Crossing Over

I have finally crossed over to the other side: I have joined Facebook. I had no idea how addictive it can be! Just waiting for a "friend" to tag you or confirm you or post to your "wall". It's almost more than I can handle!!!

Christmas card picture

We have never been the type to think that everyone we know, family excluded would want to have a picture of our kids for a Christmas card. You know the type, family all decked out in matching sweaters, lounging around a perfectly trimmed tree, that BTW I am sure is not their tree at all. Anyone who has small children knows that their tree will be far from perfectly trimmed. Back to the perfect Christmas card scene...all of the participants with perfect smiles, maybe even looking as if they like one another.
Well, last year we crossed over to the other side and with the help of an online service, we put together a Christmas card with a picture of all of us, yes all of us. I guess we jumped in feet first. Now this year, we decided we would formulate another photo card, just of the children this time. We have been trying to plan for a good picture of the 3 little imps together, but it seems that we don't have any that turn out with all 3 looking somewhat normal. The First Born is all for it, totally posing with a smile glued on her face. But the Middle Child and the Terrible Two's are another story. The Middle Child is ok for a few shots, but then he starts closing his eyes, making faces, striking crazy poses. And the Terrible Two's, well need I say more? We are lucky to just get a glimpse of him in the picture...


So we ended up with one so-so picture that will have to do. Now that we have crossed this threshold, is our next step to become one of those families who send out form letters about a year in the life...? I hope not, but never say never. It will come back to bite you in the....

New Etsy Listings

Well, I have finally posted more items in my Etsy shop. I don't know if I will sell anything before Christmas, but I am getting better at it. We'll see how it goes. It is so hard to find the time to make something, then take the pictures, placing and arranging everything just so. And then after all of that, listing it, writing up a description. And trying to keep everything else (non-etsy) going smoothly, or somewhat smoothly. If anyone has any managing tips or secrets for me, please let me know!!!!

If You Can't Beat 'Em...

In our house, raising 3 children, aged 7, 5, and 2, it is inevitable that there is lots of "potty talk". And I don't mean anything profane, unless you consider bowel movements and farting profane. Much to the dismay of several Mothers I engage in playgroup with, I do not much discourage such talk. Oh sure, if we are at someone's house or restaurant for dinner or at school, we refrain and have taught the children to do so as well. But if the children are at home or playing with friends, all bets are off.
So yesterday the first born tells me that she knows what 100 times 10 is. I ask her and she replies "1000". The middle child heard this exchange and then says to me "Hey Mom, Do you know what 100 times turd is?" How do you answer that?

Back in Business

Well, I have been out of "business" for quite a while now. It is so hard to work even part time and be a full time SAHM!!! I don't know how people do it!!! So I took a sort of sabbatical this past Spring. My middle child was getting ready for kindergarten and we were wrapping up home pre-school. And then Summer came and the first born was out of school, vacation to GA, visiting the fam in WV, and just hanging out with my nuclear family, all of that overtook Sassy Stitches. And I wouldn't have changed a thing. We had a great summer.

Fast forward to Fall...the first born is now is 2nd grade, different school (but great because we can walk her over), and the middle child is now in kindergarten--half a day and loving it, and the unruly toddler is beside himself, crying for his sibs. What an adjustment for all of us. But we are making it and doing well.

Now, a few weeks ago I received an email from our wonderful children's librarian inquiring as to whether I was going to sew for the Library Ladies again this Holiday season. I gave it some thought, and then thought some more, and then thought that the extra money would help out for the holidays. So I am back in the sewing room. And it feels good. I have started up a few new things like xmas stockings, and some kids items like bean bags and felt magnets. And in one week I will have a table at the Blackstone River Theatre craft fair. Funny how things take off so quickly...

Exciting Weekend

Last weekend was an exciting one for our family. Let's go back to Thursday, which technically isn't the weekend, but since the World's Greatest Husband's days off are Friday and Saturday, the weekend officially starts Thursday evening. Last fall, The First Born's Brownie Troop leader asked me if I would be willing to do a sewing project with the Troop. After some discussion, we decided to link it with Earth Day and teach the girls how to sew a coin purse out of Capri-Sun and Kool-Aid juice pouches. Because of family stuff, the date was moved back and I went in last Thursday. The First Born was so excited and it seemed all the girls enjoyed it. They were so amazed that they had sewn something themselves. It was a lot of fun for me too.

