Another teacher appreciation week - day 5

The final day of teacher appreciation week!  Again, I stuck with apples.  Again, I turned to an idea I pinned a long time ago...

I followed the recipe for the most part, but I wanted to make enough treats to give all the teachers and helpers who work with the kids.  I bought the small mason jars at Target.  This gift is a little mixing and a lot of layering...

Instead of buying Skors candy bars and chopping them into little pieces as the recipe stated, I found this in the baking section.  Done!

I 

I printed a little label and cut it out with a scalloped hole punch.

Thank you

for being such

a sweet teacher!

I purchased small green apples and they were the perfect size!

Whew, another week of teacher appreciation gifts is complete!

Another teacher appreciation week - day 4

A few months ago, I picked up these adorable apple notebooks from IKEA and knew that would be a perfect teacher gift.

I simply added a red pen and a quick note and the gift was ready to go!

Take NOTE:

You are the

best teacher

and I appreciate

YOU!!!

Check back for the last gift for teacher appreciation week... it is going to be a sweet one!

Another teacher appreciation week - days 2 and 3

I am back with two more days of easy teacher appreciation gifts.

DAY 2 was a little treat.  I found this quick idea on Pinterest and it turned out really cute!

DAY 3 was an orange inspired day!  I have had this idea pinned for a long time and it just seemed perfect for this time of year.  I am tired - and ready for summer.  The kids are tired.  The teachers must be tired!

I made an even simpler version of this idea by purchasing perfect little orange drinks, printing a simple note and cutting in out with a scalloped hole punch.

“ORANGE”

you glad it’s

almost summer?!

I sure am J

Three days down, two to go!

Well wishes for a hip

Having hips replaced seems to be the "in" thing to do lately...  am I right Ericka and Kathy? ;-)

I am on my way to visit Mom again at the hospital.  She had her hip replaced on Monday and is doing very well! The kids were intrigued at the mere thought of going to a hospital to see what it was all about.  We took her flowers and a thoughtfully written poem, skillfully crafted by Christopher, Adrienne and I.    It takes a lot of work to tastefully rhyme with words like hip, limp, groin.  We even quoted Sam Malone from Cheers.  Anyone know what I am referring to?

Maybe I should share the poem with you?

For now, wish warm thoughts for a speedy recovery for those who recently had hip surgery!

We are excited for you to be home and resting Mom!  And to see you work that walker!

Working out

Blogging has not been on the top of my priority list lately.

In addition to taking care of the kids, helping with nonstop homework, and everything else that goes on in life, I have been working out!

I have been working out 5 (sometimes 7!) times a week and am LOVING it!  I have to give credit to my neighbor, Nicole, who asked me to go to Spin class with her one day.  How hard could it be, right?

Holy crap.  Spin class is TOUGH.  Kick your butt tough.  Sweat dripping from every possible area of your body tough.  But, I love it!  I am hooked.

I also attend Body Pump and Body Step.  I am lifting weights like nobody's business and am stepping my little heart out.  My coordination is not the best, but I am trying.

I am now able to add more weight... baby steps.

They only offer Beginners Yoga once a week and I go whenever I can.  

Chad bought me a watch for my birthday that tracks my workouts (counts calories/duration of workouts/etc) and I try to snap a picture after a workout when I can.

Here is my watch wishing me a Happy Birthday - or making me feel guilty for not working out that day...

 And here are a couple pictures from after some workouts...

I hope my motivation for working out doesn't leave any time soon.  I really do feel better overall and I try to remember that on a day when I do not want to go.

Someday I will send you tickets to my gun show (pictures of my buff arms)!  

Maybe :-)

Hair today, gone tomorrow

It was time. 

I have been growing my hair out for a couple years.  Let me explain why.   Right around the same time, three awful things were happening.  An innocent boy was in a car accident that would change his life, a toddler boy was experiencing seizures and a lively librarian was diagnosed with cancer - while she was pregnant. I found myself reading their blogs daily, hoping for good news and often feeling drained when there was none.  Then I would feel guilty that I was annoyed with my 3 crazy (healthy) kids at the end of the day.   I became lost in the sad news.  There was nothing I could do to help these boys or the librarian that used to teach at our school.  Nothing. 

Then it hit me.  I could donate my hair to a good cause.  I know it is not much, but when I realized I could easily grow my hair and give it to a sick child who truly needed it, it was a no brainer.  Soon, ponytails and I became inseparable.  We were besties.  Together everyday. 

Fortunately, those two boys are improving with each day!  Sadly, our school librarian passed away when her daughter was only 10 months old (she had just turned 30).  Her little girl will never meet her amazing mom...

Fast forward to the other day.  I realized I was looking like the before pictures in the makeover segments on television.  You know what I am talking about, right?

See for yourself.

I cannot believe I am posting these.

I knew I wanted to go shorter.  Then short seemed like fun.  A good change.  A necessary change.  So I went for it.

It will take me a bit to get used to, but it is a small price to pay.  I am healthy, my hair will grow back.  And who knows, maybe I will donate it again.  But for now, I am having fun playing with hair clips and headbands!

And - just for fun - a BEFORE:

And AFTER:

Have you had your hair cut lately? 

Are you ready for Christmas?!?!