Re-purposing: My new hobby

I've found a new hobby.  It involves turning old things into new things.  I especially like when I can find a new purpose for old clothing.  First, it saves something I would have otherwise donated.  Secondly, it reduces some of my sewing time.  For example, if I re-purpose a tee-shirt into a skirt, the hemming and seams are already done ... professionally!  How neat is that?!

My first attempt at re-purposing was over 4 years ago when I made a fitted cloth diaper for Veronica.  Remember?

(Veronica @ 3 mos)

Today I turned a tee shirt into a yoga skirt for Veronica.  Hey, same model!!

(Veronica @ 3 yo)

I bought a few more shirts at Salvation Army and plan on re-purposing them for Catherine and maybe even Sophia.


My inspiration?  This new favorite blog, Make It and Love It.  Here is how I turned a tee shirt into Veronica's new skirt.  I'm currently working on matching leggings made from the sleeves.  Neat, huh?!

Another re-purpose is the side of an old crib into a magazine holder.  I placed it in my guest bathroom and love it!!  I might paint it. Haven't decided yet.

(Added bonus ... you get to see my favorite magazines!!)

Well, gotta go re-purpose.  

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

         Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

                                                                         

                                

{pretty}

Craig has been growing hydroponic veggies since January.  Its his latest hobby. I love sending the kids out to pick me fresh tomatoes or peppers.  Earlier in the year we had spinach, broccoli, lettuce and squash.

Nothing is more pretty than seeing Grandbaby #8 with Grandma, who visits almost daily to see her brood.

                                                {happy}

Emma is ALWAYS happy (except when she's hungry, of course).  She's already 10 weeks old.

Catherine loves holding her baby sister!

Happiness is playing with the water hose at Grandma's.  No need for swim suits here.  They just use Grandpa's old tee shirts. 

{funny}

I was teasing Craig when I took this picture.  I told him that he's officially an old man.  Not because he turned 40 this past December, but because he was wearing a white undershirt all day.  Only old men wear white undershirts around the house.  Meanwhile, I've been running around in my Birkenstocks.  Does that make me his old lady??

Anna with her best friend on her birthday.  I know there's nothing funny about casts.  Thankfully its off.  The funny part is that it took us 3 days before taking her to the ER.  She didn't complain and said she was only sore.  Turns out her "sprain" was a small break.  

{real}

Summer time is when I move furniture around.  This summer I'm relocating our books and turning the school room into the boys' bedroom.  The six girls will be divided among the 3 bedrooms upstairs.  I'm starting to feel like the old woman in the shoe!

Kolbe reading to his brother Vincent.  Its ironic that Curious George is being read to Vincent as he's probably related to that troublesome monkey!!  I love that Kolbe doesn't realize he's practicing his reading when he reads to Vincent.  Life is busy and some days the only way I know Kolbe has practiced his reading and Vincent has been read to is by pairing them up.

To see some more {pretty, happy, funny, real} posts, visit Rosie at Like Mother, Like Daughter!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

EMMA @ 9 weeks!!

(Catherine, Vincent and Veronica enjoying play doh.)

Emma Clare was born March 30th at 10:44 pm weighing 9 lbs 3 oz and was 19 inches long.  She's a sweet little thing except for being 13 days overdue (not so sweet).  Picture coming soon!

Just checking in to say hello.  Life is busy, as its always been.  But some habits of mine have changed.  The biggest being I don't get on the internet much.  Used to be I would surf the web and just didn't know what to post.  Now, I get on when I need to look up something.  Email is checked from my phone so there's no need to get on the computer.  As a result, my little blog has been neglected, as well as my reading of other's blogs.

I hope to one day get back to it.  But as of right now, I'm busy with homeschooling, keeping house and preparing for a new baby that is due any day now.

I'm having fun decorating, sewing, crocheting and reading.  Currently, I'm reading the Hunger Games books.

Hope everyone is having a prayerful Lent.

Tag me!!

I've just realized that my blog has only 6 posts for this year!  YIKES!  Back in 2006 I had over 200.  I need something to jumpstart my blog.  Anyone have any new memes they want to tag me for? 

There, I've just completed post #7.  Lame, huh?

Veronica's Birthday Wish

Veronica turns 3 in about 2 weeks.  Its a custom (or bad habit, depends who you are ..... I think its a bad habit) for the kids to start talking about what they want as a gift and party theme about 3-4 months before the actual day.

So it came as no surprise when Veronica started talking about her birthday a few weeks.

What does Veronica want?

A pinata.  That's it.  A pinata!

