Volunteer at school

Today, I volunteered for Cassie's art class.  I was told the other day it would be cool if I helped out, but I couldn't do anything to embarrass her!  I was one of the individuals helping with 'the glue gun'.  The kids had made masks and were decorating them today.  I was gluing buttons, colored wire, string, ribbon, etc.  It was a fun time.

On the ride to school this morning, Drew told me about his art project - making a picture of onion domes in Russia.  He told me all about them and was pretty excited.  I arrived early this morning to volunteer so I was able to see one of the groups work on their pictures of onion domes.  The teacher was telling me all about the project and how she is working with the history teacher on this as they learn about Russia.  I'm sure I'll see Drew's finished product in a few weeks.

Taylor's 14th birthday!

As mentioned in a past post - Taylor turned 14 last weekend!  He informed us that one now has to wait 6 months after their 14th birthday before they can take the test to get their learners permit.  That tends to take a bit of fun out of turning 14.

Below are a couple pic's of the nieces and nephew's when we were together to celebrate.

Drew's football pic

As mentioned in the past post - Drew has a passion for football at age 10.  Sidenote: Andrew decided shortly before school started that he would like to go by 'Drew' instead of 'Andrew'.  His Bengal's team won 5 of 6 games.  He played both offense and defense and enjoys playing both.   He was also in a weekend tournament last weekend for the Valley team and they placed third.  So, football ended Sunday and his first basketball practice started on Monday!

Weekend events

Two weeks ago we celebrated Andrew's 10th birthday!!  He had a Halloween themed party.  Family and 5 friends were invited to celebrate with him, eat pizza and play some games.  And what would any 10 year old boy want for his birthday - yes, more nerf guns (and that he received)!!  I have learned a lot about nerf guns over the past few months, and just when I think I'm caught up on them he begins to tell me and show me the newest ones and the ones which shoot further and more accurately. What a booming business -- who knew!

My parents were here to attend the party and then watch him play football on Saturday.  They won all games for his season.

Playoffs for his team were last weekend, so Dad watched him play his football playoff game.  Unfortunately they lost so the season was over.  Mom helped me and friends set up the booth at church.  We went shopping for some various items and we all kinda did our own thing.

This upcoming weekend we are celebrating Taylor's big 14th birthday!!  He is very excited to be able to get his drivers permit!  So we shall be celebrating this Sat.  Mom and Dad's car knows the way to Des Moines very well!!  Good thing it was an early harvest;)

Andrew has a different football tournament this weekend - one game each day (Fri/Sat/Sun).  These will be some cold game days (40's)!

Holiday Extravaganza - Fun Time!

Our Holiday Extravaganza was very fun to organize and participate in with a new group of friends and my mom.  We have been getting together every Wednesday for the past few Wednesday mornings.  It's been a real treat.  We have learned new crafts from others in our group, brought lunch for those attending while their kids were having fun playing and just had some girl talk. Eight of us participated and 6 of us were there for the event on Sunday.  We realized we had a lot of items to fit into an 8x8 booth!  My mom knitted her scarves and had her felted knitted purses which were all a big hit!  I had my felted sweater mittens and some fabric covered magnets.  Those didn't go over as well as anticipated -- there was another booth who had a bunch of sweater mittens and hers were of any type of sweater and had some fancy buttons on them, so I had a bit of competition;)

We also had strawberry jam, breads, sweet potato crescent rolls, hair ribbons/bows, tutu items, special order framed pictures, jewelry, receiving blankets, etc.  We received a lot of compliments and had a great time.  Others were saying that people just weren't buying this year and they felt it should have been held in November when people are more 'in the spirit' of buying for the holidays.  Regardless, we all had a blast and are going to continue to get together and make more crafts, bake, have a book study, etc.

Here are a few pictures of our booth and our group -- Nifty Newcomers!

The Joys of Renting

Oh, the joys of renting!  I really do like my townhome.  It just makes me laugh at what it takes to get something done.  Since I have moved in there has been a list of maintenance items that have not been completed.  It took many visits to the front office to get the guys here and then they don't complete what they are supposed to do.  One of the lightbulbs went out in the kitchen which they are to replace at no cost.  Well after two notes from the maintenance man stating it was replaced, it still didn't work (plus I had about 5 other items that had not been done) so I decided to call the corporate office and speak up.  Isn't it interesting that I've received a phone call 3 times since and she is informing me what has been completed and what is on order, etc!  I had to laugh about it on Thursday as they left a note saying all I need to do is hold the intercom button down, talk and it will work.  Hello - don't they realize that's what was attempted and it doesn't work!  So after telling that to corporate they were back again on Friday and realized they couldn't fix it and they will send the intercom org here to fix it.  It certainly makes me wonder how some companies make it and how much employees try to get away with...Who knows, maybe they will have the remaining 2 items completed within a 3 month timeframe! 

Holiday Extravaganza

A few weeks ago I read the church bulletin about an upcoming Holiday Extravaganza in October.  I've always wanted to participate in an event and sell some crafts.  So, I went ahead and connected with the organizer of the event and asked if our Newcomers group would be able to have a booth even though none of us have an organization.  Some had mentioned in past meetings they like to make crafts and/or bake.  I had to laugh as the lady organizing it emailed me back and said of course we would love to have the group participate and who wouldn't buy baked goods from a bunch of church ladies!  I don't believe I've ever been called a church lady and I can't wait to meet this lady! 

Our group has about 6 ladies interested.  We met last week and learned how to make hair clips/ribbons, bib holders and ribbon clips for pacifiers.  Another lady used to partner with a friend in the last city she lived and they had booths at different places and called themselves:  Once Upon A Tutu.  Now, she has some items she showed us already completed that are adorable!  She had lots of decorated headbands, tutu's with fancy shirts, zebra fabric bags where she sewed toole to the front side - too cute.  I think I'll be making one of these for Cassie as she is in dance this year and thinks the bags are really cool!  (That will be the Christmas gift!)

This week we are learning how to make felted flowers.  These will be very useful as I might be able to use them on the mittens I make or I may figure out how to crochet a hat and then add the felted flower.  I've made 100 fabric button covered magnets and have been sewing away making the felted sweater mittens!  My mom is making her knitted scarves. 

It's been fun so far and a great way to get to know each other better.  Kristine who hosted it at her home told us that she now feels much more at home since she is able to invite friends over to her place as she loves to do so.  Bonnie made us soup which was a hit and she made sure it was something I could eat - so thoughtful! 

Stay tuned as I'll post pictures of the booth.  The event will be Oct 22nd.