Brandi's Teacher's Christmas Gift

Did you follow that?  Since Brandi is my only kid who still wants to give her teacher a gift, I decided to make it special.  As some of you know, Brandi is in an all girl's class, and the room is done in pink and black prints.  This is what I came up with:

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I know the picture isn't the best...my camera broke, and my mom left her's here over the weekend, so I tried using hers, and, well, it's not like mine at all.  That said, I think Brandi's teacher will like this.

Replica Watches

Christmas is in two days, and I still haven't gotten Junior anything for Christmas. I think at this point whatever I decide to get him, he will be getting it after Christmas.

I was thinking that he may like a watch, but most of the name brands are so expensive. I did findbrietling replica, which are just as good as the brand name, but not as expensive. I can save a lot of money, and I don't think anyone would notice that it is a replica.

I am not sure which type he would like best, though, so I might have to have him take a look before I order one. I would hate to get one that he won't wear.

While I am having him take a look, I might point out a few that I like, and then see if he can take the hint. I desperately need a new watch, but that is not something I will buy for myself. And these replicas are beautiful.

So, honey, if you are reading this, hint, hint.

Garbage

I am throwing away the ornament I made. I wish there was a way to save them, but I am coming up blank. I wish there was a way to remove the paint from inside the balls, but I have no idea how to do that. Any suggestions?

Now I have to come up with something else to give my 12 nieces and nephews. Well, I will only be seeing six of them on Christmas, so the rest can wait until after the Holidays. But, I still don't have any ideas. I need to try and find some type of craft for the kids to do at Brandi's party on Sunday, so I will be in Michael's and Hobby Lobby this weekend...maybe inspiration will strike there.

Again.

What I Want For Christmas

Have you guys started panicking about Christmas shopping yet? I know I have. The thought of spending money I don't have is enough to raise my blood pressure. Luckily, I don't have too many adults to buy christmas gifts for. We started a few years ago only buying for the kids in the family, and that has been a blessing. I do still buy for my mom and dad, and my dad's wife, but that's it.

Junior and I don't usually buy gifts for each other until we get our taxes back in February, but I found this really cute (pink) video camera online and I love it. It's a Winait DV-Q1 1080P Digital Camcorder 5.0MP CMOS 12.0MP Enhanced 3.0 inch TFT LCD 4X Digital Zoom(DCE014). I have no idea what any of that means, but the list of features is pretty impressive, and it only costs $161.99. The only thing that would make it more perfect was if it was purple. Now I have to work my magic and convince Junior that I need this for Christmas, so I can capture all the memories of our kids while they are still relatively young.

As far as christmas gifts for the kids, I am going to do a little shopping myself at lightinthebox.com. They have a good variety of gifts for boys and girls, so I am sure I can find everything I need for all my nieces and nephews. Paying wholesale prices is a great way to save money, and you all know how much I love saving money.

You can save money, too. Just go check lightinthebox.com, and see what you can find.

Teacher's Gifts

Every year, I try and make something for the kids teachers and the bus driver. Now that Ryan and Kasi are in the middle school, I only have to make for Brandi's teacher and Peggy, the bus driver. This means I can spend a little more money on each of them.

The problem I am having is figuring out what I want to make.

I am slap out of ideas. What do you do for your kids teachers? Gift cards? Apples? lol! I really want to know~!

Belated Father's Day Gift

The last week of school, Brandi brought home a gift for Junior for Father's Day. It was wrapped, so I had no idea what it was. She took it into her room, and hid it so Junior wouldn't see it until Father's Day.

Well, the big day comes, and Brandi is so upset because she forgot where she put his gift. I told her it had to be somewhere in her room, and she would find it. Yesterday, the girls and I cleaned their room, and guess what Brandi found?

How cute is this? It's a magnet, so it is proudly displayed on my fridge.
She put it on Kasi's headboard (which has a bookshelf) and forgot about it.

