tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32290563156289636442024-03-13T15:01:10.064-05:00The Cutest Little House in TownEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-17157474688888518882014-08-11T08:16:00.001-05:002014-08-11T08:17:34.466-05:00Pink Lemonade First Birthday Party<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rae had a beautiful first birthday on Saturday. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect day, it was warm and sunny with family and friends. I designed and hand made these invitations on my Cameo Silhouette using inspiration from a few different invitations that I found on Etsy. I love the little poem and simplicity of the invitations! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF_oVuvpsfyr6d8Alf4bOkpau-oBYQPqpsHdDjt53WS62RkUatzvD0_4fa2-9tJW6aQVSm2BPjS6v9PGuwvFiS_MnicAEYgaFC0B8YFPlGMgIULW-cBKneIj0wB5g3B-r_72iT2GTitA/s1600/edited+invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF_oVuvpsfyr6d8Alf4bOkpau-oBYQPqpsHdDjt53WS62RkUatzvD0_4fa2-9tJW6aQVSm2BPjS6v9PGuwvFiS_MnicAEYgaFC0B8YFPlGMgIULW-cBKneIj0wB5g3B-r_72iT2GTitA/s1600/edited+invites.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I then set to work on the props for the day including this lemonade stand. I almost didn't make it but then found all the pieces that I needed at Michael's and couldn't resist how easy it all was.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeK-vGWkESXdwMuQLdyp_SPb_9haEspS7469J57epvAmHoSc0C7NMNfDkc6X-yn8TMcIFhTOmnZsGBcV0cT9n4ldmxOisWPwM0xGkNzyPEMvmYjJzTAryywy56dz4vRjBnd4iASSH2DM/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeK-vGWkESXdwMuQLdyp_SPb_9haEspS7469J57epvAmHoSc0C7NMNfDkc6X-yn8TMcIFhTOmnZsGBcV0cT9n4ldmxOisWPwM0xGkNzyPEMvmYjJzTAryywy56dz4vRjBnd4iASSH2DM/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I glued the pieces together with wood glue and painted it yellow using the leftover wall paint from her nursery. I then cut out the lettering and decorations using my Cameo, that machine was so easy to use and crucial for all of my decorations.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfogEU9u8CFz-vlcnmHhD_mBkeUZ2V1pXInTj4ls31aIOw2-yIFbHk7JM1r6MiGl6vXt7YdUlGKm-OAe8v_y2CYnaKKur_k1zFxPy-5JdivUq2eIk5uZYiATehFZSc1qQrKFhBeJ5Ui4/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfogEU9u8CFz-vlcnmHhD_mBkeUZ2V1pXInTj4ls31aIOw2-yIFbHk7JM1r6MiGl6vXt7YdUlGKm-OAe8v_y2CYnaKKur_k1zFxPy-5JdivUq2eIk5uZYiATehFZSc1qQrKFhBeJ5Ui4/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I put the lemonade stand at the curb with a few balloons to let people know where the party was. Rae was so adorable in her little lemon shirt from Janie and Jack!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPvfy7CwcuPlzr4UGOPgtMSrdnW_Sr18Ew0YK4gyn7hbqham-GAMemY4AlUGbCEooJxgOLIF8JsIb20-JcyQYlyAj31S3g1QEATENoa0ffuLothE-4j0hWRWwB5Wqt49gfzKYs1VUpnI/s1600/DSCN4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPvfy7CwcuPlzr4UGOPgtMSrdnW_Sr18Ew0YK4gyn7hbqham-GAMemY4AlUGbCEooJxgOLIF8JsIb20-JcyQYlyAj31S3g1QEATENoa0ffuLothE-4j0hWRWwB5Wqt49gfzKYs1VUpnI/s1600/DSCN4413.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6ZiSxE8PtC0eK4PnvlBrSabKQYnbkUMUu0SXd5OQp7CL9AOh6wherJYaJy0IbYGc_hPUFyEPFDNR8Y22Ohx-03A-xwNrgpjzDeuXHgssXdC91CPTbfz1tf1Tl7pJ9Blxy6YxXpf1_HE/s1600/DSCN4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6ZiSxE8PtC0eK4PnvlBrSabKQYnbkUMUu0SXd5OQp7CL9AOh6wherJYaJy0IbYGc_hPUFyEPFDNR8Y22Ohx-03A-xwNrgpjzDeuXHgssXdC91CPTbfz1tf1Tl7pJ9Blxy6YxXpf1_HE/s1600/DSCN4419.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hung a few pieces of twine and placed all of my favorite photos from the past year. Rae loved looking at all of her pictures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3wig-bCx96_vBDN3_Qza7wHWyDKIQAGPtehHksjcjWl96F-UfZDhDtFAtbR3QKBaNXtoGQMLIUKAU08m3O7k890HMb9c49gWGEFDLRt-keItVvj1M0w4LlpzIxrqwBJO6JDOVBdMLmQ/s1600/IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3wig-bCx96_vBDN3_Qza7wHWyDKIQAGPtehHksjcjWl96F-UfZDhDtFAtbR3QKBaNXtoGQMLIUKAU08m3O7k890HMb9c49gWGEFDLRt-keItVvj1M0w4LlpzIxrqwBJO6JDOVBdMLmQ/s1600/IMG_2145.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of Estevan's coworkers used to be a professional pastry chef and this was her gift to Rae. It was absolutely perfect and was the centerpiece for the day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuIpKH6lxVn__88i3UsDpnlnW66plPV8xSsKAOJbN785Vhx5Svi5ocsjG6rYpnc-C_A4vrg_F16F1pb69mU-VcSvY16iB-S19yZrlY9V-VwexnZIxFd1WyFubZG6qycWl3dSXEAmI3O8/s1600/DSCN4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuIpKH6lxVn__88i3UsDpnlnW66plPV8xSsKAOJbN785Vhx5Svi5ocsjG6rYpnc-C_A4vrg_F16F1pb69mU-VcSvY16iB-S19yZrlY9V-VwexnZIxFd1WyFubZG6qycWl3dSXEAmI3O8/s1600/DSCN4422.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rae didn't get too messy but she did enjoy her taste of cake!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWiFvjvoXegMCQkP3FsKJy7bwREDfHdvizB-cntvX2Ms2bsMY3RxTQ5MKrMtA1pudtDXm8Cpg7Nu4yX28_B_aMuBqr62z6TMkqWKFTUMXoOWLvMBcggeLzw47qzuaIZFRRXpmBsLp3lE/s1600/IMG_2234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWiFvjvoXegMCQkP3FsKJy7bwREDfHdvizB-cntvX2Ms2bsMY3RxTQ5MKrMtA1pudtDXm8Cpg7Nu4yX28_B_aMuBqr62z6TMkqWKFTUMXoOWLvMBcggeLzw47qzuaIZFRRXpmBsLp3lE/s1600/IMG_2234.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cake was vanilla with a raspberry filling, so decadent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBZwQ2DTPjMjp1YURuxp8HKAIuJYhS2DkmVZC0zImFD7gfgWxgXCyDOhXO0YePvqgwTn3uzjKKRNDqCoOl7tvxeLsFty5Xyo-j5NGGaGyQ1BuEXLxLAZKvTWCNnX-3380WFBfgys-hUs/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBZwQ2DTPjMjp1YURuxp8HKAIuJYhS2DkmVZC0zImFD7gfgWxgXCyDOhXO0YePvqgwTn3uzjKKRNDqCoOl7tvxeLsFty5Xyo-j5NGGaGyQ1BuEXLxLAZKvTWCNnX-3380WFBfgys-hUs/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She liked the rind more than the actual watermelon; good thing she had her bathing suit on!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcz1o99PapL-Y90wN9XxnFklLi4W-mQhtDwU6tah5S8VNWVZ5FvgxXNK6ikgxcdDVTed2g0T5-Rl8I6X305QPHgMinrPb3IL58R9Od1mfe4ve_1VkXTn74QO96BJDtsUAl5rJZ27LA8w/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcz1o99PapL-Y90wN9XxnFklLi4W-mQhtDwU6tah5S8VNWVZ5FvgxXNK6ikgxcdDVTed2g0T5-Rl8I6X305QPHgMinrPb3IL58R9Od1mfe4ve_1VkXTn74QO96BJDtsUAl5rJZ27LA8w/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-9427635000272148692014-08-01T09:07:00.000-05:002014-08-01T09:22:08.966-05:00Pernil al CalderoThis is for all those <a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2010/05/arroz-con-gandules.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Arroz Con Gandules recipe</span></a> lovers out there. It's a classic Puerto Rican recipe for pot roast with vegetables, known at Pernil al Caldero. The recipe I used, and slightly modified, is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Puerto-Rican-Cookery-Carmen-Valldejuli/dp/0882894110" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Puerto Rican Cookery</i> by Carmen Aboy Valldejuli</span></a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uhtVg5ONa6kb4PjkKcqeLrgUQoP6NDguhQHAESpsJnSokwEflbC6yqkzQXojF7RF8LNXU7IVUxrWbHzHBE7n_FEpI1wHjZ70OBg9kXQoQ9bA9rmygW97c26jBoXQq1FUPYSqIPt6GqY/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uhtVg5ONa6kb4PjkKcqeLrgUQoP6NDguhQHAESpsJnSokwEflbC6yqkzQXojF7RF8LNXU7IVUxrWbHzHBE7n_FEpI1wHjZ70OBg9kXQoQ9bA9rmygW97c26jBoXQq1FUPYSqIPt6GqY/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>
Pernil al Caldero</b></span></div>
<br />
4-pound butt end of leg of pork<br />
<br />
<i>Crush and mix the following in a mortar:</i><br />
4 peppercorns<br />
4 cloves garlic<br />
1 teaspoon whole dried oregano<br />
4 teaspoons salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon olive oil<br />
1 tablespoon vinegar<br />
<br />
2 cups water<br />
4 cups beef stock<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
2 onions, peeled and quartered<br />
1 pound carrots, peels and cut into 1 inch rounds<br />
1 pound Ukon gold potatoes, quartered<br />
<br />
<br />
Remove skin and excess fat from meat, this is very important! Rinse and dry, score top of meat in diamonds. Rub the crushed seasonings into the meat and set in refrigerator overnight.<br />
<br />
In a large caldero or heavy stockpot, brown meat lightly over high heat. Add liquids, bay leaves, and onions and bring to a rapid boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and boil for 2 hours (1 hour for bone-in).<br />
<br />
Add carrots and potatoes and bring to a rapid boil, reduce heat to medium low and boil for about 1 hour or until meat is well done.<br />
<br />
Uncover, remove meat and vegetables, taste and adjust seasonings. Boil, uncovered, until sauce thickens to taste.<br />
<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-13900200239854924172014-07-31T16:13:00.000-05:002014-07-31T16:14:36.038-05:00Back to schoolIt's almost that time of year again! I'm having very mixed feelings about going back after spending all day, every day with my sweet Rae. A huge part of me just wants to stay at home with her and, not going to lie, homeschooling her through kindergarten has crossed my mind. I'm so in love with showing her new things, making her nutritious breakfasts and lunches, reading whichever books she hands me, and just watching her grow up in front of me. This summer has been so rewarding and I don't want it to stop.<br />
<br />
But I know that I love teaching kindergarten. I remember being so thankful for a career that I love and being surrounded with children that I love even more. I remember the times that I laughed so hard my principal peaked her head in to see what was so funny. I remember feeling the love from heartfelt "thank you's" from parents and former students. Teaching really is the most rewarding career I could have chosen and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to touch so many lives. <br />
<br />
I decided to take a walk down memory lane today to try to bring all of those great memories to the forefront again. Trying to help myself prepare for the weeks coming up ever so soon. These are a few of my favorite moments from my classroom...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxpu7wYQAiTU-pHzB4yIdtOv5pSSpjrT5_pRsZWPby6oC_F5yl_Z_09ZZc_41JkAqoFoWmST83rMtC43XF6A1AfnMrFYB-jkMhE7qppV46KrDjXaFFXps-qexvZmPrnXv_Bq22xtN_CU/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxpu7wYQAiTU-pHzB4yIdtOv5pSSpjrT5_pRsZWPby6oC_F5yl_Z_09ZZc_41JkAqoFoWmST83rMtC43XF6A1AfnMrFYB-jkMhE7qppV46KrDjXaFFXps-qexvZmPrnXv_Bq22xtN_CU/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one of my very favorite back to school activities where the kids listen to <i>No David </i>then write about what David can do in the classroom. This student thought that David can play and listen to the teacher. Precious!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrwpvtMRMFO7KzRfINZSaddTT4BUIiAFrDScNjqFoxcU1JRpg4dtgSZwfd3WAQ02EgBPd6F0kbcf5CS9zh3pGbgwYTF163R7MzQx8u3C3P3yKAcfwCRw40t_Etf7ID7e6OtdFNImq58/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrwpvtMRMFO7KzRfINZSaddTT4BUIiAFrDScNjqFoxcU1JRpg4dtgSZwfd3WAQ02EgBPd6F0kbcf5CS9zh3pGbgwYTF163R7MzQx8u3C3P3yKAcfwCRw40t_Etf7ID7e6OtdFNImq58/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are a beautiful way of teaching the children about community. Each layer is a different part, starting with "self" and ending with "state".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh227evVMkWzkpVKt9NVmKWHf08Njth2Ctx6ypi4wXlVNxmP0s3eqw-zHxgoVYj0XbnQIfDHdSzpXVN9UjX_Oa95TqQh25Vb3yxo8DvQYr1VX9snwZpoxNKCBxJd42n4TExOM0QQTAmvc0/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh227evVMkWzkpVKt9NVmKWHf08Njth2Ctx6ypi4wXlVNxmP0s3eqw-zHxgoVYj0XbnQIfDHdSzpXVN9UjX_Oa95TqQh25Vb3yxo8DvQYr1VX9snwZpoxNKCBxJd42n4TExOM0QQTAmvc0/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Experimental play is so crucial in kindergarten! I like putting magnets out in the beginning of the year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvUdPaZ0iQa-ngGEb2XrgtByJL64bjoSL1GQm3nARQs6LMYsNdNSZAInM9AtYAMBKA8OBEJr6Zm3WaY5JXVR2YMUDB8_YrI6F_Z3zifxXQ2h8_ES8UVt5bhvZWbxhCeSCBpyGgqNJjUY/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvUdPaZ0iQa-ngGEb2XrgtByJL64bjoSL1GQm3nARQs6LMYsNdNSZAInM9AtYAMBKA8OBEJr6Zm3WaY5JXVR2YMUDB8_YrI6F_Z3zifxXQ2h8_ES8UVt5bhvZWbxhCeSCBpyGgqNJjUY/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Real world objects are fun and what can be more fun than comparing and contrasting pumpkins at Halloween!?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjGOLvWST3UFCBVy-BnU_ULixgNS7Np4WW5Qe0RjOeUOrjNGWwzspLzr5yxTo_DXS6c5aAnbZ9TYPrb2LKWiikU2MrvziLRtMnb-LNwljy-8Hxwcwav9gfq2UAQLtPx8MT3VREXS3Q-o/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjGOLvWST3UFCBVy-BnU_ULixgNS7Np4WW5Qe0RjOeUOrjNGWwzspLzr5yxTo_DXS6c5aAnbZ9TYPrb2LKWiikU2MrvziLRtMnb-LNwljy-8Hxwcwav9gfq2UAQLtPx8MT3VREXS3Q-o/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I loved watching my students complete my first worksheet that I ever made for <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Erica-Dufrin" target="_blank">Teachers Pay Teachers.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWPdDl2ejv3yiOzanfpYba4_TD6TCL-GxoMP7cvtQ7BVc8leeCTn6ZtoDPrySlLC44uWfJ0j_vRixsSIwGaIzHhi6K7fbTCvSWabYgHpl2AxaGk6t__xpIxtaSaHFX16dzP6v7H3sStY/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWPdDl2ejv3yiOzanfpYba4_TD6TCL-GxoMP7cvtQ7BVc8leeCTn6ZtoDPrySlLC44uWfJ0j_vRixsSIwGaIzHhi6K7fbTCvSWabYgHpl2AxaGk6t__xpIxtaSaHFX16dzP6v7H3sStY/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite graph of all time! I still have this folded up in a cabinet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmG_6wyXY-R3xw3R92saHAbqzXnm_IPfv5h4yCOpWO2V7uQi9agDA5XnJzsSjwR-T7MrbfDDrbRXnjKu0-_Y-IYPNfzergRetOCgQywjmFJYJBPaCscV6awjgAxrBzvPl3LKsOGJ4xxg/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmG_6wyXY-R3xw3R92saHAbqzXnm_IPfv5h4yCOpWO2V7uQi9agDA5XnJzsSjwR-T7MrbfDDrbRXnjKu0-_Y-IYPNfzergRetOCgQywjmFJYJBPaCscV6awjgAxrBzvPl3LKsOGJ4xxg/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fostering a love of books is one of my main goals as a teacher of young children. Here, they are drawing the covers of their favorite books in preparation for book reviews.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsJcchHVH_-pgm-yjk4MwFY5y8Bq8neRbCuw-QmSfdmB3C9pa2D_nCim0M2aHnwJxNJPTfWs-ezgxWFtztQaJkchzVLBoUXA0QihonusPbdXW_N6ASLu3AE2G_Yja4Zhcb1YKcldbKCA/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsJcchHVH_-pgm-yjk4MwFY5y8Bq8neRbCuw-QmSfdmB3C9pa2D_nCim0M2aHnwJxNJPTfWs-ezgxWFtztQaJkchzVLBoUXA0QihonusPbdXW_N6ASLu3AE2G_Yja4Zhcb1YKcldbKCA/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my all time favorite bulletin board display. We started off our Spring unit on plants with a reading of the book <i>Tops and Bottoms</i> and made our own garden with descriptions of what each plant is, like "flower", "root", or "stem".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkOQibY00VgfylNiI7YNMI7rPEEkrybMX4_DmEobBvEf7xfLYbGGFlOdh9-rvA8LEsWYeFSpDvqbQa1nlrL8d9zfhu-NE3qOwY8xRdxZMOlaLb2Pq-liD4irD71NAPBBfZeJjv4bieaw/s1600/IMG_0787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkOQibY00VgfylNiI7YNMI7rPEEkrybMX4_DmEobBvEf7xfLYbGGFlOdh9-rvA8LEsWYeFSpDvqbQa1nlrL8d9zfhu-NE3qOwY8xRdxZMOlaLb2Pq-liD4irD71NAPBBfZeJjv4bieaw/s1600/IMG_0787.