Wow, I have been a slacker!  Sorry-there has been so much going on around here I don't know where to start!

 

My boy is growing like a weed!  He is no longer the sweet little compliant boy that came home nearly 2 years ago.  He is loud, likes to "fight" and isn't afraid to say, "NO!"  He's a bit of a devil now but still loved SO MUCH! 

 He's taken a liking to the song "sexy and I know it" thanks to his teen sister.  Yikes!

We've had spring concerts and Honors Con that Madeline and Josie were a part of.  Next year we are hoping all 3 girls will be in since Maija will be in the 4th grade and eligible.

Summer is going by quickly already.  It seems when the 4th of July hits summer dissapears. 

Ryan will be home on Saturday for 10 days!  Woohoo!!!  Miss that boy so much.  We haven't seen him since November :(

Had to sneak Ollie in here too!

We've finished up with softball and basketball camps so our summer is free now which is wonderful!

These 3 girls and I traveled to Chicago last week and visited the Aquarium and Field Museum.  They took their first taxi and train rides.  Not sure they liked traveling that way or the traffic but had a great time anyway!

If you could say a prayer for my brother who is 12 years older than I.  He has Encephilitis and is hospitalized at U of Michigan Hospital.  We are praying for a full recovery.  Thank you and God Bless!

Spring Top Contest

I have entered a Spring Top sewing for ME contest!  I sew a lot, but it's always for the little ones, so it's fun to concentrate on me and the things I like!

I have seen a lot of florals and lace this spring so thought I would incorporate both into my design.  I used a tank I already had as a pattern!

The materials I used were all thrifted.  Lace and some kind of sheer vintage fabric in the prettiest pale colors.  Although I am a bit pale myself right now!

I pleated the neckline to keep it feminine and used some vintage bias tape to finish the arm holes and neckline.

A doily pocket and a pretty bow on the shoulder completes the look!

I am loving the lace back.

It will look even better with a tan!

What's going on around the Rice house?

BASKETBALL!  We have spent a lot of hours sitting in the gym.

All 4 girls play.  Madeline on the Freshman team...

Sophia on the K-2 team....

Xander the supportive little brother....

Maija is in 3rd grade, playing on the 4th grade team....

Josie in 5th....

Besides that, I coach the Varsity Cheer Team so we do the home boys AND girls games.  Crazy!

We have the next 2 weekends of tournaments for the grade school, then we are finished for the season...

We are tired!

What I've been up to!

No Xander talk today-it's all about me ;)

I have to show you all what I've been doing with my time, besides 5 kids at home, working 4 days a week, basketball tournaments on the weekend and games during the week and somehow coaching the Varsity Cheer Team?  What about cleaning and laundry????  Anyway, I've been on a sewing kick lately.  2 friends have had babies lately!  One received her quilt yesterday and I forgot to get pictures of it...oops! 

The other had a premature little boy who is 3 pounds right now. I wanted the little guy to have a great Easter outfit since little girls have such great options for Easter. 

The sweater was a womans sweater that I cut down using a shirt I brought Madeline home from the hospital in.  The bunnies on the knees I had seen on another blog and the tie shirt I've seen several times online.  I used maddie's little hat to trace the sweater hat for Landon as well.  Hoping it fits him well in April!

Happy Chinese New Year-year of the Dragon!

We celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year with a party at Xanders school.  We brought in some books to read and some things I bought Xander while in China.  When I talked about China and Xanders posessions he smiled from ear to ear.  His teacher thought it was so cute because you could see how proud he was!

I did make him wear his silks today and he wasn't too pleased-he doesn't like anything with a collar, Mandarin included :)

We made a dragon cake and the little guy helped decorate-he was pretty excited!

Friday night we ordered some take out and had our New Years Meal then, it was very good!

Xander was practicing his chop-stick skills.  I think this is the first time he has tried them-didn't do too bad either :)

This boy loves to eat-he really liked the noodles. 

We have a lantern to light off outside but since it's snowing here, I doubt it would float away!  We will have to wait for a clear night.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Pure Joy!