Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
photo Friday
Heading out to Boy Scout day camp
Gretchen painting Chinese numbers
working at school
and how about ending with a flashback? This is Feb 16, 2007 when we still lived in NY.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Day at home
We have a tradition of having pizza and root beer for Valentine's Day dinner and exchanging Snoopy cards that dates back to before we were married.
This year, Gretchen joined in on the pizza and root beer! (ps... I made that jumper, too... years ago for Claire!)
I know some people feel Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday, but I must say, we have a lot of fun with it here. Sure, we love each other every day, but it is fun to have a day to dress in red and pink and have fun with your friends and family eating treats, doing crafts and giving cards to each other!
Happy Valentine's Day! Hope yours was filled with as much love, fun and pizza as ours was!
Valentine's Day at school
I am one of the class Room Mothers. The other Room Mother happens to have a set of boy-girl twins in the class, too. We split up the duties and each have different things we are responsible for. We are pretty lucky that our classroom teacher likes to have celebrations on the holidays and she invites parents. I know some teachers ask for things to be sent in, but don't have the parents join in on the fun. So, when it comes time for a holiday celebration, I coordinate the craft and Jessica coordinates the food and drinks.
Today was a class party day! Since today is actually Valentine's Day I didn't want to do anything that involved a lot of glue. I wanted things that could be sent home today. Sadly, Gretchen wanted glitter glue, but didn't get her wish. I couldn't decide between 2 ideas I had - so I did both. See, this is exactly why I have never gone on Pinterest. People ask me all the time "Did you get that off Pinterest?" and I say, "Nope. I don't go there. I do not need more inspiration in the craft department." (I need more time and money in the craft department.) When we were in Disney and people saw the twins in their homemade outfits, they asked me "Did you get that off Etsy?" Apparently, they think only faceless people can sew and be crafty. Surely, someone standing in front of you didn't have the visual idea and ability to make it come true. You simply must have purchased it from someone crafty who lives in cyber space. The real key is to be crafty just long enough that then people start asking,. "Did you make that?" when you, in fact, did not. I could pass off a lot of things as my own at school now that I have established myself as crafty. I just bought a hand knit sweater for less than $10 (shipping included) off ebay. I can easily claim it as my own project. I just might.
Back to the 2 crafts we did today. You know our "We love you" red poster board heart? Well, I made an "I love you" version and on Monday & Tuesday, I went to school and took pictures of each child holding it. Then, I brought the prints today along with blank cards and stickers. Each child could decorate a Valentine card for someone special using those things as well as their crayons and markers. No glue - nothing that couldn't be brought home today.
Here are Carl & Gretchen's photos... for the record, I chose that spot specifically. I could have taken them outside or even out in the hallway for a plain wall background, but I wanted them to show their classroom. I maneuvered myself so the globe was visible along with the calendar and the brightly colored learning environment.
(ps... I made that dress... for real... not just claiming I did. It is her Minnie Mouse dress.)
The second project was a smaller little magnet. I took some card stock and cut out 2 rectangles then added a foam heart shaped sticker and put a piece of magnet on the back. I wrote the date on the back and we had the kids write their name on the front. Then, we stamped their pointer finger 2 times to form a little heart. They came out just like I had them pictured in my head.
Notice, Gretchen put her own date on there. That is my daughter. Big Ken's granddaughter. She didn't realize I had already written the date on the back.
The kids exchanged Valentine cards and gifts with their classmates. We did little photo cards that the kids each signed. Then, Carl tucked them into a plastic heart cup and Gretchen helped me wrap up the melted heart shaped rainbow crayons we made from broken crayons. She cut out the heart shaped tags and both kids signed those as well as 14 teacher envelopes. For the homeroom teacher and aides, we skipped chocolate or baked good figuring they would get tons of those today. Instead, we gave them heart shaped post-it-notes and pink sharpie markers.
Here is our work from last night on those... both kids were very excited and helpful. Carl had a lot of writing to do and he was very eager to help!
Yes, roses the night before Valentine's Day. We thought that maybe on the 14th, they would be sold out, so Lew stopped on his way home on Wednesday and bought Gretchen a dozen red roses. She loves them and is sharing them with all of us.
The other room mother I told you about... well, she gets my award for most awesome and personal Valentines!!! I should mention that she is the wife of one of our Cub Scout Den Leaders. So, the family knows Carl very well. The little girl gave Carl fish crackers! And the boy gave him a yellow car!! So perfect!!!!!
