We were on a mission to use up all current in-color papers, ribbons, die cut blooms and felt flowers...
retiring designer series paper...
and 3 tins of two year old Accents and Elements stickers.
In total we made 126 tags, 26 notecard holders each containing 6 notecards (that's 156 notecards!), and 68 cards. Some people may think we're crazy, but I really enjoyed my birthday celebration.
In my 18 years of teaching I have met some talented and educated people, but the most amazing woman I have ever known is my friend Sheryl. We taught together in Covina for many years and she was a constant source of inspiration. She is incredibly intelligent and was a fantastic teacher. She is the kind of person who inspires you to be your very best and will help you every inch of the way.
Aren't they great? She knitted them and then somehow through a washing process, the yarn resembles felt. 
I'm so lucky to have such a talented friend who shares her gifts with me. And I can't wait to hit the streets with my stylishly cute market bag!
I consider it a privilege to teach about 2 blocks from my home at a wonderful school. Because kindergarten is such a special time with students and parents, I always end up developing a bond with families. For some, I'm part of their first 'real' school experience.
Here are some friends, enjoying the hot dog BBQ!
Before the party, my student Richard said to his mom: "I can't wait. I almost have forgotten what Mrs. Wallace looks like". And when it was over, Gillian said "That was so much fun, I got to see all my friends!" 
I so enjoyed my time with my little friends! Now I feel like we've officially kicked off summer vacation.
You all know by now how I like to "upgrade" things, especially in the crafting world, and in party planning, table setting, etc. However, in my life as a cook I've always preferred doing the quick versions of recipes, especially when feeding a family. I've always preferred to bake than cook, but those darling children I have want to eat real food every single day! Cooking dinner each and every night can be drudgery (especially when we are expected to be low cost, low fat, taste good, etc. etc. etc.), and for me, it becomes one more thing on my to-do list.
Here it is with the coconut and pecans stirred in:
Tommy's 18th birthday was this past Monday. Since he'd been treated like the "golden child" for the past month, we decided to keep his birthday low key. When he woke up for "big breakfast" (bacon, pancakes, etc), I had set the table with the special plate and this Thomas the Tank plate. His first birthday was a Thomas theme, and I've kept that plate all these years. I'm sure that may make me a wacky mom - but I really enjoy the nostalgia!
Look how cute and festive my table looks with 5 simple balloons! For me, having helium is kind of like having extra toilet paper on hand - I love having that stuff around! I have found it to be a nice touch to take a balloon or two to a colleague who's celebrating a birthday, or quickly blow some up to go to a birthday dinner.
This picture was taken before Tommy and Nick inhaled all the helium. Those crazy kids!
My good friend Lisa, and mother of Celeste, was born on December 15. Not the best time to throw a party being that it is in the middle of the holiday season. This year, I decided I would surprise her with a "Half" Birthday party on June 15. Though I couldn't get Lisa to commit to go out for a "casual dinner" on June 15, I was able to schedule it for June 16 and thus the Half Birthday celebration plans were under way.
I had a great time planning for the party. There was a banner, of course.
And somehow I managed to fit all 14 people around my dining room table.
Everyone had handmade place cards except Lisa. She got the super cute figurine in the picture below. It is hard to see, but the little girl is holding a wire balloon that reads, "Birthday Girl."
The menu consisted of:
Step 2: Cut your printed paper into 2 3/4" squares. Attach them above the fold on the cardstock. Add your design. I used words on white cardstock, which ended up being about an inch wide and 2 3/4" long, so that it would align well with the printed paper.
The stamp set I used for my design it "Time Well Spent", and I used SU markers to add some color, along with a tiny blue rhinestone.
Step 3: Buy chocolate. These were about $3.50 for a package of about 10 candies. Be sure to eat some while you are working!
Step 4: Attach the chocolate (I used my mono/snail adhesive) on the inside of your folded cardstock, about 1/4 inch above the fold.
Step 5: Fold it together, and punch 2 holes in the top, through both the front and the back of the cardstock. Tie a 13" length of ribbon through, and trim the ends. (As you can see, I added my favorite Container Store Shred).
Step 6: Enjoy sharing your favors!!!!
For anyone who is wondering, this printed paper is the SU Delicate Dots with So Saffron and Certainly Celery Ribbon. Cardstock is So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, and Kraft. 
Last night was Tommy's graduation. The actual ceremony was nice....but the highlight of our evening was the 'gradnight' celebration which CHS is famous for.
My friend Sally from school said to me earlier this week: "I can't wait to hear you tell me about Tommy's gradnight. I know you're going to enjoy every detail so much, and you're going to wish that every high school grad could have this same experience." Well, she was right.
For those of you who don't know, the CHS tradition is to plan an all night grad party for the students that begins with a very nice dinner for the grads and their parents. I love this concept of including the parents, and I appreciate how this tradition cultivates the notion that a graduation is not just about the student, but about their families, and for celebrating together the student's accomplishments. In the photo below, Tommy and I are dancing the "mom/son" dance.
Another aspect of the evening which I totally appreciate is the attention to detail. A huge team of volunteers works on this event for months (and years), and every detail is neatly and elaborately planned (keeping in mind, this is a party for about 900 people!) The theme is expressed throughout the evening in the decor, music, nametags, photo-ops, etc. My role was pretty simple, but literally hundreds of people helped, and many many hours are given. There are volunteers who help every year, even though their kids are grown, because they so enjoy the "magic" of the evening.
Now here is the rest of the centerpiece, shown in the light of day (Craig was the lucky winner who got to bring it home!). My photos of it last night (in it's native setting) didn't do it justice. The mini tiki torch has a battery operated tea light in it - clever!
After the adults left at midnight, the kids changed clothes, and were bussed to Dave and Buster's for the "all-night" portion of the party, where they played and ate all night! This morning, Tommy came in around 7 am, and went straight to bed. He hasn't gotten up yet, so I haven't had a chance to debrief with him about his night. I'm hoping it was as memorable for him as it was for Craig and I.
The only must have for this project is a Pampered Chef can opener. It opens cans without leaving a sharp edge and it gives you a nice lip around the sides.
There are many reasons I love teaching kindergarten. I love that there is always a beginning and an end and that I get to refine and make things better each year. I love that I have the privilege of being my students first teacher and I get the opportunity to give them a solid foundation on which to build their educational career. I love the enthusiasm 5 and 6 year olds have for learning and life. And I love to do things that make them happy.
This little guy came over to tell me "this is the best day ever!"
I thought the kids looked so cute in their swimwear. Here are the girls making goofy faces...
...and the boys showing me their muscles.
And no day at the beach is complete without a cool tattoo.
In the years to come I'm not sure the kids will remember me, but I know they will remember all the fun times they had in kindergarten and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it.
