Mr. J's Birthday Gingerbread house

So what he wanted for his birthday was his own Gingerbread house kit. So he enjoyed making them. We will make some more tomorrow after I buy some more molasses, we tried to make it today and not enough molasses.
Ahhhhhhhh the joys of childhood.

Fabulously Five

Mr. J just turned five. After such a rough year, we wanted to have some extra fun. He had a friend party for the first time. Several friends came over for his Pirate party. We enjoyed playing "Tick Tock, find the Croc," pin the treasure on the map, a treasure hunt and we watched Muppet Treasure Island. We also made some pirate necklaces and ate pirate booty during the party. He especially wanted to have gigantic lolly pops and we included that in the treasure chest with the other party favors.
What he wanted most of all for his birthday was his own Ginger bread house kit.

Our Birthday boy! It has also been a year since his eye injury. With that prosthetic eye, you would never know. I should do a blog post on that.

Mr. A getting into the spirit of things for his birthday breakfast. He chose to have salad and yogurt. Just like my birthday breakfast.

Miss C.... aka Red Handed Jill!

AAAARRRRRH!

Cake Pops

Mr A and Miss C had to bring something chocolaty for their Chocolate party at the Options School (one day a week school for homeschoolers) so I tried my hand at making Cake Pops from Bakerella.
So you start off by mixing a crumbled cake with a can of frosting. And mix it all together... yup its a messy proposition.
Roll it into about 1 1/2 balls

Set them on a cookie sheet and chill in the fridge.

I dipped them in chocolate. I used the melting chocolate from the baking isle.

Yum....

It's snowing inside.

Mr. A and I enjoyed making some snow flakes. We found some printable snow flake patterns here. Never have I made such beautiful snowflakes. I think it was hard to make such intricate cuts, but with the guide of cutting out the gray areas, the results were fantastic. I don't think I had made snowflakes since I was a child. There is paper scraps everywhere! So it feels like it snowing!! Now off to find some places to display them!

I Broke the Rules- Bonus Blogzine for you

Christmas is a mere six days away and since I had a nice big fat nap, I am wide awake and while cuddling and nursing Mr. S to sleep I passed the time and broke the rule of blog surfing only on Mondays, so here is a special edition.
Before heading into the usual ooohs and aaaahs of this special edition, I wanted to put the focus where it needed to be..... here.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:

I would like those words to continue to be at the forefront of my mind more often. Service in behalf of another has eternal ramifications. Think on it during this busy upcoming week. Think of another.... a stranger. That is my goal. Too often we are focused on only those we love this time of year.

Ok... now to the bling.

Aren't these wonderful? I love the colorful cases. I think I have been living in drabville for too long. Miss C would enjoy this as a future handwork project for her to add some beautiful pillow cases to her hope chest.
I forget where I came across the link for this magazine, but I am pondering ordering it for Miss C. She has been wanting to get a magazine subscription of her own, especially seeing how Mr. A devours his Boys Life Magazine every month. Up until now, I hadn't found one that I thought would be of quality for her. Unfortunately, it really is for girls 10 and up, though I think having the issues will be beneficial to look back on. The Girlhood Home Companion, Check it out. Yup....definitely think I should get it for her.

I am not sure if I just love the little gift or if it is the paper that really catches my eye and together it is awesome. I already made my visiting teaching gifts and I don't really have a need for giving one out. Oooooh perhaps Mr. J's Speech Pathologist will get one on his appointment this Wed. What to do in place of that stamp she used though! Perhaps I could find something printable. This little tutorial comes from Country Heart and Home. Though I could make up a stack for little things for later. I should share this with Cousin W, for her Card swap club. They do make and takes and this would be a great project.
This one is for you scouters out there. This little scout craft comes from Balancing Everthing.

All right, can you believe that this gift bag was made from a calendar? How cool is that. You love this tutorial from Collecting the Moments....One by One. Wish I had some old calendars to try one out right now! Sweet!

Shivaya Naturals has great taste in fabrics and she made this beautiful art roll. Just wait till I post the one I made....yes I actually made something off of one of my blogzines. It is nowhere near as skillfully made as this one. But I am planning on making at least one more for Cousin K for Christmas this week and since she is older, I thought this would be perfect and I will add in a Moleskin diary for the book. I made a Thomas the Tank Engine crayon roll for Mr. S. Will have to take a picture of it and post it tomorrow.

