Mama Clicks: Sugar Baby Sydney

Delivering a pizza kid? WHAT IS THIS POSE?

Don't say it, I already know... I've been serving up NEGLECT here lately and that is no way to treat you! I know and I'm sorry...  If it makes you feel any better, I'm learning that I can't have multiple hobbies at one time... Well, more like I can't give the appropriate attention to all of the things I love to do as long as I have this stinkin' 9-5 (and a house, hubby and child that don't clean or cook for themselves, LOL).  By way of update, I've been photographing the people I love.  So, rather than a whole butt load of words, I'll allow the labors of love to speak for themselves (in a mini weekend read series)...

Here's some yummy baby cheeks to love:

Baby Sydney

Baby Sydney has an amazing story already.  She came 2.5 months early and weighed in at 2.5 lbs.  I first met her 2 days after she came home (maybe 2 will be her lucky number?) when she crashed her own baby shower, lol.  At 1 month old, she was 4 pounds of pure brown sugar and I got to take some shots to document this tiny "tough" girl.  Here's one of my favorite shots:

Just a real life baby doll... No seriously, she was the size of a small doll and just as cute too!

:::

Tune in tomorrow for more photos; I've been busy...

Guess who's baaaaack?

Weekend In Review: Zumbatomic!

O, Islanders! Do you remember when I told you about this website that offers activities for youth in my area? Well, it is awesome!  I found a youth zumbatomic class for Munchface and we LOVE it!

Rehearsal warm-ups!

I signed Munch up for the class to have a scheduled run-around time and it's grown into a group of friends and buckets of fun!  

The crew (because that's what you call cool people who dance together) even had the fabulous opportunity to perform this past weekend in our community's Multi-Cultural Festival.  They were a crowd favorite and landed a feature in 2 local papers!!

WE were ready with our shirts, lol.

The crew about to go on stage!

Getting into position.

She struck a pose after her performance. Loves the personalized headbands!

After their routines we enjoyed yummy BBQ, funnel cakes, Caribbean lemonade, performances and FUN BELLY DANCING lessons! 

Munch INITIALLY wasn't feeling the whole shaking and wiggling but she loosened up...

It didn't take long for Munch to get the hang of things (can you see her little back and arms?):

We also met Miss Northern Virginia and Jr. Miss Northern Virginia... They were really sweet and taught the girls how to pose like a pageant girl!

Aside from Zumba rehearsals, we've...

Been on family dates:

Planted MORE plants (beans and seeds from school) in our cheetah ears with daddy this time:

Received awesome gifts from co-workers:

Been treated to just-because you shampoo-ed the carpets and I didn't help pamper days:

Started scrubbing carpets, painting walls and scheduling contractors to beautify our home (they come this weekend *SQUEAL*)... All in all, LIFE in the fast lane is going well... Busy but blessed :)

::Wiggling to Zumba music::

So, what's shakin' with you?

Teacher Appreciation Week: Gift Ideas!

Another FREE printable! Get yours here!

This week (May 7-11, 2012) is Teacher Appreciation Week!  Our family always makes and purchases small gifts for Munch's childcare providers.  I just want them to know just how much I trust and appreciate the love they show my daughter while I'm away (seriously, it's some second mama action going on). 

This is our first time celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with our big girl school staff so we are VERY excited to show up and show out!  I've been collecting some ideas and I thought I'd share my favorites (along with some ideas to tweak them to meet our needs). Let me know what you think!

Framed Desktop Print

I fell in love with this free little printable:

I think I'd place it in a white 5X7 Ikea frame with a pretty ribbon... Wouldn't it make a great gift box topper?

Blooming Beautiful Gift

First, I love this gift because you can make it to be whatever you'd like! My favorite part is the FREE printable labels for the potted plant.  Check them out here.  I could totally see one of our mug arrangements with the little tag... I think Munch will love putting something small together for her teacher that included a little desktop arrangement.

QUICK and EASY Candy Bar

Another free printable that will turn a simple candy bar into something special...

Swedish Fish Gift

This website has an adorable free printable that will transform a bag of plain ol' Swedish fish into a fancy EASY gift for teachers!

