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My son wanted to help out at a show this weekend for the first time.  My husband dressed him for "work" and this is what they looked like when they arrived.  Just sorry that I didn't get a remembrance of them with the matching aprons.  Next time.

This is the first year I would say that my kids were at a fun age for carving pumpkins.  In years past, if I had said they were at a fun age for carving pumpkins, I would have clearly been fibbing.  I would have deserved a time out and promptly taken it (with the request to leave me there for hours).  

This year though each little soul was more capable of project execution.  We didn't do any fancy carving tricks but the job got done and miraculously without any harmful incidents.  A few times we had some unauthorized knife wielding stunts that set me on edge (which isn't hard to do).  We managed to lose the one little .99 carving knife before the festivities even began which only left us with bona fide kitchen carving utensils.

Each child had his or her own little ideas about where they were taking this show, but my little five year old S was really on to something.  He took a box of tooth picks and began jabbing them in the pumpkin until the box was empty.  I was in the dark but we're trying to support the genius side so I stayed back.

Finally, he felt he could rest.  Upon inquiry as to why all the toothpicks, he confidently replied "no teenagers are going to mess with this pumpkin."  My husband and I were rolling with laughter.  I didn't even want to mess with the thing.  Transport of that baby has not been easy.   

Happy belated halloween and may no teenagers mess with your pumpkin either.

Lately I've sat up and taken notice to how different and unique each one of my children are.  All of them have late summer birthdays and it seems like about the time they flip another year that their personalities really come through and they change and mature to slide into that new number.  Suddenly the old number doesn't seem to fit anymore.  I might be crazy but I think they seem instantly older on their birthday.   Maybe you feel the same way.   

My oldest just turned eight.  Really, where did that go?  I remember holding him in the hospital on the night of his birth and being so happy that his first birthday would be so far away so that I could really take in this new love.  Who was I kidding?  One night shortly before his 8th birthday, we talked about the prior seven birthdays and how we celebrated each and the theme of the party, what we did, who came, etc.  I was amazed by how much he remembered--even down to the replica trains of Thomas and Percy that I spent hours crafting out of corrugated cardboard wondering the whole time why I was spending my day in that manner.  Apparently it did matter.  We talked about the Thomas the Train phase, the Cars phase, and now the Lego Ninjago phase.  So many loves packed into eight short years.  I still adore the time when he was my only baby to love and how we spent our days together.  Such a compliant guy now who wants to please and keep everyone happy.

Then came a spit-fire just turned five year old.  He's kept us on our toes since the night we almost didn't make it to the hospital to welcome him into the world.  We had twenty-two minutes to spare at "a" hospital--not the one where we were supposed to deliver.  He arrived into the world without a doctor but four skilled nurses telling me the whole time that I was going to live despite the fact that there was no time for pain meds.  He makes me laugh the hardest and want to scream the loudest--so much personality packed into a tiny fellow who can still wear a 2T.  He's destined to be a circus performer and a great one he will be.  He's just the type to volunteer to be shot out of a cannon and we'll be there to cheer him on.

Lastly, the princess tomboy.  Pink, pink, pink but if you make her mad, expect a kick in the shin topped off with a shovel of dirt on your foot.  I'm absolutely amazed at how she "mothers" her brothers at just three years old.  It is truly innate to her personality to keep things cleaned up, people on task, or items organized.   I can't wait to see how her intellect and wit will serve her in years to come.  She's not one to take no for an answer.

I'm starting to settle into this new season of "no infants".  I'm kind of an infant mom.  It was strange at first not to have any babies but I'm starting to have fun with the fact that we can virtually travel diaper bag-less.  I'm really liking the 8, 5, and 3 phase.  Just as this autumn season is one of my very favorites, I'm thinking that in 20 years I may look back and think that this growing season with my children was one of my very favorites.  What are your favorite seasons?

I don't know about you--but we've been a little crazy around here with all this summer fun.  We've taken a little trip to Disneyland and the southern California beach, had two sets of cousins visiting for weeks, had birthdays, and play dates, and did holiday hoopla, ate junk food, drank sugary substances, and the list goes on -- and we're still love'n it!  I haven't gotten as much work done as I should have--that probably goes without saying.

For our local folks, Swiss Days is nigh upon us the weekend of Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1 in the Town Square in Midway, Utah.  Swiss Days is one of the premier craft fairs in the West, and if you have never been, you really haven't lived.  Ok, maybe that's an overstatement, but it's a fabulous show filled with gifted crafters, yummy food, and toe-tapping entertainment (you know how those Swiss are).  Plan to come.  You won't be disappointed.

