Thursday, December 29, 2016

Genna's sewing/weaving/knitting and Brenden's woodworking projects

All the kids got some crafty kits for Christmas this year. Do you remember the little potholders you would weave on a loom with the stretchy bands? Well they were so cheap on Amazon as an add on item this winter, we ordered Genna one along with a knitting loom. I thought I would show you her progress on her projects. 
Genna started immediately making a little potholder Christmas morning. 

She finished it Tuesday I think? (I had very bad flu and everything is a blur- when I was finally able to get out of bed) 



brings back memories!

Now here is our Boogie Boy. He saw these cute little blue toolboxes with real tools in them at WalMart  (around $19) and then they had woodworking kits ($5 each)  near them. He got two kits for Christmas, a airplane and a birdhouse. They were right at his skill level. He actually read the directions (very easy pictures) and put them together with minimal help from me or his dad! There were a couple nails he couldn't drive in completely but he was close. 





SO DARN CUTE! That was Sunday afternoon.


Genna got her loom out and started following a youtube video on how to knit and started a scarf. She plans on entering it next summer in the county fair.




These little looms are really easy to use and this didn't take her long to get going.

Then yesterday during our recovery/illness we were discussing Little Flowers plans with Maureen and what we were going to do next virtue. We are delaying the meeting due to our family having the flu. But Genna and I got started on her projects. This was Maureen's idea for Generosity with St. Katherine Drexel. She thought the girls could make the new sew fleece blankets and tie them off. Then donate them to needy kids or families. 
 


Since today was our first day back to normal we hit Joann's and found a fleece remnant sale = SUPER CHEAP fabric. Genna, understanding generosity offered to make more than one blanket if I would buy her the fabric. So she matched up 5 remnants. She and Knox and I got one done in about 45 minutes this afternoon. (I helped with the rotary cutting- that thing is really sharp!)




It turned out really cute with the contrasting colors she picked out.  She is also going to enter on of these blankets in the county fair- she will have to pick her best one when they are all done and hold onto it till then. Knox also picked out some fabric as well as Brenden. They will all likely do a group project talk for a 4-h meeting on how to do these quilts and pillows.

We have been off now for 3 weeks, I really don't feel like starting up next week yet. Anyone else want to keep breaking?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas friends!
Isn't our church is so pretty at night! I love the stain glass windows.


Knox climbed up on the altars that morning and put up the poinsettias for us, the ones by the statues. The others are fake and have been up all of advent.


Brad worked all day and then again tonight for our parish doing traffic control.

\


Brad also worked Sunday morning...so opening gifts was a challenge, trying to be home between 911 calls. Seriously??? Can't people get along on Christmas morning and not have any DVs??? Ooh sorry, I digress...




I took the kids to see our local botanical gardens this week with my mom, (who's idea it was) to see the lights and hear Knox's piano teacher play music.







these lights flash to music






Zoe had a favorite tree with these long pointy icicle led tubes that changed colors. She just kept staring at them and pointing.



We were the last to leave..literally. We had parked so far away- the traffic was terrible when we got there. We were the only car left on the street. When we got there you couldn't move, and around 7:30 it was clearing out already. People were leaving and we could walk the paths quicker and see more. So I think our plan will be to go later next year.

We had the flu this week...it was horribly violent, but short lived, thank goodness!

Hope you continue to have a blessed Christmas season!

Friday, December 23, 2016

St. Margaret of Scotland and her Roman escorts


Remember  what Brenden asked me earlier this week about 'painting pegs dolls for them for Christmas?' A A few nights ago I get a talk from Knox who said Brenden really wanted the same Roman soldier saint pegs that he got for St. Nicholas' feast day. He kept saying he "needed to discuss Christmas presents with me." He said he wanted to paint St. Sebastian for Brenden and said 'oh just think how excited his little face will be!' He also insisted on staying up to help and told me not to worry about painting any for him or Genna to only focus on doing a set of soldier saints for Brenden.




  My goodness who can say no? When they love each other so much and want to fulfill each other's wishes. Anyway I remade all those soldiers. I also managed to make a lovely St. Margaret of Scotland.  Her hair was fun, she is a pretty saint, she is holding her scepter and a book. I have a few more requests that need to be done from the kids, I doubt they will get done in time. 

St. Lucy's feast day

The PREPS:


cinnamon dough- homemade ;) Betty Crocker's recipe.



They are so pretty!


No they are not cat buns, but it's good enough for us.



Baked perfectly! and the cream cheese frosting looks soo yummy!


Star Boys costume parts needed to be repaired. I did mention I used gold spray paint indoors right? Yea... I think it was pretty cold outside still.


I used our St. Patrick's day costume fro the parade and taped a star over it.


Redid a star hat and below spray painted some more on an old glitter start that wasn't looking so hot.



This is a spear from a Roman soldier costume.




They both look good!


We use our red table clothe for feasts of martyrs.

The FUN:




Can you see a star boy behind her?




She is serving others!







They then took some homemade cinnamon rolls to one of our elderly neighbors.


I think the best part about this whole deal is those starboy costumes...who doesn't love dressing up like that?


St. Lucy pray for us!