I wonder if I can postpone her bday by a few days and just throw the kids' Halloween candy into her pinata? 

Best Deal in Town!!

Need to get away? Money tight, though? Then look no further than the Springhill Hotel on Cactus Oak. For only 88 cents you get a private room with all the amenities, including breakfast!!! The staff is very courteous, rooms are clean and spacious and ambiance is like no other.

There is one small catch - you'll have to get up early to cook your own breakfast as well as that of the staff.

Yesterday Craig asked the kids to clean their rooms "hotel clean." They took it one step further and created a hotel. They made signs, had personal sized toiletries in their bathroom (thanks to a travelling dad who brings back the goods) and even made a desk area for laptops. They actually expected me to sleep in their room, too!

This morning I was woken up by an urgent staff member (Sophia) because I needed to hurry and make breakfast. What?! I thought I was the guest? So I went downstairs and made Shrek eggs (fried eggs) for Kolbe, scrambled eggs for Catherine, Veronica and Isabelle, and omelets for Craig and I. Along with toast, bacon, coffee, orange juice and chocolate milk, I'd say this breakfast was stupendous. Sophia proceeded to deliver breakfast trays to sleeping children (and dad) upstairs.

I later found out Kolbe only had to pay 24 cents for his deal. Craig didn't pay at all. And now I'm looking at a sink full of dishes!

Kids have started their school work and our day has gotten off to a good start. Thank you Springhill Hotel!

Dancing Vincent

Here's a video of Vincent's latest hobby, dancing!

**NEWS ALERT**

It has finally happened.

I am the mother of a teenager! I'm excited and I'm sad. Excited for all the wonderful conversations and memories we're going to have. Sad for all the past "little girl" conversations that are gone. Isabelle is a talker. I miss her small, rough voice. She had such a harsh sounding voice when she was little that I even took her to the doctors. He said it was just vocal abuse from all her screaming (the good kind) and loud talking.

She hasn't changed. She's still loud. Actually, she's the loudest of all my kids.

She's also the second mommy in this home. Reaching this milestone is exciting but I wish I could slow down the years.

Happy 13th Birthday to my first born! I love you and look forward to watching you blossom into a beautiful woman of God.

*** Happy Birthday, Blair!!! We were watching an old video from Belle's 1st bday and there you were! She got so excited to see you and said you haven't changed a bit. Enjoy your 25th bday! ;-) ***

Update

I feel like a traitor to my own blog. I've found that facebook is much easier and quicker to update. Mostly because I can do it on my Blackberry instead of sitting in front of my computer.

But I do miss it here! My kids have been asking why they don't see their pictures anymore. And so, while it is already February, I resolve to update at least once a week. Its the best I can do right now. I'm pretty busy homeschooling 7th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, and preK along with entertaining a 2 yo and holding/nursing a 6 mos old. See why Facebook is easier?!

News Update:
My entire family was sick with the flu for almost 2 weeks. We are just now recovered. Kolbe's eardrum even burst. Poor darling.

Veronica and Catherine are addicted to Dora the Explorer. To the point that they don't want to watch all our wonderful CCC or Veggietale videos. Only Dora. But, hey, they've picked up some Spanish!

Kolbe has been playing CYO basketball. I always thought he was an aggresive boy BUT now I see that he's not. He's just more aggressive than my girls. He's quite a gentle and sweet boy (who just likes to tease and annoy girls). At practice and games he's super excited, runs around, BUT does very little to steal the ball. And when he does get the ball, he hands it off as quickly as possible. That's ok, Craig and I and the grandparents are having a great time watching him play.

The biggest change in our lives. Wii!!

The kids (this includes Craig) received a Wii for Christmas. In addition to games, its has become a source of news and weather for me. Also, we got Netflix through the Wii and WOW! It's wonderful!

Lest you think we're watching tv or playing games all day, the kids only watch movies on the weekends. The Wii is played every other day for about 30-45 mins. Other than that the tv stays off (well, ok, in the evenings Craig and I like to be couch potatoes. Actually, we love to be couch potatoes. Its the only time of day I get to sit and relax).

Is that a good update? Anybody even still reading me? Anyone care to give me any ideas on what to write?

Vincent-boy is sitting up!

I've done a poor job of showing off my little man. Today while sitting on the floor we "discovered" he can sit up! Mind you, its not like we've been working with him or trying to get him to sit. Isabelle just plopped him down and we gasped! He can sit! Guess who's going to be getting lots of sitting practice now?

