Lois is enjoying making more cute shoes for Bethany…

And just for kicks here are a few fun photos of the kids from today:

Recently a friend pointed me to an organization call FabMo where they rescue discontinued designer fabrics.  Most of the fabrics are sofa and other home decor samples.  They hold monthly distributions where subscribers can take as much fabric as they need for FREE!  If you so desire, you can make donations so this volunteered based group can continue their effort.  If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and can use fabrics for projects, you should definitely sign up.

I went for the first time this month and got many pieces of treasures for my sewing needs.  I came away with some wool, cotton, linen, and leather samples.  I was so excited and went to work right away to create clothing for my kids.

I made a pair of soft-soled shoes (Robeez-style) for my one-year-old using  floral linen/cotton blend fabric for the outer pieces and leather for the sole.

I also made a cape for the girls using two square pieces of wool fabrics.

My brain is swirling with ideas and things to make for my kiddos.  So much fun!

I’m really stoked!  I successfully made yogurt in a crockpot!  It was so easy and it actually worked.  Reasons I get so excited about this yogurt recipe are:

• I don’t need a yogurt maker, just my crockpot that I already own.
• It’s easy and I don’t need a thermometer to check whether the temperature is right or not.
• It’s cheap because all I need is milk and 1/2 cup of store bought yogurt as a yogurt starter.
• It tastes yummy and my kids love it.
• I can use whole milk to fatten up my skinny little baby.
• The yogurt is more runny compared to store bought ones, but my kids don’t mind.  They used straws to drink up their yogurt so forget about Danimals drinkable yogurt.  We have our homemade ones without all the extra sweeteners and artificial stuff.
• I tried making yogurt using other methods in the past and in my opinion, the crockpot method is lot easier and hassle free.

So, are you interested in making your own yogurt now?  If so, here’s the crockpot recipe!  Happy yogurt making.

I don’t know the particulars, as far as patterns, seams, needles and thread.

But my wife is amazing.  I’m not sure, but think she designed and sewed this thing from her own imagination.

(UPDATE: she didn’t design it, see comments.  But still, pretty amazed am I.)

Check it out.

I think sometimes we expect kids to know how to do tasks without properly training them.  We expect them to know how to sweep or vacuum the floor, clean the toilet, cook simple meals, wipe down the counter, do laundry, etc. when they reach a certain age.  After all, they’ve been watching us do these tasks day in and day out.  They really should know how to do all these things by now!!!

When I was working in the corporate world some years ago, we always talked about a high learning curve when a person starts a new job.  The idea is that when you first start a new job, you really don’t know what you’re doing.  You have to learn how the company operates, what’s the proper channel of personnel, specific tasks or job descriptions related to your project, and a new set of corporate jargon to be learned.   A new hire usually attends an orientation or a training session.  Typically for the first month or two, a new hire really isn’t an asset to the company.  It isn’t until he learns how everything works that he begins to contribute to the company.

Taking the corporate example, we have to have the same mindset when training our children to help out in the house or simply learn a new skill.  Remember, in the beginning there’s a high learning curve and it’s going to take time for your child to learn and perfect the skill.  I think there is a three-step approach to this.

Step 1: Observe and learn

Quite simply, the student is to observe how a task is done.  As a teacher, we need to be sure to talk through each step and explain it thoroughly.  When we perform a task over and over again ad infinitum, we simply do it without thinking about it because the task is so deeply ingrained.  Too often we expect our student to possess the same skill to the same degree without thinking that this may very well be their first time ever performing the task.  It is imperative that we keep on talking and explaining the specifics.

My husband adds this insight: how a person observes from a standing height of 4 ft. or less is drastically different from what they might see at an adult’s height.  So he recommends getting down to your child’s height to get a sense of what they are actually seeing, and how you might better teach and show them the task more effectively.

Step 2: Perform the task with supervision

After they’ve successfully observed and learned the new task, they are to do it with your supervision.  When it comes to actually doing the task, it is quite different from just observing it.  I find myself forgetting steps when I do a new task even though I thought I knew or remembered all the steps.  Having a supervisor to guide the student through each step is helpful.  When he errs, the mistake can be quickly corrected.  As a trainer, we need to be patient.  I know sometimes I’d rather take over and finish the task because it’d be lot faster and efficient.  If I do this, I wouldn’t have properly trained my child to do the task. Resist the temptation to take over, rather, instruct the child through each step.

Step 3: Perform the task without supervision

Having observed and performed the task successfully, the child is now ready to do the task without supervision.  Depending on the task and the child, steps 1 and 2 may be repeated several times before being able to do the task on his own.  Don’t have the expectation of only going through the steps once and expect the child to already know how to do the task on his own.

Honestly, these three steps aren’t rocket science nor are they an ancient secret.  These three steps came about as I interacted with my children on a daily basis.  I think it is important to note these steps because we often forget them and set improper expectations for our children.  So, next time you start getting frustrated over your children’s lack of progress, consider the aforementioned steps and evaluate whether you’ve properly led them through all the steps.

We’re gearing up for the summer and to be out in the sun.  I made sun hats for the kids with extra wide brim so they’re protected against the sun.

Here are my models showing off their new sun hats:

I made some pretty hair bows for the girls, and here they are proudly wearing their bows.

Some of the the hair bows I made:

These fabric flower hair bows are so easy to make and I find it quite relaxing sitting in my rocker and hand stitching these pretty things.  So, do you want to make one for your girl?  If so, here’s the step-by-step awesome tutorial.  Girls are so fun to decorate, oops, I mean dress up.