More Gifts: Round 2

Not only did I make gifts for Colton's teachers, but I decided to make gifts for the Director and Assistant Director at the preschool.  Since it's a Christian preschool, I decided to make them each a stained glass cross that is approximately 6 inches tall.

Both of the crosses were cut from the same piece of glass.  I loved the swirls in the glass and strategically placed them so that it would look like rays of light when the sun shines through it.

Both ladies absolutely loved them.  What I didn't know is that they both collect crosses! 

Teacher Gifts: Round 1

Tuesday was the last day of preschool for Colton.  He was adorable in his end of the year program and actually participated on stage without picking his nose!  I call that a big win!

Colton was on the opposite side of the stage from where I sat.  No way to predict in what order they will stand on stage.  I was able to get a couple decent photos, that also showed off the awesome shirt that the teachers Made for each kid.  Hand print suns with everyone's names on their hand print.  Too cute!  The best photo came from the last song where the entire preschool was singing.  Thankfully that was right in front of where I was sitting.   Here is my cutie hamming it up!

As far as gifts go, Colton's lead teacher received this stained glass frog.

I chose a frog for her due to her entire classroom being decked out in frogs and the only thing she had hanging in her window throughout the year was children's artwork on occasion.  She loves it!

The assistant teacher had hinted a few times this year how much she loved the other teacher's pen.  (I made her one back when she taught Maben in art).  I had to make one just for her.

Her favorite color is purple, so it was easy to choose purple heart as the wooden portion and I paired it with a pen with some bling.  She loves it!

My heart couldn't be happier than to give two very unique gifts to two very deserving teachers and have them both be thrilled to receive them.  What a wonderful day.  So thankful that they provided a very wonderful first year of preschool for Colton.

Washi Tape Thank Yous

I have jumped on the washi tape bandwagon.  After looking around for a decent looking thank you card and coming up disappointed, I decided to make my own.  I feel that the teachers and aides in my children's lives need to know just how much they mean to not just my child, but myself as well.

The papers came from my scrapbook stash and the washi tape came on this giant assortment from Target in on a clearance end cap!  It was 10 rolls for about $3.  I hand wrote the, "thank you," on each card.  I plan on writing inside each one a personal note to the teacher/aide that helped my children this year.

I made coordinating envelopes for each Thank You card.  Washi tape, a stamp and one jewel sticker finished with a heart punch.

I feel that giving a gift is great, a personal one is better.  I also feel that saying thank you is great, but writing it is better.

I hope that my children's teachers will know how much I love that they are making a difference and I appreciate them, even if we don't always see eye to eye.  I'm excited to hand these over with hand made gifts starting this week.  Colton's teachers are up first as preschool lets out two weeks sooner than the elementary school.

What do you give to your teachers at the end of the year?  Do you ever write them thank you notes?

Showing this off at:
Sugar Bee Crafts: Take Look Tuesday 
Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got #120

Pens

I am in full swing of getting things done for the end of the year.  Colton's last day of preschool is next week (once teacher gifts are given, I can show them off here).  Thankfully Maben doesn't get out of school for a few more weeks, because I haven't even started on those gifts and I still have no idea what I will be doing for those ladies.  I am taking suggestions!!! 

I have also been getting some pens done, which I can show off.  The first one is a turquoise acrylic with black veins in it with a copper wallstreet II kit.  It's hard to tell it's copper, but in person...GORGEOUS!  I have always loved the turquoise and copper color combination.

This one is a pink acrylic camo on a bolt action bullet pen kit.  I love this one, too bad it's going to be given away.  :(  I guess I will just have to make myself one.

I Went Off The Grid

This past weekend my husband, father-in-law, myself and a few other guys all headed out of Houston and ended up at a ranch outside of Kerrville, TX.  No cell phone service, in the middle of a dry, rocky landscape littered with cactus and cedar. 

I enjoyed every moment being out in the middle of pretty much nowhere.  I saw many birds that I have never seen before and encountered many animals I had never seen before either.

Immature Summer Tanager

I did some hunting (don't worry, I am feeding my family with what I kill).  I spent a lot of quality time with my husband sitting in a blind while watching turkeys go by.  There were a lot of turkeys.  There were also a few surprises in this landscape too, like this beautiful spring fed pond that they call blue hole.

I wish I could have jumped in.  It was so crystal clear, none of my photos can do an oasis so beautiful any justice.  Upon a glance, it looked to be only about 5 feet deep, but when you dropped a rock in, it sank, and sank, and sank...over 20 feet, I'm sure in a few spots even deeper. 

It felt great to relax, swap stories, reconnect with nature and just enjoy a great "guys" weekend.  I take pride that I get to go along on guy weekends occasionally. A big thanks to my mother-in-law for watching the kids so we could all enjoy our trip.

Gulf Fritillary

Do you ever feel the need to get away and reconnect with nature?  Or do you prefer the spa?  I would probably kill for a massage right now, but wouldn't trade me weekend away in nature for a spa trip.  Am I crazy?