Make Something Every Day: Day Eleven

Today we made our annual pilgrimage to visit Santa Claus!  We go to the same place every year and Esme looks forward to it very much.  This year she asked Santa for a Stacie Doll.  He asked if she had more on her list and she said no, so he promised to bring her some surprises, and Mrs. Claus said she and the elves would help pick them out.  

While we were there, Esme got to dip some candles.  She chose to make one red and orange the other purple and blue.  I told her we can use them on our table for Christmas dinner. 

I love hosting Christmas dinner and last year I was super sick so I didn't get to cook at all.  My mother in law brought us dinner, and then my whole family still came and visited us and we had dessert together.  My family still visiting even though I couldn't make them dinner was one of my best presents ever.  

Make Something Every Day: Day Ten

Esme and I have been hankering to try making our own hair accessories.  She made the blue headband, we made the flowered clip together, and I made the purple headband.  This was our first attempt and I expect our future work will get much more complicated!  It was a fun start though, and we're thinking about making some cute flower clips for our Girl Scouts to wear to the fundraiser.

Make Something Every Day: Day Nine

Yesterday was our long-awaited Native American program for Brownies.  I think Girl Scouts have always been interested in the way girls from long ago lived, and especially Native Americans.  I remember learning to cook Native American foods with my troop when I was in fourth or fifth grade myself.

The program was almost entirely hands on, which of course the girls loved, and one of the things they got to do was make their own modern version of a game Native American children might have played.   They also got to touch different furs, tools, musical instruments, and other artifacts Native Americans would have used, as well as visit Native American Hall at the museum.  I love an engaging program and was so happy to have the opportunity to teach it!

Make Something Every Day: Days Seven and Eight

Wednesday was a crazy busy day.  With the fundraiser in the works, I felt like all I had time to make while I was home was phone calls.  I am so thankful that the person is charge of communications at our Girl Scout council is helping me with press releases.  So, so thankful!  

Yesterday Esme spent the day with my mom, and in the evening I worked at one of my favorite events, Culture and Cocktails.  I helped patrons make houses out of graham crackers, frosting, and tons and tons of of candy.  Everyone had a great time and you can see me in the background of some the photos on Masslive.  The Gingerbread Fantasy exhibit was open, where you can see one of the biggest projects Esme and I have worked on this year, "Camp Ginger."

Make Something Every Day: Day Six

Esme took a day off from projects today.  This year she started taking recorder on Tuesdays.  Learning to read music was one of my high priorities for her - it's a valuable skill and even my basic knowledge has helped me very much.  I have also heard it can help develop the part of your brain that tackles Math, and that isn't too shabby since she considers herself a Future Astronaut.

Sagelicious stepped in to help me while Esme was gone.  Her mom is Esme's music teacher so while they're together, Sagelicious and I work on things like her scrapbook, her Halloween costume, etc.  I wanted to help her make a Christmas present for her mom, so we discussed and settled on this:

Her family has a lovely little backyard and her mom enjoys gardening, so I got the kit to make this stepping stone.  Really the most important part is the cheap plastic mould, because any cement and fragments of glass or china will work.  We mixed and poured together, and then Sagelicious decided on the placement of her hand and mosaic pieces.  I added her name and the year later when the cement was a bit firmer.  When Esme saw it I had to promise her we'd get more cement so she can make a couple too.

Make Something Every Day: Day Five

Between work, Math tests, and swim practice, Esme and I didn't have much time at home together today, so we decided on a nice easy project tonight.  We played around with our crafty supplies to make tags that could either be used for scrapbooking or Christmas projects.  Esme decided to make hers ornaments.

I've used things I've been into lately for scrapbooking: doilies, aluminum duct tape, felt, other fabrics, and twine.  Esme used punches, which are one of her favorite scrapbook tools.  She also used colored pencils and ink pads quite a bit.

Make Something Every Day: Day Four

Today's project is rock candy.  We did a rocks and minerals lessons at Esme's 4H Science Club last week, so we are following up by talking about crystals.  We thought rock candy would be the perfect demonstration.  Esme and I made the syrup, but pouring it into the jar got pretty messy.  Now we have to let it sit for a week and watch what happens!

