The Best of times...and the worst of times....

You wouldn't believe what has been going on at our house. Maybe the details would be a little too distressing, but if I mention the stomach flu and 4 children then your imagination can conclude the rest of the story. This week proved to be wonderful in every way, (except of course, cleaning up throw up numerous times). Kian put it perfectly when he said "Gross". Luckily, the kids had a vacation from school so this was the perfect weekend to be sick at home. Despite our dilemma of being stuck inside, I pulled out my sewing machine and took to a wonderful distraction....a sewing project. You're probably thinking I'm nuts, but as the house fell apart around me and the stent of germs fumigated our home while kids were strewn along the floor in chaotic melodies, I hummed my own tune to the buzzing of my sewing machine.

It became my obsession to complete a little Tepee tent for Sophia's upcoming 3rd birthday. I started the project the day before and found out that in my genius knack for doing things my own way I had run into some major problems. I'm the kind of person that likes to sing my own harmony, (seriously, now that I'm in the church choir, I've really had to pay attention to my part and follow along with the 2nd altos). I like to add a few different spices to recipes, take a different route to the grocery store and just enjoy trying things out my style. Well, that created a little bit of stress for me yesterday when I decided to make my own tepee pattern. I delighted in the idea of being frugal and dove into all my scraps of fabric and even went as far as cutting up some of the kid's fleece blankets in order to make a memorable piece of work. After a day of sewing strips together and measuring over and over, I had what I thought was just a beautiful display of creative sewing. That's when I realized, oh yeah, I have to cut this thing out. So I looked to my abandoned pattern and did exactly what it said: fold in half, then fold into a triangle, then cut a half circle. By the time I was finished I was mad! It seems I had cut too much fabric away and my tent was nothing more than a pitiful mesh of blankets to be embarrassingly displayed on pvc pipe that was cut too long and made for gaping holes at the bottom. I was distraught. Seriously, when a mother spends this much time making something for her child and realizes it was in vain....that is not good news. Kaidence noticed my frustration and was visibly upset. I explained to her how hard I had worked on this project and how bad I felt that it didn't work. She seemed to understand from childhood experiences, like we have all had, that some of our best planned schemes don't always pan out. So I did what a good parent should do :) and I promised her that I wouldn't let it ruin my life and tried to make a positive outcome out of a negative one by telling her that some times things just don't work out like we planned, but that's ok.

Well, to make a very long story a lot shorter....I spent a sleepless night scheming how to turn my project from shambles into a masterpiece. My conclusion....make a skirt for the tent.

So, I spent most of Friday caring for sick children and sewing while I let everything else fly in the wind. IT WAS AWESOME! I can proudly report that I was more patient than I think I've ever been and took the unique opportunity to teach Kaidence and Chase how to sew. It was really an experience. It's amazing how capable children are when we give them a chance.

If that wasn't enough, Kaidence decided to come up with her own creative scheme and this included crushed up animal crackers in jello, spread on a whole wheat cracker, with a couple of marshmallows for texture and a delightful finishing touch of red jello juice. (Have I mentioned how captivated my children are by the food network channel?)

With Chase as her helper or partner in crime, they invited a willing participant to try their product. Chase informed me that each cracker cost 8 dollars.

After an unsuccessful attempt to sell, they chose Kian to be their first sampler.

What kind of expression is that? The answer is up to your interpretation.

Well, the Good news is....I completed my project.....the kids sewed some pillows....and afterwards I flew through the house spraying disinfect, cleaning up odds and ends and putting the house together with just enough time to throw some blush on my cheeks and brush my teeth before Jonathan got home from work.