DIY: Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

It is that time of the school year where we can take our time to celebrate all those wonderful educators out there.   If you're an educator, Thank you for all you do!

  

Having worked in the classroom for many years, I know what passion and hard work it takes to help teach our little ones become successful adults.  And I am most grateful for those teacher that are passionate for what they do.  Once again, Thank You!

That being said, here are some simple yet thoughtful ideas to gift that special teacher this week:

My kid's current school celebrates their teachers the entire week.  For Monday they asked to either color an apple coloring sheet they sent home and/or send an apple to their teacher(s).  Why not make that apple extra special by tying it around with a bit of twine and a little lovely leaf note thanking them?  Nice and simple, yet very cute.

In the past I've made these decorated coffee cups which hide a gift card to the teacher's favorite coffee shop. (To see how click on photo.) 

Or these super easy to make note pads.  (To see how click on photo.)



How about a lovely tissue flower or more?  (Too see how click here or on photo.)

 

If you have the time to add a bit more elbow grease making a thank you gift, make this adorable plant/flower pot using a recycled tin can.  (To see how click here or on photo.)

 However you decide to make them feel special, I'm sure they will very much appreciate it.

Have a great week!

Let's get Organized! Ideas {From the Archives}

How about a little round-up of past ideas I have shared on organizing around the home?

In the kids room:

Use vintage suitcases to keep all that fun dress-up organized.

Organize your kids Lego manuals.

In the craftroom:

Empty toilet paper rolls, perfect to organize lace and trims

Make an inspirational cork board using an old frame.

Keep those precious vintage laces and trims tidy in a vintage travel case.

In the office:

Make a weekly color-coded family calendar!

In the bathroom:

Use empty candle jars to organize your make-up.

I'll admit, since we are in this temporary apartment,  I haven't been doing any major organizing, but I do find myself constantly organizing bits and pieces here and there.  

Have fun organizing!

Simply Happiness

January.   

The month of change.  Of resolution making, goal planning, and organizing.  

Yes, that sounds just about right.  Don't you agree?  

Yet, this year with all the moving about, with this transitional stage we're in;  I have shun away from list making, from major goal making, from planning and resolution making.  All I have focused on is on one simple word.  A simple yet meaningful word:  

Yes,  happiness.  

This year I will simply strive to do everything and anything that makes me and those I love happy.  From my morning cup of chai tea, to slowing down by stepping outdoors tipping my head up and letting the warm sun rays feel my face with joy.  Simple, lovely, wonderful, things, that make me happy.

What about you?  What are you striving for this year? 

A Beautiful Christmas Video for You

Hi! How was your Christmas?  I hope it was everything you wanted.  We had a beautiful time spent with my side of the family.  A wonderful beautiful time. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and no it has nothing to do with the presents, it is because of this:

A beautiful video that was sent to me via MOPS a group I have been a part of for several years, and although I am no longer an active member, I still get their inspiring news letters.   

Gather your little ones and watch... I truly believe you will enjoy it.

Merry Christmas!

seis

(For English click here.)

Hay si.  Esta carita preciosa cumplió seis añitos esta semana.  Mi bebita esta creciendo. Creciendo demasiado rápido.

Una vez mas la sorprendimos la mañana de su cumpleaños con su puerta de la recamara decorada (nuestra tradición), y después en la semana celebramos con familia y amigos.  Comimos, jugamos, y nos divertimos.

Amo a esta hermosa, chistosa, divertida, a veces timida, cariñosa, responsable, inteligente, increíblemente creativa, y sobretodo maravillosa niña.  Tu eres mi bebita, y mi bebita siempre lo seras...hasta cuando cumplas cien años y mas. 

six

(Para Español hacer click aquí.)

Ah yes.  This beautiful face turned six this past week.  My baby is growing. Growing too fast.

Once again we surprised her with a decorated door on the morning of her birthday, and later in the week we celebrated with family and friends.  We ate, we played, and were merry.  

I love you my beautiful, silly, outgoing, yet shy at times, loving, caring, responsible, smart, amazingly creative, wonderful girl.  You are my baby and my baby you'll always be...even when you're one hundred and plus.  

