It's Thursday.....

and she received the package.
She was, shall we say, surprised?!?! I really, really want to post a photo, but I will ask her first. Yeah, I'm so nice like that, you know?!?

This too, shall pass....

Because Flylady is my friend.....

Happy Decade, indeed!

For some reason, blogger posted these photos in reverse order...please bear with me, I am unable to change it! I think it will all make sense anyway :~))
Make a wish! It was a lovely day. They were happy, and I only cried a little bit because they are growing up so fast.
Sarah had planned this cake a long time ago. Black and white to match the candles; the inside was yellow/chocolate marble; "Happy Decade" was her idea. She also helped make her cake this year.
Amy chose a mint ice cream/Suzy Q cake this year, and helped make it.
The "Mama-made" gifts this year were a Native American costume and a "brown bunny with a green dress." Your wish is my commmand, my dears...

I can't wait for Thursday

I am expecting a call from my darling sister on Thursday. She will be receiving her birthday package then, and I do believe I've out-done myself this year. Check back for an update.....

Frank has a friend

I think I could get into these darn tassels, even though they serve no apparent purpose. Amy asked "What are they for?" and I had to admit that essentially, these just look pretty--or, in this case, pretty weird!

Franken-tassel

I have been seeing tassels everywhere in the blog-o-sphere and really wanted to try my hand at making one. Recently I found a tutorial that answered some of the questions I had and I made this one----
Isn't he the cutest?
Total height, excluding ribbon hanger, approx. 10 inches. I will be making more of these for sure, because I like them and I absolutely will not pay the kind of $$ they want for them.

Our 'Wall of Fame"

I really don't like having all those art pictures on the frig, and wanted another way to display the kids' art. Last month, Family Fun magazine had this idea.
I collected frames and painted them all red, then hung them on the stairway wall without the backs or glass.
Inside each frame I nailed a (I don't know the proper term for these) pinchy-clip.
Kids can hang their art anytime, and change them out whenever they want. Very fun! I will keep adding frames until the wall is full. (Sorry for the poor quality photo. This camera does the same thing the old one did, sometimes having that shadow on the edges).

Happenings at our house lately.

I made this little apron from a towel and hot pad set. Added a cookie mix and a wooden spoon and viola! a birthday gift for a three year old.
This is what happens almost every movie night.
Our Halloween tree. I cut a dead tree fromthe woods and spray painted it black then added lights and "tot toys" from Sonic. The ghost garland is cut from interfacing. Way cute!
Amy is getting pretty talented with the etch-a-sketch. Takes after her Uncle Joe.
The kids have built this fort in the woods after watching an episode of Curious George. I am impressed.

We have a winner!!

Stephanie guessed what this sign would remind a southwest Iowejun of. It looks like the old "Places" signs did! Remember?? BTW for you who don't know about Place's, it was a dime store. I LOVED to go there as a kid, and did, often. I can remember the smell even. Soft mints will be on their way to Steph on Monday!

Therapy, or maybe a new job

Some call me a knitting fruit, and now I've knitted fruit.I am hoping to sell some sets. (That's where the job part comes in).

So, how do you like them apples?

Feast of the Arch Angels

We made devil's food cake and then we stabbed that devil with a fork!
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

New belts for all!

The kids all tested this past Saturday and received new belts in TKD. A and S are now green belst, and T and M are now orange. They all BROKE BOARDS!!!!! Yeah, so I'll just try not to get them mad at me anymore.....

Randomness

A contest for the Iowejuns: What store does this sign remind you of? First correct answer gets a prize-really, I'll send you some NC soft mints-they are yummilicious.
For Ann J, a tobacco machine. Not quite like the one I told you about.
The kids and I call this "bare naked tobaccy," and it makes us laugh. Click on the picture to see it up close.

T Bird's birthday

His "Mama made" gift, a new robe, with his initials on the pockets. (Not my finest hour, sewing-wise).
The stomp rocket was, by far, the big hit. They played with it over and over and over....
He sure was a happy eight year old! BTW, he chose rice krispie treats instead of a cake, so we made a tower of them with candles.