A Special Day for Clara

With our move date pushed back and the boys away at Nanny and Poppy's for the weekend, Saturday was declared at Clara's special day, a one on one outing with mommy.  When I asked her what she wanted to do for her special day all she could come up with was "buy some Calico Critters", or "go to Build a Bear".  I tried to explain to her that a special day was not about "buying" but doing.  She quickly responded with "okay, let's sew a princess dress". 

Clara's been eyeing a pile of sparkly pink fabric in my stash for months now.  I actually bought the fabric in 2009 with the intention of sewing some dress-ups for Christmas but was unable to hide it from the girls.  I'm glad I waited because I found it to be more fun to design and sew alongside a very excited girl.  

So just after breakfast Clara and I pulled out the fabric and she drew a little picture then wrapped the fabric around her to explain exactly how she wanted it.  I drafted the pattern right on the fabric with a black marker and Clara was off playing before it was even cut out.  She'd check in on me occasionally to make sure it was puffy enough and to play with the scraps at my feet.  She brought her baby doll down and convinced me to sew a matching dress. 

The two have been wearing their dresses ever since.  Clara's dress was intentionally made a little big, the back has adjustable snaps, but at this rate I'm not sure it will hold up for as long as it was intended to.

When she first put on the dress she was swept away into dreamland, she planted herself in front of the van bumper and sang and danced into her reflection.

I took her for a little outing, actually they were just regular errands but wearing her new dress made it special.  We first dropped off  some bags at Salvation Army and Clara requested we go in and look for some summery dresses for her.  I agreed and we quickly found a nice pile of barely used dresses (we have a fantastic thrift stores here)!  Next to the dresses Clara found a princess vanity set.  I'm sorry she couldn't convince me to bring it home but I did allow her some time to play with it.

That and of course all the other junky toys that were about.

Our next stop was Whole Foods.  In the parking lot a little girl pointed out Clara and said "I want a dress like that mommy".  Clara started skipping, but then she tripped so the dress met its first little tear.  But Clara pulled herself up, held the skirt up high and quickly trotted on.  Inside the store she walked about more slowly, soaking in every smile and compliment until she bumped into a stand of berries.  She kept on her best dimpled smile and created even more smiles along the way.

Our last stop was going to be for an ice cream cone with sprinkles but she fell asleep.  Here she is just before I carried her out of the van.

I still owe her a trip to the ice cream shop.  Until then, everyday feels special in a puffy pink princess dress.

Never a dull moment

We are well into summer without too many blog updates.  We haven't been up to much but our days have not been boring.  Here's a report:

I've packed up most the toys so the kids have become creative with what is out.  Pictured above is the tricycle and wagon trailer the boys rigged up.  When things are really quiet I know they're up to something and in most cases it is just good creative play, but not all the time.

I just posted about the hair cutting episode but I have to say the girls have not been the only trouble makers these past couple of weeks.

Peter has really taken to the spirit of adventure this summer by first putting all his suction cup arrows through the pencil sharpener.  Luckily no one was injured with them, not even when a couple boys were caught climbing all over the roof retrieving arrows.

Peter keeps his bow and arrows ready in the back of his pants but the front of his pants are usually bulging at the pockets.  I knew something smelled fishy one day so I ordered a pocket check and discovered he emptied a can of sardines, wrapped them in a paper towel and stuffed them in his pockets just in case he got hungry on his adventure.

That was the same day he dialed 911.  He tried to cover his tracks by unplugging the phones from their jacks.  This isn't the first time a child dialed 911 but usually they call right back to confirm all is well.  In this case they could not get through so the police were sent to the house.  By the time the police arrived Paul had kindly offered to take all the kids to the playground so I could take a nap.  I was about 5 minutes into my nap when I heard the doorbell ring and thinking it was the kids goofing off I ignored it.  But I couldn't sleep through the dog's barking so I headed down to see what was going on.  There was a police man walking around the back of the house communicating on a very loud walkie talkie.  I asked him if there was a problem and he informed me he was responding to a 911 call from our address.  He came in to check things out and we discovered the disconnected phones.  The house was a mess with stuff pulled of shelves for packing and piles of dirty dishes only because I was lazy.  I apologized for both the mess and the call then immediately called Paul and the kids home from the playground.  It only took a few minutes for Peter to admit his doings and even less for him to promise not to do it again.

But I'm glad he knows how to dial 911 because on another day James discovered Peter and William trying to build a fire in the backyard.  It was actually a rainy day but they found some dry grass clippings and piled them high under a huge golf umbrella.  They were successful in building a fire but so was James in putting it out when he discovered it only few minutes later.  

