following directions...

...or not!

Here's what we did in class today.  This lesson never gets old, NEVER!  :)

(Please excuse the quality of these photos.  I had used the Print Screen option to make this show up.)

Any of you actually follow the directions? 

I had 2 kids in my 1/2 block (of 32) who did what they were supposed to.  The rest of the class simply untied their shoelaces, crawled under their desks, spun around a few times and failed to carefully read the assignment.  Regardless, this task always creates great discussion...and a reminder as to why we read directions!  

a few of my summer plans...

The countdown is on...there are only 17 days of school left (including today).  So, with more free time on the horizon, I've got a few creative plans.

• I would really like to make a cover for my camera strap.  This one is pretty cute and so is this one!  It's also possible that I'll modify mine to include a ruffle.  We'll see.
• One of my missions this summer is to make enough cards to last me until next summer.  This is a simple design that's super sweet!
• Every spring, I host a classroom party.  We celebrate everyone's birthday on the same day...that way those born in the summer aren't left out.  This little party looks similar to an end-of-the-year celebration.  We play games, create teams based on birthday months, and enjoy some yummy snacks - what's a party without food?!?!  I want to make these for the annual celebration.  They would hold-up well and keep me from having to buy streamers each year.
• Some people belong to a book club, others are party of a dinner club.  However, I'm thinking I should start some sort of craft club.  One of the first projects I would tackle?  This one!  It looks so cute...and seems pretty simple too.
• I would love to have these on hand for those rare occasions when we have folks over for dinner.
• This is a brilliant idea!  I need to get these made ASAP...that way I can use them throughout the summer.
• I wonder if Gavin or the twins would find this book to be kind of fun?!?!
• When the sun finally decides to stick around for a while, I want to try this little recipe.  It seems easy enough.

There are a ton of ideas I have saved here on my computer.  Perhaps I'll post a few more as I get a bit closer to summer vacation.  In the meantime, please feel free to share any ideas you might have!

can you imagine...

...how much fun this would be!  :)

When you get to the post, make sure you scroll down to the actual video footage.

(This was posted on one of the crafty blogs I read.  I couldn't pass it up.)

what's one to do...

...when there's no Home Group on the first Monday of the month?  I probably should have graded papers, cleaned house or finished up some laundry.  However, I decided to put my creativity to use.

Let me introduce my meal planning menu board.  I had set of pictures framed in our kitchen already, but I had been wanting to do something different.  I contemplated changing out the three pieces of artwork that were being showcased, but that didn't seem too exciting.  This is a bit more fun, and useful too!  :)

(These pictures were taken once it was dark outside, so the flash had to be used...it left some crazy images on the left side near the knives?!?!  Strange.)

Notes:

• I don't often follow recipes...hence the open spaces where I wrote in some items.  If I need the recipe, I can easily clip it to the proper clothes pin.
• Since it's just the two of us, we're not all that great about sticking to our menu each week.  Instead, life comes up...which is something we enjoy!  So, this makes it easy to move things around without having to think too hard.  :)  
• Saturday and Sunday are great days for consuming leftovers from throughout the week which is why I combined the two on my chalkboard.
• I'm linking up to this blog (below) for the first time ever...could be fun!  :)  

All it took for this project was some chalkboard paint (already had some from another project), clothes  pins (I've had those FOREVER), a bit of acrylic paint to transform said clothes pins, glue, the already-mentioned-frame, and a bit of chalk (again, something I had in my crafting stash).  Super easy project and I think it will come in handy.

Now I'm going to try and fall asleep...

check me out...

Here are my two new posts on Crafty Storage...in case you're curious.  I've got a few pictures to tease you.  Want to read more?  Click on the red links.

Today's Post...or tomorrow's post, depending on your time zone.

Last Month's Post

Enjoy!  :)

i love these people...

...even if one of them likes to goof around when when taking pictures.

At least he behaved himself for this one...

About a month ago, we all went out to celebrate Bobby's birthday.  The last few years my folks have been out of town on the 19th of March, so this time around we made up for it!  Hooray for Bobby & dinner at Palisade!

These are basically the same picture...but some of us look better in one and some look better in the other.  So, I'm including both shots!

I love this bunch!

cousin parties...

Carly, one of Ben's cousins (and now one of my cousin-in-laws, as I like to call them), is gearing up to leave us soon.  She's heading out on a YWAM mission at the end of this month.  So, we've tried to get the cousins together a few times before she disappears for a few months.  We're sure going to miss her!  The last few weeks we've met for dinner, enjoyed some games, taken a field trip to drop of Taylor (Carly's younger brother) at the movies, jumped at Sky High, dined on Tex-Mex & Red Robin, reminesced about what life was like growing up as a member of the Simmons family, celebrated birthdays, and literally driven in circles.  It's been SO MUCH FUN...and I've got pictures to prove it!  :)

These photos were taken at Grandma and Grandpa's house - during the family birthday party.  Carly was there, I promise.  However, she didn't want her picture taken.  (Don't worry, she shows up below.)

Justin is not a part of the Simmons family (at least not yet).  He is Katie's boyfriend who willingly came up to the Island for one of our family birthday parties...and he fit right in.  I LOVE the fact that he's competitive too - just like the rest of the Simmons family!

This is a horrible picture - not because of the people, but because I was rushed and didn't do a good job!  We set off on an inpromptu adventure to drop off Taylor (see picture below).  He and his girlfriend were meeting to see a movie at the Clyde.  We wanted to show up and embarrass him.  From left to right you've got Justin, Caleb, Katie, Ben, Carly & Brandon.

Here's Taylor...gearing up for the big date.  He's a trooper for putting up with all of us!  :)  What a cutie-pa-tootie too!

Katie stood in the middle of the street for this picture.  I was pretending to take a photo of her when really, we were just hoping to keep an eye on Taylor and his sweet girlfriend...they are the two blurry figures in the back!  :)

More pictures coming...this was just one of our gatherings.