My niece is here this week. You might think that this would only add to the chaos, but Emma is an awesome girl. Of course - she's not mine, and so most likely is on her best behavior - but she is very mature for her age, helpful, prompt, and a pleasure to have around this week. This winter over New Years' I taught her to crochet, and this week she's learning to cross stitch. I'm wondering though, if girls of 9 or 10 ever finish a project they start? Evie now has begun 4 cross stitch projects and finished none, and Emma is making the longest scarf I've ever seen. Apparently she'd started one before but felt it was too short. Evie just keeps making chains & turning them into bookmarks, because she doesn't seem to be interested in learning the next step :) I'm really enjoying getting to know Emma better, as when we all get together for the holidays or a beach vacation, you don't get that one on one time with any of the kids, they're always together, giggling about something or whispering about something else. The girls, that is, I don't think I've ever seen my nephew giggle. Anywho.
Yesterday we went to a birthday party for Sarah's friend at the lake at Cacapon State Park in WV. It's BEAUTIFUL there, and we had a perfect - albeit a little breezy - cloud-free day. Jason would have preferred to stay home with William (tummy ache) and play Lego Batman all day, but I dragged him along anyway...
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| Jason and the biggest sand shovel ever. Maybe. |
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| Jonathan and Sarah playing with the most popular toys at the lake, our shark and crocodile. |
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| Emma and Evie taking a pause from looking for fish |
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| The crocodile has been around since Evie had to have it from the 5&10 store at the beach when she was 3. Croccy has been a hit ever since with any kid who can get there hands on it. Best $1.69 I ever spent. |
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| Emma, Evie, and Katie | |
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| Wish I knew what they were talking about :) |
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This is the first summer I haven't had a napping child in the house, and it's a doozy of an adjustment. That hour or more of quiet time really does a lot to get you through the rest of the day. We're not tied to the house anymore, but the end of the day comes - later and later, as Evie gets bigger, and especially this week with Emma here - and I'm wiped out and ready for bed myself. And Matt and I have a feeling this is just a preview of what's coming down the road. It's a bit rocky right now, as the little two still need so much assistance throughout the day, and it seems most of the time William is unable to do what he's supposed to do without one of us standing on top of him, and Jason is becoming more and more stubborn, trying to exert his own will. Thankfully Evie is mostly cooperative and self-sufficient - if only she'd stop shedding bits of stuff in every room she passes through. There isn't a basket big enough to collect all the things she needs to put away...
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And finally - last night William asked if I could teach him to cross stitch. Evie and Emma had found pictures online they wanted to make and I used
this website to convert them into patterns. William's very intrigued by the symbols and colors on the chart, and would like to make - what else? - a lamb. Matt couldn't be more thrilled ;) I'll let you know how that goes....
Cross Stitch was the first craft that I taught myself as a kid. I loved it! Haven't done one in years since I started hand quilting.
ReplyDeleteI can see how William would be interested in it. It's very methodical.
Oh yes...what DO pre-teen girls talk about?
UGH- no naps? I struggle to make it to 1 every day for Ian's - isn't that awful? I love those 2-3 hours cause the 2 olders make up their own fun and I get a little bit of time to myself.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see William's lamb - tell Matt to shush!
~Becca
Those are great pictures! Looks like y'all had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI belonged to a workplace cross stitch club when I was in my early twenties and loved it! But I haven't done it in years. I always look at the patterns when I go to Michaels though.
Sierra has been begging me to teach her to crochet, but I've always hesitated. She gets frustrated easily sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAh naps. Kam has been nap-free since before she turned 2 :( But it was either have her nap and then stay up until 10 or 11 pm, or just skip the nap and put her to bed early. I'd rather have that time at night ;)
I remember the summer my youngest gave up his nap. I was devastated but I instituted rest hour like at camp and the boys would a lll have some down time in their room reading or playing on their DS's. To this day they still ask for it when we're at the cottage. Happy Fourth!
ReplyDeleteI remember the summer my youngest gave up his nap. I was devastated but I instituted rest hour like at camp and the boys would a lll have some down time in their room reading or playing on their DS's. To this day they still ask for it when we're at the cottage. Happy Fourth!
ReplyDeletenap? what's a nap????
ReplyDeleteMake sure William packs his cross stitching when you visit ...
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