kidding around

While dropping Simon off at school today, I saw Ellie and her class shuffle by Penelope and me. I noticed she had a cardigan over her cute, well thought out outfit (by me!). I didn’t think about it until driving home and remembering the look in her eyes…uh-oh…she doesn’t like her outfit and was covering up? I tried to block such awful thoughts out of my mind. On a side note, I remember wanting to wear my coat over a few outfits in my time.

Well, my mother’s intuition was right. I was sort of non-challantly asking her about her day and if she was cold in class, etc. She caught on quickly and said timidly that everyone said she did not match. UGH! Kids are mean. I tried not to take it personally and I told her I would never make her wear anything that would make her look silly…she did not argue and was actually really sweet about the whole “you need to conform and look like every other 2nd grader” in the school! SIGH, all this nonsense starts at such a young age and I will not allow this to suffocate my kids…or me! I love this girl, her sweet spirit and gracefulness is something to me learned.

Come on…take a look at these fun shoes! Match smatch…how boring…isn’t she cool?

While dropping Simon off at school today, I saw Ellie and her class shuffle by Penelope and me. I noticed she had a cardigan over her cute, well thought out outfit (by me!). I didn’t think about it until driving home and remembering the look in her eyes…uh-oh…she doesn’t like her outfit and was covering up? I tried to block such awful thoughts out of my mind. On a side note, I remember wanting to wear my coat over a few outfits in my time.

Well, my mother’s intuition was right. I was sort of non-challantly asking her about her day and if she was cold in class, etc. She caught on quickly and said timidly that everyone said she did not match. UGH! Kids are mean. I tried not to take it personally and I told her I would never make her wear anything that would make her look silly…she did not argue and was actually really sweet about the whole “you need to conform and look like every other 2nd grader” in the school! SIGH, all this nonsense starts at such a young age and I will not allow this to suffocate my kids…or me! I love this girl, her sweet spirit and gracefulness is something to me learned.

Come on…take a look at these fun shoes! Match smatch…how boring…isn’t she cool?

Recently I embroidered a bird drawing of Simons and had so much fun with it. So, I decided to do more…above is the original rendering and the “mama stitches” follow. Again, I apologize for the shadowy photos…I still need that camera!

Over the past few weeks, I have been following pretty religiously a group of ladies that are super talented. They post a lot of their work and swap with one another. What a cool group…I guess you could say I am the nerd that just is looking on!

One artist in particular created some “mini quilts” that she then framed. I basically was inspired by her and added my nest with Si’s sweet bird. This time he did not give me the color palette. I just love fabric and colors too much to allow him his opinion. (see previous post) Sorry Simon!

Over the years I have made blankets and quilts, but would get quite bored with all the detail and precise stitching. I also wasn’t that skilled. This project gave me the ability to use my huge stash of fabric, collage, and not be hard on myself for my poor drawing skills. Plus it was pretty portable and gave my sewing machine a break, which I needed!

Okay, now that this project is completed I better deal with this tower before dinner time.

Recently I embroidered a bird drawing of Simons and had so much fun with it. So, I decided to do more…above is the original rendering and the “mama stitches” follow. Again, I apologize for the shadowy photos…I still need that camera!

Over the past few weeks, I have been following pretty religiously a group of ladies that are super talented. They post a lot of their work and swap with one another. What a cool group…I guess you could say I am the nerd that just is looking on!

One artist in particular created some “mini quilts” that she then framed. I basically was inspired by her and added my nest with Si’s sweet bird. This time he did not give me the color palette. I just love fabric and colors too much to allow him his opinion. (see previous post) Sorry Simon!

Over the years I have made blankets and quilts, but would get quite bored with all the detail and precise stitching. I also wasn’t that skilled. This project gave me the ability to use my huge stash of fabric, collage, and not be hard on myself for my poor drawing skills. Plus it was pretty portable and gave my sewing machine a break, which I needed!

Okay, now that this project is completed I better deal with this tower before dinner time.

When I got home from work last night, I found these index cards with these darling drawings on the kitchen counter. I just love the details of Si and I’s eyes looking down as we work and the facial expression of Ellie. The image of Penny is perfect, she takes great delight in screaming and it’s a great rendering! I love how she shows Nathan in front of a chalkboard teaching art!