And So...

Source


...many...

Source

...more!


Source

Why do we celebrate teachers every year?  On any given day, my child spends more time with her teacher and child care providers than with us.  As a result, her teachers help lay a solid foundation for my daughter BRICK by BRICK.  Plus, in the short time I spend on homework I can't help but thank God for the patience every teacher must possess... They truly are a blessing!

“Without teacher appreciation there can’t be any student progress.” - Theresa Grimm

How will you show your gratitude to those who teach?

Budget-Friendly Mother's Day Ideas

Isn't that an adorable free printable?  Like it? Click here to print your free copy!

Mother's Day is around the corner and, because it falls on a Sunday (when I'm teaching Sunday School), I have a few ideas for cute gifts to do and make with children.  Check them out:

Mug Floral Arrangement #1

I have a new obsession with succulents and cacti.  They are hardy plants that grow slowly and make the PERFECT addition to desktop arrangements!

  

Steps

1. Gather supplies.

- White Mug

- Sharpie markers

- Cactus dirt

- Succulents/cactus plant(s)

2.  Use the permanent markers to color the mugs. Note: permanent markers require close supervision (they ruin clothes, stain floors and can be toxic if placed in the mouth)!

3. Plant the succulent and/or cactus in the mug.

OPTIONAL: Add a tag or make a card with the following quote:

"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.  Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends - but only one mother in the whole world." - Kate Douglas Wiggin"

Painted Artwork

Source

1. Gather supplies:

- Frames(Dollar Tree)

- Construction paper(Dollar Tree)

- Markers (Dollar Tree)

- Printer Paper

- Blow dryer

- Paint brushes (Dollar Tree)

- Plastic cups half-full with water

1. Remove the caps from the markers and turn them upside down in the water.  Let the colors leak in to the water to create washable (CHEAP) water color!

2.  Have the children paint a water color for the moms.

3.  When they finish, use the blow dryer to expedite drying.

4. Trace the glass of a frame onto your mat guide piece of construction paper.  Use a ruler to determine how wide you'd like your mat to be.  Cut the square out and set it aside for the mat guide.

5.  Let each child pick a construction paper "mat" for their frame.  Use your guide to cut the center square out of the piece of construction paper.then the glass to trim the edges.

6. In the corner of the mat, write "A custom piece created by: ___" and have the children autograph the mat.

Place the artwork in the frame and VOILA! You're done.

Mug Arrangement #2

1. Gather supplies.

- Mug

- Stickers (garden-themed)

- Floral sponge

- Fresh cut flowers (I purchased the seasonal packs of flowers from Walmart)

- Spanish moss.

2.  Cut the floral foam to fit your mug. Note: the foam should fit tightly in the mug (I prefer to cut a square so the corners can catch the mug's sides).

3. Remove the foam from the mug and soak in water for 20-30 seconds.  Replace the foam in the mug.

4. Cut your flowers the desired length and poke them into the foam.  Use a varied height for visual interest. The kids love to pick the flowers they want and to "style" their arrangements.

5. Cover any visible foam with spanish moss.

6. Let the kids decorate the mug with stickers.

OPTIONAL: Add a tag or make a card with the following quote:

"Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over." -George Cooper

I love the mug Munch made in my Sunday School class when she was 3... It holds supplies on my desk at work :)

Mom & Me (M&M) Gift

I came up with this idea when the Spring collection of M&Ms went on sale after Easter a few years back... I purchased several bags of the pretty colors to create cute little gift bags with pretty ribbons.  I had tags that read, "M&Ms are great but there's nothing like Mom & Me moments!"

Like this idea?

Check out this post for a cute game with children to talk about pleasant memories and things they love about their moms!  I might do this with my mommy just to see what we say :)

>.<

As a mom, I can tell you nice gifts are... nice but it's thoughtful gifts that are... PRICELESS!  Plus, it's always a nice gesture to have something made by the little ones for parents (moms, dads, god, grands, etc.) to cherish.

I'll be back with more ideas next week.  These are just a few to get your FRUGAL Friday started :)

Here's hoping you have a great weekend!