Flag Quilt Finished!

It took me long enough, no?

I ended up quilting-by-hand-embroidery using a walking stitch. I used 10 different colors. 

Because you know me and my color spectrum obsession.

I am really happy to have it done (and I'll be even happier after it's gone through a washing/drying cycle. One has to be patient when one only does laundry once a week). Hopefully this will just be the beginning of its presence on the blog, what with the soon-to-be appearance of the new baby and all. I'm over how much pink is in it. Besides, look at the backing!

No pink to be found!

Anyway, I wish it were easier to photograph (Thanks anyway, helpers!) but no matter, it's finished!

Happy evenings

We've been down at this field/playground an average of three times a week for the entire spring. Soccer (organized and run week after week by caring, fantastic dads) (supported and watched by other caring, fantastic dads and moms) and capoeira for Z, swings and rocks and plastic-toy-turned-forts for A. Happiness (and heat) for everyone (and it's not getting any cooler, Michelle).

Tonight was extra steamy. Something about those tropical storm downpours we've been having. The kids don't seem to mind the heat as much as the pregnant ladies.

As the school year finishes up, most folks are preparing to move (some already have, all the way to Mongolia!). This little group will have to represent the rest for now:

I hope Z looks back on this photo and remembers how much fun he had this year (this truly special year), with these boys, and their dads (including his own when he could make it!), on this field.

And I hope Annie continues to hold on tight. 

As for me, I'm almost to 35 weeks and counting! We've all got to hold on tight!

One Final Beach Hurrah...For Now

A little while ago, a friend invited me and the kids to one more day at the beach together. We all fit in her van (barely!) so it was an easy "yes" on my end. Happy I did it too, because I think out-of-town trips are finished for now.

We left pretty early in the morning and were able to enjoy some wonderful-yet-not-so-brutal sunshine. The big boys went straight out to the ocean (much warmer than I expected), but the littler ones were content to stay and play in the sand and bubbles. I couldn't get enough of the puffy white clouds and blue skies.

Clouds started to roll in later, but it didn't rain on us. It was crazy windy though, so the boogie boarding was not successful. Oh well, body surfing is just as fun sometimes (even when the undertow is strong enough to knock you over--my nice friend was the "water parent" and she was surprised by its strength that day).

The other pastime of the day was building a series of water tunnels, all emptying into one big reservoir:

Much cooler than a sand castle.

A highlight for me was watching this kite boarder. He set up all his gear right near us and ran straight into the water to enjoy the crazy winds of the day. Then about 30 minutes later he came back and spent the rest of the morning with his kids. It was awesome. 

This was probably the best picture of the day. It's the face this little lady gave her mama anytime she heard her say, "Okay, I'm going to go and help so-and-so while you stay here with Michelle for a minute." Not going to happen. :) Reminded me of my own little stern-browed creature. :)

Friend J, thanks for treating us to a wonderful day at the beach! We will cherish the adventures we've had with you and your sweet family. (ps--is that hat fantastic or what?)

Summertime is here!

I mean right? The temperatures are UP, the watermelons are only $4.99 each, and it just FEELS different.

Too bad the schools haven't heard and class is still in session for two more weeks. I am ready to be DONE.

I'm also ready to have a baby. I know I know, it's absurd. Nevertheless, I get really ridiculous around this time of pregnancy. 33+ weeks and I'm ready to be done, even though in my right mind I know I have to at least get to that 37 week point (almost four weeks from now! ack!) before it's even safe, let alone the "right" time. Ridiculous too, because even if baby is willing to wait and come around 37 weeks, I'll still be almost a month earlier than many "normal" women have to go. Still, the symptoms are gaining, the discomfort is on the rise, and basically, I'm ready to eat watermelon and call it summertime.

But never fear, dear readers. We will continue to send Z on the school bus for two more weeks and I will calm down and hold my pregnant horses.
They're heavy, those kind of horses...

Curriculum Fair, Singing, and Ice Cream

Remember my lamentations about Zane's new self-awareness? It came up again this week, as we talked about his school's annual Curriculum Fair (aka get the parents to the school so they'll buy books from the book fair). This year, the 1-3 graders were set to SING with the school's chorus in between the international food festival and the classroom displays.

Zane did NOT want to perform. To the point of being weepy about it all week. When asked why he said, "You know, there will be so many people there, looking at me while I do it! What if I mess up a word or something?" Poor buddy. He was tormented. However, he wanted to go for the eating, and the classroom displays, and OF COURSE the book fair (conveniently open throughout the evening), but the singing thing was too much.

So yesterday afternoon, I tried some good old fashioned bribery. I told him that I would love to hear him sing, that he didn't have to look at anyone but me, and that if he would be brave enough to do it, we would go out for ice cream afterwards.

Too much guilt? Not sure, but he came marching in a few minutes later, stoic and somber: "I'll do it for ice cream." There's a good boy.

So, we went! First, we enjoyed food from all around the world (someone told us that 1 in 5 of Finley's students were international ESOL students) which my kids actually ate, I couldn't believe it, then it was on to the book fair.

Zane actually decided against any books (too expensive!), so we headed out and waited for the dreaded singing program to begin. Oo, it was a little painful for him. But he did it! He turned sideways and looked right at me the whole time, a pained expression present, but singing his heart out nonetheless. The rest of us looked on lovingly.

At the end, he couldn't really take it any more. Too loud. Too hot.

But he did it, and I was very proud of him. And after a quick stroll through his classroom, we went ice-creaming at our favorite ice cream place, Sweet dreams.

Net good evening, I'd say.

Bows, Babies, Singing

A while back, super sister-in-law Tina asked if we could use some hair bows she'd made that her daughter had outgrown.

Tina, what do you think, we using them enough?

Onward. I'm 32 weeks this week! When I look down, this is what I see now.

 It's okay if you just "whoa"ed me. I just "whoa"ed myself.

Week 32 and all seems to be well. I am not feeling crazy abdomen pressure like I was with Annie at this point (hello Michelle, contractions!) and there was no mention of "bed rest" anywhere. Phew. We've got to make it at least until week 37, when Brandon is finished testing large beams in Tallahassee. Him working 2.5 hours away just isn't feeling very reassuring at this point. 

Anyway, baby has the hiccups as I type, and it's right in beat to some of the songs on my Pandora station. Pretty awesome.

Oh yes, which reminds me of the point of this funny post. 

Zane's been wanting to expand his repertoire of times tables. So far, he knows 1s-5s. 3s are thanks to a song that I can't remember at the moment (something like 'row, row, row your boat') that he learned at school.

6s were maybe going to be tough, until we thought and thought about another song we could use. The kids are still big fans of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," especially the violin part at the beginning (dun-dun-dun-dunDUN-dun-dun-dun dun) and the "oh-oh-OH-oh-oh"s of the chorus. It seemed to fit right into place.

First, the violins (:00 to :07 in the video): six, twelve, eighteen, TWENty four, thirty. Thirty six, forty two, FORty eight, fifty four.

Then a loud "SIXTY" to transition.

Then the chorus ohs (3:00-3:12): si----xty six, se--------venty two (I told him he could stop there, he kept going.) se---venty eight. eigh------ty four.

And on and on.

Did you get all that? six, twelve, eighteen, TWENty four, thirty. Thirty six, forty two, FORty eight, fifty four. SIXTY!  si----xty six, se--------venty two. se---venty eight. eigh------ty four.

Later tonight, I was showing him the 9s trick (you know, each single digit in the number adds up to 9. 1+8, 2+7, 3+6, etc). He sat quietly for awhile, then busted out the Imperial March song (you know, the dun, dun, dun Darth Vader song. Start at about :10 in this video and go until :27).

"Nine, eight-teen, twen-ty sev'n, thir-ty six. For-ty-five! Fif-ty four! Six-ty three! (Go high here). SE-venty TWO! Eigh-ty one! Ninety, Nine-ty nine! One hun-dred and eight, WE ARE DONE."

Yeah, no more "row row row your boat" for us.

Don't be intimidated if you come over and have to join us in such singing. Annie does it with us and just fills in her own random numbers (and her own notes too...).

Sigh. Math geeks, we are. Math geeks with hair bows and bellies.

More words of wisdom from Zane

Zane brought this home from school the other week. It's entitled, "Diary of a Worm."

Brandon especially liked the death x's for eyes. Nice effect, Zane.