After the mad array of scissors, tape, and paper this year, I am resolved to go to JoAnn's and buy Christmas Fabric when it goes on clearance after the Holidays. A bunch of it, at least for gifts for those in our family. Even the tags can be reused.
Thanks to This Mama Makes Stuff for the reminder. After Christmas Clearance.....HERE I COME!
I can always count on Wee Folk Art to come up with splendid things. I think the knit rug for this little bed would make a great handwork project for Miss C. The blanket and pillow too. Am I strange for thinking I would like to start another blog, specifically devoted to sharing handwork idea for kids in. Not sure of the name. We are pondering putting our kids in a Common Wealth School that is one day a week (TJed based homeschool enrichment) and it is run through the parents and I was thinking and wondering what it would be that I would have to offer. I think the TJed principle applies, "It's about YOU, not them philosophy." I would very much like my kids to have a nice handwork experience, and I would like it "inspired" very much by the waldorf perspective. I thought that would be something that could be "mine" that I could share their at the school. I wonder if there could be an option to have a handwork class. I was thinking that the carved spoons would also be very appealing to the boys as well.
I am tucking this idea away for next year. Christmas Cheer in a Box, an idea fabulously shared by You Are My Fave.
I am thinking that these tissue puffs would make great decorations for New Years too! And the Confetti below.... so coming out for New Years.

Yes it is time to think about New Years already. With only a few projects and some holiday baking left, my thoughts are turning to an evening and day of our favorite tradition of finger foods, board games and Star Wars Movie marathon.... an allowance that will be made despite the recent TV Ban (another blog post later on that).

There... see it was worth an extra blogzine. Though now I am sure that Mondays may be slim picking, but I think I just might take Monday off.... we are so due for some nature schooling and if the weather is decent... I think we will get out for it!

Our Christmas Letter

December 3, 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

We are excited to be sending you Holiday Greetings and hope that you will find time to remember the Savior during this time of year. We are enjoying a nice snowfall and cold temperatures here in Colorado. You will often find us curled up reading books together by our fireplace downstairs this time of year. Our family is well and happy. We hope to hear that you are too.

Here are the specifics on each of us.

Mr.A turned 8 this last March, which is an exciting age in our Church. He is the first of our children to decide to become baptized and enjoy full membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a special day for him, one he speaks of often and is very proud of. He is also a busy Cub Scout and is eagerly waiting to advance to the Rank of Bear. He also just earned is Religious Knot and is especially proud of it. He is quite adventurous and hopes to be a US Marshall when he grows up while spending time as a Marine Biologist and also an Astronaut. He adores reading and I often have to beg him to take his books outside. He is also into rocks, hiking and anything to do with the outdoors and nature.

Miss C is now 7 and is eagerly awaiting to be 8 and to also be baptized. She is Brownie Scout this year and is also taking Ballet classes and looks forward to her recital this spring. She is her mother’s shadow as she is an avid knitter and card maker (maybe she will get around to mailing some). She dreams of becoming a fashion designer or interior decorator and she is often found draping fabric all over herself and designing new fashionable dresses or rearranging and decorating her room. She is into painting her nails and shimmery lip gloss. She is starting to get the tiniest hint of a figure and enjoys her girly ways of twirling and dancing through life and yet…. You can find her knee deep in mud with her brothers picking up lizards, worms and frogs. She has a great balance of feminine and tom-boy flare and she is always full of surprises.

Mr. J… is my sweet boy who turns 5 next week. He is the biggest helper there is. He has been hard at work this last year in Speech Therapy and has made tremendous improvements in articulation and fluency in his speech. We are so pleased that he is able to express himself so well. He has been enjoying his preschool but is looking forward to enjoying joining his siblings in homeschooling next year. He is also very excited to have his new prosthetic eye. It has been almost a year since his devastating eye injury. He has endured the many surgeries and procedures that failed to save his eye due to the severity of the injury but he has patiently and courageously endured them well and we are so proud of his perseverance and adaptability to having the use of only one eye. Thank you to all who have kept him in your prayers.

Mr. S will be 3 in January. He is a fiery little guy who has a strong will and enjoys doing things himself. Like his siblings he too has those big brown eyes. He has a great love for trains and stuffed animals. He too is a big helper and is often found with his little spray bottle and cloth tackling little bits of grime throughout the house. But don’t get too near, his siblings can vouch for his aim! He has a killer smile and is quite the climber and active boy. He can often be found with the little bumps and scrapes of very active play. He loves to go, go, go and can be a little tiring to keep up with.

