A Former Students Fame...

I can't get over this....

 We have missed American Idol the last couple weeks because my son has made sure we watch MacGyver instead.   It helps that our antenna isn't the greatest so we don't always get fox either.   Well perusing FaceBook, I wander to a friends page and see a post about a former student on the auditions.       

Theo Glinton's American Idol Performance

 This was one of my former students.  It was my first year teaching.  He was in my 4th period Junior English Class.  The year was 2002.  Throughout the hallway I could hear him yelling out his version of my name  "Mrs. Vowg, Hey Mrs. Vowg"  Theo never could say my name right, I was Miss Vaughan the first quarter, then married and became Balazadeh. For the duration of his time in FPC I was Mrs. Vowg.  I gave up trying to correct him after the first semester.

 The boy was always singing in the hallways, you could hear him miles away.  Which meant you were always prepared for his arrival.  

 What a character, I see he hasn't lost his....spunk. 

 

 

25 Days of Decorating... A challenge for me and my kids.

     I have decided that my kids need traditions. I need traditions.  I want to make the holidays a festive and happy memory for my little ones.   So I have decided to make every day after Thanksgiving funfilled and holiday active. To start, each day in December we will do a Christmas Decoration for our tree!  We have an 8.5 foot tree and its looking a little scarce with decorations.   We can't hang bulbs low or Mya will eat them.  So I wanted to get some that the kids help make and that will help fill the tree out.   What better way than to do this each year!!  We will have a full tree in no time.  :) 

   So Below I am going to start making our schedule of what we will be making each day.  Hopefully I will be able to find 24 fun filled craft activities for the kids and I to do, and also be proactive enough to take pictures and bring it to you guys to see our trees progress.  :)

So lets begin:

December 1st:     Popcorn and Cranberry Garland.  

       Instructions:    With fresh popcorn (plain), fresh cranberries,  a 2 in needle and some twine, thread your popcorn and berries in which ever pattern you wish.  Make sure you have a knot at one end so the popcorn berries don't fall off! 

December 2nd:   Traditional Paper Chains

       Instructions:    With red and green construction paper cut about 1 inch wide strips however long you   wish.  The longer the strip the larger the circle, I usually just use the width of a piece of paper.  Start with one strip and glue the ends together.  The next circle alternate color and glue your circle around the first ringlet.  Continue on until your chain is as long as you desire.   (You can also sticker, glitter, or color your chains before gluing depending on your motivation.)

December 3rd:  Salt Dough Ornaments:

           Instructions: Scavange up 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water.  Mix dough up in your mixer.  Preheat oven to 275*,  roll out your "dough" and cut out the shapes you would like to use. Poke hole where you want hanger to go.   Bake the ornaments for 2 hours on foil  lined cookie sheets. (You can also microwave until dry instead of using the oven for 1-4 minute increments depending on your microwave.)

December 4th:  Paint Salt Dough Ornamnents

           Instructions: Pull out your acryllic paint, glitter sticks, and paint brushes.  Decorate your now cool ornaments to your delight.  Let dry completely and shellac (mod podge) the ornaments to preserve them.

December 5th:  Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

       Instructions:  Gather Cinnamon, Apple Sauce, Craft Glue, Cookie Cutters,  Ribbon, Toothpick.  Mix 1 cup applesauce with 1 tbsp craft glue and 1 cup cinnamon to form a dough. (You may need to add more cinnamon, in one-third cup increments, until the dough is of workable consistency.)  Roll dough to a 1/4 thickness and use your cookie cutters to cut which shapes you prefer. Using your toothpick, place a hole in your ornament large enough for your ribbon.  Put ornaments on a cookie sheet and set out until 100% dry (this may take a couple days).   Once ornaments are dry, thread your ribbon through the hole and make sure your loop is long enough to hang.   Place on trees, hang in windows and enjoy the scent!

December 6th:  Easy Bead Ornaments

        Instructions:  You will need pipe cleaners and beads (5 - 10 mil diameter).  Fold one end of the pipe cleaner up to create a stop.  Thread the beads on the pipe cleaners and shape into candy canes or hook together to form wreathers starts, bells, etc. 

December 7th:  Glitter Ornaments

         Instructions: You will need white heavy weight paper (40lb minimum), Clear drying craft glue, White glitter, Scissors,hole punch and Ribbon.  Use a cookie cutter to trace the shaped ornaments you would like.   Cut the shape out.  Punch a hole where desired.  Cover with glue and glitter, then let dry.   Tie a ribbon or loop for hanging.

December 8th:  Ice Crystad Bead Ornaments

           Instructions:  12 inch iridescent or silver pip cleaners, clear triburst or sunburst beads, needle and twine. Cut 6 pipe cleaners in half to create 12 pieces. Hold 11 pieces together and tightly wrap the last piece around the middle of the bundle, twisting its ends to secure it. Spread the pipe cleaner pieces into a starburst shape and thread about 5 beads onto each pipe cleaner.   Using the needle, thread the pom-poms on the fishing line, then tie the snowflake to one end of the line.

December 9th:  Pomanders 

            Instructions:   Grab some oranges, cloves,  ribbon and some pins and lets get Pomandering.   Wrapyour ribbon around your orange and push the pins in to hold its place. Stick the cloves in the orange, using any pattern your desire.  Hang these in doorways, on trees, once they have dried out place them inyour wardobe or doors to keep things smelling nice!

December 10th:  Candy Cane Reindeer

           Instructions:  You will need, candy canes, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.   Leave the wrapping on   the candy cane. Glue eyes on rounded face of the candy cane. Glue red pompom on the face for a nose. Tie ribbon into a bow on the straight part of the candy cane. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the full pipe cleaner around the crook of the candy cane to begin the antlers. Use the cut pipe cleaners to manipulate into antlers.

 GRRRRRRR!  These are the only ones I can find so far suitable for me and my kids!  Well at least it gives me a starting place.   My sis thinks it can't be done but I WILL succeed.  ;) 

Suggestions always welcome!

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody...AWESOME!

This is awesome!  I love the Muppets they are totally Brilliant!

Just a peek... lol, one day I will get back here. :)

  

of course, I realize that I need to relearn how to post pictures.  :)  

I love Sesame Street... and this is why!

A little fun in the sun!

So the sun is shining, the weather is warm. We haven't seen a hint of snow for at least a week. Could this possibly be .... Spring??

This is a new era for us. Spring. I had forgotten what is was like not having to scavenge for boots, coats, tights, socks. hots and mittens, just so we could run to the store.

The kids sure are loving it!

Can you tell who my favorite dancer is??