Class Canvas's

 For our school Spring Art Auction each class is given canvas's for each child. These are then placed up for purchase as the School's Spring Art Auction at $15.00 each. I think they are pretty priceless it you ask me, although I might be a bit partial. The canvas's are yours to do with as you wish and must be 100% the child's art work. Well since our kiddos are a bit to small to do it all themselves we of course have to help them. And since I'm super anal when it comes to our class art project's, I make it a priority that our canvas's are perfect. This year we went around and around on what we were going to do. I like sticking with a theme were each child's is the same just personalized to them. I originally wanted to take the easy way out and just do the same design that we did last year. But one of my assistants wasn't crazy about that idea. Not that they weren't cute, they were adorable but she suggested we do something different and I'm so glad she did. On one of my late night dates when it was just me and the Macbook I came across this idea on FB. A friends mom's actually posted it and tag another teacher friend in it. I just loved it and though it was so fitting for our class. I showed my assistant teachers and they loved it as well. We got to work that next day on them and were done within less than a week. Once we settle on a theme or idea we don't waste any time getting them done. My afternoon assistant is extremely talented when it comes to her hand writing and we've deemed her the writer of the class. Her work is just beautiful, thank goodness she enjoys it. Other classes were still working on them up to the week of the Auction.  I was so excited for our parents to see them. It was so hard not to show them when they came in. The different teachers I showed just loved them.
*Spring Art Auction evening verdict, everyone LOVED them and we got endless comments on how everyone though they were so cute. Definitely one of my favorite parts about the Auction. I'm going to miss doing them next year for sure. #bittersweetmove

Spring Art Auction

Each year the school I work for does a Spring Art Auction this is the school's spring fundraiser.

 Part of what goes into that is the Children decorate a canvas. Each child has their own and they are to do what they want on it. There is no direction, no theme or story to go by, simply them using their imagination. Its a lot of fun for the older kiddos and seeing the out come. However with the little ones they need a bit more guidance. We wanted them to be a creation all of its self but knew some help was needed. We've been talking about this since the beginning of the year (Jan. 2013, our school year runs just as a public school August- May) and what we wanted to do. I had some what of a idea in my head that we had been talking about. We had been trying to play off that and add to it just a little. Last Friday we got out Canvas's and set on them for the week. Even though the Auction is less than 20 days away and 6 of those day's we will be on bring break we didn't want to rush into it. We wanted to make sure they turned out perfect and we didn't mess up anything. 

Well this morning we decided we would give it a try, "we will start with one", we said and go from there on what we think. One led to Two which led to Three, Four, Five, next thing we knew we had done all eight children that were there for the day. (we had a few out) We were / are very please with the way they turned out. They were completely done by the children as far as the painting goes. So with out further ado here are our Classroom Canvas's for EDS's 2012-2013 Spring Art Auction 

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I think they are so cute and I can't wait to see what the parents think of them.
Its going to be hard keeping them a secret from them till April 18th. 

What do you think, did they turn out cute?!?!? or what?!?!

 I do think they look so much better in person, but they are still cute!!!

St. Patties Day & Easter @ School

Since St. Patrick's Day and Easter are semi close together we decided instead of completely changing out board out half way through the month to put up Easter art we would just make one board into two. It worked out really well and we've been extra busy with art over the last few weeks. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of week one, I remember just as I took the last piece of art work down. 

So skipping on to Week 2 or March-

 Fruit Loop Rainbows- lets just say we wont be doing these again next year. As cute as they are, they were a pain in the booty and talk about messy to. Hand Print Lambs- these turned out super cute and were so adorable. Definitely one of our favorites. 

Week 3 of March-

Hand Print Shamrocks in a Pot of gold. Our original plan was to simply do 4 of their hand prints all on one sheet and have them over lap to look like a shamrock. Well after several attempts it just wasn't working out. So we resorted to 4 single prints, cutting and glueing. which I still think came out pretty well. Chick Feet- these little guy's turned out just darlin. Again another one were the original gave us some trouble but we change it and made it our own.

