Sewing for Cherubs

Valentine Madness, Valentine Love

 
(Valentine snack, prepared for Superman's class party)

I suspect I'm not the only Mom out there who is positively worn out from yesterday's festivities.

First, there was the preparation for the big day, which for me involved searching through three different stores for just the right candy and cards, followed by nagging - I mean encouraging - three children to sit still long enough to create, prepare, and address Valentine cards for their whole class. Oh, and I was also up quite late on February 13th washing fruit and cutting out tiny heart-shaped turkey sandwiches.

Then, there was the actual day, which included one Valentine breakfast, one party, and one lunch, all at three different schools in various parts of town. In between schools, I also managed to sneak over to The Bossman's office to drop off a huge cheesy card when he wasn't looking (he loved the surprise).

Yes, it was quite a production. But as I racked up the miles in the Mommy-Van, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. Because you know what? Valentine's Day, like life, is definitely not about the love you receive. It's about the love you give. And it felt great to give all that love yesterday!

Family New Year's Eve Party

Maybe I was inspired by all that comfortable nothingness. This year, we decided instead of taking the kids out for New Year's Eve, we would have our own celebration at home. The kids had a great time, and I think we created some wonderful memories for them. Maybe this is the start of a new tradition!

Things got started early in the morning, as The Princess helped me prepare some sugar cookie dough. Our favorite recipe is the one in Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cookie Book.

 

We put the dough in the fridge to chill for a few hours, and it was time to make the invitations. While The Princess worked on these, I blew up 72 balloons. More on that later.

 

At the appointed hour, we began the party by baking sparkling cookies. We took our chilled cookie dough and rolled it into walnut-sized balls. I set out plates of sparkling sugar, and the kids had fun rolling the dough in the sugar and putting it back on the cookie sheets.

 

 

 

We baked them at 375 for 10 minutes, and they turned out like this:

 

Next, it was time for the violin performance. Radar and The Princess teamed up to plan a concert.

 

After that, we played some Just Dance. and then it was time for dinner. We had tacos by candlelight (because everyone in my family will eat tacos).

 

And then, to ring in the New Year (at 6 p.m.), we had a balloon drop! We took the 72 balloons I had blown up earlier and put them into a sheet... which is harder than you might think. 

 

The Bossman and I stood at the top of the stairs and the kids were at the bottom. The kids counted down and we let the balloons go! I didn't get any pictures of the balloons in flight; it was too complicated to do the balloon drop and hold the camera. I did get some shots of the aftermath though.

 

Yes, a great time was had by all, and I think we welcomed 2011 in great style. I hope you had a Happy New Year too!

December 25th, 9:55 p.m.

The presents have been unwrapped.
The family and friends have been visited.
The Christmas dinner has been eaten.

The house is a mess.
The children are sleeping.
The snow is falling.

And I am cuddled up on the couch with The Cat and The Bossman, playing with my new iPad while he catches a few Z's and pretends to watch football.

All is calm. All is bright.

'Tis the Season

The holiday season is upon us, and at the Sewing for Cherubs household, preparations are in full swing. I have such a love/hate relationship with this time of year. On the one hand, there always is way more to do than I can possibly accomplish, and I never finish everything I plan. On the other hand though, there are all those wonderful moments that only happen at this time of year. So far this December, we have...

Trimmed the tree:

 

Started the baking:

 

Prepared for and enjoyed three violin concerts (whew):

 

And I've even carved out some time to just sit in my favorite chair with a furry friend:

 

Whatever you've been up to this December, I hope it has been a cozy time with friends and family!

Cooking and Giving Thanks

I experienced a first this year as I hosted Thanksgiving Dinner at my house. It was a good opportunity for me to practice my (somewhat limited) culinary skills. I used to enjoy cooking, but my picky little eaters have beaten it out of me.  But as I set about preparing the lemon herb rub for the turkey, I reflected on how fortunate my family is this year.

In the midst of this economic crisis, we are able to buy the groceries we need, we can pay for the electricity to power the oven, and we can gather at our kitchen table to enjoy a feast with the people who mean the most to us.

So what if my picky kids' plates had to be supplemented with goldfish crackers? 
 

A Belated Wish

 

I hope your Valentine's Day was extra-sweet and sprinkled with love!

Happy New Year!

 

Dear readers, I am wishing you all a very Happy New Year. My wish for you is health, happiness, and many beautiful sewing projects in 2009. Here's to new beginnings!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Someone please get this gigantic pound cake out of my house.

Not a Creature is Stirring

The cookies have been baked.

The angels have marched.

The shepherds have too.

And the stockings (the REAL ones this time) have been hung with care, the children have been tucked in, and the presents have been wrapped. Now there is nothing left to do but... grab that long winter's nap!

Wishing you a beautiful holiday!

Do-It-Yourself Stockings

We told the kids they would have to wait until Christmas Eve to hang up their big, fancy velvet Christmas stockings. I guess they decided they couldn't wait anymore.

They raided their sock drawers (and also, embarrassingly, the dirty clothes hamper), spent a little time twisting and untwisting the wired garland, and Voila! Do-it-yourself stockings. Gotta admire them for their initiative.