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was a Pinterest victory! Sight words scroll by on a digital picture frame. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8UCU1yFqc1PImeIqC4vqRQrYkzJpVfhs27v-GpB9L4L9l0a6UIjx1kHn5zIq55psUNuX6bZkzsb1JjUHop77Cc2a5o2Youwovy1yNCZaWLW1_XO623zU61nLru7yYGZ8-4GMGCKlKw0/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8UCU1yFqc1PImeIqC4vqRQrYkzJpVfhs27v-GpB9L4L9l0a6UIjx1kHn5zIq55psUNuX6bZkzsb1JjUHop77Cc2a5o2Youwovy1yNCZaWLW1_XO623zU61nLru7yYGZ8-4GMGCKlKw0/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These chick glyphs are so silly, what's not to love?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z5RiBHdxvhfnlcVviwPfYDdBhyphenhyphenHyPwBXPjT-Lmzc6dWhUmvYW0McvOOtQBiwNKN-elC0VzMgA-AKfHrySQKHxTTmBn6lDeuCCN6tw1IMMZf1f8MvqMIwbSqvLap_4ERUuMqeD2c8jLk/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z5RiBHdxvhfnlcVviwPfYDdBhyphenhyphenHyPwBXPjT-Lmzc6dWhUmvYW0McvOOtQBiwNKN-elC0VzMgA-AKfHrySQKHxTTmBn6lDeuCCN6tw1IMMZf1f8MvqMIwbSqvLap_4ERUuMqeD2c8jLk/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to listen to students working cooperatively. Here, they are writing about their favorite part of <i>Bear Snores On</i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDrTuJWF3D2MtLBrBnHeBNDGCQP0HCh2qOWLdt0ft4HILSjMEHCvGR5fDfgYfW8pueYSoXrtsrZ_p01TWnLz6iI_V9TlZW2MOK7Jbm34O7xlouuAl02HBDXmd05Ur2DLpGpiQhtjs0o/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDrTuJWF3D2MtLBrBnHeBNDGCQP0HCh2qOWLdt0ft4HILSjMEHCvGR5fDfgYfW8pueYSoXrtsrZ_p01TWnLz6iI_V9TlZW2MOK7Jbm34O7xlouuAl02HBDXmd05Ur2DLpGpiQhtjs0o/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our countdown to the last day of school is legendary with a small strip of paper inside each balloon detailing a quick and fun activity for the day. </div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-73755418911044455752014-07-27T10:41:00.001-05:002014-07-27T10:43:51.935-05:00Summertime This summer has been a wonderful summer. I have never experienced a summer quite like this one before in that I'm not bored and lonely at all. I've kept myself busy with birthday projects, painting rooms in our house, taking trips with friends, enjoying family visiting from Michigan, and playing with my lovely Rae. This summer has been absolutely perfect.<br />
<br />
Here are a few shots of our summertime fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H77fC3F1yy4o64Yk9eG5EyKSnPx6MJX-SGfbA_gL-9klzp9rYUtZ6bVuOJwjJyaLT5eOXzU5kAQonTMfTTfZghR6GZN5mqjm006IVipKs0AXLUf-fidE1UAV0w9kdbkKyPW3VJvoZI/s1600/IMG_1772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H77fC3F1yy4o64Yk9eG5EyKSnPx6MJX-SGfbA_gL-9klzp9rYUtZ6bVuOJwjJyaLT5eOXzU5kAQonTMfTTfZghR6GZN5mqjm006IVipKs0AXLUf-fidE1UAV0w9kdbkKyPW3VJvoZI/s1600/IMG_1772.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Having some fun at a local splash pad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThi5bACPwwPNojcoeJqUksAO9vywXV-ZQg8FYzao3lN3qFWxOElgBlVz4-lFZrfQijcOi6CmU4k7-STJVb7jGe7wENIKTdc12q4bE6_mAllbnDPXBD6XuptrUFHQrah8guBqygAJ6v_U/s1600/IMG_1554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThi5bACPwwPNojcoeJqUksAO9vywXV-ZQg8FYzao3lN3qFWxOElgBlVz4-lFZrfQijcOi6CmU4k7-STJVb7jGe7wENIKTdc12q4bE6_mAllbnDPXBD6XuptrUFHQrah8guBqygAJ6v_U/s1600/IMG_1554.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rae's favorite animal at Old McDonald's Farm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkhT8UwqzYtZP_0z95nsmD455yvcI7MbHOj6GiGAh4Dxnino3W51nlmQzUnDzscHp1097CuHQ4R4b6a55skkXGZLfG9-u9AAQn6WFOge4tIUJDE7pMft0A_S64XBetu2f1LJMqZrDsxA/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkhT8UwqzYtZP_0z95nsmD455yvcI7MbHOj6GiGAh4Dxnino3W51nlmQzUnDzscHp1097CuHQ4R4b6a55skkXGZLfG9-u9AAQn6WFOge4tIUJDE7pMft0A_S64XBetu2f1LJMqZrDsxA/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kerbey Lane cafe was our favorite breakfast place in Austin. Cinnamon roll pancakes were out of this world!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItQi-xAMENzMlcNWBBZLGDk2JeCdmJRGkdaIDy3S-jRWqn2iiQj-0DJVe8dMJ5Emg2FDoWwinDAn9yr2JMfZC3Mv4-GhNtm0lY7g4vVRaAeBCtlzmHJB93nWHlLTJXrjyfJiA2FXJb_8/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItQi-xAMENzMlcNWBBZLGDk2JeCdmJRGkdaIDy3S-jRWqn2iiQj-0DJVe8dMJ5Emg2FDoWwinDAn9yr2JMfZC3Mv4-GhNtm0lY7g4vVRaAeBCtlzmHJB93nWHlLTJXrjyfJiA2FXJb_8/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About to go into Longhorn Caverns, excited!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlkDep0mQR9WAA8Sh85e8clBkAQnGYh75uDXc0w1FAHcfZZiPfxPrW0LHsK1L1VxH_GZbcM2Z95CUh0bXWxLnNxkLxYcKOqG8eeKv2DAXGFO6s3oIWxkYXcyH1ufUJIJAmQOmeUg9qYA/s1600/IMG_1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlkDep0mQR9WAA8Sh85e8clBkAQnGYh75uDXc0w1FAHcfZZiPfxPrW0LHsK1L1VxH_GZbcM2Z95CUh0bXWxLnNxkLxYcKOqG8eeKv2DAXGFO6s3oIWxkYXcyH1ufUJIJAmQOmeUg9qYA/s1600/IMG_1851.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The entrance to Longhorn Caverns. Rae didn't make it much further than this, haha!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilULIJCh9VB6XyJPW6pgeSoaKoRMGbwMMSPC-PHvUkntKnBeRLzrrjN2_snsvl3mmdBfV7TmsifMdvT8ln58iEbtCdxSgsdz7x_wS6jPZb3urH2f1EfElcBCzSJ8uy7R5lktOf2dIubUU/s1600/DSCN4375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilULIJCh9VB6XyJPW6pgeSoaKoRMGbwMMSPC-PHvUkntKnBeRLzrrjN2_snsvl3mmdBfV7TmsifMdvT8ln58iEbtCdxSgsdz7x_wS6jPZb3urH2f1EfElcBCzSJ8uy7R5lktOf2dIubUU/s1600/DSCN4375.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I painted over the hideous 'Venetian plaster' job in Rae's bathroom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW35BZvctBn2CaOl9VkkWJWaZGc7lo7wVG7JSRw_MHWgI6iWC7HxvKqfc6E8CJxsYTjHlIz_qwKA-viDfZM1I_PPJEyCv0SrrXAWTq2FmVg8zYogxquqUQ0W0H8Y20AJgv60bP9kyChA/s1600/DSCN4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW35BZvctBn2CaOl9VkkWJWaZGc7lo7wVG7JSRw_MHWgI6iWC7HxvKqfc6E8CJxsYTjHlIz_qwKA-viDfZM1I_PPJEyCv0SrrXAWTq2FmVg8zYogxquqUQ0W0H8Y20AJgv60bP9kyChA/s1600/DSCN4388.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rae helped.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmdUnIEU6rEbRONjAPGNSvrRk1Y7OoLWmgjJz0KFnWIcSf2iNkynlClcJXy14Yt3gfKt3G0ZnptHt-H7f9Bg_Tep5NE6UCtXFPCggavCDH3XmjKU9NatgTWXOiN4WE2MdRLUWSjCjR7M/s1600/DSCN4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmdUnIEU6rEbRONjAPGNSvrRk1Y7OoLWmgjJz0KFnWIcSf2iNkynlClcJXy14Yt3gfKt3G0ZnptHt-H7f9Bg_Tep5NE6UCtXFPCggavCDH3XmjKU9NatgTWXOiN4WE2MdRLUWSjCjR7M/s1600/DSCN4383.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I tore down the crazy tea-stained paper treatment that was in the game room upstairs and got very brave with this new color, 'Expressive Plum'.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9eykj1AI4XcCkdbJVDtGA_ky-1G8rpg6hHMaZysJ_29cM8O2iuYu-muGWVqg-p9ZbhREwmNFJt1fyIxc467c-v2L4G2OEgjBjiyBG_frpZV_MowJrI5rh4trwA7-rcxV-K0Inmw7_RU/s1600/DSCN4394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9eykj1AI4XcCkdbJVDtGA_ky-1G8rpg6hHMaZysJ_29cM8O2iuYu-muGWVqg-p9ZbhREwmNFJt1fyIxc467c-v2L4G2OEgjBjiyBG_frpZV_MowJrI5rh4trwA7-rcxV-K0Inmw7_RU/s1600/DSCN4394.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally, I made these fun decorations for Rae's party. The lemonade stand was so easy to make it shocked me. Can't wait for August 9th!</div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-43752864723179726492014-06-14T06:39:00.003-05:002014-06-14T06:39:51.495-05:00Homemade baby pureesHow the time has flown by! Rae is just over 10 months now and starting to eat more and more solid food but this kid still loves her purees. I started out with the goal of simply attempting to make her own foods at home. I thought that I would at least give it a shot and buy her jars if that didn't work out, no biggie, never thinking that I would make it this long.<br />
<br />
I have loved making her baby food, it has been a great point of personal pride for me through this journey of new parenthood. It has also been important to me to have some sort of creative or motherly outlet to feel, I suppose, needed. Switching to formula has been harder than I ever expected and preparing her baby food at home has helped me to feel necessary again. It's weird to describe, maybe baking and cooking is how I express my love. Anyways, this whole process has been very cathartic for me and I'm so glad that I can share it with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VN2BGBZxMPWuZIO4qNXfvyX9DtqV3oMCMTsR1YF2hxCyH-eUSjC_I1ba25szZJKNQqnhDsmdpFY_2RLacO1-TP1G_7kaicaJuwExx_UL0Y9GglDInOPgWvO5K-ICBrDGQK7x2QBNwNU/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VN2BGBZxMPWuZIO4qNXfvyX9DtqV3oMCMTsR1YF2hxCyH-eUSjC_I1ba25szZJKNQqnhDsmdpFY_2RLacO1-TP1G_7kaicaJuwExx_UL0Y9GglDInOPgWvO5K-ICBrDGQK7x2QBNwNU/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I need to start by telling you that I didn't buy a single thing to prepare baby food. I registered for a special baby food maker that would steam and puree, I registered for the trays to put that wonderfully prepared food into, I registered for a cookbook to use with that wonderful baby food maker. I was so excited to nest! And then along came baby and countless thoughtful and fantastic gifts but no baby food maker, no trays, and no cookbook. Sure, I wanted all that but I knew in the back of my head that it was ridiculous and apparently everyone else did too!<br />
<br />
So I searched all over the baby blogs and recipe sites for how to get started and discovered that I already owned everything necessary to make baby food. This is what I found to be needed:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Steamer basket, either with a stock pot or in a rice cooker</li>
<li>Food processor or blender</li>
<li>Ice cube trays for freezing</li>
<li>Freezer bags for storing</li>
</ol>
<div>
I then found a fantastic site for food ideas called <a href="http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">WholesomeBabyFood</span></a>. It is an outstanding source for figuring out how to start feeding solids to a baby!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZOi4X5zg4xqE7OBSwryUwsWo4jfvVbwTPI9tUTal-iFv0HFf9dxOnGa1BoWOUPMp1RLfJr3unw3LWnsEKdi7Cb4CzxLRzuTtOBjKrENeP8n3BISoS34cHlWe_WC2UaM1g0iJ5dqGCXk/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZOi4X5zg4xqE7OBSwryUwsWo4jfvVbwTPI9tUTal-iFv0HFf9dxOnGa1BoWOUPMp1RLfJr3unw3LWnsEKdi7Cb4CzxLRzuTtOBjKrENeP8n3BISoS34cHlWe_WC2UaM1g0iJ5dqGCXk/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love the ice cube trays because they produce perfect little 1oz portions of food. This makes it so easy to combine different foods for a new flavor every day. The possibilities are endless and can be somewhat daunting. If you are a little worried, just do what I did and walk down the baby food aisle to see what those master chefs put together! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***Tip: the food doesn't pop out like ice, wedge a knife along the side and it will pop right out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The cubes are also easy for transporting to daycare. I simply put 3 cubes in a little reusable storage container and they set it in hot water to heat up. I also heat up two cubes of fruit purees and mix in plain whole-milk yogurt for a great snack. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSTnfIEmNvzyNV7rzneNTvPLlb9xMAvTzr-4D255WW1FHodvuNQHSH2Y_vF2K_WkLmRwve4VrVJcIg-O75peNQtV_sbKY3IT7zOZz4ZNgpoynilAh1Y8kltC7sfSirpiUrgpZZM_gdhw/s1600/IMG_0815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSTnfIEmNvzyNV7rzneNTvPLlb9xMAvTzr-4D255WW1FHodvuNQHSH2Y_vF2K_WkLmRwve4VrVJcIg-O75peNQtV_sbKY3IT7zOZz4ZNgpoynilAh1Y8kltC7sfSirpiUrgpZZM_gdhw/s1600/IMG_0815.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
You can adjust the level of smoothness and thickness by adding water to the food processor. Just be careful about adding too much because freezing can cause some vegetables, like carrots, to become watery. Speaking of carrots, did you know that carrots spark in the microwave!? I never knew until I put some steamed carrots in there for a few seconds and they popped like fireworks. Turns out, it's the high levels of minerals that causes it. Crazy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm off now to mix a few cubes into Rae's oatmeal. Have a great weekend!</div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-18670377101873486182014-02-15T06:12:00.001-06:002014-02-15T06:12:15.644-06:00Six Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rae turned six months old this past weekend. She is still the most amazing thing in my life and I am astonished that she is already half a year old! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaNj1ItnKpAYmSdm0CLc7UVyeodlLMI3o51wHPGcTvvqcM5w-_rncCPYlo9sW3NmquJnVbzSP3FWKqHiJ7jCzfJkJ4NTvU-ulR_OZoXHzRyjDetFRK6OKdX7AGTb_YwUBp6wF8Wl0cTQ/s1600/six+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaNj1ItnKpAYmSdm0CLc7UVyeodlLMI3o51wHPGcTvvqcM5w-_rncCPYlo9sW3NmquJnVbzSP3FWKqHiJ7jCzfJkJ4NTvU-ulR_OZoXHzRyjDetFRK6OKdX7AGTb_YwUBp6wF8Wl0cTQ/s1600/six+months.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is so incredible to think that she is already this old but at the same time I find myself thinking that she's only been in my life for six months yet I can't imagine it without her. Estevan and I are head over heals in love with her!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-36628277157589772722014-02-09T08:56:00.000-06:002014-06-14T06:42:45.714-05:00Weaning from the pumpI have reached my breastfeeding six month goal!!!!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7w3n0I49A1qjrc1wo1_500.gif" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm so thrilled to have made it this long after the <a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-struggles.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">emotional start</span></a> and the grueling journey through <a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-struggles-part-two.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">exclusively pumping</span></a>. It has been very hard on my body, my emotions, and my job but I have finally made it. I'm so proud of myself for making it this long but then I start to question myself for quitting now that I've come this far. I keep tricking myself into thinking that it isn't THAT hard. Don't I want to give my daughter the best? My supply is good, there are so many moms out there that would give anything to feed their babies breast milk; so why am I calling it quits? I'm still an emotional mess about the whole thing and every few minutes I change my mind about quitting and continue to beat myself up about it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So why am I stopping? I need to stop analyzing my pumping output and stressing about whether I will have enough milk for the next day even though there is plenty in the fridge. I need to allow myself the time to sleep in past 4:50am. I need to socialize with my coworkers instead of sequestering myself in a tiny little room with my pump. I need to go to bed again without so many layers. I need to give myself the opportunity to do anything that I want for longer than 4 hour increments. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm stopping because I need to feel like myself again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm so much more than a source of food for my daughter. I am a wife, a teacher, a daughter, and a friend. I have forgotten some of those aspects of myself along this emotional roller coaster. It's time to step off and stop worrying so much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm going to start being proud of myself for achieving my goal. Besides, I have one amazing little girl who is thriving and happy. THAT is the important thing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Tf441f8gc01V5uGcQjYNhLvAZhLC7WN8Ljx9sew3FYrhfhx5IKMtX7JGxeavUClSfiKNvbtVbBhcH1RhuCtNEKkDhEOiUcRhOnTttheqatfcVxb-sB_VxTQt5GGRqVq9SLQ9qOawho/s1600/IMG_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Tf441f8gc01V5uGcQjYNhLvAZhLC7WN8Ljx9sew3FYrhfhx5IKMtX7JGxeavUClSfiKNvbtVbBhcH1RhuCtNEKkDhEOiUcRhOnTttheqatfcVxb-sB_VxTQt5GGRqVq9SLQ9qOawho/s1600/IMG_0916.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-47668682257817481132014-02-01T08:05:00.000-06:002014-02-01T08:05:23.402-06:00Baby Food MakingI miss you, it has been too long. I fear that it will be like this for a while, me taking crazy long breaks from blogging and then showing up out of the blue with a bazillion new photos to share. So let's get the photos out of the way first...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmYjiepbahKulfwUFLzu4mI2MQpVUFLFwFe4N4Psbv37SwzolRBwY1hmLaX4Gq8cM7opMiE3ut4FZpUD8jQPmaLiBAArs-doa4eS3Kj-AWGCzNApOyiYhdKcp2ukuCnNZHWNXHwyKkZY/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmYjiepbahKulfwUFLzu4mI2MQpVUFLFwFe4N4Psbv37SwzolRBwY1hmLaX4Gq8cM7opMiE3ut4FZpUD8jQPmaLiBAArs-doa4eS3Kj-AWGCzNApOyiYhdKcp2ukuCnNZHWNXHwyKkZY/s1600/blog.jpg" height="140" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that I have that out of my system we can move on to the exciting stuff like baby food! Ok, maybe it's not that exciting for you but it was big news in this household. Rae loved every part of her first time eating food like a big girl. Cue another photo (sorrynotsorry).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKAWIQ3SF5iwJPxILKW2P3mCk7DRTBhI3mXkY0hFykuAHkqyM9AbOXO0wtqvWGEejS_j0LtL0A4Utm_QEReq7MawbpU275p1LAfLR6koWzIND0-aQMk4xfkrfHpqk3aknUTnnfgzI5uI/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKAWIQ3SF5iwJPxILKW2P3mCk7DRTBhI3mXkY0hFykuAHkqyM9AbOXO0wtqvWGEejS_j0LtL0A4Utm_QEReq7MawbpU275p1LAfLR6koWzIND0-aQMk4xfkrfHpqk3aknUTnnfgzI5uI/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A lot of people like to start out with rice cereal, making it as thick as their baby likes it while still being able to spoon feed. The rice cereal is great for getting baby used to putting something in their mouth but does not provide any nutrition Some people like to start out with whole pieces of food that can be easily held and gnawed on by their baby, i.e. baby led weaning. We decided to do a combination of both, skipping the rice cereal completely but still spoon feeding her. Our reasoning behind choosing to skip rice cereal was that, either way, she will be getting used to putting something in her mouth besides a bottle and with actual food she might glean a small amount of nutrition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rae's first food was yummy avocado, mashed up and smoothed out with a little bit of breast milk. She has been very eager to put whatever I have been eating into her mouth, this made it very natural for her to open her mouth and accept a spoonful. Of course, she barely swallowed and most of it was just pushed around by her tongue but she seemed to like the whole experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhiC98waAWDOfcCnZCsy-CjL8eZyPxRjIwqQ8RybnaYoCmQorrkDafQy2PlnbvldwqDmtXZlpbwKxis_CE0uhw_IYN319ggS6E79F3RSfHcdYGTpYpMs8rVtM9rR3y33h0Pt8JjqjWyk/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhiC98waAWDOfcCnZCsy-CjL8eZyPxRjIwqQ8RybnaYoCmQorrkDafQy2PlnbvldwqDmtXZlpbwKxis_CE0uhw_IYN319ggS6E79F3RSfHcdYGTpYpMs8rVtM9rR3y33h0Pt8JjqjWyk/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My goal is to use fresh foods to make all of Rae's foods instead of buying jars of baby food from the store. It might be a lofty goal and I will soon figure out if it is achievable but I feel very strongly in the benefits of making fresh food. Have you seen the color of jarred green beans? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So far, I have made pureed butternut squash and green beans. No outrageously priced baby food making equipment necessary, just a stove top for boiling or oven for baking and a food processor that I already owned. I make her food in large batches and freeze the rest in, get this, ice cube trays! Ice cube trays are the best! They are perfectly sized little one ounce containers for freezing any kind of puree. I pop them out once they are frozen solid and place in freezer baggies like this...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbPUrqAhVSNB80_y7N7f_rbXPltFiNbC_yNYi2hVtxF1dx5_SmVHo0UIIg4v62av3IuAUkl7zMi03TA8P9wTlSlkGULWeT1ROC5J5kUDfdVj1W-BVnHtsNG_GL3oU_Au5pvfoKGC5p1w/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbPUrqAhVSNB80_y7N7f_rbXPltFiNbC_yNYi2hVtxF1dx5_SmVHo0UIIg4v62av3IuAUkl7zMi03TA8P9wTlSlkGULWeT1ROC5J5kUDfdVj1W-BVnHtsNG_GL3oU_Au5pvfoKGC5p1w/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All I have to do at meal time is place one in a bowl and microwave it for about 20 seconds. Voila, a perfect little portion for dinner! These will stay good for a couple of months but once we get into eating them every single day they will be eaten at a faster pace. For right now, it's very easy to make a batch every other weekend. We will see how this whole experience goes, I'm taking it one day at a time.</div>
<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-38148728302549732982013-10-18T12:17:00.002-05:002013-10-18T12:17:52.912-05:00Two months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_383853610"></span><span id="goog_383853611"></span>Rae turned 2 months on October 9th.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPySGRXvUXe6BOoC7LqJT_2e64fqT6fL831ouPr7S5_iJFHFSuvhIUe6me8w_gnqIcSjlOR12qkJ8xrv4Vicw2YD1VOWEeB0NmFlDiIFKIOBEmwqy9fodZsTZ_n8JukLOC6Of4cVsIG8/s1600/two+months+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPySGRXvUXe6BOoC7LqJT_2e64fqT6fL831ouPr7S5_iJFHFSuvhIUe6me8w_gnqIcSjlOR12qkJ8xrv4Vicw2YD1VOWEeB0NmFlDiIFKIOBEmwqy9fodZsTZ_n8JukLOC6Of4cVsIG8/s640/two+months+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She is growing remarkably well, weighing in at 11 pounds, 14.5 ounces. She's right on track with all of her measurements which makes this momma very happy and extremely relieved. I'm always very nervous in the days leading up to her doctor appointments, scared that something is wrong and I'm not catching it. I'm hoping there will be a time when I don't worry so much about her but I don't know if that day will ever come. <br />
<br />
I love you baby girl!Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-63156249327466201502013-10-09T12:28:00.000-05:002013-10-11T08:43:29.709-05:00Our struggles, part two<a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-struggles.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Continued from Our Struggles...</span></a><br />
<br />
Rae took perfectly to the bottle from the instant it touched her lips. There was no more crying that night... from either of us. She finished off 2 ounces within 3 minutes, eating as if she hadn't eaten in days. In fact, this may very well have been the case. She clearly was not getting the milk she needed, not after losing nearly a pound in two weeks.<br />
<br />
The relief I felt was like nothing I had ever felt before. I thought I had felt relief before in my life but nothing compares to going through the devastating heartache I felt and then finally knowing that my baby was getting what she needed. That <i>knowing</i> was the absolute best feeling for a new mom who doubted herself through every step. That <i>knowing</i> was the one shred of control that I felt in my life at the time. <br />
<br />
I very quickly came to grips with the fact that Rae was going to be bottle fed. I was perfectly content with my new decision. It was, actually, quite shocking how OK I was about it. However, the little voice in my head, that voice that constantly second guesses everything, was wondering why I was so OK with this switch. Was I being selfish because her latch hurt and her nails dug into my skin as I held her writhing body to mine? Was I selfish in wanting to pump because the responsibility of feeding her wouldn't fall solely on my shoulders anymore? Had I given up too easily? <br />
<br />
I quickly dispelled those thoughts in favor of knowing that I was doing what was best for my daughter. She was still getting the very best, breast milk, even though it was not coming in the traditional way.<br />
<br />
I talked to a few family members about our new routine, expressing how extremely relieved I was that Rae was eating so well. I was happy to share the good news that she was gaining weight. The response I received about pumping completely opposed that feeling of relief I felt. They were sad for me, they sent me links to websites for help on latching, told me to go back to the hospital to see a specialist, told me to watch videos on positioning. <br />
<br />
They told me to not give up on breastfeeding.<br />
<br />
That's what hurt the worse. Had I given up? There it was again, that voice in my head. It was coming back and in the worse possible way. Was I giving up on the most important experience for my daughter?<br />
<br />
I thought about this for days with the guilt returning to my heart. All these people were telling me that what I felt as relief was wrong and that I was somehow giving up. Of course, nobody ever said those words. Their words were meant to be encouraging but they were anything but.<br />
<br />
Undaunted, I continued to pump and bottle-feed Rae. She continued to gain weight but better yet, she was finally content. She stopped needing a pacifier every second of every day, she fell asleep with a peaceful smile instead of a furrowed brow. I was headstrong in the conviction that, by any means necessary, Rae was going to get what she needed to be happy.<br />
<br />
You see, that's the thing about me...I am very stubborn. I'm headstrong to a fault sometimes but that's what I needed. I finally dispelled the nagging voice in my head and brushed off the words that were tearing me to pieces inside. I certainly had not given up! If I had given up, my child would be fed formula. Screw those people telling me to not give up. And while I'm at it, screw that voice in my head telling me I'm being selfish.<br />
<br />
Becoming an exclusive pumper is extremely hard. It takes hours of dedication and it's certainly not the easy way out. It is a selfless act. <br />
<br />
I have been pumping for 6 weeks and am very proud of my dedication. Some days I wish it would all be over, that maybe formula isn't all that bad. But then I look at my smiling girl and remember that as long as I can produce the best, I'm going to give her the best. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w-s5AEqSgX8qzmSjvES7-s-TTzL1sANVE7UkciFMxayw2W2OPT9VL7p2gEx3B0Ld7R_gCT20nsJCl_TlaDLeBznlIMvm7EmPjSjt2n5hTL2Z3dbKD7R3gdxK-KVoWCCqi5iugWhFy7M/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w-s5AEqSgX8qzmSjvES7-s-TTzL1sANVE7UkciFMxayw2W2OPT9VL7p2gEx3B0Ld7R_gCT20nsJCl_TlaDLeBznlIMvm7EmPjSjt2n5hTL2Z3dbKD7R3gdxK-KVoWCCqi5iugWhFy7M/s400/IMG_0007.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-13929451019514352272013-10-07T15:06:00.000-05:002013-10-11T08:41:58.137-05:00Our strugglesThis is a post that I have been putting off for weeks. I keep thinking that I should put this experience into words but never know exactly how I feel about it. I never know if I feel like a failure or a success, it's hard when so many people keep telling me what to do but I feel totally opposite. The experience I am talking about is breastfeeding. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Breastfeeding is one of the most amazing things in this world for a new mother. You, alone, can give your child everything she needs. Your body is no longer just yours, it's sustaining life for this incredible little human that you just brought into this world. But what happens when that little person isn't getting all that she needs? What if your best and your doctor's best advice isn't working and isn't enough? That is what happened to me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rae was born 7 pounds 14 ounces and she seemed to have a great latch. All the nurses were amazed at how quickly she latched and how powerfully she seemed to suckle. She loved to nurse and would continue sucking on her hands when she wasn't at my breast. One of the nurses gave her a pacifier to sooth her so she wouldn't get in the habit of sucking on her hands. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was perfect in the hospital and was still going strong once we got home. I felt so powerful and overwhelmingly happy that my baby was flourishing with my care. That all started to change after about a week at home. It started with her ferociously latching and then quickly detaching herself. We would continue like this for a few minutes at the beginning of every feeding until she would finally latch on for good. She was acting like she was starving but then becoming very annoyed at the lack of milk. I couldn't understand because I could see the milk and could even drip some into her mouth. It was there! We continued like this for a week, she was not sleeping well and needing to feed almost constantly. I was not deterred, I thought this was normal. Thinking this surely happens to everyone as they begin to breastfeed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was so happy to get out of the house with my perfect little baby girl on the morning of her two week checkup. The doctors were going to ooh and aah over how cute she was and how well she was doing. She was perfect after all. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We waited in the special room for infants and the nurse called her name for us to come back. She placed her on the scale and told me she weighed 7 pounds. I knew she was going to be less than birth weight, that's perfectly normal to loose a little. But almost a pound? Was that normal?? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The nurse seemed concerned about her weight loss; she should have only lost a few ounces, not 14. That's when it all started to change for me. I immediately thought to all the times she cried hysterically at my breast, not latching for an hour and then sucking for a few minutes until drifting off into exhausted sleep. I thought about how I couldn't sooth her against my chest, Estevan had to be the one to take her and calm her down before trying to latch yet again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I couldn't look away from my baby girl, the nurse was asking me questions but I couldn't think straight. Tears were coming and I desperately wanted to be anywhere but that office. As soon as the doctor entered the office, I was in full blown ugly crying mode. She was so nice to me, she even made me laugh a little saying that doctors fully expect new mothers to be leaking out of every hole. She was very reassuring to me but still told me that if my daughter lost another ounce, she would have to be readmitted to the hospital. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My entire mind switched into survival mode, not for me but for my baby girl. We went into a special room with a rocking chair and my doctor helped me position myself for nursing. She gave me lots of tips and advice for ensuring a good latch. Rae was exhausted but latched for a little while, giving the doctor and I hope that her tips were working. I continued trying for the rest of that day, nursing whenever Rae was awake and even waking her up after a short time to nurse again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was physically and emotionally running on fumes. I don't even know if there were fumes to run on. I couldn't stop crying for the rest of that day. Literally, couldn't stop. I was failing my daughter, either I couldn't produce enough or I couldn't help her to latch properly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That evening, Estevan sat with us as I tried feeding her for three hours. He would take her when she cried so hard her face turned purple and she stopped breathing. She was so distraught it was breaking my heart. Finally, he suggested that we get out the breast pump. We had bought it weeks before she was born as a backup plan. In fact, we had registered for all sorts of bottles and all the accessories to go with them. Bottles, whether with breast milk or formula, were always our plan B. I knew this was always an option but hadn't wanted to accept it for some reason. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I immediately started crying harder when he suggested the pump. I was terrified that my baby was going to starve that evening, that somehow I wasn't producing enough and the tiny amount I did produce was going to get stuck in the pump. Now we can look back and laugh but I was cowering in tears and hysterically crying that my milk would get stuck somewhere in the tubes of the machine and that she would get even less than just trying to latch her again and again. I was at my lowest point and absolutely terrified that I was making every possible mistake.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I held onto my sleeping girl as he went downstairs to figure it out. My dad read the manual as Estevan cleaned the bottles and pump parts. Within ten minutes he was back upstairs with a working knowledge of how to pump. I have never been more thankful to have him as my husband in my entire life. He was my coach throughout all the struggles, looking up videos to help and reaching right in to make sure Rae was in the best position, soothing her when she was starving and frustrated, giving me the reassurance that I was doing a good job. Now he was showing how the pump worked and helping me to properly place the flanges. I was still scared that there wasn't going to be any milk but his help was the gentle reassurance that I needed to get started.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I started the pump. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We sat there, staring at the bottles as the milk slowly dripped down, saying silent prayers that it would all work out. It was 11 o'clock at night and my breasts hadn't been properly emptied for days. I'm sorry if that is too much information but I think you get what I'm saying. I definitely had enough milk for Rae, it did not get stuck somewhere in the tubes of the machine! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That night, she dined.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-struggles-part-two.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">To be continued</span></a>.... I need to feed my baby ;)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-21390601425928422872013-09-13T09:07:00.002-05:002013-09-13T09:07:54.659-05:00One month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
'Rae' turned one month old on September 9th. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-HVwlEjixaXuNaq6arMWOiN_TyjEfcUjOBWMx1Ms-PCeEUYBOnt4glCEd6QnA9sNHMma3QlLmw-EKI8_STP5twBwGdWBL7VCgEnJELOau8AVL1rqfz63AviH9yIDwUAUvaO1kwyT_3E/s1600/One+month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-HVwlEjixaXuNaq6arMWOiN_TyjEfcUjOBWMx1Ms-PCeEUYBOnt4glCEd6QnA9sNHMma3QlLmw-EKI8_STP5twBwGdWBL7VCgEnJELOau8AVL1rqfz63AviH9yIDwUAUvaO1kwyT_3E/s640/One+month.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She's getting so big, already growing out of her newborn clothes! I'm excited for all of her milestones but it's hard to describe the feeling I get when I look at her tiny sleeper with the scalloped frills that she will never fit into again. I know there are beautiful dresses and adorable shoes waiting in her closet but I just want to hang onto that sleeper forever. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the end, she's growing at a fantastic pace and I couldn't be happier that I'm giving her everything she needs. Here's to experiencing all the firsts that month two has to offer!</div>
<br />
<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-55053133648936013402013-08-30T14:00:00.004-05:002013-08-30T14:00:28.091-05:00Our Little GirlOur little girl has arrived! She was born on August 9th at 3:35 pm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj8HUkPkjR1UPQ3ATQs3n6jlwKXbLEN8aoY_uunaQCrtDYXe3bPFDfI6zABEMH21wZIly0-S4fV1RIkFOvgCQeMHCkITgQYgKsluK_nRW6sNfZV8PhsTPTss_swqEjs6eXfIdxWuE6_k/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj8HUkPkjR1UPQ3ATQs3n6jlwKXbLEN8aoY_uunaQCrtDYXe3bPFDfI6zABEMH21wZIly0-S4fV1RIkFOvgCQeMHCkITgQYgKsluK_nRW6sNfZV8PhsTPTss_swqEjs6eXfIdxWuE6_k/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjQ-AhkEPu3Qpb8wGDcUbRu0pggB6uKm3UvZe-pM6SXQ4wECw2Ff4Soy5YXcOas6EQF1uAn8toCyLZ856dSwAVg8Iu8WXvdU6Stl7wYNhpmijuwskPEAd0tiEky7sXwQtpEENAVywmME/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjQ-AhkEPu3Qpb8wGDcUbRu0pggB6uKm3UvZe-pM6SXQ4wECw2Ff4Soy5YXcOas6EQF1uAn8toCyLZ856dSwAVg8Iu8WXvdU6Stl7wYNhpmijuwskPEAd0tiEky7sXwQtpEENAVywmME/s400/IMG_0680.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNun5o_AzPCYViM8ZD3yGr4UQDYb4zsBS5cdUmiiWlMNAgmYrbq0NRn3UkVvL9__FtPZlL-m0RiwyvNutEGqMGYXGQDg6P_7FTxEd_1wJ-rI3_Cj93IRgXr799g__NvQV14jacxAHP5M/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNun5o_AzPCYViM8ZD3yGr4UQDYb4zsBS5cdUmiiWlMNAgmYrbq0NRn3UkVvL9__FtPZlL-m0RiwyvNutEGqMGYXGQDg6P_7FTxEd_1wJ-rI3_Cj93IRgXr799g__NvQV14jacxAHP5M/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPJn4scUJ6_pMvinRmE9IJZs0mvt90y1yLRxqV5tFGBogCaQs1U-P-Hmfm_IkQj7zU9jCrDMyJBodJDfl8Zh3BJHg_A_x_z8-pln8o2xGvMoR-KE0CHmDhmzWEtf8v7qFSMIswo2yBwU/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPJn4scUJ6_pMvinRmE9IJZs0mvt90y1yLRxqV5tFGBogCaQs1U-P-Hmfm_IkQj7zU9jCrDMyJBodJDfl8Zh3BJHg_A_x_z8-pln8o2xGvMoR-KE0CHmDhmzWEtf8v7qFSMIswo2yBwU/s400/IMG_0614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
She has truly completed our life, can't imagine it without her now. Estevan put it very well, it's like she has a part of our souls in her. She's a dream come true.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-80956304592909078692013-08-06T10:20:00.000-05:002013-08-06T10:26:25.652-05:00Gray and yellow nurseryWe are just about finished with putting together and decorating the nursery for our little girl. I am 38 weeks and 5 days, she could come at any moment! I can't wait to see her and bring her home to this cute little room. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before we found out if we were having a boy or girl, we decided to paint the nursery gray and yellow. We love how the colors are bright and cheery while still being gender neutral, this was important because we wanted baby items to be neutral enough to be passed from one child to the next. Check out some pics!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B3T5j2zWKu8TnhQCDnBCrbU_fZnI3Lz-iw89V2fqxh1Z464ePVJIclQJa0VAJfLKc-MwnKmhZg7RoNbeRM4nfpPYPvm3qXPIURmmV6mtiFGWFmfFLiU4wG4HYZJYC9WyeKOZJ1WhzfA/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B3T5j2zWKu8TnhQCDnBCrbU_fZnI3Lz-iw89V2fqxh1Z464ePVJIclQJa0VAJfLKc-MwnKmhZg7RoNbeRM4nfpPYPvm3qXPIURmmV6mtiFGWFmfFLiU4wG4HYZJYC9WyeKOZJ1WhzfA/s400/IMG_0510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
I love walking in and seeing the morning sunlight pouring through the plantation shutters. I finally hung up the <a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/07/hot-air-balloon-mobile.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">hot air balloon mobile</span></a> that I made for our sweet baby girl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWilIxClUbvQvGJelzHpqqLsDaMa3owYH-yGziAayHiDEKE0NBP7Nmgv_Q1OH0mkrGb1LoWCzqOsYO18BmLTfmFXTui5ogepq8rSSZgJMXmW1NqP3PZCQe3YIcUHV2ZpUJlt5zPWCwwm0/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWilIxClUbvQvGJelzHpqqLsDaMa3owYH-yGziAayHiDEKE0NBP7Nmgv_Q1OH0mkrGb1LoWCzqOsYO18BmLTfmFXTui5ogepq8rSSZgJMXmW1NqP3PZCQe3YIcUHV2ZpUJlt5zPWCwwm0/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We placed a bed in her room for me to sleep in for the first few weeks when she is waking up in the middle of the night for on demand feedings. Here's to hoping that she can sleep in her crib from day one! Bonus is that the bed will be her big girl bed some day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJRSNU1TENMNh3-DZqcA0d_YMBy8I9kHAbBbTpgTovL-lC0HUkAYoh3L7CNTCsx1QKbd8mDEliDwti2NuS1UuPlIzeqpbJSIUEjUBAlbRh9Et2SryYd1DyDW2Hywa2wFXu4yzTsXpUv8/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJRSNU1TENMNh3-DZqcA0d_YMBy8I9kHAbBbTpgTovL-lC0HUkAYoh3L7CNTCsx1QKbd8mDEliDwti2NuS1UuPlIzeqpbJSIUEjUBAlbRh9Et2SryYd1DyDW2Hywa2wFXu4yzTsXpUv8/s400/IMG_0475.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My dad has made some stacking toys in the shape of a rainbow, cloud, and sun which I will place on the top floating shelf. He's driving from AZ next week to be with us, so happy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3_wBpbZmXvPtOqge5wIQxjOIxo93_-djwQhHLxBSLt46omKRF4ik7pxTMXTT6H-YBlWiCsfeyXw8K3mxCrh_3YLcfvqsq8sdqLwWIjIgpANgkSVomMci7ax9zs6mvJZCpxD40hcC6M8/s1600/IMG_0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3_wBpbZmXvPtOqge5wIQxjOIxo93_-djwQhHLxBSLt46omKRF4ik7pxTMXTT6H-YBlWiCsfeyXw8K3mxCrh_3YLcfvqsq8sdqLwWIjIgpANgkSVomMci7ax9zs6mvJZCpxD40hcC6M8/s400/IMG_0479.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
We fell in love with this small painting in New Orleans. Perfect way to bring a little girly charm to her room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisEqbnGF6E66BjnsCdhQTqUlCB1FCxTQ2bC7o03xjrO5FXXPF0vITZu6-lYVN5qoOtbQQKESV9cOKChYAp9CFxE5jtqtzyfuzK_vp7F8OYnC-629plQExRTmDtW9zxczddkThhn_eqgM/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisEqbnGF6E66BjnsCdhQTqUlCB1FCxTQ2bC7o03xjrO5FXXPF0vITZu6-lYVN5qoOtbQQKESV9cOKChYAp9CFxE5jtqtzyfuzK_vp7F8OYnC-629plQExRTmDtW9zxczddkThhn_eqgM/s400/IMG_0480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
You knew her dresser drawers wouldn't be arranged all willy-nilly, don't act surprised. Top drawer contains changing table essentials (more to be added as we figure out what she needs), pacifiers, hair accessories, bibs, hats, mittens, and socks. Basically, all the little odds and ends of her wardrobe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDWPy4ZNkq2RsDDJ7x-HHPpUD_RgyOsnAM_PpVkQVWMhULtk35NH2dwPkBPnScpVTkRXCwBZHIkRW6wzH_q3lxHDBMcHNE7VvsZrVXZn6DiaaDMptWcCLDH2n9t0oROjbVNcJj4AK4tU/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDWPy4ZNkq2RsDDJ7x-HHPpUD_RgyOsnAM_PpVkQVWMhULtk35NH2dwPkBPnScpVTkRXCwBZHIkRW6wzH_q3lxHDBMcHNE7VvsZrVXZn6DiaaDMptWcCLDH2n9t0oROjbVNcJj4AK4tU/s400/IMG_0481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Second and third drawers contain onesies and rompers arranged by size. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslLp4FOvTv-p2W-Rh0ylAY5gMy4zWLQWnCgZyQ1jXCjU1W7yHFmo6VaBarRsg1c9iMC7uVTDOEIqpV5PsLYvNJ0PsNJmkpQ_FekKHOWydv8zdBD7jRj8p2Lx5Yw4hJBMwDG0aOD4y3wM/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslLp4FOvTv-p2W-Rh0ylAY5gMy4zWLQWnCgZyQ1jXCjU1W7yHFmo6VaBarRsg1c9iMC7uVTDOEIqpV5PsLYvNJ0PsNJmkpQ_FekKHOWydv8zdBD7jRj8p2Lx5Yw4hJBMwDG0aOD4y3wM/s400/IMG_0482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Good golly, all of these diapers came from diaper cakes that were given as gifts at the baby showers. Took me over an hour to remove rubber bands and unroll each one but we are set for a good amount of time! By the way, this is one of the drawers in the daybed; yay for storage!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmALD2aV8d-Ekhnx_amhnaTrrNY7VBRR0TJFnAUauuoAwGjQ8D_6Jy8GD4mc1YrzbRCrjo1Z5jODipsrTshG-F0hI0DFRxxtL2WfW4hR9H_kmS4ZbHNWyb86I6lTqjnVN21kJ5KiLIWzs/s1600/IMG_0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmALD2aV8d-Ekhnx_amhnaTrrNY7VBRR0TJFnAUauuoAwGjQ8D_6Jy8GD4mc1YrzbRCrjo1Z5jODipsrTshG-F0hI0DFRxxtL2WfW4hR9H_kmS4ZbHNWyb86I6lTqjnVN21kJ5KiLIWzs/s400/IMG_0484.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I love the closet space in our home, this is a huge closet! Inside, we have dresses hanging up with blankets, burp clothes, and sleep sacks placed on the closet organizer. Her larger stuffed animals are sitting inside the oak chest. I'm head over heals in love with my Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHrSUUx0eGKiKDVZlgbPzKuezc1f8J0ZZbA4xhgGYG-4AGJb-6elaEnO1wvlbw3yLfRifinV8L_BWP6aq2MFKf6qe-E6IUEXNw_U6PcXc2-cGBhC-NBL1GUG3GfK7MwyF0iHC_cG9w3c/s1600/IMG_0485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHrSUUx0eGKiKDVZlgbPzKuezc1f8J0ZZbA4xhgGYG-4AGJb-6elaEnO1wvlbw3yLfRifinV8L_BWP6aq2MFKf6qe-E6IUEXNw_U6PcXc2-cGBhC-NBL1GUG3GfK7MwyF0iHC_cG9w3c/s400/IMG_0485.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I found these baskets at The Container Store for about $5 each, they fit perfectly on these small built-in shelves. They contain toys for her carseat and toys for when she gets a little older.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOc1TYwW65YYQe1LH03gSCWEGJtGgPbbb3tCe_Y4OcnJPrzqn1O4Nw8jqRhohpgF_JHs6P9Y0hd97oUKtne7Tc8h2-mqEL1OczNN8XWclol5BSfxd9sQISKSUtTsZ5XXXd38UNz_TN6k/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOc1TYwW65YYQe1LH03gSCWEGJtGgPbbb3tCe_Y4OcnJPrzqn1O4Nw8jqRhohpgF_JHs6P9Y0hd97oUKtne7Tc8h2-mqEL1OczNN8XWclol5BSfxd9sQISKSUtTsZ5XXXd38UNz_TN6k/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
