I made art aprons or smocks for the kids. They can be used for helping in the kitchen or doing art work. I used a shoulder tie smock pattern with two modifications:

• The original pattern is sized for a two year old, and in order to make ones that are suitable for my four and six year olds, I lengthened the pattern.

• The original is lined and I chose to go with a single layer. I simply hemmed all the sides.

To personalize the aprons, I have the boys stencil their aprons with their first name initial and star patterns. First, I trace the pattern on the freezer paper. Then I iron the pattern on the apron as a stencil for the kids to paint. I really like this project because it’s a group effort. Mommy sews up the apron and the boys decorate their own apron to their liking. The boys also got to pick the placement of each pattern to make it even more personalized.

To wear, tie the shoulder ties tight so they don’t fall off.  This is a backless apron without additional ties in the back.  It stays put as long as the shoulder ties are tight enough.

The boys stenciling the apron with much concentration:

All four kids modeling their aprons:

Daddy made two marshmallow guns for the boys out of PVC pipes and joints.

Andrew posing with the marshmallow gun:

Daddy helping Andrew to shoot the marshmallow out:

Simultaneous shooting:

The boys love their new toy that Daddy made for them.  What fun!  Matthew officially declared that Saturdays and Sundays are his favorite days of the week because Daddy doesn’t have to go to work.

The below ultrasound video was recorded onto DVD for us yesterday when all the children went with me and Lois to the clinic for a check-up and to discover the sex of the baby. Anyone wanna guess what we found out?

Once again, our t-shirt making tradition includes one for the kids’ grandpa.

The finished product:

One happy grandpa proudly wearing the t-shirt:

The kids and I made another t-shirt for Father’s Day. Instead of decorating the shirt free hand like last year’s t-shirt, I learned a new technique and I’m quite pleased with the result. I used the freezer paper t-shirt technique. In short, the directions are:

1. Design and draw a picture or words on the paper side of the freezer paper.
2. Use an X-acto knife to cut out the picture.
3. Iron the pattern onto the shirt.
4. Use fabric paint to stencil the pattern.
5. After it’s dried, peel off the freezer paper.

For those who are interested in designing your own shirt, here is a great freezer paper tutorial.

Matthew stenciling the shirt:

The finished product:

Here’s one proud daddy wearing the shirt. He’s indeed a Super Dad!

In addition, Matthew wrote a note to his beloved daddy all on his own without me prompting him. He sure loves his daddy.

Matthew participated in the Barnes and Noble Summer Reader Program again this year. Today, we went together as a family to redeem his free book. We’re so proud of him for reading the eight Boxcar Children books in just two weeks. He read approximately one book a day during his daily quiet time. I just love how much he loves reading.

Brother and sisters joining Matthew in his accomplishment:

Our eldest son decided to do some drawing in his “quiet time” (when the younger ones nap) today.

Here’s what he presented to me:

What was it?  It was his rendering of the whiteboard in our family/school room!