Drapery: The New Black

Here are some (really awful) pictures of my curtain skirt. (per Jill's request -- Hi Jill!) It's definetly not perfect -- the hem turned out a little funny, but it is still fun to wear. I hope someone comes up to me sometime and says "I have a curtain at home just like that!!"

Cute kids and Picasa 3

We spent our weekend pretending it was warm.
Maybe we'll just try to do that all winter.

Busy Days

Hello??


Anyone still reading this? Anyone? Bueller?


I apologize for the lack of posting. It's been busy around here. We have officially started our school year. Unschoolers that we are, that is a fairly loose term, but our pace and structure have shifted, marking the start of a (slightly) more structured learning. The kids have started memorizing some poetry (so fun!), doing a bit of math, and balancing this all with gobs of independent reading.


I have also re-instituted our afternoon quiet time. Ahh . . . I love quiet time! It makes such a difference for everyone. On the weekends, I have been doing some serious decluttering, which has allowed me a bit of freedom during quiet time. During on of my major decluttering frenzies, I uncovered my long lost sewing machine. Hooray! It was suffocating under a massive pile of ironing, which I actually ironed, instead of just moving it! And I was so happy to have my machine back. It has been getting lots of happy use lately.


We are going out of town in the middle of September, and I always find traveling easier when each walking child has a backpack. PeterXavier's was filled with holes, so I planned to buy him a new one. I mentioned this to a friend and she suggested making one. Great idea! So I harvested the back panel along with the straps from the old one and made a new front. Ta-da! Free new backpack, complete with "PX" faux appliqued to the front.

I also made a pretty cute, but less than perfect, skirt from a beautiful curtain a found at Goodwill. It was fun to make and it exercised my newly learned skill of putting in a zipper. And this zipper was extra exciting, because I harvested it from an old skirt that no longer fit.

Fun River Weekends

We had a fantastic weekend enjoying the beautiful weather and water at my parents river cottage. Our good friends joined us, as well as my parents and my sister and her family. We did everything you should do on a lazy Sunday afternoon -- nothing. Except eat. And the food was great. (That first picture is my promised cloth diaper picture)

The kids enjoyed the water, which was a perfect level for little people. And they even built sand towns in the new "beach" (Thank you, Flood!)

And this is my daughter getting drunk, unbeknownst to her Daddy. She repeatedly stuck her celery stick in his Bloody Mary and licked it off until my Dad finally pointed it out and Andrew made her stop!

Can you say "Cutie"??

Isn't she adorable?? This is Marianna Eva, our newest neice, and the first on Andrew's side! Unfortunatly, she is living WAAAY over in Washington state, so we probably won't get to meet her too soon.

There is a certain little guy around here who has two distinct things working to his advantage. First off, he is insanely cute with an infectious grin and contagious laugh. This keeps him out of trouble more often than not. The other is that he is the third child, not the first. Had he been born first, he probably wouldn't have any sibling! And his mother would be even more lacking in patience and a sense of humor than she already is!

The good thing is that he has taught me many things I may otherwise never have learned. Today, he felt quite compelled to teach me. Maybe he can feel the "Back to School" vibes.

Whatever his motives, I learned a lot. (Not that I really wanted to know!)

For instance, did you know that lotion is VERY DIFFICULT to remove from carpet? On the other hand, it wipes up quite easily from laminate flooring. Hair spray and curl spray are easily removed from tile with just a swipe of the towel. I am so glad I know this.

And honey. It is very sticky. I know from past experience that it is not so easy to remove from furniture. But today I was so lucky to learn that is comes out of of five year olds curls quite easily in the shower. The cabinets, counter, and floor take a bit of scrubbing, but after the carpet, it seems like a breeze.

Big brothers get very angry when younger brothers take lego projects apart bit. by. bit. and scatter them around the room. In case you were wondering.

And our little monkey learned that the skillet is REALLY hot when it is in the four hundred degree oven. And the oven doesn't care if you want to cut the bread into star shapes. It will still burn you.

