Goodbye Summer

Well summer is officially over, I wish the weather would realize this fact and cool off. School started today and I now have two kids in school. No more super expensive daycare only semi expensive daycare!!!!! The next step will be Adia being old enough to walk home from school herself. I was allowed to start walking home when I was in 4th grade. I remember I came home and made toast and the toaster started sparking and smoking. Great start to my new responsible after school life. Luckily I didn't burn the house down!

Adia started 4th grade today and I am in no way prepared to let her walk home from school and be home for a few hours alone yet. The idea hasn't crossed her mind either and so I haven't had to say no.....yet! It's kind of strange to have a 4th grader when I can remember so many things from 4th grade so clearly. My BFF was Aron and we loved the New Kids on the Block (she liked Jordan and I liked Joey the best) We had sleepovers at each others houses every weekend and even had the same bowl like hair cut. Her parents played softball everyweekend and we would go to the games and run around the park then go back to her house and watch NKOTB concerts that were recorded from Pay Per View. I wonder if Adia will be anything like I was at that age??

My little Landon started Kindergarten today. He was SO excited! He woke up and said "Mommy aren't you going to say happy first day of school to me??"

He said he was a little nervous cause he says he forgot how to make friends but I know he will do fine. I walked him to classroom and he found his desk and was ready to go. I barely got a good-bye from him. I am so glad that he went easily! Poor Adia cried and cried when she started school. In fact I don't think I saw any criers this morning. Hopefully after today he will still enjoy it! I am sure he will be tired tonight.

I hope everyone else has a smooth trasition from summer to school this year. Someone please send the cool weather down South too please!

I am a Winner!!!

Tip Junkie whose button you can see over there-------> hosted Christmas in July. There were giveaways and tons of holiday ideas. I personally found some new blogs to follow, got some yummy recipes for Christmas, found some great ideas for handmade stuff to give as gifts, and I even won two of the giveaways!! So to spread the word I wanted to feature the two shops who donated to the giveaways that I won.

The first is Cross-Eyed Sisters who make gorgeous custom crosses in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. There are so many different ideas and combinations in their gallery. They say you name it and they can do it. This would make a great gift or would be perfect decor in your own home. I can't decide where I want to hang mine. I guess I will have to wait to see what they come up with!

The second prize I won is from VMJESS who makes gorgeous camera straps and point and shoot camera accesories. The fabric she uses for the straps is so fun I don't know how I am going to pick! I may have to see if she can do something special for me since I only have a little point and shoot camera. Otherwise I may have to get a strap for the photographers in my family.

Please visit these sites if you are looking for a handmade gift this holiday season or check out one of the many other "Mom-Preneur" shops featured on Tip Junkie.

Felt Food

I made a sack lunch of felt food for the ongoing wish swap. I really love how everything came together except for my very stupid looking bread. We have a carton of milk, a bag of chips, a sandwich with salami (Adia decided it was salami and not just some pink mystery meat) cheese, and lettuce, and apple, and a cookie for dessert. If I do this again I will have to find a good bread tutorial.

Now I know that mine isn't as wonderful as some of the very fancy felt meals I have seen online but not too bad for my first try.

I used patterns found on Craftster and ideas from Skip to my Lou. You can google felt food and find all kinds of free patterns all over the web. I even wisted some patterns that can be purchased on Etsy.

Friday Fix-Squeeze Please

Use a squeeze bottle for pancake mix or for piping frosting
I got a set of ketchup and mustard bottles at the $1 store!
Our favorite pancake recipe is from Bakerella

Do you have any other ideas for these bottles?