People often ask how I get so much done with 4 (now 5- EEK!) kids. Esp all my cooking and baking from scratch. My first answer? I don’t sleep much… I do my crafting, blogging and computer time from 8pm (when the kids go to bed) and 2 am (or often 4 am) when I finally go to bed. The pregnancy and now newborn/nursing time period kind of puts a kink in that, but still- not much sleep. I kind of hate sleep, it’s such a waste of time!!!
My second answer is my kids love to work/play/cook/craft WITH me. The only thing I don’t let them do WITH me is cakes for clients… This year I taught The Reader how to crochet! She’s made a few small things, but when she saw this pumpkin crochet hat I pinned she asked if she could make it herself!
She did an AMAZING job! It’s her first BIG project and I couldn’t believe how well she did. This is my brave child that tries everything but doesn’t handle correction (she takes correction as criticism- she gets that from me I’m afraid) very well sometimes. She tends to give up, or (even worse) get really REALLY depressed easily. So the first time I noticed a mistake I wasn’t sure what to do- tell her or don’t tell her. I decided not to say anything, but then she noticed her self that her stitches were off and instead of giving up she asked for help!
I was so proud of her! Not only did she not get upset but she un-stitched it and fixed it. In fact she fixed it without getting upset or quitting a few times! I can’t begin to say how totally proud I am of her. More for how she handled it than for the fact that she completed it! I did have to help with the stem, but just a bit! She couldn’t wait until Baby Boy came and could wear it. So in honor of his birth month here is my little pumpkin (who totally hated being in this basket)!
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Becky at Vintage Mixer
Adorable!!
Ashlee
Thanks!
Michell @ Girl In Air
Oh that is adorable!! She did a fabulous job!! I so wish I didn’t need or want that much sleep…I LOVE sleep and it’s pretty much the only thing that will make me grumpy if I don’t get…….I think cleaning is a waste of time..LOL
Ashlee
Well I think cleaning is a waste of time too!!! I’d always rather be baking, cooking, crafting or reading (and of course blogging… right?)
staci johnson
That’s sooo sweet!! How old is your daughter? People ask me the same thing, and it’s totally true. My kids know that crafting and homemaking is just what mommy does, so they do it to! My oldest daughter just learned to sew, and she loves making little projects here and there too:) That hat is soooo cute!! I’m super impressed!!! And your little man is just adorable:)
Ashlee
She’s 10 now! almost 10 and a half. Crazy! Now I feel old! Right now she’s taking a sewing class and having a blast. thinking of getting her a sewing machine (I don’t share well, and mine is old and tricky to use) for Christmas!
Jennifer Rodriguez
LOVE IT! She did an AMAZING job! And love the pictures!! That is awesome that she kept at it, I know many grown women that would have quit too soon.
Ashlee
Me too, SOOOO proud of her! I’m such a perfectionist that I’ve taken apart entire projects when I’ve noticed a mistake (better to fix it and redo the whole thing than to never use/wear it because the mistake bothers me so much). But I don’t want to force my neurosis on her, so I was so tickled when she fixed it herself!
Leanne
She did an amazing job! I know you’re proud of her and I hope she’s proud of herself too. I wish I could crochet like that. I’ve tried it and I’m not so good. Baby boy is so adorable. Thanks for letting me hold him even though he was hungry, I wish we lived closer since we’re both up so late anyway.
Ashlee
Come over anytime and have a crochet day with me! It takes a bit of trial and error to find your style but once you do it’s really quite fun!!! I wish you lived closer too! Excited to plan a lunch for next month with you and Amy! And I’m SO glad I’ve finally found such amazing and true friends (it only took 2 years of living here!)
Emily
She did a great job! I’m trying to teach my 9 1/2 year old to crochet but she’s left handed and we are struggling since I’m right handed… and she takes correction as me being mean also!
Ashlee
It’s a hard balance, correction vs criticism. One all us parents constantly work on, I’m not always the best teacher for her, sometimes an outsider can teach a bit better! Good luck! Having the right hand, left hand issues don’t help.
Amy
The hat is amazing! What a wonderful job! I hope the Reader will read all these comments and keep trying new things and learning and growing her skills and talents. It sounds like she’s well on her way!
xoxo,
Amy
Ashlee
Thanks! I let her read them all, she was pretty tickled. He wore his hat to the trunk or treat and she proudly told everyone she made it! It was pretty darn cute!
Kara
She did such an amazing job! I am very jealous of your ability to function without sleep. If I don’t get 7-8 hours I totally turn into a wacked out witchy woman!
Ashlee
HA! It’s something I was born with. I was never a good sleeper, even as a baby, child, etc…
Kim
Oh my goodness, I am so proud of her. I feel honored to have met her. She is such a special girl. I want you to teach me how to crochet. Would you??
Ashlee
I would LOVE to teach you to crochet! I started years ago and I love it! I do it for a few months then take a few months off and start again! SO much fun, with so many things you can do with it.
jeni Ream
I LOVE this! It’s beautiful & what a cute BABYl! I found your blog from the Tip Junkie party. I’m your newest follower. If you get a chance, I’d love you to stop by my blog & maybe follow along too! Thanks, Jeni @Becoming Martha
http://jensidea.blogspot.com/
Ashlee
Thanks! Your ballard shelfs turned out great! Home depot is my absolute FAVORITE store! My kiddo’s love coming with me too!
C. Elin
Did you use a pattern? If so can you please provide me a link? The link to the picture/pattern you pinned know longer works. The hat looks so much cuter than most other pumpkin hats I have seen and I would love to make it. I would please ask you not to use my e-mail as it is not working right and I am in the process of changing it. I’m really, really, REALLY, sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you so much for you time! I can’t wait to make this hat (or another if that’s not possible)!
Cora
Ashlee
I’m sorry i haven’t gotten back to you, I only respond to comments once a month. I updated the link, thanks for letting me know! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219691288042238506/
Cora
Thank you so, so much! I’m sorry to have bothered you but the hat is to cute!
Totally understand replying to comments once a month. I grew up in a large family (six kids) so I know how busy you must be. But that’s not stopping me from wanting lots of children :)!
Thank you again and again,
Cora
Ashlee
lots of children is a blessing for sure, crazy, but wonderful! Hope your able to make the hat easily, it was super cute.
mary
Can you email me the pattern also? I can’t find a link that works!
Thanks.
Ashlee
here is the corrected link http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Baby-Hats/Baby-Pumpkin-Crochet-Beanie
kk
do u have a pattern?
Ashlee
the link is in the pattern, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219691288042238506/