Swimming

Here's the proof: PoPo's getting his money's worth.

FYI: This pool is 50 feet long.

Super Hero Costume Pajamas!

Here's the scoop on those "awesome" super hero pajamas/costume/pants/shirt/etc. that the Little Man requested:

The Pants: The pants and cape are both a 100% cotton licenced print that Momo bought just for the LM. The pants are made with an unknown pattern I traced years ago when the Big Girl could wear a size 4 PJ bottom! I did add an extra inch in length, because these size 4's were too short for this 3-year-old. The pants are serged, with a 1-inch hem, and the waistband is finished with 1-inch elastic because that's what I had.

The Shirt: This is a store-bought undershirt (again what I had, because Ike was on its way through and I wasn't about to get out). I let LM choose his character (today his favorite was batman) and I cut it out, used a little Heat-and-Bond and then top stitched it on with a very narrow zig-zag.

The Cape: This was the super-easy part. I cut a rectangle from our fabric and finished the edges with a rolled hem on my serger. I originally cut it much longer but LM complained that it was too long. So, I shortened it to the length he specified. In all honesty, he think he had the right idea. To gather the top of it, I just stitched it to 1/4 inch elastic.

Since I anticipate we will be falling asleep in these PJs on a regular basis, I didn't want the cape to tie on. I get nervous about choking and things. So, I've got Velcro around the neckline of the shirt and the matching Velcro along the top of the cape. Now, if anything, the cape will just fall off (or mom can remove it while he sleeps:).)

Here he comes to save the day...

Catching Up...

[No Monday Book Review this week.]

Okay, since my last real post was 2 weeks and 2 hurricanes ago (I'm not counting Hannah, because, praise the Lord, it didn't bother us!), I figure you're ready for an update. So here it is.

GUSTAV- He rolled in and out without leaving too much damage in my little neck of the woods. In fact, the S. Louisiana family fared better than the Central Arkansas crowd. What's up with that?

Anyway, my Nita came to stay with us, just in case the weather took her power for a few days. Well, it didn't, but a bout of vertigo sure knocked her (and me) for a loop. She woke up that Monday morning so sick that she actually asked to go to the ER. If you've been following along, yes, that trip does become our second annual Labor Day Hospital Story. Anyway, 1 ER trip and 1 MD visit later, she felt tons better. She stayed the week and we were so glad we could be here to help her. Plus, our visits are always a special treat.

While she was here and feeling better, I got a little sewing done. These orders went out after Gustav (except for the one to Houma, which we held onto because they got hit hard). [Note: I am not an Alabama fan, but I don't mind sewing for them:)]

Plus, I got the pattern to make these darling blocks. [Note: I am not an Arkansas fan either, but I have sweet babies that are being raised by sadly delusional parents that are :)]

The kids went back to school on the Thursday of that week, but it was almost like starting the year all over again. It was a wild and wacky week, but our Gustav experience was most definitely memorable!

IKE-This storm was a little more of a pain than Gustav. After finally having a normal week at school (including our 1st first grade science test-yikes) we holed up ready for the winds and rains of Hurricane Ike. And they came. We are far enough inland that these storms are usually no more than tropical storm force by the time they get to us, but those winds are still tough enough to cause damage. We had no damage here, only a few tiny limbs down (first picture), but Ike was kind enough to knock the rest of the pears out of the tree (second picture). Goody, something to do this week. (said with sarcasm)

We lost power for an evening with Gustav, but it was out for 14 hours with Ike. Not fun. Here's why: We were listening to the LSU game on the radio and the power clicks off right at kick-off!!!! I was not happy. Fortunately we found a weather radio to finish listening to the game. GEAUX TIGERS!

The power stayed off all night. I've always wanted to wear my N.O. Saints jersey to church and this finally gave me my excuse. Everything needed ironing and since we had no power, I just pulled my hair up and grabbed my jeans and headed to church Sunday morning, jersey on. Too bad it didn't do us any good during the game. GO 'AINTS! oh wait, I mean GO SAINTS!

Anyway, before the power went out, I got a little more sewing done. The Little Man talked his Momo into this great superhero fabric. Momo only bought 2 yards and he wanted "pants and a shirt and some shorts and some pajamas and some boxers and a costume and..." Well, since I couldn't quite make all that happen, he had to settle for a "Superhero Pajama Costume". He loved it! (I'll give you more details here in a future post.)

And for the Big Girl, a Whirly, Twirly Skirt and Matching top. (And if you didn't notice, I learned to make yo-yos! I love these things and they are great hand work during football games.)

And yes, the skirt really twirls!

So, that catches you up to date on our lives! We are blessed that our family and friends and their respective homes are safe. We are even more blessed that God timing was perfect and Nita was here (a half-mile from the hospital) when she became ill. What a week--or 2!