Homemade Dresses

I have officially taken a leap into making the girls homemade dresses.  I have a friend who has been making them and she has inspired me, so here is my first attempt.  I must say, I was pretty pleased with how cute they turned out. 

Since, I don't have much experience sewing clothes, other than a little Dorothy dress I made for Chloe to wear Halloween 2005 (thanks Krystal for the help!) I wanted to start simple.  The pattern was extremely easy and seemed like I was quilting!  I love to quilt and I am pretty good at sewing quilt tops...although no where near perfect!  Since it was my first attempt, I didn't want to spend any money on fabric in case my sewing turned out pretty hideous, so I pulled out some old fabric, of course left over from quilting! 

Once the few pieces of fabric were put together, I purchased elastic for the bodice (I hope that's what it is called) and a big flower for the center front.  I spent a total of $5 for both dresses.  Oops...did I just admit that I was frugal?  Reflecting on my frugal post, I want to be frugal...I just don't want to "look" frugal!  Is there a difference?  I believe so!

Hollywood, here comes Josie!

Sweet Chloe put the dress on twice, but considering the fact she cried both times, I now understand she doesn't like the dresses because they look little girlish...and she is a little young lady!  Thank you Chloe for at least putting it on long enough for a picture. 

I guess this is a first and last time for the girls to wear matching dresses. 

Wood Badge

Over the last 18 months, Matt has been working on his Wood Badge "Tickets Items" which were part of his requirements to receive his Wood Badge Beads.  This weekend Matt received this Award. 

Wood Badge is Scouting's premier training course and is designed to be a pinnacle experience.  It is learning by doing the skills and methods of Scouting.  The entire adult troop lives in the out-of-doors for a week, camping, cooking their own meals, and practicing Scouting skills.  It is an amazing Leadership Training Program.  Here are some pictures of Matt receiving his awards. 

Mason and Josie were a little rambunctious, to say the least during this ceremony.

Here is a little poem of what the beads represent...

Two Tiny Beads

Two tiny wooden beads on a leather thong doesn't sound like an outstanding badge and

mark of distinction, but it is known and respected as such around the world.  It is symbolic of the

efforts and interests of one man, on behalf of others, that created and launched the

greatest movement for youth the world has ever known. 

It is the mark of those who have demonstrated that they are people of character and

who are devoted to a cause; adults who strive for perfections, well knowing that even the

best is not enough; adults who hold the welfare of others before self; Scouters who live up to

all that the name implies.  The Wood Badge is awarded to Scouters on the basis of

what they think, more tan on what they know.  They  must demonstrate that they

"know how," also.  Good intentions count for little until, by the application of ability

and determination, they produce results that count.  Striving for perfection in themselves

that they might better train and coach others to this end, exists the wood badge. 

It is doubtful that the thought ever entered the mind of Robert Baden-Powell, that his

efforts on Brownsea Island would grow to influence the youth of the world and that in the

days ahead, thousands upon thousands of men and women would carry his efforts forward to

an ever increasing number of young people and adults. 

Who knows, but to this effort, this crusade may flourish to the end that two tiny wooden

beads on a leather thong may yet become the symbol of a succeeding effort to bring about a

world brotherhood of people under the watchful eye of God.  To that end, may the wood badge

serve and the Scouters never falter or fail.  Two tiny wooden beads on a leather thong; they

could symbolize the hope of the world.  It's up to you.

Matt worked really hard to finish up his "ticket items" while finishing up his last semester at UNM.  He graduated with his BAFA December 18th, 2009 and completed his Wood Badge Requirements

December 19th, 2009.  Just in time!  It is a great honor for him to finally receive his

recognition for this great accomplishment. 

Way to go Matt!  We are all so proud of you!

For more information on Wood Badge Training go to http://www.woodbadge.org/.

Mother's Day Continued...

These are the special treats I received today.  I tried and succeeded in making my first English Trifle.  It was beautiful and delicious!  A sort of present to myself!

This is a special gift Chloe made for me at school...so sweet!

This sweet little card made me cry...

...and then so did Chloe's sweet words about how I make her happy and cry...

This is Josie's sweet little card she made in nursery today.

We had the opportunity to have Matt's mom (Polly) and sister (Krystal) come visit for this weekend.  It was nice having them here to celebrate Matt's special Wood Badge Ceremony yesterday and then to be here for Mother's Day.  Matt and I both feel very blessed to have such wonderful mothers, sisters and sisters-in-law in our lives.  We are grateful for their love and examples of goodness. 

We love you ladies!

Mother's Day

"Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that.  It is the essence of who we are as women.  It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us...Mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

~ Sheri Dew

We received the above quote and a piece of pie at the end of church today.

I am grateful to be a mother.  I am grateful for the spilled milk, the constant chattering, the never-ending piles of laundry and dishes.  I am grateful for the many unfinished projects, the fingerprints covering the glass and walls, the stench of dirty diapers, the tantrums and the tiny lego pieces scattering the floor.  I am grateful for the warmth of getting wet-on early in the morning, because it means the kids have found safety and comfort near me during the night.  I am grateful for scribbles I find in my brand new books, for dents in the furniture and broken dishes.  I am grateful for the weed flowers specially picked just for me, the family portraits drawn displaying family's are special and for love notes posted on my computer screen. 

I am grateful for millions of happenings during each day, because it means I am a Mother and I am living my childhood dreams.  I am becoming what my Father in Heaven wants me to become and I am becoming more like my own mother who sacrificed so much of her own life interests to help me become me.  What an honor and priviledge it is to be given the responsiblity and title of Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to my dear mother.

Chloe's Kindergarten Zoo Trip

Chloe's Kindergarten Class took a field trip to the Zoo.  Mason went with Matt to Santa Fe, so we had a "Girl's Day at the Zoo." 

These are some of Chloe's friends and classmates.  Juliet, Lela and Kaitlyn.

 A cute little ostrich with a broken beak...Poor thing!

A neat little canopy for the rhino's.

We had fun watching the "Pooping gorillas" at least that's what they mostly did while we watched them!  One little gorilla daddy was picking at the momma's ears while she was holding a cute little gorilla baby.  I was getting ready to take a picture and he came running over and started pounding on the glass.  It was a little startling for me, because the glass had huge cracks in it already!!!  I didn't get the picture...

This was a cute little gorilla sitting like he is kind of lonely or sad.

These are some darling little girls I saw while browsing the zoo.  I decided to bring them home with me...

Josie was quite taken with this little ant that kept crawling back and forth along a little ledge.

The hippo's sunbathing.  Have I ever told you that "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas?"

Just taking a little break...it can be very tiring walking the zoo!

...and a cute little spot for a family picture...someday!

We sure had fun spending a day at the zoo with just the girls!  We ventured off to the big grassy area and had a delicious lunch together and then went home to wait for Grandma Polly and Aunt Krystal to arrive from Arizona. 

What a splendid day it was!