family craft time

It was craft day around here.  Big E came over to help tie the blanket/quilt for her sister's (Little E) birthday party next weekend.  After finishing the tying, E played with Bug for another hour.

After E left, we worked on pine cone bird feeders. We did this last year- collect pine cones through the year, let them dry out, spread peanut butter on them, cover in bird seed.  Then take them outside and hang them up for the birds.

Bug also spread the left over bird seed on back patio.

I hung the bird seed feeders on the clothes line I have not taken down this winter.

We did put 2 on the Japanese maple tree in the corner.

These are the blocks for Lark's quilt.  It has quite the tropical feel.  Not sure that was the plan, but it is look.  the inner border, not shown, is supposed to be yellow, but I might go get some green fabric instead to bring the quilt back from the tropical feel.  The outer border will be a batik that matches the blue background of the first block in the last row.

I finally finished Tami's quilt.  I have only been working on this flannel quilt for a year.  but I hated the backing fabric, so I ripped it out multiple times, the last time forcing me to rip out a row of blocks on the front as I had finished stitching in Tami's name in the middle of quilt.  That was when the quilt got put in the 'to be finished when I finally find the right backing fabric".  I found 2 I liked, and the quilt finished in a day.

I also made a baby doll quilt for Tami- because every girl needs a quilt for her dolly too.  Lark will get one, but not in the same fabric as her quilt.  I have a stash of soft flannels, so that will be the fabric for baby doll's quilt.

I have a goal to finish a quilt a month this year from my stash of unfinished quilts.  So while I completed 3 today, actually only Tami's quilt should count.  But I like that I finished 3 quilts today, so as of today, I am counting all 3.

I am hoping to finish the quilt time for Lark tomorrow, so I can take all of February to finish the entire quilt.  The real issue being, quilting takes up my kitchen table, so we have to eat in the living room - which is not ideal.

Love and hugs,
Deb

family game night- the fun never stops around here

Bug has been out of sorts all week.  Basically it is lashing out at me for being gone on my business trip last week.  It culminated today with Bug getting off the school bus, walking in the house and announcing he wanted a new momma, a different momma.  I knew this day was coming, but it still hurt. I finished up my work day an hour later and Bug informed me that he wanted to go play with friends.

Mean momma that I am, I told him no.  We were having family time. 

So I gave him a choice while he pouted, we could make pine cone feeders for the birds or we could play board games. Bug's immediate response- teach me to play that money game!!!!  He wanted to play monopoly Jr.  So I pulled out the game, ordered pizza and we began to play.

First game I was the banker and Bug loved playing

Second game, Bug was the banker and I had to keep a close watch on the bank- he kept trying to spend the bank's money on his expenses.  And then when I corrected him, he said "that is not in my budget".  Oh yes, my boy listens when I tell him we can not afford things. 

We spent 2 hours playing Monopoly Jr.  It was a good way to reset our family mood. 

The game is great- we got to work on adding and subtracting, paying attention and managing accounts.

Bug really likes being the banker- I may never get to be in charge of the money again.

well, 5 loads of laundry have to be folded, so I am signing off.

Love and hugs,

Deb

winter biking

We still have about 2 inches of snow on the ground today, though the temperatures were close to 40 F.  Since it was warmer and sunny, Bug had the option of riding his bike today.  it actually was the only option for after school and work playtime I gave him.  He jumped at the chance to ride his bike.  He asked me to call E and E to see if they could play.  They were happy to come out and play and the added bonus was that M came out too.

Bug and Big E.   

It was nice to have time to chat with M's momma and the Es' momma too.  We talked for about an hour while the kids rode bikes in the street (the only consistently non snow areas).  I have a feeling 4 kids are going to be sleeping soundly tonight.

Tomorrow M and Bug are being signed up for T-Ball.  That is pre-baseball for the young kids.  The season will start in February and go until the end of school (May).  M's momma and I  are talking about putting the boys in soccer together too. We'll see.

Well that is all for tonight.