Sorry for the bad photos…we really do need a digital camera. This digital video camera stinks when I need a flash!

When I got home from work last night, I found these index cards with these darling drawings on the kitchen counter. I just love the details of Si and I’s eyes looking down as we work and the facial expression of Ellie. The image of Penny is perfect, she takes great delight in screaming and it’s a great rendering! I love how she shows Nathan in front of a chalkboard teaching art!

Sorry for the bad photos…we really do need a digital camera. This digital video camera stinks when I need a flash!

Okay readers, I need your help.

My sister Susan just called and asked that Ellie and I would consider a trip with her and her son Jack to China. We would travel over Spring Break and travel as a group…we need 2 other volunteers. Anyone interested? We would work in 2 orphanages and do a bit of sightseeing in Beijing after our service.

I am so excited my head is spinning! I would love to adopt a child myself, but know now is not the time. I am so happy that I could do SOMETHING now and experience it with Ellie!

So I need help in how I could raise about $4000 for Ellie and I. Any ideas? Come on, be creative…give me something!

Below, is our recently painted house! I was so giddy to have the pinkish/mauve expelled from our vision! Every time I pull up to our home I am thankful it is there and that my children have a warm, dry place to rest their heads. Some are not that fortunate and I hope in light of the hurricane tragedy that we will all feel grateful deep in our souls for shelter.

Last night, while I was baking at Moveable Feast, I listened to”This American Life” with Ira Glass. The show was dedicated to the hurricane victims. No matter what you believe…this show presented a very HUMAN voice to the disaster. As one woman said, “I haven’t cried because I’m afraid I won’t stop”. I feel we should all give these people the respect in hearing their story and not begin the finger pointing. Being quick to judge has been a very recent topic in blog land. To fill your heart with compassion will hopefully get things DONE. I know I sound idealistic, but I have become really quite disappointed in the current…oops, I shouldn’t reveal my opinion really…

Yep, we have a pumpkin patch! If you find yourself outside Chicago this Fall, be sure to stop by and get yourself a pumpkin! I think our yard will be THE PLACE TO BE for the neighborhood squirrels!

I wanted to share a photo my sister Susan sent in Jane’s birth announcement. Isn’t she just so perfect? What is even better is that it looks like we will be adding another few branches to the Sidebotham family tree!

My sister Kim and her husband are in the process of adopting a sweet babe from China too! Susan and JB will most likely adopt another little girl as well! I am so excited my heart is just bursting!

I really do encourage everyone to read The Lost Daughters of China. There is also a documentary from National Geographic with a similar title (You can find it on Netflix). Even if you do not plan to adopt, it is so important that we know as a society what is happending to our children!

Like every household in America, the morning ritual of running out of the house to get to school on time gets old FAST. The kids have completed 3 weeks of school and I am already anticipating summer vacation. So, on Saturdays I am really trying to be as lazy as possible. That’s kind of hard for me…the kids just got on their clothes at 10:45 and I took a shower at 9:30 (I HAD to clean the bathroom though, so relaxing during this time does not count).

Seeing this cute face all morning and day and night is wonderful! I miss my Ellie and in the mornings I hate the quick goodbye in the car knowing she will be gone for the next 6.5 hours.

I love this impromptu “studio” time. The kids have been busy creating and banning me from even looking in their direction. I sense some treasured artwork to add to my collection.

These pancakes are absolutely delicious! On Saturdays I have been trying to make these tasty treats and hope this will be a weekly tradition. Last year we started “breakfast for dinner” on Sunday nights, but since I am baking at my sister’s shop on Sunday nights I don’t get to experience such goodness!

Ellie is aspiring to be a “pig tail maker”! (on a side note, I wanted to be a “professional pant roller upper” at her age) She has made each of us a custom tail. But to her horror, Penny has pulled mine off! Oh well, back to making more! I wonder how long this obsession will last? She has already made a crown with tails coming off of it and has given herself the “Pig Tail Queen”.

If there was a soundtrack, you would hear these two lunatics making oinking sounds.