And now my darling, Prince Charming: We happily celebrated 14 years of marriage this last month. He is still working for Comcast and recently hit his 10 year mark there. He enjoys his hobbies of computer gaming, computer hardware, gardening, and dabbling a bit in wood working. Like many, he wishes he had more time for them.

And Me… I officially retired from volunteer work with La Leche League this last year closing a 7 year chapter of my life. But I am still quite busy as Andrew’s Den Leader and Cassie’s Brownie Troop Leader. I also enjoy my paper crafting hobby and knitting as well and I am always finding little bits of time to do them. I also enjoy my hobby as a blogger and you can keep up with our family here: www.akindredfamily.blogspot.com

This last year we enjoyed a trip to Wisconsin to see cousins and stopped at Nauvoo (a LDS historical site) in Illinois and also the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Kansas on the way to seeing Great Grandparents in Mineral Wells, Texas. Of course there were many little stops on the way to see sites and museums. Over the summer we had a fantastic time having Nature School and exploring Colorado. We visited 43 different spots and some of the highlights are:

*Mt. Evans- the highest pave road in the Continental US. That was amazing.

* Garden of the Gods (near Colorado Springs)

* Red Rocks

* Lair of the Bear

This spring we look forward to visiting California and seeing family. We also plan to take time to do some coastal nature school and study the ocean and tide pools. We also hope to do some Whale watching and visit the Red Wood forest. I am sure you will keep up with our homeschooling/nature schooling adventures on our blog.

Well, as you can see we are having a great time and keeping up with the ups and downs of life well and hope that you are enjoying and taking advantage of life too. Happy Holidays and may the Saviors love encircle you with the warmth that He provides.

With Love,

A Kindred Family- Plus 5 cats, two frogs, a fish and a turtle who is hibernating somewhere in the back yard.

Princess Academy- The Hope Chest

In August, I had written this post about the Princess Academy. They have a Hope Chest Journey that I am hoping to work on more regularly with Miss C. One person has a separate blog for hers but the main site is here.

Not much progress has been made on it. We have been reading Little Women, but recently we shared a special night and I discussed the Journey with her. Miss C had been begging me to take her to this Food and Craft show that is happening weekly at the mall near our home and last Friday we went. At nearly 8 she is becoming such a treat to be around. It reminded me of going to craft fairs with my mother, though I don't remember really going to one as young as her. It is something I look forward to doing with my mother when it happens while I am in California, but hasn't for some time. But now, I can go with my own daughter and she is equally fun to go with, only that she doesn't have my mother's paycheck or money of her own. Just now, the tables are reversed. I have money for her to spend. I have such a huge bias for handmade items and she is developing it too. We bought a few things but her favorite part was looking at the doilies, handmade linens and tea sets. There was a little area with antiques that was surrounded by some beautiful mirrors, tea sets, handmade linens and doilies and she just marveled at them all. She begged to have some for her room. I told her that I thought it was time for her to have a hope chest and that she would need to gather items to put in it. Nice things she would want for a home someday.

Traditionally, mothers taught their daughters at an early age how to knit, embroider, sew, and crochet in preparation for marriage. Young women, dreaming of their wedding day, started accumulating a collection of special items, including lingerie, hand-embroidered linens, towels, aprons, quilts, and other handicrafts, and storing them for the future in a special chest, which became a symbol of hope for the future. The new bride then brought her hope chest to her new home on her wedding day, and these items became part of her new household.

From the Princess Academe site it lists the following about the purpose of a Hope Chest that extends beyond a dowry...it is these points that I hope to travel with Miss C.

"The purpose of the hope chest was not only to provide the future couple with necessities to start a home with, but more powerfully, to prepare daughters for marriage.

The hope chest would often contain:

• Household items, such as quilts, linens, dishes, and silverware.
• Family memorabilia to help preserve memories, such as, and family pictures.
• A family Bible with pages to record births, marriages, and deaths, ensuring that family religious traditions of bible reading would be carried into the new home.
• Perhaps an heirloom Christening gown for future posterity.
• Perhaps an heirloom wedding gown.
• Fabric to sew clothes from.
• Cherished heirloom seeds from the family garden, to take to the new home.

