Seven {Not} Quick Takes

 

 

Yikes! I blinked and suddenly it had been weeks since I last posted on ye old blog. Things have been…a little busy. Linking up with Kelly from This Ain’t the Lyceum to try and catch things up in 7 Quick Takes.

 

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Veronica had been expressing some interest in learning to sew for a while, so one afternoon we took the opportunity to sew up some paper garlands for Valentine’s Day. It’s a great, easy project for an extreme beginner.

 

And there they are, in all their blurry glory!

 

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This year Veronica had the opportunity to volunteer with Paul and the Greyhounds of Fairhaven at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. She wore the dirndl from my mom and I made her a cap to go with it. It’s based on the traditional German goldhaube from this post, though I definitely messed up in a few places and it certainly isn’t as fancy as the original. But it works!

 

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I finally finished Jacinta’s quilt early last month! Getting good pictures and getting them uploaded took a while, but here it is.

 

It’s a disappearing nine patch, which I learned to do from this video tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Company. I’ve done three quilts using this method, and I love how they each come out so different. I will admit I am not much of an improviser, so I usually plan out my pattern in advance instead of using the “tossed” approached that Jenny does in the video. Planners gotta plan.

 

A while back I asked Jacinta what her favorite colors were and she told me pink, red, and purple. I opted to go for aqua instead of purple and I love the prints I was able to bring together.

 

Those mushrooms! Too adorable.

 

As much as I try to plan ahead, it seems like I always have to cobble together my leftover pieces to get enough fabric for the backing. It makes it a little fun, I guess. Since I finished this, I’ve made one crib size quilt top and cut most of the pieces for another twin size quilt, so look out for more to come.

 

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February also saw this little guy get baptized.  Sebastian is quite a bit older than any of the girls were when they were baptized, and we only just managed to squeeze him into the shirt I had picked out. You can’t see it in the photo below because his white garment covered his rolls.

 

Here he is – with Paul and me and his godparents – studiously avoiding looking at the camera in favor of his very interesting feet.

 

And then getting the most peaceful sleep of his life.

 

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For Mardi Gras, we had friends over for dinner and the kids all colored their own masks. But I neglected to get pictures until the day after.

 

This picture is not from Mardi Gras, but I feel it really captures that Fat Tuesday spirit. I just wish I had been able to snap the moment when she leaned over and licked the chocolate off of her tray.

 

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To keep life from getting too boring (ha!), we participated in our first peg doll swap with our homeschool group. Every family picked a different saint and ours was St. Patrick.

 

Paul and I painted twenty-five St. Patricks.

 

We couldn’t decide how to do the eyes at first so some of them have one kind of eyes and the rest have another. We like to spice things up a bit.

 

When they were done, I met up with the other moms at a restaurant and we swapped! At the bar! Here are some of the others. My favorite part of this picture is the collection of alcohol bottles in the background. We are Catholic, after all. I think St. Patrick would approve.

For more info about peg doll swaps, check out this post on Catholic Icing.

 

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Finally, at the beginning of March this guy turned six months old. And started eating food. He looks so thrilled! I’m not sure if it’s because of how much he is enjoying that Chicken with Chicken Gravy flavor, or the awesome pink bib he is wearing.

 

And just in case you think it is an isolated case. Older sisters, for the win!

Visit Kelly at This Ain’t the Lyceum for more 7 Quick Takes fun!

7 Quick Takes, Blog Revival Edition

What do you know, here I am blogging again, and it’s only been a couple of weeks since the last time.

Today I’m linking up with Kelly at This Ain’t the Lyceum for some 7 Quick Takes fun.

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The other night, Paul sent Ariadne to the kitchen so I could wipe her face. She came in saying “Please, I can’t live like this!”

 

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The girls have been into putting on plays this week. Today’s installment was St. George and the Dragon.

 

St. George. “Do I look a knight, Mom?”

 

The damsel. Not in much distress, apparently.

 

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January means this guy is 4 months old!

 

I thought it called for a mom-and-baby selfie.

 

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Being 4 months old, Sebastian graduated to sitting in this some of the time.

 

When you have four older sisters, you have to endure the pink faux-bumbo. Please note the awesome old man hair.

 

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The girls all really love their little brother, and are usually eager to help take care of him.

 

For example, here is Veronica teaching him Bible stories (how the pattern blocks fit into this, I’m not sure) while Jacinta attempts a swaddle. Or something.

 

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Moira has discovered a love of dressing up, just like her older sisters.

 

Much fairy. So fashion. Wow.

 

But sometimes tragedy strikes in the midst of fun, and the shoes just won’t stay on.

 

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Finally, because we all know how much I like pictures of sleeping children.

 

That about sums it up.

IIIIIIIIIIIt’s Friday!

