This cracks me up! I am so a dollar store HPT addict!

Okay the article below is kind of long, but it's so funny to those of us (and you know who you are) that are ridiculously addicted to dollar store pregnancy tests. Admitting your problem is the first step.

Ever since I had my little Kyanne, I've wanted another, and then another, and yes even now, with three kiddies born within 3 years, I want another! But, alas my sensible husband has forbidden even the thought until Fin is at least two. In the meantime I just secretly hope....shhhh, don't tell!

Addicted to HPT's
(Home Pregnancy Test)©

By Karen Squires

If you laughed at this title, this article may be for you. HPT (Home Pregnancy Test)'s are without a doubt, addictive. Alcoholics try to hide their addiction, so do women addicted HPT's. I know because I'm one of them.

I found HPT's at the dollar store for, you guessed it, a dollar. I was so excited. I only grabbed one test the first time I saw them. I ran home and used it right away. I got a BFN (Big Fat Negative). Of course I was only 7 days after ovulation so what could I expect.

The next day, after lying to my husband and telling him that I needed to run and get some shampoo, I was back at the dollar store for more. I bought five this time, figuring I would have enough to last until 12 days after ovulation. Two days later I had used them all up and was back at the store needing more shampoo. I bought another five tests.

As I drove home I tried desperately to remember when I had gone to the bathroom last. I needed to hold my urine for at least 4 hours to let the pregnancy hormone build up. I remembered that it had only been about one and 1/2 hours. It was now 10:00 am, I'll have to wait until 12:30pm. I told myself that when I got home I'd do the dishes, vacuum, dust, paint the bathroom, anything to keep my mind off of running the test. I pulled in the driveway, ran straight to the bathroom, and peed in a cup. Another BFN. Dang it. I have no self control. I'll have to start all over again.

It's now 11 am. I have to hold my urine until 3 pm to let the hormone (if there is any) build up again. At 1:30 pm I run another test. BFN! Dang it all to heck!

I decide to go to the mall to make sure that I can't run another test for a few hours. I am tempted to take a test with me to use at the bathroom in the mall just in case I can't control myself but, off to the mall without a test hidden in my purse.

I have now gone most of the day with out drinking as I don't want to dilute my urine and make what might be a BFP(Big Fat Positive) turn into a BFN by having too much water in my bladder. I am thirsty, frustrated and getting crabbier and crabbier by the minute.

We walk around the mall, me trying to get a peak at the baby and maternity things, but a five year old has no need for those so I don't even get a fix by doing that. Two hours later we are bored and my son is begging to come home and eat. I look at my watch. I can't go home yet, I just can't. I tell my son that I'll buy him something to eat, get him a toy, anything to stay there a little longer. He sees the desperation in my eyes and agrees to let me buy him a Hot Wheels car and some chicken strips. That uses up another hour. Soon he wants to go home again and no amount of bribing works this time. It's only been three hours now so I take the long way home. I keep hearing a little voice from the back seat telling me that I've gone the wrong way and a tiny finger points to the east telling me to turn that way NOW!

Okay, Okay, we'll go home.

It's been three and 1/2 hours and I'm so thirsty that I can hardly swallow. We pull into the driveway, I run into the house, down the hall to the bathroom, and run another test. Another BFN!!! Dang it! Dang it! Dang it all to HECK! Grrrr.

I had ran the rest of the tests by the next day at noon and since it was now 11 days after ovulation and I still hadn't got my BFP I knew that Aunt Flo and her dog spot would find me soon. On to the next cycle. I am going to have more self control.

A few days later I really do need some shampoo and tell dear hubby that I need to run and get some. He gives me a funny look and asks "Didn't you just get some a few days ago?"

I walk into the dollar store knowing that I'm safe from my addiction for another two weeks but as I walk past the HPT's to the shampoo I notice that they only have 20 tests left. I panic. What if they are all gone in two weeks, what will I do, where will I go. I grab all 20 tests and head to the cash register, kicking myself all the way there. When I get home I find a good place to hide them, way in the back of the closet.

My husband calls from the shower and asks me for the shampoo. I'm still in the process of hiding the tests and I call back to him, my mind still in an addictive fog, "Shampoo! What shampoo?"

Bridgey, you melt my heart!!

Tonight Meggie brought up what a bore my blog is these days since I became a Sewing-Crazed Wing Nut. So, I thought I'd take a peek at my recent posts, and I suppose she is right (don't let it go to your big, fluffy, needing to be dyed half as much as my hairy head!).

It's true, binging is part of my genetical makeup. But, I'm going to try to binge on something more fun, like activities for little Bridgey, who is really sad that he can't go to school with Ky. Poor little guy. And, on top of it he threw up his guts last night and was awake from 1am on. You can imagine how sad he was all day today. Still I rarely get frustrated with him. Even when he's mischevious, he's sooo darling, it makes me smile. The picture at the top of my blog is super outdated, but it's one of my favorites ever. It just sums up motherhood for me. What a joy. :)

Does anyone else say "Scarve"?

