School Crafties

 This is such a small sample of all the adorable things that the kids bring home that they have made at school.  There is no way I could ever possibly keep every single thing that every single one of them make or do so, I want to start taking pictures of the cute things they make so I remember if they get lost, thrown out, ruined, or whatever.  

Eden  made this penguin.  She  liked to carry it around. 

 I wish I had gotten pics of the snowglobe she had made when she first brought it home.  It was part of the Christmas gift to Jeremy and I that she gave us.  They had decorated a cute little gift bag and had the snowglobe and a couple of other things in it!  It was super cute.  (Each of the kids teachers are always super about sending home gifts from the kids....like at Mother's Day or Christmas or whatever.  It's thoughtful for sure!) The snowglobe got slightly discolored since she brought it home but, other than that has held up well. 

 Cullen's class made these and used them as props in the Christmas program (which I haven't blogged about yet).  

 Cullen made this as well.  I still have one very similar to this one that Tristan made when he was small and we try to hang it on the tree each year. 

 Asher made this a couple of years ago and has enjoyed hanging it somewhere each Christmas since. 

 Eden made this tree and seriously carried it around with her for a couple days straight! 

 Cullen made this cute tree! 

 And this stocking. 

Cullen actually came home with a huge tree he had made that was taller than him!  Laminated and all decorated with him in a star at the top!  

I didn't get a pic before all the stuff started falling off of it but, it was cool! 

 Cullen made this too...(his class made SO MUCH stuff!)  I love it so much that I think I will frame it and put it up each Christmas.  

 Liam made this for Jeremy and gave it to him when he came to school on Donuts with Dad day.  It is really cool too and should last a long time.  It is made out of a block of wood.  On the leaf Liam wrote:  He fixes are computers when there broke.  He helps me to.  

 Another thing Eden made and carried around with her like her new pet.  She lost one of it's eyes but, oh well! 

 Cullen brought this guy home too.  Love it!  This one is sturdy and should last a long time too.  And it is darling! 

 The crayon ornament and the cinnamon heart ornament were the other two gifts from Eden to Jeremy and I at Christmas.  

 Liam made this snowman handprint ornament at Cub Scouts.  Pretty sweet. 

 Asher made this at school as his gift to us.  This is the front. 

This is the back.  It is ceramic and he did a great job on it!  

I really do treasure all the sweet, creative things that our kids get to do and are able to do! 

Valentine Box

 Liam brought home a note saying that his class was having a valentine box contest!  So excited because usually kids don't make boxes anymore (at Carthage at least where everything sucks).  He said he wanted a robot.  He and I sat down at the table and made most all of the robot together.  Then Jeremy came in and said:"Oh, I bet I have some old parts we could put on it".  Next thing I know those two have the coolest looking robot ever! It even had a plasma ball on top that actually worked!! Freaking awesome.  Unfortunately, he didn't win the contest (I have no idea how but, whatever, it was just for fun).  He loved it and we had a great time making it with him! 

Then when I was at the kindergarten room yesterday, Amy told me that third grade was supposed to make boxes too! I felt SO STINKING BAD.  I need a badge on it that says: BAD MOMMY.  Asher had come home earlier in the week and gave me a class list for valentines and said he needed a valentine box.  I asked if he was sure about that because I hadn't seen any note from his teacher.  He went back to school and came  home again and said that his teacher said he could make one if he wanted to.  So, I assumed that she was just saying he could if he wanted because I still had not seen any note.  Well, Amy said it was handwritten at the bottom of one of her daughter's notes.  What the hell!?!?!?!?  Seriously!??!  When Asher got in the car after school he had clearly had a great time at his valentines party because he talked non-stop before all the other kids could say anything and had to show me everything he got.  I didn't bring it up to him.  But, how bad does it look that we went all out for Liam's box, made homemade valentines for Eden and Cullen, and literally sent Asher with only store bought Fun Dip valentines  (that he specifically requested)?!?!?!?!  I feel so bad.  It was on my mind all day long. I'm sure Asher doesn't really care but, I feel like he always gets the short end of the stick no matter what.  Ugh.  So sorry, Asher.  I  love you. 

Homemade Valentines

 I actually MADE valentines with Cullen and Eden this year.  Well, I did all of Eden's but, whatever, lol!  Cullen got on pinterest with me and picked out minion valentines.  They turned out really cute and weren't that hard to make.  Cullen enjoyed helping and filling out the cards too.  Eden loved hers and I was going to have her write the names too but, the stickers I put on the back were really really small and I was up late making them anyway so I just filled them in for her.  Also the owls are supposed to have little wings too but, I just couldn't do anymore. The tubes are stuffed with skittles and little valentine stampers.  I also couldn't find the right size of googly eyes but, oh well.  It was fun anyway.  (mostly)

Liam had 'How To Train Your Dragon' valentines and Asher had Fun Dip valentines.  

Valentine Craft

 Yesterday I got to go to the Kindergarten classroom and help out with a valentine craft.  My friend, Amy Shanks, asked me to help out and I was so excited!  Then the morning of, of course I have to be having an anxiety attack (been having a lot lately) and got really, really nervous.  I had my mom come over to watch Vivianne so when she got there I left.  I couldn't hardly think straight when I got there because I had tried taking some cold meds to help calm me down (my throat hurt too) but, instead it just made me stupid.  Anyhow, once we got into making the craft and I met more of the kids in the class, I could relax a bit and calm the heck down.  I just hate it when I am going through something stupid like that in front of people but, I am pretty sure no one knew except me, lol!  Anyway, I had the BEST time hanging out with Amy and the kids.  The kids were all so cute and very good.  Cullen was so excited to have me come to his classroom.  I want to do it more for sure.  And check out the craft that Amy put together....they turned out SO CUTE!  We painted both hands on each kid and had them do two pictures each, one for portfolio and one to take home to parents.  Amy also gave me the idea of framing and hanging the kids artwork in our bedroom.  What a great idea!  So going to do that! I have a TON of it!!  

