It's Impossible to Have a Rotten Birthday in Kindergarten

When I got to work this morning, Susan had this card and gift for me on the table along with some Coke and Diet Coke (which I very much appreciate, but you all know what those look like, so no pictures).

The students sang to me and asked how old I am. I confessed that I am 49 and one little girl said "WOW. That's older than my dad!" 

I'm so glad my birthday landed on a school day. Kids make it fun. :)

Thanks again Susan. I adore working with you!

Teacher Assistant Gift

Today was the last day of Kindergarten and Susan gave this to me...

Wrapped up in the middle of the beach towel was this matching insulated cup.

Thank you Susan. You are an amazing teacher and friend. Now that school is out and the wedding is over, "Chill Out" is exactly what I intend to do!

Katelyn's Bridal Shower

Katelyn's aunt Cindy and cousin Maddison threw her a bridal shower this afternoon. We had a great time. Here are some pictures of the adorable decor, delicious food and fun...

Open House

Entry Way Decor

A Sweet Little Banner

Yummy Food (Oops. There were rolls in the basket.)

I love how Cindy and Maddi put the salad bowls inside the flower pots.

The yummiest Greek salad I've ever eaten (better than Olive Garden's and I love Olive Garden)!

Drink station and cute chalkboard tin with paper plates.

Knock Off Swig Sugar Cookies to make mini fruit pizzas.

Gift opening time...

My daughter and daughter-in-law. They're beautiful.

My newest grandson Asher. (Cindy made me take her face out of the photo.)

Flowers in pots as favors...

Maddison and Katelyn

Thank you so much Cindy and Maddi. You really ought to be professional party planners! 

A Very Special Twelve Days of Christmas

A few years ago, a very kindhearted person did The Twelve Days of Christmas for Cody. That individual (or individuals) will probably never know how happy their actions made my son. It only took a couple of nights for Cody to get into the swing of answering the door and finding packages left specifically for him. Each evening until Christmas, Cody greatly anticipated the sound of the doorbell. To this day, I have no idea who Cody's secret angel was, but I do know from the gifts and poems left each night, Cody's giver knew him rather well. 

Regrettably, I did not save every message/ gift that was left during those memorable twelve days, but I did keep half of them. They were...

Day 5- Five Christmas Stories
Day 6- Six Symbols of the Lord (all I kept was the Legend of the Candy Cane)
Day 8- Eight Candy Bars
Day 9- Nine Chocolate Chip Muffins
Day 10- The Ten Commandments
Day 11- A Bar of Ivory Soap

This is funny, however, I used to threaten my kids with dish soap or pepper. ;)

And this note was left for Cody on the last day...

If only I could speak with this anonymous person(s), I would thank them for remembering my son during that holiday season. Considering whom our Savior spent His time with during His mortal ministry, I would say Cody's friend was undoubtedly following Christ's example.

(See Matthew Chapter 9).

What Father's Day Looks Like at Our House

Don woke up this morning to...

Katelyn put it together for her dad, using everything

she could think of with the word "Pop".

The idea came from the blog Me and My Insanity.

And Cody gave his dad this...

I told Cody we were giving his dad $100 to get his truck

buffed, but he came up with the poem on his own, because his

dad is such a vain, whiny, agitated person. Just kidding!

Happy Father's Day Don!

Coca-Cola Tuk Tuk

My daughter's best friend spent the last four months in Thailand teaching English to Thai children. Sunday night, she came to our house bearing gifts. Imagine my surprise when she gave me an adorable Coca-Cola Tuk Tuk (Taxi) for my collection.

I asked my son to take more than one picture of the Tuk Tuk, so you can see the fine details...

Flag Side

Top View

Notice the perfectly centered "Coca-Cola" back seat.

Driver's Seat

Check out the spare tire. Cute!

Front View

This is definitely my new favorite Coca-Cola Collectible. Thank you so very much for thinking of me Kaitlen!

Beer Time?

My sons, Casey and Chase, and their close friends have their own language that they speak to one another. The boys will pick two words out of a phrase and switch the beginning letters. They call it "Eaking Spenglish". Let me give you a few examples: 'thanks dude' turns into 'danks thude', 'no problem' becomes 'pro noblem', 'I'm going to take a shower' changes to 'I'm going to shake the tower'. You get the idea.

Anyway, Katelyn and I went to Santa's Workshop (a craft fair of sorts) last November and a vender there was selling signs made from old license plates. Buyers had the option to purchase the signs on display or have one custom made. Katelyn and I spotted a sign that said 'Beer Time' and I mentioned to her that I should buy it for Casey, since he just bought his first home and could use some masculine wall decor. Katelyn agreed, but came up with a brilliant idea to have Casey's sign custom made to say 'Teer Bime' instead.

On Christmas morning, both of my boys laughed when Casey unwrapped his gift. Neither of them could believe I purchased a wall hanging in "Spenglish" let alone one that condones drinking alcohol.

Here is the magnificent work of art...

Bad Valentine Gifts

With the exception of buying me a fishing pole for Mother's Day once, my husband has been a fairly thoughtful gift giver.


I watched the following clip on Ellen today and had to post it on my blog. Men can be so blasted funny!

A Special Kind of Friend

Back in August of 2010, I wrote a post about how Katie, an employee at Cody's day program, sent home this note...


To read the post in its entirety, click here.


Katie left the day program to teach English in Korea. Apparently she is back in the states, because I found these items in Cody's backpack this afternoon...

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?!

Katie knows Cody well. He loves it!

Cody Learning to Play His New Air Guitar...

Christmas Day 2011

Etnies and Autism Speaks

I was looking at shoes online and learned that Etnies, a brand my boys have worn for years, has teamed up with Autism Speaks. Please take a moment and look at the "Autism Speaks" shoes on etnies.com. A portion of the proceeds of Etnies Autism Speaks Collection will be donated to Autism Speaks to help raise awareness, fund autism research and develop resources and treatments for those on the spectrum.

I also encourage you to watch a short video on Etnies Blog about the co-branded footwear.



These shoes would make terrific gifts for Christmas. I know Cody will be getting at least one pair from Santa.

Go Etnies!!!

Thanksgiving Treat Mix

Here's a super cute idea for Thanksgiving...

Source: caramelpotatoes.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Baby Shower Ideas

My aunt Cindy and I recently hosted a baby shower that had two BIG hits...

1) A Diaper Cake

2) Mary Janes made from double-sided scrapbook paper and filled with mints, pink M&M's, and Hershey Kisses

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you are interested in downloading the pattern for these adorable shoes, click on the following link...
 
Mary Jane Candy Holder

 

For a diaper cake tutorial, click here...

 

Diaper Cake
 

For more baby shower ideas, check out my post Asher's Baby Shower.




 

Gifts That Say Something

Over the years, I have ordered several items for Cody (visually impaired) from Speak to Me Catalog. They offer numerous talking products such as: electronic and plush toys, watches, clocks, kitchen items, calculators, graduation gifts and much more.

You can browse and order items from Speak to Me Catalog by visiting their website http://www.speaktomecatalog.com/ . They also have a link in the bottom right hand corner of their home page, where you can request to have a free catalog sent to your home.

"Thank You For Being Awesome."

Remember my co-worker friend John? He's the one who went in for an Angiogram and came home with a uterus. (To read how something like that can happen, click here .)  Anyway,  it's teacher appreciation week at school and this morning John came into the classroom to show me something one of the students gave him. He was so happy about it, he had it laminated and is taking it home to frame.

And, just so you know, I wasn't completely excluded from acts of kindness. Look at what one of the Kindergarten girls and her mom brought me...