Sunday, February 17, 2013

Crafty Weekend Getaway

I went on a scrapping weekend with my sister and some friends this past weekend. Since I just print my blog now, I made it a Pinterest crafting weekend. I got a few projects done (in between all the eating and drinking), more successes than "pintrousities", so I was happy with the results.

Here are 3-D starts I made to put up next to the boy scout wreath I hang above the fireplace each year. Also, I modge podged fun words found in the newspaper onto glass pebbles to use as magnets or necklace pendants. I just need to figure out how to make them into pendants.

I hot glued crayons around a flat bottomed container for Jacob's teacher's year end gift - I'll fill it with candy or Sharpies and a gift card.

Not such a success, the pin said that it was glue and canvas, but upon reading the actual description it was puffy paint, wax paper, modge podge, and a canvas. I attempted the easier version, which resulted in soaked in glue, I added another layer, but it was hard to get the lines smooth and even. I should have went for messy as a design. A fun try.

Washers on painted canvas. A monogram for above our bed. I only had enough washers with for one letter. I'll probably work on a slightly smaller A & F to flank this M.

Scrap paper flowers on canvas. For my master bath, which has no art in it, I found some coordinating scrapbook paper and cut these "petals" our and glued them onto canvas. Easy and fun.

Friendship pin jewelry. Beads on a safety pins strung on stretchy string for a bracelet and onto a chain for a necklace. I acutally ended up making a second bracelet instead of the necklace.

Even my snacks and drinks came from Pinterest. This "skinny beergarita" was the worst of my pintrousities. "Freeze over night,stir to make slushy and enjoy" was not quite accurate. It was a giant icicle full of lime zest, which I found chunky and not enjoyable. Not to worry about wasted alcohol though, I thawed and strained this and tolerated most of it. I also made salted carmel chocolate chip cookie bars, kookie cookies (fritos with peanut butter drizzle), and melt in your mouth chicken - all ideas from Pinterest. Those were all yummy!

Gavin and the list Valentine's

Gavin has two preschool classes since he stays all day - an A.M. and a P.M. class. So he needed about 40 valentines this year. I had bought them on clearance last year and he was working on writing his name on each of them the Saturday before Valentine's Day. I went out shopping while he was working. Apparently he made a mistake or two and decided to throw the whole lot away. When I asked where they were the next day, he informed me that he had thrown the in the garbage. By this time they were not retrievable and I was so mad that I decided he had to make new ones himself. So he spent a number of hours at the kitchen table writing "Happy {heart} Day! From Gavin M" and decorating. He was a trooper about it and hopefully he won't do that again.

Hooked on Books

Hooked on Books is a favorite event of ours. Lots of fun activities and free books. This year I took Wyatt and Gavin while Fred took Jacob to basketball.

Gavin requested a "Captain America" hat, Principal Lange and I did our best to deliver.

Free fancy face painting. Red Angry Bird for Gavin.

Gavin and Wyatt visit with the Sesame Street characters.

Wyatt and Gavin with Cookie Monster.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Confirmed: Jacob is One Outstanding Youth

Today Jacob received a letter announcing that he has been recognized as an outstanding youth. His teacher submitted the nomination that included the following about Jacob:

Jacob is a kind, caring boy who shows his depth of character by tending to others in a quiet manner. Without being asked he shared his own snacks with other children in the class who didn't have one. He was never asked to share, he just saw the other children's needs and went about helping them out. It was through one of the students he gave a snack to that I found out he was providing him with a snack and had been for quite some time. It has not been just one child that Jacob has reached out to and touched with his generosity; he has a loving heart that notices those in need and takes action. I am honored to be able to recommend Jacob for this citizenship award. He is a wonderful boy and I am so fortunate to have him in my class.

We get to go to an award ceremony at the end of the month for him to receive his certificate. This makes us so proud. Of course, we know how sharing and wonderful Jacob is, its nice that other people notice too.

Yee-Haw!

This year the JDRF (juvenille diabetes) benefit that Fred and I have gone to a few times before, had their 10th annual party and you could choose from any of their past themes for your costume. Having a hideous cow girl bridesmaid costume on hand, we decided to go with the Wild West theme. Here are a few pictures from the night.

Fred and me
 
Me with Disco themed Diana and Amy

Jason, Nate and Fred