My kids' ROCK!

School conferences went awesome!! I attended 2 last Thursday, and then the last one at 7:30am this morning. I love hearing about my children thru the eyes of their teachers!

Okay, so Eris (1st) might have to be reminded every once in a while to stop chatting and start her work. lol That's JUST like her! lol Nothing out of the ordinary there - little social butterfly. She still hugs Dr. Lavalle (her Kindergarten teacher last year) every morning in carpool line. She has 100 friends in every grade imaginable and doesn't exclude a soul. That's my girl! Her grades are wonderful, her reading is exceptional and she LOVES doing it, and her favorite subject is lunch. She's invited to MORE playdates and sleepovers and parties than any kid I've ever seen! And she practices writing her name in cursive about 50 times a day.....and they don't know cursive yet.

Ella Grace (3rd) is a wonderful helper and is always the first to volunteer to do ANYTHING. Nope, no surprise there either. She's wonderful like that. (Unless it's the topic of cleaning her room or sweeping the floor at home. But who wants to do that stuff? Not me!) Her best friends are Cara Pate and Haley Wright, but she pairs up with anyone for anything and does her best. Mrs. Davis has had to find more math puzzles for the class, because EG has solved them all already and is asking for more.....and this is only month 3. Her spelling scores are super high, and she routinely scores over 20 more than average of her classmates each week on their timed math sheet in both addition and subtraction. At recess you may find her checking out the garden side by side with her teacher, playing ball with the boys, or sitting against the wall trying to finish the last chapter she's just dying to complete. Each day is something new with her.

Ethan (5th) is proving to be quite the leader. When Mrs. Patrick gave the class an empty room assignment and said rearrange your desks like my chart, and choose wisely....Ethan quickly took charge and his classmates followed his commands. He placed children where he thought best, and broke up pairs and told them why. lol His classmates seem to respect his thoughts, and he shows respect for them. Mrs. Patrick expressed just how impressed she was with his foresight and planning skills on that project. She also shared that upon setting up a boys' "round table" open discussion for class problems, he was the first to express an issue with another child that he wanted resolved. Ethan apparently looked the child in the face, called him by name, and respectfully said I don't like that you did this, it hurt my feelings, and I'd like my things back. The child admitted to doing it, apologized, and returned the items. The other children then opened up and discussed their issues, but it was that first, straight forward example that set the pace. Sounds a lot like family council at our house. (Brad thinks we might just have a class president in the making here. We'll see.)

A funny history project Ethan made: timeline of his life called the Kincaidian Eon

The Post Bornian Era has all these Epochs with funny names, like PreEthonion (Mom is pregnant), Nicknameion (Ella named me Bubby), and the Holiday-Worldian Epoch (first time to Holiday World). The LCS Era consists of just 3 Epochs, one where MacBeth went all wrong and he puked on stage, and another where he went to 5th grade and went to Pine Mountain for 3 days.

Then we move to the future: first the Teenagerizoic Era, followed by the Adulterizoic Era. Within the Teenagerizoic, the Scholarchipian Epoch has my son getting a scholarship to IU. REALLY? Hoosier? I don't THINK so! lol Skipping ahead to Adulterizoic Era, is a cute one called the Marrigeizoic Epoch where in 2024 he "gets married to a girl who is sweet, nice, and loves me." Awwwww! The next year he moves to Arizona. WHAT? Then the next year, now entering the Businessian Epoch, btw, he owns a fancy restaurant. Huh, never saw that coming. A couple years later, his BFF Will Schumann moves in with him (wonder what the new wife thinks of THAT?) and apparently they live that way for a LONG time, because nothing more happens on the timeline til 2067 when he enters the Deodizoic Epoch. Yes, he dies of war by getting drafted and getting shot. Lol. Someone, please inform my son that he won't get drafted at the age of 67. Love that kid!

