Sewing... Sewing.... Sewn!

For those who haven't heard I dropped my sewing machine last week.
And by dropped I mean I was getting it down from our 7 foot high shelf.
Yeah, kinda makes you feel ill doesn't it?!?
So Eric got the cover back on and banged out (or maybe in) the bent out parts.
I didn't hold out much hope for it work, but amazingly it did....or at least for 1/4 of a yard.
Thanks to my wonderful Mom (Grandma) who lent me her sewing machine I finally finished this apron for Grace, who just turned 9 on Wednesday.
This was my first experience with bias and I LOVED it!
I think I could have done a better job, but Grace seemed to like it despite it's imperfections.
Thank the Lord for kids who don't notice things like an adult would. :-)

Tuesday Picnic at Grandma's

Over the river and through the woods to
Grandma's House we went...

Down the driveway and next door,
Grandma and the kids introduced me to some of their friends...

WE all love going to visit Grandma!
Grandma had mini corn dogs for the kids and chicken salad salads (chicken salad over greens with cheese and bacon bits) for us.
It was so good I can't wait to make it this week! I've been craving it since we were there!

Corynn...

I almost forgot about littlest friend so far away..... I saw this and thought of you!

I'd like you to meet.....

Grandma, mother, person extraordinaire!

Marlene

Yeah for Mother's Day!

So here's why I'm so far behind on the blog.
I had the idea to make these tissue paper flowers and hand them out at one of the local nursing homes for Mother's Day.
This was our first visit to a nursing home and the kids did GREAT!
We had a rough start trying to leave, with Luke having to be disciplined, but once we got to the nursing home, he changed his attitude.
Kayla smiled and was just as cute as ever.
I was so proud of Luke and his sweet manner. "Happy Mother's Day" he told everyone as he handed out flowers.
We went with two other moms:
Lisa Olivetti with Charlie & Isabel
Anna Larson with Lilly, Mariah & Paul

We were quite the scene with flowers and kids!

Miss Kathryn came over (THANK GOODNESS) to help me assemble 50 of these little delights for all the moms of two local RP churches.
We filled them with a small bag of Hershey Hugs.
A little treat for all the moms from our Mom's Group.

I'm so thankful to be done with these two projects and I'm sure I'll move on to another project before long. :-)

Kayla and Luke

I had to post some of these moments from the week.

Kayla made dinner for us!
It was super easy. I used one of those Betty Crocker Meals (add water, butter, mix and bake).
She was so proud of herself. I opened up all the packages and measure the water. She poured and stirred. I ended up putting it in the oven (she's not quite ready for that yet).

I decided to get one of these box meals for her to cook every other week. They are perfect for a two year old!

This is my favorite song from Luke's program last week.

The Best Park in Town

After I picked up Luke from preschool on Tuesday, it was so beautiful I was determined to take the kids to the park. The more I thought about it the more I dreaded taking Krista (who puts everything in her mouth while army-crawling).
Then I remembered the best park in town! We picked up Walmart Deli food and headed to
GRANDMA'S!

Early Mother's Day

Friday Grandma and I took off (while Eric & Grandpa were on kid duty)! :-)
We took our first trip to Fort Wayne for the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale.
Boy was that an ADVENTURE! The first hour and a half we just wandered around in utter amazement/stupidity. We heard stories and thought we were prepared! HA!
I ended up getting my hand smacked once! Women + bargains = CRAZINESS!
On a more positive note, there was one woman there who gave up her bag so that I could have the print I wanted.
We had so much fun!
We went up on Friday morning, stayed in a hotel that night and spent Saturday shopping at one of local malls. We ate all our meals out (SO nice to be waited on). It was a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, (but with enough organization to suit these engineer's wives). :-)
We tossed up the idea of taking or leaving Krista for a couple of weeks and finally decided to take her. I can't believe I actually thought about leaving her. SHE WAS SO MUCH FUN!
Grandma and I really enjoyed her. I found JOY in being with my youngest. It was precious time that I haven't had since she was born.

Not only did I count my time precious with Krista, but with Mom as well. It was a much needed girl's get-a-way. We had such a good time we're going to make it an annual event. There is nothing like the relationship I have with my husband's mother. I look forward to honoring her this Mother's Day and can hardly wait to give her her gifts!

Lunch and a Show (May 1st)

Luke, the girls and I have been reading together for Luke's BookIt program for preschool. We read enough books for him to earn a free pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
So we made it a special event just for him.... A lunch date with Mom & Dad.



That evening was Luke's Spring Program, and what a good job he did.
I was so very proud of him.

What a HAM!



I love this picture of the three of us!
I'm so glad we made the day all about Luke.
I decided there needs to be more days like this for all the kids.