Busy Busy Busy

These last two months have been crazy busy in my house.  I have had major party, event or project one right after another.  But now I am able to take a deep breath before I have to get ready for my daughter's birthday party in a couple of week.  Stay tuned for that... it is going to be so much fun.

But for now, I am going to share a hodge podge of projects I have been working on these past few months.

We had our school carnival.  Each class is asked to do a classroom project to auction off at the silent auction.  For Ella's class i created this growth chart.  We measured each kid and had them sign their name.  Then on the back side, I included the numbers and marks, so that the winner could use it for their own family.  

The growth chart is so easy to make. I bought the piece of wood already cut at Lowe's (72" X 18").  I stained it a dark mahogany stain and sealed it with polyurethane.  Then I used a permanent marker and stenciled on the numbers and used a ruler and marker to make the marks.  Easy!

Then I was asked to decorate a table for our stake's women's conference.  My table was on Family Home Evening.  I decorated it with the message: FHE as easy as 1, 2, 3.  1) Music.  2) Lesson.  3) Activity.

I already did a post on the Youth Etiquette Dinner I was responsible for.  Here is the vase I made for my centerpiece.  I got this nice sized vase at Target for $10.  I used masking tape and taped it about 2/3 up the side of the vase.  Then I used modge podge and glittered the bottom of the vase.  I did two coats and it was gorgeous. Exactly what i wanted!

I was in charge of my daughter's teacher's birthday!  I made asked all the parents to contribute gift cards and I put them all together in a big bouquet.  Also, I made this cute button for her to wear all day so everyone would know it was her birthday.  Here is the link to how to make this easy, super cute button!  Lastly, I brought treats for her and the kids.  The kids got capri suns and she got a nice cold Diet Coke (her favorite drink).  I love my kid's teachers. They are the best!

Hannah had her solar system project due this month.  Together we made the prettiest solar system around.  We used a lot of glitter and rhinestones, but why not.  If you don't know this about me by now.... I love glitter and things that sparkle... and Hannah is becoming just like her mother :-)

YM YW Etiquette Dinner

I was asked to be a "specialist" for an young men/ young women Etiquette Dinner activity for our ward.  Now, let me come right out and say... I am not a specialist in any way when it comes to etiquette,  in fact I am quite the opposite.  I don't cut my lettuce into smaller pieces (I actually try to avoid my knife when I can).  I haven't let my husband open my door for me at times (too impatient) and  I can never remember what side the forks and knives go on... so like i said - NOT AN EXPERT!

But I am decent at throwing a good shin dig and I can research etiquette online so I guess I am qualified :-)

I decided to do it formal... the whole nine yards.  Fancy decorations, real place settings, 4 course meal and the kids had to RSVP.   The theme of the evening was "A Black and White Etiquette Affair".   The colors of the night were black, white and silver or glitter!  The kids were to dress up in black and white and we were going to place them in a date-like setting. 

The invitations

I had each YW leader be in charge of one table.  They were to decorate it how ever they would like using the color scheme.  I wanted the tables to be nice, formal and fancy.  I definitely wanted to use napkins, goblets and all the silverware (soup spoon, salad fork, etc).  Boy oh boy, the leaders did not disappoint!  They went over the top.  The tables were so nice and so fun.  I also wanted the cultural hall to be magical... so of course we had the YM leaders string up white christmas lights!  It was so great!

Some of the fabulous tables the leaders decorated!

This is a horrible picture, but you can kinda see what it looked like with the lights.

This is my table.  I put Lindor Lindt chocolates in the boxes.  And I used the freezer paper technique to stencil on the word "eat" on each napkin.  I have been wanted to do this and this was the perfect occasion.

When the kids arrived, before they went into opening exercises, I had the boys and girls write their names on slips of paper and the boys put there names into a top hat.  The girls placed their names into some elegant high heel shoes.

Here is the table as the kids went into the chapel.  Also, these are the auction paddles we used for the etiquette quiz.

We had opening exercises and they I told the kids what the plan was for the evening and I began drawing names.  I reminded the kids that part of their etiquette was not to react in a "disrespectful" way when the names were drawn (no laughing, snickering, groaning) and the boys were to treat the ladies like they were on a formal date.  Their first act of etiquette was to walk them to the cultural hall and pull out their chair for the girls to sit at the table.

We then had an adult give a 10-15 minutes talk on the importance of manners.  Why should we be polite and use manners and that there is more to etiquette than just eating with the correct fork.  For instance: social etiquette, respect adults, look people in the eye when talking to them, etc.

