I hadn't thought of it that way...

D2:  Since it's called "Toys R Us," we can't give anything from there to someone else.

Stash to Treasure: Basement Baby Blanket

The previous owners of our house left a few things behind.  Some we really appreciate, like the dining room table that we use every day, and the stove on the back porch that I use for canning.  Some were not so desirable, like the black-and-gold bed frame that we got rid of immediately.  One surprising find was a stack of fabric left in the crawl space under the house. 

Pink fabric, of course, and flowery.  Not what we needed for our decor.  But they were large pieces, and I wanted to do something with them, someday, for someone else. 

Someday finally arrived.  I added some blue fabric and batting, and turned the pink legacy into a warm baby blanket.  Our stake Relief Society is collecting quilts and other items for LDS Humanitarian Services this year.  One blanket is a drop in the bucket of worldwide need, but it is a drop I'm happy to add.

Stash to Treasure: Pink

Last summer I sewed several small square tablecloths for a wedding reception.  This project left me with some significant scraps of pale pink crepe.  In our male-dominated household, there's not a great deal of demand for pink items, so the stack has been sitting in my sewing nook since then.  But I have finally found some purpose for pinkness.

First, I sewed a dress for a friend's baby that is on the way.  Baby dresses are so fun.  I bought the Sunrise Designs pattern, which seems to be off the market now, when I still hoped I might need it for my own family.  But I've had a great time using it for others.  Most of the pieces of this dress came from the smallest scraps, and did not make a significant dent in the pink stack, so I tried something for me.

Okay, so the skirt, from Simplicity 2416, is not that exciting.  When I first put it on, it looked more like an apron than a graceful faux wrap skirt.  But it used a few of the larger pieces of the stack.  And I'm quite pleased with the blouse I made to go with it:

I used Simplicity 2936 and an embroidered linen blend, and it is perfect.

Now, as it turns out, my boys have not always been averse to pinkness.  I think all four of them have claimed pink as a favorite color at some time.  So I asked each if he would like a pink bow tie.  The Caterpillar said that he probably would not wear one, which was fine.  The others clearly said "Yes," so I planned to make three.  I started with one bow tie, which turned out nicely, and offered it to the younger boys.  Each denied any desire or interest in a pink bow tie.  I was a bit miffed, but put it away for the future.

Lo and behold, Scoot asked to wear the pink bow tie yesterday.

Aren't we a lovely couple?  Note: Scoot was standing on a step.  He is not that tall.  Yet.

I still have plenty of pink.  Any requests?

My Favorite Tulips

Every spring I look forward to the blooming of my

Angelique tulips.

I love their plethora of petals, subtly shaded with pink.

They won't last much longer outside,

so I'll leave some here for you!

The Great White Hunter Returns from the Kill

His practiced eye spotted it from afar. 

I could not read the signs.  I would never have noticed it was there.  But he knew, and with gleaming eyes set out to bag his quarry.

The Great White.

He spared me the grisly details of the battle, but I know his intensity in the chase.  He returned triumphantly with this magnificent specimen.  I've never seen one this size before.  And the weapon is just for show.  He actually took it down with his bare hands. 

That's why we call him...

Dandelionslayer.

"Where's the Mommy?"

     We recently hosted a young guest for a few hours.  He had fallen asleep on the way to our house, and woke as his mother was gently placing him on a bed.  He was understandably upset, and reluctant at first to come to my arms instead.  But he was soon soothed as he watched me fix what turned out to be the same kind of dinner he had just eaten, and calmly took his place at our table.

     Some squabbling among the boys during dinner disturbed his equilibrium, however.  After the meal, he tearfully asked to follow the boys outside to play.  I found him a jacket and tried to deliver him to Dandelionslayer's side, but the child would not allow me to retreat to the dishwasher.  He wanted me to stay near him.  Eventually he became involved in the Frisbee tossing, and I managed to slip away.  But when everyone came inside again, he began to ask a question fretfully.  Something about Mommy.  "She's not here; she'll be back soon," the boys assured him.  But that was not quite what he was asking.

     "Where's the mommy?" the toddler repeated.

     He needed to see me again.  He knew his own mother was not available, but that there was another mommy who could comfort him for the time being.

     Children can recognize someone with a "mother heart," as Julie B. Beck put it.  Someone who can comfort and nurture.  Someone who will wipe their tears, or other spills.  Someone they can trust. 

     Our Father in Heaven has sent us to this earth in various situations.  My mother was the best for me, of course, and I'm trying to be the best mother for my children.  But caring is not restricted to literal mothers.  I am grateful for the grandmothers, aunts, teachers, and friends who help my boys feel safe and loved, and who guide me along, too.

     Today I salute all the mommies!  Thank you for your loving service.

Rollo is Eight!

And it has been great. 

He was so excited about his birthday that he was the first to wake up that morning, bright and early.

Consequently, he fell fast asleep in the car on the way to his first Wolf den meeting.  But he bravely woke up and joined the party.

And he was still awake enough to open gifts, after everyone else was home from baseball and Scouts.

He enjoyed the lemon-flavored figure-8 race track cake that he requested.

Since Rollo has an almost-Easter birthday, Grandma and Grandpa G came for some egg-dying,

story-reading,

and project-building.

Ahoy!

Best of all, Rollo chose to be baptized

into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We couldn't be more pleased. 

He is a wonderful boy, and we're so happy that he is in our family!