Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time
Here’s another fun teacher gift idea if you’re looking for ideas. It’s simple (which is key around here), but cute and creative and a little practical, too. The kids made these last year for their teachers―they enjoyed putting them together and coming up with their favorite books. I think the teachers enjoyed knowing the kids were excited about reading. And the gift cards went over pretty well, too. You can find the instructions here.
Just look at that happy little fellow having the time of his life cruising around the bayou, safely perched on Mama’s head. But he has no idea what his poor mother has been through.
When my oldest were very small, Tim and I watched a nature program about alligators. The filmmakers showed Mama Alligator carefully creating a nest under a tree several yards from the river. As her babies hatched out of their eggs, she gently carried each one down to the river. But here’s the problem. Each time she carried one of her hatchlings to the river, she left the others at the tree unguarded. And then, of course, when she left the river to go get more she left the babies in the river unguarded. And you can guess what happened. Darn predators.
I had never really felt that I had much in common with alligators, but just then I knew exactly how Mama felt. Trying to keep an eye on all your babies at once is not an easy feat. I remember being with a friend at the Lego store at the Mall of America when I was pregnant with my third. I was rather horrified that she, a mother of three boys, didn’t always know exactly where all of her children were.
Do I sound overly helicoptery? Probably, but up until then it really wasn’t a big deal to have a constant visual on my two. Lexie was glued to my side the first year of her life so we just followed Andrew around. But then we added a third and a fourth child, they all got more adventurous, and all bets were off. Now I mostly know where they are.
I’ve thought of Mama Alligator often through the years as I’ve dropped children at preschool for the first time or watched them ride off in a bus driven by someone else. Birthday parties, class field trips, rollercoasters, even biking off to the park are moments that require a conscious decision to let go. With after-school activities, all four can be off in different directions and, frankly, I’m just hoping I can remember where in the world they are.
I know that a life lived in fear is a life half lived and, anyway, it’s not all about me. So I let the kids do their thing. But whenever Mama Alligator and I run into each other, we nod and smile encouragingly because we know.
Lexie came home from a sleepover last weekend with this adorable photo. Isn’t it clever? My friend, Jeanette, created it using the girls as models and Picnik for photo editing. Have you used this online tool yet? I haven’t, but after seeing this photo I need to check it out!
I took a quick tour of the site and it looks like all you need is a computer, internet access, and your photos. You don’t have to have an account with Picnik to use the service, although there is a premium level that allows you access to extra stuff. But the free service seems to offer plenty of ways to dress up your photos. You can do touch-ups, add text and graphics, and make collages.
I bet you could make really cute party invitations using Picnik. And Christmas cards. What would you make?
I wonder if my laughter was slightly too hysterical when I saw this cartoon. But it hits a little close to home, doesn’t it?
We had such a nice weekend and enjoyed minimal driving. How about you? Did you do anything special for Memorial Day? I sometimes miss life in the city, but small towns sure know how to celebrate holidays like Memorial Day. We headed into town in the morning to watch Andrew play the snare drum in the middle school marching band. They played a wonderfully rousing patriotic tune, the name of which escapes me. (“Salute to Freedom,” maybe?) The crowd fell into step at the end of the parade and headed to the cemetery for a ceremony honoring our fallen soldiers.
And then we had a Chicken Feed. Have you ever heard of a Chicken Feed? It turns out that it doesn’t have anything to do with feeding chickens. The family who owns our local grocery store made delicious barbecued chicken with all the fixin’s and we ate ourselves silly.
A nice little party formed at our picnic table under the trees. The adults chatted and the kids played. But the best moment was when an eagle swooped into view, did a few wide turns, and then flew off in his majestical way. (I swear he winked.) We burst into applause and declared it the perfect end to our day.
And now it’s time to jump back into the craziness of the final two weeks of school. Lily starts T-ball tonight, which I’m sure will be adorable.
Here’s another teacher gift idea for you. I first saw these customized hand-soap bottles on Design Mom (go figure!) last year and liked how they turned out so much, we’re doing them again this year. I like how they have that “how did you do that?” feel to them.
I’m giving you links to two different websites that have slightly different takes on how to make these. Design Mom’s link has downloadable PDF templates you can use―you just have to add your own artwork. We used silhouettes of the kids from when they were each two years old by local treasure Patti Pate. The other site, The Giver’s Log, walks you through the project using artwork made by you or your kids. Both are great!
Here are some notes from my experience in case you give these a try:
So there you have it. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!