Napoleon Bonaparte costume

So here is the costume:  I love how it turned out.  Just like what I had in mind.  We got Isaac baseball pants and black mud boots and Nate's red tie to finish the costume.  It really was very fun for me.  I changed the cut of the jacket and added the red trim.  I made up the shoulder/fringe things and the red cuffs from scratch.  I really want to try making more things without a pattern, or try drafting my own patterns.  The possibilities are endless!
Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

Project progress update

I finished the Napoleon costume.  And I must say, it turn out fabulously!  It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.  And it only took 4 or 5 hours total to do, including all the hand sewing of 10 buttons and gold trim and blind hemming facings to the inside.  It was so fun.  I kind of felt like I was on project runway and had to complete this outfit in one day.  And it totally turned out just like what I had in mind. 

I tried to take pictures of Isaac last night. But he wasn't cooperating.  So I'll try it after school today.

Isaac did a great job on his solo.  I still can't believe he tried out for this on his own.  Really. Getting him to sing in Family Home Evening is like pulling teeth.  And getting him to wear the rest of the components of the costume was difficult too - lots of tears.  In the end we compromised - he wore the pants I wanted, and I let go of the tie.

As soon as Nate has a minute, (which lately is never, but I'll continue to hope), I'll get the video of Isaac singing up.  And later today I'll post pictures of Isaac in his costume. 

Now, what can I do for my next project?

Current unplanned project

I've got to make this costume (view C)

look like this:

by thursday morning at 7:30am.

Isaac is Napoleon in the Fifth Grade Musical.  I didn't realize I had to come up with a costume until today at 1:45 pm, just before a full afternoon and evening of appointments. I just got back from purchasing materials and now I'm debating...do I go to bed now (it's already 10:30 pm) and work hard tomorrow and perhaps into the night?  Or do I start now and work most of this night, and try to finish tomorrow, but will most likely end up staying up tomorrow night as well?  Either way, looks like I'm going to be losing some sleep over this.  The funny thing is that Isaac hates to sing.  So how did he get roped into singing a solo in a musical?  My kids constantly surprise me.

Forgotten Christmas Tradition

One of our Christmas traditions for the past 8 years has been to make and decorate gingerbread houses.

I bought a cute little gingerbread village with 5 houses and all the stuff included.  Perfect.

I put it on the fridge so it would be out of the way of all the other Christmas stuff. 

We forgot to do it.

So we finally got around to it last night for family home evening.

Can't break tradition:)

 

Try hotglueing your pieces together.  Most of the time the kids never actually eat the house.  So hot glue speeds up the building so you can get to the decorating. And ready your candies and frosting.

And, voila! we have a cute little village.

But wait...destructive candy house eating giants attack!

Everyone actually ate the gingerbread this year!  Said it was actually really good. But the candy was better.

Hazel went after the sprinkles and frosting. 
Until next year...

Just what I needed this morning

It was 7:35 am.  Isaac would be tardy at 7:40 am. 
I was supposed to pick up Aspen's friend and take them to school at 7:55 am.
It is 28 degrees outside. (Very cold for my part of the globe).

I have a flat tire. 
Like rim on the floor flat. 
(Maybe that's why it was driving kind of mushy last night.)

Just what I needed.

I call Nate at work...no answer.
I call Nate's cell phone...no answer.

My choices?
Can't ask the neighbors to take Isaac - they were on time and have already left for school.
Can't  make Aspen & Isaac walk - they'd be tardy - and it's really cold.
Can't send them on their bikes - isaac has a broken arm, aspen has a lot of stuff - and it's really cold.
I guess they could just stay home.
But they should probably go.
I guess I have to fix it myself.

I figured it out. 

When I put the spare tire on, it was kind of flat too.  I put more air in it, maybe it was just low because of the cold air.  We'll see. 
But, I did it all by myself...in my slippers and pajamas...in the freezing cold...in 15 minutes.
And I got Aspen to school on time!  (Isaac was still tardy though.)
I think I've accomplished enough for today.  Everything else is bonus today!

Hope you had a great day back to real life too.

Happy New Year!

Sunday tradition

Thanks to a 9am church time, the Sunday afternoon nap is making a comeback!

That time of year...again

We've started work on Isaac's science fair project.  This year he is building a trebuchet and launching stuff.  Hey, it was his idea.  He is doing all the work.  He is having fun.  And the assignment is getting done way before the due date.  I'm good with this.