Breaking Out for Spring Break!

Last week was Daryl's first spring break. We were happy to be able to visit my brother and sister-in-law's family in South Dakota. They moved there last summer and we had yet to make the trip. It was a great time of relaxing, discovering a new town and enjoying family.

The boys got to have a practice Easter Egg hunt! They will be ready for the Easter Bunny and the real deal!

We were so happy that Grandma Rosie was able to meet us there. After having her all to ourselves for a month the boys were really missing her. They were spoiled rotten by having a grandparent in the house. Honestly, it was pretty nice for Kelly and I too!

Mr. 4-H got to come to South Dakota with us. We were afraid he would die if we didn't give him a little water every day. While he was there his hair went crazy! Daryl finally go to give him a hair cut which is what he was most excited about since making him.
He already wants to make another one.

Mr. 4-H looks good with a buzz cut. On the way home he fell out of the car and broke his pot. Daryl was weirdly OK with this because he already got to do the hair cut.

I couldn't go on vacation without taking my knitting. I got the body of my Olive sweater completed! I started this sweater in August so we are taking a break before I tackle the sleeves. I'm going to work on some Christmas stockings with some nice big worsted weight yarn! Lace weight yarn is starting to drive me crazy!

Mr. 4-H

With all the great weather we have been having, it feels like spring is here! The boys have been playing in the backyard, Kelly has been working on things outside and I've been running outdoors!

Last week Daryl made a homemade chia pet at his 4-H club meeting. He named him Mr. 4-H. On Saturday the grass started to poke through the top and today (Monday) he thought it was crazy how much hair his little guy has. He is super excited for the day he can cut the hair with scissors.

I'ts a pretty easy project if you want to copy it. You just take the foot of some old pantyhose and put in two spoons of grass seed in first. Then put in enough potting soil to make a large ball. Tie a knot in the panty hose to keep all the dirt in a ball.

We used a hot glue gun to put on the eyes and attach the head to the small flower pot. Then you just water it and keep the head moist. You don't want to over water or you will just grow mold. When I told Daryl that he thought growing mold would be OK too. Crazy kid!

Between playing outside and work this weekend I made two place mats! I have enough fabric to make six but only time to make two. Here is where I got the pattern. I cut mine 13 inches by 17.5 inches. I'm only mentioning that because when I make the other four I probably won't remember how I cut the first two!

 I wanted them a little bit smaller than regular place mats because I'm styling our new table. With the sheep salt and pepper shakers it is starting to come together. Kelly doesn't understand making your table look nice, but he is playing along. He just doesn't want anymore sheep in the house decor...I don't know if I can make that promise!

Just New Yarn

I have been working on this spin for months. I spin so slow it almost makes me think I will drown in fiber. But there are worse ways to go! LOL
This is Wickerwork dyed by Hello Yarn, I spun it as a 3 ply. I separated the braid into light and dark so I can do some color work. It will make a nice sweater for Daryl or Alex.

It was such a great weekend. The weather warmed up and our family took advantage. We went to the zoo, I went for a run, and the boys spent hours playing outside. Hoping this weather stays around for awhile. I've been fighting a cold for about a month so if that could go away I would be happy.

When are we just lying to them?

I don't mean to spark a pro or anti "fictional gift-givers" debate. We do Santa here, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter bunny. Kids grow up so fast that it is nice to play pretend with them and let them have a little mystery.
Here is my issue. What about when they start asking all kinds of questions. And they are not probing, "are these people real" questions. When Daryl asks those I will tell him the truth.
These questions are, "Can I write the Easter Bunny a letter?" "Does the Easter Bunny have bunny helpers?" "Does God talk to the Easter Bunny?" "If I tell God what I want can he tell the Easter Bunny?"
GEEZ LOUISE!
I can tell a few white lies but this seems a little too much. I was this close to telling him, "Listen, I'm the Easter Bunny, and NO you are not getting an IPAD."  But then does the topic change to Santa? I'm over thinking this and just need to go to bed but if you feel like sharing when and why you spilled the jelly beans, please feel free!
This Saturday, Daryl participated in his first 4-H Club Days. He did a Show and Share for the cloverbud division(5 and 6 year olds). Show and Share is like show and tell except it is suppossed to be about something 4-H. Since 4-H covers a lot it leaves it pretty wide open. However, a Spiderman piggy bank doesn't really count.
On Thursday, I helped Daryl prepare a Show and Share about a lego thing he had built. Legos are a 4-H project. We practiced the lego talk again on Friday. I left for the event before Daryl woke up on Saturday so I was confused as I watched him walk into the event. I realized there were no legos in his hand just a Spiderman piggy bank he won at school bingo the night before.
Dad didn't get the memo that the talk had to be related to 4-H. No harm no foul, all 6 year olds get the same ribbon. It is more about the experience of talking in front of a judge. He talked about his piggy bank very well!

 Daryl also got a Spiderman towel at school bingo night.

Daryl giving his talk










Daryl and Mom's club days selfie!