Halloween costumes - the night fury and the light fury

 The kids decided AGES ago they wanted to be the night fury and the light fury for Halloween. They LOVE how to train your dragon. I was all on board until it came time to try and figure out how to engineer these things.  I struggled mightily with Sam's tail, but by the time I got to grant's tail I had a much better system.

(hers is also fleece and his is felt, the felt is far easier to deal with.)  Then! I was on top of things and took the photos the day before because it was early release and we had daylight. At about 9 pm I realized WE TOOK THE PICTURES WITHOUT THE WINGS!

Of course on Halloween day it was snowing and the wind chill was 20 degrees and we had to try and retake a photo with wings before the bus came. Grrrr.

 With the forgotten wings.

Grant really didn't want to take his costume off. Hopefully they see a little play action too, because they were the hardest costumes to make yet! (And much blood was shed, which is ridiculous when you are working on a white costume!)

Hapde Burfday Jack

My dearest Jack,

15!  The years now are really starting to fly by (and pile up!). This will be the year of driving permits, first part time jobs and so much more.

You are a pretty awesome teen.  Easy to get along with, responsible, happy and really growing into yourself.

I couldn't be happier (and it's a tremendous relief) to see things turning out as they are.

I look forward to the years to come as you continue to turn into a fully grown human! ;)

Love, 

mom 

Patching it up

 A second trip to the pumpkin patch was necessary, since the first one was BOILING hot and I thought we would all die. (Seriously, grant was just dripping with sweat. We barely lasted 20 mins. It was 110 under the tarp things in the animal part. Dangerously hot and in October!)

This time it was a little chilly!

 (So handsome and grown up these days)

NUTBALLS.

Sewing things

 I picked up a very small stack of little quilt blocks in an antique store when I was supposed to be looking for Halloween stuff. For some reason they were one of those things that just should be sewn up immediately.  So, doll quilt it is.

 I had been working for a few months on a quilt for one of my nieces. I got a little hung up when it seemed like I was lacking enough fabric to make it big enough, but after letting it sit for a few weeks I sorted it out. I added the big flower bc it felt a little meh without it.  None of these photos really do it justice.

 The off white fabrics are reading very yellow in the pictures instead of a softer white.

 I put a shabby sheet on the back.

I was given a big bag of fabric and this purple Halloween print was in it. It also said SEW ME UP NOW! So I whipped up some Halloween pillowcases for the kids. I have one more project almost completely before I move on to the costumes!

Playing catch up, a permanent state

 I imagine playing catch up will be a permanent state here on the blog from now on. So, what's been up here worth remembering?  I found some clearance honey comb paper at Tuesday morning and immediately made myself some pink pumpkins. I had bought a other pink pumpkins at home goods this year, now I have a bonafide collection.

 Last Saturday on a whim we went to springfield for fabric and burgers. My favorite!

 I noticed the other day in the foyer that Jackson is inching past his father in the height department.

 We had a bit of a surprise visit for a whole week from nani and Papa!  Grant got some basketball lessons from Papa, we visited the pumpkin patch in sweltering 100 degree heat, enjoyed lots of yummy of food and visiting.

 On the day Nani and Papa left my brother and I high tailed it to Iowa for the last flea market of the year.  It was AWESOME to have a day to relax and let someone else drive.

 And I found one of my most wanted Halloween items!

 Then 2 days later I went with Grant's class on their field trip to the pumpkin patch. I normally skip field trips because I go to every party and do other volunteer work at school, but pumpkins? I AM IN!

 We celebrated Grant's birthday by taking two of his friends to the movies to see Abominable.

 And the not twins have been busy working every day on one million clay creations.

Busy, busy!