These baskets also came from The Container Store, we have soft toys in one and hard/teething toys in the other. These are stored right above her changing station for instant distraction if she starts fussing while being changed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKbo60dwkUqpZq_ngSwBzfhEllgCErZY13YHbcwCbJewwReVQnMvJavBGiLJuSRAjhhcs6ao6TfZ5lYtsvBeYZq8pqxdj_2-nZboxHX-hrcm2Hcb0Pw0wWjMj5gjVltQOuL12kwLEg8k/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKbo60dwkUqpZq_ngSwBzfhEllgCErZY13YHbcwCbJewwReVQnMvJavBGiLJuSRAjhhcs6ao6TfZ5lYtsvBeYZq8pqxdj_2-nZboxHX-hrcm2Hcb0Pw0wWjMj5gjVltQOuL12kwLEg8k/s400/IMG_0507.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I can't wait to sit in this glider with her and read some of our favorite stories. The ledges are actually picture ledges from Ikea! I like how the books easily conceal the cord to the video monitor attached to the wall above her crib because I'm picky like that.<br />
<br />
<i>Details</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Wall colors: Valspar <i>Cheerful Hue </i>and <i>Natural Gray</i></li>
<li>Crib: Pottery Barn Kids, <i>Hayden</i></li>
<li>Dresser and daybed: Ikea </li>
<li>Swivel glider and ottoman: Best Chair Inc., <i>Dolphin</i> color, bought at Baby's and Kid's 1st</li>
<li>Floating shelves and book/picture ledges: Ikea</li>
<li>Crib bedding: Pottery Barn Kids, <i>Harper Gray</i></li>
<li>Organizing bins for dresser: Ikea</li>
<li>Various baskets: The Container Store</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-20093319537268314992013-08-05T13:52:00.000-05:002013-08-05T13:56:53.618-05:00Frozen meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been stock piling my freezer in preparation for baby's arrival and the chaotic times that are sure to come. Estevan thought I was nuts when I told him that I wanted to make meals for the sole purpose of freezing them. He was also worried about the food budget getting jacked, a worry that I can't blame him for. Preparing for a baby is very expensive! So, instead of buying a bunch of food to freeze on top of food for our normal consumption, I decided to split every big meal in half. Since it's just the two of us, we always have leftovers and those leftovers sometimes do not get eaten. At least one portion of every meal ends up getting thrown away! I have been able to stock up a lot of food by simply baking one half right away and storing the other half in the freezer. Behold the yummy goodness...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdcsAdxaElPNZFgzZwQHGIhojRcjU0LDY7F9hiE-_6w7JjEKEfqXuRU13pmzz-OJ9VsUErb9JvT1t7WYbe5OlVIkL0vF78OQADYKgY9iWDe8YUVzjtDeryY6jajZcxn2tdnyIVCLx5q0/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdcsAdxaElPNZFgzZwQHGIhojRcjU0LDY7F9hiE-_6w7JjEKEfqXuRU13pmzz-OJ9VsUErb9JvT1t7WYbe5OlVIkL0vF78OQADYKgY9iWDe8YUVzjtDeryY6jajZcxn2tdnyIVCLx5q0/s400/IMG_0504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We have chicken spaghetti, stuffed shells, stuffed chicken breasts, marinade for lemon rosemary chicken, and a small meat loaf. I wrote the name of each dish, cooking instructions, and the date it was frozen on each package.<br />
<br />
Here is a breakdown of the recipes that I chose, click the titles to see full recipe:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Chicken Spaghetti</span></a>, Pioneer Woman</li>
<li><a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2010/04/stuffed-shells.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Stuffed Shells</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/kaytucky-chicken" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Stuffed Chicken</span></a>, Kayotic Kitchen </li>
<li><a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2010/05/lemon-rosemary-chicken.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lemon Rosemary Chicken</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/09/my-favorite-meatloaf/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meat Loaf</span></a>, Pioneer Woman</li>
</ul>
<br />
Most of the foods have been prepared up to the point of baking. I will set my oven to a lower temp and bake the chicken spaghetti and shells for about 20 minutes to warm up and then raise it to the normal temp and bake for the normal time. The stuffed chicken breasts will need to be thawed then wrapped in the puff pastry and baked as normal. The marinade will simply need to be thawed and the chicken pieces plopped right into the bag. I cooked the meat loaf almost entirely to ensure it will not be overcooked and dry when reheated, it will be thawed and then baked until the internal temp is 170.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-48240781662895965162013-07-29T13:34:00.001-05:002013-08-05T13:55:16.145-05:00Prepping for long-term subNot only have I been busy nesting at home, I have been very busy preparing my classroom for a long term sub. No easy feat and especially cumbersome when you are as OCD as me!<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVdH5ECT3fP0hN6bkBe8QR3byU40IYiIG4qYx3fbYjTUkASaBjUOFuAJ5g2IOOGvf7dw2zTYC6-JK1m7J1QSkK8Bf2_5eO1cBCkyCaeY_iIb7I3CtUvVQwmwhJMyD4QV9SqWDNXWhHsU/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVdH5ECT3fP0hN6bkBe8QR3byU40IYiIG4qYx3fbYjTUkASaBjUOFuAJ5g2IOOGvf7dw2zTYC6-JK1m7J1QSkK8Bf2_5eO1cBCkyCaeY_iIb7I3CtUvVQwmwhJMyD4QV9SqWDNXWhHsU/s400/IMG_0308.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started prepping my filing cabinets by organizing all of my papers, trashing obsolete ones, and making copies. My kindergarten team is seriously ready for the first 9 weeks with all of our copies! I made 25 copies of each paper since I don't know my class size. You can see the large labels in the picture above, I like these because it makes things so much easier to find than the normal sized file labels. Plus my brain is kind of funny in that it remembers colors associated with certain titles, might be a little freaky but sure makes it easy to find that orange-colored Pete the Cat file. I also attached sticky notes to certain worksheets if I tend to do something differently than the directions or if I know a book that goes particularly well with it. I'm going to be honest, there are a bunch of sticky notes in my files! I have a problem with relinquishing control... there I said it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4AQmxN0nnQYmsuJncCJgfieCZ8_jwVLXQv8S9EL_iGuWYLIhumdwy4qu5RNW2O3Of4JV0z_Hyvy5dATlGtmPGADDOaaNPDEvARaUcewXQu7NJwugpB12OK3OOSK5QYQq2436LGpMHok/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4AQmxN0nnQYmsuJncCJgfieCZ8_jwVLXQv8S9EL_iGuWYLIhumdwy4qu5RNW2O3Of4JV0z_Hyvy5dATlGtmPGADDOaaNPDEvARaUcewXQu7NJwugpB12OK3OOSK5QYQq2436LGpMHok/s400/IMG_0309.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I placed my learning centers in my filing cabinets as well. This is new for me, normally they are just in a plastic crate in the order that I use them. However, I want my sub to know exactly when the appropriate time is to use each learning center which is why I placed them within my chronologically ordered filing cabinet. I made hot pink label papers for all of my centers, you can see them evenly spaced in my cabinet picture above. I glued the title page to the outside of the file and placed all of the papers and materials inside like so...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdUirSqEn7BbBeTaG4Fy8_lir8IEpazqMs1SqCDp9u0x9nCbbEnpfQtu-pJeiqsyJPfWdkW96LlX1v919qtAb75GrS-JOICLJm4TU-BUaM9g1LgHv6PzgNPetBEN40QYX8l7NvF3kV08/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdUirSqEn7BbBeTaG4Fy8_lir8IEpazqMs1SqCDp9u0x9nCbbEnpfQtu-pJeiqsyJPfWdkW96LlX1v919qtAb75GrS-JOICLJm4TU-BUaM9g1LgHv6PzgNPetBEN40QYX8l7NvF3kV08/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Each paper has been copied and clipped to a baggie with the contents for that activity inside. By the way, I adore <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Julie-Lee" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Julie Lee's centers</span></a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jBJv8vbJBqDqjgzZt3jZSnnZQVnAF7F6z-He-UQo7x2OgaKDxBJUoA2OaRd4UKo5q0NBjhgnG3KpS3xeGDVcbhxlPMultLaaZE7wlhU7km2d8NVaZIwiR-4B02Sb31r8uOFqBAChJd8/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jBJv8vbJBqDqjgzZt3jZSnnZQVnAF7F6z-He-UQo7x2OgaKDxBJUoA2OaRd4UKo5q0NBjhgnG3KpS3xeGDVcbhxlPMultLaaZE7wlhU7km2d8NVaZIwiR-4B02Sb31r8uOFqBAChJd8/s400/IMG_0300.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I then went through and labeled my bins where I place the students' extra school supplies. I never labeled them before because this was my kingdom and I already knew where to look for supplies, no sweat. But imagine how frustrating it would be to have to look high and low for an extra glue stick because the sub placed them somewhere else. Hmmm, maybe that's just my own personal nightmare. =P</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQoz0R6pU0epAHOthNYSvXa6vUJ6vcUaGvENumWhE2YwnUjIwoto-sqoTwUFJ699d44XOYte6QwuXLIYBvLa_8ddEuuXgpYgvZprboRvK6cbhcogyOlzo7JIdQZOYZIB0hQ41qFIRd_0/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQoz0R6pU0epAHOthNYSvXa6vUJ6vcUaGvENumWhE2YwnUjIwoto-sqoTwUFJ699d44XOYte6QwuXLIYBvLa_8ddEuuXgpYgvZprboRvK6cbhcogyOlzo7JIdQZOYZIB0hQ41qFIRd_0/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went completely nuts with documenting where things go, even the students' things like writing tablets and math workbooks. If you have a system figured out that works for you I think it would be nice to come back to that same system already established in your classroom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3SCzbWtOo70_Gv6-kp1NGRrpT_0M5BIT6O2Hq9xVQgBEgs-xKp6137ekn0fsZ7gzZXtzF9QTDgq-rsnM6TabHL-vlXoJl38YX121wYTxb48O_9jHLHAc1n8vJfgPS8SqyX2hSyHW-tA/s1600/IMG_0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3SCzbWtOo70_Gv6-kp1NGRrpT_0M5BIT6O2Hq9xVQgBEgs-xKp6137ekn0fsZ7gzZXtzF9QTDgq-rsnM6TabHL-vlXoJl38YX121wYTxb48O_9jHLHAc1n8vJfgPS8SqyX2hSyHW-tA/s640/IMG_0288.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The documentation continued with my schedule. I know that schedules look nothing alike from year to year but this will give my sub something to go off of. This is probably one of the most time consuming parts of beginning a year and I want to make it as easy as I can for my sub.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqQ5CCCvYxFAi7-G6ASLLwhhLp20e6PpbKzzkfTA7Z15776Al2yZ0lnA2wC-_L-2yLcLhZGHM9zfhEhzBJIOueIHbPdnsYW9WP3RtfYol7k5-gbhZNVSCJy3VfEYEVK9cPYGLADU0SiM/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqQ5CCCvYxFAi7-G6ASLLwhhLp20e6PpbKzzkfTA7Z15776Al2yZ0lnA2wC-_L-2yLcLhZGHM9zfhEhzBJIOueIHbPdnsYW9WP3RtfYol7k5-gbhZNVSCJy3VfEYEVK9cPYGLADU0SiM/s400/IMG_0315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, I went around my entire classroom taking pictures of where furniture is located. Each August I come back to tables piled up in a corner, cabinets turned around against a wall, and chairs stacked to the ceiling. It is a crazy few days rearranging my classroom each year! I might spend hours tweaking the location of a freaking bookshelf because it affects the location of my computers 20 feet away. So this year, I got up close and personal with the location of everything in my room so that things can just be rolled, carted, and pushed back to where they should be. No more guessing and moving 10 times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So that's how I have prepared my classroom for a long term sub starting at the beginning of the year. I've come to terms with this small amount of control over a situation where I seem to have none whatsoever. </div>
</div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-30329249013187453252013-07-03T11:53:00.001-05:002013-07-03T11:54:45.345-05:00Hot Air Balloon MobileI have been very busy with only 43 days left to the arrival of our little girl and summer vacation finally here. Nesting is kicking in full blast! Never in a million years would I have thought, however, that nesting would take the form that it has lately. <br />
<br />
I found an amazing idea for a hot air balloon mobile on Etsy but baulked at the idea of spending $70 for something that could obviously be handmade. I did some research through Pinterest and found a DIY blog with the perfect template: <a href="http://www.howjoyful.com/2012/07/nursery-felt-hot-air-ballon-mobile-tutorial-and-pattern/"><span style="color: blue;">www.howjoyfull.com</span></a>. Joy did a wonderful job making her template and describing the overall process but I had to do a lot of research through YouTube videos to find exactly how to make this, that's why I'm posting it all here. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it was easy, or all that cheap, but it sure was fulfilling to make on my own! <br />
<br />
These are the supplies that I bought at JoAnn's for a little under $50. I had to buy everything since I've never sewn before but I'm sure your total would be a lot less if you have any of these already on hand. Please disregard the smaller embroidery hoop, I didn't end up using it for this craft.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNdwhfR0fe10tOcKPFaQfFtR0O4aTAyTox8rq8wCrVIf16iduheywis-CzwjK-4Z6cIwMSokTuybjRcFU7tojZU8P4384gpzSsUb-u-GbCtuDkyZ3YDEiy2ZHoE6i5PnmTAiA-W6C_BA/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNdwhfR0fe10tOcKPFaQfFtR0O4aTAyTox8rq8wCrVIf16iduheywis-CzwjK-4Z6cIwMSokTuybjRcFU7tojZU8P4384gpzSsUb-u-GbCtuDkyZ3YDEiy2ZHoE6i5PnmTAiA-W6C_BA/s640/IMG_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I downloaded the template from the HowJoyfull website, click on this <a href="http://howjoyful.webs.com/freebies/hot-air-balloon.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">template PDF</span></a> to download directly.<br />
<br />
I decided to use the size 2 and 3 outlines only. I figured out what color combinations I wanted to use and cut them out by placing the templates over the felt, using the rotary cutting set to cut. <br />
<br />