By the way, I finally got to try the banana bread today and it was moist and delicious.  I will definitely make that again.  I used this recipe.

Also, 2012 Fashion 4 U tickets went on sale today.  If you would like to purchase via Paypal, please email me.

Make Something Every Day: Day Three

Today I started a cowl-scarf for my Mother-in-Law.  She mentioned wanting one quite some time ago, so I started crocheting it while I sat on the bleachers at Esme's swim meet today.  I'd say I'm about half done so far.  I was super proud of Esme today!  Her breathing techniques have improved a lot and she brought her 25 yard freestyle down to by three seconds and her 50 yard freestyle down by almost four seconds.

Make Something Every Day - Day Two

Esme and I kept busy this morning and let Ethan sleep in.  We went shopping for a former member of our Girl Scout troop.  Her family had a house fire and she and her sister lost almost all of their belongings to smoke damage.  We decided to get them each a dress and a toy for Christmas, and the girls are making all kinds of little handicrafts to include in their gift bags.

I am fighting my second cold of the season so I wasn't feeling super ambitious, but we really wanted to use up the older bananas, so I washed my hands thoroughly and kept going.  Esme and I have never made banana bread so I'm not sure exactly how it will turn out.  We just made a mini loaf as a test and it's baking now.  I'm going to take some cough syrup and cuddle up with my husband and hope to feel ambitious tomorrow.

Make Something Every Day - Day One

Esme and I have decided to make or bake something every day from now til Christmas.  We have so many projects in the works, we want to get some done.  We want to make some Christmas presents and decorations too!  We decided to make my mother-in-law a book for Christmas.  Here is the title:

My mother-in-law is hard to find the perfect present for, so we wanted to give her something really special.  She got two new kittens this year that Esme adores so we thought this would work.  We've been talking about it for a few days and filling out our ideas, so tonight we sat down together and wrote the text.  I printed it with spacing so that over the next few days Esme will be able to complete the illustrations.  It's a lot of drawing for her - there are ten pages.  

We also started reading this advent book my mom sent to Esme.  We will have a Bible quote and little reading every day.  Today's is Luke 2:8 - "In that region there were shepherds."

A few weeks to catch up on....

It's been a crazy couple few around here.  I've spent tons of time working our our Brownie fundraiser - hoping we'll make a significant portion of our DC money in one day so we don't have to do 100 little fundraisers.  A Fall snowstorm was predicted the day before Halloween so  I ran Esme down to the pumpkin patch before it was too late.

We just can't do Halloween without a Jack O Lantern!  And I'd taken Esme to the same pumpkin patch since the year she was born, so I hated to miss it!  We also managed to run to meet Sara Pennypacker, author of the Clementine books, just as the snow started.  

The storm started early that afternoon and continued well into the night.  We had TONS of branches down in our yard, since the leaves hadn't fallen yet and it was a very wet, sticky snow.  

Luckily the city hired crews to come around and help with the debris - they are making their last sweep this week.  Even though we had lots of branches down, it looks like all of our trees will survive.  

Some Recent Esme-isms

"I want to do more poetry.  Can we get some clay?"

"Heidi Klum was a model for Victoria's Secret.  They sell literature."

"That is a cool contest!  I am going to compute!"

UPDATE: "I know what you should do.  Some recent Daddy-ums."

This fundraiser is taking over my life!

There are 17 people registered to our Girl Scout troop, and after deposits, it will cost $5,355 to take them all the Washington, D. C. for the 100th Anniversary Sing a Long on the mall.  So, right now, my life is this fundraiser, where we're hoping to make half of that or more.

So much work!  Hoping it will be a huge success.  But, I would soooo rather have one big event than many little ones, sort of like death-by-1,000-cuts.  As of right now there are a lot of moving parts, with stores, vendors, workshops, activities, refreshments, etc.  My partner for this event is a true dynamo though, so I know we can get through together!