The most disjointed Quick Takes ever.

 

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Have you always wanted lips like the girls on the magazine covers at the grocery store check-out counter? Well, have I got the solution for you. FATLIP by Jacinta™. Just one application of FATLIP by Jacinta™ will have your kisser more pouty than all the duck face pictures your cousin has spammed on her Facebook page. And no collagen needed! Ask me more about FATLIP by Jacinta™ today! (*Disclaimer: will wear off within 24 hours…we hope).

 

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I started a home workout routine a few weeks ago. I decided it was time to help speed along the postpartum weight loss, since Ariadne is now over two months old and I am still a little ways from fitting into my favorite jeans. Calling it a workout routine is probably a little overblown though, as it pretty much amounts to me trying not to step on, smack or otherwise maim my underfoot children. I think I’ve hit Jacinta in the head with a can at least three times (but that is not how she got the fat lip).

 

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I have cleaned up after more pee accidents this week than I care to think about. So many loads of pee-soaked laundry! I know it is my own fault, because I don’t always remember to make Veronica stop what she is doing and use the bathroom. But please tell me this won’t last forever, and that someday she will of her own volition seek out the facilities when she feels the call. Please?

 

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Please pray for a friend of mine whose father is in the midst of his last battle against cancer. It looks like he won’t be here much longer, and any prayers you can offer to help him in his last hours and also to bless his family would be appreciated.

 

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On a happier note, some other friends have started the journey to adopt a beautiful little boy from Hong Kong. Mike is one of my OBs, and was such a blessing during Ariadne’s delivery, so the least I can do is share an opportunity with you all to help him and his family bring their newest member home. If you feel called, check out Heidi’s blog for ways to help – there’s even a giveaway for an iPad, so hurry over!

 

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When these two get together there can be much screaming, but there can also be much love.

 

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I promised Veronica I would help her make an invisible map, so I’ll just have to leave you with this. Happy Friday!

This zebra is dope!

7 Quick Takes Picture Edition

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Friday Randomness

Missed last week, but jumping back in today (if a bit on the later side).

 

1. This is what happens when you use candy canes as Christmas tree ornaments.

2. Yes, our tree is still up, why do you ask?

 

3. We tried cornstarch finger paint yesterday. The girls had a lot of fun with it. Here is the recipe we used (though I did cut it in half). It was a little too goopy to keep the pictures hanging around (they never really dried), although I think if I could convince them to spread it out more it would work better. Veronica’s first page was pretty sparse and actually dried to nice, bright colors.

4. The past couple of days I wrote journal entries at 280daily. I wish I could remember where I came across the link, it may have been on Facebook. Anyway, you sum up your day in 280 characters or less. I thought it would be a fun way to document what we do with the girls, and the entries can be saved as a PDF or made into a book so it could be a keepsake someday. Here’s hoping I keep it up!

 

Grablins? Gooloom? Slag the Terrible?

5. If you have twelve minutes to kill, check out this short Hobbit cartoon, circa 1966. Definitely not true to the story, but kind of fun nonetheless. You can find the history of the cartoon here. H/T CSTM.

6. Sleep deprivation.

 

7. I made these last week. Do you know what they are? Post coming soon! Mmmmmm.

7 Random Christmas Takes

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Here is a bit of what ours looked like.

 

1. I’ve really enjoyed having Paul home the past couple of weeks. Besides being a big help with the kids, it’s just been nice to spend the time together during the day. He goes back to work on Tuesday, so we’ll see how I adjust now that I’ve been spoiled.

 

2. Through the fault generosity of my mother, we’ve acquired a variety of singing Christmas animals over the past couple of years. I put them on the mantle with some of the other Christmas decorations, but naturally they didn’t stay there long. Jacinta in particular has been quite enamored of them. While for the most part I don’t mind the music, there are one or two that may mysteriously lose their batteries between now and next Christmas.

 

3. Speaking of Christmas, Veronica finally got the dinosaur that she asked to be her prize for potty training. She’s done really well over the past couple of months - though she sometimes has an accident if she is too busy playing – and for the most part she can go number one independently. Barring the occasional gratuitous use of toilet paper or fifteen-minute hand washing session.

 

4. Apparently it is just too much to ask your children to smile nicely for a Christmas photo at church.

 

5. Or to put down the new toy to get a nice dress picture.

 

6. When opening presents Christmas morning, Jacinta felt that the floor was just too uncomfortable. So she got pillows for herself and Veronica to sit on. Ahhh, much better.

 

7. After a lovely Christmas dinner with Paul’s brother and his family, the cousins engaged in a game of knights. Why yes, Veronica is dressed like Darth Vader. Or, as she put it, wearing the black armor. It was a great night with fun had by all.

Happy Christmas week!