The Grimm Street Girls

Had to post this one, Brittany worked so hard on this book report and it turned out so cute! She drew each character onto white fabric and then embroidered them. Then we turned them into little pillow-dolls. She also drew a map of their neighborhood which we burnt the edges of to make it look old. After which I had to make sure the kids where clear on how they are not to play with fire-even though we had fun doing it!

Creativity Brewing

When kids are cooperating and actually not fighting one has to document it! I had a big hunk of cardboard left over from a project I did with some friends the other day

and when the kids came home from school it was just more than they could resist. Out came the scissors and pretty soon we had this: A brand new castle complete with windows, doors and swords.

Josh and his friend Gage had fun playing in it today too!

President's Day/Snow Day

Today was President's Day. With great timing there was a snow storm that hit Sunday resulting in a perfect snow day. Usually the kids have to go to school and don't get to play in it as much as they would like. They actually started last night after church with the snow festivities. First up was a snowman. And "her" dog. Yep, a snowdog. Cute aren't they?

Today we hit the slopes. Ha ha. The slopes for us that is. Our favorite spot is the retention pond near my parent's house. That sounds wimpy I know, but it is the perfect amount of hill. Not so big anyone can really get hurt, steep enough to go fast enough to make the big kids happy and small enough for Josh to pull his sled back up the hill himself. That is my parents' good friends home behind the kids, handy if anyone has to go potty. Oh, and did I mention close enough Grandpa can join in the pushing fun?

The end of the run. They are watching a jet go overhead.

A collage of the fun.

The kids made a jump which increased the fun. The sun was shining, it wasn't too cold. Two hours later the kids a lot of fun was had and everyone was exhausted. The perfect President's/Snow Day!

The World According to Josh!

Found these pictures on my camera:

Always fun to see what is important to my four year old!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was a big day. Not only was it Valentine's Day, one of my favorite days of the year, it was the long-awaited Sixth Grade Dance. Don't get me started on why we are doing this in sixth grade when the boys have to be dragged kicking and screaming to participate. Give them a couple of years and we won't be able to keep them away. Anyway, the kids have worked hard for weeks learning line dances and square dances and a few ballroom dances, and I have to say it was pretty fantastic.
Brittany was very excited this morning. Much thought was given to this outfit. She even had her nails done Saturday and I let her wear a little makeup. Pretty cute isn't she?

This cute boy was her partner when I came in. One of the few fairly willing participants.

Man, was that skirt the right choice! She could really shake it in that thing! Brittany danced with great enthusiasm and abandon. It was so fun to watch, I wanted to stay all afternoon instead of teaching third graders to make stained glass hearts from wax paper and crayons but I was committed.

Some of my favorite moments from the dance. It was all so fun and adorable I guess I am a reluctant fan of the Sixth Grade Dance. It was even fun seeing my little girl so grown up!

Last Minute Valentines

Well the big Day of Love is almost here. Still working on a few projects. This is one that was actually a birthday present. The letters were wood letters I painted. Then I Modge Podged the paper to a canvas then hot glued the letters on after it was all dry. Easy Peasy! Might need to make myself one.







This is my new favorite Hobby Lobby project. I have always wanted to learn how to make soldered charms. They sell a little kit-cheap! that makes it possible. I think this kit was on sale for $1.50 and it makes two!





At the time my printer was dead so I just used a scrapbooking letter sticker and cute paper. I did have to fashion a wire bail for it to attach to the necklace but that wasn't hard either. I am making a couple more of these for V-Day.

What projects are you finishing up for Valentine's Day?

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

It has been a long time since I have read a book that has sparked such debate as this one. We have talked about it at lunch, I have talked to family and friends about it and I have thought about it a lot. I found it fascinating, but I find most autobiographical accounts written with skill and humor interesting, and something the Today show left out when I saw them talk about this book was that it really is more of a memoir than how-to book. There is definitely a shock value to the way Amy Chua parents. I could definitely never be her kind of Tiger Mother. For one thing I don't have the stamina. Also, I can't stand contention and the atmosphere I imagine reigned in their home would probably kill me right off. Although, don't misunderstand, this mother does yell and make ultimatums and lose it on occasion but those times always make me feel so rotten I could never live with that happening on a daily basis. There is one thing however, that I completely agree with her on though. We "Western" parents are really soft on our kids, so many times we could really expect so much more. I really do believe that kids are little self-fulfilling prophecies. They will so often do and become what we expect them to. If we expect good grades, they will most often do a lot to deliver them. If we expect them to do nothing, they will do that too. I guess for me it comes down to method, I sure don't know that I am doing anything right, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't use most of Chau's methods.