I felt the kids didn't get as much candy as last year. Cool. They got several pencils and a couple temporary tattoos. There was some candy in there, too. Carl decided to try some Fun Dip. He said he liked it, but of course, he did not finish it.
Up next, I'll do a post about our Valentine's Day at home.
Today was a class party day! Since today is actually Valentine's Day I didn't want to do anything that involved a lot of glue. I wanted things that could be sent home today. Sadly, Gretchen wanted glitter glue, but didn't get her wish. I couldn't decide between 2 ideas I had - so I did both. See, this is exactly why I have never gone on Pinterest. People ask me all the time "Did you get that off Pinterest?" and I say, "Nope. I don't go there. I do not need more inspiration in the craft department." (I need more time and money in the craft department.) When we were in Disney and people saw the twins in their homemade outfits, they asked me "Did you get that off Etsy?" Apparently, they think only faceless people can sew and be crafty. Surely, someone standing in front of you didn't have the visual idea and ability to make it come true. You simply must have purchased it from someone crafty who lives in cyber space. The real key is to be crafty just long enough that then people start asking,. "Did you make that?" when you, in fact, did not. I could pass off a lot of things as my own at school now that I have established myself as crafty. I just bought a hand knit sweater for less than $10 (shipping included) off ebay. I can easily claim it as my own project. I just might.
Back to the 2 crafts we did today. You know our "We love you" red poster board heart? Well, I made an "I love you" version and on Monday & Tuesday, I went to school and took pictures of each child holding it. Then, I brought the prints today along with blank cards and stickers. Each child could decorate a Valentine card for someone special using those things as well as their crayons and markers. No glue - nothing that couldn't be brought home today.
Here are Carl & Gretchen's photos... for the record, I chose that spot specifically. I could have taken them outside or even out in the hallway for a plain wall background, but I wanted them to show their classroom. I maneuvered myself so the globe was visible along with the calendar and the brightly colored learning environment.
The second project was a smaller little magnet. I took some card stock and cut out 2 rectangles then added a foam heart shaped sticker and put a piece of magnet on the back. I wrote the date on the back and we had the kids write their name on the front. Then, we stamped their pointer finger 2 times to form a little heart. They came out just like I had them pictured in my head.
Notice, Gretchen put her own date on there. That is my daughter. Big Ken's granddaughter. She didn't realize I had already written the date on the back. 
The kids exchanged Valentine cards and gifts with their classmates. We did little photo cards that the kids each signed. Then, Carl tucked them into a plastic heart cup and Gretchen helped me wrap up the melted heart shaped rainbow crayons we made from broken crayons. She cut out the heart shaped tags and both kids signed those as well as 14 teacher envelopes. For the homeroom teacher and aides, we skipped chocolate or baked good figuring they would get tons of those today. Instead, we gave them heart shaped post-it-notes and pink sharpie markers.
Here is our work from last night on those... both kids were very excited and helpful. Carl had a lot of writing to do and he was very eager to help!
Yes, roses the night before Valentine's Day. We thought that maybe on the 14th, they would be sold out, so Lew stopped on his way home on Wednesday and bought Gretchen a dozen red roses. She loves them and is sharing them with all of us.
The other room mother I told you about... well, she gets my award for most awesome and personal Valentines!!! I should mention that she is the wife of one of our Cub Scout Den Leaders. So, the family knows Carl very well. The little girl gave Carl fish crackers! And the boy gave him a yellow car!! So perfect!!!!!
And the glue stick is perfect for Miss Crafty Gretchen! And red candy corn was a huge hit, too!!! Such thoughtful, personal things!
I felt the kids didn't get as much candy as last year. Cool. They got several pencils and a couple temporary tattoos. There was some candy in there, too. Carl decided to try some Fun Dip. He said he liked it, but of course, he did not finish it.