The trouble does not stop there.  On another day I spotted a suspicious garbage bag beyond the backyard and into the woods.  I couldn't imagine how or why it was back there, it actually kind of creeped me out.    Then as I was staring at it out the window I catch Peter creeping out from the neighbors bushes and into the woods towards the garbage bag.  Again it didn't take long for Peter to admit his doings, that he hauled the bag out of the garbage bin and into the woods because he was looking for a toy I may have thrown away.  It was a his solar power windmill that George had got a hold of and busted.  He never did find it but he lit up in describing to me how heavy the bag was and how it took him all morning to drag it into the woods. I guess I see all these happenings as normal kid stuff but I'll also take them as a cry for more attention.  

In other news, we've been visiting the neighborhood pool frequently but the kids have also found other ways to stay cool right outside our door.

During quiet time the kids have taken to Scratch and Khan Academy (our homeschool friends introduced us to them).  Thank goodness it keeps them quiet because George needs his rest as he is recovering from walking pneumonia.....and I need my rest after days of boxing and caring for a sick baby.

But mostly we are all getting anxious to get this move over with but frustrated we are stuck working out a little wrinkle before we can close.  Trying to stay calm, trying to stay patient and trying to simply walk through these moments, even the dull and painful ones.  It is not easy for me.  But I'm learning to do it and I think that is what life is all about.  

Modern Bangs

Maryanna cut her hair - she said it was sweaty and bothering her.  I found the pile of hair in the garbage before I was presented with her "new look".   

Looking in the mirror with a frown she told me she was not use to herself like this and asked if it would grow back (unlike the American Girl doll hair that was chopped a few weeks back).  I reassured her that it would and arranged for an experienced hair dresser to tidy it up.  

I also made pile of bows to help.

But what really helps is brushing it to the side as if it was styled that way and of course a smile.  Clara cut her hair too, it is up to her ears.  She wanted to be like the Princess from Tangled after her hair was cut.  

As naughty as these girls are, they remind me of myself as a child. I remember cutting my hair at the same age simply because I got honey in it , and I also remember chopping my hair a few years ago just for the fun of it.       

Dulce de Leche

In cleaning out the pantry I found a can of sweetened condensed milk.  I can't remember what it was originally purchased for but I do remember while living in China some friends and I use to simmer it for hours to make a dulce de leche dip.  That was 14 years ago!  I looked online to refresh myself on the technique because it can be risky if you don't do it right.  Left unattended it can explode and end up all over the ceiling, that did happen in China.

So here's how to do it:

First take the wrapper off the can and place in a small pot.  Cover the can with water and bring to a boil.  Turn down to a simmer and allow to simmer for 3 hours.  Be sure to keep the can covered with water, adding more as needed.  Remove with tongs and allow to cool before opening (if it is hot there may be too much pressure and the dulce de leche will jump out upon opening).  Open carefully and enjoy!

We served ours with apples and pretzels for family night treat.  In China we use to melt in a chocolate Dove bar then dip in all sorts of tropical fruit.

Be sure to have napkins, or even better baby wipes on hand because it is just as sticky as it is yummy.

Fun at Friends Lake

I took the kids to Friend's Lake last week to escape the heat.  We saw a couple of snakes and all sort of fish in the lake.  That was exciting for some of the kids but it scared Henry so he retreated to a bucket of water.

George enjoyed the swing.

And a nap with his brother in the hammock.  While I enjoyed watching it all and in the shade.  This may be a frequent summer activity. 

Country Skirt Makeover

Here's a skirt I recently picked up from a thrift store.  I don't know if its trendy, maybe it was nostalgia or maybe I'm just a country girl wannabe, but the skirt spoke to me so for $2 I brought it home.  It is very similar to the Espirit one my sister Mary had in middle school, it was white and she was always kind to let me borrow it.

I love how this skirt is comfortable and has pockets - perfect "country" mom wear.  What I didn't love was the color but that was easy (and fun) enough to fix.  Here is the before:

And here is the after:

I used the same dye combo as my babywearing poncho and I am happy with the result.  This modern pioneer look may suit me when we move to the farm, and if it doesn't, I won't be seeing many folks anyways.  Archie the dog seems to like it.

If you're curious about the green linen shirt, it was made years before I started blogging and is one of the projects I created without a pattern then later wished I couple replicate, I just don't love pattern drafting.  But I do love dying so back to the skirt.  Here it is in "full" action:

I think I'm going to like country living, or at least dressing for it.

Lederhosen

We picked up these lederhosen in Germany several years ago.  We were there for Christmas visiting my parents who were serving as mission presidents.  That Christmas my Dad dressed head to toe in this traditional dress, he has for every Christmas since, so, so have my boys.

Besides Christmas my boys sometimes wear their lederhosen to church.  But that is usually because I'm way behind on laundry.  You see, made of suede, these things are indestructible and never require washing, a perfect uniform for any boy.  And who can resist the cool pockets and the one especially designed for a pocket knife (Peter promised to not bring his to church).

The only problem is the uniform is a bit heavy for little guys.  George actually had a hard time walking and keeping them up.  At church the lederhosen keep falling to his feet.