Move on to Friday...Two bit events for Friday. First, The Word's Greatest Husband went to The First Born's classroom to talk about being a minister. Several of the other children's parents had been in to talk about their professions. The WGH wore his robe, told the kids that the sleeves were called "pudding sleeves", which they thought was hysterical. And he evenr read some Hebrew, but then said it translated to say that first graders should not pick their noses. Second, The Father-Daughter Dance, unofficially. The school refers to it as "Girls Nite Out". Last year we did not know that "Girls Nite Out" was the Father-Daughter Dance, so we skipped it. Big mistake. The First Born was devastated the following Monday. So this year, The World's Greatest Husband promised to take her. She was so excited, but then seemed to get a little nervous as the time for the Dance approached. Before the dance, The WGH asked her "What if I have to go to the bathroom? Will you go with me?" Her reply: "No! I am not going to the boy's bathroom! Yuck!" (She knows what she is talking about.) Then The WGH proceeded to show her his latest dance moves. That didn't go over too well either. They left for the dance, stayed about an hour and had a great time. The First Born got to dance with some of her friends and then do some cool dances with Daddy.



Onto Saturday, The WGH took Classic Middle Child and Bundle of Energy to get "summer haircuts", meaning buzz cuts. Every spring when he does this, I have a difficult time with the boys. It is not that the haircut changes them, but that it changes their looks. So much that they look so ornery. Before the cuts, with their long floppy hair, it seemed they could get by with more, but with the buzz cut, I don't know. The orneriness just seems to show more, even though they are still cute as a bug's ear. You be the judge.....

Performance Debuts

Our church has a Concert Series. It began several years ago as a Spring Concert Series, but now it extends through a Christmas Concert. Most of the concerts are well attended and the Concert Committee does a good job of getting local talent to perform.

Last nights concert was The Red Tide Ramblers, with one of the members being The World's Greatest Husband's fiddle teacher. He has been taking lessons for about a year or so, and has gotten pretty good at it. I can only imagine how hard it is to play the violin. As a side note, when I was in 2nd grade, at school we were given the opportunity to learn to play the violin. I was so excited. I went the first time, but the second time when the teacher came to get those interested, I was somehow overlooked. And I wouldn't/couldn't speak up. That was the end of my violin playing.

Anyway, The World's Greatest Husband's fiddle teacher said that her band would be happy to play, but he (WGH) would have to play a song with them. He agreed and has been practicing "Old Joe Clark" ever since. So last night, the band played their first 2 numbers and then invited Reverend up to play with them. He had to start the song, playing it through twice and then the band joined in. He did a great job. And received a standing ovation!!! Afterwards, he said he had not been that nervous since our wedding day. I'm not quite sure how to take that....

Here is a pic of him in action:



Several people were planning to stick around and have a jam session, but only a few brought instruments. So instead, The First Born delighted those still in attendance with some Irish Step Dancing, accompanied by one of the band members playing a fancy flute. Her footwork is too quick to be captured on film.

Take Me Home, Country Roads

A couple of weeks ago, the family and I traveled back to WV to visit with family. The First Born had the week off from school for Spring Break. Unfortunately, all of the kids back in WV had their Spring Break around Easter, so all the cousins were in school. But we had a good visit and were still able to see everyone, even if it was briefly.

When we travel such a long distance, we take our time and have plenty of stops for the kids to get out and run around. One of our greatest stops was in Hershey, PA. While traveling through Hershey a few years ago, a couple of friends who live in Harrisburg took us to the Hershey Pantry. We will forever be grateful. This restaurant has the best breakfasts, and the largest egg sandwiches I have ever seen. They are as big as a salad plate, no kidding!! Anyway, we placed an order to go, with plans to find a local park to let the kids run off some energy. The World's Greatest Husband and I each ordered this monster of an egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich, served on a pretzel roll!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I looked at my sandwich and immediately thought that there was no way I could eat the whole thing. Did I mention it came with the best fried potatoes, sliced like chips? Mmmmmm....Needless to say, I did eat the whole thing.