I found this flower print vintage pillow case a few weeks ago, and just knew it had beautiful potential. I had so much fun sewing up these little cloth scarves that I had to take some pics!

A perfect moment...

A snapshot, a glimpse into this moment that I love:

Fin stops nursing to look up and smile coyly. She pokes at my mouth with her chubby little fingers until I expectantly nibble them and then giggles delightfully.

Bridge is riding his mini snow board atop our tired couch in nothing but his Skippies, while measuring the air with my retractable sewing tape, and yelling "duh....duh-na...na----".

Ky is twirling like a drunken sailor and tripping over her new snow white dress that is 6 sizes too big. Singing so loud the neighbors are wishing their house wasn't in arms reach of ours.

The dishwasher is running in the background (a great accomplishment this early in the morning) and the house while simi tidy, still looks like a preschool/fabric store.

And, life feels perfect even if just for a moment.

(And, the moment has passed, with the pain from the Bridgey monster taking a bite out of my hair, literally.)

SA (Sewers Anonymous).

So secretly I just want to run away for a weekend with other SA's (sewing addicts) and have an all out binge! Wouldn't it be fun to rent a cabin, and have a sewing retreat away from the cute little distractions that never seem to have a lull in energy because they steal yours, leaving you without the needed energy to complete the many projects overtaking your living room and shouting: "For heaven's sake Woman! Sew Me!"

The sewing craze continues. Vintage material, old wooden spools of thread, patterns from the 50's and 60's, tutorials, I just can't get enough. My living room has become a full on fabric store. Oh, how I long for a fancy sewing room of my very own. I already have it all decorated in my head. Shelves of fabric organizationed in to coordinating colors, jars lining my desk filled with fancy buttons, and my old spools of thread, and my beautiful cutting table to hold my giant cuttung mat that I got for $5.00 at a garage sale this summer (Hooray for Golden Finds! It's like the Big Fish find that I'll have to retell for years!).

Above are some little aprons I made for Ky and her friend Porter. Jess was appalled when I said I was making a little boy an apron for his birthday. He and Bridge when right out and got the little 3yr old a gun to make up for the disappointment. In my defense, it had a tie, and manly colors, like blue and red.

A picture speaks a thousand word...these ones speak right to my heart!

To our good friend Liz, I quote -"and to one it is given one talent and to another many". So, that's not the exact quote but, Liz is on the "many" side. She was already an amazing semestress, quiter, artist, mother, and now a beautiful photographer as well. This leaves the rest of us feeling humbled, and inspired, but with a lot fabulous gifts (ie. our family photos and my sling that I cannot live without). We just love you Liz! Thanks for taking these wonderful photos that capture so much love and joy in our family.

I love those dirty toes, the whole lot of them! What a fabulous shot!

"That's soooo... Romantic!" (All rights reserved)

*For more pictures go: Here.
*If anyone has questions or comments for Elizabeth click: Here.

Sewing till 2am!

What can I say, this Mama likes to party, especially if it involves my trusty little machine, some cute fabric, treats and good friends.

It was 2am when the police broke it up, so really it was a call from Jess, but I was just as worried. He said he was a little confused when he woke to the cries of a hungry baby, and there no wife to be found. Who knew sewing could make for such a late night! Here's the little booties I made for new baby Piper Williams who was born a couple of days ago.


Great tutorial for these Here.

Teaching Ky to Quilt

I just love sewing, it is quickly becoming a passion. Right up there with chocolate and snuggles from my babies. So far I've only ventured out to sew things for the house, a few girly dresses, a sad looking purse and some quilts.

Out of all the things I've sewn, quilts are my favorite. They can be such a thoughtful gift and it's fun if others help. One of my sweetest memories is of being newly married and visiting Jess' family in Raymond. We got snowed in together and spent the day tying a quilt, singing along to the Beatles, and made homemade pizza. In retrospect it almost seems average, but to me it was magical.

A few weeks ago I started quilting with a good friend in the evenings and it's been so much fun, that I decided to try it with Ky. She's simply delighted to have the one on one time and quilt "like Mommy". I set a big pile of pink and purple scraps in front of her and asked her to just start cutting shapes. It was super fun and she did a good job. I'm not sure how to teach her to sew the pieces together (if anyone has any ideas). I figure the real goal here is FUN, rather than a completed quilt. (Here she is with her pile of pink material and her favorite little Fin.)

Sewing: a Family Affair.

