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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Beginning of School 2014

We start our 'school prep' every year with the same feeling….
Is summer really over?!?!?!
Then the first morning of school hits and you're glad you listened to yourself about getting things organized and ready. 
(Yes. I talk to myself. Sometimes out loud and my children answer me.)


So organizing…..
My kids are the kind that like to know what is coming. 

What are we doing tomorrow?
Where are we going after lunch?
What am I wearing?

This is something small we do that makes a BIG impact in the smooth department on those early school mornings: 

Clothes pins with the days of the week. Who knew?
You could easily make your own but I came across these at Hobby Lobby. $3 was well worth the absence of the morning question, What am I wearing? 


My kids have uniforms so picking out clothes really isn't that big of a deal. There's just something about seeing all the hangers lined up with the day clipped on that makes me happy.

For the 5-year-old, I hang his pants and belt too. We like to accessorize around here.
Girls and boys.
(My son might have a bigger shoe issue than his mother, just sayin'.)

 And if hangers aren't your thing, or you are low on closet space, or you hate clothes pins or something….
Wall hooks might be for you.
 (Did I mention there is a love of ties also? What can I say…  the boy likes to look good!)




Chances are, your kids' teacher is already organized. So, why not give a little gift to start the year?

I loved this idea…
Let me know when you need me to "chip" in to help.
Fill a cute basket, bucket, bag, etc. with something involving chips.
Preferably, the chocolate kind.
Print out the cuuuuute tag at The Same Difference and attach it to your gift!

And to start the year on the right foot, why not a mini pedicure set? Teachers spend their days on their feet!
Foot cream, nail polish and a foot shaped file wrapped in a clear bag is sure to be a gift that any teacher will love!
There are three printable 'foot' sayings to choose from over at Reading Confetti.



The first morning of school, we head outside to take the 'pictures'.
You know the ones…. where Mom scrounges around Pinterest for that perfect First Day Printable… prints it, cuts it, frames it…..
I doubt there are many kids that don't hold a sign stating their new grade.

My kids are troopers and never complain because they know this make Mommy happy!

 (Don't forget to include the too-young-for-school siblings!)


Off to school….
This is the first year I can say Most of my kids are in school!
And that kinda sounds like I have 10 or so.
So, I'll just exclaim how I can't believe I have one in k-4 and a 3rd grader!



Fun Fact:
Graham's teacher also taught Joel when he was in k-4 and kindergarten (in the same classroom!).
Joel's cousin was also in that class (20 some years ago).
His cousins son is also in Graham's class this year.
I'm thinking their teacher is going to have a few flash backs of boys from 25 years ago….
It's funny she didn't seat our 5 year olds next to each other. It's like she remembered how their dads acted. (wink wink)
She must have been really young when she taught them because she certainly doesn't look old enough to have 2nd generation students!


Happy School Year!

Friday, July 4, 2014

July 4th

Happy Birthday America!





My printable of choice this July 4th
(Compliments of Hostess With The Mostess!)







{These kids crack me up.}
Sometimes it takes quite a few photos to get a good one!






Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Tagg is ONE!

May 10th marked Tagg's FIRST BIRTHDAY.
{I. Just. Can't. Believe. It.}


Here's a look month by month:

ONE MONTH

 TWO MONTHS

THREE MONTHS

FOUR MONTHS

FIVE MONTHS

SIX MONTHS

SEVEN MONTHS

EIGHT MONTHS

NINE MONTHS

TEN MONTHS

ELEVEN MONTHS

ONE YEAR


Happy Birthday to my sweet baby!
He has added joy to our lives that we didn't know we needed.
Sweet.
Happy.
Loving.
Precious.
Smiley.
Tagg.





Here's a sneak peek where I used his month to month pictures at his birthday party....
(More on the Mustache Bash and the Little Mister's Bow Tie Party next week!)

Friday, May 30, 2014

Lasts

Today marked the LAST of several things for our family......


Reese is done with SECOND GRADE!
~Last day of school~


Graham is done with PRESCHOOL!
~Last day of school~


And Tagg is ready to move to a 'big boy seat'!
~Last time in his infant carseat~


When I started having kids, one of my aunts told me to remember to write down the 'lasts'. We always capture the 'firsts' in baby books and in photos, but don't forget that the 'lasts' can be just as special!


Thank you Yellow Bliss Road for those super cute 'last day of school' papers. Print yours free here.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Here are 10 easy and quick Teacher Appreciation Gift ideas.
I can PROMISE that they are easy and quick because I've made them all!

1. "We are so thankful that God PICKED you to be Reese's teacher this year!"

Strawberry scented hand soap and hand sanitizer make a nice change from the expected 'apple' scented teacher gifts. Put the soaps in an empty fruit container box to make it that much more special! (For this gift, I also included a gift card to a local produce market.)




2. "An excellent TEACHER never falls to PIECES."
  I filled a Target dollar spot glass jar with Reese's Pieces candy.
What a neat little jar to keep at the desk when the teacher might need a little something sweet!



3. "You are one POLISHED teacher."



4. "I have to ad-'mitt' you are a great teacher!"

Find a cute oven mitt and all you need to do is print and attach THIS label!
(This link is for another 'ad-mitt' label. Right now, I can't find the one I used.)





5. "You are one 'soup'er teacher!"
 It's as easy as pie.... even though it's soup!
I bought a gourmet bag of soup and attached a simple, handwritten label.




6. "We need S'more teachers like you!"

 This was the yummiest teacher gift I have ever made.
Mix a bag of mini marshmallows, a box of bear shaped Graham Crackers and a bag of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Drops. Since the marshmallows will dry out, be sure to place your mixture in an air tight container and be sure to use THIS cute tag.
(I almost substituted the Drops for a bag of milk chocolate chips and I'm SO glad I didn't! The Drops make this so delicious.)
Who doesn't want to eat S'mores by the handful????




7. "Thanks for making me one smart cookie."
 Everyone has their favorite cookie recipe. And I haven't met a teacher that doesn't like a good cookie!
Attach THIS cute card (and maybe even the recipe!).



8. "You deserve a hand."
 I picked a yummy smelling hand soap and traced my daughter's hand to make this simple card.



9. "You're an A&Wesome teacher!"
 I'm sure you've seen this gift around Pinterest. And believe me, the printable tag HERE makes this gift even MORE A&Wesome!



10. "There is no 'sub'stitute for you."
It doesn't have to be a gift card with a ton of $. 
5$ at Subway can get a teacher a lunch! You know that saying, "Every little bit counts."