And so it begins...

Fall sports.  Football, Soccer, and Cheerleading they all started this week.

I love fall sports. 

Soccer is my favorite to watch and I was so excited to see Gigi with a big

smile on her face while she played her first sport.

 The first soccer practice she was really shy and kept falling over the ball. 

After practice I asked her what was wrong and she said she was too tired. 

So much for 5:30 practice on Wednesday for our Kindergartner.

Saturday morning she was a different girl!! 

Bubba is just a natural at the sport and the coach came up to me after the game and commented how

quick he is and how he understands the game so well.

Proud Momma!!!

Gigi started off a little slow not wanted to get into the mass of girls trying to kick the ball but about halfway through she was kicking and dribbling the ball down the field. 

 On Sunday it was Rosie's turn. 

Rosie had cheerleading at 12:30 and Bubba's game was right after her practice. 

Next week she will start to cheer at the boy's games and at one of Bubba's games Rosie will be on the sideline cheering her brother on.  

Bubba had his first game and was really quick to grab the other teams flags as soon as they got the ball.   His quick speed really helps him.

He had one fumble though as a running back and was disappointed and upset. 

He dwelt on this one mistake all day.    He got to see pro teams later that day make the same mistake and that helped.

If we aren't sick of football from opening NFL game wednesday, college football Saturday, and Bubba's game Sunday afternoon.... we still had more football Sunday night! 

We got home from Bubba's game just in time for Packers Football.

The whole family huddled in the basement to watch the game.

I had a wonderful supper of chicken fettuccine Alfredo planned but when Nate said "how about we eat light" I decided we would do a picnic. 

So we layed a blanket on the floor and ate homemade pizza rolls, veggies, apples, and Doritos while cheering the Packers on.

Nevermind that they lost. 

And just when we thought football was over for the week... oh no.... Monday Night Football tonight. 

At least with all the football I am getting lots of sewing down while I sit in front of the tv. 

Never an idle moment. 

I love fall.

Buckeye Football.

Kids Sports.

And the perfect jacket weather. 

Love Love.

 

I will get better pictures this coming weekend hopefully if Lil Miss cooperates and doesn't try to run on the field every time she is unsupervised. 

Hopefully after 6 weeks of practices and games she will catch on and

be content to just sit on the sidelines. 

Here's to hoping.  

Grandparents Day!!!

It's a day to celebrate the Grandparents in your life!!

We are blessed to have amazing grandparents. 

The kids love their grandmas and grandpa.

 We are lucky enough to get to spend time with them when we are home and more than

once the kids have mentioned that "that isn't the way Grandma does it."

What can I say Grandma's can do no wrong.

 We didn't get to spend time or chat with the grandparents today, they were all busy I am sure catching candy at the Pioneer Parade, but I hope they know how much they were thought of and

how much we miss them.

The kids are exstatic when we get to skype them and see them. 

It is way better than than the telephone, which my children can't quite grasp the

etiquette for.  On the phone they are either too quiet for them too hear or talking over one another so

nobody can hear anything. 

So since we didn't get to say it today  Happy Grandparents Day!!

We cherish each moment we get to spend with you and the kids favorite things about Grandma and Grandpa are:

Rosie -- Grandma Pam lets us drink pop

Bubba --  Grandma Judy has fish, jet skis and boat .. way cooler than here. 

Gigi --  My favorites are... Grandma Pam because she lets us play instruments, Grandpa Bill picks on me, and Grandma Judy makes me cinnamon bread with SUGAR.

Lil Miss -- what can I say they all spoil me!!! 

Today was also a day to remember Grandpa Bob. 

I was mowing earlier and "his song" came on and lots of memories come flooding in.

He's never too far from our thoughts. 

Miss him lots.

 

Too all you out there that are Grandparents know that you are such a heroic presence in your grandkids eyes.  They see you as better versions of their parents because even though you may be stirct... your not too strict. 

And you feed them lots of sugar and then send them home! 

