Thrifting

I try not to go to the Salvation Army very often.  I just end up buying things I don't need.  However, today I felt the need to see what they had to offer and I think I came home with some real deals.  David might not think so.  Oh well.

My mom sent me this article about a lady who collects old pyrex.  I thought I had a lot...She collects all kinds of vintage milk glass.  Not just Pyrex.  Some where in the article she talks about there being different collections and designs of Pyrex that were made for the UK.  It got me to thinking maybe I could find some at the second hand shop.  So I went.  And what do you know?  I found a dish.  

Isn't it pretty?!  It even had the lid.  No chips or cracks.  Plus it says "Pyrex England" on the bottom.

This pattern is called "Tuscany Vegetables".  I think it needs a soup or a stew or something.  Maybe some mashed potatoes would look good in there.

As I strolled further on down the isle I ran into two candle holders that matched a pair I already have and some off-cuts of fabric.  Not sure what I'll do with the fabric, but my wheels are already turning.  I'll add it to my ever growing stash.

That about sums up my thrifting experience.  Hope you find what you're looking for on your next trip.

Back to Sewing

So, I took quite the summer break from my sewing machine.  I had these great intentions to sew while we were on our vacation in Arizona.  That never happened.  I did, however, get to purchase some great fabrics that have finally turned into some scarfs for the shop.  

I took some pictures today and they are up and ready for purchase.  I think they're cute.  What about you?

I've been a bit distracted from my Etsy shop.  I've been sewing other things.  I made a few maxi skirts for myself and sewed a cute little skirt for a friends daughter (more on that later).  Until next time, happy sewing.

Firsts

Monday was Ryan's very first day of kindergarten.  The parents were able to accompany their child and stay for the first day.  Ryan looked pretty cute in his back pack.

(Mom!  Take a picture of Sonic going to school!)

(OK, but now lets take a picture of Ryan going to school)

We walked  together and got there in pretty good time. 

I was concerned he might not want to go.  But he walked right in like he owned the place,

hung up his things and went to sit in the circle time.

This is his little sign so he knows where to put his things.  It's also on his water cup and chair in circle time

Here he is in circle time looking all grown up.

This is one of my favorites.  He was really tickled by what the teacher was saying and doing

After circle time they did a little craft.

After craft time we had some free time to play .  

Below is Ryan and our neighbor Salma.  

They walk to school together. He wasn't very thrilled about her helping with his tower.  I figured he needed to learn to share .

Here's a little bit of a view of Ryan's classroom.  It's bright and cheery.  

This is the "Babyecke" (literally translated "baby corner") The stairs to the left go up to a loft with all kinds of wooden blocks and things to build, hence the name "Bauecke" or "building corner"

When the afternoon was over, Ryan picked up his backpack, put on his reflector sash, changed his shoes and headed home.

As Time Goes By

Today was the first day of school.  Adrian started second grade today.  I can't believe how much he's grown just in this last summer alone.  I'm so proud of him.  Today was bitter sweet as I sent him off.  I'm glad for the school routine to start again, but sad we won't have lazy summer days together in our pajamas.

Here are Adrian's first day of school pictures.

Kindergarten 2010

Kindergarten 2011 

(You go to kindergarten for two years in Switzerland)

The mighty first grader 2012

Second grade 2013

 I just realized he's wearing the same sweat shirt in two of the pictures.  At least we got some wear out of it.  Interesting to see that this will be the last season he'll fit into it.  The arms are considerably shorter.  

So the first day of school is over and it's back to routine.  Here's to early dinners, earlier bed times and even earlier mornings.  

Good Night

I forgot to add this picture to my last entry.  

Good night California.

However, as amazing as an ocean sunset is, I'm still a little partial to an Arizona sunset.

Beach Stay

During our time in Arizona, the whole family packed up and made their way to Oceanside, California.  All of us kids found a house to rent and stayed together.  It was pretty awesome.  Here was our view.

On the first day, we went to the beach.  I made sure the boys were covered in sun screen and protected. I, on the other hand, forgot to put sun screen on my legs.  Boy that was dumb.  

 Now I know why the boys had sand in their ears.

We also went to LegoLand.   

Both of the boys are a little obsessed with Star Wars these days.  

You can imagine how they felt when we ran into these guys.  

 

 This is the X-Wing Starfighter.  It is the worlds largest lego display.  It took 32 model builders 

17,000 hours to build and has 5 million lego bricks.  It weighs more that 45,000 pounds, stands 11 feet tall and 43 feet long, with a wingspan of 44 feet.  Even I was pretty impressed.

Those were the highlights of our California trip.  

It was fun.  

Irrigation

While we were home my parents had irrigation.  The boys were so excited.  It's something I've grown up knowing about, that I forget some people don't have a clue what it is.  

The boys (even the big one) had a great time playing in the backyard, turned lake, on a hot summer day.

We discovered a little too late that this spot had an ant hill...

More fun vacation things to come.  Stay tuned.