertained Porter by making weird noises.

Owen built a cabin with Lincoln Logs....


when he and Miles weren't on the DS (sorry, Lisa!)


Thanks to Gma Valentine for coming and helping with a walk

baths, and bedtime routines.

Overall no biggie, I should have 9 of my own (just kidding, Jonnie!)

Lycra!

When Amanda was here for the 4th of July, we hit some fabric stores and found cheap lycra. Sew.....

dance tops for the girls!

Still working on finishing the other stuff...but Lisa's 5 are coming for the week....we'll see what gets done.

So, after working with so much stretchy stuff, and after reading Built By Wendy's Sew U Stretch book, I've decided I need a coverstitch machine for professional results. Anyone want to give me one?

Summer so far has been busy! We've had three birthdays in the family, two parties, dance festival, baby blessings, end of school party, zoo trip, baptism, and the regular day to day stuffola!

However, have no fear, the Sewing Friend has been busy, check it out:

Dishtowels (basically hemmed rectangles)Baby blankets

for baby Maci

for baby Amelia

for baby Oakley

Pioneer Trek clothing


Baptism dress
Sloane wore the same dress I was baptized in for the baptism (my mom made it), then changed in the new one I made. Sloane designed the dress, picking out the sleeve and bodice style, length, and trims. She was thrilled!

Knitting complete!!

Now that it's summer, Porter's hat is ready to go! Unfortunately his head also grew, but the hat turned out cute anyway. I added a little pompom on top and tied all my holes together, so it actually did turn out. However, I have bagged up my needles and left over thread for another day....Rachelle, need more knitting supplies?

Next on my to do list:

• Tops and skirts for me
  
• Summer dresses for the girls (skirt or pj shorts for me) out of stretch tie-dyed brown/pink jersey
• Family room pillows (they're already cut out) and valance
  
• Placemats (black and white)
• Quilt for Amelia (have everything except time)-but she only just turned 1!
• Sew something for YOU to feed my fabric habit (I do have a little time, my rates are pretty reasonable, and my work is excellent!)