Photobucket Photobucket  photo M1_zpsmeajs2i9.png  photo hs_zpsjdypdbbd.png Photobucket

12.18.2014

Around Here and a Very Little Thing to Sew

We are at the tail end of our pre-Christmas events!  Jude and Indigo had their piano recital this past weekend.

piano recital! 

They both memorized their pieces and did great!  They didn't forget a single note.

piano recital
I don't know where Indigo got that pose, but it made Dan and me laugh!

Next the kids' had their homeschool playgroup party.  I brought the kids craft - reindeer crowns.  And Jude, Indigo and I stayed up late making these easy treats for the party.

three girls

But the biggest event of all was Tia's Christmas pageant at school!  She was a lamb.

christmas pageant lamb 

Is that not the sweetest costume ever?  I did not make it - apparently it was made years ago.  But I wish I could thank the person who did.  It was impeccably made and I don't think Tia could've looked any cuter!

christmas pageant lamb 

Tia was supposed to wear black socks on her hands but since the costume was so nice, I decided to sew black velvet mittens instead.  I used the pattern from Little Things to Sew and it was such an easy project.

She had a solo in the Christmas Pageant.  Here she is practicing it.  I think she has the sweetest little voice.  The kids were so into helping her learn it.  Indigo and Iris would sing it with her.  Jude would play the ukulele while I played the piano.  It was a fun to help and she sang it perfectly during the two performances!  We were so proud of her!

Last week Hazel turned 4 months old.  My friend calls her youngest a honey and that is the perfect way to describe Hazel.  She is such a honey.

hazel 4 months

I read somewhere that fussiness decreases around 12 weeks for most babies and I would say that's been true for Hazel.

hazel - 4 months 

 When we used to set her down, the kids and I would each make a guess on how long it would be take before she started crying.  The answers ranged from 'instantly' to '1 minute' and generally the 'instantly' or '20 second' guess was the winner.

baby legs - 4 months

I would always pick her up when she cried, but seemingly overnight she became more content playing on the floor, exploring her soft toys or practicing rolling... and double rolling.  She likes to roll to get around.  She can't get too far, but frequently makes her way off of her blanket.

hazel 4 months 

She's also happy now for short periods in her bouncy chair while I take a shower.  I think she likes the sound of the running water!  I also talk to her and then she squawks back at me.  I pause, as if what she told me was comprehendible, and back and forth we go.

I had to leave Hazel for the first time to record Tia's Christmas play.  I offered to record it on my DSLR but I hadn't tried that function on my camera before.  It was all very last minute, so I did some late night cramming via youtube.  It went well until it cut off after 30 minutes, right in the middle of Tia's solo!  Does anyone know if there is a way around that 30 minute limit?
hazel 4 months

While Hazel was left in very capable hands while I was gone, she was sobbing when I got home and clung to me for dear life.  She nearly leapt into my arms.  You would think by my fifth child I would have an easier time leaving her, but I just don't like it, especially knowing she would cry so much.

baby legs - 4 months

I think the novelty of having a baby sister has mostly worn off for Jude and Indigo - although they are wonderful helpers and do love her very much.  But for Tia and Iris, it seems that every day they are more more interested in Hazel.

iris and hazel (4 months)

I'm pretty sure they see her as their very own baby doll.

iris and hazel (4 months)

Iris in particular is especially enthusiastic in her love for Hazel.  She also sees herself as being more capable than she actually is so I have to watch her like a hawk when she's with Hazel.

iris and hazel (4 months)

Tomorrow the kids and I are going to Tia's school to make gingerbread houses with Tia.  Her teacher has been so awesome about including our whole gang in activities when parents are invited along.  So the kids can't wait.

my girls 

After that, we are all on vacation!  Dan, too!  So far, I haven't made anything for anyone this Christmas.  It has been a 0% Handmade Holiday.  However, my kids are asking for our tradition of handmade pajamas for Christmas Eve.  I'm just not sure I can finish in time.  I was kind of trying to talk them out of it. I guess we'll have to see if Ms Hazel will cooperate with the idea.

my girls 

How about you?  Are you having a handmade holiday this year?

