the dreaded teacher's gift

It's the one thing I usually have the hardest time with, but this year I'm on the ball. I knew from the get-go just exactly I was going to do. So on top of it, I even remembered to plant the amaryllis bulb 6 weeks before Christmas so that it would be blooming or close to blooming by the time we gave it to Mrs. Schnell. It's growing right along and it will be beautiful with a bit of moss shoved on top when it's finally ready to give.

The bulb is planted in a tin can which has been decoratively covered in paper. I used scrap book paper, but I've used wrapping paper in the past too. I attached a handmade envelope with a card that slides out which holds a gift card ($10 to Target...who wouldn't love that?). Ta-Da...teacher gift!

This year Colin also has a teacher's helper. She checks the mad-minute math tests and tests the kids on their sight words and spelling. She also helps in the reading group for the advanced readers in his class (Proud Mama moment--Colin's in her group :) Sorry for bragging...). Anyway, I felt that I should acknowledge her in some way...she's a really sweet lady and possibly volunteers her time (?) I'm not sure. I decided a handmade ornament might be nice...

This was a kit I bought a couple of years ago by Basic Grey. I'm glad to finally use it and it turned out super cute! I'm debating if I should also do a gift certificate for her too? Maybe some cookies? Suggestions anyone?

Merry Christmas to our feathered friends

Here's our birdie treat ornaments that we made. It was simple...easy for Ty (my three year old) to do, but messy!

Use a cookie cutter to cut a shape out of a slice of bread. Poke a hole in the top with a pencil. Brush an egg white onto the bread and press the birdseed on top. Let it dry. Then thread a piece of ribbon or yarn ( I used twine...it's the best, right Sarah?) through the hole and tie it to a tree branch as a treat for the birds.

Two proud boys...(one incredibly cold mama taking the picture). We didn't get to stay out long...8 degrees? Are you kidding me? I hate winter!

It's beginning to look...a little bit like Christmas?

This year...I must admit...I'm a little less eager to decorate for Christmas. Maybe it's because of this...
Or, because of these...

or perhaps a bit of both :)! But, I'm sure, due to my "advanced maternal age" all I want to do is sit my fat fanny on the couch and put my swollen ankles up! Still we've managed to get some stuff done...

Our sweet little gingerbread house...Chris is quite the gingerbread house artist, I must say!

Our version of "elf on the shelf". This elf watched over me back in the day...if my parents had only had enough vision to write a book... :).

The reason for the season...

Our tree...a bit sparse...but decorated with love by the boys. We just left the ornaments where they put them for the most part...

"Joy to the world"... simple, but I like simple...

Our unconventional advent candles...

Christmas mischief...they're changing the oil :)!

It's amazing to me with my somewhat "bah humbug" Christmas mood how my kids are somewhat immune to it (thank God). Their JOY at Christmas does lift my spirits and takes me back to a time when Christmas was nothing but JOY and MAGIC! It makes me appreciate my parents more...I never saw "behind the curtain" to witness the stress of the holidays...it makes me want to be a better parent. And so I'm off to make bird food ornaments for our feathered friends...because it's fun for them...