Craigs list we love you

Finally after years of debating over a trampoline we finally decided it was time. (if you know our little dare devil you would see why it took years). The kids were so excited. Even though my little Cole scares me to death with all his flips and dare devil tricks I still love it. I think my favorite is when my kids tell me to come on and jump and one minute later the sprinklers come on. They think it is the funniest thing.  It has been great to have on our hot summer days. We love our trampoline.

mother's day

Mother's Day 2011

My kids have always made me feel special on Mothers Day. Emma started the tradition of making dinner, decorating the table and making cool cards and gifts. This year while my sweet little Emma was in bed with the stomach flu Dylan took over. Him and Cole decorated the table, helped dad with the bbq and even helped with the dishes. I have to say seeing Dylan take charge and care so much what everything looked like made me one happy mamma.  

My sister Alicia made this special plate years ago for a family gift exchange. I was the lucky one to get it. Now we use it whenever it is a special day or if someone is extra special that day. I love our little tradition and I love how my little Dylan made sure it was mine all day.

even fluffy was invited.

Emma was sick that day so she wasn't really able to make it down stairs but 3 days later she told me my Mother's day present was in my closet. I walked in and it was a wonderful she had organized, clean, folded and color coded my clothes. She did an awesome job and it looked so great for about 3 days JK. I love how my little Emma is so creative and knows what I needed so well.

Dylan gave me a bag he decorated in class. He was so shy and cute about giving it to me. It says "Best Mom ever". It is really cute. Cole gave me a really special book that he made telling me what he likes about me and answering questions about me. He also drew a picture of me on the front. It was adorable. My favorite part was he colored one of my eyes blue and green and he drew my necklace that I wear a lot with my kids initials. That's my Cole. Very descriptive. It was so dang cute.  I loved it.

Traditions

This has to be one of my favorite family traditions. On the last day of school the kids hand out candy lei's to their classmates close to the last minute of school. It is soooo fun. The kids always love it. It is so fun seeing all the kids run out of the class when the bell rings screaming b/c summer is finally here with candy lei's around there neck.

We made 65 lays this year. Luckily it is something the whole family can make.

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Cole and his best friend Riley. Cute huh.

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                      Mrs. Singleton and Cole                                Mrs. Skeesuck and Dlyan                                

The teachers get a special candy lei. Delicious chocolate and a gift card to Cold Stone.

field day

One of my favorite activities that I look forward to at the boy's school is  "field day". The second to last day of school the classes get together and have "field day". If you like being outside, having fun with your friends, getting wet and great games then you would love field day. I usually go and help out for both sessions, am with Cole's class and pm with Dylan's. This year I had to miss it because of my falling off my bike accident. I was devastated when I realized I would miss it. My dear sweet and wonderful friend sent me these photos that afternoon. I am so glad she did. As you can see from them, Cole had a blast. I really hope (knock on wood) I don't miss next year. Last year I missed it because of Cole's stitches.

Cole and his best friend Riley. These two boys are so dang cute together. Truely the best of friends

I love this photo below.It is so Cole, So ready for his turn and so ready to win.

Teacher appreciation

This year for teacher appreciation I wanted to make it special. Dylan and Cole have had the best school year and their teachers are so awesome. You know when it just seems to be a great year all around, well, that was this year so I wanted to make it special for teacher. They so deserve it.

For Dylan's teachers I made these treat jars. I had no idea how many m&m's if would take to fill 2 jars but it was worth it. I had no idea how cute they would turn out.

If you knew Cole's teacher you would not be surprised why I did this for her. She seriously is the most amazing teacher EVER. Seriously, Cole was one lucky boy to have her. In fact I was so sad to know this school year was almost over. She was the perfect teacher for Cole. Very creative, strict in a loving way and she expected a lot from Cole, because she knew he could do it. I am so thankful for wonderful teachers and feel sooo lucky when my kids are able to experience what it is like to have one.

I go to lunch with Cole on Wednesdays and sit with his class so it was perfect. While I was there I asked each of his classmates to tell me one thing they love about Mrs. Singleton. I took what they said and put them on Rieson candies. This way when she picks a candy out of the jar she will see what each student loves about her. It turned out really cute. She absolutely loved it. Inside the lid I wrote what they said so she will always know what her students from 2010/2011 loved about her.

 

For our favorite Crosswalk/Safety girl and our wonderful school counselor that comes up with the best ideas to make school fun but also helps the kids learn how to work hard and be there for each other.

