Bow Tie Secrets

I craft... sometimes. Am I a professional? NO. This blog is not for crafting, but at the same time I want it to be about real life: what gets me through it.

For example: Bow ties. At the moment. I think they are adorable on little boys. They are cheap and easy to make. Good qualifications for any craft project.

So I have experimented on different ones. I finally think I found the desired result.
I will not do the entire tutorial. There are many already out there.

What makes a good bow tie:

1. Felt. Felt must go in between the two layers of fabric. I was hesitant, but it makes the bow ties stay full and not get smushed. It also means that if you forget to add a little stitch to keep them in place (like I did), they may just stay anyway.

2. Be prepared to tweak the length. My kids have small heads and the standard that I have seen makes them look like clowns.

3. How to keep it around their neck. This has plagued me just a bit. I finally found what works for me and I am going to share it, for the preservation of little boys in bow ties.

Measure a strip of fabric about the length to go around the neck. The width should be about 3" or so. I ironed it like bias tape and then sewed it. Fold one end down and sew. Raw edge doesn't need to be tucked.

Place a very technical hair band over strip. (This is the secret. The elastic is just the right of stretchiness (totally a word) to not choke your child.

Sew band into place.

At this point, grab your child's neck and see if you need to cut off any fabric. Then on the opposite edge, sew edge over then add a tiny strip of the rough side of the Velcro.

Below it going perpendicular, add the soft side.

The Velcro side then attaches around the very technical elastic hair band.

Two finished bow ties for two handsome sailors. (You could probably hot glue the whole thing. You could also make a neutral colored band and just slip it out of different bow ties.)

Totally worth it!

California

After going to Oceanside for a few years, we really weren't planning on it this year.  I think a vacation where you don't visit family can be a waste.  Growing up, since we never lived 20 minutes from family, most vacations were to visit relatives.  No complaints here.  I loved it.  Since Jake's family is mostly close, we have a little free vacation time.

I found out a few months ago that a dear friend, college roommate, cousin of Jake's, was getting married.  I really wanted to go.  As it turns out, she decided to get married in Newport Beach, CA.  At first I was just going to go, but we decided to make a trip of it.  Then it is the best of both worlds, family and beach.

Ann and Dave

Sam steering the boat

Finally caught the bouquet
ready to dance the night away!

Isaac passed out after his 1 billionth trip around the boat
and his 5th cup of Hot Cocoa

Tom, Jake and kiddos looking fabulous.

We camped a few miles away from the beach in Oceanside at a county park camp ground.  We stayed there four years ago on our first trip to the beach.  It was a LOT easier without a little baby.  I love Oceanside.  It seems small although it is not.  Since this is not our first time, we had some favorite spots to hit: Trader Joes, the Cuban restaurant, the harbor, the Filipino store/restaurant, Panera and we took the train again back to Old Town to eat Mexican food.

We thought about going to Legoland, but when we told the kids they didn't jump for joy and really just wanted to go to the beach.  So we went to the beach!  Great Grandma, Ruth, and Tom traveled down from Newport to hang with us and it was nice to have an extra set of eyes.  Grace loves the buggy board, Isaac loves to roll, dig, build, swim in the sand; Sam liked a little water and a little sand.  They all loved the crabs.  Sand crabs and then the sand crabs as bait for the pincher crabs.  We even took them back to camp one night as pets and released them the next day.  Jake traded to get me to let us bring them home.  NO! 

The kids were pretty good, the weather was pretty good, it was good to see Ann get married, the company was good, and the food was pretty good which made for a pretty awesome vacation.

Lehi Days Parade

Jake was in Colorado and I wasn't feeling parade material this year, but there were three.  We pass by the parade route frequently so I was kinda stuck.
I was thinking how crowded 4th of July in Provo is and I really didn't want to mess with it.  It was lovely.  We showed up, found a curb and it started.  I really loved it.  The kiddos were pretty good.  I worry that with all the craziness we find ourselves in, things like community parades will get lost.  I recommitted myself to making the effort.  It is worth it.  It is important.  Our children need a community and it is up to us to make it happen. 
Speaking of Parades:  The Annual Ellis parade at Tom and Ruth is the 23 of July. 