The American Hope Chest was more of an institution (a custom or practice of importance in rural community life), than just a box of collected things. It’s contents were not hastily gathered during the engagement period. The hope chest was actually part of the girl’s education and training, preparing her to become a wife and mother. In many American homes, a girl began to learn handwork at a young age.

In some areas of America, the girls eight years old learned to quilt and embroider. The young girls, under the loving tutelage and guidance of their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, girl cousins, older sisters, and neighbor women, would make a quilt a year, embroider table linens, or embroider bed linens, in hopes of having cherished comforts to take with her when she married. All the while she was preparing her hope chest, the women in her life were preparing her, chatting as they worked, passing along a large body of knowledge and skill, incidentally, from one generation to the next, and building bonds of community support, kinship, and sisterhood. These young girls learned about relationships, parenting, family life, recipes, home, nursing, and so much more, through listening to and participating in conversations with the women in their lives. Many of the women in this community were informally helping the young girl to prepare to become the queen of her future home.

The concept of a hope chest, whether formal or informal, whether in a box, or just skills taught, can help mothers prepare daughters to be queens of their homes, as well. Remember, the hope chest was not an assignment or something done to girls, but rather something done with them. The most powerful part of contemplating a Hope Chest Journey, is considering what goes on "outside" the box, and not just what goes into the box. The Hope Chest journey included the skills learned, talents developed and knowledge gained in the process of preparing and filling the hope chest, and does not simply refer to tangibles one might include in that hope chest. We encourage young ladies and women to add something to their hope chest daily; meaning, learn something new, develop a skill, or refine a talent, each day. Of course, we have some suggested areas of focus, the lost arts of Godly womanhood. Let them be a springboard rather than a destination."

So it is that training that I hope Miss C will have as she leaves home. Only, I think it needs to expand on the traditional to add to the outlook that a 21st century woman has to face. While, as mothers, the church encourages women to stay home with their children when possible, I realize that it isn't always possible. I stay home as a choice and also in obedience to the counsel given by a Prophet of the Lord. I want Miss C. to feel the empowerment of being prepared for either possibility. I do not want her solely prepared for a career, nor do I want her to only posses the skills to be a fabulous domestic engineer. I realize that in the end, it is her choice, just as it was mine. I do not live the same life my mother when she was my age. Miss C. will do the same. The difference between me and my mother is I think she was more prepared to do either one. And as I look back, I am not sure that I was prepared to do either. Part of Miss C's journey is a refinement or a fill in the many holes in my journey to womanhood. What is difficult about the Princess Academe is that I feel it is lacking in some modern skills, though I haven't purchased the thesis.
So It will need further research. I find it difficult not to push the path I have chosen, but the reality is that I have no idea what the future holds for her and I want her prepared no matter what she chooses and I choose to respect and support her choices. I would rather her be prepared.

The future choices of our children must be a concern for most mothers. I mean, I have three sons, which potentially means 3 daughters in laws..... what if they won't breastfeed my grand-babies? Gasp!!!!! And yes... my daughter may choose a career. All you can do is lead them in the path of righteousness and hope that they will "choose the right." And what is right for one woman isn't always right for another.

Motherhood ramblings...............

Wow, have I completely gotten off track. Back to the Hope Chest. I figured that a beginning step is the Actual chest. The people we bought our house from left a large cedar chest. This poor chest has been well loved as the dress up bucket for the last 5 years or so and is need need of some "frugal luxury" as the Princess Academe would call it. It is quite beat up and the lid needs some repair on the hinges, but it will be a nice project for the two of us. The prospect of stripping it, sanding and refinishing it totally excited her and she has already emptied it. I hope we will have time to get started on it this Saturday. When I told Miss C of the concept of the Hope Chest on our little outing to the Craft and Food Show, her face just lit up. She wanted to go out right then and there and buy things to fill it up. When I explained that part of the journey was learning the skills necessary of some of the items to put in it. Like learning to crochet for making doilies. Afterward we went out and bought some red crochet thread which is waiting for her to learn to crochet a doily.

