Zoo Album

Here's a mini-album I made for my boys. I had so many pictures of our trips to the zoo that I decided to just put them into a mini-album, instead of doing large 12x12 pages over and over. I think the album turned out really cool.


















These two pages are so touching to me. They are simple in style but say so much with the words and the pictures...years apart...still convey the same message of brothers who really care for each other. <3



I especially love the humor and boys' input on this last page...each boy wrote part of the saying and then signed their name below...I like that it incorporates their handwriting and that it is funny because it's totally us. :)



I wish I had information on all the items I used, but it is all stuff I collected over the years from swaps, purchases and my own creations as I put it together. I hope it's an inspiration for others. :) The album is about 24 pages, so I've put a lot here, but lucky for you not all..... thanks for looking! :)

Rhonda :)

March Lions and Lambs

We made these and hung them in the classroom throughout March. I make them each year with my students and am always in love with how different each turns out to be when we finish. The project does take a couple of sessions over a few days, but it is a great break from all the academics we have to do at 5 and 6 years-old...especially in February and with no snow days this year it has been a LONG winter. :)



Next up...rainbows for April!

Rhonda :)

Spring Break and post-it-note holders

Hello! Super happy to be on Spring Break this week. Spent time yesterday completing the Bridal shower invites I showed a week or so ago...each one ended up a little different...but they look nice I think.

Today I spent a little time working on my DS3's baby book...a little frustrated because I can't figure out the months for some of the pictures because my old camera didn't show the date...so I made it to month 4 and stopped for the day.

Before starting that project I made these super cute post-it-note holders for little gifts that I plan to give some friends when we return to school. Shhh...don't tell. ;)

The original idea is from mychicnscratch.com. I'm still new to this blog thing, since I never posted regularly in the past so it's like starting over everytime I do...lol. Anyway, I am hoping that I'm not breaking any rules, but if I'm not giving enough info on something please feel free to let me know. So, I mentioned the blog I found these at, and here is the addy: http://www.mychicnscratch.com/post-it-notes/

And here is my version:

This is the outside...

And here is the inside...

Isn't it fun...you can slip it in your purse, teaching bag, diaper bag, or spot in the car and have it when you need a quick note. These were easy and fun once I had the materials and figured out how to do it with the Cricut cartridge that I had here at home.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be sharing more this week since I am on SPRING BREAK! Ahhh...really need time off.

Rhonda :)

Kindness

All during Lent the kids and I are talking about how we can be more like Jesus...and even though they are super kind and loving kiddos, we push to do even more than usual. So, this year I created a 'Garden of Kindness'.

I sent home directions and little squares where they write what they do and bring it to school. Each day we spend time talking about their kind actions. Then they get to hang them under the 'Garden' and add a piece to our garden.

They get flower stems, leaves, flowers, centers, etc. We will also be adding butterflies, bees, caterpillars, lady bugs -- and whatever else we need as they do more and more good deeds during Lent.

Whatever the Cricut can cut, they will get to add. They are super excited, and it's fun to see what they come up with to do for others. I am so blessed to be with these kids each day...greatest job in the world. :)








Oh, and how cute are those frogs from Leap Day? Each one is so unique...found that idea last minute and they turned out so adorable. Love those last-minute finds...they are often the most treasured over time. :)

Edited 3/26/12...here are some updated pictures as our Garden of Kindness has grown. :)

Xbox Birthday!

I tried to make a super cool xbox cake for my DS3's 11th Birthday...well, not as easy as it sounds or looks on youtube.

It's nearly impossible for me as a less than expert-cook to make a cake that is not lopsided as it is...however this time I actually followed the directions and made not one but two fluffy French Vanilla cakes. Really, who knew that using a mixer vs. a whisk, and mixing it for the entire time rather than much shorter times would make such a difference? Okay, probably everyone but me. So, now I know how to make cakes after 40++ years. :)

Well, making the cake is easy, cutting it into an xbox controller shape is easy, however, stacking the super fluffy, moist cakes on top of each other and then trying to ice them is impossible. I know, should have used fondant, but they still would have fallen apart after I cut it.

So, on to cake 3 and 4....iciing container 3 and 4 too...and voila' I had an xbox cake for a great kid. Everyone enjoyed the story of the cake at my expense (no worry, I am strong), unfortunately me and DS2 could barely look at that cake after all the 'mistake' parts we had eaten as we worked on the final product earlier that morning.

Here's the cake...not going to get me on any baking show...but it was incredibly delicious (they say). ;) (DS3's name is blurred, it actually looked nice cut in green fondant.)

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Since Dr. Seuss' Birthday was on the weekend (3/3) my class and I celebrated on Monday, 3/5. It was such fun! We have a retired librarian who comes in to read to the class each month, and she always comes as the Cat in the Hat in March. My class loved it!