Halfway through this book I went to a Stake Women's Conference where the theme was Becoming Covenant Women. All throughout the keynote speaker, Sister Jensen's, talk I thought about this book. At one point she made the point that she thought that covenant women should be nice. There are many instances Amy Chua relates in which she seems to enjoy how not nice she is. True, the results she gets are fantastic, but I still wonder at what price. Another speaker talked about Julie Beck's talk last year at Women's Conference about being a lioness at the gate. Hmmm, what an idea The Tiger Mother vs. The Lioness Mother. Both are ferocious defenders of their children. Both want important things for their children, both are willing to sacrifice everything they can if it will help their kids achieve important goals. The Tiger Mother wants her child to accomplish everything and learn everything they can. The Lioness Mother does want her child to be very educated but also to be kind, compassionate, strong, and pure. Most important of all to return to their Heavenly Father having learned how to be like Him.

So, I would definitely recommend this book. It was entertaining and thought provoking. I think I will be a better mom, at least for awhile, for having read it. I have thought more about what I want for my kids and how we might get there and how can that be bad? Now I am off to do more flash cards and make sure Brittany practised her violin.

Presents for a Baby Boy

I mentioned we had a little shower at lunch the other day. These were my contributions. The Ralph Lauren bears were perfect for this little guy, his two older brothers are two of the best dressed guys I know. So the onesie sporting the built in tie seemed perfect too.

I really loved how the onesie turned out. I think this may be my new go-to baby gift for baby boys. I don't know what it is, that tiny tie just makes me giggle!

Thursdays

I have mentioned before how much I love my Thursday lunch girls. This week was especially great. We had a mini-shower for one of our number, Christine. I am so grateful there are a few of us still having babies, it makes me feel younger. So that meant that the fabulous Tiffany sent us all home with beautiful favors. Okay, she really brought them to our houses because we were having so much fun they were forgotten. But that just made the lunch seem to last longer! This week I really needed my lunch, I don't know how many times Wednesday I thought, "all I have to do is make it tomorrow and then it will be Lunch Day!" I am always amazed at what I take away from these lunches. Thought I would share a few:
1. Last week we solved the scripture-reading problem that has been plaguing our home. Following Sarah's example one of the kids now reads in the car on the way to school.
2 I am attempting to hold to my biggest New Year's Resolution by eating much healthier. Jen is acting as my enforcer. We are emailing our loss or gain on Monday mornings and knowing I am going to do that little thing is keeping me so much more on track.
3. Books, always books. Right now it it The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. I came home with it this week, we have been discussing it for a few weeks now. I am not too far into it but I must say it is making me think much more carefully about my own parenting style. More on that later.
4. The girls helped solve my quandary as to help Brittany get excited about Girl's Camp, there are several YW leaders in our group.
5. In my insecurity (yep, some of that still left at my age) I crave the little compliments that are always tossed around. I love that someone almost always compliments me. Funny how kids don't do that so much and I forget how much we girls need it.
6. Laughter and understanding, my very favorite parts.
So thanks girls, you are the best!

I must add that I must be the very most blessed girl out there because a fabulous group of girls in my neighborhood has adopted me into their groups so sometimes I even get TWO lunch days. These girls are so darling and fun everything they do together is just more fun. Seriously, how come I am so lucky?

Flowered Headband/Earwarmer

In honor of the really cold weather we have had this week I tried my hand at the headband/headwrap/earwarmers that are around blogland. It is in the Shop.

In The Shop!

Brittany's darling creations are in my Shop now just in time for Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Wreath

There is a fun little contest going on over here. Competing Valentine's Day crafts, how fun is that? So I thought I would enter a couple. To vote leave me a comment. Please mention The Valentine's Day Challenge at Life of Bliss for your vote to count. Go over and check out all of the fun ideas too!

Valentine's Day Banner

I am entering my Valentine's Day banner in this. To vote leave me a comment, please mention The Valentine's Day Challenge at Life of Bliss for your vote to count. It is made from fabric sewn to a pretty ribbon. I Modge Poged scrapbook paper to wooden letters and then hot glued them to the banner. A few pretty ribbons tied between the letters and it was done!

Fluffy Heart Pillow

Remember these? I am entering them too in this little contest. I explained how I made them here.
To vote leave me a comment and mention the Valentine's Day Challenge at Life of Bliss for your vote to count. Thanks!