Free-Theme Dotee

I made this dotee for a free-theme swap - you can't see it too much in this pic, but there are folded fabric layers going around the edges.  I was inspired by a game wheel.  Crafty-wise, this week is going to have to be all the Halloween costumes.  I'm working on a peacock for my daughter and a bridal gown for a little friend.

Some of my Best Friends are Reptiles

You might have heard, about a month ago, I started a new job that I love.  I am a Museum Educator, and for the last few weeks I have been learning all the school and family programs, etc.  I have already learned so much at this job, and had so great days there.

However, I have been dreading today since I first saw the schedule.  It didn't occur to me while I was interviewing that they might expect me to actually hold live animals.  I am not exactly afraid of snakes, but I am not exactly comfortable with them either.  Lucky for me, my boss said she is not going to force anyone to hold animals they are not comfortable with, and gave us all an out.  I wanted to at least try though.  Here is the video of me holding them for the first time today!

Museum of Science Trip

Focusing - Work and Girl Scouts

I am loving my new job.  For my first month, I am mostly training, so I have been spending most weekday mornings learning about school programs at the museum.  I'm learning about everything from Native American games to static electricity.  This week I learned to operate TAM, the Transparent Anatomical Manikin.  You might recognize her from the cover of Nirvana's last album - of course sans wings .

I have also been devoting lots of hours to Girl Scouts in the past few weeks.  The new Girl's Guides to Girl Scouting have been released and I have my copy of the Brownie level book.  It has many positive changes, including updated badges that are a little more challenging than the old Try-Its.  I've been thinking a lot about fundraising.  We're going to need quite a bit of money to get our troop to Washington DC this year, so we are planning a big fashion-related fundraiser for January.  Right now I'm trying to secure a location, but since I need such a big space on such a low budget, I'm struggling a bit to find exactly the right place.  Hopefully these hours on the phone, emailing, and visiting locations will pay off!

The New Job

I am really excited that I got to start my new job this week! I am working as a Museum Educator! In so many ways, this is the perfect job for me! I love Science, teaching, and working with children, but most of all, I know I am going to learn so much at this job! Isn't this the perfect job for a homeschooling mom?

 If it was just a few more hours, it would be perfect. I will still have to work at my old job as well. Oh and one more thing - the Live Animal Show. The fact that the snake is named Taco doesn't really make it any more appealing to pick it up! The hissing cockroach doesn't really do it for me either. (Wahhhhh!!! Run away!!!!) This photo is of Esme and TJ looking at the other snake I might have to hold - this one is really cool - it has a number 68 in it's pattern!

I feel so lucky that the job comes with a museum membership along with reciprocal admission to all kinds of cool places, and my employee ID gets me into even MORE, including free lawn seats at Tanglewood. If I have to hold the bearded lizard I'll just go to my happy place - sipping sparkling grape juice by candlelight while listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Little Expeditions as Fall Starts

It seems like I can't fight Fall any longer. I dreamt last night that I decided to to swimming one last time and the water was just too cold. We're getting back into our homeschooling routines, and my husband is back into working his evening shift. Next week I'll be starting my new job and soon returning part time to my old job as well. Is it time for Pumpkinfest yet? {Sigh.} My good friend Jennifer and I went out last night for a bit. She had a gift certificate waiting to be used, and so we hit the scrapbook store and had some Mexican food. She is an awesome person. We disagree on things like politics, but she is super generous and fun, on top of being a super talented scrapbooker! Check out her blog for some inspiration.

I got these stickers at the store - can't wait to use them - I will have to challenge myself to post a project using them within the next week!

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How I spent my Saturday

Our city has the best block party, and this year Esme and I worked a booth to promote Girl Scouts. We spent about six hours there - luckily we had a chance to walk around, talk to people, do activities, and share an empanada. Here's the video:

Summer Isn't Over (aka Wishful Thinking)

The truth is, I hate these first couple weeks of September. It means summer is over, and the temperatures start to cool enough to remind me that before long I'll be paying the dreaded heating bill again. Even worse, my husband goes back to work at night, and it's another long, lonely academic year before I get him back for evenings in May through August. For the next couple weeks the fun Summer outings have dried up, but the fun Fall outings haven't started yet. Back to school for me means the phone ringing between 5 and 6 am, and even with my new job, I'm going to have to answer the call one or two days a week. In honor of pretending this isn't all imminent, I'm posting the Summer Dotee I made.

