Did I mention...we made more Valentine's?

Today it was The Sprite's turn to make her Valentine's cards for her class exchange.

Today was also a snow day.  So this was a perfect project for her to do!

Again, Familyfun.com offered up a really darling and different idea!

Here's what you'll need:

Colored construction paper, pipe cleaners, glue, scissors, some type of small rolled candy 

or pencils and the butterfly/dot template from Familyfun.com.

They've provided a full video tutorial online as well as directions here.

I traced and helped cut out the butterflies body.  Then The Sprite did all of her

writing - you know....To: Evan, From: The Sprite.  That kind of thing.

Then I made a few completed cards as examples to show The Sprite what to do next. 

And also because I thought it was so fun to make Valentine's again!

We used a hole punch to make our dot decorations on the butterfly wings.

I figured we needed smaller dots since The Sprite had some writing to do.

Totally cute and good times were had by all on another lovely snow day!

Boots

Did I mention...it's almost Valentine's?

It's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

For many lovely reasons.

One really important reason -Valentine Card Exchange!

You're a Blast! Rocket Ships

 This is what The Boy will be passing out to his classmates this year.

We worked together.  But admittedly, I did the majority of the work.  

Making these Valentine's was easy and fun.  

And The Boy is very excited to be able to deliver these sweet rockets to his buddies!

I found this adorable idea on the Family Fun Magazine website.

You'll need colored construction paper, scissors, tape, glue gun (not shown), some type 

of rolled candy (fruity Lifesavers would be great too) and Kisses.

Did I mention...it's 2011?

It's 2011!

YIPEE!!!!

What will you do this year?

What will you do differently?  What will stay the same?

Will you mold the year, or let it mold you?

It seems that at each new year we make resolutions and vow to change this or that.

To start doing this and stop doing that.  

And a new year is a good jumping off point - a clean beginning.

Fresh and new.  Bright and encouraging.

But.

What if things start to slip sideways?  What if you feel like you can't keep it up?

No matter what 'it' is.

Here's what I say to you.  What I say to me...

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. 

You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. 

Mary Pickford

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

Unkown

You can do it.

And if you slip - start again.  And again.  And again.

Until you accomplish 'it'. 

Because you can.

Happy New Year!

Boots

Did I mention...pup is ready for Santa?

Dear Santa,

I have been good.  Very good, in fact.

I tried hard not to put holes in anyone's socks.  And I think I was fairly successful.

I kept my barking to a minimum, unless there was a threat.  (You know those FedEx guys

could be up to no good leaving strange box-things at the door!)

I hope that you will bring me some tennis balls to chase and many loving hands to rub my belly.

Thank you,

Trudie

Now I think I'll wait to see the Big Guy in person.  My charming ways will surely win him over!

What was that?  I just heard something....

Darn it!  Just that FedEx guy again.  

I'm still waiting Santa!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Trudie

and Boots!

Did I mention...I am thankful?

I am thankful.  Yes I am.

For these two gorgeous angels...

I am thankful for this day.

For this life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Did I mention...this man has wisdom to share?

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.

✫

Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

Dark and difficult times lie ahead.  

Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.

Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.

-APWBD

My heart is all aflutter.  One week from today - the beginning of the end.

Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows

Did I mention...Halloween is going to the dogs?

Do you dress your dog up for Halloween?

I don't.  Yet.

But Trudie (our dog) would very much like to dress up.  This I am quite sure of.

If you don't costume up your pup for Halloween, maybe you could try this....

My "Aunt" sent me these pictures today.

I could not resist.

Happy Halloween!

Make it a doggone good one!  

Boots

Did I mention...the nest is kind of empty?

The Boy started back to preschool this week.

The Sprite started back to school two weeks ago.

I now have three hours Monday - Friday, to myself.

I'm on day three.  It is very quiet.

And a bit lonely.  

Even with this baby home with me.

My plan is to keep myself busy with blogging here at Figgity Jam.

And here - a place where my Mom and I blog together.

Maybe trying to get some freelance work?

But, three hours is a lot of time.  

Sooooooo - I'm also going to start doing some targeted redecorating in my house.

I'm going to be cooking, trying out new recipes and perfecting old stand-bys.

Organizing.  Organizing.  Organizing.

That should keep me out of trouble.  Maybe.

Boots

Did I mention...I had homework?

Homework.

My little sprite brought me homework to do last week.

Actually, her teacher sent home homework for me and the husband to do.  Naughty.

The sprite just started 1st grade and her teacher asked the parents to write 

a little blurb about their own 1st grade experience.  

You know, so the little tikes could relate to us old folks...  

"Back in the day when Mommy was a little first grader we walked to school uphill 

both ways.  We were allowed to play Dodge Ball in Gym class.  

And I thought my Art teacher was an actual witch." 

Okay.  That's not such a hard assignment.

But...she also asked us to draw a picture to go along with our story.

I thought a stick figure portrait of myself would be frowned upon.

So I included this...

Go ahead.

I give you permission to laugh with unbridled abandon.

Are you done yet?

No?

Okay, I'll wait.

Alright.  Reel it in people.

Listen.  I cannot be held responsible for the above picture.

You can thank my Mom for that.

I showed my little sprite my work before I placed it in her 

folder to take back to school.  

She was just slightly stunned. 

Though, once her teacher sees this contribution (and after she's 

picked herself up off the floor from laughing so hard) I think we should 

be in good shape the rest of the school year.

Or maybe not.

Maybe my sprite's teacher should reconsider the error of her ways.

Boots