Week 4 of March-
For the last week of March we decided to to go a little simple with our art work. Foot print Carrots & Foot print Bunnies on the Easter side. They turned out super cute. For the St. Patties day side we were a little less creative as we were running out of ideas. We decided to let the kiddo's have a little fun with some extra construction paper we had laying around and they made Mosaic Rainbows. I have to say it took a little explaining of them for people to understand what it was, they we decided to Write on the "sun's" what it was. I'm glad both of these Holidays are behind us and that we don't have anymore in the future. I can't wait to do just free art and not have a theme to go by or a Holiday. 

Bulletin Boards Lately!

We have been busting out the art work at school here lately and the parents are loving it. I'm loving it, its so fun and hearing everyone comment on how cute our boards are makes it that much more worth it. I try to take pictures of the finished products when I remember but I've been slacking. Any how here are two of our January boards and one of our February boards so far. More to come in the coming weeks and months. :) 

THERE'S NO PEOPLE LIKE SNOW PEOPLE! 

Do you see a theme going on here.....its still winter and chilly weather so went with snowmen for January. 

The first one was Cotton Ball snow People. They turned out so cute!!! 

This one was one of my favorite Snow People made out of Marshmallows :) 

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!

 Moving into February we've got LOVE to share!!!! 

Our love people with a bit of finger painting. Aren't they adorable!!!! 

 Don't worry there's lots more to come over the next few months!!! 

3 & 1/2 more months till Summer semester starts!!!

Artsy Fartsy Board

Its teacher work week at school right now, we start the school year on Monday. I'm excited for this journey ahead and what's to come. We have been getting our classrooms cleaned and ready for the first day of school this week. I haven't done much in the decorating department yet, we've been cleaning and organizing the last two day. Oh and putting up our bulletin board. 

For some reason this one gave me more trouble than any of the others in the past. I put the wording up 3 different times and took it down only to put it back up. Some of the letters are still slanted but you know what it's ok because It's done. I'm not changing it or redoing it again. Did you catch on my to our new theme??? We are going with Frogs, they are funky, fantastic froggies and there so darn cute!!!! 

~DAY 306~

Nearing the End

With just days away till the end of summer classes things are getting busy. The kiddos have been in a funk for the last week or so, I think they know something is going on. We decided to make t-shirts for our end of the summer gift to our class. With only having 5 kids it made it fairly easy. They aren't perfect and I think we could have done a much better job but with the resources we have, the people I was working with I think they turned out pretty cute. 

On the front of their shirts were their hand prints along with their name, year and EDS (name of the school). I've been come super close to my kids since starting at the school back in November. They have a special place in my heart and it will be hard to see them in another class being taken care of by another teacher. I've become really close with each and every parent, the class as come a long way from when I started. They have done a complete 360 in a good way.  

On the back of the shirt is a single hand print from each of their friends, in class with their name under and our names at the bottom. I can tell its going to be harder for some to make the transition to a new class than others. In the end I know they will do fine, I'll still see them just not as much as I'd like. Thankfully I babysit for each and everyone of them so I'll be seeing them outside of school. 

I've managed to build relationship and bonds with both the kiddos and parents. For a few of the children in my class, they can say something and I know exactly what they are saying were as the new staff in the room does not. It makes me sad that their new teachers may not pick up right away on what they are trying to say or communicate. Each of them have their way to eat lunch, some don't like to paint, a few are difficult to put to sleep, or need that extra tender care. I've contemplated writing a brief summary / description on each one to give to their next teacher but really I know they will do fine. It's just sad to see them go :( It wont be the same. 

I know I'll built relationships with my new class and their parents. I'll even be sad when they move up next August a year from now. I think with this being my first class here it makes things a little more sad. We have 3 more days left, I've got lots of loven' to get from my babies!!!!! 

~DAY 299~

Mad Platter Creation

Remember my trip to Mad Platter a couple days before I left for vacay. Well I finally went and picked up my master piece today on my lunch. It turned out super cute, much different than I though it would. I'm so happy with it. So it's not perfect but I love it and can't wait to go back with the hubbs together. I think I'm going to go back later this week and look into doing something with our kids at school for Father's Day which is just around the corner. 