** I apologize for the fuzziness. I used my blackberry since it was the closest and I didn't want to lose the moment. And ignore all my jabbering. ;-) **

My Kitchen Sink

When I saw the Kitchen Sink Link Party over at Like Mother,Like Daughter, I excitedly started scrubbing my sink area so I could show off my favorite part of the house.

When we first entered this house over 4 years ago, I fell in love with the kitchen because of the windows behind the sink. Craig had to remind me to keep my poker face on. I later had to remind him about his poker face when he stepped onto the back patio. LOL!



I love how the sunlight brightens my work area. I love looking out at the trees. My heart does stop a beat when I see kids in those tree limbs, though.

The potted flowers are from our church alter. They often give away the old plants or flowers when bringing in fresh ones. Craig is wonderful at keeping them alive until the next pots arrive. Of course, my plants are always behind the liturgical calender. So, for example, I will have poinsettias in January and Easter Lilies in June. But that's okay.

Craig bought me those tea sets on his recent trip to China. And the white bowel cleverly hides my soap detergent, stopper, and sponge.

Hope you enjoyed this brief visit. Now if only there was a master bedroom/bathroom or homeschooling room Linky party to motivate me to clean up! ;-)

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

* This prayer is often called the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer," because it is prayed 15 times every day from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30) until Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once; or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal). Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Veronica's 2nd BDay

Veronica turned 2 yo last Wednesday but since Craig was out of town we celebrated on Friday.

2 hours before leaving for our Saint's Day Party!

I was still sewing during her party!! Luckily my parents, in laws and sister accept me for what I am ... a procrastinating perfectionist. Here are a few pictures of the happy birthday girl who also didn't mind a less fancy party than last year!

Opening her gift from her wonderful Godmother ...... Beverly, Veronica says thank you! She loves playing with it!

This year I had to delegate the cake baking to Isabelle. She did a wonderful job and even found some decorations in a box that I had no idea about!

While Veronica loved all her gifts, she was most excited about the bag of high heels. Her first dress up shoes! We've had a few "character building moments" when she's tried to convince me *ahem (2 yo tantrum) * that her high heels were appropriate footwear for leaving the house. I can't believe how much I love this age!!!

Just Because ....

.... I need to post an update but really don't know where to start.

I'm loving being a mom of seven, loving Vincent. But NOT loving how I don't feel back to normal. AT. ALL.

We celebrated All Saint's Day with some friends a few days ago. I went through so much trouble over their costumes. But did I get a picture? I kept meaning to.

And that about sums up life right now. There are so many things I keep meaning to. I keep meaning to add Vincent's pictures to my baby wall. Keep meaning to take pictures of him. Keep meaning to sew some promised skirts for Belle (have fabric and patterns). Keep meaning to stop crying. Keep meaning to lower my standards.

Keep meaning to update my blog.

Its been 3 months and I sometimes feel lost. I mean, I'm feeding, dressing and getting lots done but I feel like I'm on automatic. And always behind (in a different sort of way, because I think I've been behind for years now ... LOL!).

Vincent really is a cute pudge. I know I need to get some pictures of him up. Does it make me lazy that I'm just too tired to put the effort of going through the process and putting him on my blog when I can just go sit and stare at him for hours? I wish energy was sold in a capsule. I need some. Coffee isn't working.

I need a visit from friends. Anyone?

Perhaps I should make a list of all the things I want to do and just try to do one a week or one every two weeks?

It's a BOY!!

Blair gave birth to a beautiful baby boy today! Thomas William is Blair's latest blessing! And he's a cutie! Congratulations B family! Can't wait to meet him! Vincent is so excited to have a new playmate!

Anna reciting poetry

Here's Anna reciting her first poem of the year, George Washington by Stephen Vincent Benet. I had to record in 2 parts so that the file was small enough to download from my Blackberry. Enjoy!

Part 1:




Part 2 :

The preschool math lesson that was never taught/completed .....

... because Catherine was too logical and smarter than the teacher (who shall remain nameless).

Today we were working on the concepts alike and different. On the first page she had to circle the objects that were alike. Each row had 4 objects (like 4 kites) and she had to circle the 2 that were identical.

EASY.

The next page she had to cross out the one item that was different from the other 3 objects in that row (3 penguins with ties while 1 penguin wore a scarf).

EASY.

The next page she had to match the items that were alike or went together (pen with paper, fork with plate, paintbrush with paint, etc.).

EASY

Slowly the exercises are building up to this one and this is were I was stumped. Ready? Remember, I went to graduate school and couldn't explain this to Catherine (who just turned 5 two days ago). Ready?

Which one of these does not belong?




Attempt #1: Catherine, which one of these doesn't belong? She couldn't tell. So I thought I would prompt her with easy questions.

