kidding around

Wow- there are a lot of images I want to share from this past week! I think when I have the time, I will start a Flickr folder of shots around the house. I love looking around our home and really try to capture it’s essence. Anyway, here are just a few…

The kids received a fun bag of jewelry and handbags from their Aunt who is clearing out closets…of course they were totally entertained by it all. Especially Simon. He had a ball putting on jewelry and acting like a complete goof ball. Ellie and Penny watched him in amazement as he tried on clip on earrings and fancy rings. I think he is pretty well rounded, what do you think?

It’s funny, the mornings are so hectic for us, but it is my favorite time of day. Nathan has already left for work by the time all 3 kids are up and we have to dash out the door by 8am. Our house just glows with sunlight and happy kids and a mama trying to get happy with a good cup of coffee! I love this shot of these pretty daffodils. Nothing is more magical than observing flowers as the open and perk up to sun light.

This shot was taken before we all had to get coats and hats on before leaving the house for school on Friday. Simon was showing off his “break dancing” moves to his sisters. Yes, this generation DOES know about this 1980s trend! And yes, you do see his bum crack. Poor Si, he has the perpetual droopy drawers and doesn’t seem to mind showing off some skin.

Recently I read a post from a blog I like about a favorite childhood doll. I loved these dolls (late 70s early 80s) too and so I had to get a “My friend Mandy” doll for Penelope’s 2nd birthday. I got her off of ebay and had to laugh out loud when I opened the box. The poor girl was suffocating. I can’t wait for Penny to get her! She loves dolls and I like that fact that she is a little girl and not a baby. It gives me the creeps when I see little girls carrying around babies…I don’t know why, it just does! That doesn’t mean we don’t have baby dolls around the house…they are usually naked and still hanging out in the tub from a recent bath.

Simon and I took a break from our various interests and worked on some birds for the playroom. He did a great job cutting and pasting and I just loved observing him work.

This next week will be extremely busy. My niece is staying with us for 10 days while my sister, mom, and 2 nephews are in China. Jane (Lulu) is 16 months and you can imagine how busy I will be! I’ll be posting lots of photos of her for my sister and brother-in-law to see that she is in one piece. So be aware…really cute photos of little Lulu will be consuming this blog. I’m a bit nervous because I can feel another cold coming on and I obviously don’t want one! I have no huge expectations to be sewing or completing many projects, but perhaps finishing next month’s book club selection (”The Piano Tuner”).

As a mother of 3, I really resist spending time driving my kids to different activites…ie, “soccer mom”. It’s just a way of life I do not choose. One reason is that I work a few nights a week and taking kids to different things just doesn’t work for me. Another reason is that I really like my kids ages right now and I want to spend as much TIME with them as I can. I know eventually they will be busy with school and friends.

So, my big justification to get memberships at the Children’s Museum and Zoo is because my kids are not a million trillion things. Yesterday I renewed my membership at the Children’s Museum and I am so glad I did. Penny had a great time and Simon was totally in his element.

I love being home for a lot of the winter months, but sometimes you just NEED to get out. You can’t be everything to your kids…thank goodness for indoor places just for the kidlets. By the way, yes, it is March but we had snow/sleet/miserable day yesterday and so another BIG reason to get a membership to your local museum!

I just LOVE this above photo. I can imagine this will be an image they will love too in the future.

This was taken at the beginning of our visit and I think Penny thought this was what were doing…playing in lockers! She is too much!

Supergirl looking quite sleepy, but content.

By the way, this is sort of a funny thought…I know how much my kids love visiting the museum, but for me I get SO tired. I don’t know what it is, but it must be all that stimuli and making sure your kids are sharing, etc. that makes me so sluggish. It’s really an activity for my kids so maybe this will be good amunition when they are older and say I don’t do anything for them!

peep
Originally uploaded by carol lee.

Has a week already flown by? Here is my entry for Corners of my Home.

Spring sewing 1
Originally uploaded by carol lee.

So I am taking Nathan’s advice and I am posting my photos from Flickr. I know I am doing something wrong because I know you can post without going directly to Flickr…oh well, I did it.

I hate how if I get something in my mind I can not let it rest. There, it’s done mind…now go do something else and keep away from the bloody computer.

Oh I am so annoyed!

I have been trying to post photos since yesterday and something is going haywire with “blogger”! If you use blogger and have been able to upload photos, can you let me know?

I have no patience for this kind of thing, therefore my troubleshooting skills are a big “0″.

So to keep a better attitude and not waste anymore time, I am going on a break. Maybe a day…it could be a month, but I hate when technology doesn’t work for me when I want it too!

Grumble…

I think one very noticeable “happening” this week is watching Simon and Penny’s relationship develop. Penelope has started calling him by name “Si Si” much more frequently now and always needs to know where he is at all times! It’s fun to watch them set up their daily rituals of eating lunch together, hugs before nap, reading books, etc. I recently have thought in my head how much I wish Simon had a brother to pal around with…being in the middle of sisters can be a strange dynamic, but I am sure it will pay off in the teenage years! Anyway, Penelope is a fortunate girl to have an older brother. I don’t have one myself so this is all new for me to watch a brother/sister friendship emerge.

