Summer's preschool picture

 Here is Summer's preschool picture.  We were allowed to download the digital copy at full resolution and print them on our own.  I cropped the photo and at it centered on her for the printed out version that I will use as an 8x10 for my wall.  I loved her natural smile!!  Kristi must have snapped her photo at just the right moment to capture that!

I thought her class photo turned out great!  The funny part was that it was pouring down rain!!!  I was there when the photo was taken.  The kids were such great sports being out in the pouring rain!

Alyssa straight A's

Alyssa has been a straight A student ever since 5th grade when they started assigning letter grades!  4 trimesters now of straight A's!!  Way to go smarty pants!  She certainly puts in the hard work to do well in school and we are very proud of her!!!

Alyssa learns to sew a bag

 Alyssa was in a much better mood today and wanted to learn how to sew a bag.  I knew she would love it!!  Watching her sew a bag was like watching Daddy put in pergo floors.  Such precise perfection!!  She totally took her time making sure each step was done exactly right.  She was nervous to try the process but she was happy after practicing.  She did a great job!  All of her seams lined up great! 

Thinking of her and the peddle made me think we should go on deserted roads to teach her to drive.  She wanted to push the peddle at a snails pace, or barely at all.  I know in time when she gets more comfortable she will go faster.  When she was done in the bag she asked me if she could sew something with the left over fabric.  She made a little pillow and blanket for her stuffed animals all by herself!  It was great to see her confidence had already grown and she applied what she learned to something new.

Kayla learns to sew a bag

 Kayla chose some fabric I bought years ago.  It is Littlest Pet Shop fabric.  I think at the time I was going to make Alyssa a dress out of it but I never got around to it. 

Since Kayla's pattern had to be facing up and we only had a limited amount of fabric her bag required twice the work as we had to modify the pattern and the process.

She was really excited to learn.  She liked ironing.  She cut out her pattern a bit messy and learned a good lesson that it is important to be neat.  I hope she takes more time next time.  In her defense though my scissors are very dull.  Santa must bring me at least one new pair since it is likely these girls will be taking over my sewing machine.

If Kayla's sewing is a glimpse into the future of her driving we are in big trouble!!  That girl likes to push the peddle fast!!!!   She is all about efficiency!  I kept thinking, man she loves that peddle, I hope she is more conservative when she   learns to drive!

I loved how she wasn't afraid to do anything.  The iron didn't scare her, pinning didn't scare her, she was super excited to try running it through the machine!  It was definitely fun teaching her!

Movie time

I took Summer to see The Penguins Movie.  Last year I tried to take her to see Frozen but she only made it through 45 minutes of the movie.  It has almost been a year since then so I thought we could give it another try!

I told Summer in the morning we were going to go.  I also told her it was important to stay and watch the whole movie.  She told me it was important to be quiet.  She was so excited to see the movie.  All day she kept asking when we were leaving.  She did great despite 23 minutes of previews!!!  It makes me so mad when you have to watch that many.  I don't know if it is just our theater that does that.  I am going to have to remember to start showing up 15 minutes late.  Our theater isn't crowded at all so there is plenty of seating!  I was so glad she can finally make it through a whole movie!!

Easy bag

 I made the easy reusable bag pattern.  I really liked it.  Best part it only needed to use pressing in the beginning and near the end.  Some of the other patterns were calling for pressing at almost every step.  I have never been a big fan of the iron.

Not sure if Alyssa wants to learn anymore or if she is just having a bad day.  She said she was no longer interested.  Kayla wants to learn though.  Tomorrow we shall try!!!  I hope she liked it!

Snowman poem

Candy Cane reindeer

 After Christmas last year I found a candy cane reindeer kit on major clearance so I picked it up for this year.  The girls had a lot of fun making them.  Thankfully Alyssa and Kayla helped Summer with the gluing. 

Reusable shopping bag

 I tried a new pattern today.  I used a Walmart plastic bag as the pattern.  Very sturdy bag.  I have one more even easier pattern I found on youtube that I will try in the next couple of days.  I want to find the easiest pattern to teach Alyssa with since it will be her first time sewing on a sewing machine.

Kayak

Hubby scored a steal of a deal on a used two person kayak.  We snatched it up quick and used up our Christmas budget for hubby and I.  Oh well, this is the perfect family gift anyway!!  With his blue two person kayak and this one our whole family will be able to go out on the lake at the same time together.  With a nice lake being only 5 miles away we should have a lot of fun together!