Fun Filled Weekend

There is nothing better than getting to spend time with your family and friends in perfect (for Texas at least) weather on the weekend!

My dad's birthday was on Thursday, but we are celebrating next Saturday. He had cataract surgery yesterday which was successful, Thank God! I worry about him so much lately, but I know I have to let God handle everything that is obviously out of my control. I am grateful for another birthday and can't wait to celebrate next week. Love you dad!

Anyway, I met up with my sister and friend for some sushi and dessert today.

Kristine and my sister Caroline. (Do you see the logo?)

The Popcorn Lobster Roll. Yum.

Salmon Sashimi

Round 2 - Ice cream

My sister and I decided to go shopping after ice cream. I had fun trying on different things at anthropologie and found two things: a utility jacket and a black pattern romper. I love them both!

I realize this is my 2nd utility jacket, BUT the other one has a hood. And it's longer. And... okay, I have no excuse. I found the romper in the sale section. The belt loop was torn (which can easily be fixed) so the girl gave me 10 dollars off! I love it. I may wear this to the concert that's coming up in August!

Finally, I am ending this post with a special diy. There's an antique mall that sells TOMS at a cheaper price (I wrote about it here) Anyway, it's perfect for me to buy to design custom TOMS. I've already made Henna ones and wanted to make another one.

And it came to me. If you read my last post, I think you can guess what they are.

Here are my custom made TMI Toms!

Apparently the first TMI toms ever, I googled. :)

Aren't they lovely? Surprisingly, these were harder to design than the Henna TOMS because mistakes can easily be seen on these designs; proportions, size, etc. while the Henna TOMS designs could easily be camouflaged. It took patience, a steady eye/hand, and lots of white ink. I added runes to the top and front, and added angel wings on either side of the shoes. I also put a quote from the book on the inside part of the shoe:

My friend said I should design and sell TOMS.

All you need are TOMS, white fabric marker, and runes designs to look at like this:

 I still have to trace over the runes because coloring on dark TOMS are a lot harder than coloring on light TOMS. Also, I didn't quite find a white fabric marker. I thought the white paint Sharpie marker would work, but it was translucent when I tried it on the black surface, so don't waste your money on it.

I did have a white gel pen at home, and it seems to be good (although I wouldn't wash the shoes). So until I find a white fabric marker, this will have to do.

Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out. I can't wait to wear these to the premier of the movie!

You guys, I can't stop. :)

December fun

December is always busy, and filled with fun activities! Yesterday was the last day of work for 2012. I am SO looking forward to the break. I still want to try and be productive though, and get ready for the second semester of the school year. But I'll take a week off. :)

We celebrated a friend's birthday at work by decorating her door and blockading it with balloons. I wish I could have seen her (and her kids) break through. It looked awesome. Great idea, Ari and good job on decorating!

Happy Birthday Joanna!

Lately all I've been wearing are the Dowdy shirts I bought a couple of weeks ago. They are just so comfortable and the designs are so cool! Here is a drink coaster from Ari for my Christmas gift. I love it!

I have that fox print on my shirt too!

At school the kids have been going crazy over poems! From haikus to alliterations, they have been working hard on their poetry folders. I can't wait until they are finished! I want them to show their parents at Open House in March. They love it so much and want to type it any chance they can get. So far we have learned haikus, rhyming peoms, acrostics, alliterations, and limericks. One of my students has already finished typing 9 of her poems! For one of her poems (a haiku) I clocked her at 35 seconds and that's including me editing it! I love how much they are into poems. I loved poems so much as a child. I still do.

I remember one poem in particular when I was in elementary school my teacher read:

The Dream Keeper

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world. 

Langston Hughes

When I first heard it, it made such an impression on me for some reason. I think I was in 1st grade, but I knew what Langston Hughes was trying to say and it was so vivid in my mind. 

Here are their winter limericks!

Our holiday party was a blast. My room dads did a great job setting everything up and organizing the craft and food. Room dads are the best!

Gingerbread cookie decorating!

Snowman craft. The kids used mini sledge(hammers), dowels, wood glue, and screw drivers. Only with room dads would this happen. :) It was so funny seeing them hammer the dowels in. The kids LOVED it.

Good eats :)

I have to say, the parents this year are so generous. I had a fabulous birthday thanks to my room dads and the parents getting me flowers. For Christmas I got chocolates, gift cards, scents/lotions, and two of my favorites, Anthropologie and cookies! These are famous cookies, bloggers. I used to have her son my first year of teaching and she was a chef. She makes the BEST cookies. Sadly, she said this is the last year she is doing this. :(

On the left: My very cute measuring spoons from anthropologie, and the famous cookies.

I'm guarding those tin of cookies with my life.

There is more December fun to be had and posted about, so check back for the DIY anthro inspired craft my friend and I made. It was so worth it!