MOTHER's DAY

Each of my students made one of these in class for their mother. 

I woke up Sunday to Andrew busy in the kitchen.  

I received something fun in the mail from mom-in-law.

And this is my mom. 

She happens to be here visiting for the week. 
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Too bad she's feeling anti-social. 

B-day

Well, life is going to be insanely busy for the next couple of weeks as we wrap up the school year, host family, and enjoy spring.

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Lots has happened that I'm excited to share, but some pics of my birthday last week will have to do for now. The big 'ol twenty-six. Andrew surprised me with a home-made double layer cake.
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LOVE that guy.

Happy weekend, all.

PERSONIFICATION

I'm sure I looked like the paparazzi to my Easter tulips--the way I followed them around with a camera all week. 

Here are my Easter tulips {thanks Mom} watching the sunrise. 

And helping me enjoy an afternoon snack. 

And hangin' with Andrew while he watched a baseball game on-line. 

That is until  I stole them back they soon got bored and chose to help me proofread my cousin's book instead. 

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Heather's book is so fun, and when it's published you'll all want to be the first ones in line to buy it. You won't be sorry.

This is Andrew informing me that allowing the tulips to accompany us on our Friday night date is "out of the question."

I guess he just wanted some alone time without the little ones. But I shared my ice-cream when we returned. 

Sweet dreams.  

SPRING SUBWAY ART PRINTABLE--freebie!

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eighteen25 came out with their Easter version of my favorite subway printable!

It's already helping to make my living room look a little spring-y-er. =)

You can get it HERE.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY DECOR--freebies!

1.)

I shared the Valentine version of this subway art last month, and was pleased to see one for March. I thought I'd share the wealth. This one comes from the blog eighteen25.

I think mine adds a nice St. Patrick's Day Touch without being tacky.

Because let's face it: decorating for a holiday that revolves around little, green, beer drinkin' Irishmen can get tacky reeeal quick.

2.)

If that one doesn't suit your fancy, I found these free printables on the blog two twenty-one.

Signs like this are all the rage right now. If you care about that sort of thing.

This is my favorite one. For some reason, it makes me think of Andrew.

3.)

And here are some funb printables from it's a crafty life.

Each one comes in 2 different color variations.

Get your minds out of the gutter.

Anyway. Here are a few ideas of my own.

Printer out of ink?

{Mine is...after all these darn printables}

Stick some scrapbook paper in a frame for a super simple holiday statement.

Happy March!

SWEET VALENTINE'S DAY

A sweet day, indeed.

I made chicken and dumplings for dinner... a recipe I've been wanting to try from HERE for a long time now. Definitely a new favorite for both of us.

Andrew quietly set the table and surprised me with the fancy...er...plastic goblets, fancy folded napkin art, candles, and a hidden ipod playing mushy background music.

Whether or not this was accompanied by smooches and slow dancing in the kitchen is not really any of your business.

geez.

For dessert, Andrew presented me with a giant frosted cookie.

I couldn't decide if I loved him for it or hated him for it.

Then, we got to open three {yummy}Valentine packages from family!

{Excited to try out this new book!}

And I had to share a favorite student-made Valentine:

The kissy couple on the sticker has been labeled: "Mrs. Ashmore" and "Mr. Ashmore." Ha!

PERFECT

No school or work recently, meant sleeping in and building breakfast together.

One word: Levi's.

Frothy goodness.

Everything's better with crunchy peanut butter.

From our window: a rare blue sky peeking through winter morning clouds.
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 Like I said...perfect.
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VALENTINE KISSERS AND MUSTACHES

For Valentine's Day, I'm giving my kiddos suckers attached to felt lips and mustaches. Then, when they put the sucker in their mouths, they look like this:

Andrew and I should totally take up modeling.
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The felt cost me $1.50 and the suckers $1.79. A girl I grew up with posted about this on her blog, and I've been looking forward to trying it with my class ever since. She got her idea from HERE. 

The downloadable template made them kinda big, so I think the lips need some de-botox-ifying before I cut out the rest.
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But anyway, if you're looking for a last minute idea, this one is kinda fun. Send them with your kids for their school Valentine parties.

Don't Andrew's muttonchops look sexy?

A little bit, maybe?

HAPPY HEART MONTH--freebies!

Valentine's Day is probably my favorite holiday. (Next to Christmas.) It is simply so happy.
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Life has dished out some bummer deals the last few weeks, and so as a way to distract myself from the blues, I have been all about the cheerful Valentine trimmings in my house.

I feel kind of bad that Andrew has to live in such a froofy, girly household.

He'll live, though.

This was given to me by my sister-in-law as a gift a few years back. If you still can't see it...each picture represents a letter of the word "LOVE."
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You like? Grab a camera! Very easy to make!

This teddy bear is but one of many many knick knacks gifted by my students. To make it look "valentine-y," I hastily embroidered a little heart on its sweater.

I found these free downloads on the blog of Becky Higgins. Print them from your computer, put them in any ol' frame, and you've got yourself a quick, cost effective Valentine pretty for your house.

I printed this one out for me.

eighteen25 is offering this free subway art download.

They come in two color schemes. I printed this one.


Happy Heart Day from me to you!