Up next, I'll do a post about our Valentine's Day at home.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Gretchen's new doll
I mentioned that Carl spent his allowance money on new Legos. Well, Gretchen saved hers to spend on a new doll. 2 of her friends got American Girl Dolls for Christmas and they have been bringing them to playdates. Now, if you know anything about me and our toy condition history, you know how nervous it makes me to know that these girls are playing with $100+ dolls outside in the park. Gretchen first wanted to save for an American Girl doll, but I explained to her that it would take her until her birthday or Christmas to do that. So, if that is what she wanted, she could wait and ask for one for her birthday without having to save her money. But, she and I began another typical "us" thing. Researching things to within an inch of their lives. We looked into several varieties of 18" dolls. I read reviews. We looked at facial expressions. We checked out hair styles and colors. I read more reviews. We looked at eyes. We compared prices. I continued to read reviews. I asked friends on a social network. (This was especially helpful since one of my sewing friends was already doing research into buying a very cheap model for her newest project. Mutual friends confirmed that the doll Gretchen and I had almost decided upon was indeed good quality and that her daughter loved hers.) For luck, I read a few more reviews.
We finally decided on the Madame Alexander 'My Life As' doll from Walmart. All positive reviews. The dolls from Toys R Us and Target, for example, had many negative reviews. The Toys R US doll's eyes didn't close when she laid down. Honestly, the American Girl dolls teeth creep me out a bit. Another thing I liked was that the My Life As doll is that she has shoulders. The American Girl dolls have plastic arms that go into a cloth body and their head is directly put into the cloth body as well. So, if clothes have a lower neckline, you can see the cloth part, too. Gretchen's doll also has a cloth body, but she has plastic shoulders and chest for sundresses and/or v-necks. This worked out well for my first attempt at making her a dress. I didn't have a shirt pattern, so her jumper is more of a sundress. Shhh... Gretchen does not care!
She lovingly named her new doll, Gretchen. Here are the 2 Gretchens in their new Valentine's Day jumpers I made. The tiny one is a made up pattern... using the scraps from the big one. (I will do a little tweaking in my next attempt.)
Yes, People... I had teeny rick rick in stock! You can never have enough rick rack. I should embroider that on a pillow. And then border it with rick rack.
Since taking these pictures 5 days ago, she has acquired a new pair of pink cowboy boots. Gretchen and I also headed to Hobby Lobby last Saturday after bowling. The boys were at Cub Scout camp. She and I went to pick up a couple crafty things for the class party this week. Well, we discovered that Simplicity patterns were only 99 cents... and we left with 4 of them of 18" doll clothes! I think she understands that I may not be able to make everything we bought. Especially the Disney Princess gowns. But, believe me, I am going to try! I'm starting smaller, though... with the shirt pattern so Gretchen will be able to have warm arms in February.
So, if any of you have hand-me-downs or things to sell (clothes, accessories, furniture... Lori, I have Natalie's plaid chair - she loves it!) for an 18" doll named "Gretchen".... we can put them to great use!!!!
We finally decided on the Madame Alexander 'My Life As' doll from Walmart. All positive reviews. The dolls from Toys R Us and Target, for example, had many negative reviews. The Toys R US doll's eyes didn't close when she laid down. Honestly, the American Girl dolls teeth creep me out a bit. Another thing I liked was that the My Life As doll is that she has shoulders. The American Girl dolls have plastic arms that go into a cloth body and their head is directly put into the cloth body as well. So, if clothes have a lower neckline, you can see the cloth part, too. Gretchen's doll also has a cloth body, but she has plastic shoulders and chest for sundresses and/or v-necks. This worked out well for my first attempt at making her a dress. I didn't have a shirt pattern, so her jumper is more of a sundress. Shhh... Gretchen does not care!
She lovingly named her new doll, Gretchen. Here are the 2 Gretchens in their new Valentine's Day jumpers I made. The tiny one is a made up pattern... using the scraps from the big one. (I will do a little tweaking in my next attempt.)
So, if any of you have hand-me-downs or things to sell (clothes, accessories, furniture... Lori, I have Natalie's plaid chair - she loves it!) for an 18" doll named "Gretchen".... we can put them to great use!!!!
Monday, February 4, 2013
the hooker salon
background:
So, they are playing on the floor with the new Legos. Carl told us it was the grand opening of his beauty salon and that is why there are so many Lego people there. Then, this conversation occurred between the boy and me:
Carl: This is the Hooker Salon.
me: Huh? the what?
Carl: The Hooker Salon. It is on the corner of Hooker Road and (other local road) Avenue.
me: I see. Why not call it Hooker Rd Salon?
Carl: No, it's just the Hooker Salon.
me: Well, I don't think I want to go to the Hooker Salon.