Further down the road, once we crossed into WV, we decided to take the back roads and drive through Philippi, where we both attended college. We drove through town and up on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus. It was kind of weird to be back on campus; the students that we saw couldn't have been older than 15!!! How our perspective changes as we age!! Here is a pic of our kids by the fountain if front of New Main (it was renamed, and I refuse to call it by anything other than New Main),


and the view of downtown from atop the hill:



After 17 hours of driving, all in one day, we safely arrived in the Kanawha Valley. Here are more pics of the kids with MawMaw and NeNe:



and just general fun and tom foolery:




lest we forget Aunt K's pedicure day:

Crazy Hair Day

A couple of weeks ago at school was a sort of Spirit Week, in honor of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) day. So I guess they were getting the kids all fired up about reading. The week consisted of "Rocker Socks Day", "Crazy Rocker Hair/Hat Day", "Pajama Day", "Dress Like Your Favorite Rock Star Day", "Rock Out With Red Day". So as you can guess, there was a Rock Star theme, except for the pajama day. I think that one is always included because the kids just love to wear pajamas to school. Who wouldn't? Anyway, here is a pic of The First Born with her Crazy Rock Star Hair. We put lots of tiny pig tails in, about 10, then threaded a pipe cleaner through the holder and braided the pipe cleaner into her hair. I fastened the end by wrapping the excess pipe cleaner around and then we twisted each braid. I am not sure of the reaction at school (I think it was pretty good), but the bus driver and monitor were loving it!!

First Born's Birthday gift--belated entry

The First Born's birthday was in Febuary, so this is a belated entry. For her birthday, she wanted some kind of reading chair. She LOVES to read; I don't know how many times I have to tell her to put down the book to do something else. Don't get me wrong, we love it that she has such a love of books and we do encourage her to read. So for her 7th birthday, instead of buying a "reading chair" made of mystery particles and made in a factory where the workers may not earn a fair wage, I decided to make a "bean bag" chair. Technically it has no beans, but for lack of a better term....I went to the local recycling center and purchased a huge amount of foam pieces and cotton batting. The cover is made of new fabric, but the stuffing is all from upcycled materials. She, as well as Classic Middle Child and Bundle of Energy love it. Classic Middle Child now wants one for his 5th birthday, in July.

Blog Feature

A couple of months ago while on the etsymom member board, one of the members posted that she wanted to feature some other etsymoms on her blog. So I responded, she sent me the interview questions, and voila, here is the feature. I have been checking her blog frequently and it is fun to read another mom chronicling her children and the craziness that ensues. She is very good at keeping up her blog; I am not. Evidence: my last post was one month ago!!! Anyway, check out her blog and etsy shop. She has really cool baby friendly necklaces for Mom.

A Day of Learning, Sharing, and Missing My Family

Yesterday I attended the Breastfeeding and Parenting Conference for La Leche League of MA/RI/VT. What a great day of learning and sharing. I am not sure how many Mothers, Fathers, children, grandparents, etc. were in attendance, but it seemed like maybe a couple hundred. Workshops ranged from parenting/loving guidance for all ages to homeopathic remedies to vaccines, and so much more. There were two highlights for me: 1) a workshop on Kangaroo Mother Care, and 2) a general session by Robert Sears, MD, FAAP, highlighting his book Vaccines: Making an Educated Decision for Your Children.

First, the session on Kangaroo Mother Care: it was so amazing to see mothers caring for their premature newborns, holding them skin-to-skin, meeting the baby's needs, and watching a newborn wriggle and squirm to get into position to latch on, with no assistance from Mom!!!! How instinctive human babies are, if we would just allow them to do what they already know how to do!!!

