My little Artist

Camping Out in Sherwood Forest, Great Britain - Lots of Pictures

Saturday morning all three of us got busy plus Soren right in the middle to decorate for Bella's Party and we crafted all kinds of decorations out of sticks, string, staples and construction paper.

Of course using fabric would have been really neat, too, but paper was less time consuming and and in the medieval times plastic was not the hit yet.

So paper it was.

Chiara waiting anguishly for the first party guests playing with a little lizard which she tried to hide in the little bucket in her room under the bed.

Don't miss your way!

We had 9 (6 plus mine)kids sleeping here last night plus Heidi leaving at midnight because all the kids occupied the couch and floor. And none of the kids went home inthe middle of the night.

After all the girls arrived we first filled their tummies with hot dog kebabs and potatoes on sticks. In the forest you have no silverware, so they HAD to use their fingers and sticks.

I grew up with lots of stories about Robin Hood and his merry men, but some of the girls never heard of him before. So we had to introduce Robin of Locksley and with a storybook and fitting activities we spent the next hours.

The first activity roll told them to dress up like Robin and his men to be ready to fight for King Richard against the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Robin Hood is secretly in love with Maid Marian and wants to treat her like his princess, so they second roll told them to decorate crowns for Maid Marian. They did a beautiful job.

It was time the Tournament of the Golden Arrow in the garden of our castle.

After playing 'Tagged by the Sheriff of Nothingham' and 'Stealing Taxes from the Sheriff of Nottingham' Robin Hood and his men won the battle against the Sheriff and celebrated King Richard's return with cakein the castle with silver plates and silver forks.

Here are Robin Hood and his merry (wo)men!

Oops! We almost forgot to opening the presents.

Group Hugs

To get them all settle down we watched the old Robin Hood movie with Kevin Costner 'Prince of Thieves'. The movie is old enough that none of the kids has seen it before. LOL

It's a LONG movie.

The next morning.

Abi, one of our late sleepers.

Mallory was still all bundled up under a quilt on couch, not be seen,

Party Preparations Friday Night

Finally after some shopping during the week I got my butt up and started with the party preparations for Bella's slumber party.

Ten invitations were given out, I received a few RSVPs and some more told to Isabell, but just out of experience you never know the turnout for a party. It usually happens that 50% come - perfect - but once a while all will come and also sometimes none.

So hoping for the perfect middle, but not having any idea I dreaded a little having agreed for a slumber party and having up to 13 kids in the house over night.

After the cake was baking in the oven , I pourred myself a glass, still doubting if I made the right decision. While I was preparing Pauline had a slumber party at her house for Abby. And Gentri called both of us crazy or stupid. LOL. Thanks Gen.

All week long I was trying to come up with ideas for a "Robin Hood" Party Isabell wished for. I love being creative, but i truly was stuck and there is no Robin Hood Party Kit in a Box available.

UPDATE: Now there is, made in Texas, right out side of Nottingham and Sherwood Forest.

After getting lucky at the Dollar section of the Walmart fabric department, we had enough cloth for dress up clothes for all the kids including Soren who just had to work as model for me right away.

I looked ine very store I could imagine and i found here to find the golden chocolate coins I ALWAYS see. But no, not one, nowhere, nada, nix. So I had to come up with another idea to provide taxes. Even most of our party guest are able to read by now, I was hoping that they overlook the fact that we would be using American currency from the year 2008 instead of the english one from the medieval times.

After printing the scrolls for our story activities and another glass of mine I called it a night. The rest just had to wait until the next day.

Check it out ! It is open ! Quiet City

My friend Courtney opened her Etsy Store Quiet City today. She is selling amazing postcards and wallart she created. Take a look. Just click on the following link below or on the button on the right.

http://quietcity.etsy.com/

P.S. Did you already vote for Soren today? www.kdhnews.com/babyohbaby

Just being a little bit crafty

Sewing and being crafty, creative is my little world when I need to get a break from everything else. I do have hundreds of ideas, never enough time, but once a while I just really need to take time for it.

So today I had lots of errands, but also stopped at Hobbylobby. Yes, I did eye at all the beautiful fabric, but after I have a big stash at home, I cut the corner and went looking for adhesives and glues I never used before.

And tonight I tried out something new, not for the kids yet, even Bella's first question was "Is this for my birthday party?". We always try to do incorporate some crafts on the parties and some kids are amazing little artists and just have fun with it. We will see what we are coming up with for this weekend.

While the first layer of mod podge is drying on tonights quick creations, I can show of my latest sewing projects. I didn't want to show pictures earlier because both were presents and I surely didn't want to spoil the surprise.

This is a small fold up stationary keeper with a block, letter paper and envelopes (I just didn't find the perfect note cards) and on the right side is a place for a writing pen and stamps to have everything on hand.

The babyquilt was for little Reagan, she is Logan's babysister, obe of Soren's June 2007 buddies.

I just loved the colors and used some of my favorite fabrics. I am working on using the fabrics I really love even it means to cut them up, you can believe I am able to keep building up my stash and just looking at it, too.

Sisters

Kick Ass Blogger Award

Anelys surprised me and gave me my first Blogger Award. Thanks Anelys!

Here it is:

Now, the rules:

* Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are "Kick Ass Bloggers"

* Let 'em know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they've received an award

* Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to Mammadawg, the inventor of this award.

* Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on!

And the awards go to -

Courtney and Quiet City. She is an amazing artists and writer, all her art has so much heart. And she is one very special JJJ.

Bridget and Mama Belly. She takes awesome photographs, her favorite subject is of course her son James who is just adorable. And she is such a sweet blogger and blog reader. You can count on her.

Robin and I'm just saying. I just love to read her blog. She is a fantastic writer. Not any more words necessary.

The Love Family. A fellow Texas June '07 family with three adorable children. Little Andy is such a sweetheart.

Nikki and WhiMSy love. Rock On With Yer Crafty Self!! Just go and check it out. She is amazing.

Now it is your turn.

Saturday Activities

Part 1:

Friday evening Coach Mo called and asked the girls to come for a tumbling demonstration the next morning at the KIDS DAY at the City Park. While he was running late they enjoyed the activities. Isabell really wants to learn how to twist balloons and got herself an extra one and got right to work. A moment later it popped. LOL

Isn't it nice if you even get a prize you can choose yourself when you miss the goal at a game?

Soren LOVES dogs! "But come on, guys, even I am little, don't fool me, this is not a real fireman dog. I am NOT getting close to it!"

Who needs popcorn, hotdogs, face painting, bounce houses, games, music and silly dogs if there is a big root growing right here!

Part 2:

With some delay Coach Mo arrives and the girls are getting ready to show off some tumbling. He does and amazing job with the kids and his classes are usually packed, even there is no advertising just word from mouth to mouth.

May I present the "Monkey Faces" of the Junior League of the YMCA Tumbling Academy.

Part 3:

Bella's classmate celebrated her 8th birthday at the CTC Planetarium. What a neat idea!

While all the kid's watched the show inside Soren and I explored the college on the outside.

Part 4:

No pictures worth. Gardening. Cutting gras. I figured out the new lawn mower and got it to start until I ran out of gasoline barely started. Thanks Leland. All the gasoline containers are empty. At the old place I would at least be done with front yard by now, but not on this property. if we every own our own place we have to considering a smart landscaping solution and no I am not thinking of desert landscaping (I remember picking leaves out of rocks by hand.).