Katy is having a special series called “Once Upon a Thread.” I am so excited to share one of our favorite stories, along with a special little handmade concoction inspired by the book. Our story of choice is A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.
In our house, we are all about eating healthy! Of course, we expose our kids to “sometimes foods” in moderation, but we make sure to feed the good stuff more! Lucky for us, they love eating fruits and veggies and we love eating fruits and veggies with them. We also love reading books about children who enjoy their fruits and vegetables too, so that is why this story means so much to us.
This story is all about Camilla Cream who denies her love for lima beans all because eating lima beans isn’t the popular thing to do. As a result of her desire to conform, she breaks out in a bad case of the stripes. As time goes on, her desire to conform just keeps her horrid condition going as her body just continually adapts to her surroundings, until she is no longer recognizable. In the end, she learns to be true to herself and proudly proclaims her love for lima beans and goes her merry way eating them, no matter what the other kids say.
To learn about more details of the dress or read the full post, see here.
I think we can personally relate a lot to Camilla Cream. I often hear about a few people we know who don’t exactly agree with our methods of raising our kids or have really strong opinions about the things we do in our home. Be it how we limit their consumption of “sometimes foods”, how we dress them to our liking (the grandparents know they are free to wear cartoony clothes to sleep), or when it comes to our philosophy of toys. They say we’re weird.
I think it is easy for some to form their opinions about what we do in our home because it is shared out here in the blog world. It happens and I am guilty of it too. When you put your life out there, there will be scrutiny. It is just inevitable. Otherwise, don’t blog, right?! But really, it doesn’t matter what they think cause we are just having a whole lot of fun being us! If we were just like them, or everyone was like each other, there would be no point to blog reading because we would all be doing the same thing. Sounds kinda boring to me!
Let’s all just remember that kindness is still necessary and all things must always be done in love.
We had a stressful week in our home as Ben had a really busy week of work. This afternoon we will be able to breathe easy and I can start talking to my husband again. Yay! Have a good weekend friends and don’t forget to come back tomorrow for a giveaway!!!
p.s. I am praying for God’s protection over those who are affected by the earthquake in Japan.
this is one of my favorite children's books! sweet story, wonderful less, beautiful pictures.
Normal=Boring!
Have a great weekend.Greetings with love, heart&soul fom Sil.
I think you're teaching your children good things 🙂
Woah… people give you a hard time for giving your kids too many fruits and veggies, and not overloading them with toys they don't need? Of course not everyone raises their kids that way, but I can't believe someone would think those were bad things. Don't let it get you down, your family is beautiful!
Love that dress you made–adorable and so fun that it matches the book!
Sarah M
I just wanted to let you know that part of the reason I started “lurking” on your blog was because I was so inspired by how you were raising your girls. I love their names and how you style them. I live in the Midwest the capital of conformity it seems and one of my biggest fears is raising my kids to be just like everyone else. Reading your blog has made me not afraid to stand up for what I want for my family and it may not be what everyone around here agrees but thats ok. I will definitely have to check out that book! And don't worry about the haters…they are just jealous.
Love, love, love that dress! Thanks for sharing a wonderful book recommendation, it is added to my library list! 🙂
The way you dress your girls makes me really want a daughter! 🙂
i like this. i love you.
I love your toy policy. And we have no cartoon character clothes either, they don't even know who the characters are. 🙂 It only matters what God thinks but I'll say from what I've seen and read you guys are doing a terrific job. I was wondering, which doll house did you end up choosing? And are you happy with it?
erin- that reminds me that i need to blog the dollhouse! will do that soon!!! thanks for the reminder. we love the one we got, though the price tag was the steepest.
love these photos!
and girl, you do what you want in your home with how you feel like God is leading you and your family. it might be different from other people but as i've picked up from your blog that you are Christ-followers, you will be standing before God and no one else on how you raise your family. so be encouraged 'cause you all seem to be doing just fine 🙂
happy weekend!!
so adorable! i love the frayed edges against the white, too cute! and the model makes this dress…what sass!
Love you and the fam, can't wait to see you all on wed. And I really can't wait to see the girls open my antiquing treasures, I found such good finds for each of their little personalities.
