Have I mentioned here before, those anxiety ridden days, with lists, feeling like I need balance, time slipping away? Yep, that's what I'm about these days... I think summer in Oregon precipitates some of that... such a long, cool stretch then wham, summer and there is just so much outside time you want to cram as much as possible into before descending into the gray inside time again.
Lost: We lost Grandpa Emery this month, he had a wonderful, long, life. He went in his sleep, though not without a bit of a fight. He was a wonderful, impressive man, he perpetually had a positive attitude, a heart so full of love that he would get teary at the thought of it, and could talk his way into and out of about anything I"m pretty sure. Spent a few days with my cousins, folks and aunt taking down his house, going through... his life. You know what sticks... his pictures, the man had pictures going back a hundred years, more... literally. It is so amazing, so wonderful to be able to look at him and his little rascal-like gang, his basketball days, army days, his heyday at Kresgee/Kmart, oh the 70s, the plaid, the heavy framed glasses. I'm so glad he got to meet Owen and Grace, wish he could have seen them grow, but still, the love, the touch of family will always mark them.
Plans: so many summer plans, vacations to take, deferred chores to do around the house, at work, camping, having the kids home for a few months (excited and anxious), getting ready for kindergarten.
Grappling: with the fact that O. is indeed going to really really go to Kindergarten, that he is growing up so fast. We say farewell to his YMCA buddies, though G. will return there in the fall. Owen can be silly, profound, helpful, sweet... so very sweet, adventurous, brave, he hides his anxiety well, but it pops out unexpectedly, so I suspect that it drives some of his behaviors that I otherwise have a hard time understanding... I wonder how school will impact this boy, I just don't know. I mean I expect he will do well, but how will he change? What will his teachers, his new friends, his world be like? Will we be able to get him there on time every day???
Making: Uh, my list of things to make grows daily, damn pinterest, BUT i'm kinda stuck on this quilt. Though I did get a quick summer skirt and wee backpack together for Kaylee. That was fun, I think I need more of those short projects right now. Not quite half way done with the quilt squares for my topper. Want to make more skirts, O. wants a bag like Kaylees, some pants for boys, maybe even a top for myself (maybe, though not quite feeling that brave yet).
Must: clean out the darned house, feeling like its closing in a bit, just too much stuff everywhere and not enough space. Starting to wonder if we can make it as four adult sized people in our space. I LOVE a small house, so much more efficient, I know where everyone is, relatively easy to clean-up, no stairs, just don't like 'em. but dang... too much stuff, want some secret space of my own too instead of squatting in poor Grace's bedroom.
Oh, there is more to be sure, that big fun summer bucket list to do. That less fun, but necessary list of other things to do, ... berries to pick.
We'll get it together, always do.
Stored on my awesome FL black bear paw imprint that Randall gave me. Perfect for after washing hands. Scented in the molds with "relaxation" and sweet orange e.o.
I've been thinking about making a doll for G. for a while now, but didn't really have the guts. My neighbor does fantastic dolls and she suggested the bit of whimsy patterns and she was right! I got the Jo doll and made two,
one for Alice's birthday and one for Grace. The undersea/mermaid fabric is perhaps my favorite of all time, I mean, I actually fell a little in love with the whole line it when I first saw it. It's a little hard to get your hands on it anymore, so I am excited to have Grace have it for her stuffie. They are really cute! 
Grace LOVES her baby in solid 30 min spurts (which is pretty good for a toy around here),
particularly the legs which are longish and good for swinging and hanging around your arm, your neck, wherever and however you want to carry your baby. I did get a wool blend felt for hair and only got 1/8 or a yard, I'd get a bit more 'cause I like to wash it first, and it shrunk too much, well almost, I was able to stretch it back to size, but it took some work. ANYHOW... cute! 
Right? I also did some nested easy puppets for Nate and for G. before our vacation a la made by joel. 
The set we kept I accidentally made the "mom" the biggest, but got it right for nate's! The kids love these! Grace loves to wear the little girl around and talk with her.... crack-up.
The pink one is for Kaylee, I managed to make a cute little back-pack with the extra material. My kids were so excited about the backpack that I got some sharp ticking and made them some pants and the skirt for Grace and the bags... shoot no pictures of the cute bags. Fun, maybe not the most practical though. 
I barely got the kids to try on the clothes over, and was pleased to have them throw 'em on over what they were already wearing (thus the weird tops and for owen, the life preserver, which apparently is helpful for climbing too) and the poor shots, as they immediately took off and couldn't hold still for more than a moment.
The skirt for G. is a bit bulky, but I liked the Pants for Owen... D. sent me the link to a blog with a free pattern, e-a-s-y really! 
Boldly, I even drafted my own pattern since the one provided was too small. I didn't think I was good with Pants, but I kinda get-it now. 