We read books of course, and had other activities, but I really liked the One Fish, Two Fish jello and fish snacks...easy and cool for the kids. Thanks to my DH who bought the ingredients for me the night before when my 'to do' became more complicated than I expected on Sunday.

Here is a picture, not as great as the pic on Pinterest, but it's mine. :)

Shower Invitations

Since I am officially a Pinterest Addict - seriously, I have to only get on when I can devote 2 hours or more and then I must stick to the strict time limit or my butt would go numb - I have found so many great ideas on there for a bridal shower we are holding for my cousin.

However, I needed to come up with invitations, and it's hard to not only find what you like but to put it together in real life. Amazingly, last week after my DS3's 11th Birthday I threw this idea together and I have to say I *love* it. What do you think? :)

We are also including "Wishes" and "Recipe" cards to make a gift for her from everyone. Here is an example of the Recipe part...made with Stampin Up! stamps. I will edit or make my own for the Wishes part. :)



Now, of course I have 100s of great 'stolen' ideas for everything else...and I will be using many of them with my Mom's approval since this really is her shower for her Niece and I'm just helping..but Pinterest and my own imagination are making this FUN!

Valentine's Day Countdown!

Tonight as soon as I posted my previous blog entry I saw this on top of my craft cabinet and remembered that I wanted to use it as a Valentine's Day Countdown for my boys.


So, out came the Simply Charmed cartridge and these Love Bugs were created for the Valentine's Countdown mailbox.



Each day I will add something for them to the box...just like our Advent box (which we love). :)

I also made one for my nephew which I will mail to him...he loves mail! :)

Each Love Bug will have a message about just one of the many things I love about the boy who receives it.

Valentine's fun! :)

January happenings....

Well, I actually scrapped this past weekend...I made 23 adorable critters from my "Create a Critter" cart for my Kindergarten kiddos. They 'love' them. We will attach them to their writing binders tomorrow, and as the year goes along they will also write about their critter. Fun for the kids and scrapping for me. I'll try to post a pic.

Working really hard on organizing my classroom info for Common Core Standards, RTI, and ideas for a standards based report card. It's so much to take in...and so much to plan...organization is the key, but it's so hard to get it together.

Open House this week at school...prayers going up for good enrollment numbers!

Using a new Christmas present a TON...my Toshiba Thrive tablet. I would love to use it more for school...including cool apps for the kiddos to use. Any ideas are welcomed....I see lots for the Ipads, but as a techno rookie I don't know how to find the good stuff for my tablet yet. :)

Off to do some web surfing for ideas...school, scrap and home...not necessarily in that order. Bottle of wine opened and a glass poured...I think I'm ready to surf...but I 'must' limit my time on Pinterest! ;)

Take care!

It's My Birthday!

I have to say I am so totally blessed. I have had such a great day...it was filled with so many wonderful moments. Woke-up to my great family and all in a good mood...even a two-arm hug from DS1 the teen. Coffee, everyone ready on time...left and arrived safely...into my classroom and my desk was filled with goodies. Oh, met at the door by an adorable little student who opened the door for me and then handed me a gift bag. So cute and so sweet!

Donut, coffee, and some of my favorites as gifts from some fantastic friends. Lunch with those same friends, and plenty of smiles and laughs as we worked through our day.

A surprise visit from my parents with their arms filled with my favorite cake: German Chocolate Cake, and flowers that I can later plant in my yard. Time to sit and chat with them while my students were in gym class. How wonderful!

A great rest of the day with literally hundreds of Happy Birthday wishes from my students and all the kids I saw at school today, texts from some great friends that I don't get to see each day and my family calling and texting such loving wishes, and the phone calls with Birthday wishes and a hilarious voicemail message with an 'original' Birthday song.

Received a beautiful vase of blue and purple flowers that are gorgeous from my DH and sons...left those at school to enjoy all week! I headed home to a glass of wine (or two ;) ), Chinese take-out, and now getting read for cards and cake/ice cream with my guys.

It just doesn't get any better than this for me...this is the perfect day. :)

If this is the start to my year, and many years to come, then I can't wait to live those days...they are going to be fabulous! :)

May your day be filled with the blessings that touch your heart each day as mine was today.

Take care!

Let it snow!!!

Well, no snow here still....I'm so bummed. Remember this from last year?



This is winter...and I miss it. :)

First post of year

Hoping for a snow delay tomorrow. Having a great school year with my kindergarten kiddos...the rest of school is not as great though. Too much is not meshing anymore and we are not the same. :(

Just wish there was a magic wand to make things better for everyone. :)

The New Year is promising for our family...we are happy and healthy..so life is good!

God bless everyone this year. Special prayers going out to many this year as they go on without precious loved ones.

R.

Where did summer go?

Okay, I could bombard this post with summer memories....not one has to do with scrapbooking....thinking that is a winter sport for me, lol!