Love and hugs,
Deb

playing at the park....... in the snow

After school and work today, I took Bug to the local park for some play time- as known as - "wear the little man out so he sleeps" time.  We were the only ones in the park that I saw.  The fact that no other kids were there was very disappointing to Bug.  He was looking for a friend today.  But we had a good time.

There was lots of swinging on the big boy swings. 

And then he saw the 3 story tall slide was not snow covered, so that was his goal.  The slide is at least 25 feet high, maybe 20, but let's just say it is tall.  In the summer, I have no problem with this slide, but the stairs had some snow and ice on them, as you can see.  I kept having visions of him falling off.  He had no issues with the snow and ice.

we then discovered that snowballs thrown at the slide, explode awesomely when they hit the metal and make the slide very slick which translates into very fast sliding.  Bug took care of the bottom of the slide and I threw snowballs up higher.

bug flew off the slide!!!!!  And he loved it  So while I am scared for him climbing the stair rungs covered with snow and ice, I have no problem creating a super slick surface for my little man to launch himself off of.  I wonder what this says about me as a parent?

After sliding, we took a walk down near the wet lands to see the animals- there were a number of birds flittering back and forth from bush to bush.  it was nice to see the birds in winter.  I think we will be making peanut butter covered pine cones dipped in bird seed this weekend.  Then we will see how many birds we can see in our back yard.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Happy birthday to me- a week early

We had my family birthday party today.  Bug had a great time trash talking with his cousin Jas and stealing Jas' hat.  Pap and Jas played a number of fooosball games.

Bug was very much into helping with the candles.  He really wanted to light the candles, but no such luck.  And yes, I am 45 this year.

Bug not listening to the singing to me.

Very Mad that I blew out all the candles and he did not get to help.

A lovely card saying I am the best momma on the earth and all the other worlds.

New slippers!!!!!!  perfect for the cold weather here.  Friday night it was -8 degrees F here.  YIKES!!!!!

The white things on my hands are therm.a.care wraps- my hands have been hurting due to the cold, so the warps put warmth on my hands. The work pretty well. 

My birthday is actually Friday, we were going to go to Michigan to see friends, but the weather is supposed to be bad and my car needs some work before I can go.  So we will hold off on our trip north for a few more weeks and go in February.

Love and hugs,
Deb

channeling my inner gymnast and having fun with Bug

After a nice rest this morning- recovering from being away for 3 days and a mad rush through the airport (not so mad, since I got a ride on a cart) through Charlotte's airport, I was hoping to sleep until 9 am this morning.  Bug and I went to bed last night at 9 pm and he was wide awake at 7:30 this morning.  We went grocery shopping with Mam, cleaned up the house and then had a "rest" before heading out for MK2's birthday party.  Her birthday was at the YMCA- and was so cool.

Bug did some balance beam walking but he loved the tumble track.

Most of the kids loved this- they were running, jumping, occasionally flipping, and having a blast.  I even took a turn.

We hung on the bars.  I can reach the top bar and still touch the mat (the tips of my toes).  This is why I was never a gymnast, even though I wanted to be a gymnast.  By age 10, I was as tall as I am now.  But there is gymnast that lives inside me. 

Bug can now stand on the mat and reach the low bar.  Yep, my man is going to be tall.

He wanted to walk with his hands and arms straight down, then I told him that hands out to the side helped balance him- so this is what he did

after an hour of playing on the gymnastic equipment, and a drink, the cake and ice cream came out

And then the presents.  MK2 really liked our present and the card.

We got MK2 a "make your own princess tiara" and a book.  She was happy.

it was great to see her.  We missed her party last year because Bug was sick.  And one year her party was delayed due to snow, but this year was awesome for us.  It was great to see her and her mom, MK.

Love and hugs,
Deb

I am going to look in to having a YMCA birthday party for Bug this year.

Home!!!!!!

No pictures this morning- will have some tonight though.

I am home, got home at 8:30ish last night from the airport.  God was watching over me on my trip home, answering prayers from lots of folks.

