Thomas goes on holiday

A large parcel is placed in front of an eager little boy. “Cri-mits present for me?” Bear pleads. We assure him that the gift is indeed for him, and within seconds, the floor is littered with Christmas paper, rapidly torn from the gift and discarded. His big brown eyes light up with pleasure, and he squeals with delight, “Look, mummy, it’s THOMAS!”

Our boys love Thomas, with a passion most sane people reserve for, say, spouses. One of Chubba Bubba’s first words was “toot-toot”. So to say the gift was a hit would be a slight understatement. The set was actually a “Take-Along” set, whereas the more discerning Thomas fans at our house prefer the delicious, tactile warmth of the timber sets. Not to say it was a *bad* gift, on the contrary. Running Bear and I looked at each other, smiling over the heads of our two little boys now lost in play, and almost in the same breath, “It’ll be perfect to take on holidays” (him) “I’ll make a little bag for it all so we can take it away with us” (me). So, shortly after arriving home, and managing to prise the now-beloved set from small hands, I pulled out my stash of Thomas fabric (yes, I have Thomas fabric on stand-by. Sad, I know), and pulled together a little portfolio-style carry bag for the new track, engines & associated “stuff”. I will admit, my “wing it” approach wasn’t *entirely* successful this time. The velcro doesn’t quite do up where I failed to allow for “expandage” due to the addition of the track pieces. Some elastic is too snug, while others are not quite snug enough. Eh, you live and learn.

Today has been perfection. The house is clean. The washing is up to date. We built a cubby house in the lounge room. Read stories, had fruit break, peiced a puzzle, all under the “shelter” of said cubby house. We’ve swung, slippery-dipped and sandpitted our way through the morning. And two little boys crashed shortly after their lunch, leaving a satisfied mama to sneak into the studio. And sew. Another quilt, nonetheless. The third is as many weeks! A log cabin change mat, from bargello scraps. Two blocks down, Two to go. The race is on. Quilt done. Naptime finished. Let’s do this!

Could it be anything else?

With the arrival of winter, we also welcome the sickness merry-go-round that is a given when one has children, and quite social children at that. Winter is generally a dreary season for us, marked not by the passing of weeks, but by the cycle of colds & chest infections. *sigh*

 

And being the second week of June already, we were long overdue for a decent bout of sickness. And come Friday, it hit. Toddler Bear is not well. Four days of erratic temps have knocked the poor little guy about, so we were looking for something quiet & relaxed to do this morning.

 

A quick search through the drawers in the studio yeilded some air-drying clay, a gift that has been sitting in the drawer awaiting the perfect project. So with the baby and his “if I can touch it, I must taste it” tendencies safely tucked up in bed for his morning nap, I pulled out the clay, and, with my little assistant by my side, got to work. “What shall we make, sweetheart?” “A train, Mummy, a Thomas Tank Engine, wiv a short stumpy boi-yer (boiler), and short stumpy issel (whistle), and a short stumpy funnel.” Of course. What else would I expect, coming from a child who ignores his assigned craft at playgroup, turning it over & commanding his minions (ie, mummy) to draw a train or ten on the back. *sigh*

 

I think we ended up more like Edward than Thomas – Thomas has too many square edges, whereas Edward is much easier on a novice sculptor.

 

This is how the train is looking at the drying stage – sculpted & etched. It will now sit on my desk for the next 48 hours to dry, and then I’ll attack it with some acrylic paint.

 

Today is a laying low & recuperating day. With a small boy wanting nothing more than to be cuddled, how can I refuse? Everything will still be waiting for me tomorrow. Housework, painting, scrapping, creating. All trumped by a small boy’s snuggles. Back to our regularly scheduled crafting soon!

Mummy Monday

What better way to front up to a new week than to hit the ground running? The housework was done early, stories had been read, hokey-pokey’s danced, and it was time to get busy! First up was some craft time. What else does one make with a train crazy toddler, but a train!

 

This little train was made from a nasal spray box, two eye drop boxes, a pipe cleaner, and part of an egg carton. Super easy, super quick, and super fun. Toot-toot!  The Fat Controller small boy thinks it’s pretty good.

 

Then it was time to make something yummy to warm us up on a cold, wet, winter’s day.

 

Mmmm… chocolate muffins. Does life get any better than this? A little boy to make my heart melt, chocolate muffins to keep my tummy full, and a wonderful husband who supports me 110% in anything I do. What more could a girl want? (Except maybe for this next baby to stop using her bladder as a trampoline!).

 

On the pregnancy front, all is going well. We’re at 32+4, so really starting to hit the business end of things. I am more uncomfortable than I was last time, but that’s only to be expected, when things aren’t as trim, “toit” & terrific as they were pre-children!

 

Craft-wise, I have the Jacob’s Ladder quilt top together, I just need to sort out the backing, then pin & quilt! I hope to be finished this week. I am also still going on the changemat, and I am 75% finished a pencil roll for one of Bear’s little friends. Plus I’m knitting a little blanket for Bear’s Pooh Bear, then I need to start a little something for a certain someone, but I don’t want to say too much, in case certain eyes are reading! Suffice to say, it is cute, and vintage. I just hope I have time to get it done.