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Pass on the Purple Purse!

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation.

Did you know that one in four women are affected by domestic violence?  Incredible, isn't it?  A person (weather it be  a woman, a child or even a man) can be abused.  The abuse doesn't always have to be physical, which many times can make it hard to realize one is being abused.  A person can be abused verbally,  mentally and yes, physically.  It's horrifying to just think about it.

Unfortunately, domestic abuse does not just affect the one being abused, but it also affects all those in the household.  While a woman may be the one being abused, her children may be affected by watching the abuse, and then in turn grow up and repeat the cycle of either being abused or being the abuser.  Once again, it is a scary thought, but it happens.  It happens more often that we can imagine, more often than it is talked about.  Many are too scared or even embarrassed to admit they are being abused.  Which is why The Purple Purse Project is so important. 

What is The Purple Purse Project?

The Allstate Foundation created The Purple Purse campaign to urge people to talk about domestic violence.  It exists people!  PurplePurse.com was created as a safe place to visit, it is filled with information and resources to make it easier to talk about domestic violence. 

Why a purple purse?

It is rare to find a woman without carrying a purse.  A purse is not only a great accessory and convenient to carry the daily needs, but it also represents the center of a woman's financial domain.  The color purple is the national color of domestic violence awareness.  This virtual purse, helps people pass on the information about domestic violence.  The more awareness the more that can be done to stop domestic violence. 

So what can YOU do to help spread the word?

I received a purple purse to pass on to you and you can pass it on to your mother, your sister, your friends, to any woman you know!  The more people we pass it down to, the louder the voice.  

So how about it?  Here is how you can pass on that purse:

During the month of October every time a Purple Purse is registered on line the All State Foundation will donate $5 to the YWCA for programs that support victims of domestic violence.  To help all you have to do is visit PurplePurse.com and enter the code below, then your zip code and the $5 will automatically be donated to help victims of domestic violence. 

So what are you waiting for?  Let's spread the word!  

Related links:

Purple Purse registration

Facebook

Allstate Foundation

#purplepursecampaign

And the Winner is...

First off, I apologize for not announcing the winner, of the Epic Movie DVD/Blue Ray combo, yesterday as promised.  We didn't get our internet installed until this morning and yesterday being that it was  a holiday I was unable to get to my local coffee shop with kids in tow.  But the installer just left.  Super hooray!

Now with no further ado...

The winner is:

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please contact me ASAP with your mailing address.

Have a great week everyone!

Epic: Review and Giveaway

I did not received any compensation aside from a copy of the movie for review purposes.  All words and opinions are my own. 

Yes, oh yes, do I have a nice little giveaway for you, but before that let me update you a bit on what has been going on around here.

We moved.  Yes, we are officially residents of Texas.  We are still trying to sell our lovely home in VA, (crossing fingers!) and unpacking like crazy.  Unpacking can seem like such an unending task, especially moving from such a large home/property to an apartment (our temporary home until we find the house of our dreams.)  So you can just imagine how crazy our lives have been, that and getting the kids ready for school and making sure they are safe.  (More on that later.)  The important thing is that they started school Monday and they are loving it.  I'm still a bit nervous, but I know the school (and us) have done everything possible to keep my little guy safe from having any anaphalactic reactions to food that may harm him. 

So on to that review shall we.

Have you seen the movie Epic yet?  Oh boy, we did when it first came out in theaters and the kids and I loved it!  And then again before the release of the movie on DVD/Blue Ray.  We fell in love with it all over again! 

 Epic Trailer

It's the perfect family movie.  There's plenty of action for the boys in the family, silliness to keep you laughing, and a whole lot of awesome girl power.  I like it when females are portrayed as strong and independent.  Which is the case of the main character, the forest Queen, and the young flower.  All portrayed strong willed, yet feminine.  If you look closely at some of the battle scenes you can also see some female warriors (now that is cool!  Not that I like war or anything of the sort.  But the truth is there are women warriors.  Just think of our military.)  Exactly the types of movies I like to show my kids.  I also like that, although it is a fantasy, the ending is a bit unexpected (and somewhat realistic.)   