Here it is. My finished nursing cover complete with a big fat button proclaiming my allegiance to the 'Pretty not Practical' regime. I made a cover for a good friend of mine, and loved it, so I made a another for me. (tutorial here)








Above are some pictures of my helpers. Sewing has been a family affair the last two weeks. Jess helps piece a quilt, Bridgey turns my machine off and on after every few stitches (it's not nearly so helpful as cute) and here's Fin and I sewing together due to my desperate attempts to finish my beloved apron.

Cape is to Batman, what apron is to Housewife?

My cheery Cleaning Apron. A statement of beautiful femininity. I have worn it just about everyday since I made it. I've cut the lawn, cleaned the house, conversed with the neighbors and sewn a few projects in it. It's like a superhero's leotard, it makes me feel powerful or at at least cute while I clean. (For those who've asked I tried to pattern this after a picture I saw online of the Emmeline Apron. It was fairly easy to make, straight skirt, gathered top, Wa-La!)

The prayers of a Princess

Goodnight prayers: "And, please bless that I can have a True Love Kiss on my wedding day."

Another prayer a few weeks ago went something like, "Please bless Princess Monson." (It's the thought that counts.)

In the car tonight:
Dad: "What's Fin saying?"
Ky: "She's just saying (high pitched singsong voice) Kyanne's a beautiful princess..."

Puffy Sleeved Princesses take a Magical Hiatus...

Just have to add another amusing conversation. Today the little boy from two houses over reluctantly asked Ky what she wanted to play in a polite attempt to be neighborly. Like any princess in waiting Ky replied:

"I want to play Get Married, it's the only game I like." The poor kid, turned around and headed back the way he'd come.

I hold Disney responsible and possibly my extra hour of sleep in the morning f0r Ky's preoccupation with princesses. At first I thought the princess craze was 'cute'. I naturally assumed the day would come when she'd realized there is more to life than "true love kisses", puff sleeves, and ballroom dancing. But instead, 'craze' is turning into 'crazy'. We discuss and often argue over modesty several exasperating times a day, we argue over wearing princess dresses every waking and non-waking moment, when I ask her to do something (wash her hands, chew slowly) she asks "Does princesses do this?", she even calls her dad Prince Robert, and today I was "the Queen, just the Ugly Queen, though." I've been demoted to Ugly Queen. Enough's, enough! (fabulous motherly one liner).

The time has come for the puffy sleeved princesses to take a magical hiatus. Harsh, I know. I'll miss them. I am a huge supporter of romance, "true love kisses" and big swishy dresses.

But Ky, I want you to know: This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you. -Another Mom one liner, but really a stupid one. It's like telling your boyfriend "we can still be friends" after you break his heart. I think my mom is actually guilty of using this ridiculous mom line prior to spanking my bare bum when I was 8. (For anyone who's wondering, I took a small box out of a random mailbox and opened it. To my pleasant surprise they turned out to be blank checkbooks with really cute panda bears. What else was there to do but, slowly rip each one off and watch as each blank check gaily floated away in the wind.)

"What the CRAP!" -Little Kyanne

Okay the title says it all. Our very own parrot.

Don't worry Aunt Meggie promptly washed her own mouth out with soap, and then Jess and I followed suit.

I guess this only leaves us with one choice when a vocal exclamation is needed: Pseudo swearing. Some of my favs being:

"Oh, snap", "fetchedy fetch", and "Oh, my heck!"

Summer Holidays!!

We have been living true to the our Motto "Larsen's Like to Have Fun"!

This summer has been nothing short of Fun! It's been one long holiday with trips to the mountains, sleepovers at the cabin, Pizza Parties, visits to the grandparents, the Canada Day parade, Jess' 10 yr reunion, Beauty and the Beast Musical, dirt biking, boating, horsebacking, hiking, birthday parties, Ky's ballet class with Mrs. Meg, kiddie crafts, and lots of sewing! It's been 2 months of holidays! Hooray for Summer!

Patiently Painting the Golden Gate Bridge

Tonight I decided to lounge on the couch instead of finish tidying up the house. I picked up Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, a fabulous book worth way more than the .50 cents I paid for it at a garage sale this morning.

(Tangent: Garage Sale-ing /(verb)/: the 2nd most beloved season of the year.

• 20 Bucks -(compliments of my sweetheart)
• Timmy Bits
• the kiddies
• a clean van to load up new treasures
• and my best GS buddy Keshia

No better way to spend a Saturday morning in the Spring).

Okay back to the book. It has a great chapter on comparing tending house to the continuous painting of the Golden Gate Bridge. By the time the painters reach the end it's time to start again at the beginning. I suppose their goal is not project completion but, instead to have a beautiful, well maintained bridge all year long.

Tonight I realized my domestic goals are unrealistic and the root of my frustration and charming outbursts. From time to time (as in just about every night), poor Jess (and Meg on occassion), have to listen to me have some sort of melt down about the messy pantry, untamed grass, or the laundry Blob that haunts me by day and by night.