But I learned that toothpaste takes the burning pain away. I don't know why, but it really works!

I also learned that when your little terror is really hurt, he screams for Daddy. And even though he it burned him, when the bread comes out of the oven, he is still determined to cut it into star shapes.

It was a day of lessons, and hair pulling, a growing in patience. But with that grin, who could be upset?

A Baby of the Cloth Part II

If you missed Part I, you can read it here.

Once I decided to faze out my disposable, I started using a few cloth diapers while at home, but stuck to the disposable when out. It just seemed easier. But then I found myself addicted to the cloth! I enjoyed doing it and some of the covers were just so darn cute that I wanted Isabella to sport them outside the house as well as in. And once I went out with them, I realized that it was easier than I had expected! I just toss the wet/dirty in a grocery sack and put it straight into the laundry when I get home -- no problems!

Another thing that scared me was the way so many people talked about how hard it is to care for the cloth diapers. One day a friend stopped by -- she is a Mama to one and has cloth diapered from the get go. Admittedly, her little gal is still exclusively breastfed, so things might be a bit easier, but she told me she just tosses everything in together and doesn't do anything special. Hearing this was like a wall falling down. No special detergent? No special cycles? I can do that! So now I just wash everything on hot, with the same detergent I wash everything else (I make my own, so I know it is free of dyes, fragrance, etc.). *Total Disclaimer* My diapering is made infinitely easier because I have two washers and dryers! One is now my designated "diaper washer" BUT that doesn't mean it can't be done. It only means that you probably can't get away with slacking on the other laundry like I do. And that is probably a good thing!

One thing in the washing that has made a world of difference is sunning the diapers. Sometimes, in the dryer, they weren't getting completely dry. And I think that it was allowing bacteria to grow and therefore causing rash. Once I started sunning them, the rash disappeared. Since sun is antibacterial, this would support my little theory!

I have to say, while my promary reason for switching was to save money, if I hit the lottery tomorrow, I would still use cloth. But I would buy every cute cover I could get my hands on!!

One final tip . . . while the gender specific covers are unbelievably cute, if you plan to diaper more than one child, get some gender neutral covers. PeterXavier (now finally potty trained, thank heavens!) was in the cloth for a short time. One day, I only had a pink cover clean, so I tossed it on him and headed out to meet some friends. Somehow the poor guy was depants, and there he stood in his crowd of friends wearing a PINK diaper. It was hilarious and he cracked up along with everyone else. But it might be easier just to avoid the issue!

Questions? Comments? I am definetly a novice here, but maybe that makes me more sympathetic to any questions!

I will try to add some pictures later, but I don't have any on this computer. Cloth wins hands down with its cuteness factor!

The Mountains Fell on my Excitement

Some how I am on the emailing list for Puccini's, a pizza place in West Lafayette. And today I recieved an email in which the subject line excitedly announced

"Come Meet Carl Landry!"

But I thought it said "Come Meet CARY Landry!"

And I almost jumped in my car to go meet him. Can you imagine?? Would they have a Folk

Group belting his much loved tunes?? What excitment.

But alas, I was wrong. I don't even know who Carl Landry is.

Maybe he's Cary's grandson??

A Baby of the Cloth

I have had this post brewing in my head for weeks now. And since it came up at Annie's place, I thought that now would be a good time to actually put to paper (screen) what has been floating in my brain.

About three months ago, my beloved Target diapers changed completely resulting in a higher price tag and way lower quality. This change spurred me to make a switch I never thought I would make -- I became a cloth convert. And now that I am here, I would never go back. But before my switch -- on my seven year stint with disposables -- I had a million and one questions that were easy to answer, but the answers weren't always easy to find. So I thought I would try to answer a few of my own questions here and maybe make the conversion experience a little easier for someone else.

*I also want to make it clear, that I am in no way a diaper snob. If you think I am crazy and you are in love with your disposables, more power to you! I just want to show that the option is out there and not nearly as daunting as it might seem at first!

