lots of pictures

I have tried to write a post several times, but for whatever reason the site wasn't saving my posts. So I am back to try again, but I have several things to add this time! 

First I am adding my week 1 portraits that I took of Nathan & my cousin's daughter while we were at her son's birthday party.

I also have some pictures of the Flip Flop Wreath that I made using an idea I found on Pinterest. The original idea is from Jessica at http://usasillyyaks.blogspot.com/2012/03/flip-flop-wreathperfect-for-summer.html

Now I have week 2 pictures for Downward

And finally, this week was Teacher Appreciation Week and I found TONS of great ideas online (mainly on Pinterest) and decided that this year, and every year from now on, I wanted to give the teacher's a small gift as a thank you for all they do throughout the year for my boys! On Monday, I sent the boys to school with monogrammed notepads, mini notepads, and a weekly notepad for each of their teachers and aides. Attached was a note that said 'It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Just sending you a "NOTE" of thanks for all you do! We love you!' and then I signed the card as well as each child for their teacher. I did, however, forget to take pictures :(! On Tuesday, I found some spring candle holders that I had bought on clearance a while back and I put tealights in the holder for each teacher and each aide was given a bag with 3 small votives, all bags had a note that said "Thanks for helping me SHINE!" I found this idea (and free printable) on http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2011/05/teacher-appreciation-week-day-3-thanks.html. Again, no picture :(! On Wednesday, I gathered some Smarties out of the kids candy buckets and attached a free printable found at http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/05/smarties-teacher-appreciation-download.html.  

On Thursday, I found this links page http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-linky-party.html and from there found an idea and free printable at  http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-free-tea-riffic-teacher-water-bottle-printable/, so I grabbed a couple water bottles, some Crystal Light tea mixes and the free printable and made these for the teachers and aides

Then for Friday, I made a pencil vase for each of the teachers. I used empty Crystal Light containers and hot glued the pencils on. I was able to purchase the flowers at Michaels for 1/2 price. The whole thing only cost about $6. I found the idea here, http://nf1andpre-kwhisper.blogspot.com/2010_05_07_archive.html
and I added a note that said "You were the 'write' teacher to help me 'grow' this year"! These were all very easy, simple ideas and crafts to put together for the teachers and aides. Thank you ladies from all these other blogs for all your wonderful ideas and free printables!!!! Here are the pictures of the boys vases for their teachers