Second, the general session with Dr. Sears: this one was attended by everyone at the conference. Dr. Sears had the challenge of presenting his lecture after lunch, but through his conversational style lecture and his own humor, had no difficulty in keeping everyone's attention. He presented an overview of his new book mentioned above. Basically he went through typical vaccination schedules and offered an alternative schedule for those parents who may want to delay some or all vaccines. I appreciated his approach in that he offered the information as a tool for parents to decide how to use it and how to collaborate with his/her own health care provider.

Along with these highlights, I met Mothers from other La Leche League Groups, we talked about things that our respective Groups were doing, and even saw a few old friends. Other features of the conference are a kid's play station, a silent auction of wonderful items donated by some LLL Groups and local businesses, (here is the messenger bag that I donated)


and a bookstore that highlights several LLLI-approved books on breastfeeding, parenting, weaning, nutrition, and children's books. I was able to pick up two children's books for the kids, they stayed home with Dad. Yes, he tended to all 3 from 7am to 7pm, and did a wonderful job. I arrived home to find all of the children fed, one bathed and dressed, one in the tub, and one patiently waiting her turn.

It was a great day, but I sure did miss my family. I missed The First Born's Irish Step Dance class, going to get doughnuts afterwards, and nursing Bundle of Energy for his nap. He made up for it when I got home!!!

Movie Day

Today a friend called wanting to know if the kids and I would like to join her and her son to see Horton Hears a Who. I decided to go and take The First Born and Classic Middle Child. Now our kids have not seen a lot of movies or TV for that matter. When they do watch a TV program, it is something from PBS. Needless to say, they are not exposed to violence in media and are very sensitive to antagonistic characters.

Not to give away the plot of the movie, but Classic Middle Child was very upset with the strong musical selections and antagonistic characters in the movie. He did eventually peel his fingers from his eyes, and I was able to pry him off of my lap towards the end of the movie. Even The First Born was cowering under my arm at a few scenes. It's Horton Hears a Who!!!!

As we were leaving the theater, both were very chatty, commenting on parts of the movie. Classic Middle Child even said that the next time he goes to see it, he wants Daddy to take him. After arriving home, they proceeded to update their father on the movie, not ever mentioning cowering next to me, fingers covering eyes, etc...what a selective memory they each have already!!!

Wemberly's Worry List

Yesterday The First Born came home from school with a photo-copied paper in a Library book. At the top of the paper, it read "Wemberly's Worry List". She had read a book by Kevin Henkes at school about this worrisome character. On the paper are 3 things that she had written down. I just thought they were things that the character worried about.

This morning after giving it a closer look, I realized that these were some of her worries. Now if you know my family, and know me, you also know that the First Born is very much like me. She looks like me and acts like me. We have many of the same temperements. And I too am a bit of a worrier, passed down from Opal. So here are the First Born's worries:

1. snake on the floor

2. forget library book

3. forget birthday

This is so her. Just about everyday before school, she worries about forgetting her Library book, even though her class only goes to the Library on Thursdays. The worries of a 7 year old...

Etsymom Spring Auction-Check it out!!

Here are the items for the Etsymom Auction, as seen on Etsymom's Blog. Bidding for the basket of goodies has begun and will continue until 3/17 or 3/18. There are some great Springy/Easter items; I've already ordered 3 felting kits from Buttercup Corner. The First Born and Classic Middle Child saw the kit and went crazy over it!! To see a close up of the egg/chick felting kit, click here.


This is an Etsymom Promotional Auction starts March 3rd ~ half of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, so you are bidding for a good cause! Etsymoms entered their best and favorite for spring, and you have a chance to win it all! Please visit EtsyMom.com for more information, and thank you for looking at our Etsymom Auction!
The Auction will take place on Mommyauctions.com in HappyHouseQuilts Shop

