T-shirt resizing - tie dye

before: size 6-8 and boxy

after: size 5 slim

before: size 12 and boxy

after: size 8 and girly

I traced the shape of Kai's Old Navy size 5 shirt for his, and used Milimili's cap sleeve pattern for Asha's.

T-shirt resizing - boxy to girly

At the end of the school year, Jerome brought home a men's size small t-shirt from the D.A.R.E. graduation, that he had no interest in wearing. Asha said she wanted it, so it got dropped in the resize pile. Fast forward to this week, and I realized that Jerome and Asha could use some t-shirts. I dug in the resize pile and came up with a few things.

This one came out the best because the sleeves were wide enough for some puffy details. I used a Milimili pattern in size 140. More shirts using this pattern here and here.

Kai's first day of kindergarten

We can't believe this day has finally come. It was a long wait for Kai.

I hope he is having as much fun as he anticipated. I can't wait to have him back and hear all about it.

Art

Asha has turned into our photographer. She takes the camera out to the yard and takes beautiful pictures of nature. She also takes a lot of pictures of me, which has been a different experience all together. I try to be accommodating and do my best at posing for her. It is only fare after all the modeling she has done for this blog.

We started getting raspberries this week. A handful a day and just enough to eat on the spot and enjoy. Asha took the following two pics.

Jerome, Asha, and Kai enjoyed a fun art camp in Moscow with cousins. Here is Jerome rinsing out the dye of the tie-dye shirts.

I am impressed at how pretty they turned out.

The summer fun continues.

Jerome's Birthday Party

This was the best birthday party, ever. Jerome planned and executed all the activities. He and Asha cleaned the whole house and decorated. Scott bought the pizza and I made the cake. Instead of running around, I really got to enjoy the party.

Here is Asha putting the last minute touches to the table. She worked so hard for her brother.

Everybody enjoying the food after a big water balloon fight in the yard.

The boys worked on one of the presents.

Niece Jennabee came and watched Quinn so I could enjoy the party. She is an angel sent from Heaven, and we love her.

Jerome is starting middle school in August. I feel old.

Summer, finally

The high is in the seventies, finally, and we are immersed in summer fun. Water park, pool, beach (Snake River), parks, sleepover, and a visit to the university creamery with cousins. Jerome and Asha have been working hard with house work and caring for the little boys to free up my time for such fun activities. It has been a blast.

I had never thought Kai and Quinn looked a like, until I saw this picture taken today.

Jerome, Asha, and Kai took swim lessons. It was Jerome and Asha's first time, and they loved it. Here is Kai with his instructor.

When an 11 year old has all afternoon to spend in the yard with his knife, this is what he comes up with. "Don't worry Mom. I only cut off the dead branches." he assures me.

Today was Jerome's 11th birthday. Since Scott is gone all week to Japan on business, we had the family celebration with Scott's side of the family last Sunday. Here he is with the big chocolate trifle I made.

Oops, wrong order. It took a while to light up all 11 candles.

I will try to take some pictures at the next water activity. I am usually busy chasing Quinn while making sure Kai is alive, so never remember to pull out the camera.

The reason I haven't been sewing was that...

I have been painting. There is no surface left of the old in the two kids' rooms. It took almost a month since my painting time was limited to nap time and late evenings. Kids taking turns getting sick didn't speed things up either.

The bed and side table came from Spokane via Craig's list, a great find.

This desk could also use a new coat of paint, but that has to wait for another Saturday.

I added a couple shelves for Asha's clothes and knick knacks.