From Raleigh into Charlotte (both in North Carolina), I had 15 minutes between fight.  The flight attendant moved me from the middle of the plane to the 4th row, so I could get out faster.   I checked my luggage so I did not have to wait for the gate checked luggage to be delivered next to the plane.  The flight attendant also arranged for one of those carts to pick me up at the gate and drive me over to the other gate.  I came in the C terminal and had to get to the end of the E terminal. Usually this is a 20 -25 minute walk or a 15-20 minute run.  It was a 10 minute drive.

When I left Raleigh it was in the 50s.  When I got home, it was 7 degrees F!!!!!!!!!!!   Shock to the system.


Bug and I have go grocery shopping, clean house and then head out for MK2's birthday party.


I am off to get dressed, get Bug dressed and start our day.  I am so happy to be home with my Bug.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Home is where the heart is

hey Little man- I am so glad you had a great day with Mam and Pap, wathcing TV and watching the snow come down.  I miss you lots and lots - more than you will ever know.  I heard your tears in our phone call tonight and I hope you heard mine.  I cannot wait to be home and holding you.

I thought you might like to see what my "Nene Angel" has been doing to keep me company.  Last night, he helped me get logged onto my work computer at 10 pm, unfortunately, I locked my account in the morning while at the airport (not sure how that happened) and it was 11 pm before I was able to start work last night.

While I was working, Nene Angel sat in the chair hoping I would turn on the TV

Then Nene Angel needed a nap- becuase watching me work is boring.  So he warmed up the bed for me.

This morning, Nene Angel was ready bright and early for work.  This is my temporary office space- right by the window, looking at the parking deck and the street.  It was nice a sunny here- a little cooler than Wednesday, but nice.  Definitely nicer than 5 inches of snow like home got on Thursday.

 I forgot to take Nene Angel and my camera up to the roof terrace, but I might try on Friday.  The view was quite nice. 

Tonight, after talking you, I had dinner.  I was quite sad that you were sad and I was a little upset.  So I had some yummy bread, salmon and brocoli and mash potatoes and.....

chocolate cake- because I was definitely emotionally eating.  But I was mostly good and left some of my dinner (part of the salmon) and about 1/4 of the chocolate cake.  Becuase I knew that I was not that hungry and that I was really jsut eating for the wrong reasons. 

So I did a little more work this evening and talked to a co worker (thanks J.) and I am ready for bed.  I have to get up early to pack my suitcase and check out of the hotel.  Then some meetings tomorrow and then home to you.  Becuase, my precious baby, you are home to me and you are my heart.  I am ready to come home.

Love and hugs mi hijo, mi amor. Te amo mucho, muchos besos y abrasos para ti.

Momma

Hi Baby- missing you

Hi Baby- I hope you are having a great time with Mam and Pap.  Here is the picture I took of you this morning before you left for school.  It is "western" day for the kindergartners.  I love the red hat and your smile.  You look like such a cowboy.  I hope you had a fun day at school, eating watermelon, waffles and other foods that start with "W".

Momma's plane ride to North Carolina was uneventful, though tiring.  racing through airports is not fun.  But I made all my flights and had a wonderful evening talking with Katie.  Katie used to be my Sunday school teacher and her husband, Walt, is the reason that momma now works in the pharmaceutical/CRO industry.

Katie is a blessing.  It was great to talk with her, visit her home and share fond memories of Walt.  Unfortunately, Walt died unexpected in December 2009.  He is missed very much.  Katie is a great woman of faith - though she lost her husband of 46 years, God's blessings are being poured out on her.  We had a wonderful dinner, talking and chatting, laughing and crying.  Katie enjoyed seeing your photos- she thinks you are the handsomest little man.  She loves your smile and she sees the mischievous glint in your eyes. I miss talking to Katie weekly and seeing her, but I know she is just a prayer and email away.

I am sitting here trying to log into the work sever and not getting anywhere, so hopefully IT will pick up the phone soon and I can get through my emails this evening before bed.  I will call you in the morning before you go to school.  I am missing you, but I will be home soon.

Have fun in the snow tomorrow and make sure Pap gets a nap. 

Love and hugs,
Momma