soccer, and birthdays and dolls, oh my

I'm back, sorry its been awhile. Its been a whirlwind week of non-stop soccer action, a birthday party, and my most challenging craft project yet, all whilst dear hubby was out of town! Whew! I don't have anything too profound, or silly to share this time.(please forgive my last post, and that you had to look at it for so long...I was in a silly mood...which isn't that unusual actually...but still...) Soooo....let's just get right to the photos!

Ok, I can't even believe that my biggest girl just turned 9!! How did that happen? She decided to "go retro" too for her birthday and we found ourselves at Skate King again, and you know, you just can't get enough Skate King. Happy is she who has her birthday at Skate King. And really, the giant skate is enough to make anyone smile.






And smile she did....



Which brings me to the week of complicated doll making! I've decided to make as many handmade gifts as possible for as long as the spirit moves me, so I asked her to look through a few magazines I have and pick something. I was thinking maybe she'd pick a cute little apron, or maybe a quilt similar to the one I just made for her sister. No, no....she picked a "topsy-turvy Little Red Riding Hood doll", which is from MaryJanesFarm Magazine, Artists in Aprons issue. Which means, that with the skirt one way, it looks like Little Red Riding Hood, but if you flip the skirt up, then it looks like Grandma, and if you turn Grandma around to the back, it looks like the wolf in Grandma's clothes. yikes. So, I immediately told her I couldn't do it. Its too hard. And then I proceeded to try....And....TA-DA!!




Ha! I did it! It actually turned out pretty well, and she was totally surprised and says she loves it, so mission accomplished! I can't believe that the whole sewing thing is actually not that hard. Its kinda like cooking, if you get a good recipe, and learn a few vocabulary words, and follow the directions, it usually comes out ok.

We've got soccer out the wazoo these days, and I'd have lots of pictures of big and middle girls last game, except that it was pouring down rain and cold, so I wasn't much in the mood for picture taking. I have to admit though, it is kind of cool how so much of our community is out at these games on any given night, you see so many people you know, and the kids absolutely love it, so I guess I can't complain too much.



And, I just have to say, I am so loving my new time and freedom with 2 big girls in school full days, and the boy in preschool 3 mornings a week. I LOVE spending my afternoons with just my boy. He's had so few chances to just be himself without the influence and competition for time and attention from his sisters, that its just so refreshing to be able to have a conversation and hang out with him and give him my undivided attention each afternoon. We've been playing "baseball" every afternoon that the weather allows, and he is quite a good little batter, and I've been named the best pitcher in the world several times this week. I've also started taking babygirl to Musikgarten class each week, which is a time I also treasure. Again, here is a child who has pretty much never had time away from her siblings, (who all adore her by the way), and its so interesting to see her just totally shine in her own way in this class. She participates with total abandon and just loves it. I love being able to spend this time with her and get to know her in a way I have not been able to before. I feel like I'm really moving into a new phase right now, and I have to say it feels pretty good. For the first time in almost 10 years, I am not pregnant and/or nursing someone. Wow! I feel myself finding "me" again, and I'm pretty happy about that. Hubby is pretty happy about that too. :)

I'm about to start a new knitting project, as the weather feels more like knitting weather all of a sudden. The air is quite crisp, and the rain is starting. And I'm sitting in front of this right now...



I am loving the season I'm in.