My favorite teacher gifts

Topic at Kelly's Korner-----teacher gifts.


Since I am (thankfully), not a teacher, I guess I will share a few of the things I have made for teachers.


Some of them may have preferred a gift card...




Personalized travel mugs. I put a Starbucks gift card in these.

Cookie jars. I usually have put the teacher's family on them. Last year, my son's teacher was single, so I put each child in the class on there. She LOVED it.

These square plates were a hit. I liked them because they were so easy...

Plates or platters with the teacher's family. I always hate the moment when I have to ask, "What is your husband's name, and what does he look like?" They have no idea why I'm asking, and they must think it's odd.

My old faithful. You can never go wrong with a Christmas plate. (Unless your teacher is jewish).

I will now shamefully plug my website...www.littlebitsdesigns.com

Technologically challenged

I am new to blogging.

I am new to Twitter.

I am actually new to reading my email daily.

When I was in school, email was still new. (guess that shows my age)

I didn't have a cell phone until I was married. (I married really young. )

I have run my business from home for the past 11 years, with very little need for a computer....until now.

This time last year, I couldn't even copy and paste. I've come a long way.

I labored over putting up a website. I had a successful business without it, did I need it? Would it really get out to anyone?

So, I was super excited today when my neighbor called and told me that Kelly from Kelly's Korner had written something on Twitter about my website!!

Some of you may not know who she is, but she writes one of the few blogs I read. She is a cute little mom, and a christian making a difference. She writes often about her faith, her family, and is always spreading the word when prayers are needed. She is the Oprah of Mom blogs.

I tried to tell my mom. When I said she "tweeted" about me, I got a blank stare. She had no idea what I was talking about. I tried to explain. She pretended to understand.

I think I need to convince her how important it is for her to learn her way around her laptop. Especially if she wants to ever communicate with her grandchildren once they hit their teens. If I can do it - so can she.




I mailed out a cute little pillow today. Here is the bedding I needed to match. It's called Sumersault Geo.




I see Lilly playing with balls, her kitchen, crayons and play-doh. But, what is it about seeing her play with dolls that makes my heart flutter?? I just love it.




Here, her dolls were sick. All four of them. It must have been an epidemic. I think she's giving baby #1 a shot.

I always seem to be posting pictures of Lilly and not the boys. But, Jackson has school everyday, and Baker just can't seem to keep his shirt on. I'm not sure where he got the idea that clothes are just for 'going out'. His around the house look is often not blog appropriate.

I don't want to be the Jerry Springer of mom blogs.

Littlebits - typical day

What is a typical day around here??

6:30 - 6:45 Get up, get kids dressed, and oldest ready for school. Load everyone into car, make 2 stops for carpool, unload big kids, return home by 7:50 ish.

8:00 Try to make myself look presentable after driving carpool looking like living dead.

8:30 make beds, clean up house a little

9:30 run any errands needed. Usually Publix and Hobby Lobby.

The middle of a normal day goes something like this:

pick up toys
make snack
return emails and calls
clean up spilled snack
paint a moment or 2
referree fight
pick up toys again
fold laundry
make lunch
read book to kids
sweep lunch crumbs
return call I missed while reading
pick up more toys
see why someone is crying 2 rooms away
kiss boo boo
paint a little more
more laundry
attempt to photograph what I have painted or made(like this or this)
make afternoon snack
make vain attempt at a blog post
oldest home from school
make his snack
help get homework started
pick up again
start dinner (while simultaneously doing laundry)

After dinner, it's a lot of baths, stories, and a little more homework.

I usually work until 11:00 or later. (luckily, my workspace is in the back of the family room - so I'm with my hubby, who is on the sofa...)

Then bed, with a few minutes of a good book.
Looking at it written out, it doesn't sound nearly as good as it is. I wouldn't change a thing. (except for maybe all the laundry)



www.littlebitsdesigns.com

2 Little promises

My New Year's Resolutions:

1. Keep my house spotless at all times.

2. Wake at 5:30 am so that I can exercise before the children get up.

3. No sugar, white flour, or butter.

4. Be on time, or early for all appointments or events.

5. Never, ever, lose my patience with my children or husband.


Are you laughing at me yet? You should be.

A list of rules I tell myself I have to follow for the next full year...that's pressure I don't need.

I am going to keep it simple.

I resolve to try to stop setting unrealistic expectations for myself. I am not, nor will I ever be, perfect. Or even close.

I will set goals, and make an endless number of to do lists. But, I am basically going to take it day by day.

I will thank God every day for the life he has blessed me with, no matter what.

Cheap-o Christmas Eve

Ok, this post has nothing to do with painting, personalizing, or junky furniture. I promise to get back to the norm after this. But, since I have found I sort of enjoy writing these posts, I'm going to indulge myself.

Kelly's Korner, one of the few blogs I read, asked others to share a favorite Christmas tradition. True to form, my family has a weird one. We used to have a big meal on Christmas Eve, and Christmas day. Over the years, with the deaths of grandparents/parents, the number of adults gathering has shrunk, while the kid population seemed to explode. We had to adjust. Now, Christmas day is full of food and presents, and Christmas Eve is a little less traditional.

We eat pizza.

And we don't even make it. Pizza Hut does.

My parent's call when everyone else has arrived, and we pick up the pizza on our way to their house. The kids couldn't be happier. They even get a special treat of root beer in a bottle. The clean up is simple and quick. That way we can move on to the next event.

$1.00 gifts.

My sister and I each take our children to the dollar store, and let them pick out a gift for each of the 7 adults. Since we know the price will be $1, they get the pick of the store. It is so much fun to watch them shop. They really try to find something personal for each person. They even get to wrap their own presents - no matter how badly.
The real fun is when the adults open the gifts. The kids are beaming with pride. They get to feel the joy of giving, and we get a few good laughs. Like the time my Jackson, 4 at the time, thought my elderly grandmother just couldn't live without those fire engine red panties, with black lace trim. Or, when my brother-in-law received a lovely cowboy figurine, and managed to look grateful without laughing. While some of the presents have been odd, some have been pretty handy. What grandad or uncle couldn't use a roll of masking tape, or a pack of gum? What aunt can resist a candle in the shape of a cherry pie? My sweet nephew even bought me a glass to rinse my paintbrushes in. I use it all the time.
We occasionally throw in a game of dirty santa, but no matter what, we have tons of fun, and no stress. We save that for Christmas day.