Archive for nicky

nick says goodbye

12.08.09 at 11:14 pm · Filed under kids, moving, nicky

Today was Nick’s goodbye party at school, and boy was it fun! One teacher had made a wonderful photo collage of all the kids, another made a DVD of all the kids talking about Nick as if they were being interviewed, and the third had arranged a special dance show (performed by classmates). Nick and Arden got to sit up in front for the party and truly felt like big shots. I hope Rowen’s party on Thursday is as entertaining! (Max doesn’t want me showing up at his with my camera, boo hoo.) Here are a few of my favorite photos from the party.

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the big Lebowski

02.03.09 at 11:01 pm · Filed under kids, nicky, other crafty stuff, stitchy gifts

Today was Nick’s after-school party and after a year of asking, he finally got to go bowling with all his best buddies. I cannot claim to be a big fan of bowling – probably due to my utter inability to hit anything I’m actually aiming at, and my rare ability to smell the mildew growing in the bowling alley – but I do love seeing the kids have fun. We started the party at home with cake, gifts, and a wild assault upon scores of balloons I’d blown up this afternoon. I’d also made little treat bags that the kids could wear on their wrists, but frankly after they’d eaten the candy, they quickly lost interest in the bags.

It was a very busy day, even though I was sure I had next-to-nothing to do to prepare for the party. Even after all my experience so far in children’s parties, the amount of time-consuming grunt work that goes into them suprises me every single time. So when the mailman rang the bell, I was kind of like, “Oh another interruption!” I studied the postmark for awhile, knowing it looked somehow familiar but unable to make the connection for an embarassingly long time. (Note to self: Better try that ‘brain trainer’ of Max’s and see if the gray cells are still firing.) I’m not someone who can wait to open a package, so I got right down to business (LOL) and was absolutely blown away by Pokua’s thoughtfulness and generosity. Knowing I’m also a tea lover, she sent me a loose blend of the most delicious tea (and I know, because I brewed a pot on the spot!) and this incredibly beautiful tea mini-sampler. She also sent a beautiful bracelet made from Ghanaian glass beads that I put on as soon as I took the picture. Thank you so much, Pokua, for making me feel a little spoiled and special at a low moment when I really needed it.

Other than birthday related stuff, not much has been going on around here. I did get busy rearranging pictures, and here’s a new view of my Wall of Smalls, aka The Wall of Fame. I’m pretty tickled with it.

Roberta and Pat also let me know that the mail fairy has paid them recent visits. Hooray!

Now I see that I have over an hour before I can go to bed (due to dog walks, which must not be too early … or else!) and I’m wondering if my bleary eyes can find the holes in the linen. I would love to get a few more motifs done on Love of Myn ….

Wishing you well! Thanks for visiting!

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the wild man of borneo

02.02.09 at 2:38 pm · Filed under nicky

He’s hard to keep up with, he’s got a quick temper, he’s competitive to a fault … his smile will light up the darkest day, his laugh will banish any bad feeling, and he’d give away his most prized possession to anyone who asked for it. At the wonderful, exciting, uncertain, and challenging age of 6, Nick (we may not call him Nicky anymore!) has a Romantic Object (a lovely lass with pale skin, light blue eyes, and hair like spun gold), a Wii obsession, and an energy level that approaches terrifying levels. He’s funny, he’s challenging, he’s wild, and he’s big-hearted. He’s also the only one of the kids that people say looks like me. LOL! Anyway, without further ado:

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Wishing you a year of wonderful new adventures, good friends, satisfying challenges, and deep belly laughs. You drive me crazy and I love every minute of it!!

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so very much…

02.01.09 at 10:14 pm · Filed under (new) designs, family, kids, nicky, stitching

… to share, to do, to think & dream!

It’s the eve of Nicky’s birthday, so soon I shall be up to my elbows in flour as it is the custom here that the birthday child brings treats for the entire class. Nick’s requested lemon flavored cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I will be interested to see just what I come up with.

As both Nick and Rowen have birthdays this week and we are just coming out of a terribly hectic period, I opted to forego the usual large family & friends party we have every year. I felt a little guilty about it, but my main emotion was overwhelming relief. So, yay for selfishness! Seriously, it will just make it so much easier to enjoy the kids’ special days without becoming totally overwhelmed by all there is to do. Because we’re skipping the family party, we took the kids to visit their Opa and Oma today. Lots of fun was had by all, and the kids were totally wowed by their gifts.

Meanwhile, I was being wowed by the temporary loan of this family heirloom darning sampler that was stitched by Niek’s great-great-grandmother. Gorgeous, isn’t it? You’ll be seeing more of this in the months to come before it’s returned. We’ve hung it on our wall for now and are thoroughly in love with it.