My daughter, an amazing, passionate little girl is already beginning to think of her future has a woman and mother. As we sat there, she just opened up and began sharing her dreams. We talked about so many things. Things that are more special that just doilies. The changes her body will be facing in a few years. I feel at peace that preparations are being made now. She is thinking about these things now. She shared some special feelings and also her concern for Mr. A and his relationship with his father. I was able to pass that along to my hubby and some rectifications are occurring. I hope to have many, many more moments with her like that in the future. Sometimes I fear her adolescence approaching. I realize that it is a time for them to develop their Independence and individuality, but I would miss these moments. Moments sitting in a Craft show surrounded by beautiful antiques, doilies, tea pots, and fancy mirrors all the while my daughter bearing all the tender feelings, hopes, dreams and pieces of her very soul with me. Yes...I am going to miss those moments. I realize the dire need to cherish them while they are here.

So for now, my plan is to enjoy some more special time with Miss C as I gather the information, perhaps buy the Thesis this next month. I wish that there was a Princess Circle nearby for us to participate in, but part of me thinks it is very special to be doing it with her. I think that after the Chest is refinished and we start working on a skill that she can develop and make something to add in it, I will present her, during a special evening, a tiara. See here, for the Princess Academe's blurb on it. It will be fun to plan such a special night for her. I will also delve more into the Godly Womanly Attributes that can be derived from the books we are reading together. So for Little Women, the site has this to go with it. I need to pay the $10 to join the Circles.

The Bucket List....version 2.0

Update on the Bucket List

1. Making soap (not just the melt the glycerin and pour it into the mold type).
2. Take a pottery class
3. Learn to weave
4. Go sky diving.
5. Learn to play the piano
6. Complete a scrapbook album for just one year!
7. Go to the British Isles
8. Go to Prince Edward Island, Canada
9. Tour Revolutionary and Civil War sites.
10. Hike a Colorado 14er.
11. Go on a cruise.
12. Have a REAL honeymoon with David.
13. Knit a Christmas stocking.... or maybe....SIX! (Added Nov 23, 2009)
14. Visit all the Little House on the Prairie Historical Sites (1 down, 5 to go- Added December 17th, 2009)
15. See the Atlantic Ocean (Added December 17th, 2009)
18. Visit Washington DC and New England. (Added December 17th, 2009
19. Sleep in a Yurt (Added December 18th, 2009)

Little House on the Prairie: The Musical

This year for my Birthday (last week), my sweet husband bought me tickets to see Little House on the Prairie: The Musical. It was what I wanted the most for my birthday. Well, aside from a complete day out with Cousin W. Since you can't take pictures during the play, I stole all of these from the Little House on the Prairie: The Musical I need some for my remembrance. It featured, Melissa Gilbert (the original Laura from the TV Series) as Ma.


Ma and Laura.

Laura

Laura and Mary during the song, I'll be Your Eyes.

Got to Love Nellie Oleson.... The original Prairie B@*#%#!
You can check out Allison Angrim's site (the Nellie from the TV Series)....Love her!


All in all it was a good production. I will have to say, that Melissa Gilbert...doesn't sing well in regards to "a Musical Caliber" but it was nice none the less. She must not dance much because at the end when they all did a dance number she sat at the side and clapped like a wall flower.

The hardest part was going alone. Our budget was such that it wasn't feasible to take any one else. But seeing all the little girls coming to watch the play in their prairie bonnets made me miss Miss C terribly and I wish I could have shared the night with her. Mr. A was dying to go too. Last winter we read the entire series and as soon as we finish Little Men and Little Women, the kids are begging to read them again.

Another issue of A Kindred Blogzine

I have to admit that I was rather impatient with putting this issue together. I had to be dazzled to stop and pay attention, so what you get is what especially caught my eye.

I have made a few tins that I thought were pretty, but these from Katie's Krafts are spectacular. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. I have a tin that is waiting to be adorned and I plan on loading it up as much as this one and I think I will keep it all for myself!

Red Dirt Mother shares her experience with her children in carving these spoons. This is something I would like to try with Mr. A. As a scout, he is very into learning carving as well. I think I will take some cues from her. They are so beautiful.
Here's the creamy caramel recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup caster sugar

90g unsalted butter

2 tablespoons golden syrup

1/3 cup glucose syrup

1/2 cup sweetend condensed milk

How to:

Grease a 19cm square cake pan (we lined ours with baking paper after greasing).

Combine sugar, butter, syrups and milk in saucepan. Stir over low heat without boiling until the sugar and butter have dissolved.

