... is about how often I blog now. But tonight the moon is really spectacular. Glad we all went out and saw it, even though 75% of us were in our jammies! Continue reading

The days and weeks just keep flying by, one after another after another. Some are ordinary, with multiple loads of laundry and grocery shopping and rocket math and finding lost articles of clothing. Others are more momentous, like when my firstborn went on a school science trip for three nights and cell phones were not allowed. Working six days a week and getting caught up with life makes me so exhausted I just don't have the energy to sit down at the computer. But... my mom says I really need to update my blog. And I do like to look... Continue reading

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas (or Hannukah or winter solstice or Thursday the 26th). we had a very nice one even though my parents got sick and were unable to travel to see us. They're feeling better now, though, so that's okay. The weather has been totally unbelievable, hovering right around 80 degrees during the day. C-R-A-Z-Y, don't you think? More and more, I'm opting for simple rather than fussy, and it's suiting me. The teacher gifts were quick and easy to put together with cello bags ordered online, and modified cupcake toppers from Target. Well received, and didn't... Continue reading

Oh. My. Gosh. I'm so ready for a break. I have four glorious days off in a row and I can't wait to sleep in late, have someone else cook, and just enjoy my family. I made a Thankful banner (pattern here) and strung it in the teacher's lounge, along with a basket full of miniature books I made with the Giving Thanks pdf from Wild Olive. I made 80 of those suckers last night, with a little bit of help from the girls. I think I have about 20 left... my mom might like some, and we're keeping a... Continue reading

I know Halloween is already long gone, but I've tried posting this twice already and I'm determined not to let Typepad eat my memories. I originally saw this fabulous jack-o-lantern fruit cup idea here, and knew it would be the perfect treat to bring for the teachers. Did I mention I'm hospitality chair again? I didn't really sign up for it this year, but I do love the teachers, so here I am. The kids and I had a great time coming up with ideas for the faces, even though we did stray quite a bit from the jack-o-lantern look.... Continue reading

My dear, sweet baby. We will miss you so much. Eighteen years was a long time together, but I wasn't ready to say goodbye. Glad you were able to die at home, in your soft bedding. I know you know that we love you. You were the softest kitty... really, the softest *any*thing I ever touched. Thank you for loving us back. Continue reading

It happened again... the summer days flew by, the girls went another grade higher, and this time I have two school schedules and drop-off/pick-up times to figure out. The middle schooler now has uniforms (silent "Yay!" from Mom) and I knew enough to get my photo before even getting into the car. She's got a crazy schedule, it rotates daily and I couldn't begin to figure out where she's supposed to be when, but hopefully she'll have no problem remembering by next week. I still made my traditional gifts for all of Jessica's previous teachers (who happen to be Rebecca's... Continue reading

We've been enjoying every moment of summer. Mostly out and about, traveling, swimming, scootering in the park. But once in a while we'll just stay home and pull out the crafts. Chronicle Books sent me a copy of Party Origami by Jessica Okui of Zakka Life, and the girls and I had a fun time checking it out and making some of our first origami projects ever. Now that they are a bit older, and are more precise with their folds, it's a lot more fun and everything they attempted was successful. One of these bird placecard holders was made... Continue reading

I was going to title this post "don't let the door hit you on the way out," but didn't want to broadcast such negativity and bad vibes. Truthfully, I can't wait to see the back end of 2012. This has probably been the worst year of my life, starting on January 1st and ending with the loss of my grandfather the week before Thanksgiving. I'm so ready to kick 2012 out the door, and usher in a new year of better things. These last two weeks have been great, though. The girls and I managed to fight off colds, we... Continue reading

I've got so many irons in the fire, sometimes it's hard to concentrate on one thing at a time. 1. Embellishing bracelets to pass out during the class party. 2. Putting together treats and decorations for the teachers' lounge. 3. Making costumes at the last minute, with input from the designer. 4. Attempting to knit up ghost necklaces, to add to a growing collection, but realizing that was one thing that just wasn't going to get done. And letting it go. Being able to focus is so important. And my little lady can certainly vouch for that... she got glasses... Continue reading