Last Day of School Teacher Gift

Teacher's Gift

End of the School Year Teacher Gift

It's that time of the year and I cannot get any more excited!  Yes, I am one of those weird mother's that enjoys having her kids at home.  I get to plan crafts, trips, lunch dates, movie nights, and I can go on and on!  So, as we are preparing for the last day of school for both Ethan and Enzo, I am also preparing their teacher's gift.  A gift is not necessary, but Enzo's teacher was Out-Of-This-World Amazing so she deserves it!  Ethan's teacher is retiring so, in a way, he also deserves it.

I wanted something a little fun & useful so I looked online and found some ideas.  What usually happens is I see something and like to tweak it a little.  This is what I came up with.  I purchased all of these items at our local KMart but with some planning, you could gather all of these items at discount stores and get a great deal!

For Mrs. Phelan, Enzo's kindergarten teacher, I chose a fuchsia and orange striped beach towel, a Rachel Ray magazine (because she's awesome!), sunscreen, and a matching water misting fan.  Wrap a ribbon around it, and you're done!

For Mr. Long, Ethan's 3rd grade teacher, I chose a royal blue and white striped beach towel, a Men's Health magazine, sunscreen, and a matching water misting fan.  

They may not lay out and tan but, I think it might spur a trip to Avila Beach or Pismo!  Goodbye 2012-2013 school year!!  

Food: Almost Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

There are a few canned staples I like to keep in my pantry such as Italian stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. It comes in handy for an easy, hearty, one pot dish such as this (I'm a one-pot kind of girl).

Almost Tastes Like Lasagna Soup
Adapted from the Deen Brothers Bobby's Tastes Lighter Than Lasagna Soup recipe
Serves 6-8

Ingredients

1-2 T EVOO
16 oz Italian sausage, crumbled mild for kid friendly, hot for the wild folks or turkey for a lean dish
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
32 oz chicken stock
1 14 oz can Italian stewed tomatoes
1 14 oz can tomato sauce
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 lb ditalini or about 4-5 whole wheat lasagna strips broken into bite sized pieces.
1 T dried basil or 1/4 loose cup of slivered fresh basil
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesean cheese, shaved

In a heavy stock pot, I like using my Le Creuset round 5 qt., add oil to heated pot and add sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.  Cook until sausage is browned and onions translucent, on a medium high heat.  Add chicken stock, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, salt, red pepper flakes (add dried basil at this point) and stir.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, letting it simmer for about 20 minutes, enough for the flavors to blend.  Remember to stir occasionally.  Add choice of pasta, remembering that whole wheat pasta takes longer to cook but, it does add a nice texture to the dish.  Increase the heat and bring back to a boil, boiling the pasta for as long as directed on the package.  Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat and add (If you're using fresh basil) the slivered basil and mozzarella and stir gently.  The warmth of the dish will melt the cheese.  Sprinkle shaved parmesan cheese and serve.

I used a combination AND double the amount of pasta here, just because it's what I had on hand and I didn't want it soupy for my kids.  Soupy or not, it's great either way!

Sasha's First Birthday

I originally started this blog a little less than a year ago when I found myself bored of playing games on my iPhone, or bored of Facebook, or bored of Pinterest, while nursing my then newborn, Sasha Camille. Alas, a year has gone by and here I am, ready to post her First Birthday Bash photos. Even after one year, I still cannot believe that we have a little girl. Well, after having three boys and deciding that we were done (we honestly felt we weren't lucky enough to have a little girl), we were shocked when we found out I was pregnant and even MORE shocked when the doctor said in the delivery room, "Congratulations! You have a baby GIRL!". Seriously?! Seriously! Who is THAT lucky?! Well, we were. We ARE! This first year has been an amazing journey. Not only for myself, but for four boys that are probably almost as excited about Sasha as I am.

I don't know if any of you know me very well but, I have a particular personality. I've never quite figured out what I'm good at, well, because I kind of like everything! I was a brainiac in High School but only did 1/2 of a semester right out of High School. I then worked for J. Crew, Pottery Barn, and then Armani Exchange. I did visuals, stock, and management. Anyway, I've always liked decorating, life styling. So planning birthday parties came easily for me when it came time for the boys' parties. I was even planning five months in advance! But, when it came time for Sasha's party, my one little girl's party, I was BLANK. No ideas. Nothing. Absolutely nothing came to mind. I asked for suggestions on Facebook and nothing caught my attention. I searched and scoured Pinterest, and still nothing. One month away from her party and I finally set my foot down and decided on colors! Everything else just kind of fell into place.