Heather
I love the dress. I love that we all know what works for our kids. On the subject of cartoons: I do like cartoons and have fond memories of watching them. My kids are exposed to vintage Peanuts and Yogi Bear and Looney Tunes, including Tom and Jerry. Having boys they love it. I do let them watch the occasional Batman and Robin and Superhero type movies but it's all in moderation. I find it to be a balancing act. I don't like the current cartoons that are out. But want them to enjoy some of those cartoons like I did. I do try to limit TV time in general. The sexuality on TV is crazy.
Cool dress, she's got wonderful hair too!!
Eloïse from France!
Be yourself! You are awesome and the fact that you don't care what other people do and think is what makes your bog so fun to read!!!!! 🙂 You inspire me! I have a hard time putting myself out there and I want to do it more. I want to share all the aspect of me and my family in my blog more! You are so brave!
Like some of the other folks said, I'm surprised to hear that you get a hard time about some choices your family makes! God is leading your family… not them. I love this Bible passage and it fits here,
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
So don't give in or be discouraged by that pressure to conform, you are inspiring many!
First of all, excuse my english – it is not my primary language 🙂
Don't listen to the critics – there is more than one way to educate kids and to live your life. I would have loved to have you as parents. You seems to dedicate yourself to your kids with all the activities, crafting, etc. All your little tradition are priceless I think! The special birthday breakfast with veggie animals, your stories for Halloween, etc.. ! Plus I think the clothes are so cute. Your kids seem very happy and that's what matters! For the food, eating healthy is important and your learn it by what your parents give you to eat when you are young. My boyfriend's parents were vegetarian and pro-healthy food and even if he's 30 yrs old now he (almost!) never eats junk food. A good habit to have.
Good luck 🙂
Great post! I can relate b/c we are also a household of many rules about food intake, etc. I'm raising my kids vegan which many people consider weird!
I've also written a book called “The Boy Who Loved Broccoli” b/c my son has always devoured the green stuff! I find the more us parents eat healthy, the more our kids will imitate us.
Sarah
veggie-kids.blogspot.com
I think people have nothing better to do – really!!! Go the healthy eating and non-weird toy philosophy!! J's current favourite toy is his sisters sock!
you stand out.
that's what makes you special!
p.s. LOVED working with your sister yesterday… and WAIT TIL YOU SEE THE PICS! christian did an amazing job (as usual!).
I have to say I love your philosophy on raising a family. 🙂 It definitely echoes what I want to do someday when I have a family…no electronic, plasticky toys…being a household that focuses on encouraging good old fashioned creativity…and being attentive to eating real, whole foods. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
oh my. i just found your blog from Katy's and i feel as though we are kindred spirits!
after reading your about me page i had warm fuzzies- it's hard in the blogging world to find that honesty and transparency of putting God first and things you enjoy second. we are currently switching to all real foods, and helping with a church plant in one of the 'worst' areas in the midwest. Both huge tasks and I can already tell that God will use you as a beautiful source of encouragement for me. thank you so much for blogging- can't wait to check out this book- and your family is beautiful :O)
Sweet!
And beatiful hair 🙂
Keep doing what you are doing. You feel way down in your God-given soul that it is right and that is the only reason you need. You are truly an inspiration to so many…
Oh my! This is still one of my daughters favorites and she is 11 now. She also has a great love of lima beans. 🙂
i love that dress! and although i don't know you personally, i think the way you're raising your kids is inspiring 🙂 take care!
I love the dress and all the bright colors! It really does go with the story!
Going with your heart when you are a mama is the easiest, yet sometimes most difficult thing. I admire your strength in sticking to your guns — it inspires me.
Plus, that dress is CAH-UTE! Same goes with the little one wearing it.
I love your blog and can feel your goodness through all your posts. Thank you for sharing your lives! You inspire so many to do good, to love their family, to find joy in creating, and so much more!
And I love the coordinating dress–so adorable!
I LOVE this dress! It screams FUN and the colors, frayed edges, tied closure are awesome. Your model is pretty cute too! 😉 – sara
i’m trying to read the post on your “philosophy of toys” but because your old site has an automatic redirect, i keep getting redirected before i can even finish. it’s slightly frustrating D: