Chess Club

My husband is teaching my son how to play chess. My son is eight and has really picked up on the "strategy" part of the game. Doesn't really surprise me though. Kyle has always been a deep thinker. He did not acquire the ability to speak until well after his 1 1/2 year old birthday. He didn't need to... he was always able to work everyone in the room to get what he wanted, without ever saying a word. We got so freaked by this that we started teaching him sign language. Like everything else, the words eventually came. Now we can't shut him up!

Kyle is a very smart kid - very fast with a comeback and clever in his thoughts. Chess is the perfect game for him. It requires him to slow down and take the time to think things through. And, I love the time the two of them spend together.

I, on the other hand am not a chess player. Nothing about the game fascinates me... I can always think of four-thousand other things that I would rather do than learn to play chess. I know it would do me good to slow down and think things through, though. (wow, that was a lot of "th's")
Naw, who am I kidding - no chess for me! I'll just sit back and watch.

Oh, that is not an evil demon lurking in the shadows behind the chess action - it's just one of our dogs having a look-see.

What happened to November, or October for that matter?!

Boy, time flies! Never really believed it as a kid, but whew baby! Time is booking out of the room as fast as a blink! I don't think I actually remember any of November. The entire month, just gone! And no, I was not on some psycho, drug induced trip that took me away. Life just happens, and chores get done. Kids are fed and the house gets dusted (occasionally). Emotionally it was just a bad month. My oldest son had been in the hospital for the entire month of October - another month that just disappeared. We spent November regrouping. Now there are a few changes around this house...

I am homeschooling my youngest! There, I've said it! I am not a weirdo... don't do the "my child will learn when he wants to" thing. We have structure and a relaxed routine - I've taken him off his ADHD medication so things get a bit wild at times. But, I really do enjoy it. And, he is really happy. He loves his mommy time. That said, it is a ton of work!! I'm really putting the pressure on myself to make this all successful. So, I am stressed! But, I think we will get the hang of it eventually. Like all things in life - just takes a little getting used it.

My oldest son is home from the hospital and doing well. Got his g-tube thingy switched out to a different type of tube and miracle of miracle - his g-tube site looks so much better! Still messing around with the feeding pump - but it's working and he seems happy - so I can't complain!

The girls are constantly locked in their rooms texting and instagramming and tumblering (could that be a new word?) and tweeting. Technology is a bit frightening when you're a parent! But, it also opens our kids up to worlds we never even knew existed. That can be good or bad... just makes parenting a lot more difficult these days. Listen to me, I sound like an old lady... "Those damn kids!"

Not much time to "handcraft" these days... but, I'll get there! Making a boatload of cookies for Christmas right now. I'll let you know how they come out!

I just hope that I don't lose December!

Summertime!
Oh, the great expanse of time called Summer! The kids are all home from school and I've been trying to keep everyone busy - and not pull my hair out! We've been painting walls and bits of furniture - and making woven potholders - Ahh the joys of childhood!

We just got home from a lovely vacation in Hilton Head - and after a bit of relaxation in the sun I'm trying to catch up on a few outstanding projects...

I'm just finishing up a T-shirt quilt for my niece. She's heading off to college in a few weeks and I need to get this completed and shipped! I just need to piece the backing, sandwich it all together and add a few ribbons and buttons - then this puppy is complete!

Aladdin Costumes!

I've been very busy of the last six months creating costumes for Bridgewater Middle School's production of Aladdin! I am official OCPS vendor now! I had the honor to design and create (sew, sew, sew)  all of the costumes for the principal cast as well as a couple of ensemble groups. Take a peek at the photos...

Narrators...

 Aladdin and Jasmine...

Sultan and Guards...

Sultan and Mrs. Sultan with Jasmine...

Genie, Aladdin and Jasmine...

Guards...

Genie Dancers...

Principals..

It was a great experience and I felt like a proud mamma on show night. The kids all looked so great and seem to appreciate the effort I put into each costume. It was a nice feeling to see all of my hard work come together in such a well directed  and talented production!

Aladdin

The cast has been chosen. The designs are complete. Let the costume creation begin!

I will be creating all of the costumes for the principal characters in Bridgewater Middle School's production of Aladdin. And yes, I am actually getting paid for it!! Amazing, huh? It's a total of about 35 complete costumes - lots of harem pants and turban headpieces. I will be taking lots and lots of measurements next week. Then, it's sew, sew, sew! Congratulations to the cast- and I can't wait to get started!

I'm a busy girl!

Just sent off two aprons to my husband's Army buddy who is pitching a new cooking show to the Food Network. The show is called, "Guy's Cook Too." Scott will be wearing my aprons during the filming of his second dvd - so be on the lookout for a fabulous new program with a bit of Kaploozy style to it.

The first apron is a mixed bag of plaids coupled with some embroidered doggies... very masculine, but still fun. And, of course, it's reversible!

The second apron is an argyle-stripe concoction with a denim accent. Cute, cute, cute - in a guy kind of way!

Loveseat Recover!

I have an adorable little loveseat in my bedroom that had a few issues. First and foremost, it was stained with an assortment of pet yuck, spilled milk and God-only-knows. In an effort to be thrifty, I chose to make a slip cover for said seat. I came across and adorable black checked fabric remnant at Old Time Pottery - the color scheme just naturally followed. I used up some of my fabric stash to "crazy quilt" the seat cushions and created the ruffle around the base. Finished off with giant black buttons on the arm fronts... and voila! It's a lovely new addition to the decor!