Bring to gentle boil - boil, stirring for about 7 minutes or unti the mixture is a caramel colour. Allow bubbles to subside; pour into pan, stand 10 mins.

Cool before cutting - we keep ours in the fridge.

Recipe source: Women's Weekly Sweet

This looked so appealing because, when we went to visit Nauvoo in Illinois, we went to a store that had a bunch of homemade pioneer cooking and they had the most delicious soft caramels and I would love to be able to make them myself. Perhaps I should hunt around a bit for another recipe. This recepe was gleaned from Day to Day

What is Castor Sugar? Or Golden Syrup? (is that like Kayro Syrup?)

This is the second year my kids are making gifts for each other. So coming up with items for them to make can be a bit of a challenge. We figure that since we are paying for their gift that they need to contribute to the gift in some way, so we require them to participate in its creation. That and it goes with our Handmade pledge. So above is a great item that they could do... and that would be a handmade frame. I got this idea from a Blog that is new to me... Forty-two Roads

Cinnamon Scented Salt dough Ornaments. The kids would enjoy this too. So many things to make! The "How To" can be found on Cozy Homemaking.
The Magic Onion has a nice tutorial for making these stars. They are so cute! These would make a great Holiday decoration too.

I thought that this was such a cute idea for little gifts that perhaps uses scrap pieces of paper for those that you want to give a special thought to. I was thinking for people like those I visit teach or for friends that you don't really exchange gifts with. This cute idea can be found here on Cosmo Cricket

Blue Cricket Design features these pretty tags to make. Scroll down and she has some other really cute ideas for Hanukkah too.
These could be very cute little trees for a nature table. And they are They are From Bird and Little Bird for her Season's Round Exchange. I finally finished mine today and have got to mail it off. Things have just been too crazy to have my act together. And today is the deadline to mail. Guess what I will be doing after this. I will post a picture of our goodies to send soon.
Mailing tomorrow! I also have 4 paperback swaps to mail as well as some other Christmas packages.

And Now.... time for a recipe. Creamy Balsamic Dressing. Sounds so yummy. Thanks to Berlin's Wimsey for sharing
Mr. A picked a fabulous time to become in to Owls. He loves them. How fun would this be. I think that rather than mkae it for him... he should try his hand at some handwork. You can find this tutorial at Juicy Bits.... A new blog to check out!
It is cookie making time. I have a cookie exchange on Wednesday night and was baking extraordinary goodies last week. I will be posting the cake pops soon from Bakerella that I made and these gorgeous cookies are from her as well. I wonder if I have the patience to make beautiful cookies like these are am I going to just make the easiest (well besides buying cookies from a store) No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal cookies. We at least need to make some sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. I also need to make something for Miss C to take to her Ballet Class Holiday Party too.
Did you know they make Cupcake stencils? Bakerella has some on a picture. Who knew...well she did. I need to find a good baking store and also check out Denver Fabrics...they have 100% wool felt.

A Handmade Childhood had a nice posting on making handmade cards with potato stamps. That would be fun. That would also be fun to make handmade wrapping paper with too. She also posted about making paper snowflakes and it is a nice reminder of the "classic" winter projects too. Oh and Snow Ice Cream.... If you haven't made it....you should.... if you have snow where you live that is. We need some new snow, ours is kind of old now.


This photo invokes a nice feeling of handmade. It was an odd association for me. As it just made me want to go out and buy a nice basket and ditch my plastic tool box that I keep all my felt and embroidery floss. Just might do that. It will be so nice to get the kids more into to handwork this next year and I think it will be one of my main "New Years Resolutions." It comes from the blog, A Baker's Dozen. She is expecting another little one and I was touched by the older siblings desire to make things in preparation for the new little one arriving in about 6-7 months.
It did get me to thinking though, that an area of my life is closed. Mr. S is near weaned, I think it is very likely that 2010 will be the close of that chapter of my life. All of my kids are so closely spaced that they didn't get the chance to participate in the preparations of the next sibling. But that being said, there is something wonderful in seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. It is sad to see all the cute baby stuff that is being handmade right now, and I long to make them, not for my own little one, but they are just so darn cute. Oh what fun it is to spoil a little one.

So starting tomorrow I am committing to at least on fabulous activity with the kids per day. Hopefully they will stop being sick so we can have fun. Homeschool is OUT for the year. Whooo HOOOOO!