Carl: Why not? It's cheap.
- Carl's newest Lego set is the Lego Friends Beauty Salon (his request. Retired, of course. I get a high five for my awesome ebaying and not paying retired price for it. He spent his allowance money on it.)
- we have a friend who lives in a neighborhood off Hooker Rd.
- Carl is wicked into maps and street names. He is truly like a human GPS.
new Leogs... his firehouse is next to the beauty salon.
So, they are playing on the floor with the new Legos. Carl told us it was the grand opening of his beauty salon and that is why there are so many Lego people there. Then, this conversation occurred between the boy and me:
Carl: This is the Hooker Salon.
me: Huh? the what?
Carl: The Hooker Salon. It is on the corner of Hooker Road and (other local road) Avenue.
me: I see. Why not call it Hooker Rd Salon?
Carl: No, it's just the Hooker Salon.
me: Well, I don't think I want to go to the Hooker Salon.
Carl: Why not? It's cheap.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
you do know when spring starts, right?
Today is 6 weeks before the first day of spring. We are going to be very busy today. Last night, we were busy, too. School had a BINGO night from 5-7:30 and Gretchen had Daisy Scouts from 6:30 - 8:00. Then, today we had to get up early to get ready for our day.
9:00 = Home Depot monthly craft project for Lew & Carl
9:00 = GS cookie booth for Jill & Gretchen
10:00 = Lew picks up Gretchen from selling cookies to take her to bowling... no wait... she decided to stay and sell cookies with me
10 - 11:30 bowling for Carl
12:00 = Lew goes to the other cookie booth across town to collect money and cookies and bring it to me
12:00 = other mothers and I pack up our cookie booth in the van and head home.
12:30 = lunch and begin counting money and cookies
3:00 = hike with Cub Scout den
So, we flipped on The Weather Channel at about 7:15 to see what our day had in store and we happened to catch Punxsutawney Phil's forecast live! It was kind of cool - and definitely cute. (I looked his name up on wikipedia... still looks weird)
But, you know, 6 more weeks OF winter or 6 weeks UNTIL spring is not official until you see the twins' predict it!
We even got a family shot after the hike.
Here's a shot of the cookies for our booth at home. We sold a lot and I brought the rest back to our troop's cookie mother. Not before buying an entire case of Lemonades for myself. Those of you with Little Brownie Bakers...ooo - you do not know what you are missing!
And here are some of our girls selling cookies to hungry handy-men and handy-women as they bought supplies at the local home improvement store. You would not have been able to resist their immense charm!!
Happy Groundhog Day!! You know, it was pretty funny how into it the 7 year old crowd is. The Girl Scout were all abuzz and then when we got to the Cub Scout hike, they all knew Phil had not seen his shadow and knew exactly what the prediction associated with that was! Very serious junior meteorologists.
9:00 = Home Depot monthly craft project for Lew & Carl
9:00 = GS cookie booth for Jill & Gretchen
10:00 = Lew picks up Gretchen from selling cookies to take her to bowling... no wait... she decided to stay and sell cookies with me
10 - 11:30 bowling for Carl
12:00 = Lew goes to the other cookie booth across town to collect money and cookies and bring it to me
12:00 = other mothers and I pack up our cookie booth in the van and head home.
12:30 = lunch and begin counting money and cookies
3:00 = hike with Cub Scout den
So, we flipped on The Weather Channel at about 7:15 to see what our day had in store and we happened to catch Punxsutawney Phil's forecast live! It was kind of cool - and definitely cute. (I looked his name up on wikipedia... still looks weird)
But, you know, 6 more weeks OF winter or 6 weeks UNTIL spring is not official until you see the twins' predict it!
Here's a shot of the cookies for our booth at home. We sold a lot and I brought the rest back to our troop's cookie mother. Not before buying an entire case of Lemonades for myself. Those of you with Little Brownie Bakers...ooo - you do not know what you are missing!
And here are some of our girls selling cookies to hungry handy-men and handy-women as they bought supplies at the local home improvement store. You would not have been able to resist their immense charm!!
Happy Groundhog Day!! You know, it was pretty funny how into it the 7 year old crowd is. The Girl Scout were all abuzz and then when we got to the Cub Scout hike, they all knew Phil had not seen his shadow and knew exactly what the prediction associated with that was! Very serious junior meteorologists.
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