bruises and snoozes!

So in my efforts to make Christmas vacation memorable the boys and I made a list of things we wanted to do and then sat down to downsize the list and figure out who, what, when and where etc. Here is the list:
*swimming *bowling *skating *sledding *playing Nintendo 64 *playing Hullabaloo *visiting cousins
I called Stephen to see what his recommendations were (he was working). He said "pick one we have to pay for and one that we don't and we'll see if we can't accomplish that this week, we just can't fit it all in". True enough! So we did secret ballot by writing for those that can and drawing for those that can't read. Much to my disappointment bowling won and skating got ousted! (I love to skate) We made plans with friends of our that we haven't seen in 8 years to go together bowling today. This morning they called and their kids were throwing up so we had to reschedule for later in the week. I turned to Stephen and said "so since we aren't going bowling today shall we skate?" I'm so sly!

The boys had fun, complained at first cause they could not stay up for anything....by the end they were starting to get the hang of it. They kept saying "I want to skate like you (with tears in their eyes)" to which I replied "honey, I've been skating since I was three, I had a skating rink in my backyard! That's like me wanting to play the violin as well as Daddy right away and he's been playing since he was three! It takes lots of work and patience!"
I'm interested to see how many bruises I'll find on them at bath time tomorrow, but with all the excitement and falling, there will be a lot of snoozing tonight!

**PHEW!!**

I've been busy trying to get some new covers and skirts posted to my Etsy shop. It feels so good to have them listed and not sitting here calling my name! Now I can move onto other sewing projects like Christmas pajamas that didn't get done in time, Hawaiian quilts for the boys beds, and many new aprons for my shop. Also I need to get the pattern finished and tweaked and ready for printing. With a to do list like this think I'll be busy until next year 2010! Happy New Year to all....wish I could boast of exciting New Years plans but sadly I have to work, so I'll be ringing in the New Year over the phone with my Jetblue customers. Stephen will also be working so at least I'll get a New Years kiss when he gets home right before midnight strikes! Hope 2009 is a successful, memorable and fulfilling year for you all. Cheers,
Kara

it's treasury time!!

Ellen of ellenmorrowarts on Etsy included me in a stunning treasury called pure...clear...COLOR! thanks Ellen!

The green goblin!

I just have to post this hilarious picture of my little Simon in his green goblin garb! Stephen says he looks like a little pro-wrestler. He has gone through quite a growth spurt and we have very few pairs of pants for him that actually fit, as they were all in the wash either drying or washing I put on these little leg warmers to keep him somewhat toasty in the middle of winter. This little guy just cracks me up, I can't get enough of him (except when he turns off the computer when I'm in the middle of an email/post ARGGG!) still I'll take him in whatever form I can get, he is such a treasure!

Fa La La La La.....little Cindy Lou Who!

Sorry for the marathon posts...can you tell we finally got a new computer after 2 months without one (I was dying!)
My neighbor, and might I add one of the most fabulous people on the planet showed up at my door with this wreath for me! She is one of those people that you just want to be around all the time cause she makes you feel so good about yourself and makes you want to be a little better a the same time. She just ooooozes love, you know the kind of person I'm talking about?? They are a rare comodity and such a treasure. This wreath is quirky and fun and reminds me so much of Little Cindy Lou Who, don't you think? I love it. My neighbor said that she wasn't sure if it would endure the cold with the glue and the glass and expansion and such, but I told her I would have to take my chances cause it's just too gorgeous to keep all to myself.

Ms. Montgomery's curtains!

So my children go to a charter school...since I work during the mornings until 12:45 and then my husband leaves for his work at 1:30 there is little time to volunteer at the boys' school. I often seek for opportunities to volunteer while doing things from home (sewing costumes for the play, making bean bags for math centers, typing things for the class website etc.) This year Gabriel's teacher asked me to sew her some curtains to cover the closets where she keeps the school supplies. Her walls are a fun cranberry red and so I went with something that would stand out and be a little fun. She thought they were a hoot, and Gabriel was so proud that his mother could actually sew as his friends commented "I can't believe your Mom made that, my Mom can't sew at all!".

Boutique display!

After much obsessing and very little sleep here is the display that I did for my first boutique in mid December. It went fairly well considering we had a huge snow storm that weekend and I was positioned in a freezing garage next to the designer jeans! Call me crazy but those that are looking for 200$ designer jeans aren't usually thinking "cloth diapering, save the planet and my pocket book while your at it" type, plus during a snow storm not many are thinking "swim diaper covers for the hot weather!" I could be wrong though. It was fun and met some really great people but it is torture for a multi tasker such as myself to sit at a boutique for 16 hours just 2 weeks before Christmas. I couldn't stop thinking of all the things I needed to be doing and most were not portable things that I could do at the boutique as well. It was a great learning experience and I was pleased to be part of a very classy boutique.

Blessings for Christmas!

I feel so blessed that we were able to have such a great Christmas full of love, laughter and of course energy with 4 little boys. During a season of great difficulty for many, I find myself giving many thanks for our jobs and the security they provide, our health...my kids are very healthy...sometimes I find myself wishing for a moment of lethargy from one or two :) Nevertheless health is something that can be taken for granted and I'm finding over the past year a renewed need to give thanks for such a tremendous blessing.

My mother, though still fighting her stage 4 cancer is in such great spirits and is a continuous example to me of the power of positivity in the face of adversity. She is still with us and blesses our lives. During this season I am so greatful for loving, kind parents that raised a family with so much love. My sibblings rock and I think that is one of the greatest gift they have ever given me...cool brothers and sisters. The ONLY thing that would have made Christmas better this year is to have been able to spend it with family, but then again I guess that's another blessing to count is that we actually have lots of family members that we would WANT to spend time with, instead of the toxic and annoying type you hear so much of.

Here is my wish to you for a fabulous New Year filled with much happiness, and many opportunities to count blessings!