The Day I Was Greateful for Pens

I already shared that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  When thinking of gifts to make, I tried to stay away from Pinterest as I'm sure all the other student's moms were on that site looking for ideas.  I was pretty proud of myself for this one.  :)  Simple, useful, and sort of clever.  I'm sure someone else has also thought of this, but it was new to me.  Anyway, I love Sharpies and use them a lot in scrapbooking and just around the house in general.  I hope No.1's teacher's will get some use out of these colorful pens.

So, here's to making things permanent.

Here's to using my brain.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Teachers

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  No.1 has 2 teachers (classroom and gifted) so I/we made little gifts to hand out each day.  I was a teacher and I know how wonderful it is to be recognized.  I hope his teachers enjoy their gifts.

Mon:  Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar
Tues: Extra Gum
Wed:  Sharpie Pens
Thurs:  Strawberry Jam (No.1 is making it)
 Fri:  Tic-Tac's and a special crayon melt and card for his classroom teacher

I like getting No.1 involved with these sorts of things.  It teaches gratitude.  I am grateful for No.1's teachers and that No.1 is so excited to give them gifts each day.

So, here's to showing gratitude.

Here's to our teachers.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Scissors

This morning, I called Mr. and left a message on his phone that I was taking No.2 to get a hair cut and not to freak out when he got home.  Mr. wants to keep No.2's hair long and shaggy.  When No.2 had cute curls, it made sense and was cute, but his curls are all but completely gone now and I'm tired of constantly brushing his hair out of his eyes.  So, I took No.2 to the hair salon (paid $20, but it's worth it because I have no idea how to cut his hair - it's full of calics), and I told the lady to do what she thought best.  She did a wonderful job and my little baby was transformed into a little boy.  Sure, I miss the baby look, but he'll be 3 in a few months.  It was time. 

So, here's to growing up.

Here's to little boy cuts.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Plans

Our banisters on our front steps are falling apart (Mr. says the builder didn't use treated wood).  We've been pretty diligent at priming and painting yearly, but last year we realized the whole thing just needs to be replaced.  Yesterday, after all our work was done, we went to Lowe's and priced wood vs. pvc.  Today, Mr. made a decision:  wood.  It will be cheaper and match the rails along the porch.  So, now we have a plan.  We can budget and prepare the steps and hopefully we will have new railings by the end of June.

So, here's to making plans.

Here's to following through.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Helpers

"Saturday is a special day..."  These boys were excited to get down and dirty with Mr. in preparing Mr.'s tomato and pepper pots.  I had errands to run for church and left the guys to it.  Sure, they got in the way sometimes, but that they were willing to and wanted to help outweighed the little intrusions.  When I got home, all the pots were ready for planting.

I am grateful we have a garden (the pots and a bit plot in the backyard).  I grew up with a garden and know it helped teach me the value of hard work.  I see too many kids who have no responsibilities and they consequently have a gimme-gimme attitude.  I hope that through giving my little helpers chores and having them help in the garden each year, they will become hard workers.

So, here's to helping hands.

Here's to fruits of our labors.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Parking Lots

No.2 decided to turn my kitchen, right below my sink, into a parking lot for his trucks.  I stepped over and around them as I cleaned up the kitchen.  I couldn't help but smile at it all, though.  I love that No.2 is imaginative.  I read a friends post about her son being to smart to play make-believe.  But I'm so glad my boys are smart enough to play make-believe.

So, here's to pretending.

Here's to playing along.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for May

Happy May Day!  It's here.  There's no doubt about it.  It's Spring.  I love this time of year.  Planting gardens, green grass and tress, sunshine, playing outside.  I hope I can muster the energy to do all the things Spring begs us to do (future No.3 is really giving me a run for my money).  Still, I'm grateful for every moment of Spring!

So, here's to energizing weather.

Here's to drinking in the sunshine.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.