Catherine, what do you do with a hat? She doesn't know.
Catherine, do you wear a hat? No, she says she isn't wearing one.
But you do wear a hat, right? No, she says she puts them on her head but doesn't wear them on her body.
But your head is on your body, right? Yes, it is.
So you DO wear a hat. No, hers is lost.
But people wear hats, right? What people?

*sigh*

Attempt #2: How about a tie? What do yo do with a tie? Do you wear ties? No, she doesn't.
But people wear ties? Yes, they do.
So people wear ties AND hats?! No, she's never seen people wear cowboy hats with ties.
Well, no, they don't have to wear them together but ... Oh! So ties and hats don't go together! Do I cross them out?
NO! Don't cross them out!

Attempt #3: Catherine, which of these things do you wear? Socks. I don't have any ties and I lost my hat.
Okay, but what do people wear? Which people? She wants me to be more specific?
Daddy's (I wince as I say this hoping she gets it)?? Daddy wears socks and ties. He only has baseball hats and not a cowboy hat.
Okay, but let's pretend he has a cowboy hat. Would he wear it? No! And starts laughing at the idea.

I was getting ready for attempt #4 when Anna came up and asked me if I was ready to go. Perfect timing! Lesson to be continued ......

*EDITED* Just came back to add more. I read this to Craig tonight. I was afraid it would be boring and that I would be the only one to find humor in my story. When I got to the part of "which one does not belong?" I paused to allow Craig to answer.

Craig: The tie.
Me: WHAT? Are you serious?
Craig: Yeah, the tie.

At this point I'm thinking he's just trying to give me a hard time.

Me: Why the tie?
Craig: Because the other 3 hold volume and the tie doesn't.
Me: What? You think a preschool math book expects a child to see that one can not hold volume? What about 3 can be worn and one (the vase) can't.
Craig: That works, too. So what's the answer?
Me: What's the answer? Are you serious?
Craig: Yeah, what's the answer?

Me: The book doesn't come with answers. Its preschool! The answers should be obvious.
Craig: Well, I thought it was the tie.

And he walked away.

**Maybe this latter part isn't funny either but its cracking me up. Maybe tomorrow I should ask Catherine, "Sweetie, which one of these is different?" To which she'll reply, "The tie, mommy." ROFLOL! Because up until 5 minutes ago I would have shaken my head and said try again. Maybe she actually does get it and is just an out-of-the-box thinker like her daddy and not square like me!! **

LOL!!!

10 Surprising Things About Me Meme

Colleen tagged me and this is probably a good way to get back into blogging. So here it goes!

1. I didn't learn English until I was almost five. Today, none of my kids speak fluent Spanish. :-/

2. I prefer to always wear skirts. But about 4-5 years ago I never thought I'd own enough skirts to wear them fulltime. I only take a break when I'm pregnant since I don't have enough maternity skirts. My kids now think I look funny in pants/capris. LOL!

3. When I pick up a good fiction book, I can't put it down. I will stay up until 5am to finish if need be.

4. I don't read much fiction since starting homeschooling and having so many kids. See #3.

5. I wish I had prettier cursive writing. My handwriting isn't ugly. It just isn't as pretty as I'd like. I notice handwriting when reading cards. My friend, Beverly, probably has the prettiest. I'd link to her but she isn't blogging at her blog!! *hint ... hint* ;-)

6. Growing up money was very tight. We NEVER ate out. NEVER! No drive thru, restaurants for special occasions, etc.

7. We eat out way too much. My 22 mos old can "read" take out signs. "M" is the first alphabet letter my kids learn.

8. Growing up my dad took my sister and I to the library every week. I love books and love to read.

9. I don't take my kids to the library at all. We amass to many fines. My goal is to build my own library. We currently have 10 bookshelves full of books. If Dave Ramsey, Laura Schlessinger, Gregory Popcak, Ray Guarendi, Rush Limbaugh, etc. recommend a book, I probably have it.

10. My favorite store is Half Price Books. Some of Craig and mine's/my/our first dates ..... (just learned about nouns in the collective possessive ... how do I write Craig and I .... besides saying our??) Some of our first dates were to Half Price Books. We would spend hours there. I usually hit the out of print books while he stayed in the how to/wood working section. Now, I'm lucky to get 30 mins.

I tag:
Jennie at Far Beyond Pearls,
Brenda at Life As We Know It,
Michelle at Familia Hinckley,
'Neen at All This and Heaven,
and
Kristin at A Catholic Riddle.

Thanks for getting me back here, Colleen!