...and B is for Bag

So after our apple picking adventure, I couldn't resist posting these fun apple bags that we had made with the kiddos last year. We had made these bags prior to our trip to the orchard last year + I was overjoyed that the kiddos thought to bring them with us this year!

I had gotten the idea to make these little bags from the Monks' pre-K teacher. While he was in preschool, we took the kids on a apple picking trip each September, and in preparation, each child would decorate a paper bag with a halved apple dipped in paint to create a stamp. These bags were then used to carry the apples that they picked at the orchard...

{2009}

We used a similar technique for making our bags, however instead of using a paper bag, we used a small canvas bag {found in a craft store}. These bags have been used and enjoyed now, season after season and in my little ones' daily play. Instead of using paint or a stamp pad, we used fabric paint and an apple cut in half to create an apple stamp on the bags, then just followed the process directions that went with the paint that we used. It can take a bit of time as I had mentioned when making the tshirts. {I suggest making these bags with your little ones the weekend prior to when you plan to use them, which will allow the time necessary for the paint to process.} We decided to add some extra buttons and ribbons and with a few stitches by mama, our little bags were all set and looked great! ...And let the wheels turn, my friends, this technique would be fun to use on any fabric item you might have that needs a bit of dressing up!

When I went back to grab these pictures, I couldn't get over how much my littles have grown in just a year! The Monk's is so much more grown up now; especially in his behaviour, ability + mannerisms. The Fif's transformation is a more obvious one when I look at the photograph from last year posted above. She was 2 + a 1/2 here and I remember being thrilled that she finally had just that much hair, since she had been pretty much bald up until then! Sometimes, when I think it is silly that I did {or still try to} fit in time for making these kinds of homemade creations, I'll have to remember to look at these photos or remember how wonderful it felt to see my littles running to get there apple bags for apple picking this year.{The Monks, 9.2009}

{The Fif, 9/2009}

{Baby Liam, 10/2009}

{...and me, 9.2009}

I swear, once you are a mama, the years seem to whizz by, because you are left only to observe your littles change dramatically from ages birth-8; helpless to do a thing to slow or stop it! However, whenever I think about these kinds projects we have created, the time we spent together in the process, the memories that were made + the traditions that were initiated; it makes me feel like I didn't only silently observe while my littles grew + changed. And although I have felt very distracted lately and have had alot on my plate {both emotionally + work wise}, today I am reminded to get back to basics + reprioritize. Because when we play and create as a family, I feel like time isn't whizzing by; infact I think, ever so subtly, time does slow down. Thanks for baring with me while I hop, skipped + jumped down memory lane with these photos from last year!

Have a beautiful weekend

xo.