~DAY 236~

Classroom Revamp + dinner

With the summer semester coming in a few short days that only means one thing. I needed to revamp up the classroom and make it look welcoming and decorated all purdy!!!
~~Let me back up for just a minute, I was offered the Lead Teacher position in my classroom for the summer. The current Lead will be stepping down to a sub position starting next week. I'm really nervous because this is a big deal here at EDS but everyone seems to have faith in me that I can do it. I know I can but it still doesn't mean I'm not a little worried about it. Things here as I've mentioned before are so much different than working at the CDC in Hawaii or any other child care facility I've worked at.
So the Lead teacher in the class next to mine offered to help me out a bit. She has been there for YEARS (10 years to be exact this year), she has tons of decorations and different themes. She let me go through her things and pick what I wanted. It was so sweet of her, seeings we do not have much of a budget for the summer semester to work with. I went with a Frog Theme, the supplies she had was so cute and I knew it would be easy to work with. I finally finished putting everything up on the walls today and getting the room set up and reorganized. I have to say it turned out much cuter than I had though it would and I've gotten so many complements on it which makes me feel so good.
The classroom was decorated in a Circus theme before and I was going to leave because I didn't want to poor my heart and soul in to setting up a room only to have someone come in and take over as Lead in the Fall and take it all down and completely disregard all the hard work I did.
~Which brings me to the fall semester. If all goes well this summer as being the Lead, I prove that I have what it takes and I can it do there is a chance I will be able to be Lead come the fall when school starts back up. These next 2 & 1/2 months are going to be a true test to see if its something I want to do beyond now.
I'm totally up for the challenge though and look forward to a fun filled summer!!!! 

Later that evening we were invited out to dinner, well IN to dinner. A fellow Drill SGT in the Unit (different company) and his wife invited us over for dinner. The hubbs & him worked together when the hubbs was turtling when we first got here. I'd met H before a few times and his wife once before briefly never really talked to her though. It ended up being a great evening, K and I hit it off well. Come to find out she is a runner as well and is looking for a running partner HELLO, can we say mint to be lol. Dinner was fabulous, the company was great and its so nice to have met another couple that doesn't have kiddos. I'm glad we are finally meeting and getting to know people in the unit. Although NONE of them are in our company I don't mind it one bit. I just want to make a friend or two that is going to stick around and be here for a good bit. (oh the army life, & the trials & tribulations that come along with it, I wouldn't change it for one bit!!!!)

On the way to dinner we stopped at the drug store so the hubby could get his passport picture taken. He needed to get one for his concealed weapon permit. Speaking of remember I mentioned he took the course this past weekend. Well he qualified at 100%, not that I expected anything less. So this was the last thing he needed to do before mailing all his stuff in to the state. He was to tall for the back drop so they told him to squat down lol. It was funny watching this tiny short girl take a picture of a 6'3 guy. 

Only one more night before cycle picks up, and I'm so not looking forward to it. Although I know it could be worse I'm trying to have a positive look out on the whole situation. 

~DAY 223~

School Mother's Day Gift

With Mother's Day fast approaching today we put the finishing touches on our gifts for the momma's. Thanks to Pinterest for this fabulous idea, it turned out lovely. I've mentioned it before but I love doing art projects with our kiddos. Even more so when its for a gift like these were. 

 Each kiddo made a custom pot holder for their mommy with their cute little hand prints on them. Of course we did the writing and wrapping. A random search on pinterest one late night and I stumbled across this idea. It seemed like the perfect idea for their Mothers Day gift.
I just love how they came out.

We also made these cute little flowers out of coffee filters. The best part about giving these as gifts is they wont die or wilt away. Sure they don't smell so pretty but they are pretty darn cute if you ask me.  

They are all wrapped up and ready for delivery on Friday!! 

I'm excited to see what the parents have to say. I really hope they like them.  