This was the fifth dotee I've made and was for a swap. I really enjoy making these, but now that summer is ending, and I'll have so much to do, I think I'm going to have to finish the last couple swaps I'm in and take a break. I have so many creative projects I'd like to do, like Christmas presents, some painting, and of course lots of scrapbooking, I think I'm going to need to focus a bit. The one thing that cheers me up is that Brownies starts back this coming Wednesday! Nothing cheers me up like a dozen adorable little girls making plans to rule the world!

Wildebeast, Seal, and Chicken

What do these animals have in common? They are all animals in the food chains Esme and I have been working on! This lesson is doubling for both Brownies and homeschooling, as Esme is working on her Eco-Explorer Try-It, while learning about animals.

I let her choose the animals we'd start with for each chain, and she drew inspiration from the Planet Earth miniseries, which we've been watching as a family. I have to say, I was really impressed with her Wildebeast drawing! She did a great job copying elements from a photo.

I start my new job soon, and have to be available for subbing assignments as well, but right now I am REALLY loving being home with her and able to work on these lessons! We are having so much fun together! During this "free" time I am also getting lots of other work in order for her, so that the on the days I'm not home, she'll be ready to work independently, and Ethan will be prepared to give her lessons.

Girl Scouts is in transition this year, and the new Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting will be introduced, so we'll have lots of new awards. I'm letting Esme do as many Try-Its on her own this year since we have this time to transition. Our troop will be concentrating on all the new ones!

Hurricane Irene & Making the Most of this End of Summer

Hurricane Irene came and seems to have gone without much fuss here. As far as I can tell, we didn't even lose any branches from our four gigantic Norwegian Maples. I'm very sorry to hear about troubles others have had along the seaboard, and hoping that my friend Lisa, who lives in a flood plain, is doing okay.

I LOVE summer!! It is my favorite season - swimming, vacationing, but most of all, time with my handsome husband EVERY day! We normally work opposite shifts, so being able to spent a couple hours with him every evening is a real luxury. That bring me to why I HATE back to school. I don't mind going back to work myself too much, but I hate our most-of-the-year routine, and it weighs heavily on me this week that next week I'll have to say goodbye to him except for Fridays and Saturdays for the next nine months or so. Sigh.

I did get a chance to go and scrap with my friend Jennifer this week, sans daughter, because my husband was home. I have wanted to scrap with her all summer, but this was pretty much our first chance, so I took it while I could get it. I did this layout:



Are you sad to leave anything behind this summer?

Getting Back in the Homeschooling Game

1. Finishing the essay - Esme has been working on an essay about our Brownie trip to New York for what seems like forever. She has a writing folder to help her stay organized, but this morning she couldn't find a couple pages of the rough draft. O..M..G. I did not kill her though, I just insisted she find it, which she eventually did.

2. I have to mail our assessment/intention letter today - I combined them into one long letter this year, and it makes more sense to me that way.

3. Staying organized is a challenge for ALL of the members of our family - I have to sort a huge pile of independent work for her into categories, folders, etc.

4. We are going to our first 4H meeting today - not an official meeting, but a picnic to meet the other people she'll be working with this year. The theme of this group is Science, which is her very favorite subject.

5. We are going to give her a year to really challenge herself and grow this year - if she was in public school she would be in *third grade,* which is the first really challenging year for many kids.

One Day, Two Layouts

My brother and his daughter came to visit us on his birthday. I am doing scrapbooks for each of my biological nieces and nephew, in addition to MANY albums for my own daughter. Since I went to a crop Friday night, I decided to make packing easier and plan some of the same photos for each album, so I could pack the same colors, embellishments, etc. Here are the layouts I made for each girls' album.

Last few summer days....

