Bridal Shower

Wanted to share a few pictures of the bridal shower. This teacher is so loved by her students and it was so sweet to see so many of them participate in the shower. One of the moms did the cake. One group of girls made her a cookbook and did such a sweet job on it. She was so cute she wore the apron I did for her the rest of the day. My boys are going to miss her.

It's official we are out of school. The boys got out yesterday and are already off and running today. This is probably our last full summer. Next summer tennis and football start the year early for them.

At the request of several 8th grade students I attended 8th grade graduation last night. It was so great to see the kids all dressed up. This was such a great class and being a sub for them has always been a delight. They begged me to sub in the high school but I told them they change in High School and I want to remember them just how they are. My kids weren't really sure why I went last night and I tried to explain that it's important for kids to know you believe in them. I hope one day if one of those 8th graders is feeling low, they'll remember a crazy substitute teacher that believed in them.

It's graduation weekend and it's going to be crazy around here. Hard to believe it's been a year since Emm graduated. Wow. Time Flies!!

Finished

This is how I finished the candy buffet and Emilee made this for her friend that is graduating this weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Productive Weekend

This has been such a productive weekend and it feels so good! Thought I would share some fruits of my labor.
Made Emme a new shirt and made the #2 shirt for a girl at works little boy. He's having a baseball birthday party.

Sorry for the awful picture but made a few candy diplomas for Emm's friends that are graduating. They are made with big smarties. I made little tags that say Congrats Grad, 09, and Dream Big. My friend Julie is doing these for her daughters graduation open house.

This is a T-shirt quilt I finished for Emilee's broken hearted ex- boyfriend. He is graduating from Vincennes and Emm had asked him for some of his special t-shirts to do this for him. She did help. The hardest part for me was cutting up his survivor t-shirt. He is a cancer survivor and such an amazing young man. He is coming to spend the day with us tomorrow and we are giving it to him then.

The boys have a wonderful language arts teacher and all the kids love her. So I thought it would be fun for the kids to throw her a shower. It's a kitchen theme and that way the kids can bring in a small kitchen item and we will fill up a basket for her. I found this cute apron and matching towel and potholder at Homegoods and put her new initial on it. I made the love frame and the cute photo album I had left from my store. Those are going to be gifts but I'm using them as table decorations. Her wedding colors are black, white and pink. A mom who is a cake decorator offered to bring in the cake. I am so excited to see her reaction. She is such a special teacher.

Whatever you're doing this weekend hope it's been fun. It just feels nice to be getting some things done.

Moving Day

Well, today is the day we get to move our girl home. Hubby and I are heading to Hanover as soon as the boys get on the bus. Emm is so ready to come home. Please be praying that she gets a job. She has been applying everywhere and nothing so far. It's hard getting out of school this late. This may be our last trip to Hanover and please be in prayer for that too. She wants to transfer to a AU a Christian University that she had considered earlier. Her dad and I totally support that. Sometimes you have to find the right fit for yourself. I am so proud of her and she has handled everything with the new school. She's becoming a grown up!!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Candy

So I am working on this candy buffet for a graduation open house and the colors are blue and white. Found some really cute ribbon but not sure if I want to use it on the jars or not. Any opinions?

Music Monday

I love this band and this song is awesome!!

Graduation Time

It's so hard to believe that a year ago I was planning our girls graduation. Emilee and I worked hard on the planning and ideas behind her big day. It seems it was a big hit and this year we are helping some others prepare for their big day. If you have a big celebration coming may I suggest just make it how you want it to be. Throw caution to the wind and make it fun. Don't worry if every things not perfect.(do you hear me Julie?) No one cares about your dust and if they do shame on them!! I thought I would repost a few pictures of our special day.

Catch Up

My people did this mommy proud. I got to have a wonderful spinach quiche with a mixed fruit cup on the side. I received a beautiful hanging basket and a glider for the front porch. The fellas let me go visit sissy for the day and we had a great time . We ate lunch on a boat that sits on the Ohio. Good lunch, spinach salad with blackened grilled chicken..yum. We walked around downtown Madison and even went to a flea market. These are random pictures we took .

The hanging basket is a gift to my friend who turned 40. I like to welcome all new members to the club. What club? The Fabulous Forties club. Membership comes whether you want it to or not. I like to remind new members that it's only a number and embrace it. So I wrote little tags with fun messages on them.

Last night was another literacy party and this time we tried very hard to reach our Hispanic population. We had 75, this was huge. I applaud these folks for coming out and trying to learn something new to help their children. I must tell you it was a tough gig. I love to talk and having to work with an interpreter was a little challenging . It made me think about all the challenges these families face. No one likes wearing shoes that don't fit!!

So many projects so little time!!!

Winner

We have a winner.....Rebecca!! Yes, comment #2 was pulled from the jar. So, Rebecca just shoot me an email with your address and I will get that in the mail to you.
Thanks for all that posted a comment and please remember your strengths and not so much about your weaknesses. God gave us all a gift set, it's just figuring out what it is and using it.

Congratulations to our lucky winner.

Giveaway

Well, it was my blogs 1 year anniversary this past weekend and I have a giveaway. Some yummy tea to sit and relax with as you are listening to your new Jeremy Camp CD. And how about you wear this fun Jesus loves you but I'm his favorite t-shirt. Throw in some fun glass magnets and a crocheted dishcloth and I think we have it covered.

Just leave me a comment and tell me what you are good at. Not your kids but one thing you do well. I know this can be hard but ladies lets concentrate on our strengths and not our weaknesses. I will select a winner this Saturday May 9th .

Thank you for all your blog support and I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you.

Big Hugs

Breaking Up

Whoever said breaking up is hard to do was so right but do you think they meant for the family? Our family adores our girls special fella but raising a strong young woman that thinks for herself can be rough. This is one of those times. He's graduating and she's just starting and being a
pre-med student she has a long road ahead. What a smart girl to determine you just don't have time for a relationship, how wise to take your studies seriously, to be focused on your dreams couldn't make us prouder, but does this mean we have to break up with him too? Apparently it does.
I take comfort knowing that for many years we have been praying that someday the Lord would sent to her, her BOAZ. I pray she will be open and ready for that. I know that God has plans for both of these young people.
So lets pray for young love and broken hearts.

Blast Off

Cafeteria where we have snack (those milk cartons can be rough for little hands to open)

Conversation activity

Math activity with skittles

Reading

I wanted to share pictures of what I have been working on . Spring brings kindergarten round -up and kindergarten blast off. These are two of my favorite events. Test scores are showing that 60% of our children entering kindergarten are not prepared. This is how my job was created. We are grant based and concentrate on reaching families birth to 5. We share so many neat things and I decided that next week I will share one of the techniques with you. But for today I wanted to share our kindergarten blast off event. We work with the teachers and create sessions for the kids to do with their parents. We do writing, math, and reading. The families receive all kinds of activities to practice over the summer and the kids favorite part ...the bus rides. This event brings a comfort to the children and their parents on what is expected. It's not like when I was in school and we went to school to learn. They have to know so many things. We just read our surveys and it's so wonderful when a parent tells you that their child feels so much better about coming to school. They love all the activities and are excited about kindergarten. All parents want their children to succeed . I am thankful for this job and feel so blessed that I get to contribute to the future of our youth.

I would be glad to share any info I have, just shoot me an email.