Chevron patterns play a big part in the nursery so I decided to tackle the most complicated balloon first. I figured out how far away I wanted my cuts to be and used the angle lines on my cutting board to trace them out on my template.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_3RZATZN29GvNAhswXyDttgvFF2jRPUkGa9VDHoyW0p6Zy1KdjLWDHCynZGXrNDO5QaxUvf9pggHqO2M2nVD13TXPdJbcf_VxUS6oKlOmsv2kzbcIsBm_ue9OHkEwzs63rgH2ZgrcGA/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_3RZATZN29GvNAhswXyDttgvFF2jRPUkGa9VDHoyW0p6Zy1KdjLWDHCynZGXrNDO5QaxUvf9pggHqO2M2nVD13TXPdJbcf_VxUS6oKlOmsv2kzbcIsBm_ue9OHkEwzs63rgH2ZgrcGA/s400/IMG_0345.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Next, I placed the template paper over a felt piece and poked a hole through the point in the chevron pattern with a pen to make a small dot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEjiudI6w-txhecuhyphenhyphen8zJkkEXHMwHMVSyryvp_qZkpbKS30LuGkdHCiA6Nx1i2zX-NTr2LG5oQBScK2X-HwGJ8aD2b1jfcG3I7zTqRevkZyoK39fJWiIGzVHzf709FjEVPX5ThDO7D3g/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEjiudI6w-txhecuhyphenhyphen8zJkkEXHMwHMVSyryvp_qZkpbKS30LuGkdHCiA6Nx1i2zX-NTr2LG5oQBScK2X-HwGJ8aD2b1jfcG3I7zTqRevkZyoK39fJWiIGzVHzf709FjEVPX5ThDO7D3g/s400/IMG_0346.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I used this dot as a place to mark where to stop cutting. Those lines on the cutting board were a life saver! The cutting was a tedious part but do not skip corners and cut more than one piece at a time, that will only result in wonky cuts that are uneven.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tw9CYwx_SSVPIXTkeu63zjkrvfVNrFNEjTjHd7XpjuKpuoWqTv7ygj8CuRZPpDk03K8ZqGDmkf2UjLB0Is20DqV3MbCVLU0U6IMilv73wp_TPYz5mQcYaRtWZy_bzMG4tD2-N1QxRW8/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tw9CYwx_SSVPIXTkeu63zjkrvfVNrFNEjTjHd7XpjuKpuoWqTv7ygj8CuRZPpDk03K8ZqGDmkf2UjLB0Is20DqV3MbCVLU0U6IMilv73wp_TPYz5mQcYaRtWZy_bzMG4tD2-N1QxRW8/s400/IMG_0348.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once the cutting was complete, I lined them all up in order. Lookin' good already!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjvBTgRksNT6AsW87ovbfLRvC4ZPzj8p9rW2mZ_xq40DGUXAS2k7pRN3NHb0MwX1u-76E4bDuyMsKiEoxP-k6bPnVRDXb1CXOAf0cjMYUZaPv65uB1QJIciD3CS6Vqx63UMBQ46oxIEE/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjvBTgRksNT6AsW87ovbfLRvC4ZPzj8p9rW2mZ_xq40DGUXAS2k7pRN3NHb0MwX1u-76E4bDuyMsKiEoxP-k6bPnVRDXb1CXOAf0cjMYUZaPv65uB1QJIciD3CS6Vqx63UMBQ46oxIEE/s400/IMG_0351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After researching how to sew two pieces of felt together, I decided to use a blanket stitch. I used this video to teach myself, I love that there's no annoying lady describing every detail. Watch and learn!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eXkSE2TTF4s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did my blanket stitch on a flat surface to that the balloon will take shape properly. By the way, this is the side that will show on the balloon, I made sure no marks were visible.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxGJ1Ggj5cWEiZdtn85Xi9QgjjIgGkHOc2ejptb7oq49VvAN-RbdUH-hKAF0r6PXTvLGwQIy708dwpGxKJToEkR0uKmCaPsQG0z9U8ZDBIQVA20ZOo4g1avUGGcmUCzwpQzZXrkIXaQY/s1600/IMG_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxGJ1Ggj5cWEiZdtn85Xi9QgjjIgGkHOc2ejptb7oq49VvAN-RbdUH-hKAF0r6PXTvLGwQIy708dwpGxKJToEkR0uKmCaPsQG0z9U8ZDBIQVA20ZOo4g1avUGGcmUCzwpQzZXrkIXaQY/s400/IMG_0353.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Continue the same blanket stitch through all of the pieces, connecting them all together. The connecting stitches get tricky but just remember that if they are not that tight you can always fix it when you stitch them together vertically.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-o2PUPA3xpEB2lCx0MnUpQGo5Ye5WI9nHizbC0_19EPgaGNCHsIbcie6Y8EcnDug1RGcwi-vUvOKNhJLL2MgeA3v3PVkUyMv8kzxaEAOVm-4ZXrbT9ec956sqwfYKVJO4ZsnRthp1K8/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-o2PUPA3xpEB2lCx0MnUpQGo5Ye5WI9nHizbC0_19EPgaGNCHsIbcie6Y8EcnDug1RGcwi-vUvOKNhJLL2MgeA3v3PVkUyMv8kzxaEAOVm-4ZXrbT9ec956sqwfYKVJO4ZsnRthp1K8/s400/IMG_0354.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tie off the top stitches and then start the same process all over again with the bottom pieces of the balloon. It's getting easier!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylRkR0RQK_3tJDfU-c8hp7NMmAmliBR6POG3Ikzab0SH4zhQn02WymB-Uc-3uIrcLHlahi1xPtEJtuu_V84DCeMqX2fZnUbWDgCl4pQQI8fVnnuqUUxwSdqJzwgdZdtzin2IlubIqEPI/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylRkR0RQK_3tJDfU-c8hp7NMmAmliBR6POG3Ikzab0SH4zhQn02WymB-Uc-3uIrcLHlahi1xPtEJtuu_V84DCeMqX2fZnUbWDgCl4pQQI8fVnnuqUUxwSdqJzwgdZdtzin2IlubIqEPI/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I forgot to take a picture of the next step but switch out your embroidery thread and needle for a general use needle and thread. I used plain white thread and a blanket stitch to connect the pieces vertically from top to bottom from the inside. Be sure to carefully attached the pieces at the tops, you will end up with a bunch of knots but it's important that they are secured. <br />
<br />
Go ahead, take a look at what a cute balloon this will be. It's worth all of this effort!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5rSvcpyWqDla5WORDvgfUJrnzUuhDCq-vZ65m5MhgXElrxXB_SZUbhZRhST3yD5efwAPPPWLzPEorC8vzcFntlDRJL39FqxXcjxF7wP2pY-uuztBzi3myXAMqxxwsL9ERg3sBhNs6kk/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5rSvcpyWqDla5WORDvgfUJrnzUuhDCq-vZ65m5MhgXElrxXB_SZUbhZRhST3yD5efwAPPPWLzPEorC8vzcFntlDRJL39FqxXcjxF7wP2pY-uuztBzi3myXAMqxxwsL9ERg3sBhNs6kk/s400/IMG_0360.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I slipped a long piece of embroidery thread with a knot at the end through a small piece of felt and led the thread through the top of my balloon. This will be used to hang the balloons. You could also use fishing line if you'd rather the invisible floating look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFSOpSAdVNE76n4pp9Jo7wL06xqp508SPYGpJkOaHh7xaFUSSq-aPy_y6kHxzKGdPJs2Asccf6lRIfpvp0D3OSN2XQ53EIkPkpU9kU_4_zGgpazLBjpcpT9rqTIemYH8XtUK33LCdpxU/s1600/IMG_0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFSOpSAdVNE76n4pp9Jo7wL06xqp508SPYGpJkOaHh7xaFUSSq-aPy_y6kHxzKGdPJs2Asccf6lRIfpvp0D3OSN2XQ53EIkPkpU9kU_4_zGgpazLBjpcpT9rqTIemYH8XtUK33LCdpxU/s400/IMG_0361.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Then, I stitched up the last piece to about half way and flipped the balloon right side out. I used fluff from an old pillow to gently stuff the balloon to my liking and then stitched it closed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAreQZmcZf0XIwFgYVT0QQAvHoP_E2BcPGtIapY_orcNJlVlw3RhtWW7VDts5OBLR-JgvMGqVGzwB3yoZPpy7fRpozm9iqvj7-Xv3bymyIeqya9ZbgSHyIPLIGs-e1fOSdVy06WeNjiy8/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAreQZmcZf0XIwFgYVT0QQAvHoP_E2BcPGtIapY_orcNJlVlw3RhtWW7VDts5OBLR-JgvMGqVGzwB3yoZPpy7fRpozm9iqvj7-Xv3bymyIeqya9ZbgSHyIPLIGs-e1fOSdVy06WeNjiy8/s400/IMG_0362.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I held the small circle, which I cut using the appropriate template, and used a blanket stitch to attach it to the bottom of my balloon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbrihuwjrQdNbBcFDBqzp31K4Rs-EmMTmU71MRjFYi6C5_8iV6sU1czl8KU8KY0abyyw7LdIZKiwBvD00LutkN4IOsDhYsN3zAIIW73yqAp7J1WjyNLRXwxdayjP1EdVkpCe-P_87WU/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbrihuwjrQdNbBcFDBqzp31K4Rs-EmMTmU71MRjFYi6C5_8iV6sU1czl8KU8KY0abyyw7LdIZKiwBvD00LutkN4IOsDhYsN3zAIIW73yqAp7J1WjyNLRXwxdayjP1EdVkpCe-P_87WU/s400/IMG_0363.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
To attach the 'basket', I tied a knot in a piece of embroidery floss and lead it through the bottom of the balloon, starting at the middle and coming out one side at 12 o'clock. LEAVE A TAIL ON THE THREAD! I didn't and it ended up being more difficult to tie at the end.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HEzRTxYQ7f64tBMCXI7OQ_K7AKQq13GMaH9WTheKz5xRsjylTFBQ1Q0LjqjCI43HTmgCDY2d9Nfd_uY_TJxeU7w_qWP-hdxB8ljdq4dW210w-CDvD5TWeZf9q3OjyDkEukZfeYGh0v0/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HEzRTxYQ7f64tBMCXI7OQ_K7AKQq13GMaH9WTheKz5xRsjylTFBQ1Q0LjqjCI43HTmgCDY2d9Nfd_uY_TJxeU7w_qWP-hdxB8ljdq4dW210w-CDvD5TWeZf9q3OjyDkEukZfeYGh0v0/s400/IMG_0364.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cut one of the craft corks in half, this is the perfect size. I then pushed the needle through the cork and pulled it through with pliers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-ZxoUiJZaFjo1cO0Mjc9JvmDJDEF9Kn_NdRj6CfwtSqyFyHcQMjX7L5JzYZOrjdfnUbkiSRKNKh4vtuVQcq9zdDIUmk6dF-UcHwUIHbA2VSsvOnhQY6mzr4rljsUjMjFn6dejJRe9dc/s1600/IMG_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-ZxoUiJZaFjo1cO0Mjc9JvmDJDEF9Kn_NdRj6CfwtSqyFyHcQMjX7L5JzYZOrjdfnUbkiSRKNKh4vtuVQcq9zdDIUmk6dF-UcHwUIHbA2VSsvOnhQY6mzr4rljsUjMjFn6dejJRe9dc/s400/IMG_0365.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I led the thread through at 6 o'clock on the bottom of the balloon and out again at 9 o'clock. I repeated the process through the cork again at a perpendicular angle. I finished back through the balloon at 3 o'clock, back out through the center and then tied the pieces together.<br />
<br />
Voila, a finished balloon!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3MPa53asCAYW6mSldf0Jz7JEHLHqwOoktsaYCrBsZxoxdR7rIovMkndABXYP5DgpkcpLLljU6mmlgtMsjoTqh9VzxrMcwgcke3oMf1H5-Cd8uTfQr3slo9vdwwMKmpoKPUQINbV1mpc/s1600/IMG_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3MPa53asCAYW6mSldf0Jz7JEHLHqwOoktsaYCrBsZxoxdR7rIovMkndABXYP5DgpkcpLLljU6mmlgtMsjoTqh9VzxrMcwgcke3oMf1H5-Cd8uTfQr3slo9vdwwMKmpoKPUQINbV1mpc/s400/IMG_0370.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By the time I made a few balloons, I started getting really good at the flat blanket stitch. It's hard to describe but I started pulling this part tight by hand instead of straight from the needle....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD5Gpf3BDsiwsXauaNOEQoRyCJDodReDEXqoXq-IJRioCXoTeaRq9-r6RRfWqdUwXb-Ry5uuYuOmBuC7jsR7glPs7f4F3rMJ0p_0ueuBaUE9yT7xNjfvWAf49h1pk27oqNDS5bAq0KqI/s1600/IMG_0377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD5Gpf3BDsiwsXauaNOEQoRyCJDodReDEXqoXq-IJRioCXoTeaRq9-r6RRfWqdUwXb-Ry5uuYuOmBuC7jsR7glPs7f4F3rMJ0p_0ueuBaUE9yT7xNjfvWAf49h1pk27oqNDS5bAq0KqI/s400/IMG_0377.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
.... then this thread. This prevented the thread from pulling the felt out of whack and resulted in a more even stitch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxca3TTiUgyx3Kst1nyb5JktDr2ShGw8MWoBnrUSAGP2ql4PARtS8KCEv4phbG_TYLuvZR-KL96D71pMVST_vTYWBrWagHs_mnC6DtsK01jILR1v_VKoANg3oJMAR_Zl_hTwgdcrorJ4/s1600/IMG_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxca3TTiUgyx3Kst1nyb5JktDr2ShGw8MWoBnrUSAGP2ql4PARtS8KCEv4phbG_TYLuvZR-KL96D71pMVST_vTYWBrWagHs_mnC6DtsK01jILR1v_VKoANg3oJMAR_Zl_hTwgdcrorJ4/s400/IMG_0378.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used a hot glue gun to attach this fun little pom pom ribbon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEQqajGOgwI8F7dHVgefDssXhmqkAMYOwXHLQgwPFoFltm41e13zbyzQyslKQiIE0ylW7qodZRG3JhqvtMbURgtP9fK0_HbCrte6FvAfGalDlTtkGFxHRe20ymiaW9NBB3bT7Rm01YUg/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEQqajGOgwI8F7dHVgefDssXhmqkAMYOwXHLQgwPFoFltm41e13zbyzQyslKQiIE0ylW7qodZRG3JhqvtMbURgtP9fK0_HbCrte6FvAfGalDlTtkGFxHRe20ymiaW9NBB3bT7Rm01YUg/s400/IMG_0374.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made clouds by freehand cutting and using gray embroidery floss to blanket stitch on the outside. It's still hanging from my ceiling fan as we are not set on the location of the crib but it is something I am really proud of. I will be sure to post pictures of the finished nursery soon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzqXsNnUpKmTbaXEqBibmPQXqsKByjORtRZETJcjC14-Kt8UKW2EY93oPMPDz_DYtFp1OY2byjed5s0l6eGcMZL1noI9PMi-tYSoFjqpOIfo7I6tBO83sHBrrTGdFy8MFs44DcHKpqpk/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzqXsNnUpKmTbaXEqBibmPQXqsKByjORtRZETJcjC14-Kt8UKW2EY93oPMPDz_DYtFp1OY2byjed5s0l6eGcMZL1noI9PMi-tYSoFjqpOIfo7I6tBO83sHBrrTGdFy8MFs44DcHKpqpk/s640/IMG_0432.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I used the small embroidery hoop and leftover pieces of felt to make this little name plate. A running stitch attached the pennant and I used a backstitch to embroider our little girl's name. Love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNThN-R3tmJIZsZiMf3PWO6U4FF1K3Vrp6udIgu_qNLx80Xjh3uVM9808KQfs-tYDrKikQrCJiPPwRzxXd-nNM1YP5ENlkS6aaBNCuwE10fghTsmIdcEzckrc1JcvrVyfGlNIDIEtLOg/s1600/IMG_0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNThN-R3tmJIZsZiMf3PWO6U4FF1K3Vrp6udIgu_qNLx80Xjh3uVM9808KQfs-tYDrKikQrCJiPPwRzxXd-nNM1YP5ENlkS6aaBNCuwE10fghTsmIdcEzckrc1JcvrVyfGlNIDIEtLOg/s400/IMG_0438.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-6814342541622226982013-05-11T07:45:00.000-05:002013-05-11T08:35:17.493-05:00Countdown to the last day of schoolWe are in the final stretch of school and have been draggin' butt with grades, tests, and long writing assignments. I decided that we need a little pick-me-up to get us through the final days of school. <br />
<br />
Check out what the kids saw on Tuesday morning as they walked into our class...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT0tWBK7b58NWgV7g7UIxBzmO6bk15z7o-6krGyrGjsfq5xsBF5QNYhFp1ROLYbIeLcpxm4t2t7MDeMzqy-LO5ESrh5QNybP4dmbCqWZc1kjkxBuGUXUgVJVQ_jGN7ckIDDYyJTnQEmQ/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT0tWBK7b58NWgV7g7UIxBzmO6bk15z7o-6krGyrGjsfq5xsBF5QNYhFp1ROLYbIeLcpxm4t2t7MDeMzqy-LO5ESrh5QNybP4dmbCqWZc1kjkxBuGUXUgVJVQ_jGN7ckIDDYyJTnQEmQ/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Their eyes nearly popped out and nobody could close their mouth. It was hilarious to watch everyone round the corner and stop halfway in the door. <br />
<br />
I have 22 balloons hanging from the ceiling for each child in my class. Each balloon has a small strip of paper with a quick but very fun activity for the kids to do that day. We count down the days by popping one balloon a day and doing the activity inside. The balloon is popped by the child whose name is written on the crepe paper streamer taped to the balloon. Some of the activities I have are "Play hot potato" or "Shaving cream creations". They all take less than 15 minutes but the kids get super excited each day to see what they get to do. It's a blast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGtrvMd0UABLct2czLoH-XNKApe4IdAwGzZHI9Vz0yOp6sRWT1Aq3rz96CfXNetKxLBHR2iYXCfrbBU_3HjHEwzFm4_VSh9da-13upVpNjDEm2Qj-cTn-njgJjk9Kz_7IOYkmCSGooFE/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGtrvMd0UABLct2czLoH-XNKApe4IdAwGzZHI9Vz0yOp6sRWT1Aq3rz96CfXNetKxLBHR2iYXCfrbBU_3HjHEwzFm4_VSh9da-13upVpNjDEm2Qj-cTn-njgJjk9Kz_7IOYkmCSGooFE/s640/IMG_0226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
