Planting a Toddler Garden 2

A couple weeks ago, I did a different version of this toddler garden but with fake flowers (and broccoli, too!).  Roo,age 20 months, LOVED it.  It's a great activity to strengthen those little finger muscles.  (You want strong finger muscles, so you can hold a pencil and control it when writing.)  I decided to do this activity again for a few reasons:
1. She loved making the garden
2. It's Spring
3. I found a Flowers Toob at Joann

This fun, colorful Toob from Safari Ltd has 8 flowers (2 Toobs are shown here).  Their stems easily pushed into the Model Magic dough from Crayola.  Doesn't it loo like a garden in full bloom?

Roo was busy "planting" her garden then "unplanting" over and over.  I think her Babyzilla side took over and she enjoyed destroying the garden as much as planting it!:)  Such a toddler.  Then, Big Sister walked into the room.

"I want to plant a garden, too.  I love working in the garden with Daddy." G, age 4.  So G planted the garden and Roo picked all the flowers.  Then, G had to replant.  It was a cycle - again and again with lots of giggles in between.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Senior Night

 My daughter and I started talking about Senior Night back in July (man, how I miss warm weather!).  She said, "Mom, we have to give these seniors THEE best Senior Night."  Okay, no pressure.  I wanted to honor these amazing senior girls, but also their parents.  Parents drive their kids to and from practice, spend countless hours traveling to games, encourage their kids - it's as much their journey as the kids.

 So I decided to make (yes, make!) special corsages.  I found these yellow roses at Michaels - don't they look real?  I added maroon ribbon - school colors are yellow and maroon. But something was missing.  Hmmm...looking around Michael's, I saw these plastic basketball beads in the kids craft section.  They weren't bright orange but looked like vintage basketballs.  That sparked an idea.  I hot glued the basketball beads to floral wire and used as picks.

 The dad's boutonnieres were simpler but still with the yellow rose, maroon ribbon, and basketball pick.

 Each Senior was escorted to half court by their parents, carrying these flowers.  I bought these already made bouquets at Kroger and added the basketball picks.  The theme of girls basketball senior night had come full circle.

 I made each Senior a bracelet..."Forever A Hornet" (the infinity charm + hornet charm).  I found both on etsy.

It was a very special night for all.

Sneak Peak

 So we set up today.  Even though I had a plan, it still took about 2 hours to decorate the space.  Above is the entry way, decorated with photocopies of old photos of my grandparents when they were dating and first married.

 Layered on top of yellow table coverings were b&w photocopies of old photos forming a photo table runner.  I matted a few of the pictures on either black cardstock or natural craft brown cardstock.  I skopped every Goodwill in the area to find vases for my centerpieces.  I clustered different sizes and added simple flowers, feathers, and twigs.

 This old metal truck (found at Hobby Lobby) pays homage to the fact that my grandfather has loved and fixed trucks and cars all his life.  This will be the food table.

 More pics of the bottle centerpieces.  Look closely...see the vintage looking matchbox cars?

 This blue Ford truck is my favorite.  I added these matchbox and hot wheels for several reasons - to add some whimsy, in honor of my Grandpa's love of cars, and so if there are any kids there, they might have a little entertainment :)

 yellow. happy. sunny.

 I love yellow!

 I think people will sit and eat and look at the photos and they will be a great conversation piece.

I love my grandparents.  I mean, everyone loves their grandparents, but my grandparents have been a HUGE part of my life.  They lived less than a mile from my childhood home.  They have been a safe haven, an example of a happy couple, a Christian example for me and the community.  Even now, I write to them every day.  Yes, I said every day.  I write them a 1-3 page letter every day sharing with them my day, what my girls are up to, plans, every day ordinary stuff.  They are a part of my life...in a big way.

Happy Anniversary!
Mel

Don't Judge

 Okay, don't judge me.
Yes, that IS a playdoh bucket holding the precious flowers for my grandparents celebration.
Sometimes, a mom just has to do what she has to do and use whatever she has available to her.
In this case, the only container I had to keep the flowers fresh and in water was this playdoh bucket.

I went to Kroger - they have thee best flowers - and bought 6 bundles (3 for $12) and one bunch of roses for $9.  $35.00 in fresh flowers but sooo beautiful.

I will share the first set of pictures soon.

Mel