Break from break

I have finally recovered from the longest four-week break from homeschool known to man! After shoveling heaping piles of structure back into our day, I am reflecting back on our time. Man did we have fun! Although, I have realized an important lesson....4 weeks without routine is disastrous for this family of 7! By the end of our break, I needed another break. I have been scraping together, tiny breaks here in there in hopes of a cumulative effect. I have also found that my children (I cannot speak for others) have an addictive personality where electronics are concerned. Give them an inch and they will take a mile. I wish I had a nickle for every time I heard "Can I play on the computer?" "Can we watch a movie?" "Dad, can I play on your phone?" ARGH!! Mom removed any and all child-friendly apps from her phone! Although the pessimist in me seems to have emerged a bit, it was not nearly all bad. It was lovely for all to sleep late, stay in our jammies until noon and look at learning with a different attitude. We watched Christmas movies with big bowls of popcorn. The little ladies learned a lot about cooking, not only from me, but from Dad as well. I consider Dad the baker of the family. He has an admittedly strong sweet tooth! As Christmas neared and passed we made homemade ornaments, finished out our Advent devotions and began new ones, made gifts for loved ones, and enjoyed some gifts of our own. Christmas brought princesses, LEGOs, books, and action heroes! We are tremendously blessed! In keeping in our simplistic fashion, we tried to limit travel and enjoy time together. It is certainly refreshing to pause from normal hustle and bustle of daily life (we are certainly hustlers over here) and enjoy some down time. And, by down time, I mean singing, dancing, comic relief, art, cooking, make-believe, glow sticks in bed and plenty of smiles and giggles. Here are the highlights of our break!  

 

Christmas 2014

Feeling Domestic

I have been feeling domestic lately, especially where the old Singer (or Nanny's OLD Singer) is concerned. I had a vacation to-do list a mile long, that I planned to get accomplished over the Christmas break. Don't bother asking if I completed it. Let's be real. I set my goals high. I accomplish a ot this way, yet suffer much disappointment as well. It's kind of a love-hate relationship. Although, I am learning to extend myself grace. At the top of said to-do list was to refresh my cloth diapers. There is nothing like a fresh, clean cloth diaper, but this refreshing as nothing to do with cleanliness or scent. We use BumGenius 3.0 and 4.0 diapers, both of which use Velcro tabs. Moms, I am still on the fence as to which are better, snaps or velro...whole different topic. So, BumGenius developed a refresher kit which includes replacement elastic and replacement velcro, all for a buck each!! I bought enough to refresh my first stash of diapers. I bought them while pregnant with Eva. They have diapered 3 babies and had gotten a bit tired. This task called for me to put my very limited sewing skills to work.

 I refreshed a total of twelve diapers.

Then while I was at it, I made 10 cloth wipes.

 

Love them so much, I made another set of 10 and wipes solution. Earth friendly, but more important, baby tush friendly!!! 

And that is such a cute tush, right!!??

I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to have an updated model sewing machine. It would help if I wasn't working with a machine as old and stubborn I am!! Although, I am very grateful for the one I have (Mom). After all, I got a wild hair and made new throw pillows for my couch (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE)...

 ...loved them so much I made two for my bedroom....thinking about drapes now...SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!