There's no real theme here. And maybe if there was, it'd be a Mexican Shabby Chic party.

We had Chile Verde, Barbacoa, Frijoles A La Charra, Potato Salad, and Mexican Rice.  All homemade by my amazing mom, Aurora, except for the Potato Salad.  

That was me.  

This cazo belonged to Apa, my materal grandfather.  It was one of several that he owned and cooked with.  It is made of copper.

My little girl fell asleep while eating her lunch!

 Her bedroom is blue.

That's how convinced we were going to have another boy!

Cousin Sophia Tovar

Brother #3 Vitaly Lane

Great Grandma Betty Lane, me, and Sasha, 

right after I woke her from her nap.  

Probably not the best timing for this once in a lifetime picture!

Pan Dulce: Concha and Tortuga, Polvorones, 

Galletas con azucar y canela.

My sister Myra made the small conchas.  

And of course we had cupcakes.

Me and my Sasha.

Transformers Bounce House.  

It was mainly for her three older brothers!

Swim Time! This is my niece Aliyah Tovar.

Cousins Dominic and Anna

 Lucas Tovar and biggest brother Ethan Lane (left to right)

Digital Photo Hoarder?

Now that we all have digital cameras, we never print our pictures. Why? Because we'd have thousands to sort through! I've had a few people ask me what I do with my digital images or how I organize them. Here is my answer.

I began when Sasha was born. I decided that I would make a photo book of the highlighted moments of the season. So, a book for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. I use the online company Shutterfly. The site is user friendly and they have so much more to offer. The main reason I chose Shutterfly is because they send coupons for free stuff! Hence, my 20 page hardcover photo book that only cost me $8 and some change! So, my advice, sign up for their emails and just wait for a promo code. In the meanwhile, I have a mac so I can "flag" my pictures that I'll be using, choose your photos for your book. Allow 2-3 days of working on it here and there if you have kids!

Enjoy!
Sarah

Click here to view this photo book larger

Visit Shutterfly.com to create your own personalized photobook.

Last Day of School Treat

It's the last day of the school year for Ethan, 2nd grade, and Enzo, Pre-School. We were very fortunate to have had great teachers for them. I also thought that the friendships they made during the year are some that will last throughout High School! This is off the subject but I just heard Enzo shout from his room, "Mommy, Vitaly ate a dead fly!!!!". I think I'll just ignore that. He needs protein in his diet anyway, just teasing. So, I started making Enzo's treats yesterday and made Ethan's at 7:00 am this morning!! Talk about procrastination! I was actually very pleased with them and decided I should share so, here goes.

Enzo's Pre-K Class Treats

Tools:
Baby Food Jars (I used the small meat jars for the kids and larger ones for the teacher)
Spray Paint
Newspaper
Ribbon, Raffia, Twine, whatever you have on hand
Attachment (optional)
Candy of some sort (I used m&ms since I don't like sticky candies)

I measured about 1/4 cup candy for the small jars. I made a paper funnel for Enzo so that there wouldn't be any spills. He used the 1/3 cup scoop to pour.

I sprayed two extra lids since a little guy, who shall remain nameless, decided to check on them while they were alllmost dry! Enzo wanted a candy apple red and they looked great!

I added a little good-bye rhyme that I found online, tied it to the bow and done!

See you later, Alligator!
After a while, Crocodile!
Gotta go, Buffalo!
See you soon, Raccoon!
Be sweet, Parakeet!
Take care, Polar Bear!
In a shake, Garter Snake!
Hit the road, Happy Toad!
Can’t stay, Blue Jay!
Bye-bye, Butterfly!
Give a hug, Ladybug!
Toodle-loo, Kangaroo!
Time to scoot, Little Newt!
‘Till then, Penguin!
Adios, Hippos!
Hasta Mañana, Iguana!
Give a kiss, Goldfish!
Get in line, Porcupine!
Out the door, Dinosaur!
On the bus, Octopus!
To your house, Little Mouse!
Our school year now ends.
So good-bye, my Dear Friends!

Until Kindergarten!
Your friend, Enzo Lane

Ethan's Class Treats!

I almost forgot to include Ethan's 2nd grade class treats. I figured, with his personality and grade, this was a little more appropriate! These were super easy to make. I used round flat cards from Paper Source (my go-to paper place). Ethan pasted the printout (which helped out SO much but I had to look away because of my ODCness!). I used a hot glue gun to affix the smarties and voila! I saw the idea on Pinterest but never found where the idea originated from. Super easy, super fast!