Before I made the switch, one thing that held me back was the high price tag of starting out. While I could clearly see the long term savings, I couldn't stomach shelling out a couple hundred dollars to start something I wasn't even sure I would be able to handle! Once I decided that I really wanted to switch, I realized a few things. First, I didn't have to stop disposables cold turkey. I could easily faze them out as I gradually up my supply of cloth. The other thing I realized was that prefolds are EASY to make. I actually haven't purchased a single diaper -- I have only purchased the covers. So while I spent time sewing diapers, I gradually acquired covers and slowly fazed the disposables out over the course of a few weeks. In total, I have spent about $50 on diapers. When I started, I was diapering two and had been spending about $60-$80 a month on diapers. Not a bad savings!

The other thing that saved me a boat load was http://www.diaperswapper.com/ where I found a nice woman selling her homemade covers for next to nothing. I think I paid $20 for eight, shipping included! I didn't discover this site until after I had purchased a few other covers here (my favorite!) and here. What I got there was deeply discounted, but none the less, had I discovers Diaper Swappers earlier, I would have saved even more!

This is long . . . I will continue later!

I think if I were to rename my blog, I would call it "Poop and Circumstance".

Because that pretty much sums up my life these days.

(Not So) Hot Ideas

Just in case you (or your resident, insane three year old) ever wonders what might happen if you were the set the remote control onto the hot burner coil of the stove -- it melts.

And stinks.

And makes a huge mess.

If you need me, I'll be scrubbing plastic and trying not to asphyxiate.

Hip Hip Horray!!

We had a blast at Riverfest today!

Can you tell? And my boat won EVERY RACE it was in!

Bella had fun, too. Did you know we have sandy beaches in Indiana?

A Little Camera Fun

Andrew borrowed a camera to use this weekend for Riverfest. But someone had to learn to use it, right?

Luckily, that someone was me.

And my life will never be the same.

What fun! The pictures are SO CLEAR compared to my little point and shoot. And the "sport" feature allows you to take fantatic action shots. And there is no "delay", so you can just keep shooting. I took over 200 pictures of Andrew and his friends riding last night.
See how Andrew is clear and the background is not?? My dippy little camera would never to that.

Happy Fourth Of July
From Our Little Firecrackers To Yours!

And just a little firecracker hair, to make you smile!

Lactation Education

Isabella has developed this weird habit of waking up in the morning and wanting to nurse for some crazy insane amount of time. I am not complaining. No one else is awake, so I let her nurse while I drink my coffee (I am sure this is great for her!) and read a book or blogs or whatever. It's a pretty great deal, really. Sometimes I spout off some weird and random fact to my husband and he asks, bewildered, how I have so much time to read. I call it my "Lactation Education." Who needs to pay a university for higher education?? Maybe if I have enough children I can homeschool my own masters?! I told him, when you learn to lactate, you can spend more time reading as well! It is really my own selfishness that drives me to breastfeed my babies for so long. Once they stop, the built in "slow down" moments of my day are gone. I'll just keep snuggling this little one for as long as she'll let me!

Counting Down

The Natural Baby Fair is only THREE DAYS away. Will I see you there?

I am almost, maybe, not really, going to be ready on time. I have been sewing and bowing in every spare moment that I have . . . which hasn't really been that many, seeing the this week was VBS, among other things. You know, like four little people demanding your attention. And a garbage disposal that decides to give out. (it didn't like the rocks we fed it. Imagine that.) Or blogging when the kids are napping / out with Ooma. Or the three year old who, out of the blue spikes a fever of 102. Or the one year old with a mysterious full body rash.

Yeah. Between all that, I may be ready for the Fair in time.

If they reschedule it for January.

I can't believe I let my son ride this dirt bike. But isn't he cute?? And he did such a great job! Now his little mind is swimming with dirt biking dreams.

And so is Bella's. But she is going for a different look all together!

This is Christopher's hero and pal, Will, catching some air on the big jump.