Happy Grandparents Day!!! 

{Sew'd it Saturday} -- Star Wars Quilt

Well I finally finished it. 

Bubba's Star Wars quilt is complete.

I started this one right after I got Lil Miss and Rosie's done at the beginning of summer.

I had all the fabric all summer and finally cut it out and quilted it together.

What a feeling of accomplishment. 

And it is super comfy!!

I plan on stealing this when I am downstairs to cuddle up with. 

I don't like really elaborate quilts with alot of stitching because they aren't as fluffy and cozy.

They are pretty but this one is cozy.

I used this super cool Star Wars print I found at Joann's.

Nate thought I needed to do the whole quilt in Star Wars fabric but I like how I matched it with more masculine prints.  Not too girly.

Even though Nate thinks it is borderline feminine.

I won't tell him that Bubba really wanted pink on his quilt because it is his favorite color

but I didn't give in! 

 I added an appliqued X on the back just like I did the girls initials.  It adds a nice touch.

"X marks the spot!"

I really like quilting. 

Not the maneuvering of large piece/pieces of fabric through my machine, but the putting of different fabrics together.  If I could just pick the fabrics and put them how I want them

and someone else stitch it all together, I would be in heaven.

BUT then I wouldn't probley have the same sense of accomplishment as I do know. 

I would also be lighter in the pocketbook, and then sewing would be another hobby I spend too much money on.

Who am I kidding, I already do!! 

But look hubby I am creating things.  Things that are useful. 

Wait for a cold winter night and Bubba is cuddled up in his new Star Wars quilt and you will be thanking me. 

Another sewing project complete.... I am on a roll.

Bring on next week! 

Road Trips

It was another holiday weekend and our family was once again on the road.  This

time back to Ohio to see the family.

I would say we are pros of road trips.

Let me clarify, we are pros of road trips with children.  I would love to

be pros of road trips with friends across the country on our way to california, but sadly we aren't. 

(Not that I wouldn't be utterly prepared for that if that ever came up!!!)

But our road trips usually contain 4 tiny people.

From the day the kids walked into our life, we have been a traveling family.

Nate and I have had to learn fast how to do a 9 hour trip with 3 kids and not loose our minds.  After our first trip with kids included a side of the road bathroom stop, car trouble, and projectile vomiting, we learned what to have with you.

Rosie went through about 9 months of car sickness that we had to battle

but the key was to be prepared, not to give up on traveling.

 The keys to a successful road trip with kids is Be Prepared.

Coincidence that it is also the motto of the Boy Scouts?

First of all you need to have things for the kids to do, if not you will hear "Are we there yet?" before you leave the driveway.

I always have the kids pack their own little activity bags for trips.

They fill them with stuffed animals, books, toys, pencils and paper, etc.

It depends on the age what they will bring.

My almost two year olds backpack includes:

a doll baby

mini plastic toys

board books

Then we she gets fussy she has something to keep her mind of the fact that she is strapped into her carseat for a little while longer.

Also remember a blanket and their favorite sleepy (in our case her elephant).

Those make being away from home so much more enjoyable.

 For the older kids we pack:

their latest library book

pencil and pads of paper

ipod

DS (or any other handheld gaming systems)

barbies (for the girls)

star wars characters (for the boy)

and anything else they can fit in their bags

Seriously sometimes their bags are ripping at the seams.

The activity bags come in handy when I shut off Madagascar in the van and force them to do something other than watch the tv.   

 

Things I also pack in the van for all of us:

snacks (individually packaged snacks for easy holding and passing back)

drinks (usually more than one drink for the driver to keep them hydrated)

trash bags

medicine (Tylenol, Dramamine, puke bags)

socks (you never know when you are going to stop at a McDonald's Playland where you need socks)

movies (we keep certain movies only in the car for something new)

an extra set of clothes quickly accessible for accidents

blankets and pillows

{we have mini pillows and lap blankets just for road trips} 

Those are just a few of the things we use to make our road trips go smooth.  We may not use all the materials every time but remember to Be Prepared! 

