Another First!

We had another “first” last night.  You know the first time they say mama, the first tooth, that first step and the first head laceration!

Yep, we thought he would never make it to the age of 3 before we ended up in the emergency room. But he turned 5 last week and had his first set of stitches last night, all four of them.

It started off as a great night. I got home early prepared dinner, cleaned up and packed lunches. Hannah had a friend over and they were all getting along. I sat down at the table to work on a few craft projects that I can’t wait to share with you

And then it happened! First I heard the crash followed by two hysterical tween girls. Then there he was standing in the kitchen with a look of shock and a few tears holding his head. I thought no big deal until he removed his hand. That’s when the words hit me “facial wounds bleed a lot”! I screamed for Ryan, a scream that meant get in here now, rather than a “what ya need”. He held the towel to his head as I grabbed shoes and sent Hannah over to her friend’s house.

We jumped in the car and headed to the minor emergency room. Arriving just 15 minutes before they closed we had no wait and got right in. All Gabe wanted to do was to look at it. So I just happened to have my camera with me and he gladly posed.

This is him eyeballing the sucher kit the doctor was preparing. He was such a big boy. The doctor explained that the shot he was going to give was going to hurt. Ryan, the nurse, and I held him still as his bottom lip quivered and sweat beads gathered on his nose. But, he never cried! He just wanted to know when it was going to be over.

After stopping by Braum’s for an Orange Sherbet ice cream cone we arrived back home. He could not wait to show Hannah. I never would have thought he would be HAPPY about his stitches.

This morning his sister got up early and made him breakfast in bed and was doing whatever he asked. I’m thinking he thinks this isn’t such a bad idea. My guess is it won't be the last time he meets a doctor with a needle and thread.

Trash to Treasure!

This weekend between soccer games and playing Zingo with the family, I decided that it was time I started working on my Christmas gifts I plan to make. That way if I really messed up I still would have time to get to the mall.

 I knew this year I really wanted to take my time to create something nice to give and came across a "how to" on freezer paper stencils. Finding some clip art that I really liked. Blew it up to about 200% and got to work.

I chose a crown and added Merry Christmas in French underneath.

Let me just tell you how fabulous this freezer paper can be. My glitter will be on the shelf for sometime as I am sure that I will be busy with my freezer paper {smile}. Simply trace your design onto the freezer paper {wax side down} cut out with an exacto knife and iron to your fabric {wax side down} with a dry iron on wool setting. Follow up with the paint of your choice and allow to try before removing the paper. I speed this process up by using my hairdryer.

This drape that I purchased at my Goodwill{.99 cents!} I knew would be perfect fabric. It had been a custom drape and was weighted in the bottom, a very nice linen blend. Tossed it in the washer on hot not caring about shrinking. It was perfect for my project.

Then I found this ole soft deep red corduroy shower curtain in our attic that used to hang in the kids bathroom. I was about to toss the ole thing when it dawned on me it was perfect for my pillows. I worked in another fabric raiment that I had. And a 14 x 18 down feather pillow form.

Using no pattern, just eyeballing it, I thought it turned out pretty good.

Stop by A Soft Place to Land - Today's Creative Blog and We are That Family to see more fabulous things!

Teaching Gratitude

I really want the family to focus on Thanksgiving this year and not rush into Christmas. I have seen so many great ideas out there about a giving tree. However, I lacked the time to get one created before November is over.

So, why at Walmart the other day I found this box of 72 colored pencils for $3.00. Remembered that I had a roll of brown craft paper and a cute jar.

I was just going to tape it on our door but I wrapped a sheet of foam core{using a stapler} and sketched out a gratitude tree.
I plan on adding scripture that relates to gratitude, blessings and thanksgiving. Each day we will all write what we were thankful for that day. Today Gabe decided to put Fruity Pebbles! He was aloud to pick out his birthday box of cereal yesterday and devoured it for breakfast today. It's a start{smile}.

I am a copy cat!

Have you seen these in the new Pottery Barn catalog?

Well my daughter has and loves them. So I have been looking, at all my local craft stores , for wood cut outs of a peace sign. No luck...so I had some foam board that we used for a recent project and it got me to thinking...

I printed out a couple of different sizes of peace signs. Using my pumpkin poker I poked the design into the foam board.

I then used a box knife to cut out the peace sign. Used a bit of sandpaper to smooth the edges. Spray painted both sides with silver spray paint. After that dried I sprayed on some adhesive and sprinkled my super fine silver glitter.

And walla!

Not perfect yet but after a few more I bet they will do.

Perfect for Hannah and her Christmas ornament exchange parties this year!

Hope over to Today's Creative Blog  and A Soft Place to Land for more great ideas!

I Hate Screaming!

First, for the record this is NOT a picture of me or anyone that I know. But I sure can relate to her, can't you?
Our mornings had become so crazy. Hannah in tears , Gabe wanting to watch the end of Sid the Science Kid rather than getting dressed. Mommy yelling that we need to get in the car NOW! I don't care if you haven't brushed your teeth or you don't have shoes on. We need to go now! The joy of a school transfer and our responsibility to get her to school on time.

So I created a new rule that we started Monday. First, you will be out of bed no later than 45 minutes before we leave. There will be NO T.V. until you have eaten breakfast, gotten dressed and have your bags ready to walk out the door.

The first two days have been a success. And I think everyone is happier not hearing mommy yell. Now I am going to introduce this into the mix. I purchased a copy of the Day by Day Bible at Mardel's last night. I plan on ready our 7 minutes together why the kids eat breakfast. I am sure they will balk at first. And I am realistic that it will be more like 14 months for us to complete. But I think reading the Bible in a year is far more enticing than hearing mom yell, LET'S GO!

Gaines Art Gallery

This is the small little hall that leads to my kiddos bedrooms that we turned into our art gallery.

I am sure all you mom's know the excess of art work that your kiddos can bring home. I hate to just toss it so I came up with this idea. The art gallery displays artwork from the 1st of one month till the next.

This was taken at the end of October before I removed the art work. Not only does it stay seasonal but allows me time to decide just what I want to keep and what needs to be tossed. Not to mention the proud felling that they get when guest complement their art.

I used this Bygel Rail {$1.99 each} from Ikea.

And these Dignitet curtain ring clips {$4.99 a bag} also from Ikea.

I know that the rails come in multiple lengths and I think they would look great in any playroom.

Got a Hunter in the Fam?

I had asked my dad ,and avid hunter, last year to cut and save me a few pheasant feathers.

And that he did! So, they have sat in a plastic bag all year while I pondered on just what to do with them.This weekend I came up with this...

It's the first round and I am sure I will have to change it up a bit. I wanted to keep them all together to make the biggest impact.

I added a tiny pumpkin, propped up by a crushed mini Milk Dud box that I had just inhaled. And added this cute little glass dome that I found at Goodwill for $.45 cents. It was just perfect for my egg cup with a mini dried pumpkin.Ryan made it back all smiles from N.Y.C. catching the first two games at Yankee stadium. I know that he would love to fly back this week for the ticker tape parade down Fifth Ave. But, we will have a nice seat right at home to watch it all.