Friday was the last day of school around here. A crazy day. I did get the quilt done for my daughter’s teacher. (Pulled it out of the dryer 20 minutes before I needed to take it to the school.) So I didn’t have time to take decent pictures, but thought I would share what I’ve got. Oh well.
I think that it turned out pretty cute. This quilt kit was designed by Sharon who I work with. (Hi Sharon! Love this quilt!)
A couple people asked about the airplane fabric. It is from a collection by Michael Miller called Toy Town. (I think.) I love the striped binding, also from Michael Miller.
After delivering the quilt and my heart-felt love and appreciation to my girls’ teachers, we went straight from the school to my 5-year-old’s Little Gym performance which was to be followed by our weekly trip to Super Target. (Usually, I go during his gymnastics class, because it’s right across the street.)
While we were at the Little Gym, my potty-training 3-year-old ran up to me in the middle of the routines saying he needed to go. So we HURRIED, got him on the potty just in time, but not pointed in the right direction and my leg and the floor took the full force of his urgent need to go, until I got him aiming down. (I know, he needs to learn to do it standing up. One step at a time.)
Following the gymnastics showcase we went to Target. This was my first time this summer (and hopefully a rare experience) taking all 4 kids to the grocery store at the same time, but we needed new summer shoes for the oldest of each gender, so I figured I would just grit my teeth and get it over with.
So there I was, with my fire-hydrant pant leg, trying to help my kids pick out decent shoes. (Can I just say here that Target let me down for the first time in 10 years? Not a great girl selection in shoes this spring.) While we’re looking for the right sizes, the child who doesn’t need shoes (the 7-year-old girl) is happily walking around in turquoise patent-leather gladiator sandals, the boys are not going for the generic shoes but begging for the light-up Spiderman sneakers (“because they make me run REALLY fast, mom!”) and I’m trying to swallow the fact that my 10-year-old has really grown 2 shoe sizes since we last bought her shoes.
Then while we pick-up the necessary groceries my 5-year old keeps asking why we aren’t buying “the super-absorbant Ultra Charmin” or the Juicy Juice with antioxidants “because this will boost kids’ immunity mom!” And I’m feeling the guilt of letting him watch just a little too much television over the past few days.
Finally we get home, get everyone fed, my pants changed, the youngest down for a nap, the older ones playing with the pre-arranged post-last-day-of-school playdates and I’m ready to sit down and sew or something. Then I look outside and see my 7-year-old wearing the turquoise gladiator sandals! My first thought is that she somehow smuggled them out under her shirt and I have a thief on my hands. When I ask her about it she timidly says, “I just put them in the bottom of the cart.”
Well, I’ve had plenty of times where my sneaky children put stuff in the cart, and because I’m a sneaky mom I always find it and stealthily hand it to the cashier saying “We aren’t really getting this Transformer today.” This was the first time I actually bought something I didn’t know was there! I allowed her to keep the sandals (partly because the tags were cut) because she always gets the hand-me-downs, but I told her if she ever does it again, she’s paying it ALL out of her allowance.
Clearly I need to find some other way to do my grocery shopping this summer with out bringing everyone with me. (Last summer I got to the point where I kept pulling food out of our food storage before I finally had to cave and go to the grocery store.)
And speaking of summertime changes, I’m sure my blogging output will decrease a little. I may not be as frequent, but I do promise to still post some good quilts this summer. And hopefully less-grainy, rushed pictures.
amandasasikirana
whew, isn’t that a fun day! and I’m already complaining just taking one kid to target!
DangAndBlast!
That’s a really good window into parenting (I’m not there yet!) — thanks for sharing!
Tina
I remember those days…but I only have 3 (although I think #1 can count as 2!). I am so grateful now that they are older I can go do things without them, or just take one and leave the others home. Funny story about the sandals. It was just one of those days for you! We’re laughing and crying right along with you!
Sandy Shirley
Amy – Bless your heart! Funny about the fire hydrant pants (been there) and mysteriously appearing sandals! I love-love-love your quilt!
Lori Sume
amy, you are cute! you are a great mom!!!!
Amy - Park City Girl
um, yes, I understand this scenario completely!! I like to go grocery shopping at 9 pm to avoid total burnout – it doesn’t happen as much as I would like though. here’s to lazy days, and no food in the house! :)<br /><br />Your quilt is super cute! I hope her teacher loved it!
why not sew?
totally been there! i am convinced that age and time don’t make us gray headed, it’s kids. what a blessing they are! <br /><br />i LOVE the backing fabric you used for the quilt. As my kids would say "i want that"! it’s great!
dotti white
…those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end…..yes, I rememer clearly! Your quilt turned out adorable–I'm sure the teacher loved it! Have a wonderful summer!
Lisa @ Life with 4!
First of all, the quilt is adorable!<br />Secondly, don't feel too bad about the shoes.<br />When my oldest son was about 2 or 3, we were at an outlet mall doing some shopping. As we are walking along, I notice in the window reflection that he is carrying something. What do ya know, a pair of shoes! We had to backtrack to all the stores we had been at to try and figure out where they had come
Sherri
Wow…you sure brought back memories! I had so many days like that…but looking back…they were good days! And I do hope you get to do a lot of sewing this summer because I love to see your projects!
GARI
Love your teacher quilt and the reminder of what it was like to take 4 children to the store. I loved raising my kids but I also love seeing them as adults, raising their own children. LOL
Bowlby
Oh, no! I'm sorry, but this post really made me laugh! It's hard enough taking one child to Target. I really can't imagine taking 4. <br /><br />I LOVE the striped binding on your airplane quilt!
Kim
Great Story! At least you found that you'd paid for them. I got all the way home after a 30 minute (one way) car ride in Bay Area traffic only to have to turn around and go back. It was that important that my son learned a lesson.<br /><br />Funny thing is he took enough for his sister too. He took lifesaver's that said "Primary Makes Me Happy" on the cover of the package. We
Aimee
I am dying laughing! What an adventure! That is too funny. It is way too hard to take all the kids to the grocery store. Last time I did, the tipped the cart over!!<br /><br />Love the quilt – the binding is really really cool!
The Quilt Buddy
Oh Amy…sounds like you have had one heck of a Monday! <br /><br />BTW-we are going through the same potty training experience with my little person!<br /><br />Hope today is a little bit easier for you!
makeitdo
Hi Amy, I am with you there. My kids were out of school on Friday too. It is going to make life a little more challenging. <br /><br />I just picked up the Michael Miller "Wild Blue Yonder" airplane fabric from American Quilting. I am going to make a wall hanging for my son.
Rhiannon's Mom
Thanks for the laugh and warning about the fire hydrant pants. We'll be there soon enough.
Lizzie
I do remember clearly those days of taking 4 kids shopping and I can laugh – now! I bought a lipstick once that I had no idea about, Miss 8 (who's now 36) thought she would look like a movie star!!
Nanette Merrill and daughters
Oh Amy this takes me back to little kids and trying to fit everything into a day. Sigh. My heart goes out to you. I don't really miss it! Terrible I know. I'm supposed to miss it.
sharla@mylittlegems
I saw your quilt at American Quilting and loved it! I was in town on a limited budget, so I purchased fabric from the store and made my own version for my airplane-obsessed 21 month old 🙂 <br />Here is the linkhttps://mygratitudeattitudes.blogspot.com/2009/04/airplane-quilt-is-now-flying.html: <br />I am fairly new at this machine free -motion quilting and love it 🙂 I LOVED everything in your