Needless to say you need to get your hands on that movie!

What was that?  What about that giveaway?  Well, that's right.  If you would like to win a DVD/Blue Ray combo courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment, leave a comment telling me what values do you instill in your child to raise her to be a strong independent female and if you have a boy to teach them to respect females? That's it! One comment please.  Make sure to include your name and an email address where I can contact you with.  Giveaway closes on Friday midnight.  Winner will be announced Monday Morning.

On the meantime how about a fun games for your little one?

Epic Bird Race (who can make the fastest folding bird?)

Can You Match That (Epic matching game)

Good luck!

Sidewalk Chalk Paint (Kids Craft for Modern Mami)

 Well Hello there!

I've been such a stranger, haven't I?

This summer my goal was to try to keep up with the posting of this lovely space of mine and the move at the same time.  As you can see, ahem, it hasn't been possible.  We're moving you ask?  Well, yes.  As of August we will no longer be Virginians, but instead Texans.  Exiting and sad all at the same time yes.  We'll be closer to my family which is why we decided to go for this move in the first place, but sad (so very sad) to leave such wonderful friends, and part of hubby's family, behind.  Truth be told we love it here, I love it here!  But nothing beats being closer to family, don't you agree?  Anyway, I will try to stop by here every so often to keep you updated or if you want a more sudden gratification (*wink*) you can follow me on Instagram (@lisarenata).  

Now for that kids craft.

I'm over at Modern Mami sharing a super duper easy (not exaggerating really) recipe to make sidewalk chalk paint.  Oh, I can't believe we hadn't done this before.  The kids love it and the best part it's all non toxic. 

So what are you waiting for?  Go on over and make your own.  The kids will LOVE ya for it.

Happy sunny days!

Decorate with Fourth of July Pinwheels

 Want to learn how to make these?

Then stop by ModernMami.com where I show you how to make festive pinwheels for some colorful fourth of July decorating.

Hope your having a great summer!  Lot's going on here.  I'll share more with you later.

Enjoy the sun!

Has tus Propios Molinillos Para el Día de la Independencia

¿Quieres aprender como hacer estos?

Visita la pagina de ModernMami.com donde te enseño como hacer estos molinillos festivos para decorar el cuatro de Julio (Día de la Independencia Estaudinence.)

¡Espero estés pasando un lindo verano!  Mucho que contarles, pero despues.

¡Disfruten el sol!

Pom Pom Friends (Kids Craft)

(Para español hacer click aqui.)

Oh it's a rainy day.  

The skies are covered in clouds.  The drip drip drip sound everywhere.  Happy trees and happy plants (and happy me...the pollen is being washed away.) But lots of rain also means that little ones are stuck in doors.  

Yes, it is the kind of day where lots of crafting goes on around here.  

The kind of days where the craft closet opens and closes a gazillion times.  The kind of day where the craft room gets messier than the usual.  The kind of day where creativity (sometimes with Mami's help) floats through the air.

So I  thought what better than to share a fun and easy craft to keep your little one's hands busy on such a day.

I remember making these as a child.  Do you?  No?  Well, here you go then.

What you need:

*Pom Pom balls
*Felt 
*Feathers
*googly eyes
*glue
*scissors

How to make:

Begin by cutting small hearts out of the felt.  This will become the base (feet) of the pom pom friends.  Then glue the base on to the bottom of the pompom.  Next, glue the googly eyes and finally add a little touch with a feather on top, or make a cute little hat out of felt.  That's it!  Didn't I tell you it was easy?!

Make one.

Or make a whole lot of friends!

What ever you choose have fun with it.  My little ones after making a lot of them decided to also make them a home out of old shoe boxes, and furniture out of recycled materials. 

It would also be a sweet mother's day gift.  Have them create out of pom poms  each member of the family, place them on top of a stand (or in a jar upside down) and write sweet words to mom.  I'm sure she would love it! 

Happy Crafting!