Camping

We went camping up AF canyon.  Low key.  I didn't actually sleep outside, long story.  We did foil dinners and smores.  The kids didn't want to leave.  I always wonder if it is worth it to drag everything out, just for one night.  It is.

Super Fun Park = Visit Us

This is all Sam. 

A rare moment of the lion and the lamb.

I am so proud of Alex giving this a try.  I know it isn't his thing.  It is so fun to see cousins.

We have a different and fun park by our house.  Come over and we will play.  Even cousin Alex, too old to really enjoy it, had fun when I made him go with us.  I used to drive, drive, drive to the discovery park in PG, but this one, while not the same, is still really fun and alot closer for us.  I am serious for anyone who wants, I will make lunch and take you to the park.  All you have to do is drive over.  Although after the swimming post, you might be afraid to expose your kids to my naughty children :)

Swimming lessons, my mothering challenge

These pictures were taken on one of the first days of the lessons when we stayed and played.  This was when they were still cute.

My kids love the water.  Swimming is such a good, healthy, wear-you-out activity. The past two weeks my kiddos have had swimming lessons.  I have fond memories of swimming lessons.  Grace has always been in swimming lessons and now swim team.  This year I COULD HAVE BEAT MY CHILDREN!  I really don't believe in spanking so I jest... a little.  They would not get out of the water after swimming lessons.  First it was Grace trying to squeeze in a few extra trips off the diving board.  Then it was Sam running to the kids slide.  Last and longest it was Isaac.  He hated swimming lessons.  This would be the ADD in him.  Seriously.  IF you think your child has ADD do not, I repeat, do not put them in a group lesson.  Water is too fun, teachers too distracted. I should have remembered alittle from Grace, but I forgot.  Isaac learned nothing and just got frustrated and as a result naughty.  Perfect storm with Sam who is in a terrible three phase.   Yes, I was the mom, standing in my clothes, yelling at my kids to get out of the pool.  Yes, then I was the mom who walked into the pool with my clothes on.  (I actually had to go in after Sam, but Isaac was the repeat offender.)  I can't tell which emotion I felt the strongest.  Humiliation, anger, frustration.  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.  After making them sit out, time out, promise of sweets after, loss of sweets after, promise of extra swim time, loss of extra swim time, I finally just brought my bathing suit, just in case.   I did have to put it on.  I did go in after Isaac.  Will I put Isaac in swim lessons next year?  Not group ones.  He needs to be the focus of someones attention in order to focus his attention.  Is this an excuse for his behavior--No.  Has he sat in time out, lost priviledges, yes, do I know if he internalized it?  NO.  why am I talking in questions?  I don't know.  What I do know is... every kid has their challenges.  Even Heavenly Father promises us he won't give us trial we can't bear.  Thank goodness swimming lessons is over.

The Puppies are Here!

Luckily, it isn't a dalmation plantation.  Ruby had four puppies early in the morning on Father's Day.  Although Jake wanted his sleep, he was glad the puppies arrived without a thousand dollar vet bill.  Dog birth was quiet and since Ruby ate all the after birth (dogs are so gross), the mess was minimal.  We did loss the runt.  She was the only one who had a name on day 1.  Fern wouldn't eat.  I made Jake go and buy the puppy formula and we even took the other puppies away for a little while and she still wouldn't nurse.  I don't know what was wrong, but she passed away after about twenty-four hours.  Today the puppies are two weeks old and the newest development is they have opened their eyes.  It is so fun to watch the kids with the puppies.  They are so excited at every little new development.  We are not keeping them or selling them, just giving them to good homes.  (Which may have alreay been found.)  Their temperary names are June, Summer, and Tux, or Tucker, depending on who you ask.  It really is amazing to see Ruby with her babies.  Protective, nurturing.  She was by their side without even eating for the first few days and then slowly she leaves them for a little longer.  Now she feeds them and instead of them all snuggling up to her she leaves them to let them snuggle up to each other.  Parenting, I think can be hard for us humans.  At least for me.  It is hard to leave them to let them snuggle up to each other.  But that is what a good parent does. Know when to snuggle them close and when to let them sleep alone.  Then BARK protectivily at intruders.  It is tough being a mom!