While the truth is, at this time in our lives, Jess works more than usual I have 3 little darlings to run after, a vivacious quilting addiction to feed, not to mention my demanding Saturday mornings garage sale hopping! There's just not enough time to expect to keep house "just like mother did", so I've decided to be happy with Livable chaos instead. -"And, that's how we roll..."

Here's to more realistic expectations, a guilt free messy house, and becoming happier in my role as Domestic Goddess.

Hardware, doors, windows of the past.. you make my heart go pitter patter.

Hardware, doors, windows of the past.. you make my heart go pitter patter.

Thank you again to Nail and Hammer for their fabulous old windows. And, to the salvage yard in Alderside for these fabulous old doors. I can't decide what to do with the green one yet. I'm thinking maybe a chalk board on top where the window goes, with viynal lettering of the days of the week, and maybe a ribbon board on the bottom middle or a book shelf? Any ideas?

Baby Massage

Keshia and Nick got me an in-home baby massage gift certificate for Christmas. The instructor brings everything you need, oils, fancy mats, baby bathtubs, soothing music and even her own fake baby model that looks freakishly real in a creepy baby sort of way.

During the lower abdomen massage, I took Fins diaper off. I guess she couldn't resist the opportunity to mark her territory on the pretty yoga mat, because that exactly what she did.


Keshia and little Nixon came for the class too. I was surprised how much the two babies loved the fetal position bath afterwards. They looked so darling with their rolls all squished up like that.

The massage techniques are quite simple and she gave us our own instruction manuals, so I feel like it would be easy to teach it if anyone's interested.

"Well Belle didn't have a Mommy to teach her about Modesty."

I am so lucky! Just look at these handsome boys! I'm always trying to sneak in a few pictures on Sunday, the one day of the week that the children look less like orphans and I find the time to put on clean clothes. This week I'm trying to break Ky out of her princess craze and make her wear "clothes" rather than "Princess dresses" disguised as ragges and do her hair even if were just staying home. It's been a full year now, of tattern and torn dresses and wild woman hair. It's time.

Below is Kyanne emerging from the corner for about the 4th time that day for dressing immodest. We've explained the principals of modesty (as best we can to a 4 year old) and she just counters with, "But Sleeping Beauty wears her dress like this, and so does Belle, and Giselle". I've told her that "they didn't have Mommies to teach them about modesty" but she continues to "sneak" around the house with her dresses off the shoulders anyhow.

A delirious stupor...

I don't know why I continue to stay up when I'm so tired it takes conscious thought to keep my eyelids open. The stubborn child that hated sleep as much as brussel sprouts never matured along with the rest of me. I can't even sleep in on the weekends, afraid I'll miss the fun I suppose.

When really there are few things that makes me as 'fat and happy' as my fuzzy pink blanket and my pillow, who is more of a dear friend than a pillow. That pillow has seen me through sleeps, weeps, and happy occasions alike. She's like "Tree" in Shel Silverstien's "The Giving Tree". I'll have to give a loving eulogy when I finally send her off to her final resting place.

I suppose it wouldn't be so hard to go to sleep if this wasn't the only time of day (10pm) that I didn't have an adorable needy little creature attached to me or calling my name: "Mama...mama" or (if I ignore long enough) "Stephhhhanie!" And, so I sit here in a delirious stupor, because I know once I put my dizzy head down I'll be out for the count and morning will come sooner than I'd like. But, alas off to bed I go!

Unplug your Kids

As I was looking for fun things to do at home with the kids, I came across this fun blog: Unplug Your Kids
It such a fun idea to give us mom's some motivation to get crafty with the kiddos this summer. She posts an Unplugged Project idea each Monday and asks everyone to post pics of their versions of the project they did with their kids on their blog, and link it to the Unplugged blog. Here's the link: Unplug Your Kids

This weeks unplugged idea is "Old".

I Spy with my little eye. . . (Fun Finds #1)

Homeade Chunky crayons. Bake your old broken crayons in muffin tins. 275 degrees for 7-8 min. Let them cool in the freezer and pop them out.






I Spy Quilts: How fantastic. Entertainment and snuggles all in one! Just click on the pics below to enlarge. They're amazing! (This for you Liz, although you've probably already made one for each of your kids, and sisters kids. ;)

Ice Treasure Hunting

You can put those misc. toys to use, along with loose change to go buy a treat after with the hidden treasure that was found.

Freeze ice blocks in layers to freeze hidden treasures through out.

This one has 3 layers.

Use a variety of treasure-excavating tools: salt, spray bottles with water (colored water too), droppers + warm water, and toothbrushes. The mom who did this said her girls easily worked away at it for 45 minutes, till every last treasure was collected.

You can also freeze individual treasures in ice cubes for quicker treasure-hunting adventures.