bird watching and eyelashes

I accompanied Garrett's class on a field trip today to a local nature reserve.  And while the skies were threatening all morning, it didn't dampen the science learning spirits at this place!  I was at ease when  I found out that the majority of the activities would be inside.. not so much due to the foreseeable rain, but because of the waiver I had signed stating I was aware we could see snakes!  Happy to say we actually had to stay on a concrete podium so not to disturb the wild life (phew!)  .. I no longer had to worry about what 2nd graders would think of "Garrett's mom" if she ran away.. leaving them to fend for themselves against some ginormous (ahem) snake!

• first they mastered the art of bird watching.. or in Garrett's case.. figured out why both his binoculars and mine had :flashing things across the screen".  ... yes, son.. you have amazing long eye lashes.  so you can't be a bird watcher.  get over it.  (btw.. sad that he doesn't call them "be noculars" any more). 

•  very intense listening and learning going on here... and sipping!  He insisted on wearing his Camel Back (also supplied with sunscreen and bug spray) so he wouldn't be thirsty.  I think he was imagining more of a hike.. but none the less.. yep, he had to pee mid "What You Find on the Beach" presentation. 

•  Using the two finger touch rule... i followed closely.. with antibacterial soap!

•  They needed to do scientific research as part of the "Natural Habitats" presentation.  They got to explore the displays and read to find the answers to the questions on the scavenger hunt paper.  It's awesome to see how excited they are to do this at this age!!

•  Garrett and his good buddy, Brock.. had a lot of fun together!  And they are two of the sweetest boys any 2nd grade has seen :)  (slightly biased on the G aspect).

• And while those boys may have taught me about estuaries, habitats, and turtles...  they should have realized that mom is right sometimes...  ie: eyelashes, camelbacks, and germs!!

Micah's 1st hair cut

Why was it so difficult for me to pull the trigger on getting Micah's hair cut?  With Garrett I did it probably before he even needed it .. just out of excitement for another "first".  and I guess that right there is the reason.. Micah's firsts are most likely my "last firsts".. and they are coming too fast!  and it is getting so hard!  What's a mama to do?!  Well, I used this first to practice with my new camera.. or maybe i used the camera to hide behind. Whatever the reason, he did a great job and he looks super cute! 

here we go

those curls!

suckers Before?

and retro bottled pop too?? sure!

The Cutting!

it begins

baby curls

i'm going to look so good

what in the world?!

that's what i'm talkin about...

cheeeeeeeeeese!

more baby curls :(

handsome big guy

everyone is ready to go

still my baby

"now the girls will say you are so cute!" .. "wait, they already do." #jipped

old time barber shop

handsome new stud

scored another sucker... #totallyworthit

Brown Sugar Scrub

 BROWN SUGAR SCRUB

 it makes a great gift!

We made these little jars for our wonderful teachers for Valentine's Day.  The kids had fun making them.. it's so easy!  Garrett decided he would tell his teacher not to eat it.. because after all.. there's "nothing bad in it."  good point, G.  

 Addie focused on the fact that her teacher would love it because she likes to shower.. and she knows this because she always "smells clean."

good point, Addie.

i got the recipe on The Idea Room.. amy shares amazing things.. Go!

here is all you need:

1/3 cup olive oil

1 cup brown sugar

2 tbls honey

combine

stir

cute jar

pretty

The small mason jars fit perfectly in the tin buckets (Target dollar bins).

Add a tag... 

and maybe take Garrett's advice and tell them not to eat it!

Enjoy! or Surprise a friend today :)

Hearts and Art

 Working hard on Valentines... 

... Hard work paid off!

sweet

 This lil back packer got to visit the big kids at school, and Had to be prepared.

can i hang here?

Love day

Hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day!   

So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.

Romans 14:19 

Good stuff, right?  and boy have we needed that around here.  

It hasn't been all that peaceful.

arguing

whining

pouting

sassing

tattling

punshing

but with all this comes Forgiving. 

thankful

 

 

 Love.

happy weekend!

amie

 

Valentne's Wreath.. tryin the "Argyle Look"

Yes, it is just about that day.. so a wreath for Valentine's day may be a day late and a dollar short.  Well.. that's how i roll quite often.  I made this on Saturday.. so I almost was a week ahead :)  but ... check out the "How To" below for making the Argyle Pattern.. It would be cute in green.... for next month! :)  I guess you could say it's a "dollar saved" in this case because  didn't spend a dime :)  I took apart a wreath I made last year out of a Tee Shirt.

I have pinned a  few wreaths with a cool Argyle like pattern to it.  very cool looking.  I had not actually tried one till now.  *disclaimer.. not sure this is the same technique of any of the ones i pinned... i kind of just winged it :)  It worked though!  and it was totally easy and mindless as I chatted with one of my best friends while making it.  2 things about that last statement... 1. I'm not a good multi-tasker.. i try but it usually doesn't work out well for me.  2. My friend Jessica dubbed me CWL (crazy wreath lady) one time so it was fitting that I was talking to her!  (Jess, I'm sure you were also working on your latest wreath, right?)  :)

 Happy Heart Day!

So here is how I dd the criss crossing pattern ..

First I tied the yarn to the wreath.  Then make your first part of the X by pulling the yarn to the left. Hold tight with your thumb on your left hand while bringing  the dangling portion of the yarn over to the left with your right hand.  (does that make sense??!)  This portion will be used to make the next part of the X.

This the dangling portion brought over to the left... ready to make the cross of the X.

Bring the yarn diagonally to the right to form the X.  Hold tight at the cross point.. the point where you will begin to switch directions for the next X.

This is the "cross point" mentioned above.  It will actually be on the side of your wreath, and will form a pattern for the side. With this point held tight, you can change directions by bringing it under the wreath and start the "left" part of the next X.

By making the next X, you will form a small x pattern on the inside of the wreath.

After wrapping all around the wreath.. tie a knot onto the starting point on the back of the wreath.

looks difficult.  kind of hard to explain (hope the pics helped).

 

Here's a close up on the hearts cut out of felt for a fun, whimsical look.  And of course I added just a touch of glitter (pink glitter foam) and bling!

Happy Valentine's Day!!
amie