She was all smile when she gave it to her Daddy.

I Took The Easy Road

These are the gifts for the bus driver and Brandi's teacher. I totally coped out and bought candles. Time just got away from me the past couple of weeks, and I didn't realize school was almost over. The candles are cute...I got a vanilla one for Brandi's teacher, and a black cherry one for the bus driver. I almost kept the black cherry for myself...it smells soooo good. I also let the kids write out thank you cards, which I know the bus driver loves. I put my kids lives in her hands every day...it's the least I could do to thank her for taking care of them.

Teacher Appreciation Gift

It's that time of year again where I try to come up with something creative to give the kids bus driver and teacher a little something to thank them for another great year. I will only give a gift to Brandi's teacher. The older kids will write thank you cards for their teachers. So I just have to come up with something for one teacher and the bus driver. I love their bus driver. She has had them since they started at this school six years ago. I want to make something, but have no idea what. Anyone have any ideas?

Ryan's Gift

Check out the calender page Ryan made for me for mother's Day. It's for Feb, 2010, so I can leave it hanging until next year. Now, this is from my 13 year old son, and he drew it in art class in school. It melts my heart that he can still write he loves me on something he is doing in class.

So, um, did you see what is on the bottom?

Yup, an elephant!

I think it came out awesome! Ryan has recently discovered that he likes to draw, and he is really good at it. I need to get a few of his other pictures on here so you can see them, too. He drew a race car that came out amazing.
Here's a close up of the elephant. He put a lot of detail into it, and I absolutely love it.

I told him he needs make the rest of the year for me.

He told me he'd get right on it.

I can't wait to see how they come out.

Oh, My Sweet Child

Brandi had to fill out this about me at school. It's hard to read, so I'll type it out for you. What Brandi wrote is bold.

My mom's name is mommy.

My mom is 37 years old.

My mom weighs 170 pounds. (bless her)

My mom likes to eat salad and ice cream.

My mom would buy some new elephants and 27 Dresses if I gave her a million dollars.

My mom makes me happy when she gives me lots of hugs and kisses and when she watches movies with me.

My mom looks pretty when she puts on her pretty jewelry like her bracelet with me on it.

My mom and I like to play Hangman and Life and Clue.

Faith, Family, And Friends

How beautiful is that candle tray? I love it. The three most important things in life are not money, success, or power. They are faith, family, and friends. It's inspirational, and would make a great present. I know my mom would love this. My sister's probably would, too. I found this and other Christian Gifts at greatisthelord.net. If you are looking for a special gift for someone close to you, check out all the things this website offers. They have picture frames, candles, clocks, and so many other things to choose from. You are sure to find something perfect for that someone special. Keep them in mind for Easter gifts, or Mother's Day.

Protect Your Belongings

How many times have you lost your cell phone? Or your music player? Or even your keys? There is now a really simple way to improve the chances of getting those lost items back. Foundit Lost and Found Service is a new way to greatly increase the likelihood of someone returning your personal property. The person who finds your property simply calls the toll free number on the decal, and you will be notified that your property has been found. Foundit acts as the "middle man", protecting your identity and where you live. They will arrange for your property to be returned to you, either by meeting in a mutual, safe location, or having it shipped to you, without the finder ever having access to your personal information.

It really is simple How it Works. You just order the company's high quality, durable and weather resistant decals, and affix them to your property. It could be your cell phone, camera, keys, or anything really. The decals adhere to any clean service. You can even use them on your kids stuff. Then you just register your items at Foundit.com, and you are done. They have an 80.7% return rate on lost items.

If you are giving electronics this Christmas, think about protecting them as well.

Christmas Wreath

I used a hunter green yarn to crochet around a form ring. I made the little gifts, hat, and candy canes using a glittery christmas yarn I got on clearance last year. The bow is a little too big, I think, so for the next one I will do it smaller. I like how it is offset and crooked. What do you think???