Our house has also discovered a graffiti artist. Penny came forward to confess such offenses. She is well aware that houses are not paper and that writing “No Ellie or Simon” in her language is not cool for family relations.

You can be sure I have more shorts cut out for this girl! I’m so happy that she accepts my homemade endeavors!

By the way, school will be out very soon. Any book recommendations for kid crafts, projects, gardening? I’m getting ready to plan my summer activities and knew I could ask a few of you for some help!

that’s how I feel about this year’s mother’s day gift for my mom. i selfishly want it all for ME because i know i won’t take the time to make it myself. it’s completely practical, but totally fun and summery…her own set of napkins with a cultlery caddy and reusable flatware…

i’m pretty sure she will be thrilled, if not, i can always steal it!

happy mother’s day! i’m not sure why, but this year my mind has been focused on how much i am not a great mother. i hope that this year some of my faults will soon be battles i have won and i will truly feel pride next mother’s day.

I used a swiss dot fabric as my base. I love it, but it made me fearful of it getting dirty that I’m not sure I will use it again. Especially since “the dots” aren’t exactly machine washable. I did do a bit of a spot treatment and thankfully the white is looking fresh.

I was totally inspired by one of my favorite flowers- the geranium. To me, this flower is summer and flower boxes and planters…and a totally distinct earthy fragrance.

What’s next on the sewing table? A Mother’s Day gift and shorts for my 9 year old…what’s up with the ultra-short shorts? Yuck.

So that’s it…something crazy is going on with my comments and I have not had any responses for the past 3 posts. Unfortunately I have no clue what to do and my “support staff” is busy with their own lives and it’s not a huge big deal for me anyway. If you want to shoot me an e-mail, here you go! carolshack(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Hurrah! Comments are now working and we are back to business!

Quandary: a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

The above definition is definitely the feeling I have had over the past month or so…we are seriously considering homeschooling for our children. This is nothing new to our family. My husband, along with his 6 siblings were homeschooled and we homeschooled Ellie for one year (kindergarten, yes, I know not entirely a challenge). I have made pros and cons lists…visited a co-op, chatted with homeschoolers, fantasized, idealized, researched and I am still stumped.

What’s wrong with me? And yes, my kids are pretty much on board with it. And no, there is not a dramatic reason why we have started thinking about it.

I feel consumed and paralyzed and guilty…

Okay, I’m glad I got this off my mind and shared with you all. That’s it!

happy birthday nathan!

life is good because your in it…

now enjoy your strawberry/rhubarb pie, sorry I am working!

Happy Monday everyone. And a Joyful Pascha to all my Orthodox friends.

The “twirlability” is obvious and so much fun.

When asked if she liked her new skirt she was enthusiastic, but quickly added, “Where are the pockets?”. Come on now!!

I think I will give my skirt/shirt making a rest and begin work on some more table dots and picnic blankets. Look for a shop update soon!

My life has been basically consumed with yard work and sewing. I like it.

The whole family was out today trimming bushes, raking, making fairy soup, and lots of teasing done by dear Simon.

I had to show this cute skirt I made out of a vintage tablecloth. (Hillary, do you recognize it?) No pattern needed, just used a basic shape of one of Pep’s dresses and added elastic. I think I may need to make more! Oh, and yes perhaps she is due for some new t-shirts. Looks like little Miss has grown!

Thanks for all of your supportive comments on my last post. I knew I am in company with those that have been through it or are dealing with it now. It’s nice to have a place to speak your mind. Thanks for listening. My biggest lesson I am trying to teach Ellie is to confront those that are being mean. To get enough courage and plainly ask “Why are you ________?” I think this combats bullying and knocks their socks off! And of course just loving her.

Dear Mothers and Fathers of Girls,

Please don’t assume that your daughter is always nice at school. Please don’t deny that she could exclude, gossip, and completely ignore others. It doesn’t take much to have open conversations and ask if they are being kind and respectful. It also doesn’t take much to model that same behavior.

Because when girls are mean to other girls, it crushes a mother…a father…a sister…a brother…another friend. Yeah, kids will be kids, but why do people say this when they are behaving negatively. I don’t get it. How about, kids need to be accountable for their actions?

You see, when kids are not held accountable there is a child having their joy sucked out of them. They can’t sleep. They dread school. They lose their confidence. No matter how much they try to be positive, the peacemaker, the happy one…it can get to a kid.

Sincerely,

a mother, who is tired of it

PS. My kids aren’t perfect, that is for sure.

PPS. Look here for details of my cute model’s shirt here.