kidding around

It’s hard to imagine that my son is now 8 years old. I really don’t know where the time has gone. All of a sudden- Poof! He’s a kid reading and dreaming of his future!

We had a really swell weekend celebrating Si .

His cake was from the book BAKED, a malted white cake with a milk chocolate ganache. Everyone thought it was a perfect birthday cake. I found that I had only 7 candles…having the correct amount of candles is imperative to a kid. Thank goodness this kid was flexible and allowed me to use a tea lite.

We also were brave this year to host a party. Simon really wanted a “home party”. My kids are actually the ones slightly disappointed when a party is at laser tag or the bowling alley. Don’t get me wrong- they think it’s fun, but they love to see where their friends live too!

Anyway, we limited the party to 5 boys and had a Wii competition. There were three teams and I had the boys make some “team building” hats. I knew that 2 hours could be VERY LONG if I didn’t have some sort of project. We also had certificates with “best Wii moves”. “encourager”, “overall athlete”, etc. I think the boys had fun! They were pretty much being goofy the whole time.

Ellie kept track of the scores, the amount of popcorn spilled, and told them from time to time to relax. About midway through the party she retired her responsibilities and read a book. I would have too…

…except I loved watching this guy have fun…being a boy…with his pals.

Nathan was an excellent “Master of Games”. He truly kept the party going!

Here’s to you, Simon Ariel!

(yep, that’s another tea lite on the cupcake. better make sure I get some more…)

I just realized that I neglected to share what Simon made for V-Day this year. He is well known in his class to be a master paper folder. As I was walking around the craft store a few weeks back, I had a bright idea for Simon and his cards…paper airplanes! There was a sale going on which gave me a perfect excuse to browse the paper section and buy 24 pieces (and a tad more!).

He loved making the planes. I loved that it didn’t require a ton of time (remember my last post?). Hopefully his teacher won’t hate me. I can just imagine the V-Day party with airplanes flying all over…there are 18 boys in his class and 6 girls…I better hide my face tomorrow!

I also love to give the kids a little trinket for V-Day.

Nothing big and it’s usually handmade. I generally have a harder time coming up with something for Si as he gets older. I don’t know how I came across it, but I found comic strip templates on the internet and knew this was for Si. He is my illustrator and has such a way in making simple line drawings look purposeful. I just printed out the templates and stitched a front and back cover (note to self…change needle!). He will love it!

I stumbled upon this adorable fabric last week and knew immediately I needed to make Penny and my niece Tizzy matching skirts. I love that it is not so overtly “Valentiney”- my kind of seasonal fabric.

So what are you all doing for V-Day?

Funny that I get into the festivities with the kids. But as for Nathan and I, a kind note is all we really need. We may do cheese fondue or maybe an indoor picnic and oh…with the kids too…And then of course, the next day we celebrate Si’s Day which in my opinion is my Valentine every year.

Since Ellie’s birthday in August, I set some serious goals in regards to gifts for the kids handmade by me…

1. Create and Complete each kids’ baby book.

2. Organize all of their photos from baby to present.

3. Make a quilt for their bed (did this for Ellie in 2007).

I am pleased to say that I HAVE FINALLY MADE SIMON A BLANKET FOR HIS BED! I have been promising him one for at least 2 years and now their is no reason to feel guilt.

Things I learned:

1. I love fabric and get all nutty when I have to choose just a few designs.

2. When I put my mind to something, I can actually get it done within a reasonable time.

3. I have no patience and did not hand stitch the binding. I did this for Ellie’s twin sized quilt. Good grief, full sized would have me really crabby.

4. Hand stitched binding is really the way to go. Glad my personality is reflected in Si’s blanket. HA!

5. It really is beneficial to pay attention to when organic batting goes on sale.

6. I am not a quilter and really appreciate those that do…

7. I had to remind myself to set aside my ego and enjoy making something for my son. Who cares if it is not perfect and there are wonky stitches. Simon doesn’t care, he will be thrilled to have something made from me!

I’m sure this list could go on, but now I am off to make curtains for his room. I’ll be sure to share shots of everything in use. And, yes, the other goals with photos and baby book are being checked off too. Nothing like the winter to get things accomplished.

I was trying to get a consensus with the kids and their Valentine-making plans. I asked if they wanted to get boxed valentines and all 3 looked at me like I was nuts. There was my answer.

Making homemade valentines is a wonderful winter project, but in the end it’s like pulling teeth to complete 25-30. There’s all the supplies and all the cutting and glue and glitter and making sure every kid gets one- times that by 3 kids and I am pulling out my hair (all with a happy face and attitude of “this is fun, right?!”)

I discovered my “Shrinky Dink” paper pack that I have had for about 3 years and knew this was the year to get out the SHARPIES and turn on the oven! My kids loved it, I loved it and look how cute everything turned out!

The charms just below are Penny’s creations. Ellie’s are above.

Ellie made necklaces for all of her girl classmates and for the boys…what do you do in 5th grade? We decided a frog magnet was funny and in Ellie’s opinion “who cares if they like it, I had fun making them”. That’s my girl!

Simon made some really cool creations too, but I will save his Valentine idea for another day. Let’s just say it involves something he is really good at and it is a frequent request from his classmates.

What are your kids doing?