Debuting at Swiss Days, be sure to check out our new fabric HAPPY BIRTHDAY banners available in pink/green and blue/brown.  The pennants hang nice and straight because they are interfaced which makes for a great look.  They work fabulously on mantels, decks, patio doors, doorway arches, and can be hung side by side or top to bottom.  I hang ours on the blinds of our French doors and the spacing is perfect.  A friend bought the 3M removable plastic hooks that don't damage the walls and she reported that they worked great and she could place it wherever she wanted and then remove it after the party.  They will be a hit! 

Sorry this is a little dark.  Did I mention I'm not professional?  (In fact, I've spent a half hour just trying to get photos on here, so just roll with it)

I keep reminding myself that someday I will miss this :)  Don't you wish you had a quarter (or a dime as my kids get for chores) for every item you pick up throughout the day?  If you ever come to visit, you can count on the fact that you will have to pick yourself a cushion off the floor before sitting.  Alternatively, we also have a third Phineas & Ferb mini chair if you would like to join the gang.  Don't you love the finger placement?  It's probably a riveting Elmo episode :)

As you can imagine, I get asked some variation of this question a lot--"So which quiet book is your favorite/Which quiet book would you recommend?"  It's kind of like being asked which kid is my favorite (although some days I can give you an answer to that question with a response that would be valid for at least 8-12 hours).  I adore many of My Growing Season's quiet books for a dozen different reasons each but most people don't want to be overwhelmed with info that would take a flowchart to follow.

So, here it is . . . one of my tippy top favorite quiet books--Home Sweet Home.  My own kids (we shall call them "The Three Musketeers") adore this book and  naturally, I follow suit.  Afterall, we are family.  Why do we love this little nugget called Home Sweet Home?   

Home Sweet Home is a cloth quiet book that matches animals with their habitat.  Simple--yet more entertainment packed into those embroidered pages than immediately meets the eye.  And what child doesn't like animals?  My four year old can run faster on all fours when in doggie mode than I can run on two legs.

I've watched for several years as The Three Musketeers have interacted with this quiet book.  When they  were very young, they recognized the brightly colored animals, removed them from their habitat, and then on queue, dutifully returned them to their resting spot.  As they got a little older, despite my plea not to grow, they thought it was really funny to put the pig in the nest, dog in the pond, and so on and so forth . . oh, to be three again (me, not them).  The Three Musketeers have also been known to remove the animals from the book, line them up across the pew at church, move them around at will, and find all manner of entertainment.  I'm not swearing that these animals are soundless while in action but we deal with it.  Educationally speaking, we've talked about animal sounds and played games such as, find an animal that quacks, or moos, or hops, or whatever animals do.  We've played find an animal that starts with a certain letter.  Basic, yes, but so entertaining when you're three.

I've recommended Home Sweet Home to friends and customers and the follow up is always that their little ones like Home Sweet Home as much as The Three Musketeers.  I wouldn't give you a bum steer on this one.  I've watched my kids play with a lot of books and this one is a fav.  And I like it for the exact same reasons they do.  If you want to venture beyond the quiet book classics like My Quiet Book, try it out.  I think you'll be a believer.  Moo moo!

The end of January already????  Really, where does time go?

Thank you for the wonderful holiday giveaway nominations.  We had some very touching stories and appreciate everyone who took the time to nominate.  We had a nomination for a little fellow awaiting a heart transplant and were so excited to hear that he received his transplant right before the holidays.  We pray for his recovery and health.

The past two Sundays, my little two year old daughter has really been into My Bible Quiet Book.  She had been on an Old MacDonald's Farm Quiet Book kick but as of late the Bible book has intruiged her.   Being that we have lots of quiet books to choose from (no surprise there) I try to rotate the books we take to church each Sunday.  It had been a few months since we took My Bible Quiet Book and thought we would try it.  I was pleasantly suprised that it held her attention for a portion of the meeting and we were able to make it through without leaving one time.  Horray for the Sly family!! Trust me, it doesn't happen often. 

If you are new to My Growing Season and haven't seen My Bible Quiet Book, check it out.  Your little one may love it too!  It's a great one for Valentine's Day or Easter--thinking ahead.  Take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING on orders placed now through Wednesday, February 8.

         The little man behind the idea

So the words from my son, "Mom, did you help them?" keep going through my mind.  

Last week at bedtime prayer my sensitive child prayed for those who are in need, using whatever jargon that seven year olds use to ask for things in their innocence.  Afterwards, I thanked him for his prayer and we began to talk about those who could use a little extra help, especially during the holidays.  I explained to him that there are times in life when any of us could find ourselves in need.   