And although I didn't have any teacher conference on Ehren (pre-K), he LOVES school. Has a tons of friends, but is quite particular as to WHO he calls "friend", cause he thinks he can only have just one of those. So, officially, according to Ehren, Hadley is his friend. But he plays with all the others. Tessa, Hank, Riley, Samantha, Nathan, Trent, Jaden, and Parker...the list goes on. And sits next to them. And likes them. But they aren't his friend. Cause Hadley is that. And Jenna still speaks English or something cause he can't understand a word she says. (Jenna is 2 - Hadley's little sister). And each week, Ehren takes the role of detective VERY seriously that Mrs. Wolken assigns the class. This week they were "J" detectives. I'm always very surprised when E4 squeals "there's a J!" on a billboard or on TV or in a book. I quit looking after 10 minutes of day 1. But here it is Wednesday and he hasn't forgotten the week long assignment. They've been detectives for O's, S's, T's, and now J's. He loves school!

Sewing success?

Thank you Shelly Hill for the help! Advice, tutorial, etc. SOOO glad you stopped by when you did!

Happy to have sat last night and in 4 hours was finished. Yes, I know. YOU could probably finish a project like this in the time it takes to change your underwear. But not me.

Eris loves it, and that's what matters. Planning a matching headband in the Halloween fabric. A long sleeve white or black tee, and some black leggings and we'll be set! BOO!white pillowcase from Wally ($2.97), spider fabric from Hancock at 75% off yesterday ($1.50/yd), and felt & ribbon from stash.

School Bake Sale

If standing in the kitchen for 6 hours, being all creative with your treats, and making 3 different kinds makes you the coolest mom on the planet - well, here I am. And if it instead makes you crazy - then GUILTY! lol

Each school kid chose a different treat to take and of course they all wanted to help with the one they picked. And you know how when you have a helper it takes soooooo mmmmuuuuuuuuch lllloooooooonnnnnger? Yep, that's still true. I even got up at 5:30am today to do the last one all sneaky like in stealth mode, but those boogers came bounding downstairs dressed and curious. Said I was banging stuff. Me? No way. Eris said she was afraid there was a "stealer" in the house. lol That made for a good laugh. And I guess our bake sale treats are our most prized posessions? Well then, I hope they bring the booster club or athletic division or whatever a whopping good total for this fund raiser.

I only sent each child with $1. Hey! Don't call me cheap, it cost me $20+ to make my treats! Plus my priceless time on a Thursday night of course. ;-)


Brownies with marshmallow & candycorn topping (and half have peanuts too). Wish I could cut a pan of brownies and have them come out all the same size. Just not one of my talents. Oh, and I don't take credit for the cute toppers, there were a free download from a blog somewhere that I didn't take notes on, sorry! Ella Grace sat and cut them all out for us as her treats were cooling on the rack. I think they turned out super cute!



Brownie Cones w/Chocolate Icing & Sprinkles. Left one by the stove this morning for Ehren, they were still quite warm when we left at 7:20am. Boy did baking that early make for some hungry people! Add an extra egg to your brownie mix, put approx. 3 tablespoons in each cone that you have sitting in a muffin tin, and bake for 25 minutes. Super easy and impressive, I have to tell ya! My kids are begging me to make some for a party we're going to this weekend too.


And Oreo sucker treats. Got the idea and instructions from the How Does She blog. Wish I had some curling ribbon to tie the bags with instead of dipping into my scrapbook ribbon stash. But, you do what you gotta do. At least I stayed almost all the way in my "scrap" box. Brad saw these late last night and asked where I bought them - using the cello bags and proper candy sticks, he said they look like I bought them somewhere.

And that's it - except I'll tell ya that the last 24 hours has been SO HARD for a dieting mommy! No licks of the spoons or fingers, no taste tests, nothing. No, I'm not bitter (ha ha ha).

Ehren's daily funny.

He cracks us up at least once a day with something he says or does. Just get the kid to play "cruiser bruiser" and listen to how he pronounces that - that alone should get you giggling. Or take him somewhere and have him meet new people and say "Well HELLOOOOO, Sweet Cheeks!"

