September found us in NYC for a wedding reception. There was a lot of discussion about appropriate attire leading up to the trip (what is business casual for children?) with the oldest child at one point suggesting we go to a prom store to buy her dress. Hmmm. Daughter the Middle had decided on wearing something I made for her, and the oldest was going to as well but the day before we left I decided that was just not going to work (dress neither nice enough, flattering enough, nor seasonally appropriate) and a quick trip to Nordstrom’s ensued. I think we nailed it:
Sparkly dress with sparkly cardigan? And sparkly headband. And sparkly earrings. I am a sucker, but I did nix the requested sparkly purse. Also insisted on black hose (she wanted white tights!). M is wearing her “butter dress” which she requested over the summer, noting that she didn’t have any yellow dresses in her wardrobe. Somehow yellow is gold is butter in Minecraft? I don’t know but she was excited to go to the fabric store and pick out some yellow fabrics. I added two more on a different trip and heavily modified a peasant dress pattern that I had (used to make the dresses here)—lengthened the bodice, added a wide pleated sash and long ties on the back to make a big bow, and altered the skirt to be three tiers of ruffled goodness. And surprise, surprise, Nordstrom’s had a sparkly cardi that matched her outfit and the perfect headband as well. So happiness all around. Plus, the happy couple (Uncle D and Auntie J) put together some bouquets for the girls and they were ecstatic.
The trip was pretty quick although some parts felt longer than others…waking up at 3 am for our flight out, for instance, or waking up at 4 am after the reception as one of the children was vomiting copiously in the bathroom. She was fine later that morning, and many apologies to the hotel staff for the huge pile of disgusting towels we left behind. (For some reason said child was sat on the toilet and vomited all over the floor.) Ah, parenting. Where was I? Right, NYC. We did walk the Highline and…well, that was pretty much it besides hanging out with family.
Baby C did great on the trip, sleeping on both plane rides. In fact, 20 minutes after that last picture, she fell asleep waiting for the car service.
Back here, M has been playing soccer every Wednesday night. Enthusiasm and skill levels are not matching each other, which one is higher is left as an exercise for the reader. Except for the day it rained the whole time, it has been fun cheering on her little team.
I finally finished a project I promised C several weeks ago and kind of thought I would have done for the first week of school, second at the latest. Ha ha ha. Took me three days at the end just to get the snaps on the pockets. But she took it to school today and said everyone asked about it and she told each one that her mom made it for her and then gave me a huge hug. So, you know, worth it.
It is helped here by a folder being inside, otherwise it is a little bit floppy. My fault as I thought the pinkish twill would be sturdy enough to give the bag shape—I should have interfaced a lot more. Pattern is from Oliver and S Little Things to Sew. Check out that perfect school supplies lining fabric!!
Last weekend the weather was great, and that doesn’t always happen in October in Seattle. After seeing Pippi Longstocking at our favorite children’s theatre, we decided to hit the pumpkin patch. Photo opportunities abounded.
This picture of C reminds me of one from several years ago…
…which of course I cannot find right now. We are in ongoing computer hell so I can’t access all my old photos and although I was sure it was on the blog, it doesn’t seem to be. Perhaps I have made the picture up? Poop. It was going to be a cute comparison between C then and C now….C who is turning 10 (!!!) next week.
Two weeks ago I had to send someone a headshot. Of myself. Which resulted in multiple hours of trying to find recent photos of myself. I think that there are not any without children, and very few even with children. Although I was forgetting those NYC shots. Hmm. While we were at the pumpkin patch I didn’t get any solo shots, but did get G to photograph me with that silly baby. Looking at the photos overwhelmingly reminded me why I don’t do this more often–obsessing now about soft chins, age spots, bad posture, and crazy neck wrinkles.
That said, I am so happy to have these pictures.