Teacher Gifts- Crafty and Frugal

We often have 4-5 teachers to gift for on different occasions. Usually for the main teachers and aides. We've given out chocolates before, coffee, and hand sewn tissue holders by mama. This time I decided to let the kids completely do the gifts on their own- ish. I usually save cans, yogurt cups, jars, etc. for projects for the kids.

The kids gathered several jars and cans. We cut up some scrapbook paper and glued them to the jars and cans. We used a slightly diluted elmers glue. We ran out of decoupage glue, which would have made the vases look nicer. We used a generous amount of glue per paper strip and the kids covered their teachers vases. The cans worked better with the elmers glue.

We let them dry for a day. After dinner today we went out to our yard and picked Rosemary, Lambs Ear, Cat Mint, Oregano, and Lemon Balm and the kids made their arrangements. They turned out pretty sweet. I don't really want to take them off the garden window. I guess we'll have to make some for the house, too! Cheap and crafty- just how I like it!

March in Pictures

My, my! March has been a full month and has flown by. We have fixed things, hand sewn dresses, weeded our garden, had school parties, celebrated grammy's birthday, got a first hair cut, and were sick for over 2 weeks. Oh, and the kids playing- it's a special thing to see siblings playing so lovingly with each other. We are now on Easter vacation. Time to breath and prepare for April.

At Home

Oh, hello little bloggity blog. I can't believe we are already half way into January and so much has been going on. It's been a fairly good month so far. We all have had only 1 cold each. Yay!

Cruz had his first wrestling tournament. He loved it. Chris LOVED it, too! There is this great feeling of excitement you experience when your child is doing something awesome. I remember us feeling this way with S's soccer. I also am so proud of them for not giving up on sports or school, even when they may have felt like it at times. And, the fact they are willing to try new things makes me a proud mama.

S has consistently started to read to us at bed time. She reads short stories and when she has trouble she is very good at sounding out words. I think the phonics we did at home and what she's learning at school is all coming together. She's not looking at reading like it's a chore- but rather now really understands what she's reading. Not sounding so much like a series of words anymore. These books are fun and there are lots of stories to choose from.

She's at her grammy's this weekend having a girls only sleepover. I know she's in heaven right now. I get to hang with my boys. It's a very quiet Friday night. The fire's going, house is clean, a movie is on (Friday movie night), and E is taking an extra long nap. Ahhh! Some times things just fall into place. Sometimes.

Long nap is over. E is an official walker as of this week. He talks and walks. Wobbly. But walks. He's only crawling when he has to. It is adorable. I can't believe he's almost one!

Halloween

I am so glad to say that by the end of this week we are finally feeling almost one hundred percent. Yippee! It was just in time. Friday we spent all day at school and all three of the kids were troopers.
The day started off with C's preschool party where he dressed head to toe as a red power ranger. I didn't get the best shots of him in that outfit though. After ward it was a mad dash to grab lunch and get back to school to help S's kindergarten class with their party where she dressed as a white ninja. Which there are no pictures of. Then the had a parade through the school- which by the way- dragged on and on. I was wilting fast, and by the looks on the all the kids faces, they were too.

Finally, school ended and we went home for exactly 2 hours to eat and freshen up. We then went back to school and they went and had lots of fun playing games at various booths in the cafeteria. Each time they won they got candy for their buckets. We stayed for almost 2 hours! As you can see they dresses differently for the carnival. C was a very impressive army man. What you can't see is that he has a full on moustache that I drew on him. He LOVED it.

S decided to be a doctor. She looked pretty cute because she brought my stethoscope and a clip board and pen. Very life like. (and for some reason I can't move the pictures)

So, can you blame me for not telling the kids Halloween is today. We stayed home and did nothing, played out side, watched TV, pigged out, and S did a great project that I'll soon blog about. It was truly a great ending to a week that started out in chaos and illness.

New Beginnings

I feel like I could go on and on about what's new around here, but I have had little time or energy to write it out. Eventually I will. But today I just need to spit it out before I forget that these things are happening here.

- He likes to rock out.

- Soccer for S. We are on week three of practice and they picked a name the other night- The King Snakes. Not too shabby.

- We spent some time here and there at Pinecrest before school began.

-He's now 7 months and Oh, So YUMMY! I could eat him up.

- We made one last fort in the front room, but they were too scared to sleep out there and snuck into their beds. They didn't want me to see that they were scared.

-Kindergarten has started and it was a success. S was taking shots of her backpack in various locations. And, thus begins the school routine.

Big Trees State Park

Have you ever been? It's a pretty cool place to take the kids. It's an easy walk, most paths are marked, and even stroller friendly. Despite being sick we walked a path that took us in a big circle and took about 1.75 hours. Not bad for kids who wanted to stop and look at every branch, fallen tree, and ant that was on the ground. Be sure to check out Beaver creek. It's a good place for lunch, about 8 miles from main trails. (You drive there)



I wish this picture came out more clear. C was really into the roots of this fallen giant. He inspected it for a while. But what I loved the most was the lovely plumber's crack!

So Far So Good

So we made it through our first week of school for the kiddies. S went three days and was very good about saying goodbye to us and going about her day. I was glad because that wasn't the case so much last year. She was a bit more clingy. This year so far her teachers have told me she' s been helpful to the new kids and more willing to try new things. I really enjoy that school and think it's great preparation for elementary school. I'm truly just happy that she's enjoying it.

C started at the co-op in the preschool class, which he liked. It's still- what I call "organized chaos", but I think we are getting off to a good start. The first day went smooth and all the kids were happy to be there. There was even a little writting center- with markers, crayons and paper always available. Very cool. And I also saw a board with a letter of the day, week, month? Not sure yet, but I was gald to see some effort.

Today is Friday and they promptly went to bed at 7pm, in about 5 minute I heard a little snorring. Very full week. We are officially back on the school routine.

Bring It

It's official. I am ready for fall. While temperature wise it hasn't been soooo hot. It's hot enough. And since pregnant I can't stand the heat. I am really looking forward to some wind, some rain, and cooler days. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler. I really hope so, because we are going out on the boat. This may be one of the last times I will wake board this summer.

The kids start school next week and the routine begins. S is going to school 4 days a week. People always say- wow what a nice break. And, yeah it is. But really- I am missing her so much already. School means 22 hours a week she's at school and not with me. I would never last sending my kids to daycare. C is only going 2.5 hours a week to the co-op. My plan is by the end of the semester I can leave him for a full day, which totals 5.5 hours.

*Those 2 pic are of S's first time at the coast at 4 months old. Waaaaa. They grow too fast!*

It's Official

They grow so fast. The kids, not the flowers.



Preschool Graduate and Toddler Class Graduate


A little over the top. I know.

Parent Nursery School

Every semester at our parent nursery co-op each family has to raise at least $80 and donate 8 hours worth of fundraising time. In the past I have sold tamales, apples, and babysat. This semester I have asked my family to support my kids by donating money for a painting from each kid. My generous family was more than happy to support them. So, far the kids have raised $90 and done 10 paintings. When I told them that they were painting for their family they were so happy to draw something specific for each family. And, thank you to my family who understands and values early education and supporting others.


This one is going on my wall. Ds, who's 2.5 years old, said this is his helicopter. Not bad, huh?

For more information on a co-op preschool visit the CCPPNS website.