13 comments:

  1. oh I just love your Pictures! And especially the lamp! Cutest picture ever. My little Charlotte (19 month old) is absolutely crazy about lamps. Maybe I do the costume for Carneval (we have it in Germany at the end of Febuary and all Kids wear costumes for at least a day) . She would love it.

    As every year I try to do lots of selfmade presents and by the middle of december i go shopping for Christmas presents because I never manage to do them all by myself. But I've finished a few ones. Patchwork-Pencelrolls for the Girls, a big buttlerfly quilt for my older daughter and an apron for my dad who is a great cook. Thats it!

    Have a wonderful Christmas!
    Best wishes from Germany
    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds like you have had a very productive sewing season! :) I'm sure all of your recipients will be thrilled. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a very merry Christmas!

      Delete
  2. Ooh, Hazel is a honey. I want to give her a cuddle.
    Happy Christmas to you and your family!! x

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh that lamb!!! and her voice! I always love the voice of english speaking kids. I find that so so cute!
    I don't like leaving my kids either, even now that they are "big"!! when i had Blandine I had to go back to work when she was 2 months 1/2 and she cried all day for a whole month although the woman I left her with was fabulous! that was torture!
    As for a handmade christmas.. well Blandine pajamas have been sitting by my machine untouched since last week end! but I am making the kids some softies with this fabric : http://www.birchfabrics.com/Acorn_Trail_p/acorn-trail.htm it is my secret easy christmas project!
    You sound so busy , I think you are doing so much already for the kids! I don't think it would be bad if you don't make these pajamas this year!!
    many hugs to your whole tribe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. cutest.lamb.ever.

    and that first photo of Hazel after Miss Tia the lamb . . . gah! perfection! The expression you caught, the lighting, the clarity - all perfect! Please print that one:)
    And look at how much Hazel loves Iris' hugs and kisses!Those two are going to best buds, I predict. Well, when they aren't arguing:)
    My handmade holiday didn't really materially this year. Between beginning a part time job this fall and keeping up with my Etsy ornament orders, my own personal sewing took a back seat. I miss it though! Perhaps during the Christmas vacation, which clearly will be too late for handmade gifts:(
    I hope you, Dan and the kids have a wonderful, blessed Christmas as you enjoy family time and the joy of seeing Hazel experience her first Christmas. What fun:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll admit, Lucinda, Hazel is VERY tolerant! I guess we're fortunate with that! I hope you find some time to sew. I was just checking Flickr to see if you had posted anything new. And I didn't know about your part time job. I'd love to know what you're doing. Maybe an email?
      Merry Christmas, Lucinda!

      Delete
  5. HONEY! Totally! Oh, your children are so lovely and sweet as always.

    I am coming to terms with the fact that I will finish very little more in preparation for Christmas. But we'll make cookies for Santa for sure. And I did some cute decorations (gah, I haven't had any time to blog!). And maybe, just maybe, I'll finish this legal memo I'm working on relating to Indian gaming and casinos? LOL. I have to tell you, getting that thing off of my back would be MAJOR. Homemade Christmas indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hazel is so cute. Maybe you could make only pajama bottoms and purchase tshirts

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love pyjamas at Christmas. Think I still have time? What a precious little lamb. Cutest ever. I never left my kids with anyone. Hated to leave. Nursing them forEVER sort of does that ; ) bless you on your Christmas. Glad your man is around too

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so nice to be finishing up with the Christmas events and launching into the relaxing last few days before the holiday. I did most of my wrapping today! Hope your pajamas are coming along or you've found a way clear of them =) Have a Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Seriously, Tia is the cutest lamb ever.
    The kids are looking stunning (Indigo's pose cracked me up too).
    I only made one handmade thing for a kid this Christmas, and I already know it's been well received!
    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. HAZEL!! she is such a little doll! they all are, really. keep these photos coming, they are such a joy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. eek! that baby is delicious! I have a very hard time leaving my babies too. The first and last time I left Hawthorne in the church nursery, he was a total mess of tears when I returned. Hot and sweaty and broken out in a rash. Poor boy.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I generally respond to comments via email. If your profile does not link to your email account, I try to respond here. :)