Easy 15 Minute Costume Idea

I am always looking for frugal ideas in almost every area of our family expenses and adventures, so this year when Lathan asked to be a kitten for the church Fall Festival I was contemplating ideas. Initially I strolled through my local thrift stores looking for a costume, but I could not find a cat that was "creative" or suitable for a 4 year old. And since it was just a Fall Festival, I decided to just make ears and paint his face, and have him wear a black sweat suit with a tail I would make sewn onto the rear-end. I was pleasantly surprised how easy and inexpensive my ideas were once I got to work on the ears. The painting was an easy get because I just had to buy $3.48 face paint at wal-mart and the brush I already had. Well here are the supplies you will need, and let me mention, this would be great not only for Halloween, but for play ideas and creative thinking projects, etc. The total cost for 2 sets of ears and the tails (Zebulon is going to be a smaller kitten) was $7.58. I had everything needed already except for the felt and clips and face paint.

Supplies:
Glue gun with glue
Felt, 2 black sheets, 1 white ($.20/each at wal-mart)
scissors
black thread and a needle
stuffing cotton (optional, but does make them for 3D)
snap clips (about $3.50 at wal-mart, but you only need 2 of them)

So I cut out the felt in mirrored triangular shapes and I sewed the edges stuffing the cotton in the last unsewn side before completely sewing them.
Then I hot glued the white triangular felt piece to the middle of the ear, and finally hot glueing the entire ear to the clip.
And walla, 1 cat ear completed. Now for the 2nd one.
In total this took me about 15 minutes for both ears and provided a days worth of fun for Lathan ;)

1 YEAR AGO

Today is May 31st, 2011....My littlest man is ONE today! Happy Birthday Zebulon!

Mere Differences

Noticing how my boys are very different:

-Lathan is definitely the first born, the one in charge, the one to show the little unexperienced new brother the ropes, and how he is doing everything all wrong. But...he also loves his little brother and asks,"is Zebulon coming too???" He loves having someone to share his favorite places with, the seat in the back in Papa's truck, and his most used phrase is, "what's he saying?"Literally atleast once a minute when little brother is watching big brother do something. It's really neat to see how far the imagination can soar. Zebulon obviously doesn't speak, but "what's he saying", is interpreted by mere expressions on Zebulon's face. If we think our body language and expressions don't speak louder than words, well you ought to come here for a few days. Lathan could write a book on what Zebulon "says"....
-Zebulon on the flip side is sooooooo mellow, but he has a catch to him too. He knows that Lathan gets into trouble when toys, books, or just about anything is taken from his tiny grasps and he sure lets everyone know when it is occurring. He also knows how to be heard when he wasn't fully done with a treat even though it is obviously all eaten up (like sharing momma's ice cream.) He has a way about him though that is truly his own being. He turns his head toward his shoulder shyly when papa smiles at him, he loves when big brother runs around the table playing with him, their laughter together is so awesome that I go to bed at times just smiling.
I could never never fathom the love the Father showed toward us by giving us, wicked men and women, His one and Only Son. Many nights I ponder and truly cry because I would fall short every time if that were called of me to accomplish. Thankfully I don't ever have to do that, give up my sons, but I just can not pen in words the amazing Love of the Father that He would redeem us through the death of His Son Christ. And redeeming the Son by only through Christ can we come to the Father.
I love being a mom. I thank God daily for the chore he set before me. It is tiring many days, and many days I want to give up, but I just sit and pray in those moments for strength and endurance, to finish the race that He has set before me in my life.

Christmas Delight

We awoke this morning to the beautiful first rays of the sunshine cresting over the top of the Monzano Mountains. Delighted with pinkish orange colors we hopped out of bed to peek into the little badgers nest. He was making all sorts of Badgerish noises that we thought surely he must be trying to wake up the whole house. Papa Bear was a little sluggish this morning and probably wished he could remain in the cave a bit longer but with Lathan peering into his stocking from the top of the stairs and pulling toys out he decided he should come down. We read the Word first this morning delighting in the Lord while sipping the best coffee I have had in 6 days. I had the chance to drive to San Antonio with the boys to see my family and my grandparents. It was a short but well visited trip and I am so thankful that I was able to go. Grandpa(my dad) drove home with me on the 12 hour trip and we arrived safely on Thursday evening. He flew home this morning super early!
Thank you all who sent gifts to the boys, they will be well loved and used! Thank you Kathy for the BEST Christmas gift of all! I love love love my little packets of Heirloom vegetables and can't wait for spring to come. We love you all and Merry Christmas!

River of Lights

Little Character Coming Out & a Loving Loving Big Brother

Botanic Gardens & Pumpkins