As M and I talked, I told him about some situations I have seen that made me feel very sad for the children.  Trying to share a sanitized version of experiences that break your heart and make you wish you could change the world, I explained that many people are in need throughout the world and right here in our city.  After recounting one particular incident, he uttered those words "Mom, did you help them?" 

For a moment, I felt like I had failed.  I wanted to, I really did, but how does one so young understand that there are political and economic and all sorts of limitations that make us stop short of what our hearts really want to do.   I went on to say that while we can't help everyone, we can help someone in a small way to have food, shelter, or a moment of peace.

He then made the declaration, "We can give all the kids a quiet book!".  Yes, my little M, that is something that we CAN do and we ARE going to do it--at least for some.

So to make the heart of my seven year old glad, My Growing Season will be giving away 15 quiet books or soft toys for children who could use a little love and a smile this holiday season.

This is where you come in.  Please send us nominations for a child who you think who may need a little extra help this year and could benefit from a quiet book or soft toy.  Here are the rules (just because we have to have some sort of order).

HOW TO MAKE A NOMINATION:

1.  Tell us in enough detail to understand the basics of the need, why you are nominating the child.  

2.  Please do not share the child's name.  If selected, we will contact you for the information.

3.  Nominations must be received by December 10, 2011.

4.  Fifteen nominations will be selected and My Growing Season will happily share a Christmas gift with 15 children.

5.  You can't nominate your own child.

6. Send nominations to hello@mygrowingseason.com  Please do not put any details about any nominee on our Facebook page to protect confidentiality.

8.  Please include your name and email address so we can contact you.

9.  If your nominee is selected, you will be contacted and given the opportunity to select one product of your choosing for your nominee.  My Growing Season will mail the item to the recipient.  All nominations and selected children will be kept strictly confidential.

10.  Open to US entries only.

Thanks so much and please let us know soon of a child we can make happy this Christmas !!!

A big 'ol drum roll, please . . .  (I could never do that roll your tongue thing but we'll pretend like I am right now)

My Bible Quiet Book has finally made its debut online! This book was a fun one to see come together and has been in the works for months.  It has alot of blood, sweat, tears, and sleepless nights in it so we thank you for respecting the copyright :)  I hope you love it!

My Bible Quiet Book is the ideal platform to teach your child stories from the Bible in an interactive and age appropriate manner.  This beautifully detailed embroidered cloth quiet book showcases stories such as Noah, Moses, Joseph, and teachings of Jesus--while teaching snapping, buttoning, zipping, weaving, spacial relations and more.  This ten page cloth activity book is sure to be a favorite in your home.

Order now and avoid the holiday rush--I love saying that--it's so cliche, but true! 

Now for other important topics--are your kids ready for halloween? 

We've got a doggie (complete with child who eats off floor), a dinosaur (complete with child who stomps so loud that I'm waiting for the floor boards to give way) and a Pink (whatever that entails) all ready to go.  But honestly, my munchkins get a little freaked out by the whole experience. 

We have a usually really nice man in our neighborhood who presumably uses halloween as an outlet for penned up hostilities.  He's a contractor by trade and can run the 50 yard dash on those dry wall stilts.  That part in and of itself is indeed impressive, however not when he's dressed in a black cape with a florescent orange skeleton mask wreaking havoc with the neighborhood wee ones.  He takes great glee in terrorizing the trick-or-treaters and has been known to chase kids and even cars down the street.  My darlings are already staging a trick-or-treat strike (they have to go or else I don't get enough Snickers) because of him and I can't blame them.  It "really freaks me out" (to quote my son) a bit too!  We really do like this guy but I'm tempted to politely ask him to keep his distance.  I wonder if I can pull that one off and still remain neighborly?

I cannot, repeat cannot, believe how fast this year has gone.  When I was a kid it seemed like forever until the next Christmas, next birthday, next school year--but not anymore :)  I can barely get my seasonal wardrobe changed out before it's time to change it back.

So with the holidays soon-to-be nipping at our heels, I thought it best to give you an update of where to find us this season.  Stop by and say hello.  We love meeting our friends from around the country.  We had an out-of-state online customer stopy by one of our fall shows and introduce herself.  It was so fun to meet her and put a face with a name.  And then my phone friend Margaret H. found me and we hugged and now we know what each other look like.  It was great.  I love to meet the mothers and grandmothers of the homes where our books to go live.  I love, love, love to meet you!