Greg is super!

We had a hero themed birthday party for Greg's 3rd birthday, so I made capes for everyone. These are ridiculously cheap and easy to make!

Here's what you need:
An adult T-shirt, large. Either blank on one side, or with a picture you like.
A pair of scissors.
Snaps or Velcro (optional)

I got all the t-shirts I needed at Goodwill and Salvation Army. Check out what color is on sale that day, and then you can look for that color tag. I spent about 50 cents on each shirt. Mostly I just chose shirts with a solid color back. I did find Brenna one with a super hero logo on the front, but it wouldn't have worked for a larger child, since it was a women's medium. Ellie had an iron-on she won at a carnival, so I put that on her cape for her.

Wash the shirts, then fold in half lengthwise. (1)
Cut from the neck down to the hem in a cape shape. Make sure not to cut over the neckline. Stay inside of the seams from the arms. This will give you the shape, widening toward the bottom. Shirts that are serged or reinforced at the neck stretch the least. (2)
Lay the shirt out so that the collar makes a circle. Cut off the side that you DON'T want, following along the neck seam without cutting the seam. You may need to do a little trimming on the sides and the neck to smooth out. You should now have a basic cape shape! (3)
Cut open the neck. If you want to just tie the cape at the neck, you are now DONE! (4)
If you want some sort of fastener at the neck (highly recommended for safety, and the fact that your kids will ask you to take the cape on and off about every 3.5 seconds) then grab your kid and mark where you want the fastener to go. I used snaps, but you could sew or glue on velcro dots, or whatever you want. Cut off any extra. (5)

Take pictures! And don't plan on going anywhere capes are not allowed for the next few days. I got a lot of smiles bringing three caped kiddos to Target and Costco!

 

So I made some stuff today...

I think I have ADD... Or maybe this is how all crafty people are?
Anywho... I went downstairs to fix a pair of earrings, one of the rings came loose and two of the petals fell off. Luckily I found them, and was able to wire them back on.

So then, you know, because I had the jewelry pliers out and everything already, I realized that I could make earrings out of these flowers that I got on clearance at Joann's. they were from the floral section, and there were a whole bunch wired together with some crystal beads. I bought them thinking I could make a clip for Ellie, but I don't know if that is going to be possible. Thinking of a way I could make a matching necklace that doesn't look dumb. 

Then I remembered that I had told Ellie I would make some more pink flower clips, since she and Brenna fight over who gets to wear the pink camo one. I got a bunch of these flowers on clearance at Michaels for less than a dollar a piece. The buttons were also clearanced. The only issue I have with these is that they are a little heavy. They really work better with ponytails than just as a clip, but the girls like to wear them. These are the fourth and fifth ones that I have made, and I have two more flowers that I need to find buttons for. So super easy, though I did burn myself twice with the glue gun! 

Jacob's Story, pt 2

                                              

If you would like to read part one of Jacob's story, it is HERE. Jacob was born in Kentucky. We knew it would be about a 10 hour drive, but that was a better option than trying to fly, rent a car, and get to where he was born. Additionally, we would need to travel with all the kids, as my parents were out of town, and Brian's family, is, of course, in CA.
As soon as Brian got home, we packed up the car and headed out. After a quick stop to McD's, we were on our way. Neither of us had ever been to Kentucky. Jacob was to be born on the Eastern edge of the state, where Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio meet. In fact, it is known locally as the "tri-state area!"
Not long after we had gotten on the road, we received another call. Jacob's birth mother was in distress, and he was going to have to be delivered by emergency c-section. We had anticipated being able to be at the hospital when he was born, but this was not to be the case. As we drove through the night, I prayed the entire way.
We arrived at the hospital around 7a.m. Brian and I agreed that I would go up to the maternity ward and he would take the kids and get checked into our hotel and then come back.
Apparently, the adoption had caused some confusion in the maternity ward. Because Jacob's mom only knew our first names, and thought that we would arrive sometime in the night, the staff was not quite sure if there was an adoption plan in place, so the hospital social worker was called. I was able to meet Jacob's mom, and talk to her for a little bit, but was not allowed to see Jacob until after I had met with the social worker.
Meeting the birth mother for the first time must be one of the hardest, and also most awkward, things I have ever done. I mean, she is a complete stranger, yet she is willing to give you her child. How do you start that conversation? She was just glad that we had arrived, and happy to meet me. She was obviously tired and in a lot of pain from the c-section the night before. We didn't talk long, but she gave the nurses permission for Brian and I to see Jacob. Then it was off to meet the social worker-I was more than a little nervous about!
As it would turn out, the hospital social worker, Annie, was one of the nicest, most helpful people in the adoption process. She became our go-to whenever we needed help, particularly with anything related to the KY medical system.
Then, after all of this, I finally got to meet Jacob. Our tiny, 4lb 10oz baby, who found his way to our family by the grace of God, who completed our family unit.