Looks like I'm also behind on haircuts.  Maryanna told me that as she followed George and Henry around the house with a pair of scissors.  She told Henry his curls were starting to look like Oma's hair.  But the boys suggested the curls looked more like a Congressman wig.  George and Peter too have little mops, I actually haven't touched George's hair since I shaved it last year.  Why is it so hard for me to cut off little curls?

The curls make this guy all the funnier, he's usually in dress up of sort everyday, even if it is just carrying around a hanger as Captain Hook.  The lederhosen must have felt like costume because he couldn't contain the bounding and jumping.  Or maybe he's just celebrating his Swiss and German heritage.

A day with my girl

We have started a new tradition in our home, each month one very special child gets to go on a date with mommy.  Yesterday, after weeks of anticipation and daily inquiring, it was Maryanna's turn.  

For our special day together I had arranged private horse back riding lessons.  This was Maryanna's first time leading a horse on her own and my first time on a horse in 18 years!  I would have gotten a better picture but we were both admittedly a little nervous.  

The instructor was trained in natural horsemanship, and sensing our nerves, he had us hold our arms out to the side while singing a gentle song, this to help us breath deeper into our seats and feel the rhythm of the gait.  We were to lead solely with the gentle pressure of our legs.  This was far from the tightness of the English method that I had learned so many years ago.    

Someday we'll have horses of our own, but not until we have several more lessons under our seats.  The instructor convinced me it would serve any young girl to learn to work with horses, for if they can command a 1,000 lb half wild animal they will be sure to have the strength to hold their boundaries with the young men who seek to date them.  I never thought of that - I like that.

Back in the car Maryanna told me it was the best day of her life, she continued even with a few tears and said she was so glad she chose me as a her mother.  I guess that's what happens when children get the special attention they need.

We finished with an ice cream cone and a 30 minute ride home filled with all sorts of chatter about horses.

It is easy to get lost in the business of taking care of children. For this reason I'm glad I chose to abandon a sink of dirty dishes and piles of unattended laundry, all to remember the joy of spending time with a child.

Just this morning I once again picked up Sharifa Oppenheimer's book Heaven on Earth and read this beautiful reminder:  

Looking inward, I find that when I give myself wholeheartedly, opening into the moment with curiosity and wonder, time elongates and I surrounded with the deliciousness of Now.  Those moments that I can approach with true gratitude and wonder live somehow in the realm of timelessness.  Perhaps gratitude is one of the doorways to Eternity.  Our young children still have one foot in the Eternal, in Heaven.  We can join them there, if we give ourselves enough time.

Stuff and "the stuff" it takes to contain it

This week I've been busy dealing with "stuff".  I'm pulling it out, sorting it, throwing it out, giving it away and mostly wondering why I have to live with so much of it.  I'm also wondering why it is so much easier to bring in than to send out.

One thing I know, for as beautiful, useful and sentimental as "stuff" can be, it is equally draining.  It has taken me several moves to learn this, I'm grateful to be finally "getting it."  

It was close to 90 degrees today and I sweated through the task, I was ruthless.  The kids questioned what I was doing and I explained the concept of simplifying.  I sincerely told them how much I'd rather spend my time playing with them than cleaning up.  Some of them got it and were supportive but others are still hanging on.  

Here are my boundaries:

Each child has a small suitcase for treasures.  They also have a small metal bucket for personal toys.  Their desks contain their school work and a small locker is provided for larger homeschool projects.  All of the shared toys must fit into a set amount of bins and all of the stuffed animals must fit in the two drawers below the bunk bed (without jamming it).  Each child has a medium sized rubbermaid that they can fill with whatever sentimental stuff they wish, most of them are still pretty empty but James' is now bursting.  We weeded his out and got it securely closed and discussed the possibility of allowing a second rubbermaid for the teenage years - any thoughts?

The funny thing about this process is the temptation to bring more "stuff" in to help me.  I sent Paul to Target with a request for $200 worth of new bins and then tempted to order these three books Authenticity, Voluntary Simplicity, and Clear the Clutter.  Don't I already have a whole shelf of Don Aslett books?

The other funny thing about this process is it is hard to find cheerleaders.  Along the way there are those who accuse you, maybe not so directly, of being a "kill joy", or suggest you are "cracking early" and experiencing a mid-life crisis.  Some may make you feel guilty about the gifts they have given you and or even suggest the regret you'll someday feel.  It sometimes takes guts to get rid of stuff in the face of others.

The other issue I recognize here is it is not just about purging, every box I fill reminds of me how guarded I need to be on what "stuff" comes through our doors.  Every purchase (even a fantastic garage sale deal) needs questioning.

 I've said it here before.  May we be cautious not to fill our homes with the kind of "stuff" that can never fill our hearts, instead, may we ever be fed by the forces of life that already surround us, the kind of "stuff" that flows constant and uncontained.

And here's what Paul has to say about the "stuff" in the garage.