Rosie's Cozies has a cute toddler tote, cute bunny on the front
Happy House Quilts presents Threadabilities Craft kit, design and make your own spring flower clip!
Buttercup Corner has another craft kit, felt an egg and a chick to go inside! It's absolutely darling, and a perfect activity for the family.
Andrea Baker provides a fun library tote, with fun spring critters in pastels
Aebaby makes these *adorable* tag toys. This is a minky rabbit with colored ears. Really cute!
GreenBeanBoutique makes little fruit babies in various colors
Caelista sent this adorable fried egg catnip toy. Something for everyone in the family!
Peek-A-Boo Studios made little Suzy Zoo spring hair clips. Custom designed just for Etsymom!
NightOwlStudios contributed these adorable spring hair clips. Made from imported fabric, these are way cute! Love the hedge hog.
WylesStyle made this super cute egg pouch. Perfect for a teen's Easter, you know how hard they can be to buy for!
BeadedSocks makes cute doll diapers and... beaded socks! The doll diapers are a favorite among the toddlers, and they hold up to rough toddler play much better than disposable dipes.
Sassy Stitches made this totally cool clutch! Fun 3D flower on the front. Perfect for mom for Easter!
Mommy3Jesse put together this beautiful diaper cake! How fun would this be at a baby shower? A useful gift that is guaranteed *not* to be returned to the store for sure!
AllGrownUp2 made this sweet spring charm bracelet. Bunnies, eggs, and chicks!
Minefull made this cute pendant featuring a cute little chick! Nice and simple, classy moms would love to wear this this spring.
Thumbelina Creations made an amazing pendant with lampwork beads, buttons, and wrapped wire. Be sure to check this out in more detail (click her name) to see it 'up close'.
Mellberry4 made this beautiful pendant, reflecting Easter.

It's Not Easy Bein' Green

Today I said good-bye to my favorite bag. We could have had a great run at it: the bag's endless supply of space and pockets, my need to always carry way to much. We really could have been good together; she had several cubbies, and I have lots of little bits to carry about. And we would have looked great together too. It's shades of green would have cheered me up and warmed my soul in this last phase of winter....But alas, the request came from an aquaintance...it would be perfect for her daughter. I guess we weren't meant to work out. Farewell, Springtime Carry-All Tote....

New Items for Etsy Shop????

So Friday is supposed to be my workday for the week. As hard as we try, it doesn't always work out to be a full day. Because Friday is also the Greatest Husband in the World's (GHW) day off, it is also the day that I have to schedule hair appointments, doctor appointments, or anything else that I need/prefer to do sans kids. So yesterday I had a hair appointment, and The First Born is on Winter Break from school all week. I wasn't planning on getting much work done.

I thought maybe I could get an hour in and make a few doll cloth diapers for the shop. So while The Greatest Husband in the World took The First Born and Classic Middle Child to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, Aggressive Toddler took a nap, leaving me a small window of time to sew. I was able to make four cloth doll diapers and was finishing them up as The Greatest Husband in the World, The First Born and Classic Middle Child arrived back home. The First Born was helping me fold and velcro the diapers when she said "Now I have six diapers for my babies." My response was "What?" She continued, "Two from Christmas and these four, that makes six." Good math skills, I thought. How could I correct her. So I just said, "You're right, that does make six." So I guess I'll be making more doll diapers for my shop...

Here is a pic of the diapers and one on The First Born's doll, and of a recycled ribbon purse made for her. The ribbons are leftovers from community and school events.

Etsymom Promo Spring Contest #2

Well, my Springing Up Floral Clutch is officially up on the Etsymom blog, along with a pic!!! There are also some other very cute Spring/Easter items up, hopefully lots more to come...

Etsymom Promo Spring Contest

The Etsymom Street Team (sounds like a gang huh?) is running a Spring promo in which members of Etsymom submit an item with the Spring/Easter theme. All of the items will go up for auction at Mommy Auctions. Half of the proceeds will go to a charity voted upon by Etsymom members, the other half will go to the winner of the contest. The winner will be determined by a vote of Etsymom members. So here is my entry: Springing Up Floral Clutch/Wallet. If you like this, convo me at Sassy Stitches and I can stitch up a similar one for you. More on this later about when you can check out the auction....wish me luck....

Getting Started

Well, the husband set me up with a blog and here I am getting it started. I plan to post some of the things I am making for my Etsy shop. I am trying to get a "Black Widow" line, in honor of the women at the Lincoln Public Library. So far I have 2 items, one of which has sold, to one of the women from the Library!!! So here are the 2 items from my "Black Widow" collection...