Caught up (for now)!

Unfortunately Anne's stocking didn't get done before Christmas.  Honestly, I wasn't even going to worry about it for Christmas because I have decided to let more things go.  I was surprised, however, to find out that Spencer had an opinion on whether or not Anne had a stocking!  And, thankfully, he is willing to step up to make it possible for me to work on projects he would like me to.  A good portion of the Friday and Saturday before Christmas I got a lot of the quilting done on the front panel.  It took a long time since I was doing it all freehand and on my regular sewing machine.  I think it turned out really well, though.

holly berries and leaves

I ended up telling Spencer that if the boys were going to have their Christmas Sunday bow ties, then Anne was not going to have a stocking again.  He ended up being okay with it and ended up requesting a matching bow tie for him as well (he was getting really into the Christmas spirit! - pictures forthcoming).

A week or so ago I mentioned to Spencer that I was planning on Easter dresses for the girls and bow ties for the boys.  I was surprised, again, when Spencer mentioned Anne's stocking (or lack thereof)!  I decided I better get cracking.  The back section's quilting went much more quickly.

After a brief detour to make capes for the girls (pink/purple reversible - will be pictured another time), I finally sat down today to do Anne's name.  From there it was really simple to sew the sides together.

And just like that, Anne has a stocking!

It is nice to know that we have a complete set for now - until Baby joins us in March.

They are definitely homemade and not all the same size, but I really like how they have turned out.  At some point I just need to add the hanging loops to all but mine so we can hang them up this year!

I did already start Baby's and can do the quilting at any time.  That will be as far as I can get until Baby is born and gets a name, though.  Until then I have many more projects to keep me busy.  I am just trying to prioritize them and make best use of my time while keeping up lots of playing time with four (soon to be five!!) wonderful kids!

Overheard

Lilia: Hi, Mom! I just got my goggles on.
Me: You look great!
Lilia: Yep, I do.

Beautiful Day

We had 66 degree weather today and even I couldn't resist getting out of the house with the kids and enjoying the sun before it gets cold again tomorrow.

I haven't been out walking or running for a LONG time, so I was just thinking of doing the mile loop with the kids. The trick is that the mile route takes us past the neighborhood park. I knew it would be fairly crowded because of the nice weather and when I'm not 7-months pregnant I don't like dealing much with strangers' kids. The kids, however, really wanted to go and I knew it would be a while before they had the chance to get out again.

It was a very pleasant time, especially now that Anne is able to do a lot of climbing around herself and doesn't need to be picked up much. The boys played around on their own quite a bit and spent a lot of time on the climbing wall. I wanted to get a picture, but I couldn't get over there before they were done. It was a great time.

Overheard

Benny: Lilia has been alive for three years.
Me: Yep!
B: And Andy has been alive for four years!
Me: That's right.
B: And you and Dad have been alive for...
Andy: One hundred years!
Me: Nope.
A: One THOUSAND years!
Me: Nope.
B: Twenty-nine years.
Me: Yep!
A: That's a LOT of years.