~DAY 209~

Artsy Fartsy

So its been a while since I’ve posted about our school / class bulletin board. St. Patties day I think and we’ve changed it out a couple times since then. This evening before I left for the day I was able to put the finally touches on our current board. With everyone counting down to the end of the school year we figured we would jump in as well. There’s ruffly 30 days left till summer. Makes no difference to me since I’m working the summer as well, so it will be just another day. I think this board turned out pretty cute, I like the sail boats and little fishy’s under them. 

Come summer time the board is going to be all mine. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. See both teachers I work with right now aren’t working this summer. This means it will be my responsibility to keep up with it and change it out regularly. I’m not at all looking forward to starting over with new co-workers. Even if it is just for 2 months I like the ladies I work with now. 

What do you think, do you like the board ??
 What are you looking forward to this summer ???

~DAY 181~

Let The Good Times Roll

This evening we got a little creative, add in there a mason jar of wine and it was a pretty fabulous evening. See we were getting ready for out trip to Chicago on Saturday. Its National pillow fight day. Apparently its a pretty popular event that happens once a year all around the world. Prior to me heading out to Illinois Crystal had asked if it was something I'd want to do. Of course I mean how many people can say they partook in a pillow fight in the middle of a public street. Plus it also gave me the chance to go to Chicago, seeings I've never been there. So yesterday we went to Walmart to pick up our pillows and while we were there I mentioned to her the idea of decorating them. After all if we are going to make the 2 & 1/2 hr drive we might as well make the most of it. We had paint left over from when we painted our pots so we just decided to use that.

 Neither of us really had a plan on what we were going to do but once we started the ideas just kept coming for Crystal. In the middle of everything I had colored her hair so that's why she looks a bit funny in some pictures. (Side note: her hair turned out fabulous) I'm not creative at all when it comes to stuff like this. It sounded like a fantastic idea but when it came time to putting it all together I was stumped. I decided to go with a heart on the first side with our initials and the year we got married. Typical lovey dovey stuff right lol. On the back I wanted to go with a Army Wife theme but couldn't think of anything, that's when I decided on the Proud Drill Wifey quote. Crystal had some stencils so it worked out perfect, just very time consuming. It was so worth it though I'm so proud of my pillow. I really hope it doesn't get torn to shreds on Saturday because id love to take it home and keep it.

Crystal went with a day and night theme, I think it turned out super cute. One side had a moon on it with stars and the other had a sun with some clouds. She was going to write on it and give it to Chy after Saturday but we got busy and never got around to it. She was always the creative talented one when we worked together out in Hawaii. I just seem to be lacking a bit when it comes to the creative side lol. I try I do and I'm getting better, in due time right :) 

I think they turned out so cute!!! Adam was suppose to decorate his pillow but he got lazy and went to bed. His brother started decorating his pillow (he was going with us as well) but I forgot to get a picture of it. It was the "POW" theme, he didn't finish his because he to was lazy and went to bed. Guess the guys can't hang with us girls. So far we haven't been to bed before midnight since I've been here and we are always up by 8am. So much for relaxing and sleeping in over spring break. But hey that's totally fine by me because I'm LOVING my time here!!!!!!

Enjoying a bit of tasty wine while we painted our pillows :) This picture was actually taken and sent to My Spouse as a "Toast with her"........

....and this was her "Toasting with us". I miss her loads and loads!!!!! 

We had a fun night together painting our pillow and jamming out to Pandora!!! I'm looking forward to Saturday!!!! 

Spring Pots & Date Night

Before I came out Crystal had asked me if I'd wanna paint flower pots with her & the girls. I just had to laugh because of the craziness I just had to deal with on our class pot. But of course I was all for it, it would be fun. I was given a ivy plant from one of my parents before leaving for spring break as a Easter gift, so it was going to need a new pot soon to live it. I'm not very creative when it comes to stuff like this but its still fun and I enjoy it. I think I just don't have a steady hand and it makes it hard to be creative but I try. The girls had a great time with it, although I'm not sure if Chy bug had more paint on her or her pot. Either way she made sure there was little of every color on her pot. I tried writing on mine but it didn't turn out so swell so I resorted to one solid color and some flowers. Crystal decorated hers with some pretty flowers & butterflies it was super cute. The two older girls were just as creative adding some flowers and people all around. Erin, Adams brothers girlfriend decorated one with us and I have to say it turned out the cutest. She's definitely talented when it comes to artsy stuff. We added a clear coat to seal them off so the coloring would be able to weather to storm and last longer. I can't wait to take mine home to put my plant in, I just need to get a base for it and I'm set.

