Pink

We had a baby shower at church last weekend. I wasn’t able to go because hubby and the kids had the car in Portland (they went to a local comic-con, much smaller than the huge San Diego one hubby went to in July), and our church is 18 miles away. But I made a gift anyway.

She’s having a little girl, so I took full advantage of making pink things! Everything around my house is blue…

First, I made a hooded bath towel. We have one of these for each of our boys (even the older ones – they love them!) so I thought it would be a good gift.

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It was quite easy to make. Buy a yard of terry cloth, and cut a 13×13 inch square out of one corner.  Cut off three strips that are each 1.5″ times the length of your fabric (usually 43″). From the remainder, cut a square as large as you can get – probably in the 31-inch range. Round off all four corners of the large square and two opposite corners of the small one. Fold the small square in half diagonally with the rounded corners together. Stitch the raw edges together. This triangle will become the hood.

Line the raw edges of the hood up with the raw edges of one corner of the main towel piece. Sew together. Sew the reserved strips to the edge of the towel, quilt binding style. If you don’t know how to do that, click here. Vanessa from The Crafty Gemini explains it so clearly. After four years of quilting, I learned how to properly a quilt from her video tutorial – just a few months ago.

I also made this changing pad.

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It’s flannel on both sides (nice and soft for baby!) with quilt batting in the middle for padding.

What’s your favorite baby shower gift to give?

–Wendy

Before and After

We started school last week. That’s made things quite a bit busier for me, but I must say: I don’t hate it. Summertime is nice, but I also like the structure of the school year.

Here are a few things related to the post title I wanted to share:

Before last Tuesday, the kids were dreading “back to school.” After Tuesday’s lessons, they were excited for Wednesday. That makes me happy!

Before last week, I was gung ho to teach (and learn) Spanish. After trying for 4 days, I realize/accept that I can’t teach something I don’t know. So we’re adopting French as our foreign language instead. (I took 3 years of French in my public high school and did quite well. It’s been years, but it will come back quickly. I’m sure of that.) We started with numbers 1-10 today and all 3 boys (hubby’s learning with the kids!) have it mostly down.

Before yesterday, the kids and I all desperately needed haircuts.

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After yesterday afternoon, we’re all shorn.

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(don’t mine the glare in the corner… that’s where the light hit the mirror and I’m too lazy to crop it right now lol)

Before August 27th, Small Fry was still crawling. It was so funny to see – he crawled like a bear, on hands and feet instead of hands and knees. After August 27th, he’s pretty much walking exclusively.

That’s about it… What have you been up to in my absence? 🙂

–Wendy

All About Seahawk: A Back to School Interview

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Blog Name: Seahawk

Age: 9, almost 10 (birthday is in October)

Grade: 4 (he’s easier to place a number on since his age and grade line up properly)

Favorite School Subject: History

Favorite Food: Baked Ziti and Ice Cream

Favorite Activities: Playing with Legos and completing triathlons

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Book: Biographies (he especially likes learning about anyone who lived between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War)

Something You Don’t Like: Cooked mushrooms. They’re fine raw.

A Chat with Munchkin

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Taking an idea from Sanz at From the Mrs, I’m doing a short “back to school” interview with each kid. Up first, Munchkin.

Blog Name: Munchkin

Age: almost 7

Grade: 2/3 (I’m not super strict with the grade the kids are in – he’s 2nd grade age but 3rd grade academically)

Favorite School Subject: Reading

Favorite Food: Chicken Drumsticks and Peanut Butter Sandwiches, but not at the same meal!

Favorite Activity: Swimming and coloring

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Book: Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims; Charlotte’s Web

Something You Don’t Like: Zucchini