Ski Lodge Birthday Party

Here in North Florida we don't get to relish in all things winter. We get chilly temperatures (this year has been quite mild though), the occasionally frost, and our share of gloomy winter days, but snow...never. So in true Caroline style, my Goddaughter wanted to go against the norm for her fourth birthday. Her parents have blessed her with the opportunity to travel all around and see many sights. One of her favorite things to do is to hit the slopes. And that is just what we did on a sunny and cool Florida Saturday morning!









Before her pint sized guests hit the Bunny Slope, they decorated tasty trees.



They were served Sno-Cones (remember we are in Florida). Here is the birthday girl with her super creative mommy.


Guests also made their own ski trail mix and hung out by the bonfire (with their Sno-Cones!). What a great way to celebrate this mountain of a milestone for sweet and sassy Caroline! Happy Birthday Little C!

Loving Imperfection

What I LOVE about this Valentine's burlap door hanger...

1. That is was made for less than $5 (essentially free when you have your dear friend Jen pick up the burlap for you!).
2. That it took less than an hour to make (including dry time). This means that it is a nap time project, and those are my favorite!
3. You can using a sewing machine or a glue gun. So everyone can play!
4. That it is stuffed with plastic grocery bags so you are giving the planet a Valentine too!
5. And most importantly, nothing about it is perfect. The heart isn't a perfect cut. I butchered the burlap so badly (trying to cut the heart) that the back is made of our two panels glued together. The white paint used to resemble stitches are imperfect. I couldn't find my candy cane ribbon from Christmas so I cut two pieces of leftover cloth. I could go on and on, but you get the point. I embraced imperfection several years ago, and it is quite nice. I used to be pretty crazy about things being perfect as a child (just ask my mom), but as soon as I started teaching that all went out the window. Hang around kids for a good portion of your day and you will realize that they don't care about things being perfect. They just want to learn, create, and have fun!


Also working on making some Valentine's for Mack's buddies. Going to fill the cellophane bags with animal crackers.



He's wild about applesauce, can you tell? He even uses it as hair product.

You've Got Mail

Since I'm the only girl in the house I think I deserve to do it up for the girliest holiday of all, St. Valentine's Day! Mack and I were home yesterday due to yet another ear infection (surgery is scheduled, thank the good Lord!) and we (I) decided it was time to turn things over to Cupid in our house. Thankfully we are within walking distance to a Target, so we picked up a few things for our mantle.

The goal was to spend $5 or less and we accomplished it. I picked up a package of scrapbook paper and a few mini mailboxes from the dollar section of Target. When we returned home, I rounded up some candlesticks, scissors, tape, and tissue paper.



We used the assembly of paper chains as a counting lesson (Can you tell I'm a teacher? However this student is only 16 months old), and also learned to string together hearts. Easy project for those late afternoon hours !





Hugs and kisses!

A New Year...A New Room

My two week vacation from my classroom has rejuvenated my creativity and of course left me wanting to do a lot of home projects. My dear friends and I were talking last night about the dangers of sites such as Pinterest. You get overflowing with creative juices, but without the resources or time to complete them. I'm not a member of Pinterest, but just the quick glances I've taken get me swept away to non-reality world. We tend to forget that a lot of pictures on websites or magazines (obviously) are professional staged and not practical in "middle America". On the other side, it is always a little treat to glance into the world of 900 square foot laundry rooms, office/playrooms that are always clean and tidy, and kitchens that have pantries that I wouldn't mind setting up shop in.

These random thoughts lead me to our office/playroom. We are grateful for having a formal living room in our house that we've decided to use as a utilitarian type space. It is one of the first rooms that you see as you enter our front doors, and at the present time, I wish it was omitted from the tour. Over the next couple of weeks (realistically months), I am going to work on getting it to me a little more desirable.

First glance from the front door. A love seat from my mom's house with a ill-fitted slipcover and some pillows I sewed during nap time a couple of weeks ago (nothing to be proud of, but are a drastic improvement from what was there).


Random you know what clutters the wall with the window.


BORING


Clutter again...


I hope that 2012 brings inspiration and a little dedication to getting this space not only useable, but homey and attractive.