Teacher's Day Gratefulness Potluck Party

Grace's school is having a party today, to celebrate Teacher's Day. This is to teach the kids to serve and show gratefulness to their teachers. Well, the dress code today is occupational wear. This was really a challenge for us, as we don't normally buy clothes that Grace can't wear everyday.

Anyway, in our recent Teacher-Parent dialogue, we came to know that this little girl of mine, wants to become a nurse (we always thought it was doctor). And so, I thought of dressing her as a nurse today. But again, too short notice, where to get the clothes? Well, I just dressed her in her plain white dress with a D.I.Y nurse hat. The hat is made out of white cardstock, top up with a red fun foam cross. Here's the little Missy....



Earlier, I made a post on ideas for the potluck. My elder sister did gave me some ideas on no-bake cookies. But, I'm really and idiot when it comes to making food. I tried one Peanut Butter Crispy Squares recipe but found it to be too sugary and may melt in this hot weather. Even with such simple recipe and steps, I only got it on my 2nd try. First, I burned the chocolate chips instead of melting it. Second, I had no idea that marshmallow become very sticky when melted, thus ending up with a too sticky (to the point of not use able) mixture. Hehehhee.....laugh all you want.

Then I found a recipe to make Crispy Rice Pops from the Family Fun Cooking with Kids book. And so I combine crafting with making food. The result? I love it, Grace love it! And I believe the kids at school will love it. We call it, "Crispy Lollipop". Here's some of the photos of the lollipop in the making.

A relaxing weekend

***warning, photo overload

With my tummy getting really big and the grand entrance of the little one soooo near (well, 7 more weeks or less to go), we really can't travel far, but all of us, especially Grace needed a getaway, so we ended up with a hotel stay at Flamingo by the Beach during the weekend. Grace was the happiest, while daddy was the most tired person. Why?

Grace had not been to a beach (for beach fun) before (she'd had some seaside experience during her fishing trips when she was very young but not the beach) and so she was all excited to go. Last weekend (the one before our getaway) we bought her beach toys (with bucket, spades, etc) and told her that we're going to the hotel and beach. Wow! She was indeed very excited. She keep on making her countdown everyday (.....a good way to teach her deduction).

Well, her daddy wanted to let her have a preview of the beach and so, on last Sunday (again, before our beach vacation), we went to a seafood restaurant by the beach for dinner, while letting Grace the chance to play at the beach. And....she was like this when on the way....


Then, seeing that the beach is so short (very near to the sea) and seeing this.....

she gets upset, cried and wanted to escape the beach.


After which, she told us, she don't want to play sand (@ the beach) when we go for our hotel stay, all she wants is swimming.

The day came, and she told her teachers and friends that she's going to the hotel. We went for lunch with a little girl whom is not interested at all in eating but going to the hotel. Then all she uttered in the car was, "Are we there yet? Is this the hotel? Where is the hotel?".......

Once there, she was greeted by the nice pool and marvellous beach, and all she can think off is "PLAY" and "SWIM".


But it was still too sunny, so forced her to take a nap. However, the nap was not very long, interrupted by a call from don't know who! And, she was again, asking to go for a swim. Still too sunny, so daddy and Grace went down to have a look. Once back, "Mummy, please help me change. I'm going swimming". Here's the happy girl...swimming. She had her swim again the next morning, right after breakfast and in the evening too.






After the swimming session, we managed to persuade her to the beach, let's see her progress......

Daddy had to carry her, she was too concerned on the sand getting into her slippers.
Then she had to sit on her personal chair....

Daddy, trying to convince her that it's ok to sit on the sand....


Bingo....she now sits on the sand.

But, daddy had to be very near her.



Next step, getting to the water....see how she's trying to get away...



Still trying to get away....




Still....wanted to run away....

The next day, she refused to go near the water. All she did was play sand.

Still crafting.....

Well, I just can't stop crafting. Whenever I'm at my craft desk, my hands need to work on something crafty, be it designing certificates, name tags and scripture booklet for the coming Children Camp at church, or making cards for Grace's teachers or altering a plain wooden frame.

I'm actually behind schedule in my crafting. What? A schedule? You must be wondering what schedule...Actually, there's 2 mini albums that had been in my mind for some time now, but I just couldn't find the time to start on it. One is for Grace, on her schooling, and another one for the soon to pop out little girl. Sigh, when can I start on these 2? Will I be able to complete at least one before the grand entrance of little 2nd one? I doubt.......will be busy on the Children Camp in June and by the time the camp ends, it's almost time to welcome my 2nd precious gift from God.

Enough of ramblings.....here's the crafty stuff....

First up, altered wooden frames for cousin Fern and sister Sherril.




Next up is Grace's deckled hearts. This is superb....having deckled effect with the use of a normal scissors.....hehhee..(don't tell her I make fun of her...). Four boxes of handmade cards for her teachers. I made the cards (see below), the blue box and tied the ribbon. Grace made the gift toppers. (fyi...Grace is in the process of making a DIY gift for her form teacher, will share it when she completed it).






Lastly, a card with gifts for my god-daughter, Joan. On the exterior, there's a magnet and the interior, cash.