4-H Project Day: Table Runners

Last Saturday was 4-H Project Day.  Cara and Erica each signed up for six projects to complete in one day.  I probably should have made them both sign up for the same projects and maybe one less project, but we got done and it worked.

The first project of the day was a table runner.  I had already decided that the girls should not use it as a table runner, but as a dresser scarf in their bedrooms.  We went to Hobby Lobby and picked out fabric that matched their bedrooms.  They each needed 1/3 yard of printed fabric and 1/2 yard of a coordinating fabric.  The rest of the materials needed would be provided at project day.  I made them complete this project first because I knew it would be one of the hardest for them.

Cara quickly remembered how to sew.  This project was great for an inexperienced sewer because it only required sewing four seams.  First, you had to sew the two fabrics together lengthwise creating a long tube.  Then you pressed the seams.  Next, after turning the tube right side out you stitched the ends shut.  Then, clipped the ends and pressed open the seams.

Last the girls were to sew on some buttons to secure the triangle piece of fabric down.  We had spent enough time on this project so we chose to take our buttons home to complete later.  Plus, neither one of the girls has sewn a button on before and I didn't want to have to take the time when there were five other projects to complete.  The hard part is completed.

This project turned out so cute.  These are going to look so cute on their dressers in their bedrooms.

Take care,

Michelle

Playing Cowboys

Yesterday after school Justin was playing cowboys.  He has a pretty good imagination when he plays.  He carries on a running conversation with no one, but his imaginary friends.  This is the costume that he thought a  cowboy would wear.  I wasn't paying much attention because I was helping with homework, making supper and trying to get ready for a meeting.  When I did stop and look at what he was doing, I had to take a photo.  The play drill in his hand was a gun in his mind.  Justin does not have toy guns so this was his next choice.  I'm not sure why he put on the safety goggles, but he wore his John Deere hat because cowboys wear a hat and I think the toy tool belt may have been his gun belt.  He was having a blast and that is the main thing.

Take care,
Michelle

Hectic Schedule

I have already said a prayer this morning that we make it through today.  Our winter schedule has started and it is a hectic one.  We have something everyday from Sunday through Thursday.  This is how it goes:

Sunday:  Swimming lessons at 4:30 for all 4 kids

Monday:  Gymnastics at 4:45-5:30 for Ashlin
                 Gymnastics at 5:30-6:30 for Erica
                 Club basketball practice at 6:00-7:30 for Cara

Tuesday:  Tutor at 4:00-5:00 for Erica
                 Club basketball practice at 6:00-7:30 for Cara

Wednesday: Piano lessons 4:30-5:30 for Cara & Erica

Thursday:  Tutor at 4:00-5:00 for Erica

Although this Monday after school Erica has piano at 4:00 and on Tuesday Cara has piano at 4:00 because of a schedule change by the instructor.  Plus I think I may have also forgotten one of Cara's basketball practices since I don't have the big calendar in front of me. 

Last night after swimming I brought up to Keith that I was going to need help today running and he looked at me and said, "Sorry, but I'm staying out of town Monday night.".  I wanted to hurt him at that point.  Justin is very confused.  It is no wonder when I put him to bed at night that he asks what we have to do the next day.  He just gets in the van and rides along, but he loves his swimming lessons.

One Mom at school told me that it is going to only get worse, and I'm sure it will when Justin starts to become more involved.  Somehow in between activities we will get homework done and every one will get supper. 

Take care and have a good week,
Michelle
                  

Words of Wisdom on Wednesday

A week ago today I had to attend a religious in-service for all the teachers and staff at school.  Every January on the day before the kids go back to school from Christmas break, we have a Foundations of Faith in-service.  Past themes have been about the 10 plagues, the Nicene Creed, and the Trinity.  I generally do not want to attend because some of the information is boring or about something I don't understand.

This year the one thing that I took away from the 3-hour session was the following:

"What is the most important thing that you can do for your children?  The most important thing that mothers can do for their children is to love their fathers.  And vice versa, the most important thing that fathers can do for their children is to love their mothers."

In our society today, we do not take the time to reflect or think about the damage that divorce has on our children.  Too many marriages end in divorce and it is very hurtful to the children involved. 

Just a thought ---

Take care,
Michelle

Family Fun Night at the YMCA

Friday night the YMCA hosted its first family fun night.  They are going to try hosting family fun nights the first Friday of every month this winter.  The theme for the first night was swimming.  The event was held from 5:30 to 7:30 last Friday night.

The staff planned many fun events for the evening.  Cara and Ashlin are playing water volleyball on the far side in this photo.  Cara went to the event with some friends and Keith took Ashlin down to enjoy the fun.  Erica was off at a friend's house for the night and Justin and I stayed home because I was having some asthma issues that day.

Cara is leaning on the wall to the far right in this photo.  Some of the events included boat races, swimming races, diving contest, smallest and biggest splash contest, coin dive, etc.  The girls had a lot of fun that night.  Ashlin won the smallest splash off the board contest.  She earned a YMCA t-shirt for her effort.  But the coin dive may have been their favorite.  Between Cara, Ashlin, Charli and Reilly they got $20 in coins out of the water.  Therefore, each girl earned $5 for their efforts.  Good job girls!!!

They are all excited to go next month again.  Cara told me the theme for next month is games in the gym.

Take care,

Michelle

Christmas Concert

The PreK-6th Grade Christmas concert was a few weeks before Christmas on a Sunday afternoon.  The kids practice for weeks learning songs and actions to perform to a packed gym of parents, grandparents and siblings.

The Pre-Kindergarten classes always perform first and then we sit in the front row to watch the "big kids" perform.  My girls know that I am sitting in the front row and that I have my camera ready to snap away.  They tend to make faces and not smile on purpose when they see my camera go up to snap a photo.

This is a good example of Ashlin knowing not to look at me because I am ready to snap a photo before someone stands in front of her.

The First Grade sang "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "I Saw Three Ships" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

Erica and her 3rd Grade classmates sang "Here We Come A-Wassailing", Amen, The First Noel, and "Joy To The World" with audience participation.

The 5th Grade sang "Glad Tidings of Joy" and "Who Is This Tiny King?".

All of the students did a wonderful job performing.  Now they can have a break before the Spring Concert in May.

Take care,

Michelle

Bowling Over Break

The prize that Ashlin won for her last coloring contest was two free games of bowling and free shoe rental.  Her two certificates were going to expire at the end of 2011 so on Friday we headed to the bowling alley for some fun.

I have no idea the last time that we have gone bowling.  It is not an activity that we think about doing when we get bored.  Justin and I just watched the other four bowl.  Ashlin and Erica got to use the bumpers.

Ashlin bowled the best out of the three girls.  She started the first game swinging the ball, but after a while she switched to granny style bowling.

Erica attempted to use good form, but it needs some work.

Erica and Ashlin were glad that they got to use the bumpers or their scores would have been a lot less.

Cara struggled with form, but it got better in the second game.

Dad wasn't very excited about his scores, but it was a fun activity.  When they were finished, we picked up supper through the McDonald's drive-thru.  I found $20 worth of McDonald's gift cards that I forgot to wrap up for the kids.  Good conclusion to a fun activity!

Take care,

Michelle