No-Sew Apron

I've been meaning to make little dishtowel aprons for Millie and her cousins. I've had the towels in my craft bin for a while now. When we were snowed in this weekend, I craved crafting. I was definitely short on supplies, so my ultimate design was limited by what I had on hand. I'm not really a zebra-print kind of gal, but given the circumstances, I think it turned out cute. It's way big for Millie. She has to double the tie around her waist. Truth be known, it's a perfect fit for me. Haha. But Millie's it is!
I had originally planned for this to be a little practice-sewing project, but my machine's at mom's and Millie's bobbin is well I don't exactly know, and that's the problem.
Anyway, a dishtowel, some ribbon, fabric glue and a few embellishments later, Millie has another apron for her collection, and the crafting was temporarily out of my system. Temporarily.

Special Delivery

Could not resist making a mail slot for Millie's desk while she was at school today.

Snow Day No. 2

And schools have been cancelled in anticipation of another tomorrow!

So About This Cupid Thing ...

Yeah, I kind of got out of control buying for the kids this afternoon. And well, then I got to thinking, if they have buckets, they need to be filled. And if they have to be filled, who's gonna do it? The Valentine's fairy? Romeo? Yes, out. of. control. Traditionally, our valentines to the kids have been a box of candy, a book and a Barbie or some other, as Brother would say, "manly" toy. And they've come from us, mommy and daddy.
That box of candy, it's special. It's tradition -- one my Daddy started with me and mom years ago. He is a pharmacist. When I was little, he worked in a real pharmacy in a small town, like he walked to work, people. You know, the pharmacy wasn't one of those chain things either. There were real people behind the counter who knew you and your daddy and your daddy's daddy, who really cared about your well-being. No windows, no microphones, no 'tudes. Honeycutt Drugstore had a little gift shop in the front. On Valentine's Day, Daddy walked home from work like he did every day, but on Valentine's day he always had a large heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates for us ... Always. And opening that box and savoring every morsel was the highlight of our evening. I remember that ... vividly. And how loved I felt. And well, that deserves to be passed on from me ... not Cupid. Love you, Daddy!

V is for Valentine's

Be still my heart. Valentine's Day with the kiddos just may get my heart a pumpin' again, just what I need to awake from this winter hibernation.
I'm co-room mother for Brother's class. His little party will be short and sweet. I made these cute little cards as invitations to parents. He and his classmates will have heart-shaped doughnuts and juice, do a craft and exchange valentines cards. There will also be a story time. I'm in charge of the doughnuts and juice boxes. I'm looking for a way to jazz up the boxes. I'm considering using these or something similar.
Since the party and attention spans are so short, I'll be providing their "mailboxes" for their valentines. Paper plate holders! Remember these?

Brother has chosen Toy Story 3 valentines with tattoos.
It should be a fancy little simple soiree for the PS3-3-dayers! I plan to dress him in his red tie and vest, jeans and sneakers. What a handsome little valentine he will be!
As for Millie Bug, well she's been busy planning her own little valentine love fest, complete with name "badges," papercut hearts and a list of trinkets to fill her classmates' buckets. She, like me, prefers lists. So here's her little list:
1. These paper treat bags.
2. Decorated felt bookmarks.
3. The name badges.
4. The paper hearts.
5. Hello Kitty valentines cards with pencils.
6. These adorable lollipops with mustaches and lips. I think the rainbows will get a kick outta those.
7. Some sugary goodness yet to be determined.
She's steadily been working on our Valentine's Day tree at home. We wanted some cookie cutter ornaments but didn't have the money for them. When she realized there were heart ornaments in the treasure chest at school, she has taken great care to use her earned trips to the chest to pick out more heart-shaped ornaments for our tree. Such a sweetheart my girl!
I can't wait to dress her in her new red silk dress from Crewcuts and white cardigan. I'm on the lookout for a showstopper hairpiece. Almost makes me want to revive the photo booth!
For the teachers, more sugary sweetness. I picked up these cute "chalkboard" mugs at Wal-Mart. They are filled with pink, heart-shaped marshmallows. I think I may replace them with homemade marshmallows. And each will be accompanied with a classic valentine (You can buy some here.) mounted on a delicate doily and kissed with a magnet.

On a side note, I've repeatedly raided Target's $1 aisle. Is that place heaven, or what? I've picked up lots of goodies for the kids' visit from Cupid. Yeah, I just made that up. I needed something/one to blame all the frivolous spending on. So new tradition: The children will be visited by Cupid this year and every year from here on out. Maybe.
All this planning, and I still need to work on valentines for my own honey. Ideas, anyone?

Snow Day Prep

We received notice earlier this evening that school is cancelled in anticipation of Snow! Snow Day No. 2 (Feb. 4, 2011)! The children are beside themselves. To prepare, I loaded up on lots of Valentine's goodies to keep us busy: decorations, playthings, cards. Both Millie Bug and Brother are snuggled up together on their bottom bunk hopefully dreaming of making snow angels. This was after they peeked out the window numerous times and until Daddy finally opened the front door so we could all admire the snow falling. The night was so quiet; the snow so pristine. Nothing like it except Christmas morning -- quiet, pristine and perfect. Milk and cookies for snacks and then off to bed. A busy morning in the snow awaits!

'Eat, Pray, Love' All the Way to France

Maybe it's a case of the winter blahs. I'm tired of being cooped up. And it's quite stifling. But every year about this time, I feel the urge to pack up my kids and hubby and go. Take that leap of faith. Explore the world. Not just visit, LIVE!
Two sources have been quite the inspiration. Design Mom, Gabrielle Blair, has packed up her crew and moved to France. I have followed her journey here. Can you imagine what those children will get to experience? And she makes it look so easy.
And then this weekend, my husband brought home the "Eat, Pray, Love" DVD. I'm sorely behind on my reading. DVD have become the CliffsNotes of my adulthood. Blasphemy. But whatevs. It's that or nothing. Anyway, I LOVED the movie. It stirred some yearning within. I so LONG to break free and LIVE. Just me and my family, taking a leap of faith, packing up and heading wherever the hell we want to. What's stopping us? We're young, the kids are young, we have nothing really tying us down to where we currently live. It's been obvious for a while that we are outgrowing our home. Eventually, we're going to have to make a move, but where? Not here. Not back home.
So lots of prayers needed here. I feel change on the horizon. It could be something earth-shattering, or it might just be spring. Ha. Thank God for seasons of change.