Sewing for Liz and cooking for the cousins

Well, look at my house and you might think I was lazy, but this week I'm measuring things differently.Liz Chick (my sister in law) works co-ordinating early childhood programs and such-like out at Brighton, Gagebrook and Bridgewater. She asked me to assist with making dress-ups, so I've helped out as costume consultant, fabric selector, pattern supplier and sewing assistant. Along with Emily Read from Rosny ward, we helped some of the local mums to do the costumes themselves so that they would get ideas and skills, and have a sense of "ownership" over the finished product.
We didn't finish in time! This week I have been finsishing the costumes off myself: sewing on cuffs, hoods, tails and ears. We produced a leopard, a grey furry animal (could be cat, mouse, elephant etc) two monster/dinosaur/dragons, and a heap of fairy skirts and wings. I also organised hero masks, a Doctor's coat, patient pajamas, and made 2 fabulous mermaid tails. Did I say they were fabulous? Cousin Sophie certainly thought so.
If that wasn't enough, I also sewed up a sheer organza wall hanging made up of pockets for an interactive display (the organza put up quite a fight, it took me the best part of a day), I helped my brother Matthew with the design of a couple of mirrored play structures and a light table, I cooked up a bulk pasta sauce which fed his family twice and mine 4 times, and also cooked up a big chille con carne for my sister Elizabeth and her family (equivalent volume to about 14 meals for us).
Oh, and did I mention that I also drafted a years worth of activities for the Rosny Relief Society "playgroup" enrichment group?
The best bit about all this is that I have had positive feedback (I'm a feedback junkie) and more company - it has been wonderful to see Matthew and Libby and Matthew's children. I love making things too - it gives me a real feeling of achievement, and bumps up the ol' self esteem. Nice to get a lift like that, now all I need is sleep!
Another thing - when the cousins came over today Matthew was working downstairs, and I had them all help me catch up while I sewed: Lewis made dessert, Jordan cleaned the toilets, Mariah polished Mirrors, wiped up the bathroom and helped tidy the lounge, and little Sophie set about cleaning windows. How wonderful! My girls thought it was great and even helped. Brilliant brilliant brilliant.