Our kids now see road trips as an adventure and don't mind a few hours in the van. 

They get to play the Alphabet Game or Car Bingo, or get to watch Bambi (Gigi's favorite movie) and

before we know it we are pulling into Grandma Judy's driveway.

It looks like it will be awhile before we have another road trip, but be assured I will be ready!

Labor Day

We celebrated without too much manual labor.  It was mainly a relaxing weekend watching the little kids play with their cousins.  Times I always love!!!

We woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful sunrise. 

The morning after the blue moon was the most stunning pink sunrise over the

woods behind Mom's house. I grabbed the three kids that were awake and we

raced outside in pajamas and bare feet to get the last few glimpses of the sun behind the trees before the  pretty colors melted away to the morning sky.

We divided and conquered on Saturday.  Nate took the older three kids with him, and me and Lil Miss spent time with Grandma. 

We took a walk with my sister and her two boys. 

The kids played and played and even a few sprinkles didn't spoil their fun. 

When gametime came we found spots on Beth's couches and snuggled under blankets watching our Buckeyes win their first game of the season.

The boys and Lil Miss rough housed on the floor and fought taking naps until I layed Lil Miss down in a crib.  A relaxing Saturday.

 {Lincoln has gotten sooo BIG!}

 I am trying to get these two to be friends not mortal enemies.  I am not sure it is working.

 You got to LOVE this guy's face.

 I volunteered to babysit the boys (at mom's so I had some help) while Beth and Scott got to go out to dinner and enjoy their anniversary.  I hope she remembers this when its my turn.  :-)

The kids had a ball.  They were playing non stop until I put The Lorax in and then it was

slumber party time.

Sunday morning Nate had his duty as godfather to Miley Marie. 

We were all there to celebrate the day with them. 

 {two big kindergartners} 

 {why does this look so dangerous?}

 As you can see, it was a highly stressful weekend.  No I kid.

With the overcast skies and low key weekend, we really enjoyed ourselves. 

Nate even had enough time to build a Lincoln log house with Bubba. 

I don't think I have seen those Lincoln logs used in years!

Mom says that she thinks that some of the Lincoln logs were from when she was little.

It's a toy that never grows out of style.

So I hope you all relaxed like us.  Most stressful thing about the whole weekend was all the cops

we saw on our 6 1/2 hour drive home.  I think that is why Nate kept asking to drive.  He didn't want a

lead foot behind the wheel.  We arrived home without incident. 

Now on to our school/work/stay at home week.

Anything but mundane.  :-)

{Tried it Tuesday} -- School Papers Display

The kids bring home papers from school everyday.

What to do with all those school papers?

The math sheets, art projects and constant stream of papers come in the door and plop on my kitchen island after school until I have a huge pile on the island which is ready to teeter over. 

I have a system. 
The papers I want to keep go in a file in the office, cataloged under each of their names. 

 Then when that gets full, I go through them again and pick out 1/2 and stick them
in their school boxes down stairs.  They each have a folder for each year of school and a folder for preschool.  I imagine them all grown up going through their artwork when they were in grade school and thanking their mother for keeping some of their best work.
I dream big! 
Rosie always gets upset if she sees any of her papers in the trash, so when I purge their
school papers I either have to stuff them way way down in the trash can or put alot of things on top like junk mail.  The only problem is that I really don't have a place to
show off their incredible math scores or gallery worthy drawings.
They get put in folders but not displayed.
I saw an awesome idea on pinterest, but was so sad when I realized my refrigerator front isn't magnetic.  I could have taped the frames on or used that amazing blue tacky stuff, but then I have to use my knuckles to clean that stuff of our fridge front.

From pinterest  via www.positivelysplendid.com

So instead I used this picture as a starting point for an idea. 
Yes, an idea.  Nate hates when I have ideas!!
I started with my materials... all of which I had in my craft closet.   

Clothes Pins
Super Glue
Tacks
Pattern Paper

I attached the tacks to the back of the clothes pins with the super glue.
The hard part was done!

I then used my cricket to cut out the kids initials and a cute little background.

I glued these to the front of the clothes pins.

In 15 minutes I was done.  That was all there was to it.'

I then just pushed them into the wall.

I am an eyeballer so I just pushed the tack in the wall.

So far they have stayed in there and only created a tiny hole.

I can live with that.

Instead of creating a gallery for the kids art work on the refrigerator, I used an unused space of wall relestate.  Each of the kids had their own clip and they each got their current work on display. 
My refrigerator stays clean... except for finger prints and the kids can smile and show off their
self portraits or current math tests.

 Not exactly an idea straight from pinterest, but pinterest started the ball rolling.  Maybe my
project will now be someone else's idea for their house. 
You never know.
The kids walked in the door after I had put up the finished project and were ecstatic to see their
work up on the wall.
Score Mommy!! 
Another pinterest project complete.

{Sew'd it Saturday}

Okay I have all this free time on my hands since 3 out of the 4 kids are in school,
I just don't know what to do.

Yeah, Right.

Little girl keeps me busy.

But I find excuses to do things that distract me from cleaning the house,

like crafting and sewing.

Who knew I would like sewing so much.
When I got my sewing machine for Christmas last year, I was afraid I wouldn't use it enough.
I believe I suprised even Nate on how much I enjoy sewing. 

I haven't shared many of my sewing projects lately--  maybe because over the summer

my sewing machine collected dust instead of created pretty things.

But now I have dusted it off and organized my sewing supplies (I am always willing to organize just not clean!) and am ready to create.

 I had plans all summer to make some dresses out of the girls shirts.
I have been seeing alot of posts on blogs and pins on pinterest about upcycling clothing.
I wanted to try it.
I dug in the girls closets for two shirts they wouldn't miss.
Gigi's was actually a shirt with a grease stain on the front.
Then was the fun point, picking out fabric.  I had purchased on a whim the cutesy owl print for Gigi's.   It was sitting in my stack of fabrics which I hope to use for something fun someday.
Well that someday is today.

 The dresses didn't take long to make.
I can see the girls wearing these dresses with leggings over the fall.
The finishing touches just went on the sash so they haven't had the pleasure of
wearing them yet.

 Do you like?

Nate doesn't like the idea of the girls wearing clothes I made.
He hasn't come out and said it, but the words "and where would they wear that?"
  Have come out of his mouth. 
I think they are adorable and look so fun.  Yes, it might not be the popular "Justice" clothes that alot of the kids wear, but I can gaurantee it is ALOT cheaper.
Have you walked into that store?
It is like a sequins bomb went off in there.  Lots of Sparkle!

The girls love them and its just another dress Gigi has in her closet to wear.
She has taken a firm stance on wearing dresses or skirts everyday! 
It is an utter fight to put her in shorts or heaven forbid a pair of jeans.
Oh, the joys of having girls.
The only thing I have to worry about with Bubba is that it matches. 
He is particular on whether his clothes match -- just like his dadda.

My goal is to get more time to enjoy with my sewing machine. 
I hope it continues because I have alot more ideas and alot more fabric to use.
A few things on the agenda are:
Halloween costumes
Christmas pajamas for the entire family (Nate too!)
and more clothes for my girls.
I also have a friends expecting twins and have a few thoughts up my sleeve on what
to make for her.  Can't wait.
So I better get busy and start stitching so I have a project to reveal next week.
I am trying to make {Sew'd it Saturday} a regular thing just like {Tried it Tuesday}
Just trying to set trends.  LOL 
I know most of my family would like me to particpate in Wordless Wednesday, just so I stop gabbing.    Not going to happen.  Can't do it.   :-)
Okay, now I have to go clean my house ... can't put it off any longer. 
The dust rag is calling my name.
Happy Sewing!!