It's official I'm a football mom now ....

Cole is so excited he started flag football this week!  He wants to be just like his dad, who played for San Diego State until a helmet to the knee killed his career.  Thankfully I talked Cole into starting with Flag and then we could move up to Tackle.  I signed him up for $90 which is seeming high now.  They had no coach and a very sweet dad stepped in on Saturday and we had our first practice on Sunday.  We practiced again on Tuesday and Wednesday night which was a juggling act with Rick's work, my women's group and Zumba.  Thankfully my dad stepped in on Wednesday to pick up Cole.

Wish us luck our first Game in Saturday, I'm not sure we know anything more then throwing the ball but we'll do our best!  I think I may make football cookies on top of a cupcake for a special treat!

Have a GREAT weekend!

You work from home ..

As many of you know I work from home thankfully I work for a company in a state on the other side of the country so it's 3 hour time difference.  Most of the time people are sleeping or out of the house but sometimes it like spinning plates with the house, kids and work.  I saw this post of one of my dear friend's FB page and chuckled (she also works from home).

Thought we all could use a good laugh!

It's crazy busy here we have now entered the juggling act of:

School, Flag Football, Church and Mom's Zumba

Pray for me ... LOL I need it!

Then Comes Baby's 1st Birthday .... Onesie Ice Cream Milkshake Gift

A friend from high school little girl was having her first birthday.  You know me I hate bringing some generic gift especially when they are so little they don't really need a room full of toys but they do need clothes. But how boring is it to just wrap up clothes.  So on the Google search I went.  I came across several different ideas but I love the of something playful.  I saw a Ice Cream tutorial on Create it. Go!  I thought why not take this idea and then make it a Milkshake instead of ice cream (partly because I found cute cups and had to do some quick thinking).

What You Need:

Onesie's (3 pack at Walmart $6.97)

Milkshake Cups (4 Pack at Walmart Clearance $1)

Straws (50 Pack at Walmart $2.97)

Tissue Paper (Dollar Tree $1) - Could use Tule

Toothpick w/ Jewel (Walmart 12 pack $2.97 Clearance)

• Take your onesie and fold it in half long ways (I bought prints so they would show either way I folded).  
• Then fold it in half a 2nd time long ways (see picture below for step by step).  Start rolling the toothpick into the onesie (I accidentally skipped this step and put in the end it still worked).  
• As you continue to roll the onesie, layer the rolls, so that you can see each layer and so that the onesie, starts to get taller. (Make it look like a rose bud, at least that is what I thought). I tied the onsie with a ribbon, found it was easier and if they fell out then it was easy to fix (and yes I got lost going to the place and had to do several U-turns and let's just say it wasn't pretty when I grabbed the basket out of the back of car, so I had to repair).  
• You can use a square piece of tulle or do like I did I stuffed the cup first with the tissue paper then when it was the right height to put the onsie in and still have it peak out over the top, I wrapped in tissue paper. I just kind of fluffed it around to look like a foam of a fancy root beer float ... Yes I have a great imagination.  
• Pop the onsie roll into the cup, make sure it is sticking up so they see the rose bud of the onsie and the jeweled toothpick (like the Cherry on top).  
• I added a  straw to top off the Milkshake theme.  I did 3 of them in blue and 3 in red (they were having a red, white and blue themed party).  
• I added this to a plastic basket with red, white and blue tissue paper.

This turned out so cute I must say I was pretty darn impressed with myself.  It was a special gift that wasn't too expensive to do.  I may have to even give this a shot for another 1st birthday ... hmmm I may have a PG friend that could use this when she has a 1 year old!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Then Comes Baby ... Mom to be Kit

After the wedding comes baby, in my case baby #1 came home from the honeymoon with us.  My dear friend is having baby #2 and it was her birthday so I did a duel gift.  I thought it would be fun to do a Mom to be Kit for her.   I looked on pinterest and didn't find exactly I wanted so I went and picked up what I always wanted when I was pregnant.  I think it turned out pretty darn cute.  Next time I may add some fun ribbon and a baby themed item glued onto the front of the basket but overall I was really happy with it.