This was for the principal. Kinds cheesy and fun at the same time. I had to give it to her. The boys were embarrassed. I guess they already know what is cheesy.

I have always wanted to do this and thought this was a perfect year. What a perfect way to start off teacher appreciation week.

School store

Cole's teacher put together a store for the kids to buy and sell things from each other. It was the end of their big math project. Each student was to bring things to sell in their store. It could be food, crafts, penny toys. Whatever they wanted to sell. They each earn "school bucks" during the year from their teacher for good behavior, great work, etc. They took this $ and bought things. Cole wanted to make things for it and this is what we made. The little booklets have sticky notes in them. Cute huh.  Emma helped with the bracelets and the magnets. I hope he gets to do something like this next year. It was a great experience for him.

Crazy hair day

I think I look forward to crazy hair day more than Dylan. I was so excited when Dylan came home and told me his class won a crazy hair day. I was getting a little worried there wasn't going to be one.

Easter

Easter was simple, quiet and wonderful this year. It was just us but we had a great day. Decorating eggs, easter egg hunt, yummy ham and potatoes, fun decorations, easter basket hunt and lots of spending time together.

Emma was incharge of decorating the cupcakes. I think she did awesome.

Dad's Birthday

this is what the present looked like when done. I love the wrapping paper

Cole came home after school excited to make something for his dad's birthday. He already had in mind what he wanted to do. He drew a picture and then asked me where these certain frames were that we use to have in his room. He cut the pictures that he drew and put them in the frames. He also made his own wrapping paper. He was  so excited to give it to him. I have to say these are the best gifts. Straight from the heart.  

After dad's favorite Thai food the kids gave him

his own Ben and Jerry's with one big candle on it. Greg is one lucky man.

football

Cole has been asking to play football practically his whole life. I don't really know where he gets it because we really are not a football  family but he loves it. I hesitated for a long time but  finally signed him up and so glad I did. Although he got a black eye it was a great experience for him and he will be playing again this fall.

Dylan

a day with my girl

When Emma chose to go shopping with me for her 13th birthday instead of a friend party I have to say I was really happy. Ok. I mean what girl doesn't want to shop but I still told myself she wanted to be with me.:)  We had a great time. We first went down town to a shop named "Pink" that she has been wanting to check out forever. Then we hit the mall and shopped out little hearts out. Next, over to Olive Garden for our tradition of soup and salad and last but not least Emma got  feathers in her hair which only lasted 2 weeks but hey you only turn 13 once right. I loved spending time with my girl. It was so fun shopping and hanging out. I feel might lucky she wanted to spend the day with me even if it did have to do with new clothes and a feathers in her hair.

   

teenager

It's official. We now have a teenager in the house. How that is possible, I dont know but I do know I really hope these next five years go slower than the past five.

nothing better for breakfast than 2 yummy pink (have to take advantage of pink when I can) doughnuts.

There is a story behind this cake and lets just say it is not a happy one. (by the way this was my third time making it in the past 2 days and second time bookin it to the store for supplies) I mean it looks like a nice, pretty, yummy cake right. Well, don't look too closely. One hour after taking this photo the top part of the cake fell and it totally fell apart. As my family sat and watched it fall, all we could do was laugh.  Emma said this is by far her favorite birthday cake she has ever had and she will always remember it. . I guess that made it all worth it.

Something I have always done for my kids birthdays is make it so when they get home from school there is a big surprise waiting for them. They love it. Emma said she doesn't want it any other way. She said she always looks so forward to come home and see the house decorated and what kind of cake she is getting and all her presents. She said she gets butterflies in her stomach because she is so excited to walk in the door and feel special. I love it too. I seriously spent all day (possible when I have not kids at home) decorating and making her cake. It was so fun. You cant really tell by the photos but it looked really cute. In fact when Emma walked in the door she screamed with joy.

pink lemonade, pink tulips, pink candy

Something happened to me when Emma was born. I turned pink. I never really liked pink before but ever since I've been hooked. It seems like every birthday she gets pink. I think she is happy with it too. That's  just what happens when you are the only girl I guess. Plus, who doesn't like decorating with pink. Especially these days. 

Emma screamed when she opened the boys present. It was Hollister perfume, something she had been wanting for so long.

I made this collage with my favorite photos of Emma. She loved it. She now has it on top of her desk. It was so fun to make and so easy. Going through all the photos made me laugh and cry.

I love my girl and am so thankful and lucky she is in my life. Even if she is a teenager, ha ha