And even Grace got in on the action. When she first got on, I heard her say "I don't want to go on the jumps!" It didn't take her long to change her mind!

I actually took a turn, as well. But I only rode the kiddie version. And we'll leave the photo evidence over on facebook. I don't need my image tainted over here!

Andrew is now Mr. Dirtbike Obssession Man, but I guess I didn't get any good pictures of him. He even got air on the jumps! And he left muddied from head to toe . . .

Oh, how I wish I were so cool

This mom is awesome. I discovered this blog and I have been experimenting on Grace's head these last few days. I won't post any pictures, because my attempts are pretty pitiful. BUT! I have been so inspired! I am determined to keep practicing (for as long as Grace will sit still!) and maybe, oh maybe, someday I'll get good.

Over at Faith and Family Live! they have been hosting a weekly "Small Successes" (does that word look funny to you?). I have never joined in, mainly because I have trouble coming up with successes beyond "All six of us survived this week alive" and I don't think that really counts=) So here's for trying.

~1~

I have successfully take all four kids to the swimming pool a number of times. Alone. And remained cheerful about it! Hooray! I think the cheer factor is what makes this a true success.

~2~

I FINALLY made the batch of laundry detergant I have been meaning to make for weeks now. A friend came over a few months ago and taught me how to make it. It is great stuff, but when that first batch ran out, I was lazy and just bought cheapy detergant at the store. I am happy to have my five gallon bucket filled and ready now!

~3~

This last success was a joint effort -- me, my mom, and my sweet Bella. Isabella STAYED WITH MY MOM while I went to the store yesterday. This is a major break-through for the little girl who despises all people beyond me and her daddy. Not only did she stay, but she was happy! And she had fun! I was proud of her and of me, as neither of us cried!

So, there is my successful week, small as it may be. What are your successes? Weigh in at Faith and Family Live!

I went to the grocery store this afternoon, while my wonderful mother watched ALL four kids. It was great. While I was there, I picked up a package of toilet paper. As I was loading it into the car I noticed that the package excitedly announced

"Unique Ridge! Leaves NO THING behind!!"

And I though "Well, that is a bit . . . gross."

Later, when I got home and went to put the TP where it belonged, I realized that I had, in fact, purchased paper towels.

It all makes sense now.

But if the TP company is looking for a new slogan, I have a great one for 'em!

Note: I apologize for the over abundance of potty posts . . . but I can't promise it will get any better=)

PeterXavier found himself a great new toy. The toilet seat lid. He is currently carrying in around the house and he has threatened to take it to the pool. I have no idea how he got it off. But it no longer has the ability to stay attached to its proper home.

Do things like this happen in your house?

No?

I didn't think so.

My life is so weird.

Natural Baby Fair

I am very excited to be participating in my areas upcoming Natural Baby Fair! It is put on by our local chapter of CHOICES, "a natural birth and informed parenting network". The Baby Fair will provide huge amount of information for anyone interested in supporting or learning more about natural parenting styles. I am really excited to be there as a vendor, selling my Baby Wraps and other accessories.

The event is FREE and there will be speakers throughout the day on all sorts of fun topics: Natural childbirth, cloth diapering, babywearing, doulas . . . They will also have give-aways and raffles throughout the day (win one of my wraps!). It should be a really fun and informative day! I hope some locals show up -- stop by my spot and say hi!

Busy, busy, busy

I have a bunch of posts swimming around in my head, but I have only had about 3.4 seconds a day to blog. Busy, busy and always running.
This weekend we went on a family bike ride for the first time. It was such a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon! And then Andrew and the kids rode up to my parents later in the day. That bike trailer was the best $30 Goodwill find ever! (And yes, Andrew does have Bella wrapped on his back!)

And the kids found a Tarzan vine to swing on.

Nursing baby is not happy . . . more later.