What you Need:

A Good Book (who doesn't want to put their feet up and read)

Sprite (for upset tummy)

Pretzels (always good to snack on)

Red Vines (always a good snack too)

Saltines (Helps with tummy)

Gum (Mint helps with tummy)

Chicken Noodle Soup (Reminds me of childhood)

Tea

Chocolate (who doesn't need chocolate)

Plastic Cup with Straw

Crystal Light or Store Version

Basket

I won a giveaway a while back so I have a ton of bins on hand which helps since you all know my love of gifts in a bin.  I put some tissue paper in the bottom to make it easy to prop up everything.  I then placed the items in the bin and arranged it to make it look the best.  I really like how it turned out and my friend really enjoyed it.

Give it a whirl I'm sure you'd make any mom to be very happy!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

First Comes the Wedding ... Family Movie Night Basket

Rick's boss got married a few weeks back and we had the chance to get dressed up and go out.  My dad picked the boys up from the boys and girls club, while we hit the town.  Well a wedding in a very cool barn!  As most of you know me by now I hate to show up with just a normal store bought gift.  I love to come with something special that shows a personal touch.

So often to my Pinterest Board Personal Touch Gift, I had this Movie Lover's Gift Set from Everyday Mom Ideas.  I thought this would be perfect to do a Family Movie Night Basket for the Bride and Groom.  They had both been married before with kids and just knew this would be a great gift for the whole family!  The link above only had a picture for the idea so I took that and ran with it!

What you Need:

Large Popcorn Bin (Dollar Tree $1)

Tissue Paper (Dollar Tree $1)

Special Flavored Popcorn (Ross $2.99 Each)

Candy (Dollar Tree $1 Each)

Spaghetti Sauce (Target Sale $1)

Spaghetti Noodle's (Target Sale $1)

Movie (Target Sale $9 - Walmart has a GREAT $5 Bin too)

Gift Basket done under $25, with a GREAT personal touch!

Arrange all the items in the large popcorn basket.  I put a little tissue paper in the bottom to make things sit nicely in there.  Once I had it an order I liked I put it in a large clear gift basket bag.  I added a ribbon and it was done!  I loved how it came out and it fit so great with their down home country feel of a wedding.  

I sure hope they have a great family night with this, I so would love one (hint hint) for any upcoming holiday ... lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

First Week at New School in the BAG!

As some of you may know the boys have been attending faith based schools (Cole since PreK to 3rd and Caden K).  When it came time to enroll them I had to step back and really think what was best.  Cole was having a hard time in 3rd Grade, he was being bullied by 2 kids and the new teacher that also teaches 4th and 5th just didn't gel well together.  We had several problems and you know about the science fair how that turned out.  Cole was not wanting to go to school, since it's a small school the 2 kids that bullied him would always be in the same class and follow him to all grades. UNLESS one leaves, and it turns out that one leaving would be us.  NOW don't get me wrong Cole is a handful, with issues sitting still and needing more one on one time I totally know how it goes.

But what do we do, we bought this house as a bankrepo to fix it up and sale before the kids go to school (that was 10 years ago). Market crash etc and here we still are!  So I wanted the kids to go to private to not be in the school next to the house.   I was torn all summer long on what to do.  A few weeks at the end of summer, Caden bugged me to go see our old neighbor son who moved a few blocks away. I got a hold of his mom and we set up a playdate by chance she asked me about school etc.  I'm so excited the boys will be going to her house before and after school and since she is in a different school same school district.  

Tuesday was our first day!  I took off the morning to get them to school meet their teachers and gave the teachers their gift.  It was perfect place and the people where so nice.  I'm thrilled to say that Cole came home saying how much he loves his new school and teacher and likes that she only has 4th grade not other grades to teach.  Giving more attention to him and his class, perfect for him.  Class size is small also around 20 which is a little more then the 16 he had before but really it works perfect.  Yes it's the first week and I'm sure we'll have things happen, but I thank God that it seems to be a good fit.  Cole also told me that he wants to be nice in class because he doesn't want to disappoint his teacher, may also help she is young (24) and very cute :).

First Day & Lunch made

First Bus ride home!

Cole's Sign Says he wants to be a Scientist

Caden's Sign says he wants to be a baseball player

(for you who know him giggle, he is so not a sports kid)

2nd Day First Bus ride to school!

Lunches Day 2 and 3.

Have a GREAT weekend!!!