Then I gave the kids a quiz.  I had multiple choice questions and true false.  I made auction paddles with A, B, C, D and T (true) and F (false) for each table.  Together as a table they were supposed to decide what the answer was to the questions and hold up for correct paddle.  This was to make it interactive and a group effort.

Then it was finally time for dinner.  We served a potato soup, salad, lasagna and green beans with a skewer of strawberries with garnish.  And then ice cream sundaes (ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, toffee bits and a cherry on top).

The YM leaders where the servers.  They were fabulous.  They worked hard and made the kids feel like they were at a fancy restaurant!  One leader even serenaded the kids... how great is he!  The YW leaders were in the kitchen getting the food ready for the servers.

As the kids ate each course, I would discuss with them the do's and dont's of eating soup.  Or  how to eat a salad.  I went over what utensil to use, how to know which cup is yours.  What to do with your napkin when you leave the table and where you place your silverware when you are done with it.  I taught them as they were eating, so they could put the new information to use as they ate.

At the end, the YW president gave a quick thought and we let the kids go.  It truly was a great evening and it was fun to be with the youth again.  The leaders in my ward are the best and go all out for the youth and the youth were so well-behaved and fun.  All in all, it was a great night!

PS - I wasn't able to get picture of the kids all dressed up and enjoying the evening.   My camera died.. so hopefully I can get some from other leaders and post them soon.

The little things

This last week or so we had some fun events in our house.

Ella lost her first tooth! She was so excited and has been showing everyone she meets.

Hannah got the True Blue character award. She was sick the month she was supposed to get it, so her teacher postponed it a month so she could get her big award.

Not so fun: is that graham has had back to back ear infections. Followed by jake and Ella (I am pretty sure this is ella's first one ever) getting matching ear infections too. Thank heavens for antibiotics.

Conference weekend

This weekend is general conference weekend. It is where we stay home in our pajamas (at least that is what we do) and listen to messages of faith from our church leaders.

Last time I put together done buckets of goodies for the kids with pictures of the 12 apostles on each goodie. Whenever one spoke, they looked for their picture and got to eat, use or play with that particular goodie.

The kids loved it, so we did it again this weekend. The first thing the kids asked about where the goodie buckets! I don't know if they listen to the talks any better, but they do learn and care about who is talking, so I consider that success. They also LOVE general conference weekend now. And so do I!

Whoopie pies

I have come to the conclusion that my signature dessert might be whoopie pies. Some people do cupcakes, some decorated cookies others bundt cakes (I like those too), but I really like whoopie pies. My next quest is to come up with my "secret" recipe and method that is my favorite.

For our school carnival's cake walk, I made what else? Whoopie pies. I used this recipe that was super easy (from a box easy) but really super yummy! I used her frosting recipe too, but I threw in 4 oz. of cream cheese, because frosting with cream cheese is soo much better!

I wrapped the little yummy cakes in freezer paper and taped them with washi tape! So cute and so stinkin' easy. I need to find a cuter container than generic bread tin, but given my week, this would have to do. Then wrap It all in cellophane and a ribbon and wa-laa.

Little tiny cake happiness!

Easter

We had a great Easter this year.  We were finally home for once which was very nice.  We went over to our good friend's house on Saturday night for dinner with friends, swimming and the kids got to have a easter egg hunt.  They loved waiting for the eggs to be hidden and then loved searching for the eggs.  Jake loved looking for orange eggs.  The kids loved it so much that the hunt was over in about 7 minutes :-)

This is Jakey's smile these days.  I tell him to smile and this is what I get.  Hi Pirate, nice to meet you!

On Sunday, the kids woke up to their baskets.  Jake loved looking to see what was in each egg.  No matter what was in the egg, was a wonderful surprise to him.  Then we went to church and had a nice church meeting.  Talks, music and lessons were all so good!  Another reason the day was so nice was because Chris didn't have any church meetings, he was home all day!

After church I tried to get a picture of the kids in their Easter outfits.  This was the best I could do!  My little Graham usually is so good to smile for the camera, but not this day... that little stinker!

Then I cooked dinner.  We had honey baked ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and homemade rolls shaped like bunnies.  The kids LOVED the ham and the rolls... but why won't they, Honey baked hams are the best and cute rolls :-)

Later that night, we watched the church videos about the resurrection of Christ.  The kids love these new bible videos and so do Chris and I.  The kids always watch them quietly and with interest.  Hannah always has tons of questions and I love being able to teach her the important things of the gospel.  The kids loved the part where the soldiers are scared by the angels at the tomb.  They like that the soldiers look dizzy.  We had to watch that video a few times :-)

It was a very pleasant holiday celebrating the greatest event in history.. the resurrection of our Savior!  I wish every day were like this!