And Niek’s mother surprised me by giving me a traditional merklap (sampler) stitched by her mother in 1976. We have regular, if infrequent, contact with Niek’s Oma and are fortunate to also have a stitched gift she made for Nicky shortly after his birth.

Now what’s with all this stitching by other people? Haven’t I been doing any? Well, yes. Yesterday afternoon I got it in my head that I simply had to stitch Niek something for Valentine’s Day after all (I’d planned to make a paper gift this year) and that it had to be something totally original (aka a design of my own) rather than using one of the many utterly delightful Valentine-type charts I already own. So I pulled out my recently-purchased 35 ct mushroom HDF linen (have I mentioned how much I absolutely love her linen?!) and a bagful of HDF silks and … started stitching! The phrase, “Love of myn, my heart is thyn” is one that was used on love poseys around 1900. I’m using one strand of silk over two squares of linen for an antique look. Am I having fun with it … oh yeah!

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where do i keep going?

12.18.08 at 1:07 pm · Filed under exchanges, nicky, stitching

If you see me wandering around out there, would you send me back home? I just don’t know where I get off to … the time is flying by so fast that I surely must be living two lives at once and am just not aware of it.

My neighbor surprised me to no end when she showed up at my door with a big box from Su, my seasonal exchange partner (lucky me!). Now, I sent Su a wee, tiny ornament. Su, however, showered me with goodness. In addition to the absolutely-perfect-for-me CHS Berries and Pins ornament (just look at that finishing! and you can’t even see the backside, which is also gorgeous!), she sent two cute & funny Santa ornaments, a snowman magnet, two charts, Polstitches fabric, finishing fabric, and loads upon loads of chocolate for the kids. My heavens, woman, your generosity is overwhelming!! I’m humbled. No idea what I’ll do for the spring exchange – I’m just so glad that Su and I decided to continue the year, even though the group is being dissolved.

I must also shout out a heartfelt thanks to Monique who bravely and generously lent me her BOAF Patience chart because I shamelessly begged her for it. It has arrived and I will start it as soon as the holiday stitching is truly complete. Which may be around December 26th. LOL.

I’ve begun cleaning clearing out for Arden’s birthday party on Saturday. (Where does all this stuff come from, and why do I find it so difficult to put it away?) Though perhaps no one will come. I asked Niek 3 weeks ago to please contact his siblings to invite them … guess who shamefacedly admitted this morning that he had not yet done so? Doesn’t matter – I’m cooking up a storm for my last baby’s passage into toddlerhood, and if no one shows up, I will just eat it all myself. :0

Nicky’s begun coming down with something. His current viral infection is, of course, making him more susceptible to anything alse going around and last night he was running a fever and had some tummy/throat pain. We’re monitoring his temp and gave him some children’s pain reliever, and this morning he insisted on going to school. Sigh. I worry too much, I know, but I can’t help it. Fortunately, the doctor just had a look at him on Tuesday regarding the viral infection and said that is fine, so we don’t have to push the panic button (yet).

I’m still working on Little Acts of Kindness. I took it with me to the hospital yesterday, where I had my first MRI. I asked the technician what would happen if I fell asleep during the exam. He laughed and said no one could fall asleep during one of these, as the machine is incredibly loud and at times the whole thing shakes. Guess who fell asleep? I tried to explain that I have four kids and any time I stop moving for more than 10 minutes, it’s lights out but I just got a lot of weird looks on my way out. Anyway, here’s my current progress on that.

I’m also stitching a unicorn for Rowen because of course, I don’t have enough to do. If I don’t finish it for Christmas, it’ll be a lovely birthday gift. I bought the pillow form from Daisy Stitches, shortly before Despina and the shop dropped out of sight. I miss her – she was really nice. But another really nice ONS owner we all know and love is currently having a sale – rush over to see Jenna during her 20% off sale!!

Take care, friends, and make sure you take a bit of time to slow down and enjoy what the season really is all about.

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who’s that girl?

12.10.08 at 12:28 am · Filed under exchanges, friends, kids, life stuff, nicky, stitching, stitchy gifts

Where on earth have the past several days gone? Do I get this time back at some future point? I mean, I think it’s really unfair that the days pass so fast that I don’t even realize they’ve gone by. I guess it has been a little busy. Nicky has given us a scare with some strange swelling in his neck – the third doctor we saw gave us the necessary papers to have a full bloodwork done up on him and we’ll have the results on Thursday, but all the doctors are in agreement that it is almost certainly a virus that isn’t dangerous. (Almost certain is never good enough for me, though, thus the bloodwork.) We also celebrated pakjesavond and bought & decorated our Christmas tree. Oh, and there’s been some stitching. And more delightful mail. Where to start?? What a dilemma!

