The Annual Book Bag

Two years in a row qualifies as annual right? Last year, when Sara was going into 3rd grade, I made her a book bag. This year she's going into 4th grade, and while she is typically enthusiastic about anything homemade, she looked at me a little funny when I made known my intentions to make her a new book bag. Of course this was on the last day of summer break - the day before school started. We talked a little about her reluctance...and after assuring her that she could choose all of the fabric and that it wouldn't look home made, we went to her favorite fabric shop - the one with the little dog and the fresh baked cookies at the counter. On the way I had a good talk with myself about letting her pick out all of the fabric, not pushing in anyway.

The Amy Butler fabrics were on Sale! but she wasn't interested in them. don't push, don't push..."Are you sure you don't like these?"... oh no, I'm pushing. I lingered over them as we walked away. To my surprise, she chose purple. First a plaid - it was very bright and I was really nervous about it, then a couple of dots, and a pinkish fabric for the inside. She was very excited - I have to admit I was not.

Then I went to work. This time I used a thick/heavy pellon interfacing rather than a quilt batting, so that it would keep it's shape. She also wanted a pocket - Made by Rae's pleated pocket tutorial popped into my mind. I've been dying to try that out - by the way, the tutorial was awesome and super easy. In the end, it turned out beautifully. This girl of mine has great taste and I should never have questioned it. Very 4th grade. Not sweet and babyish and yet not trendy teenage.Now that school has been in for a week or so, I'm settling into a new rhythm. I keep busy and get things done while the crazies are at school -and work :)- so that I can focus on them when they get home. It also helps to chase away the blues. The blues have come more often recently - my body has been doing some funky things on it's own and has decided to make a few changes for itself - pushing me into a stage of life that I feel I'm too young for and that I'm definately not ready for. As I embark out on this new "adventure" I am humbled and am trying to fine tune the whole spirit conquering the flesh thing. Nevertheless, this blog is my happy place and my place to feel good about my creativity, accomplishments and growth.

The First Day of School

Today was the day - the first day of school. The kids all woke up early, were dressed and ready on time and went to school with smiles on their faces. We'll see how long that lasts :)

Me...I'm catching up on reading my favorite blogs -I've been away for too long-, baking some cookies and am enjoying the quiet. I didn't plan anything for today, knowing that it would be filled with a mixture of emotions. In years past, I've always made big plans for the first day of school. Mostly cleaning and catching up on all of the things that have been neglected during the summer break. Then, inevitably, I end up chatting on the phone and playing on the computer trying to fill the guiet that I've been longing for.

So today, I'm giving myself a little time to adjust and to just be.

Waiting for the kids to come home.

and fill the house with laughter again.

Tomorrow? Tomorrow, I'll get to those projects - and maybe even share a few here - but today, I'll just be.

Time Flies

It's pretty bad when you are planting and harvesting on Farm Town and one of your friends asks you what's up with your blog. :)

The summer has just been drifting by and there is a sense of change in the air. A change in season. The boys went to visit my brother in TN...from Utah...on a plane...by themselves...with layovers. All firsts for them and me. They went to a Titans game, paddled the Harpeth River stayed up late, ate a bunch of fast food and apparently stopped by Hooters - they said the chicken wings were great. We missed them terribly but were happy for their adventure. It really gave them a chance to grow even closer as brothers.

Now, Nagymama is visiting and we're all packing more fun into the last week before school. School where even more changes are taking place. High School. Another first for our family. Another reminder of how quickly childhood passes and how important it is that cherish each moment together - OK, not every hormonal moment, but you know what I'm saying.

Sara and I also got to spend a lot of girl time together. It was strange in a way to have an only child, but it was nice to have the mother daughter time. We ate out a couple of times, went to the pool, watched the Hannah Montana movie at the dollar theater and made a few visits to the local thrift store.

So there it is in a nutshell. The past few weeks. The weather is getting cooler, the tomatoes are turning red and the kids are getting older.