Memorial Day Peonies

When we were young, my parents would take us to the cemetary on Memorial Day. Early in the day, my mom would go out to the farm where my dad grew up and cut peonies to leave at the grave sites. We plan to continue the tradition with our children, by attending the early Memorial Day Mass at the cemetary tomorrow and visiting the grave site of my maternal and paternal grandparents.
When my grandfather passed away, his farm was sold to developers. Knowing this, the family chose to transplant many of the beautiful flowers that my grandmother (and probably great grandmother!) had planted over the 100 years our family had lived on the land. Blessedly, I have a few of Grandma's peonies bursting into bloom right out side my front door. I am excited to leave a few of her lovely blooms for her tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Crazy Pants!

There are days I wonder how he has survived three years. There are more days when I wonder how I have survived these last three years. But everyday I am thankful for the little spitfire who has added so much laughter, hair pulling, and crayon marked walls to this family! Our crazy little man turned three this weekend, and there doesn't seem to be any slowing down in our future. On Saturday, we went to Oakdale Inn for dinner, where he ate frog legs and had the entire restaurant sing to him as he grinned away, basking in the attention!
On Sunday, our wonderful friends came up to my parents cottage, where we avoided the river, prayed no one would fly off the edge of the loft, and had a grand old time! As you can see, PeterXavier ditched is pants in favor of football flags and a wonderful balloon hat. He seemed to think that his birthday gave him a free pass to strip.
His daddy made him this fantastic chair for his birthday. I am sure, with a little urging from the resident nagger (ahem), that all of our kids will have one. And that weird thing he is doing -- looking at the sky with his mouth as wide open as humanly possible -- that's his new camera smile. I've stopped wondering what makes him tick and just laugh.
Resting after a very long (and cold) weekend. We needed to soak what little sun we could find on the front porch.

St Isidore the Farmer

The bulk of this entry was originally posted on May 15, 2008, but I feel it bears repeating. I am not sure why old comments are still there, but they are. Sorry!   Life is busy, so this post is a bit late, but better late that never!

Sunday was the Feast of St Isidore the Farmer -- what a great Saint to emulate. He didn't do anything grand, fantastic, or even all that notable. He was just an  honest, hard working man who loved God above all else. The legend surrounding him tell how he would go to Mass each morning before he began his work in the fields. One morning he was running late and the other farm hands were angry. When they went to fields to confront him, he was working away, surrounded by angelic helpers.

St Isidore is a special Saint to our family because my grandfather was not only named Isidore, but he was also a farmer. I always imagine St. Izzy plowing the fields with mules as my grandpa once did, although I am sure farming in twelfth century Spain was much different than early twentieth century America!

Another great legend surrounding St. Isidore is that one day he was returning from the fields with sacks of corn. He looked up into a tree to find hungry birds unable to find food. Having pity on the poor birds, he poured out a bag of corn for them. When he returned to the other farm hands, they were astonished to find that the corn bags were entirely filled and when ground, the corn produced twice as much meal as the rest.




And here is a photo of my other favorite Izzy, pitching horseshoes on his farm. My sources tell me that it was taken in the late 1950's.


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

God, through the intercession of St. Isidore, the holy Farmer, grant that we may overcome all feelings of pride. May we always serve You with that humility which pleases You, through his merits and example.




And lastly, our other favorite Izzy.  Isn't she cute?

Cowboys, Indians, and a Damsel with Blue Nail Polish

What a long day! Mondays are always a bit long, due to the fact that Andrew has class and doesn't get home until after 10. But today was a particularly long Monday, since Chrisopher was sick and I am not feeling up to par myself. That being the case, we spent a long day inside, with a small respite on the sunny front steps at mid-day.

My parents stopped by in the evening to say goodbye (they are heading overseas for a few weeks. Jealous? why yes, I am!). They were swindled by some big brown eyes and ended up taking the clan out to get cap guns and sparkly nail polish. So they bid fairwell to some happy little campers. And I spent the evening listening to gun shots in my living room.

And now I am here, trying to convince some little people that sleep is, in fact, a wonderful thing. Why don't they believe me??