Chy bugs pot is the one on the very end.

Crystals pot on the left and then mine.

Alisha's pot, she's the oldest of the 3 girls.

Erin's super cute pot.

Our beautifully painted pots just in time for spring.

After we cleaned up from painting and got the kiddos settled Crystal and I headed out to dinner. I surprised her with Adam watching the kids so we could have some girl time. We headed into Peoria to eat at a little Italian place called Avanti's. I had the chicken parm. which I have to say was pretty tasty. After dinner we went and paid alittle visit to her mom and dad who just happen to be right across they street. They were so sweet, it was great to finally meet them after hearing about them for so long. One other stop before heading back home was to her granddaddy & grandma's house. It was absolutely beautiful your typical country house. It looked like something taken right out of a magazine. The walls in every room were done in a different wood. The master bedroom had a large sitting room off it, filled with old antique furniture and beer steins. The kitchen, with a 1971 Country Charm stove was of course the heart of the house. It was just all around beautiful from the outside in. One day I hope that the have a home half as beautiful as theirs. We got to their house around 9pm and didn't leave till after midnight. I've never enjoyed talking to someone elses grandparents so much, let me tell you they are a HOOT "don't ya you". (Her granny kept saying that quote all night it was so funny.) Nights like these just reminds me again how much I miss living in Hawaii with our beautiful army family. We may all be spread apart now but that doesn't change the love we have for each other.

~DAY 173~

Spring Art Auction

Our Spring Art Auction has finally come and gone thankfully. It was kinda different then I was thinking it would be but I didn't really know what to expect either. I guess it turned out all right, all the parents loved their children's art canvas's so thats good. 

It started at 5:30pm so it didn't make sense to go home and come back since I get off work at 5pm. 

Dinner was served, catered by a local joint here called Zoe's. It really pretty good I've gone there a few times with my new friend K for lunch. 

There was four sections set up of silent auction items, most of the stuff had to do with children or the local sporting teams here so I wasn't to interested. There was two paintings that I fell in love with and decided to place a bid on. I later found out that the very popular artist is a local man that goes by the Chicken Man. (he mainly paint chickens.) He makes the paintings right out of his truck and sells them on the side of the road. After hearing people talk about him tonight I put the to and to together, it clicked I knew who he was and were he parked to sell his paintings. Driving down through Five Points (a very popular area) I've seen him and always wanted to stop but was a little skeptical. However next time I'll for sure stop and check out his work.

I hadn't planed on staying long because I needed to get home and let the pups out since I didn't go home on my lunch. Well that didn't happen, after I ate and walked around a bit next thing I knew the silent auctions were ending. I wanted to find out if I won my painting and figured I'd suck it up and wait out the extra 5-10 minutes. And GUESS..... WHAT I WON!!!!!!!!! I was super excited because I won my item!!!!! I waited around a bit more to try and pay for it so I could take it home but the line to check out was just crazy long and wasn't moving. I'm super excited about it though and can't wait to hang it up in our home. Since our spring break starts tomorrow I probably wont get it till we get back but I'll for sure post a picture so you all can see it!!!! I'm sure your dying to any how right lol. 

But for now I'll leave you with a couple pictures of the Class Room Pots that were also in the silent auction. Some of them went for over $50.00 I was really surprised but hey I guess when a parent wants something they keep bidding. I placed a bid on one of the pots as well but got out bided on it and wasn't going to pay more than $25-30 for it. 

The one I wanted is the last one in the first picture below. 

Around the rim it says "Give Thanks to The Lord, For I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made".

~DAY 168~