Day: September 10, 2019

New Pajamas

Dear Sis,

I made William a new bedding set well over six months ago. When we were finished, we had a bit of flannel leftover from the sheets, so I cut out a matching pair of pajamas. Life got busy, and they ended up in a project box, until the light of the baby-sister-is-almost-here-sewing-craze shown on them!

I started assembly shortly after completing Sneaky Fox Saturday afternoon:) The pattern needed some reworking, plus I learned to use the button hole feature on my new sewing machine, so progress was a bit slow.

I was concerned, having cut this out well over six months ago, that it wouldn’t fit William, if I didn’t make it pre-arrival of baby sister. My concern was unwarranted. This pattern runs… forget big… HUGE! The assembly is simple enough, but I had to make some modifications to the size 2 so it would be small enough to fit my 3T wearing son. I left the bodice and sleeve panels as is, but decided to remove the interfacing from of the cuffs and make them half of their suggested width. I proceeded as usual with the front closure and collar. 

For the pants, I used a pair of pajama pants that fit William to figure out the crotch depth and leg length. I ended up chopping inches off of both… and I have a very tall kid. The result fits, and has growing space for the next year or more!

The button hole feature on my new sewing machine, took the better part of an hour to learn to use, but it is wonderful! No more hand sewn button holes… in my modern sewing anyway:)

As always, William is very proud to wear whatever Mama makes him! He told me, “I like it Mama.” I soon as we got them on. Mission accomplished!

Love,

b

 

Backing Great Grandma’s Quilts

Dear Sis,

Great Grandma Cooper gives out hand embroidered quilts to all her great grand babies. I’ve actually made and backed two of my own, so the one she gave me for William in 2015 has been sitting in a box waiting to be backed for sometime. When, I got a second one for baby sister in July, I decided it was time to do both!

I used to be of the mindset that this was a task that needed to be hand sewn. The combination of the versatility of my new sewing machine and the need for more efficient time usage that goes along with second wave motherhood, has persuaded me that things don’t necessarily have to be perfect to be done well:)

William’s Quilt

I chose a pale blue swiss dot for this one. I was trying to make it look suitable for a little boy. Luckily, the colors in the bow boarder was very accommodating:)

Baby Sister’s Quilt

Again, the boarder inspired my fabric choose. I like the vine embroidery so well, I wanted to help make it more of a focal point:)

As I recall, Great Grandma Cooper gave Evelyn a beautiful quilt and I’m sure your about to get another for your pending addition:) Bring them sometime when you visit and I’ll happily back them for you so they wash and wear better over the years!

Love,

b

B is for Ball

Dear Sis,

Our Daily Reading

Today both selections are fiction. A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka is a picture book about a dog who really enjoys her ball. Sadly, on an outing to the park another dog pops her ball. She goes home very sad. The following day, on her way to the dog park, the dog that popped he ball shows up with a new ball for her. She ends up with a new ball and a new friend. William loves to read this story for himself since there aren’t any written words, he feels like he is doing it right. I like that William learned, that when we break a friends toy, we have to work to make it right again.

The second book, Ball & Balloon by Rob Sanders is about a ball and balloon, who each take turns wishing they were the other. This book shows how the ups and downs of life are better with a friend. 

Basketball Shot Counting Mats

Activity Materials

Our Process

  • First, we rolled as many balls as we could out of a can of orange play doh.
  • We discussed that zero meant their were no basketballs anywhere.
  • Then, we matched the puzzle numerals with the numerals on the card. Only five cards fit on our table at a time, so we worked 1-5, and then 6-10.
  •  Next, we placed the correct number of play doh basketballs on the card, counting aloud with each addition.
  • During clean up, we revisited the concept of zero.

Baseball Lacing Cards

Activity Materials

Football Color Matching Puzzles

Activity Materials

Our Process

  • Sort the helmets and jerseys into two piles. 
  • Starting with the helmets, have student identify the color before setting it down. Have student say color names they forgot, once you provide the answer.
  • Repeat the process of color identification for the jersey cards.
  • Then, ask the student place the jerseys with the corresponding helmet. 

Playing Ball – Fitness Activity

We have LittleTyke T-Ball and Basketball in our back yard, but whatever you have will probably do the trick:)

Love,

b

B is for Boy!

Hi sis,

This morning grandpa Carmin, Evelyn, and I went to the doctors office for my twenty-week ultrasound. Nate sadly couldn’t join us, as he had to go to Toledo to work on the plant there. 

The results are in! A baby boy will be joining our family in late January, or maybe February if he is like his sister and doesn’t want to come out. hehehe

Love,

Jamiegoof