Blank Slate W Shorts

I wanted to make Lana a pair of red bermuda shorts, so when I saw that Blank Slate Patterns was running a promotion in May for a discount when you made+shared your creation using one of their patterns, I was ready to go! I printed the W Pants Pattern and went straight to the fabric store and picked out this red bottomweight sateen. Then I had the biggest outbreak of poison ivy I've ever had and couldn't do much for about three weeks, let alone work on a sewing project! With a few days left in the month, and feeling a bit better, I hastily went to work on the shorts. But on the last day of the month, almost done, Lana tried them on...and I had made them way too big! I measured incorrectly. Back to the drawing board. And back to the fabric store. With my new measurement in hand I had to grade the pattern down about 1.5 sizes since the smallest size was still too big for my petite lady. I decided to take out the "W" yoke and insert welt pockets instead. I love how they turned out so much that I want a pair to match!

Also, I've been practicing braiding Lana's hair. Not that I need practice doing the actual braiding, but rather braiding while my subject is in constant motion or shaking her head side to side. 

What Cereal Should be Called

Nearly every morning after Clark finishes breakfast he asks for a handful each of multiple cereals. Since getting out four boxes was too many I now limit him to two each day. The names he calls them are so funny I wanted to document them here to remember.

From left to right: Yellow Dad Cereal or Yellow Cereal, Cheerios (sounds more like cheer-yo's), Tiger Cereal, Yes Milk Chex, and Not Milk Chex

Blueberry Picking

We picked blueberries this morning. Last year I remember being enchanted with the rural surroundings of the blueberry farm. Country roads and farmland were a refreshing sight to a city gal. Now that I live somewhat out in the country myself the scenery didn't seem to possess the same amount of magic. But the blueberries sure did! Clark couldn't help but sneak a few. handfuls. I was surprised at what an industrious little picker he was, but he and his cousin disappeared out of sight for awhile and when I went to check on their progress they had ditched their buckets and were eating blueberries straight off the trees. I had to laugh at those funny boys. Lana got into the picking as well--blueberries...and greenberries...and pinkberries. oops.

Does that look like a tired little boy or what?!

Day at the [Smelly] Beach

Last Saturday we spent the day at Surfside Beach with four of Steve's siblings. The beach was less than inviting with its mounds of seaweed and accompanying odor. I saw one of ten kids enjoy the water, but for the most part, they preferred to dig in the sand. The ladies visited in the shade while the men frolicked in the waves. Though the beach was sub-par it was fun to get together with everyone.

Glad for Dad

Happy Father's Day! I think I may have enjoyed it just as much or more than Steve this year. Clark and I picked him up a new tie--cliche--but, I secretly made Clark a similar clip on tie so he and Daddy could match for Father's Day. Clark presented Steve with his gift and promptly told him "it's a tie" and ran off before he opened it. ha ha! I also made a video/slideshow that included pictures, videos, and an interview with Clark about his daddy. One of my favorite lines from the show is when I asked Clark what he loved most about his daddy and his response was, "good." Clark did a great job singing "the daddy song" with the primary kids in church today and his cousins were even there to watch. We spent the afternoon eating good food and playing with lots of cousins. Happy Father's Day to this incredible daddy. We love you!