My summer seems to be slipping away so quickly! Nooooooo! I am so lucky to have the summers off, but this year it's been a bit stressful. Between my car needing a new engine and hoping/looking for a permanent job, I've had a lot on my hands. But I did have time to go blueberry picking with my favorite little girl.....



Speaking of that little girl, I am gearing up for homeschooling now. Every morning she gets a folder of independent work, so I've been copying, researching, etc. to make sure we have the materials we need to get started. I do most of the prep and her dad does most of the sit-down lessons.

I am probably super late in the game, but some friends just introduced me to Picnik. I am LOVING it. I used the Lomo filter on the above photo.

Smash Book!

I said I wasn't going to get into this fad, but it turns out I couldn't resist! I started my Smash Book on my birthday - I used my first pages to make a list of random facts about me, and then another page with the details of my special birthday celebration planned by my sweet husband. So far, I am really loving it! The only complaint I have is the pen - the ink is definitely not bold enough for me, I will be using a Sharpie for the rest.

Talking about Girl Scouts

Anyone who has ever met me knows I am a super passionate leader and I talk about Girl Scouts everywhere I go. Really everywhere, and all the time. But I was really honored to be asked to talk about them today at the Holyoke Rotary Club. I tried to stress how important the movement is to our community, and to the girls. If you are up for some epic reading, you can read my speech here. Esme was one of two girls there, and was very supportive.

Painted Rocks and My Vacation

I spent most of this week on Cape Cod. I almost always take some kind of little art project with me - often ATC size, and this year, after seeing all the lovely painted rocks on Pinterest, I just took a bottle of white paint and a paintbrush.




I love the simplicity of white on rock. These were just playful and fun - I may work up to a more serious similar project at some point. Right now I have to sneak in a little creativity wherever I can - it's been a busy summer!

I had a great week and mostly enjoyed spending time with my family. We all loved Marconi Beach, part of the National Seashore. The waves were huge and we got to see whales breaching in the distance. This photo is of Esme and me on the sandbar that appears at low tide at Scusset Beach - probably about to start searching for hermit crabs.



I also loved the simplicity of just sitting around with my husband. He got me two books at The Odyssey to read on the trip - the new biography of Juliette Gordon Low and The Monsters of Templeton. Of course I enjoyed the biography - it's the third one I've read about the founder or Girl Scouts, and still gave me some new tidbits I'd never heard. I enjoyed the novel as well. It was a bit predictable in places, but I loved the way the author wove in the family's history with the modern story.

Dreams of Winter

If it wasn't for the heating bill, I might actually love Winter. I love take snow photos for sure. These photos are of Esme and the kids next door - she is usually reluctant to play in the snow on her own, but they lured her out many times this Winter.



I loved doing this layout because I got to use so many OLD supplies. It is amazing to me how much stuff I have in my scrap room, and it is amazing how quickly it is becoming out of date! A good reason to get scrapping and use it all up!

Cherry Dotee

The more I practice, the more details I am able to add. This is my 4th dotee and the theme was cherry. I had this cherry fabric kicking around from the Joanns Tutti Frutti collection, which is my favorite line every Spring. I love the bright colors and the fun designs. This is my first time doing beading on a dotee, and my first time using that chenille hair.

Mergers

In an effort to streamline my life, I have decided to merge my blogs. Before my family discovered Facebook I had one for sharing photos with them, I had one for ramblings, one for crafty projects, and one to share about homeschooling. Instead of trying to do an okay job with each, I think it would be easier to do a good job with just one.

Here is one of my new recent layouts -



I am loving grid layouts right now - I love the busy look, and this is a way to fit a lot of photos onto one page. Are you a scrapbooker? If so, are you more streamlined or busy?

taking another crack at Dotees

After my first dotee attempt I was REALLY discouraged. It was so much harder than it looked! Well, it turned out maybe it was my planning and lack of common sense. So I decided to try again, and was WAY more pleased with the results.




These are both for celestial swaps and I am happy with how they turned out. I was surprised that a lot of the red shiny stuff wore off the star while I was working with it. I stamped the letters on the twill banners on the moon. Thanks for visiting!