Anyway, this morning bright and early he was rubbing his eyes. Hard. And a lot. When asked what was wrong - he says "I'm just trying to see my brain." lol

Oh, and the pic above was taken at the Kaul's house, not long after he cracked his forehead on the corner of their glass dining room table while we were trying to watch the Sunday morning session of General Conference. So much for reverence.

apples to apples?

Reading thru blogland a little today I ran across one I haven't visited in a while I think you will all like! AND she's doing a give-a-way which requires a shout out. So this is a little two-fold, I'm not going to lie. However, her give-a-way has made me ponder whether my beloved Gorilla Glue might not be the end all, do all glue in my life. It is, afterall, EXPENSIVE! And, I'm pretty cheap!

Anyone use the Elmer's products and know if they compare?

Everyone go look at 62 cards blog! You'll thank me later. ;-) She totally sells the CAYOOTEST paper straws that take ya way back. And polka dot balloons that a birthday party simply cannot be cool without! Seriously, I won't come to a party without these anymore. Just don't invite me.

couldn't wait

Was supposed to make this project with a friend, but she's out of town and I just couldn't wait anymore. Worst part of it was waiting for paint to dry, or glue to dry. I'm not the most patient person on this here earth.


This was all the ingredients - or so I thought. Didn't end up using the round wooden "plaques". Guess I'll return those to Hobby Lobby for the big $.50 ea that they cost me. Not even worth the gas for a return trip all on its own though, huh? 3 glass jars, $4.59 a piece I think at Hobby Lobby, but on sale 50% off last week. Used 40% coupons on the 3 wooden "toppers". Oh, and also 3 metal letters were 50% off a few weeks back. All in all, about a $14 project?


Found unwanted candlesticks at the Wayside Christian Mission Bargain Center to re-purpose. Too bad it wasn't "Bric Brac" day or they would have been 50% off. They hold that once a week I think, but did I mention that I'm not a patient person! Plus, at $1 each (approx), I didn't mind helping the cause. AND, they are thicker and taller than the $2.99 unfinished ones at the craft stores. The hardest part was getting out the metal candle holder, ended up using needle-nose pliers. But to get the top surface level, it was a necessary step.



I probably should have used primer on the silver plastic lids of the glass jars. But my can of primer is at the in-laws house to use on a bed for my daughter, and I wanted this project complete in an hour. Did you already forget the IMPATIENT part of my personality though? Dang you are forgetful! ;-)



And I just lined up all the wood and went to town. No primer again. Might regret that later, but will deal with it then I guess.


Final touches were simply to use some glue and put the painted finial or egg or ball to the middle of the jar lid. And then the candlestick to the center of the glass jar. The metal letters I bought at Hobby Lobby, and I'm not loving the font since the O's look kind of like C's. I've since rotated the swirl a little to the top to help that some. And these are sitting on my hearth.

Bought the candy corn from Kroger at $1/bag - took 4 bags to fill. The saltwater taffy also from Kroger on clearance for $.50/bag, so $1.50 there with leftovers. And the dozen or so Butterfingers...........drumroll please............. are free right now with a coupon that's actually IN the Kroger stores (if Ella Grace didn't take the whole pad from YOUR store too). So it looks like I'm a big spender in candy, but not at all! lol And no, the kids haven't yet asked to take any candy out - that's the most AMAZING part of this whole story, lemme tell ya!

Oh, and the idea was totally inspired from the super smart ladies over at Santy2Chic's blog.
So this is my version I guess. I can already see the candy changed over to silver Hershey kisses and M&M's and Hershey miniatures for Christmas with the word JOY (yes, I bought the J and Y already! lol). And then for Thanksgiving just fill with mini pumpkins instead. How cute would that be? Don't even need a word on the outside.

Can use the Cricut to cut hearts, and fill with red hot cinnamon candies for Valentine's Day come February? Oooh, and Easter! The possibilities here! Love it! (our dentist bill is about to double I imagine. lol)

Til next time!