Busy Kids Sweat

I know this topic is not school-related, but I think it's important enough to discuss.  My kids are both gymnasts right now.  They work out at their gym 4-9 hours a week, 2-3 hours at a time.  While there, they sweat.  
Shocker, huh?  
Well, recently their coaches have asked the kids to wear deodorant because they are stinky!  Not just my kids, all the kids.  
I'm sure the coaches would appreciate a more fragrant environment.  But, it IS a gym.  I mean, even when I go to a gym full of adults, it tends to smell.  Sweat smells, no?  
Here is where my husband would call me  a hippy.  What is wrong with sweating?  Science tells us it's our body's way of cooling itself.  That sounds good.  

Anti-perspirant means against sweating.  That doesn't sound good, scientifically speaking.  

So, I've opted for a simple deodorant without the metal-infused antiperspirant, for me and the kids.  So, we will sweat.  Hopefully, with the addition of some natural deodorizers and a daily dose of soap and water, we will not smell.
Happy?

The Impatient Quilter

 As part of our unit on Mailing May, the Five in a Row manual suggests a quilting activity.  Specifically, it suggests a pillowcase based on the quilt pictured in the story.  Never having done anything close to quilting, I first went to the Five in a Row message board to see what other people did.  No-one responded that they had tried this activity.  

Next.  I wrote to a fellow homeschooling blogger who writes a lot about her sewing.  (Hi, Jen).  Perhaps she has suggestions.  Nope.  It's on her list, but not checked off.  

Next.  Another friend had taken her daughter to a quilting class a while back.  Maybe I can find that class and take it with E some day.  Ok.  I got the name and it's on my list now.

But I don't want to wait until February.  We're reading the story NOW.  So, I visited Hancock Fabrics to look into their class options.  While browsing, I found this little fabric block kit.

 At first glance, I thought it was a quilt kit.  Nope.  It is a quilt block kit which means we would make one block for the quilt.  You know, making one block is all we really need to do to get the point of this lesson.  As I learned, even that one block was a lot of work.  

But I'm proud to say, E and I finished it in just 2 days.  She learned how to use the sewing machine a little and how much work quilting is. 

This is what happens when you don't wind the bobbin properly.

The pieces in progress.  

The finished block!  Not perfect, but lovely nonetheless. 

This is a sweet story about a grandmother teaching her granddaughter about the value of making a quilt out of pieces of fabric from her family's life. 

From Rainbows to Frost

I realized the other day that I have already listed something twice on my thankful lists!  Apparently, I really like my contacts.  So, I'm going to re-number a little.

Thanks to the Creator for ...

39.  the Rainbow we saw for just a few minutes on Monday, a chilly, cloudy, wet day.

40.  my niece's 18th birthday.   I remember when she was not afraid to show her love for me many years ago.  Oh, these teenage years are almost over. (that could be a separate thanks, but it's kind of negative). 

41.  the joy of talking with my friend and former neighbor on Monday. 

42.  amazon.com.  I know it's materialistic, but that place saves me lots of time.  

43.  my first Christmas card from my dear longtime friend.

44.  Nestle's cut and bake chocolate chip cookies.  

45.  my husband and daughter, for spending hours of their weekend clearing our yard of leaves.

46.  my son, for letting me read to him at night even if he won't "let" me kiss him goodnight.  

47.  getting a hug from my 3 year old best bud outside the commissary today.

48.  E's excitement for her grandmother's visit to watch her last competition of the season.

49.  the way the sun melts the frost off the grass on one side of the street, but the shady side is still frost-covered.   There's a real-life light and darkness lesson in that!

(This is not my picture.  I found it in Google images.  But it is pretty cool.)