This week was also Teacher Appreciation week. My kids and parents were amazing! I feel so spoiled and very much appreciated. I don't think I could have dreamed up a better group of kids to have during this time in my life. They are so special and loving which is a good thing because this momma is starting to really look forward to relaxing by the pool all summer!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6jRGSbrkCaGPE-uhEjxYnHDk1uqnkjYU7PJGyIAHWbj_Ty1RXnMpw3GCFIIYcxS4ma-Y0NgafBmmmqtHHUSgdeSzB1NWPZRRQvi5hOpyc1ZtCsCvRVQ9UnaV528zfYAYmeVpWjClx28/s1600/IMG_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6jRGSbrkCaGPE-uhEjxYnHDk1uqnkjYU7PJGyIAHWbj_Ty1RXnMpw3GCFIIYcxS4ma-Y0NgafBmmmqtHHUSgdeSzB1NWPZRRQvi5hOpyc1ZtCsCvRVQ9UnaV528zfYAYmeVpWjClx28/s640/IMG_0223.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-49332585545511601362013-04-30T18:58:00.001-05:002013-08-06T10:42:00.048-05:00Baby BookI received our little girl's baby book in the mail yesterday and I couldn't be happier with it. I searched high and low for the perfect book and finally turned to Etsy. Then, I found the store of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EdnaMae" target="_blank">Edna Mae</a> and fell in love with her designs. She handmakes her covers and designs her pages on heavy card stock of the best quality. What I like about her books is that they are customizable and easy to arrange however I want because of the three-hole design. She has even more options on her webpage, <a href="http://www.modernbabybooks.com/">www.ModernBabyBooks.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCriF9qgOJ6M9vPNua3VeWmNoBh-rzY9OvwMHDduGXOvIWlU94r5nBHaytcpzkbwFfjr8DTm9AmbIB38X460an2KlrWV-TxXu5ggFql2dk52Y082h_hOCBKi3RUuwM-AvcKvRVHI84-o/s1600/IMG_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCriF9qgOJ6M9vPNua3VeWmNoBh-rzY9OvwMHDduGXOvIWlU94r5nBHaytcpzkbwFfjr8DTm9AmbIB38X460an2KlrWV-TxXu5ggFql2dk52Y082h_hOCBKi3RUuwM-AvcKvRVHI84-o/s640/IMG_0206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided on the gray cover and Whimsy Pink pages.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT5f7OVGnjPUUHp5KtlHChBUanAUMLsg7tT5Mm342x8wpc1_7ObD8VAam0Q76wlYERKmyGDuJ5FkXwfwJ0ZFLQe7izFOZGPzt-J8hL9g1v4cZ0k7G4u1_Ztw5QsmrGgqF6Q5xQLij5gA/s1600/IMG_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT5f7OVGnjPUUHp5KtlHChBUanAUMLsg7tT5Mm342x8wpc1_7ObD8VAam0Q76wlYERKmyGDuJ5FkXwfwJ0ZFLQe7izFOZGPzt-J8hL9g1v4cZ0k7G4u1_Ztw5QsmrGgqF6Q5xQLij5gA/s640/IMG_0208.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The colors are perfect for a little girl!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_2KLpBkyatkb64QPI2j1UhXsziVzetbEPvFs63u3IRKnAwBiJwpe4xg6ozY7d2JCs01j0DeDkdfRTlfmFMR6igSvG2vIkM42BX3XXhPxSUhpmfOvuVQY341EKhmpuwKSw6g7IlRdKzc/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_2KLpBkyatkb64QPI2j1UhXsziVzetbEPvFs63u3IRKnAwBiJwpe4xg6ozY7d2JCs01j0DeDkdfRTlfmFMR6igSvG2vIkM42BX3XXhPxSUhpmfOvuVQY341EKhmpuwKSw6g7IlRdKzc/s640/IMG_0210.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this page for marking down the milestones.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcNMYGy5gk4VKZrtuch7raAGAzgwmBNGXCiek_6_ot9uNOHNqz526RPu_e0glzVh6Hq3vuUr45GQH-am3vxdAwEmPDEczF3eLTZaJOvoeiYW6f1wi5vHRMJAgg8lfbrT5KSA8DrMlKK8/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcNMYGy5gk4VKZrtuch7raAGAzgwmBNGXCiek_6_ot9uNOHNqz526RPu_e0glzVh6Hq3vuUr45GQH-am3vxdAwEmPDEczF3eLTZaJOvoeiYW6f1wi5vHRMJAgg8lfbrT5KSA8DrMlKK8/s640/IMG_0212.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many pages for writing down memories. What you can't see are the pale blue gridlines on each page, handy for staying straight and steady! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEUJIcgpMXYBhSeQFF0XQylPe9ktwzkffAnz858wlBsz5VNVx-eR53QJjxYGDc0wnO0dbk1Cz5PMkjnQf0CE25nJ_eO2qJcYN6c9B8ksVHix_vxIspKr2vzR3FyjSRPI13QZEKagZV0s/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEUJIcgpMXYBhSeQFF0XQylPe9ktwzkffAnz858wlBsz5VNVx-eR53QJjxYGDc0wnO0dbk1Cz5PMkjnQf0CE25nJ_eO2qJcYN6c9B8ksVHix_vxIspKr2vzR3FyjSRPI13QZEKagZV0s/s640/IMG_0213.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I placed this in the book already. I can hardly wait to fly back up to Michigan!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am going to share a little more about how extremely spoiled I was by my room moms this year. These blankets were part of the <a href="http://thecutestlittlehouseintown.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-have-announcement.html" target="_blank">diaper cake</a> that I received. I was shocked and amazed to see that these are not just any blankets, they are hand stitched and embroidered blankets! I could hardly believe it when I started undoing that beautiful present; both Estevan and I were blown away by the love and dedication it took to make these. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYTlwHie0fCOiU10srEKYKjhwP-jCa6rBTsXMX2GBPOmnBi7qNRnT43_p6qlJk6r1qRZC7HyDKO-HGRKfSGk5uhTMd8qldphm3R-eF6enf3WRX3qXwmUJjGlLbPizhJA6_QedykAqMNE/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYTlwHie0fCOiU10srEKYKjhwP-jCa6rBTsXMX2GBPOmnBi7qNRnT43_p6qlJk6r1qRZC7HyDKO-HGRKfSGk5uhTMd8qldphm3R-eF6enf3WRX3qXwmUJjGlLbPizhJA6_QedykAqMNE/s640/IMG_0215.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0O8FhfsiGcVCRh0f8Zz0oBZvkAA75imzd0UXfK6-8w20EV7LhM2IEirg4d7i7GLOTrSePMZEXlW1sJ__tUjm5Kjbh-UPTM6tXKKZvD62h6ROsbOki73swWATPYbhKDkphcN1S1KmWTo/s1600/IMG_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0O8FhfsiGcVCRh0f8Zz0oBZvkAA75imzd0UXfK6-8w20EV7LhM2IEirg4d7i7GLOTrSePMZEXlW1sJ__tUjm5Kjbh-UPTM6tXKKZvD62h6ROsbOki73swWATPYbhKDkphcN1S1KmWTo/s640/IMG_0216.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unbelievable details. I will treasure these!</div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-32346100282913358822013-04-21T10:07:00.000-05:002013-05-11T08:35:56.838-05:00Flowers in bloomI'm very slowly getting back into gardening in our new house. It's a big job and it often overwhelms me to think about where to start. There are so many places where I can plant flowers that it's just too much to handle. I seriously need to narrow my focus. I snagged some $2 plants from Lowe's at the end of last season after we had finished up the hardscape around the pool. So far, only 6 plants but it was a start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz2GDVvBWTNwK5VPvnscYHqfG3XPyGYNm6XxyuwRlqbyit0Rjvu3Zb_8v4vJ57pmRky0nEBtVKgaPNheGlWqAvou010UspmsHw2OX9sEouFE5vRz0onxNVR1470IQjp9PNKZuZ4E_JOs/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz2GDVvBWTNwK5VPvnscYHqfG3XPyGYNm6XxyuwRlqbyit0Rjvu3Zb_8v4vJ57pmRky0nEBtVKgaPNheGlWqAvou010UspmsHw2OX9sEouFE5vRz0onxNVR1470IQjp9PNKZuZ4E_JOs/s640/IMG_0133.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
This agapanthus is just beginning to flower. I'm not really sure what all the plants will end up looking like because this is the only one with many small flowers; the others are sprouting tall buds. I love how this plant resembles the allium plants that I adored in Lansing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1EuXlUaq_6uF6PPs3OtyJ7rhsi6njqNgoDdyY6dMAfd5FFyFsSNtZbTjKAOqFDgweTRGMXcimTiJ73CrQ5WYoZIspWXfV_xd1ZZ3TbPzibi-fZ3xVWwtpMrJ_vix4Pnswz0O0HqIH8M/s1600/IMG_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1EuXlUaq_6uF6PPs3OtyJ7rhsi6njqNgoDdyY6dMAfd5FFyFsSNtZbTjKAOqFDgweTRGMXcimTiJ73CrQ5WYoZIspWXfV_xd1ZZ3TbPzibi-fZ3xVWwtpMrJ_vix4Pnswz0O0HqIH8M/s640/IMG_0134.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I am amazed that we built this hardscape ourselves. We had all the stone already in the yard, we just moved it to this new location to help build up the backside of the pool decking. It was a tough job but it was so worth the effort. The company that we hired to lay sod asked us who we hired to do that job, they told us that their company would have charged us $3,000 to do all that. Jackpot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKX8kgsza_0v57gVriEQLCdAxlM7iz1Lk4nNzvudPFrxMLrXGp1Dyjw8P5gKqB3vJcLqFD4AQq0HBx1lU1JkhHA1yQSAB_jPVaA0ZRQbi5t-LMH6uAdfcZzewckeWjW4_7vvzlRjLlmw/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKX8kgsza_0v57gVriEQLCdAxlM7iz1Lk4nNzvudPFrxMLrXGp1Dyjw8P5gKqB3vJcLqFD4AQq0HBx1lU1JkhHA1yQSAB_jPVaA0ZRQbi5t-LMH6uAdfcZzewckeWjW4_7vvzlRjLlmw/s640/IMG_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We have big plans for this area behind the water feature. It's just weed infested mulch right now but soon we will have small palms and bird of paradise flowers. Very tropical! Again, we had those stones lying around. It took us about an hour of silent work time to figure out an arrangement and lay them all together. Estevan and I work very well as a team, it's funny that we often don't even have to talk when we have one goal in mind. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RGQiXlXg3Hc3HrYlAS-A89q9CYi-n0lulhFJRvegPw03EtjSoyhR2AOhEIf6dVNHY0nq_q63aw1EfKHnnVcxUkP-DCoOLp4i2zJO8qv7e0MfRW3KxVcOpcBLmefT7R8XuPNTbWX4mlE/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RGQiXlXg3Hc3HrYlAS-A89q9CYi-n0lulhFJRvegPw03EtjSoyhR2AOhEIf6dVNHY0nq_q63aw1EfKHnnVcxUkP-DCoOLp4i2zJO8qv7e0MfRW3KxVcOpcBLmefT7R8XuPNTbWX4mlE/s640/IMG_0140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We just need to figure out what to plant here. We arranged the stones and laid down mulch but so far, no plans. It's fairly shaded back here and so far we only have some pink crepe myrtles and one ligustrum. I'm thinking that we need a thicker layer of mulch to cut down on the amount of weeds popping through. But at least we only spent $500 on mulch for both the front and back yards, labor included. I'm sure that as the years go by it will continue to get thicker and more weed proof.<br />
<br />
That's it for now! Hopefully, there will be more to come soon.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-28071366515875089472013-04-12T18:07:00.001-05:002013-05-11T08:36:31.577-05:00I have an announcement...I'm having a baby! My husband and I are expecting a little baby girl in August, we are thrilled! We've been very busy lately getting the house ready and painting the nursery. I promise to post pics of the nursery once it's finished; there's only one coat of paint so far and a simple day bed. For now, here is a picture of the cute little girl, herself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOMdRck4yFYhMjvVudjTrLaVpEJEqDexW861hQX9Bhxaifv0F9K3bXYPMEKJDnQVokY51CqeWL0MT2XOpT5Ev-cnzSgPmB71JaSP3f2vYrEp8R-k7xZjukwIIFXgcOCJaeWOXn8sD-pc/s1600/Baby+Girl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOMdRck4yFYhMjvVudjTrLaVpEJEqDexW861hQX9Bhxaifv0F9K3bXYPMEKJDnQVokY51CqeWL0MT2XOpT5Ev-cnzSgPmB71JaSP3f2vYrEp8R-k7xZjukwIIFXgcOCJaeWOXn8sD-pc/s1600/Baby+Girl.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Have I told you yet how sweet my class is this year? Well, they are the kindest and most loving kids I have ever met. What makes it even better is that their parents are equally as sweet. Three of my room moms surprised me today with a gorgeous diaper cake. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzRBGdGKP9HUREAbIjNer3tRYP5nPsiBHeC4bbxGdAaxmrVN_q3N5Bth89QrOxVtFuqpKUHJKonn1PnVvkqscrSh9cXKTebRn9ksA_Lq6OCvrbQxIoLeXIO2mvoDIyJmfc4GU0NCQkKA/s1600/IMG_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzRBGdGKP9HUREAbIjNer3tRYP5nPsiBHeC4bbxGdAaxmrVN_q3N5Bth89QrOxVtFuqpKUHJKonn1PnVvkqscrSh9cXKTebRn9ksA_Lq6OCvrbQxIoLeXIO2mvoDIyJmfc4GU0NCQkKA/s640/IMG_0123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started tearing up when they walked in, I was so surprised! What is even sweeter is that it was made by the mom who is moving away. Her daughter is the most precious little girl, I will miss her dearly. This mom spent weeks making this gift while also preparing to move across the country. How thoughtful is that?! I later heard from our secretary that this wonderful woman made the blankets herself because she "couldn't find the right color combinations in the store." She literally hand stitched some and sewed all the rest. Incredible! Check out the details that she added...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMVrKVmDU5ERFJWNKqCBfeqE8_Peyex2kVu5tPpOYiYLToLi-rl3KJdqQpfc6Imyxg4cQdEIcHfq9qIVxP1YipdLdyAyDeRM9rn_OyHBbF7ImCTX3kGMnXDA1sWu3PobN_0OBL5FbdpM/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMVrKVmDU5ERFJWNKqCBfeqE8_Peyex2kVu5tPpOYiYLToLi-rl3KJdqQpfc6Imyxg4cQdEIcHfq9qIVxP1YipdLdyAyDeRM9rn_OyHBbF7ImCTX3kGMnXDA1sWu3PobN_0OBL5FbdpM/s640/IMG_0124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcw7i4EI8lqItDXbChUq-M8pbni96Eftdi-dqW2Y8T8bmR3vyJwfaG2xsSsXFANjtKmHblsCR1VjbHiPhO50UzRk3xjFhnF6KqhoaJjSKiYOq-l16dRKDn3MyKuroICBTeDWuv18OsUg/s1600/IMG_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcw7i4EI8lqItDXbChUq-M8pbni96Eftdi-dqW2Y8T8bmR3vyJwfaG2xsSsXFANjtKmHblsCR1VjbHiPhO50UzRk3xjFhnF6KqhoaJjSKiYOq-l16dRKDn3MyKuroICBTeDWuv18OsUg/s640/IMG_0127.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I didn't even remember telling her the colors of our nursery, she was so slick. She nailed the color scheme that we have chosen. Dead on.</div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-63928938298234413402012-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:002013-05-11T08:37:13.457-05:00Teachers Pay Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have recently started making my own units to sell on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/">www.TeachersPayTeachers.com</a>. If you are a teacher and have never heard of this website you need to go to it right now! Teachers Pay Teachers is the best thing to happen to my teaching career; it is full of beautiful units made by teachers and sold to teachers. What I love the most is that sellers are just normal teachers and are easily reached if anything needs to be tweaked in their units. No more white out and crooked copies! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Go check it out and, while you're there, please go to <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Erica-Dufrin" target="_blank">my store</a> too. Look at what I have so far, become a 'follower' of my store and you'll also receive notifications when I post new items for sale or freebies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Falling-For-Numbers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mLNaTT1_8oGbZ3sDTSHaxlbwKfYKilKc5HYungdMTMRXX2XzM1790uOmFwY2coNfKLp-JGtCgWiN74PziAGMe5Oo52OnrnvwWloq1tAzhej0k5VfLxZG19QqZDzSUXTtIvNzaE9XcQ/s320/Falling+for+Numbers.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Falling-For-Numbers" target="_blank">Falling for Numbers</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHznXXq_jyAhs_ZzY8FpNqW6InBR6LBIKmfVNTeTNeSFVeBo-ye1KHYiDVlCp2g-SQF0rTGlCbu2NNooSfCXth9By2TpPdYxTalsT-sY1BfIm46FtQmnKpkLTHSrb2vHl0EidUDCroThY/s1600/A+Handful+of+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHznXXq_jyAhs_ZzY8FpNqW6InBR6LBIKmfVNTeTNeSFVeBo-ye1KHYiDVlCp2g-SQF0rTGlCbu2NNooSfCXth9By2TpPdYxTalsT-sY1BfIm46FtQmnKpkLTHSrb2vHl0EidUDCroThY/s320/A+Handful+of+Love.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Handful-of-Love-Kissing-Hand-Activity" target="_blank">A Handful of Love [FREE]</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mPV0LIJLfbVFzqDzenofntkSSbI0iSCpdLMG9c4OLAyDs9KTLkcfZDl4lbTB5jRt2tAkDX5F5naZc14VSJM7WFnRyD4iC2S2e_fG2W5n00vQVxCE_26DcrkDfayE-6Q6RdvIJapeXSA/s1600/Turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mPV0LIJLfbVFzqDzenofntkSSbI0iSCpdLMG9c4OLAyDs9KTLkcfZDl4lbTB5jRt2tAkDX5F5naZc14VSJM7WFnRyD4iC2S2e_fG2W5n00vQVxCE_26DcrkDfayE-6Q6RdvIJapeXSA/s320/Turkey.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Turkey-Punctuation-and-Coloring" target="_blank">Turkey, Turkey punctuation book [FREE]</a></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-31341220227258299712012-11-03T10:07:00.000-05:002013-05-11T08:37:48.208-05:00My Kindergarten Classroom 2012I am officially in school mode and busy nearly every day with making things for my kindergarten classroom. As much as I love to blog during the summer, I love to make my classroom the best it can be during the school year. It's crazy how much my focus shifts as soon as school starts! This poor blog just seems to fall by the wayside. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are a few of the amazing things that I have done with my classroom this year. Seriously, I couldn't be happier with the results of all my effort.