Derek's Birthday

Happy 38th birthday to Derek!

                                      

The Children's Sewing Projects

Meghan has been hard at work making a quilt for her 4-H club. So one day Evan asked if he could learn to sew. I decided to borrow a book from the library that had really cute stuffed animal projects in it. All three children were interested in sewing. (I taught Meghan hand-sewing first when she was six. This time, I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity when asked.)

Before the children could begin sewing, I had to applique and stitch the faces. They are not perfect, but the children like them.

Evan sewed first. He did well controlling the speed and guiding the fabric through.

 Esther was next. I helped her guide the fabric. She enjoyed it, too.

 

 Esther also had to do a little hand-sewing for the bunny tail.

 I didn't photograph Meghan sewing, but she loved the finished product!

 I believe Mookie is "photobombing" the children here!

 Meghan uses her kitty log as a pillow.

 Esther loves her bunny.

 Evan's cat turned out perfectly! He loves him!

 But sometimes...

January's Blessings Part 1

During the first week of January I realized what a good start I was having to 2018. So...

1. Sewing with the children

2. Watching The Princess Bride as a family 

3. Satisfaction with newest manuscript
4. Lunch with a friend before she returned to college
5. Having another paid project to start on right away
6. Finding my lost wrist warmer
7. Chatting with Derek's cousin Kim to get a recipe for my book and learning more about Nestor's family
8. Esther playing with my new Little House wooden dolls while I read aloud to her from Little House in the Big Woods
9. Meghan emailing Nestor because she has so many questions about his family
10. Telling Evan to repeatedly backspace while sewing and Meghan correcting me
11. Two days of school followed by a four-day weekend thanks to two snow days (and Derek off on the snow day Friday)
12. Enjoying Derek's two-hour delay with him
13. Seeing Mookie and Lucy (our cats) napping within inches of each other
14. The children happily helping take down Christmas decorations
15. Hearing the children sing songs from The Sound of Music after watching it
16. Esther dusting the living room
17. Derek grocery shopping every week
18. Meghan made butter slime for herself and then made a second batch for her siblings!

19. Trying new recipes with my Instant Pot
20. And liking the first three recipes (potatoes, pork roast, and sticky rice)
21. Andre's Pizza. It had been way too long.
22. The children excited to play in their first basketball games.
23. The children finishing their three sewing projects. They are all so proud and with reason.
24. Critique partners who make me a better writer
25. Writing friends who send me job possibilities
27. Submitting manuscript with days to spare (even if not the usual week+)
28. Buying a giant stuffed tiger to give to Esther's Zoo Room classroom
29. Snuggling with anyone who wants to snuggle
30. A cat who loves laps...especially when the laptop is on the lap

31. My editor's appreciation for the recent manuscripts

32. The children back at school after a four day weekend...even with the early dismissal on Monday and delayed opening on Tuesday

33. Esther cleaning the bathroom floor before school...for fun?

I hope to keep this up. It's good to count my blessings!