The happy homemaker...

Today is my mom's 54th birthday and she's here teaching me how to sew. She says there's no better way to spend her birthday than with me and her grand kids. Now who's spoiled rotten?

I tried sewing when I was younger and I didn't care for it and never intended to try it again. But I want my daughter to learn, and what better way for her to learn than to see me do it?

Same with cooking. I don't really love cooking, but my husband loves homemade food and what else will lure my sons home when they're grown and gone? "Hi honey... It's mom... I know you've been busy, but I just had to let you know I made some of that mushroom chicken you always liked." It always works for my mother-in-law.

I wasn't raised to be a happy homemaker, but I am learning to be happy being a homemaker. I'm happy because I'm making my husband and children happy. And in the process I'm showing my husband I love him and I'm teaching my children that it's okay to change course and it's never too late to learn something new.

Speaking of homemaking and learning new things, I ordered this free DVD on how to iron. Six years ago when I left my job, J asked me to iron his shirts and I promptly told him where he could shove that iron. Now, in an effort to save money, I've decided wash and iron his dress shirts at home.

I gave it a try last week, and I have to admit, ironing J's shirts was strangely therapeutic. It must have something to do with the kids being asleep, which meant total peace and quiet, in combination with all the steam. Add some moisturizing cream and a light massage and you could call it a facial, lol.

The kids are having a blast with my fabric scraps. Here's Jazzy "measuring":

Here's Drew with his snake: