Sew What!

It's in the Jeans or Genes...One of those two. My mother is a seamstress and master quilter.  But above that she is an artist. My Grandmothers could sew like the wind. They made girl clothing for five daughters, and barbie clothes for my dolls. So obviously I know how to sew! I can not make a boxed cake mix, but I can make you a mean set of drapes, dress, quilt or purse.  Anyway, now it's time for the next Generation.

First, modeling a house coat made by my Grandmother Metheney for my Dad, passed to Jonah and now to Phoebe. She has been wearing it every morning and after siesta, because the Diva is cold! She is concerned that there is only one pocket...she has an overflow of stuff to carry around and could really use that extra pocket Great Grandma.

Next, is Gwendolyn and her latest adventure. She has been having sewing lessons with Nana every week and has already developed the craft. Her machine was her 7th Birthday gift. We have recently discovered the Matilda Jane Clothing line for little girls. They use unique quality fabrics with prints. She has decided to make her own. Perhaps she will be an upcoming contestant on Project Runway Jr.

tomorrow will be all about the Dude...it is almost his Birthday anyway, He deserves some spotlight.

A day in Australia

Today was just one of those days you wish you could either delete or do over. There were some fun moments (scuba diving with Dad), and some relaxing time (starbucks in our PJ's). But the meltdown mania was more time consuming then anything else...with Mine being the worst one! Being a perfect parent is IMPOSSIBLE. Lucky for me, my kids are forgiving and know just how to make me smile. After only one quick lesson in tissue flower making, Gwendloyn created a centerpiece for our family dinner. Justin cooked, so it not only looked pretty at the table, but it tasted delicious too. I am just reminding myself that "some days are like that...even in Australia.

Pride Rock

I spent the first half of my morning getting a polka dot pedicure with Phoebe.

Diva's choice for color and design and we are twins!

Obviously she is a pro.

The rest of the morning I pretended to be Cinderella. Mopping the floor, cleaning the toilets, sewing buttons on clothes, wash the dogs. Oh and biggest of all, vacuuming the couch!

So when it is not about the children, it is about the dogs. Seriously 5 minutes after I finish vacuuming and they are back in position on "Pride Rock", as Gwendolyn likes to call it. So much for my hairless furniture.
So maybe you are wondering how I relax, now that you have seen Phoebe and the dogs all Chilled out?
No need...I just levitate, blink my eyes, twitch my nose. Refreshed.

Great Minds, think differently

As mom of the year, I plan after school activities (distractions from arguing).

 Todays activity: Paint your own robot or ice cream cone. Fun RIGHT???

Not really. They fought over paint colors and artistic choices and we called it off 30 min later. My kitchen table is now blue polka dot and the chair cushions are 80's splatter paint.

The real fun was afterward. When they used their own minds to create fun. On tap: filling up Galoshes to stomp around making foot prints, and making a series of canals with mud and stones. Popsicle included!

Maybe tomorrow I wont have anything planned.

The Heat is On

When I was young I danced at a Rams Football game with a thousand other toddlers in tiaras to Glenn Frey's "The heat is On".  I was bopping and poppin, lockin, and dropping all over that football field.
As a grown up, I laugh at this. Not because of the scene (it was awesome), but because when I was a kid I don't remember sweating, and if I did, I don't remember caring about it.
Now however, sweating is not an option unless I am going to do it to myself on Purpose for a specific reason.  All this to say; I love the Bikram Yoga. I have been practicing for 6 years and love every min. I do hate doing it though. The classes are 90 min in a heated and humidified room. OUCH. So this is where I sweat!

Gwendolyn and Jonah have been going to a kid friendly version of this class with some of thier friends.  The room isnt heated, but today, in the depths of the AZ summer, it was HOT. Here are the girls showing us there stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mU-YSk32I

Szechuan Si'l Vous Plait

I do not cook, I do not like to cook. However...I have a dear friend who encourages me through her own efforts to feed her family. So, while she can sit and search for recipes with joy...I can sample and repeat!

Most important is that my kids will eat it, and that it is good for us!

The first recipe, I described to them as peanut butter macaroni. It went over well, but make sure you use fun noodles and less garlic then called for. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/szechuan-noodles-recipe/index.html

Satisfied Customer

The second reciepe is packed full of goodness and they have know idea. Bon Appetit

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/linguine-with-avocado-and-arugula-pesto-recipe/index.html

Volcanic Tweed

So, as I set sail on this adventure of journaling my life, I realize that I am lacking some skills.
I am going to have to squeeze in some tutoring sessions.
Number 1: Digital camera user Grade: Fail
Number 2: Science Project coordinator Grade D-

The Gwendolyns enjoyed a "Project Runway" fabric discovery circa 1965

We all smiled and wowed for Mom's make shift volcano. Although it did include glitter and colored lava,
the height of the explosion was unimpressive.

Gotta start somewhere

In an attempt to journal this year much more than I did last year....I will be a blogger.
Inspired by some of you creative friends and families, here I go off into the wild blue yonder.
Luckly I have a pair of ruby slippers (except they are rainbow) if I get lost.