Baking Cookies

This is from back in late August or early September.  Eden helped me make a batch of cookies.  We had a really good time together and I feel like I always forget to take pics of the special little moments that make it all worthwhile.  This was one of them.  She was so cute.  She would count out the amounts of things and loved putting the ingredients in the bowl and watching it mix it all up!  I had a blast with her and hope that she will enjoy baking with me more as she gets bigger.  

Cullen LOVES to bake cookies and always has.  One of these times I will have to get a picture of me and him too because he is just as special to me!

Blueberries and Cream Pies

 I was really, really craving a blueberry and cream pie the other day.  I used to make these when I made desserts for Mike's Homestead Diner.  I also made raspberry and cream pies that were equally as good.  I had a ton of blueberries on hand and decided to do it.  I didn't realize that I didn't buy deep dish crusts so I ended up with two pies after the filling was too much for just one pie.  I started to cut into one and eat some before I thought to take a picture but, whatever.  I ate WAY TOO MUCH pie on the first day so I wanted to get rid of the second pie.  Nathan Nelson's baby girl had passed away earlier in the week (SO SO SAD) and the funeral was Friday morning.  I decided to take the pie over for the family dinner after the funeral.  I didn't talk to anyone and left the pie kinda anonymously so that felt good too.  I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.  

I should put the recipe in my cookbook. 

Dying Easter Eggs

 And now for another journey back in time....here are some pics of the kiddos coloring easter eggs a couple of days before Easter.  Tristan, Liam, and Asher were the only ones who wanted anything to do with it this year.  Cullen finally came around towards the end of coloring them and was slightly annoyed that there weren't more eggs for him to color.  We tried explaining that he should have come in to dye them when we told him to but, he kept telling us no.  But, he did get to do a few so that is good! 

 Jed had come over a few days before this and started on the wainscotting.  There is still sawdust on the walls and stuff but, still a HUGE improvement!! 

He will coming to the Carthage house sometime this week or next to finish up so we can start listing the house.  

 Pretty eggs.

Our kids rock! 

A Project Idea

I need a menu board.  Or a "What's For Supper?" board.  Every evening when I am cooking, every person seems to filter through the kitchen and ask the same question. I am usually okay the first couple or few times of answering but, as it continues to get asked, for some reason my patience gets smaller and smaller, lol!  I think it is just the simple act of repeating one's self can be annoying.  But, the ones who ask fourth or fifth don't mean to upset me, haha!  So, I think somehow I will fashion a chalk board or something that answers this question so I don't have to. 

Mistletoes

 All of the kids always bring home the cutest things!  Cullen made this at school this Christmas.  It was wrapped up for Jeremy and I.   Cullen was pretty proud of it too!

Advent- Letters To Santa

 This night we wrote letters to Santa to ensure that he knew what each kid would really like for Christmas this year.  Not everyone would pose for a picture.  Oh well.  We had fun writing the letters and decorating with stickers! 

Something Good

I know I am kinda nerdy but, today I am totally stoked because this picture that I posted on pinterest has been re-pinned 90 times since I put it up a few days ago!! I like this because it is people that don't know me that like what I do! It's not my family trying to be nice and supportive (which they are nice and supportive...and I love it!) but, I have outside opinion too!  I think I might be pretty good at this!  And the bonus is that is so stinking fun!!

 Happy dance!

My Pinterest

 

I have been trying really hard to focus on the GOOD things in my life no matter how small or trivial they may seem.  This picture that I took at Matt and Lacey's wedding has now been pinned 57 times on Pinterest!!  People like it!! It makes me happy! Also, my Arbonne success story has been pinned 19 times.  My other stuff has a few but, those two are the most pins.  I want something to be pinned 1,000 times, lol!

Canning

I started canning all by myself!  I bought a galvanized pot, jars, and all the stuff to go with it and away I went!  So far I made a batch of zucchini marmalade and a batch of hot pepper jelly with cilantro.  I want to make another batch of hot pepper jelly (regular style), and some fruit jellies.  Also, applesauce...that is a MUST. 

A New Blog

I started a new blog today!! It is called Colista's Corner.  Not real clever name but, whatever.  It is for all my creative stuff and pinterest stuff.  I put one of the photos that I took from Matt and Lacey's wedding up on Pinterest and it has been repinned more than 20 times now I think! Crazy!!  I have had other pins be re-pinned way more than that but, never one that was actually MINE originally!!  Apparently they like my photos!! Yay, for the confidence boost!! There is a link to my new blog at the top of this page. 

The Clothesline

Cedric found a can of white spray paint one day and wandered outside with it.  Soon he came back and asked if he could paint the clothesline.  Sure thing!  He ran out of spray paint so I sent him to Dollar General with Liam to get some more.  They came back a few minutes later saying that they couldn't buy spray paint because they were not 18.  I didn't even think about that.  I called Jeremy and had him swing by DG and drop it by the house.  Cedric finished and was pretty pleased with his finished product!  I love it too!! Thanks, Cedric!