School Days Autograph Book

Yes, it's happened. I have turned into my Father. And spending money for something that is just going to get thrown away in a couple years has become, well, difficult. When they sent home the note that Year Books were $15.00, I choked. Okay not really. I did throw the note away, though. Then as the end of the year approached, I felt terrible. I didn't want to be known as "The Mother Who Didn't Buy Her Kids A Yearbook". And I didn't want my kids to feel any less important. Sure, yearbooks are fun to look at once or twice, but they usually end up in the trash. Most of mine did anyway. I thought about it and decided, the best part of yearbooks is signing each others. I decided even though I couldn't justify the $30 in Yearbook fees--I would still make Yearbook signing day fun. (While I still can--cause I know this wont suffice them forever.)

Using blank index cards, my cricut, decorative paper, a hole punch, and book rings I created these autograph books. Maybe it's still not as cool as seeing every one's picture, but it sure beats having to use a sheet of copy paper for your autograph page!

Disclaimer: I have nothing against our school's year book committee. Or Yearbook's in general. I think we have a wonderful elementary school and a wonderful, hard working PTA. Thanks for a great year!! :]

~It's Time To Appreciate Our Teacher's~

The first week of May is that time of year that we appreciate our teacher's. 

At our school they wanted us to show our love for our teachers all week long.  They had ideas like a service project, favorite treat, a list of things we like about our teacher, bring their favorite school supplies, etc.  So I have 4 different ideas I wanted to share with you.  Thank goodness tomorrow the kids are just making a card/picture for their teacher:)

Idea #1 --

What better act of kindness than brightening some one's day with flowers!

We purchased these at our local market for $5, stuck a fun printable that I found over at Skip To My Lou onto a skewer with ribbon and it made a cute gift for their teachers on Monday!!

Idea #2 --

A surprise treat in a can!

I have always wanted to make these.  I have seen them for quite some time and just never had a reason to make them.  Well Our Best Bites posted some cute Mother's Day printables along with a Teacher one and I knew this would be perfect for the kids to take.

I got can's with pop top lids, cut the bottoms off with my can opener and washed/dried them out.  Next we filled them with their teacher's favorite treats and than stuff tissue paper down inside before hot gluing the lid back on.  This helps prevent any glue from sticking to the candy if it drips:)  Than decorate and attach the label!!  Very quick, easy and FUN gift!!

Idea #3 --

"10 Things I Like About _____!"

The kids were funny trying to come up with things to write.  Dalton wanted to write things like "She meets us in the morning, than we sit down" - basically his whole day - lol. 

I thought it would be fun to give them a cute little note pad along with a pencil.  They were only a dollar at Walmart and we had these cute pencils in a pack Ellie had.  I saw this idea to stick a flower (which I doubled) through the eraser with a corsage pin (which I have tons from doing flower balls) and than cut off the end with a pair of wire cutters.

The idea was to make lots of pencils with flowers and put it in a vase like a flower arrangement:)  I may have to try that next year!!

Idea #4 --

This last idea I have been wanting to do for months and almost did it for Christmas but kept it tucked away till now.  I got the idea over at Eighteen25 from those talented ladies. 

I found a bead container at Micheal's for $1, got all the fun coordinating school supplies at Walmart and than added extra goodies that looked cute with it!

I then traced the top, cute out paper, added ribbon underneath and any other embellishments that went with it!:)  I cut out their names with my Silhouette and glued them on last.

These were my favorite and I loved how they turned out. 

I hope these help give you some ideas for your teacher's or even mother's this week.  Head over to those websites for other GREAT ideas!!!!:)

And...

♥A HUGE Thank You to ALL our Teacher's out there!!♥

{Countdown to Easter}

I wanted to get this posted before I head out of town for our Spring Break:)  I found the idea somewhere out there in Blog world and thought it would be great for our family this Easter. 

It is a quick, easy and fun countdown that you can start this week with your kids...

Supplies:

-egg carton

-plastic eggs

-treats --I used Hershey Kisses and Cadbury Eggs...mmm!

-Easter grass

-number stickers, rub-ons, or vinyl (which I cut out with my Silhouette)

-12 different Easter activities

Here are my ideas...

1. Read an Easter story.

2. Color an Easter picture or two. 

3. Send an Easter card to someone you love.

4. Visit the Easter bunny. 

5. Make egg shaped sugar cookies.

6. Make Resurrection rolls.

7. Do an Easter craft.

8. Have an Easter egg hunt.

9. Make a treat & “Egg” our neighbors.

10. Watch an Easter movie.

11. Dye Easter eggs. 

12. Happy EASTER!!

Our kids are excited to start it on Thursday.  We have lots of fun things planned:)

I tried to focus on some Spiritual things for FHE and on Sunday.  If you have any questions just send me a message!!

Subway Art & Blocks

I love spending time making crafts, but with four little ones, it's easier said then done. However, I have been trying to get a little more crafty lately.

Shannon posted about her new love for Subway Art. It instantly caught my eye and I decided to create subway art would be just as fun. I have dabbled a little here and there. The first one I did was for St. Patty's Day. Then I made one for a friend of a friend who is having a baby boy.

I love making blocks with names, seasons, holidays, etc... I helped my friend make a set earlier this month. Then I created a set for Easter. They turned out way cute. I can't wait to decorate this month.

Hope this sparks some creativity for everyone!

Celeste

LOVE this!!

I LOVE all the subway art I have been finding out there in Blog World!  Today I came across this VERY cute one over at Craftily Ever After.  Go check it out!!!!

The ELF on the Shelf!

A friend of mine just told me about this book and I am excited to be getting mine in the mail next week!!

You can find it Here or Here:)

What is it about? --

"This clever holiday book uses playful rhymes and an entertaining story to remind kids that Santa is watching who’s naughty and nice. The accompanying elf keeps an eye on children by day, reports to the North Pole after bedtime and returns to a different location in the home, creating a fun hide-and-seek game each morning."

And the parent reviews said it helped their kids behave better this time of year...

Well that sold me!!

Now I am crossing my fingers that it works;)

Servin' Up Some Ice Cream...

I feel bad I don't remember where I got the idea from and the picture that I stole isn't all that great but I LOVE this!!

We had a Cupcake Baking Party for my daughter's 6th birthday.  I not only thought this was great to go along with the theme but I plan on using it at all our parties from now on.

I hate trying to dish out ice cream amongst the chaos at the party so when I found this I thought it was a genious idea. 

Take cupcake liners, fill them with scoops of ice cream and place on cookie sheet BEFORE the party starts and stick back in the freezer.  Pop them out of the freezer and let everyone take their flavor from the tray.  Perfect portion, no mess and no chaos!!:)