I’ll start with the wonderful goodies that have come in the mail. My mailman says I’m his favorite customer.

Staci has surprised me with these delightful scissors – they are so light and so sharp! – with a cool little tag that will ensure the other stitcher in the house doesn’t walk away with them. Staci, these are sure to become a favorite!

And Anna, bless her, has gifted us with a family gingerbread man that I just love-love-love! And she sent delicious chocolate lollies for all the kids (we’ve hidden them in the tree for now, and will enjoy them a little closer to Christmas). Anna, you have been too kind!

And maybe a few stitching pictures?

I sent Su her seasonal ornament exchange, which she assures me she likes. This is Peace by Sisters and Best Friends, stitched in my choice of HDF silks.

I’ve also finished the stitching on all the kids’ ornaments … now on to the finish-finishing!

And I’ve been busy stitching a quilt square for the breast cancer group. The recipient loves gardening and reading, so I’ve fused two LHN designs. I’m really enjoying this one!

Are you bored yet? Should I stop, or go on? Awww, who knows when I’ll be able to blog again, so here we go with pakjesavond and tree decorating. You may be excused if it’s just too much!

Pakjesavond was a lot of fun – lots of yummy treats for the kids, gifts galore, and even something for the dogs.

I love decorating the tree – it’s one of my favorite parts of the holiday season!

Whew, give yourself a pat on the back if you made it this far!

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the good, the bad, and the ugly

08.22.08 at 2:49 pm · Filed under kids, life stuff, nicky, weather

Another (rainy) day is upon us – but not just any rainy day. Arden’s alert in his playpen because he knows something’s up.

Is it his sister’s pink-striped hair? (Picture taken yesterday during a rare period of glorious sunshine.) No …

It’s the day Nicky gets his cast off! Here’s Nicky, waiting for his for Daddy to get him over to the hospital so they could remove the cast. (Niek tells me that Nicky totally freaked out when the woman walked in with the saw to remove his cast – he thought they were going to cut his leg off!)

And here is Nicky’s foot as it now appears. Ugly, huh? And very sensitive. The doc said the break is healed, but psychologically, Nicky’s not quite ready to go back to life as normal. There’s still an open wound where the wheel spokes went into his ankle (under the bandage), the skin is very tender because it’s been totally covered up for nearly a month, and the darn thing is just so ugly that Nicky’s convinced it must be horrifically painful. So we’re still carrying him from one place to the other in hopes that in another day or maybe two, his usual level of activity will overcome his trepidation about using the foot.

I’m going to duck out now, with apologies to everyone whose blog I haven’t read or commented on. It’s just been … a lot. Fingers and toes all crossed that things will calm down, order will descend, and life will return to being full of fun. Thank you for coming to visit!

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amiable qualities, birthdays, and beasties

08.20.08 at 6:37 pm · Filed under UFOs and WIPs, arden, kids, life stuff, nicky, stitching, weather

This morning, Annemarie mentioned my ‘amiable qualities’ and I had to admit to having lost ALL of them from approximately breakfast till lunch time. I do not cope well with being shut up in the house in rainy weather with small children for indefinite time periods. On the bright side, I did get some serious decluttering accomplished and I repaired the drawers in my stitching bureau (again). This necessitated pulling out the WIPs again. A couple were discarded – hooray for being brave! One is being handed over to Max, as it was a bunny design I started for him. Another is under the needle as we speak – this is a very old, no longer available, freebie from Annes les petites croix. The fabric is a very pretty, delicate shade that puts me in mind of willow tree leaves. As usual, my camera isn’t doing it justice.

Last night I also finished this wee thing, which is actually a knitting pattern from a book (by Maria Parry-Jones) I borrowed from the library. The pattern is “Intarsiablad” and I cannot find intarsia in my translation dictionary or in babelfish. Any Dutchies out there who can help? This is on my beet-dyed linen using DMC 4130. Pretty colors, huh? *Question answered! Thanks!

Today is Arden’s 8-month birthday. Can you believe it? I can’t. How have eight months already passed? He’s been a bit sleepy lately, which makes me think he’s either growing or teething (as when he isn’t sleeping, he tends to complain a bit more than usual).

Another milestone that will soon be coming up is the removal of Nicky’s cast. I have decided that I will be the happiest person in the family to have it off. I’m going to throw a party on Friday (when it comes off) and invite myself.

Rowen’s not daunted by all the indoor time and was happy to display her silliness. LOL.