We have had a great summer! So relaxing and fun! Lots of water...pool, Beach Waterpark, Gulf Shores Alabama -- absolutely beautiful! Summer is my favorite time of year because I am off all season with the boys and just do what we want...coffee,morning talk shows, pool time, xbox, reading a good book, movies, bowling, hanging out, etc, etc.

Now, it is time for school...and I am ready! I am so excited about 23 new little Kindergarten kiddos who I get to teach 'everything' about school to...and I know they will teach me too. :)

I've had such a great summer with my kids...and I am so grateful that the end only means I get to start a new year (seasons) with some little kiddos who mean so much to me already too.

Have a great start to your school year...whether you teach, attend, or watch the busses go by. :)

Happy Summer!

Memorial Day weekend! It's finally summer. Yeah! :)

I am looking forward to those lazy, no school days ahead. We have a full day and a 1/2 day left this week and then we are free! :)

Today and tomorrow we are staying home and hanging out...pool, a little yard work, and reading a good book. Ahhhh...summer...so glad to see you!

Taking time to think about all who have and currently are serving in our military and their families. Thank you! Because of you my family has the freedom to choose to "hang out...pool, a little yard, work, and reading a good book".

Happy Summer Everyone! :)

Megan Elise

Delivered into this world and directly into God's hands on May 14, 1997.

I miss her so very much.

Altered mailbox :)

Love these papers. Hardest part was making the flag work. Decided to just go with Valentine's Day since now I'll actually have one finished before 2/14 next year and will only be rushing to make two more for the boys. ;)

Here are a few pics of how I made this...super easy altering...nothing fancy but it looks like it.

How many times can I say...

...how fun this all is??? I am so excited about all I am doing this weekend. I really, really, really don't want to go to work tomorrow!!!

Here is my layout for the kraft paper challenge. Another I have wanted to do for a while, and I picked up the papers when my Mom and I were at a Crop for the Cure a few years ago. It was really simple and fast, but with all the pics I have and want to scrap in my lifetime I really need to do this 'quick' scrapping more often. The part that took the longest today and yesterday, while thinking about this challenge, was figuring out what "Kraft" paper is....I finally found the answer at Robyn's (MPS) Facebook page...she said it's any paper that looks like wet sand...so here's my take on that challenge.

As for this page...I remember how scared J was when we bought this smaller quad...he didn't want to ride it himself. Now, there is no stopping any of them! :)

This may be my last post today...even though I really want to make the cupcake challenge (I can picture a group of cupcakes and the title 'Sweet Heart'), wanted to do the Mom challenge (have some beautiful purple paper with an overlay...thinking about how I never knew what being a mother would mean...how wonderful it is); and the altering challenge (I have three red mailboxes that I didn't use at Valentines' Day...thinking of making one into something else). So there are my ideas...if I don't make them in time for the challenge deadline Monday at least I have even more ideas rolling around in my brain. I LOVE SCRAPBOOKING!!! :)

Another MPS challenge completed this Mother's Day!

This NSBD...and really weekend for me...has been great because I have completed several layouts that have been in my head for years...seriously for years! I am so excited! :)

Happy Mother's Day...and more!

It's a great day at our house...we have nowhere to go and it's raining so we get to chill all day. Okay, I'll have to do some laundry -- or someone will. ;) The boys have a few projects to finish up that are due this week so we'll work on those -- that will definitely require Mom to help. :)

I had a great day yesterday scrapping for 8 hours, so I'm going to continue today. Yeah! I have one for the My Pink Stamper kid layout challenge that I want to finished and will submit (scanned and added above)....then I'll look back at the challenges I didn't do and see what strike my creativity today. Maybe the Mother's Day challenge...something about how I never knew just how rewarding it would be to be the Mom of these great boys. I also really want to do something for the cupcake challenge (#3 maybe?)....I have the cutest cupcakes on my Paisley Cricut cartridge that I want to play with....wish I had cupcake mix for inspiration.

I am skipping my workout today...but I've earned it and I will not feel guilt (for a change, lol). I have worked out as scheduled for 41 days straight (with the correct rest days inserted of course accordng to my trainer), but today I'm taking a Mom day...and I might even have some of those cinnamon rolls that DH is making for me. Yum!

So for anyone who actually reads my blog and is a Mother I wish you a great Mother's Day filled with whatever it is that makes you happy...time with kids and DH, skippin a workout, sweets, a favorite activity, etc. For all women who aren't Mother's in the 'traditional' sense I say Happy Mother's Day to you too. I know many women who don't have children but are Mothers to many...their pets, their students, a great Aunt and/or Godmother, and loving to all who know her...so to all women I say Happy Mother's Day!

Pink, green and black card

This one came to me instantly...my good friend is moving to Malaysia and I will miss her so much...I remembered a line from the play at school recently when Horton always says "An elephant never forgets"...and so this card for the My Pink Stamper NSBD challenge. The nose circle cheek below the eye is actually a dark pink like the heart on the card, but it wouldn't scan that way...very cute I think. ;)