We had a decent day yesterday and so a walk was in order. I saw my first Robin of the season and lots more “shoots” of daffodils and hyacinths poking out from the earth.

Pictured below is Penny giving her beloved “Piggy” a walk. She was quite a pro at turning corners and getting herself out of mud…man, when this girl gets started she never stops. I literally thought she would start flying with this walker/stroller!

Yep, Simon held his binolculars to his eyes for the entire walk. I’m not sure he found too much, but he does look like the serious birder!

The kids have a set of really cool magnetic bars and balls that have become the #1 toy in this house. Simon created this spinning top. I love how Ellie is holding Penny back with her arm! Oh, the life of a family with an almost 2 year old!

If anyone needs to find Ellie, she is reading. She has always been a good reader, but now she is just gobbling up books. She will read a decent sized book and complete it in a day (with school in between!). At first I thought maybe she was reading but not comprehending it all…uh, no, she will repeat the story with much enthusiasm. So, I bought her a few books from the school book fair that are for older kids and she loves them (The Doll People and The Meanest Doll Ever).

I love that she has immersed herself in books and I am thankful that this has been a priority for me and Nathan since the kids were young. We still read to the kids before bed each night and I know this has helped them and brought us closer…so…Parents, read to your kids!

Next Friday I get my niece Jane (LuLu) for 10+ days! Ellie and I ended up not going to China, but instead my mom is going with my sister to work in the orphanages. I know we will have another opportunity and it’s the best decision for our family at this time. I am excited for my mom since this will be her first overseas experience. She already is planning on going to Japan and Sweden in the next year…GO MOM!

opened
Originally uploaded by carol lee.

A shot from my “corners of my home” group on flickr. Check it out and it’s description there.

NOTE:

Thanks for all the nice compliments about my door! I had to add that this screen door has one of those memories that makes me cringe! 3 years ago, as my husband and I were “bungy cording” these doors to our car, one snapped and hit my husband in the eye! It was so frightening and intense. Thankfully he had glasses on and it helped with the overall intensity of the accident.

So I spent about 2 hours on this crazy shirt I am making for myself and it is haunting me!! The image even is publishing wrong!

Why do I have to obsess over this shirt? I have figured that the instructions are offering me no help and I can not rest until it’s right! Maybe I don’t have the right personality for sewing…

UPDATE:
It was probably the good night sleep, some time away, the warmer weather, and a fresh stick of peppermint gum…I figured out my sleeve. Now the big question: How did I do it and can I replicate it for the other sleeve?!

Whew, now I can go to work tonight and cater a party without being agitated.

I’ve been making big plans in my head regarding the family playroom/sewing and art room/guest room. The problem was that the emphasis on play was not there and it ended up being a place where the kids would watch TV when permitted. So I decided to do a re-vamp.

I visited my “favorite Thrift store down the street” (an often used phrase used by me!) to see if I could be inspired. No big surprise…shown below is a kitchen/doll play area for Penelope. The little green table I scored for $5! Perfect for a store/kitchen counter. Now that she is becoming a boisterous, playful 2 year old, she needs a space for imaginary play. Since her room is upstairs and I do not trust her up there alone for any length of time, I trust this will be a good solution for her whims. Plus I can be near with one eye on my sewing/projects and another eye on her!

I hope to paint the newly hung shelves some time in the Spring, but for now they are fine.

Next big deal was this beautiful “Morris” antique table. It is sturdy and nowhere could you find a piece like this new. That’s what I love about thrift stores. You go there to find things you just love to collect OR it is a place for pure function and practicality…there is a matching arm chair at the store waiting for us. Another cool thing about thrift stores is that if something is meant for you, it will be there…I may be crazy in thinking this, but I guess that’s what helps lessen my competitive nature.

The wicker trunk was another thrift find. It is so great, it’s actually a wooden box with an exterior wicker design. All of Penny’s aprons and kitchen accessories just get piled into the box and the real thrill is closing the lid…for her, that is!

The kids computer is quite useful. It acts as a DVD player and of course games. Fortunately, I have no troubles telling them when to get off. They are really good at knowing when to stop and selfishly there are times I wish they would play just a bit longer…did I just say that publicly?!

I like the shelves with all their art supplies and games. There is a major clutter factor here, but in my mind it is a reminder that there is no reason for these kids to be bored!

My space…in a closet. I love my sewing table and all the fun things just waiting to be used. I also like to have my space close to the kids and the “hub” of the house. Everything is set up so I can sneak in 15 minutes here and there…I wish I could have 2 hours every so often, but reality takes over.

Anyway, I love this room and I am grateful that Nathan did not discourage me on my big ideas! I know there will be a day when my kids will grow older and will spend more time in their rooms or elsewhere, but for now I will fight back the tears the next time I step on a Lego.