Sweet Siblings

I have been thinking a lot about siblings in the last two days.Thinking about how much I cherish and miss my siblings. My big brother who lives clear across the country in Boston, and who I have not seen since my little sisters wedding four and a half years ago. Though my sister lives much closer, I still do not see her as often as would be nice or talk with her as much as I should.

I spend much of my time marveling at the sibling relationship growing, changing and strengthening between my three kids. Sometimes in the small quiet moments when the oldest two are coloring pictures for one of their frequently planned event extravaganzas, or helping in bath with their baby brother. Sometimes in the loud moments when they're playing imagination games. My daughter nearly brought me to tears when she cheered her brother on for being brave enough to swim with his face in the water. Most nights the baby wanders up the stairs with the big kids as they are getting ready for bed. Just to be with them a little longer. Once they are securely tucked in he wanders back downstairs to start his own bedtime routine. These three are amazing and it is my strongest desire that they always find reasons and time to love and support each other.

The biggest reason siblings are on my mind though is because my mom's brother is dying. My sweet Uncle Butch. A man I had the privilege to get to know better during my college days. Who rejoiced when learning I was going to marry and gave my soon to be husband a hard time about being sure to treat me right. He and my Aunt Sheila always opened their home to us when we where traveling and visiting in the area. He delighted in each of my three babies and they still welcomed our growing, rowdy, noisy family into their home. He has meant the world to me, so I can not even imagine how my mother feels.

My mom is the only girl with three brothers. Sadly this is not the first brother they have lost. Thirty years ago this fall, their middle brother passed. My grandfather was in the military, so my mom (and her brothers) moved a LOT as kids. Her siblings would be the only friends she could take with her. To all those new states, new cities, new schools, new neighborhoods. Through all those "new" experiences her brothers would be there with her. I realize by this point in their lives they have grown up, grown away, grown their own families and watched those children have children of their own. Still a sibling is your first friend, the first to know who you really are and choose to love you anyway.

 

Many prayers and blessings this fine and reflective night.--Kate

Mystery Novel Shawl

I really enjoy reading mystery novels, I also really enjoy knitting. A few times now I have read knitting novels. One series I have been enjoying, is the Kelly Flynn Knitting Mysteries, by Maggie Sefton. At the end of each book the author includes a recipe and a knit pattern.

One of my current works-in-progress is the pattern from her third book, "A Deadly Yarn," it is the, Easy Triangle Shawl. It has been living up to its name. It is easy and it is a great project to pick up anytime I have a few minutes. It has also been another great way to use up a few more yarns in my yarn stash. This time the purple and green yarns are a super soft nylon/acrylic yarn called Fantasy by Dark Horse Yarn. As well as a third purple/green/brown variegated yarn by Ella Rae, called Seasons.

I was not sure when I started if I would like the final product. Though I liked all three separately, I was not so sure when I began using them together. Now two, thirds of the way into the project, I am really starting to like how it looks.

I should have it done just in time for winter to be over and the warmer weather to be here. Although with the way this winter has been going we may have lots of cold weather opportunities remaining.

Many blessings this fine, knitty night.--Kate

If you are interested in the pattern but not looking for a knitting mystery, you can always find it on Ravelry: Maggie Sefton Knitting Mysteries, A Deadly Yarn.

Sloths In The Works

I am experiencing a rare few hours of quiet. The big two are off with their dad, and the baby is taking a nap. During this moment of peace, I am getting some chores done. Laundry, tidying up and a little bit of writing. I am also getting some work done on my baby sloths, who have homes out there waiting for them.

Here is what I have so far. They are quite near completion just need faces and the final construction and then they will be off in the mail. This has been a fun project and I thank all of you who took a few moments to comment. Your babies are on their way.

Many blessings this fine, snooze full afternoon.--Kate

Road Trip Boredom Busters

This past week at MOPS our craft was a few activities to help entertain kids during long road trips. Let me just start by saying there are so many amazing ideas of what to do with kids to help make long trips, (by both air and road,) a more pleasant experience. There are thousands of creative ideas to be found on Pinterest or parenting blogs, just type "Road trip boredom busters."

The most frequently suggested item was an I Spy bottle or bag. We also made a Tic-Tac-Toe board with a lacing snake on the back. The lacing snake is to practice buttoning and the felt pieces can be used on the Tic-Tac-Toe board. The last item is hook and loop tape constructing sticks.

 

This craft project had a lot of prep work that was done ahead, but it made it so that all three were easy to complete and there was a lot of personalizing involved.

Many blessings this fine night.--Kate

Using A New Birthday Present for Breakfast

One of the new birthday presents my girl got from her grandparents, was a cookbook for kids, "Cooking Class" by Deanna F. Cook. (Thanks Gram and Gerati!) My two big kids love to help with the cooking, when they can, and my girl always ready to try the most dangerous and challenging steps.

 

This morning, when trying to decide what we wanted for breakfast, I hear the exclamation, "I know", and out comes the brand new cook book. The recipe choice this morning is crepes. Even though I initially had some concerns since we did not have any thing to use for the filling. We remembered a delicious caramel we purchased at a local Micro Creamery, The Caramel Kitchen. The flavor we used was Pumpkin Spice.

The kids, were able to help with all the steps, except turning the crepe. I think their favorite was cutting the bananas and arranging them on the crepe and then folding the crepes in half. It was a fun and delicious breakfast. The kids did such a great job that we will definitely be turning to this cookbook for future family cooking ideas.

Many blessings this fine and flavor filled day.--Kate

Long Weekends and Late Nights

Things have gotten a little out of control again. It seems that quite often leading into, (and sometimes out of,) a big event, my ability to carve out time to write is near impossible. The end of last week and through the weekend was focused on my big girl's grand celebrations. The start of this week has been part recovery and part MOPS meeting, craft project prep. So much to preparation in fact, that I did not manage to get to bed last night at a reasonable hour and today I am certainly paying for it.

So here is a glimpse into the project that I will be sharing in my next Monday's MOPS post. For now I need to go and get some sleep.

Many blessings this fine and tired night.--Kate

Birthday Weekend

The past few days have been filled with party prep for my big girl's birthday. Even though she has attended several theme or event parties in the last year she decided that she wanted her standard at home (invite everyone) parties. Which I actually rather enjoy.

Her theme this year was butterflies and rainbows. She had a lot of fun mixing and matching supplies from the party store about a month ago and then on Saturday we discovered a whole birthday theme section at the dollar store and butterflies were one of the themes. We were therefore able to add a lot of lovely little butterfly touches. 

Her birthday cake was made by the mom of one of her friends, Erin Blackburn. Erin makes beautiful (and delicious) cakes professionally. My girl was super excited to "design" her cake, and picked chocolate cake with whip cream and fresh strawberry filling.

The day was a great success, with a house filled with laughing, shouting and playing kids. Lots of good food, awesome presents and fun balloons. I am also continually impressed with my girls ability to spend time with each of her her guests and make all feel welcome and appreciated. Most of the girls at the party are from her dance school, but not all and I did not see any kids being left out. Except for her brothers, who unfortunately got sick over the weekend and were quite slimy come party day. They were quarantined with daddy, away from the party, watching movies and eating party snacks. Though we did have them come down for the presents and to sing Happy Birthday to their sister.

 

  We are so grateful to everyone who came and helped us celebrate our big girls special day.

Many blessings this fine, post birthday party day.--Kate