teacher appreciation: an apple for the teacher.

Last week was teacher appreciation week at Cason's school.

Case just loves his teacher. 

With guidance from the PTA, we found ways to show her every day of the week, 

but this one was our favorite (and the yummiest☺).

Easy too. 

The PTA suggested bringing an apple for the teacher one of the days. 

It seemed like she would get TONS of regular apples, so I wanted to embellish a little.

My original plan was to make some caramel apples, but I ran out of time. 

So then I thought I would just go pick some up,
but the shop wasn't open in the window of time I had to go get them.

Time to improvise!

I had already stuck a No2 pencil in the apple as the stick in preparation for caramelization, 

so I thought I would just go with it and figure something out. 

I grabbed pint-sized mason jars (which I already had) and filled them with apple dip, 

then stuck some cute paper on top. 

It could have been even cuter with a little tag, but again-- no time.

My recipe for the dip just kind of happened based on what I had.
(and I don't really remember all the measurements, so you might want to adjust some based on personal taste)
But it turned out SO yummy.

Caramel Apple Dip

8oz cream cheese (one brick), softened
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Powdered sugar to taste

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy,
then top with more caramel and a generous amount of Heath bar bits.  


It's never too late to thank those wonderful teachers!

baby food gift boxes.

When Cason turned one, I had saved tons and tons of the plastic Gerber baby food containers because they were such sturdy, neat little boxes and I felt guilty throwing them away (hoarder status? maybe). 

I used them as favors by filling them with gumballs at his first birthday party. 

Now, I have three kids... imagine how many baby food containers I have saved (and used!)! 

Every time I do this, it is such a hit! Plus I feel good about myself because I am recycling. 

Think, birthday parties, church (specifically YW) handouts, school snack helper, purse treats....

So instead of keeping the secret to myself, I thought I would share. 

Its so easy and makes such a big impact.

Just cut out a piece of double-sided paper (2"x3") and stick it with a glue dot.

Then find an embellishment for the top to cover the "Gerber". 

Fill and Done.

Rainy Day Schedule:: Duct Tape and Cardboard.

it was rainy all day.

but nothing a little neon duct tape can't handle.

 

 

a cardboard village kept the kids happy and gave me enough time to get some work done ☺

Party time: Mermaid Style.

This 4-year-old girl LOVES Ariel, so naturally she wanted an Ariel birthday party. 

But I kind of have an aversion to licensed characters (and anything licensed is twice the price), so she settled for a MERMAID PARTY and invited Ariel.

I think she was happy with it.
She was very happy that she got to wear her Halloween costume again (score for me!)...
We made her a birthday crown and she just felt like a mermaid princess. 

Ariel guarded the sand dollar and oyster cookies.

Line up for the pinata!

Ariel oversaw the nail painting and headband making.

She also taste-tested the strawberry cake for us.

Three and four-year-olds are so much fun. 

I love throwing parties for (and with) my sweet Lucia. 

She gets so excited about every little detail. 

It was such a swimming-good time.

Four cheers for mermaids!

Party Time: Rubber Ducky Birthday!

My kids were so excited for their little brother to turn one. 

So, for months, they have been brainstorming what kind of party we should throw for him! (they love this party stuff as much as I do ☺)

In the end, after much deliberation from the 5-and 3-y-o siblings, we decided on a rubber ducky theme. Levi always monopolizes the rubber ducky supply at bath time, so they thought it was quite appropriate.

:: A rubber ducky birthday party over the weekend for the one-year-old at our house ::

 

   

 

  

  

  

I served soup in bread bowls with a green salad and deviled eggs.
But the bulk of the food, lets be honest, was sweets.
Banana cake
Sugar cookies
Jello cups
Handmade suckers
Lemon bars
Donut holes
and Italian sodas

I just still can't get over his sweet one-year-old face. 

Why did this happen so fast?