A Japanese Sleepover

It was my first time as 'sleepover host'. 

Four beautiful girls. 

Some Japanese food. 

Some crafting. 

And six and a half hours sleep (for them).

It was awesome!

Here are the smaller details that made it fun...

  

 The invitations were written by Elara, and were accompanied by a pair of Japanese style pyjamas for each girl. I thought it would be cute to see matching girls asleep (hopefully) on their bed of mattresses! The fabric only came to $4.20 for each pair so it's not as extravagant an idea as you might think!

They painted some dollar store fans to use throughout the night.

The table all set and ready, using noodle boxes, chopsticks, fans, origami paper, Japanese doll serviettes, and a bamboo steamer for serving.

Dinner was store bought sushi, sandwich sushi, and spring rolls.

With cupcakes for dessert!

They decorated cherry blossom canvases in the morning. My sister pre-painted the branches, and the girls used a flower shaped stamper with origami paper to make the flowers. Then they glued them on (all very differently) with pretty results.

It wouldn't be a party without some sweets!

 I made these sushi treats from white chocolate crackle, and added lollies, sprinkles, rolls-ups and white chocolate 'mayonnaise'.

Then they all left (tired and happy) with their crafts and a few extra Japanese treats to remind them of their fun and colourful night.

Summary of a Girl of 7 years, By a Girl of 7 years

This morning, after she had woken up seven,

I asked this girl (who listed a Japanese dictionary as top of her birthday wish list), what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Her answer: "I want to be everything, Mum. And I want to do everything".

And that is her, in a nutshell.

Happy birthday Ellie! 

Shine Bright

And I leaned over and whispered to her 

'You're gonna shine bright like a diamond,

Shine bright like a diamond,

You're beautiful like diamonds in the sky'

School Mum

Tomorrow I will have two children in school.

As I expected, I am troubled.

Nervous even.

But it's a different feeling this time round.

I am not worried that she won't cope without me.

I am worried that she will.

I am worried that she will make friends and learn more and grow up and slip out of my grasp.

She is a free spirit kind of girl, and I think about how I will show her love as she needs me less? 

I suppose I will stumble and fail and try to listen to her heart and learn some things myself. 

Perhaps school is education for all of us.

(I remember the words I whispered to myself two years ago...)

Love is an evolving thing.

And so I smile at the future.

Fabric Book Cover Tutorial

 

School book covering has come a long way since brown paper. 

Contact has come and (largely) gone.

Now plastic book covers are the new black.

But they aren't cheap when you have to buy a pile.

So last year I tried my hand at making some fabric book covers. 

I used largish scraps so they cost me nothing.

I'm pleased to say that they handled the in-out-in-out of the tidy tub well and, after a quick wash, are being reused on school books this year.

Since I could explain how to make them by saying 'wrap it like a gift and sew where you would put sticky tape', there is probably no need for me to show you a tutorial.

But, just in case you'd like to see, here are my instructions: 

 Lay your exercise book out flat and cut a fabric rectangle about 3cm larger on all sides. 

 Overlock or zig zag the edges.

Optional: cut a 10x10cm square of clear plastic and sew it to the front of the book cover, leaving one edge open (for a name tag to slide in later). I find it easier to use a walking foot with my machine, and to leave a 2cm edge when sewing, which can be trimmed down later.

Lay the book in the centre of the fabric and, yes, wrap it like a gift. 

Pin and sew the book corner together. I find hand sewing easier (and more therapeutic!)

 Do the same for all four corners. Remove the book. Press.

 Pop the book back in. Add a cardboard name tag if you have made a window.

Repeat for 25 books (or more if you have more than two kids in school!)

Giveaway of the Triple Century!

It's my three hundredth blog post!

That seems, to me, a lot of little moments I've shared with you. 

A lot of small time wonders I've written about. 

A lot of photos and musings and blessings.

I've blogged pink, red, blue, and yellow!

I've blogged fairy wands, sandpits, robots, and pencils.

I've blogged Albert, Abby, and Calico Jack.

I've blogged slices, cakes, and cheesecakes.

I've blogged marriage, babies, and big kids.

I've blogged about God, dreams and loss.  

I'd like to celebrate with a giveaway! 

Leave a comment on this post, sharing one of your own small, wonderful moments from the past week (like seeing your gorgeous girl walk around in her piggy nose?), and I will randomly select someone to receive a package of small and wonderful things!

(This time, I am only able to post to an Australian address. If you live elsewhere, you may enter as long as you have a friend in Aus to receive the package! Entries close on Jan 31st, 2013)

The Ironman Flower Cafe

We had some spontaneous holiday fun this week, opening up a cafe in our home.

Morning: Elara, India and their cousin Rayya decide on the cafe name. 

Next we announce our enterprise and send out a few texts to potential customers.

Then five clever chefs in the kitchen make gingerbread men and caramel slice, while local artists create cafe signs and menus.

Afternoon: Tables are set and waitresses are prepped for service.

Customers arrive and are greeted with 

"Welcome, let me show you to your table". 

Menus are perused, orders and money taken, and drinks and treats served with a smile.

Finally, tables are cleared and the days takings are counted. 

These four delightful children raised $26.70 (which they decided would go towards better health care for poor and marginalised families, through TEAR), and they had a wonderful day!