Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts

Monday, May 19, 2014

Updates! {May 2014}

I think these two are the most alike looking of all my kids.
WOW! I know I'm always saying I'm busy, but this last week has really been something. I had 4 sick kids for part of the week. Nothing major luckily, Owen ran a fever for two days, but Owen is well known for spiking high fevers for no apparent reason. Duncan also had a little bit of a fever and the 4 younger kids all had cold type symptoms. The two little ones still have drippy noses, but I think we're on the mend.
Connor had 3 drives last week in addition to his two driver's ed classes. so we had to take him back and forth all week instead of just two days like usual. His next drive is actually just at the end of class, so I won't have to make extra trips.
With the weather finally drying out, we've been busy getting the garden up and running. I've had my raised beds planted for a while, but the main garden areas were too wet to till until now. We've also been fencing in the rest of the pasture. With the alpacas joining the goats, we need a little more space.
Brenna NOT cooperating for pictures
Last week was the 4th annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge. I did actually finish the challenge, I just didn't manage to blog about it the last two days. I had a much easier time of it this year, which I attribute to only having one child in diapers and having nice enough weather to hang the diapers outside to dry. I'm still not planning to wash diapers by hand unless it is absolutely necessary, but I am planning on using flat diapers more often. Brenna has very sensitive skin and we have very hard water. I've had a horrible time finding a washing routine that keeps her from getting rashes ( she breaks out from disposables too, so that's not really a better option). The rash she had going into this week has cleared up entirely. Since I really don't want to hand wash all the time, I'm trying to use flats more to see if they just get cleaner easier since they are only one layer. I'm hoping to get the benefits of the last week while still enjoying my washing machine. I already hang dry my diapers whenever the weather cooperates, so that won't be a change.
Last night I got to attend the Helping Parents Night Out put on by Parent to Parent. Back before Owen's seizures stated up again( he had a few just after birth, then didn't have any for over two years) I attended the training to be a Helping Parent. Helping Parents are parents of special needs kids who agree to be a resource person for other parents with children who have similar diagnosis or needs. I haven't been able to make the Night Out event before due to Brenna's birth and Owen's medical issues, but this year I really needed a break, so I decided Brenna could go to bed without nursing for one night. It was just exactly what I needed! I got a mini massage and paraffin hand and foot treatments. I got to make a beaded bracelet and most importantly, I got to talk to other parents of children with special needs. Everyone brought appetizers and beverages and we nibbled and chatted all night (well until 10:30). Then I got to bring home a bag of goodies! It was so much fun, I think I'm putting this event at the top of my priority list for next year.




Saturday, April 26, 2014

Ceramics!

Today I took Duncan and Morgan to Pace Atelier art studio for a Sibshop with Parent to Parent. Parent to parent is a support group for parents of children with special needs. They hold monthly support group meeting as well as several special events throughout the year. This organization has been of great benefit to our family in many ways, but one of the best parts is the Sibshops. These are special activities especially for siblings of special needs kids.
Having a sibling with special needs can be extremely difficult. In our case, the kids have had to deal with Mom and/or Dad being gone for extended periods of time during Owen's hospital stays, ambulances showing up at the house at all hours of the night, and having the entire household run around Owen's feeding and medication schedule.
One of the biggest effects Owen's health has had on our family is that the younger kids have not had the opportunity to do many of the activities that the older kids were able to do. We simply don't have as much time available for outside activities as we used to have. Plus it takes so much effort to  be gone from the house with Owen that we just haven't done as much.

The kids had a great time at the art studio today though. They got to draw for a while, then they spent most of their time experimenting with clay. They got to use a potter's wheel, which Duncan especially enjoyed. Morgan also made a cat out of clay using an internal armature, which she has never done before. Then they got to glaze their creations. I can't wait to see the finished results once they come out of the kiln.
Thanks to Parent to Parent they had a nice, relaxing day to just do something fun. No stress, no worries, and they got to be the center of attention!
I think Morgan's face is a great example of just how much fun they had. You can't possibly get that messy without having a great time can you?



Saturday, April 12, 2014

Baby Shower!

We had the baby shower for my Stepdaughter Kristi and her wonderful husband Simon today! Baby Carlitos is due in just about two months and Kristi is excited to have everything ready for his arrival. Devon made the cake, of course! Kristi and Simon have chosen a safari theme for baby's room. They've already gotten a lot of monkey stuff, so Devon and I and Grandma Carolyn went with elephants for the shower.
Yes, we actually cut the cake. We did save the little elephant on top though.
I've shown some parts of the quilt on the blog before, but I finished it just in time for the shower, so today you get to see the finished product! This is what I was sewing this week in addition to the hour of Kids Clothes Sewing I've been working on.
I also made the diaper cake with a little "help" from Brenna. Brenna was pretty disappointed that the cake was for "Baby Litos" and not for her.
The Blueberry Pomegranate punch turned out pink not blue, but it was still good.
My little nephew couldn't wait for the Bumbo seat to be unwrapped! he just decided to test it out anyway.
My sister Tammy couldn't make the shower since she had to work this weekend, but she sent this little giraffe bank that she painted herself. It even came with starter funds!
Devon won the baby food guessing game, but I think the little kids had the most fun with it.
Devon and Kristi
Grandma Carolyn, Kristi, Me, and Morgan
Mama and Papa
Baby Kevin Carlos
Now we just need to wait a little longer until we get to meet the little guy! I'm not sure who's the most excited!