With the kids getting their photos taken, the furbabies let me know they felt left out. Nachtegaal has really enjoyed living in Nicky and Rowen’s room during Max’s absence. (Max is doing great BTW, enjoying the castles and other beauties of Germany.) She sends shy greetings to Elvis and Pink. Gilbert’s feathers have not finished growing in yet from his seasonal moult, so he’s a bit out of sorts at being photographed like this. He’s terribly vain. Spin is his usual smug self, but Rigby feels the need to keep him under constant surveillance. The two of them crack me up.

Things here at Chateau Chaos continue to roll along despite the rain and other temporary setbacks. The kids are growing, the season is changing, and we are all getting ready for the next phase. Whatever that may be!

Thanks for your terribly kind words about the wee tree in my last post. You make me blush. Wishing good health to those who need it (thinking of you, Joanna!!), and happiness to us all.

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budding artist

08.15.08 at 11:44 am · Filed under etsy, friends, kids, life stuff, nicky

First off, thank you for your advice and reassurance regarding my etsy shop. I’ll persevere, continue working on my own designs (as “I’d rather create my own crafts” was a common remark), and hope for the best as the holiday season draws nigh. I’m feeling a lot less optimistic about this being a realistic manner of helping out with our trip to Maine next summer, but it’s fun to do and that’s important in its own right.

I can’t show pictures of my stitching because the only project I’ve even picked up this week has been Becky’s Halloween exchange, but I would love to share some pictures that Max has recently taken. I got him a digital camera for Christmas (or was it his birthday?) more than a year ago and for a long time he just let it collect dust. Then he started taking some pictures, but they were usually out of focus or of subjects only interesting to young boys (cars factored heavily LOL!). But when he uploaded his pictures to the PC this morning, I was flabbergasted. Take a look! (The willow tree in my header is also take by him.)

The reason he was uploading his pics was so he could go on vacation with an empty memory in his camera. He’s going away for 10 days with his biological father. Sigh. Without getting into loads of personal stuff, it’s just very hard to let my ‘baby’ go for such a long time. But we do our best to foster a positive relationship with his father and the paternal side of his family, so of course I have to keep a lid on my personal feelings. Parenting gets so complicated sometimes! Naturally, I had to take a few pictures of him. When I went up to his room, I found him entertaining Nachtegaal (who will miss him!).

Speaking of cute kids, Nicky says thank you to Chiloe for the very cool coloring book!

And Arden says hi to everyone.

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stitching, stitching, stitching

08.08.08 at 5:34 pm · Filed under etsy, freebie links, nicky, stitching

I’m trying to work on two things at once, which means that I really need another pair of hands. Have you ever wondered why we only have one pair, when so often we need two?

I’m working on another design that I hope to offer soon. This is a spot sampler in the tradition of 16th and 17th century spot samplers … it’s early days yet, but hopefully there’s enough here to give a general idea of it. Um, very general. I’m a slow stitcher … have I mentioned that before?

And I’m also working on a custom bird that Anna ordered through my Etsy shop. No pictures, though – you’ll have to wait till that one’s all finished and in Anna’s patient hands.

While I’m wishing for two pair of hands, Nicky is wishing that his walking cast really “walked” as easily as he thought it would. We all assumed he’d be whizzing around the place more or less like his old self, but these things are remarkably difficult to walk on, and he is very wobbly on his feet. As a matter of fact, he’s unable to walk without me holding his hands. So I’m still jumping up and down a lot in regard to that. I’d take a picture of him attempting to walk, but (1) my hands are busy holding his, and (2) you’d be able to see how dirty my floor is. LOL.

So many people have mentioned being in the mood for Halloween designs … please pop over to Betty’s blog, of primitivebetty’s, and take a look at her latest freebie. It’s a must-stitch!!

Take care, everyone, and thanks so very much for sticking with me during the past week or two despite sporadic posts!

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Older Posts »

mainely stitching

Archive for nicky

nick says goodbye

the big Lebowski

the wild man of borneo

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Wishing you a year of wonderful new adventures, good friends, satisfying challenges, and deep belly laughs. You drive me crazy and I love every minute of it!!

so very much…

where do i keep going?

who’s that girl?

the good, the bad, and the ugly

amiable qualities, birthdays, and beasties

budding artist

stitching, stitching, stitching

when are we now?

Search

stay tuned to chateau chaos

finishes for 2009

soulfood

reading list, 2009

what did i say?

when did i say that?

who's been peeking

member of

December 2009
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Archive for nicky

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Wishing you a year of wonderful new adventures, good friends, satisfying challenges, and deep belly laughs. You drive me crazy and I love every minute of it!!

when are we now?

Search

stay tuned to chateau chaos

finishes for 2009

soulfood

reading list, 2009

what did i say?

what's this?

when did i say that?

who's been peeking

member of