last hurrah

The kids go back to school tomorrow. I say that with my sad face on. I love having them at home with me and if I had the heart of a teacher I would home school but I know that they will get a better education from public school them from me. So over the past week I have sqezzed in as much fum as possible. Swimming at the pool, Picnics in the park, Sleep over with friends and bowling.

I'll be honest taking my 5 kids plus my 10 year old brother in law bowling was quite a job. I was pooped when it was all said and done. However the kids all loved it. We bumper bowled and the littlest kids used a ramp to push the ball down the lane. I don't know why I don't do things like this more often with them. Yes, it's TONS of work to do anything with 5 kids but it's worth making memories with my kids.

xxoo

I'M IN LOVE!

I'm sorry. Three post in one day is overkill but I'm in love. They are so cute how can you not love them? Every day I look forward to watching them grow, learn, play, become friends and some times foes. I look at them and see blessings and answered prayers and promises that are yet to be fulfilled. I often ask my self why? Why me? Why am I deserving of their love? But why are any of us deserving of love?

CHRIST!

Because of him I get to love them and they get to love me and we are all loved, always!

xxoo

forever 27

Mr. Tripp throw me a birthday bonfire for my forever 27 a.k.a. 30th birthday. Thank you to all my friends and family who stopped by. If you missed it sorry. We had a great time. Hot dogs, smores, and CAKE!

Mr. Tripp put 40 candles on the cake for me. Funny! He got me my favorite, chocolate with butter cream frosting. The best.

it took both of us to light ALL the candles, Making a wish, Penny, cake and coca-cola three of my favs.

a watermelon thief, Mr. Ben, more melon, Mr Tripp showing off.

Oh yeah the fire.

xxoo

It's hard to say good bye

Well it's that time of year again. Back to School. I'm really quite sad about the whole thing. I love having my babies at home with me, sleeping in, going to zoo or the park any time we want and just enjoying all that summer has to offer. But all good things must come to an end. So as I buy the children new school cloths old ones must go. And it's never easy to say good buy to a favorite t-shirt. All of my boys have a t-shirt or two that they havn't been able to say good bye to. So we up-cycled our

t-shirt into bags. It works on all size shirts and is a good compromise when it's just to hard to say good bye.

Matt in is How to train your Dragon shirt. His favorite shirt all stained and faded. You can see on his face that he is less than thrilled with what is to come.

cut off the sleeves and collar. The collar hole will be the top of your bag so it's OK to cut a little extra off.

turn the shirt in-side-out and stitch to bottom closed.

And finished. Its just that simple. Now Matt's favorite shirt is his favorite bag.

xxoo

Making Monsters

My Two monsters and YES I made them both. But I'm only going to show you how to make one of them.

I started with a monster picture Matt drew.

Them I made a pattern on card stock.

I cut 2 body pieces out of fleece, the eye's and teeth I cut out of felt.

I used embroidery thread to sew the eyes, teeth and mouth on.

Next I Placed the two body piece right sides together and stitch them closed, Leaving a opening to turn out and stuff. / turn out

fill with fluff and whip stitch close. / from concept to creation.

Matt loves his monster creation. It is extra special to him because he made it. I am working on monsters for the rest of the kids but I don't think any of them will love the dolls like Matt loves his. Matt told me it was the best monster ever. I told him It takes one to know one.

xxoo