Valentine's Fun

Lilly and I decided it would be super fun to have a  crafting Valentine's Day Soiree. 

We invited eight of her creative buddies and got the party started.

  We made valentine's from craft foam,

a garland from wrapping paper,

friendship pins,

and gluten-free peanut butter balls!

So messy and fun!

Robots and Hearts

Here are some hand made Valentine decorations the Kiddos and I made to decorate our lovely home.  Enjoy!

I actually roped Hannah and her friends (who were over for a movie night) into making hearts for this lovely garland

Tissue paper sun catchers were a blast to make

Look how lovely the light is through the paper

Love-Bots!

Our Family of Love-Bots!

Solitude

After a very busy weekend and a "snow day" home from school, I am happy to say that I have a quiet house to myself for a few hours.

I know what you are thinking: LUCKY!

In case you may think I will be running around the house in my underwear and sunglasses while singing classic rock songs into my hairbrush, I will share with you how I plan to spend those few quiet hours in gruelling, agonizing hardship.

I have a book on tape to finish.

I need to finish invitations for Lilly's Valentine's Day party.

I need to make valentine's for both Lilly and Emmett's classes.

I need to find out if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. (Happy Ground Hog Day!)

AND, if I have enough time left, I need to make some plans for our Chinese New Year dinner tomorrow night.

Whew!  How do I ever find the time?

Again? The Mystery of the Lost Snow Storm

I woke up this morning at 5:20am like usual.  Since there had been a threat of freezing rain during the night, I asked Hannah to check to make sure school had not been delayed.  She grumpily assured me that everything was normal so we both got ready for Seminary.

At around 6:02 Hannah and I were the only ones sitting in my basement.  Feeling slightly suspicious of the fact there were not 13 other sleepy teenagers sharing the lovely church issued table, I asked Hannah to check once again about school.  And lo and behold, school had been closed for the day!  

With wide grins and a few grumbles that we were both awake when we could have been sleeping, Hannah and I made our way upstairs.  We waited a few minutes to make sure no one came.  Four students showed up (late I might add) and were shewed away amongst joyous calls.

But the thing that really bothers me is where did the bad weather go?  Sure it rained during the night, but there was no ice I could detect.  And what about the call for snow?

I find it quite hilarious that our district cancels school at the THREAT of snow.  No snow present needed to win.

I guess this former Ohioan just doesn't get it.

Chinese New Year

Today was one of those days that flew by in a rush.  I can barely recall its beginning or ending.  But I sure remember the middle.

I had the fun pleasure of being the craft organizer for our annual FCC (Families with Children from China) celebration of Chinese New Year.  Of course, I was super excited to come up with some ideas that would be indicative of New Year and The Year of the Rabbit.  Here's what I came up with:

1. The ever so popular Chinese lantern.  They looked amazing strung up across the tables!

This is one of the lanterns Emmett made after we took it home.

2. Shakers to be used in the Dragon parade.  Funny, enough the children were too busy being dragons that they forgot to use their shakers!  Oh well.

Can you guess which children are Lilly and Emmett?  I'll give you a hint: they are not in Chinese clothing!

3. Shrink-a-dink rabbit necklaces and zipper pulls.  This was a HUGE hit.  I literally spent 4 hours helping children (I think there were about 60 kids) trace, color, cut, punch, and string beads.  My fingers were raw when we were finished.  But they were totally fab!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Here we are in our matching Chinese t-shirts!  What a CUTE family!

 

Snow Day

I don't know why, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  That's how I felt this morning anyway when I saw Hannah quietly cuddled up in blankets enjoying a sleep in on this snow day.

That's when it hit me that I should probably wake her up...by singing OPERA of course!

So, with a lung full of air and a suppressed grin, I tiptoed to the bed and let it rip!  I hit some notes that I am certain only dogs can hear.

With a startled yelp she opened her eyes, sat up , and announced "I'm awake!"

Music to my ears.   

Sick Day

Lilly stayed home with a 100.8 degree temperature.  She was so excited.

It is not often that Lilly and I get a day alone, so we had to fill it with some creative collaborations.  We decided to make some Valentine's Day decorations for her upcoming party.

First, we made a paper chain to drape across our dining room chandelier.  All it took was 6 - 12x12 scrapbook papers in pink and red colors and a stapler (we tried double sided tape at first, but it was not doing so well with the thicker paper).  Lilly had to take some time to figure out how to successfully hold the paper and stapler at the same time.  But after a few times, she was a pro!

Still struggling to figure it out.

Got it!

Look at Lilly modeling our paper boa!

Finished product - but looks a bit plain...

 

Then, we decided we needed to make a tissue paper flower to fancy it up a bit (we ARE Fancy Nancy fans after all).  Lilly had a fun time helping me fold the paper and hang our beautiful flower.

Fold 10 sheets of tissue paper accordion style.

Tie a pipe cleaner tightly around the middle.  Make sure to make a loop with the extra for hanging.

Pull five sheets one direction, and five the other direction.

Now that is MUCH fancier!

Not a bad start to our party decorations!