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ylBeBI1P7uBcHCFuccwEi2USd_owov4qJ6AmJMkBbRyxvTDZuqFY-q1RoryclEuKdN-7KlA9kTXhrcpSKYNRUCgS8ftV1Bg-BJSnxKJeOJS9iy_vqUUfCI9XvgWvBAz74ucLc1-Wakg/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ylBeBI1P7uBcHCFuccwEi2USd_owov4qJ6AmJMkBbRyxvTDZuqFY-q1RoryclEuKdN-7KlA9kTXhrcpSKYNRUCgS8ftV1Bg-BJSnxKJeOJS9iy_vqUUfCI9XvgWvBAz74ucLc1-Wakg/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I redid all of my walls and added new places for work to be displayed. I still LOVE my eInstruction clicker storage next to my word wall, it's a shoe organizer cut in half for the little darlings to grab their own clicker.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IhOKw2gPrrikGKZ-oxq2VsHPmueGoXo3ETNkFENFS5RHDQdSpBGHfmn2yzRoG0VotDghdSxITBgl73Ccg7es-OiAeppXzKuHm0CoV2L36hI-G8tZXj6CrCVUuHtIsS0TDra9MILArqk/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IhOKw2gPrrikGKZ-oxq2VsHPmueGoXo3ETNkFENFS5RHDQdSpBGHfmn2yzRoG0VotDghdSxITBgl73Ccg7es-OiAeppXzKuHm0CoV2L36hI-G8tZXj6CrCVUuHtIsS0TDra9MILArqk/s640/IMG_0717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We all got new whiteboards over the summer. Yay for magnetic space! You can also see the coloring books that I give to every student, they are amazing for the few minutes that students need to do something at their seats while others are finishing up work. Those coloring books will last all year, boom!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qGLuCrPWgckeckYOpfC3bswshreaEzEHpJ0-wvMRWRKEbr4kYZV7SzkuWMnV_g_P9S3drcjQ5p826Jslses8NnJcrDQygl-TXzMd7_d0YPpgZkyiNVVeVMx6qBYgfI6eGFOsF8hegE4/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qGLuCrPWgckeckYOpfC3bswshreaEzEHpJ0-wvMRWRKEbr4kYZV7SzkuWMnV_g_P9S3drcjQ5p826Jslses8NnJcrDQygl-TXzMd7_d0YPpgZkyiNVVeVMx6qBYgfI6eGFOsF8hegE4/s640/IMG_0718.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my calendar area and reading/word study center area. More details about that iHelp chart and birthday bags further down.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtSdIyRyG7q7ygcK5t8cDWZpYpnWxav1YB898zXscISwGL1zN-wB7msjGHXtWQ80aKlJA3P1sN9BT7sSlnQle1xayo8ysSqv-4xIkLUV_F01T7vwR0mmkhKrUA2prpT9hgirmucBejho/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtSdIyRyG7q7ygcK5t8cDWZpYpnWxav1YB898zXscISwGL1zN-wB7msjGHXtWQ80aKlJA3P1sN9BT7sSlnQle1xayo8ysSqv-4xIkLUV_F01T7vwR0mmkhKrUA2prpT9hgirmucBejho/s640/IMG_0719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what you see as you enter my classroom, math center work table from Ikea, and my favorite piece of furniture which is my rolling file organizer from The Container Store. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you spot our "Tattle Telephone" on the light colored cabinet by my desk? It cracks me up! One day a boy was about to tell me a tattle and I told him, "Is it important for me to hear right now, or can you leave me a message?" He then scratched his chin, picked up the phone and mumbled to himself, "How should I put this..." and proceeded with his tattle. I just about fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. Of course it's just an old phone that I screwed onto the cabinet but it works like a charm!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjSb6inZu3XLIpQSNvmt1dL69dEC3uj5_owopQ7nJllnb3Av6Lxj87Yw9BtEVxgcQnKdcII-nVK7ZKGWJryfb2UREHmQF6g2iYZgxSM6knOTzjpQ7yr0tE_vlnUf8gzG2oG0gxlb3miU/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjSb6inZu3XLIpQSNvmt1dL69dEC3uj5_owopQ7nJllnb3Av6Lxj87Yw9BtEVxgcQnKdcII-nVK7ZKGWJryfb2UREHmQF6g2iYZgxSM6knOTzjpQ7yr0tE_vlnUf8gzG2oG0gxlb3miU/s400/IMG_0699.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stapled these white paper bags to the wall and filled them with tissue paper. I then wrote the students' birthdays on the cupcakes and put a birthday pencil in the bag for them. Easy way to see the birthdays coming up and ensure that I have their gift ready.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hCGKWxuIwP801qir4ZS-MnGiGrCqsNi2kzw5nO4bJNyNKU0HbBJJ6sS0j7keLw4s2TssYHXhfCuStJ6syzWZgrpMXFM3Bz6oDADddX_vskC9W14T37b2w2z-8KimcH47IIkRGTTTzoE/s1600/IMG_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hCGKWxuIwP801qir4ZS-MnGiGrCqsNi2kzw5nO4bJNyNKU0HbBJJ6sS0j7keLw4s2TssYHXhfCuStJ6syzWZgrpMXFM3Bz6oDADddX_vskC9W14T37b2w2z-8KimcH47IIkRGTTTzoE/s400/IMG_0700.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I LOVE this job chart! The "apps" are made from library card pockets (free from the librarian) with clip art pictures of the jobs. I then print off small pictures of each student and glue those onto popsicle sticks. I place the popsicle sticks in the pockets and, viola, everyone knows their job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE15Dye3PLCmWyypOIjzn785uMgUKXmgjp-svx3k984b6YqGu9svuAkff0frXNNuKJGIIoTCrEmcJHd7W6yZTnWwfY6sn47rSxJswUG5PJHQuFhfthyphenhyphenGfAKpHkWjeVq_p_Q17-76gVeY/s1600/IMG_0781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE15Dye3PLCmWyypOIjzn785uMgUKXmgjp-svx3k984b6YqGu9svuAkff0frXNNuKJGIIoTCrEmcJHd7W6yZTnWwfY6sn47rSxJswUG5PJHQuFhfthyphenhyphenGfAKpHkWjeVq_p_Q17-76gVeY/s400/IMG_0781.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the cutest way to keep track of table rewards and I am constantly getting compliments on it. Every time I catch the students all working together, or all following the directions, they get a monkey. They get to choose a prize from the prize box when they get 10 monkeys dangling above their table.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVu0Oe267u1Y6xGnp4323yDqZ2DtBERwnp0z_mwZHIgd_PhJ-g67Bpxp0yoNhuTMgYixFuaGefhAngNlIEKrNaQyeai6opJ-uPrPMxF5WEhCw8uDvGu351p3YIIHJATS1UIZFhetNbZo/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVu0Oe267u1Y6xGnp4323yDqZ2DtBERwnp0z_mwZHIgd_PhJ-g67Bpxp0yoNhuTMgYixFuaGefhAngNlIEKrNaQyeai6opJ-uPrPMxF5WEhCw8uDvGu351p3YIIHJATS1UIZFhetNbZo/s640/IMG_0744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is yet another change that I made this year and it is working so much better! I switched out stapling student work all year to clipping it on the clothesline. The clothes line is the only part that is stapled into the boards, genius!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzSrrqI5TsNkiaLx7eXvUZ-dQs95EVltMAEfeKFpKPKG1_qYA-ozMXxIhQWImuM4yj4-z-hrYqZ5Tp5D8T7KVBfi0xpLL_VnCQwn56IrYwuK5CuqyisCE7BbQAUxYrwlDinDGFkTcQEQ/s1600/IMG_0787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzSrrqI5TsNkiaLx7eXvUZ-dQs95EVltMAEfeKFpKPKG1_qYA-ozMXxIhQWImuM4yj4-z-hrYqZ5Tp5D8T7KVBfi0xpLL_VnCQwn56IrYwuK5CuqyisCE7BbQAUxYrwlDinDGFkTcQEQ/s400/IMG_0787.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my favorite center. I typed the sight words into Google Docs and saved them as JPEG, dragged the JPEG files onto a USB drive and hooked it into my digital picture frame. The sight words appear for about 10 seconds and the students write them down. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXXmNG_yeUmYcEYf8jUCi-eBJK8XDjgx-H8n3IXZwzmtZ2I1YroH0643WOFbLKawKCIBpS14-I6YvGIm2MAn7LvKkanmy0o55X6LxrKn1m6cxwlGFmGgs1XdF2ICsnlNOjOP4iiC_d5w/s1600/IMG_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXXmNG_yeUmYcEYf8jUCi-eBJK8XDjgx-H8n3IXZwzmtZ2I1YroH0643WOFbLKawKCIBpS14-I6YvGIm2MAn7LvKkanmy0o55X6LxrKn1m6cxwlGFmGgs1XdF2ICsnlNOjOP4iiC_d5w/s400/IMG_0721.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our classroom gnome, Gnorman (hehehehe), is still an active member of our room. He left this note and a bag with Mr. Potato Head inside. Mr. Potato head taught us about listening ears, watching eyes, quiet mouth, puzzle hands, and thinking cap. </div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-2802112599297394732012-06-22T08:57:00.001-05:002012-06-22T09:11:17.012-05:00Making it right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grass was delivered to our house 2 days ago, and not just a little grass, a whole 8 pallets of lush, green sod. I was very impressed with the quality of sod delivered; not at all what I was expecting to see and I'm immensely pleased with it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-D43zDICcur7LAnwZB1uhMiXU_Ui3CkNfbox3IpKqJhQGhTteAOt0x2-zUS-I3fnn3jq44ufpzolGW8Xt8Ur4cAALNqxRHZfgMIhvg1TRZx-0zqZ8Hr1kDhIyrN78wwDcv1rqZ26ZqE/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-D43zDICcur7LAnwZB1uhMiXU_Ui3CkNfbox3IpKqJhQGhTteAOt0x2-zUS-I3fnn3jq44ufpzolGW8Xt8Ur4cAALNqxRHZfgMIhvg1TRZx-0zqZ8Hr1kDhIyrN78wwDcv1rqZ26ZqE/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pretty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw9WPodhNNtY3hRkToLcoDuAG7p7gcg-f-CDa7XAg0blp2EDcEkDaIBi5SiWiuDKKhyBbWzTIKLFZIV2UUqy6XP9-QnhVsQ9O9fvMaSXTeaaei3lxtTRHngCx8P-v1Vuv7mQx7d6zScc/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw9WPodhNNtY3hRkToLcoDuAG7p7gcg-f-CDa7XAg0blp2EDcEkDaIBi5SiWiuDKKhyBbWzTIKLFZIV2UUqy6XP9-QnhVsQ9O9fvMaSXTeaaei3lxtTRHngCx8P-v1Vuv7mQx7d6zScc/s400/IMG_0431.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instant gratification, man. We will be watering it like crazy for 2 weeks and then sitting back to enjoy the yard we always envisioned. This is exactly what we saw when we looked at this yard for the first time, through all the overgrown bushes and ivy, the dilapidated fences, in spite of the maze of unused flower beds and miles of stones. This is finally the yard that we bought and dreamed of. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, almost.... Hence the title of this post.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhPrlp5GK_8YKSyLtndqPcySixcfaTdrlDcHcKnmNmthiSyQ6Va5XU14c9A_YFNj0U15iGrrJbH0CERgv86LnXLmBeuH9pqaMiFJyLsOJZKajeLh0NBA-SMClxOK1fLpWoaZTQKhnCQ8/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhPrlp5GK_8YKSyLtndqPcySixcfaTdrlDcHcKnmNmthiSyQ6Va5XU14c9A_YFNj0U15iGrrJbH0CERgv86LnXLmBeuH9pqaMiFJyLsOJZKajeLh0NBA-SMClxOK1fLpWoaZTQKhnCQ8/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The decking company is back out here, today. They are power washing and redoing the top layer of the deck around the pool. You see, the finish coat on the deck started to flake away so we called them back out to take a peek. They decided to patch up the spots that were flaking away. Patch. That word alone should have told us that we were not going to be happy with the finished product. At the end of the day, it looked like I had gone through and smeared dark concrete on top. "Oh that should lighten up and blend right in," they told me. Yeah right! I'll let you know how I feel when they are done making it right today, I have my fingers crossed.<br />
<br />
Now, for the next "Making it right" project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDy-_PJ-aZn6RHrT-C2hAhn8JUZuNmFwsyePR3oL3cQq_DvT3DqhYLQhvQGM1FLAcvQQ1o1xszt0HRdiVaXSFbI_joCoupd2b_ZcmSWXnuLFRX5X8E6eIokNBGTkk-hjfunA8glZnXjY/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDy-_PJ-aZn6RHrT-C2hAhn8JUZuNmFwsyePR3oL3cQq_DvT3DqhYLQhvQGM1FLAcvQQ1o1xszt0HRdiVaXSFbI_joCoupd2b_ZcmSWXnuLFRX5X8E6eIokNBGTkk-hjfunA8glZnXjY/s400/IMG_0424.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
This is a picture that I took a few days ago of the dry stacked retaining wall around the edge of the spa. It doesn't quite look like this anymore. The dirt has started to wash through the gaps in the rocks and now it's just a heap of a mess with the new grass at the bottom. Projects don't always turn out the way you hope they will but that's what learning is for. I'm going to try to fix the problem by digging out the dirt right behind the stones and then laying in gravel to help retain it while still allowing water to flow through. Sounds like a good plan, right? This would have been a lot easier to do before we heaped the dirt back in, but oh well, you live and learn. We shall see if this works.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229056315628963644.post-5602328784133238072012-06-18T14:33:00.002-05:002012-06-19T11:08:14.966-05:00A hard day's work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A big storm came through our area last and tore up the neighborhood last week. The rain came down so fast that it flooded our pool, despite the drain, and the wind blew in at 75mph. Last year, at about this time, we were going through a historic drought and that resulted in a devastating loss of trees. However, the unseen danger was when root systems of old trees were severely damaged but still standing and then tried to come back this past spring. The leaves collected rain, which made the trees heavy, and the wind blew so hard that many trees ended up looking like this in my area.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TaPn5CBdLArcbJsZFVgtmWZJjJ8LeojB-rnpoFs_KgL-DC2nbA_P27yc-WfLDSJxhGc_Ln-zlWt3l58Y_YJiMr8NBYE0wzXikm1aXeyKRaG4vRh8_qYbW4T9VjqH3tF-BlnWf3waZ1M/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TaPn5CBdLArcbJsZFVgtmWZJjJ8LeojB-rnpoFs_KgL-DC2nbA_P27yc-WfLDSJxhGc_Ln-zlWt3l58Y_YJiMr8NBYE0wzXikm1aXeyKRaG4vRh8_qYbW4T9VjqH3tF-BlnWf3waZ1M/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a picture taken from my driveway, looking right across the street. I saw it slowly start to fall and I hightailed it to the pantry which is in the center of my house under the stairs! Trees were swaying all around and some enormous trees were bent so far that their branches were brushing the ground. Java and I hung out in the dark pantry until I could hear the wind subsiding.<br />
<br />
All that rain took a toll on the fresh dirt around the pool and, with nothing to hold it in place, it swept to the corners of the yard and under the fence line. This is what the edge of the decking looked like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAPIXJNG8tq5l1iycLvdFWYAYNcfOaDQV9pXlcbh9SIrP-_WHn-c7Xc8xxhyphenhyphentCxXb4i8SJNAvzKOhAo3SBtg878aaujrHMA8_3aesibv6i0s2gci163hYYWZ8d9jJv50HvUNx8a1a5Vs/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAPIXJNG8tq5l1iycLvdFWYAYNcfOaDQV9pXlcbh9SIrP-_WHn-c7Xc8xxhyphenhyphentCxXb4i8SJNAvzKOhAo3SBtg878aaujrHMA8_3aesibv6i0s2gci163hYYWZ8d9jJv50HvUNx8a1a5Vs/s400/IMG_0421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The sprinkler system was revealed in several places and the corner of the decking was completely exposed and precarious. So this past weekend we went to work and grabbed stones that were previously used around all the many flower beds in the back yard and came up with this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNYOaRiKjTggllvRQG22SeNlV1h_V0zYGJHWwAWyTVUKv1tNGUuI0Xd96ON08hDnQqznJYxXSk5P4KRKOlZOTm_Bg8JONLWU48aUsdQFPn4qhfujuPdMrmCXVXhOCqqFLueYoTDwNISI/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNYOaRiKjTggllvRQG22SeNlV1h_V0zYGJHWwAWyTVUKv1tNGUuI0Xd96ON08hDnQqznJYxXSk5P4KRKOlZOTm_Bg8JONLWU48aUsdQFPn4qhfujuPdMrmCXVXhOCqqFLueYoTDwNISI/s400/IMG_0426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
Looks better, right? We did it all ourselves with materials on hand and probably saved a couple hundred bucks, if not more. It still needs a little tweaking but this should hold the dirt and I'll be planting some pretty plants very soon. Also, sod is being put down tomorrow. Very exciting!Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982129232690995598noreply@blogger.com0