Canada Gold!

So I've never been one of those sports people. In fact I still get really mixed up about which teams play which sports: Astros, Longhorns...? whatever. But after 13 years with Curtis I have to admit that I sort of enjoy watching hockey.

Maybe it's because of the ice factor- I mean all sports are tough, but add a slippery surface... and well it's amazing how good they are. Or maybe it's because hockey players in general are such humble herbs. So the opposite of basketball or football players. I've watched lots of interviews and they're always deflecting compliments. Maybe it's just because Curtis plays hockey and we love to go and cheer for him.

Anyway, this year I watched several of the olympic hockey games and was so excited when Canada won! I know, I know I should be rooting for the good ole USA but really, Canadians WORSHIP hockey (serioulsy half of their country watched that final game!!!) Needless to say, Curtis was in a super mood yesterday! :)

Go Canada, eh?

Parenting Impulses I Need to Ignore!

Whether you've read "Lord of the Flies" or Mosiah 3:19 ("For the natural man is an enemy to God..."), you may have come to the conclusion that natural inclinations aren't always the best! Daily I stop myself from all kinds of counter-productive parenting! And it's not just the obvious stuff like yelling or hitting! A few that come to mind...

1. Say yes to everything. I love saying yes. Yes to a little toy, yes to staying up later, yes to a treat, yes, yes yes! Bad mommy! This is not life prep. Just say NO



2. Take back punishments after slightly improved behavior, EVERY TIME! When I don't reneg on the punishment they are so put out!



3. Never let them fail. It's so tempting to step in and fix every problem my kids face but they'll never learn if I don't let them stumble a bit. I have finally stopped myself from bringing forgotten homework into school.


4. Argue with them- I mean really! Am I 5?


5. Lecture. It's parenting 101 that you don't waste your breath lecturing your kids... but I'm SO good at it. I have so many good points and examples and I could really go on and on about what happened and how it should have happened and what's going to happen! AHHH! In addition to them ignoring my current lecture, my credibility gets destroyed and they are making a mental note to ignore me in the future. Just stop talking Cathy!!

6. Rocking them to sleep. There is maybe nothing sweeter than a baby or toddler in your arms, eyelids heavy, falling asleep as you sing a soft lullabye. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to do this. But... at some point they have to learn to sleep without me. Unless of course I'm up for 3+ years of multiple night wakings. Yes, I know this from painful personal experience. Arghh! I started having Lucy cry it out a couple of months ago and it's going great but dang- I have to resist the urge to cuddle her to sleep most nights. The good news is that I'm getting much needed sleep and I've done lots of sewing in the meantime. :) And.. she's getting the sleep she needs. We do lots of cuddling when she wakes up.

6.One of the boys was mad about something and knocked over a box of books. Later in the day he was feeling better, everyone had made up and I noticed the mess. My first inclination was to pick up the mess (in my mind I'm thinking that I don't want him to see it and be reminded of his earlier frustration). But what?! Terrible idea- he needs to see that mess AND pick it up. Right?

7. Feed them goldfish 24/7. Goldfish = Crack for babies

I just finished rereading my all time favorite parenting book, "Siblings Without Rivalry." There are so many little things that we can do as parents to help our kids grow and be empowered and feel valued. I think I need to just set that book next to my scriptures and read from both of them everyday! :)

A Ragged Flower Quilt

My friend Shannon has a quilt like this one that I've been admiring for months now. I decided to give it a try with these fun 1930's reprints. It was pretty quick to finish and I love the end result. Thinking about making a full size! Maybe later...

Oh and another great thing about this quilt is that sewing the flowers on basically does the top quilting for you. It looks so cute in the back. I also sewed around each square, which was really simple.

Pig Tails

Okay, I've wanted these for 10 years!! :O

Pumpkin Muffins on a cold day

I know I know... I live in Houston- it's not cold here. But really- this winter has been cold and more importantly I don't have a good coat and my house is drafty. Aaaannnd... we're trapped inside all summer so this is our only time of year to be outside. waaahhh! Anyway, these muffins make it all better. Got the recipe from my buddy Sarah and the whole family LOVES them. The recipe makes 2 dozen regular and 2 dozen mini muffins. I used to freeze some but that's happening less as my boys get older. :)

Pumpkin Muffins

1 ½ c. sugar

2/3 c. butter or oil
1 can pumpkin puree
2/3 c. water
4 eggs

2 c whole wheat flour
1 ½ c. oat bran or oat flour
2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 c. cranberries chopped

2/3 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Heat oven to 350 F and grease 2 muffin pans. Mix sugar and butter, add pumpkin, eggs and water. Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined. Bake 18-20 minutes (about 12 minutes for mini muffins)

Note: You can use chocolate chips instead of cranberries and nuts. These freeze very well.

A Cathedral Bolster Pillow

My parent just celebrated their 49th wedding annivesary! Wow- they are such a great example of loyalty and love! I knew I wanted to do something with the cathedral quilt pattern but didn't have time for a full quilt. This bolster was pretty quick and I had so much fun picking out each square of fabric. I sewed this pattern with a machine and cannot imagine how long and painful it would be to do it by hand. As I closed the pillow up I did a couple squares by hand and they looked awful! I don't recommend it. The tutorial is here. But I have also decided that I don't like using cardstock paper to help with the ironing. It's acually easier to do the project without mitered (sp?) edges and the squares fold easier.