She's Growing Up and I Don't Like It One Bit

This weekend is Father's Day and I am hosting as we usually do. Father's Day falls right around my little one's birthdyay,so we always try to combine the two and celebrate together. My little one has been asking me every single day, no less than five times a day, "how many days until my real birthday" and "how many days until my fake birthday". It's hilarious and driving me a bit bonkers.

She bumped her head a couple of weeks ago at the park. By bumped I mean that she ran, at full speed, head on into a metal post. I was out grocery shopping and hubbie was at the park with the girls. I can home and couldn't believe the bump that was on her head. Literally, the bump is still there. I'm hoping it is not permanent. She has a small scar there as well, that I hope will heal in a couple of years. I've been keeping it covered so that the sun doesn't get to it, as I know this will cause the scar to stay versus fade. Poor dear.

She's going to be seven and couldn't be happier about it. She's going to be seven and I couldnt't be sadder about it. She still loves to snuggle with me, but not as much. She still tells me she loves me, but not as much. She still gives me hugs, but not as much. She still wants to hold my hand, but not as much.

I keep telling her to stop growing and she keeps shouting at me that she can't.

 

Burlap Banner Tutorial | DIY

It's the beginning of summer here in the midwest. I am no longer tied down to the classroom and can complete some projects that are no longer school related. It feels really good to be creative and crafty again.

I decided to make a banner for a Lemonade Stand mini session that I was planning. I simply looked about my house and gathered the supplies. I was lucky in that I had everything I needed on hand, especially since it was midnight when I decided to complete this craft project. This banner was super simple to create and took no more than an hour tops. The most time consuming was wiating for the paint to dry. In case you're interested in making one too, here are the details.

How To Make a Burlap Banner
Supplies:
*Burlap (I used approximately 1/4 yard)
*Scissors
*Twine
*White & Yellow acrylic paint
*Ribbon
*paintbrush
*newspaper

I did not measure anything, use a template or have any specific letter templates to use. I eyeballed the cutting of the burlap using the size of my scissors as my guide and painted freely. SImply lay newspaper down on whatever surface you are working on, lay out the cut burlap pieces. I cute my burlap pieces in small rectangles, but you could use any shape really. I painted yellow rectangles on each shaped burlap piece, leaving a thin burlap border around the edges.I waited for the yellow paint to dry before I could paint my letters on in white. I painted the white letter freely and spelled out lemonade.

Once the painted letters were dry on the pieces of burlap, I was able to string them together with cut pieces of twine. I simply took a knitting needle and poked a hole in each corner of the burlap and hand strung the twine through the holes. I tied a know in each piece, connecting all the pieces together in a line to spell lemonade.

Next, I cut long strands of the twine for each end and tied these strands on in the same manner. I then tied select pieces of ribbons in matching colors to each end of the banner. I wanted some other splashes of color.

I love how my Lemonade Burlap Banner came out!This was the perfect addition to my Lemonade Stand mini session.

This banner was very simple to make and you can create these for any room in your home. They really could be as elaborate or as simply as you want. Your imagination is the key. You could decorate your chidlren's rooms with their names. These banners could be created for any occasion, such as a birthday, holidays, or even weddings!

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Coffee Bible Study with Gevalia

A coffee party is a good excuse to gather friends together and get all the people you love hopped up on caffeine and sugar. You know there is nothing more enjoyable than sampling different flavors of coffee and tasy treats. This morning was my turn to host our summer bible study and I was quite excited to share my love of Gevalia coffee with all my friends.

Obviously, the sky is limit with coffee but I wanted to serve my favorite flavors this morning. I brewed up several types of coffee such as Gevalia Vanilla, Gevalia House Blend in Decaf (for those who didn't want to be hopped up on caffeine) and I had Gevalia Signature Blend available in single serve cups* to brew by the cup. I had some flavored creams for everyone to try and a bucket of ice to plop in a glass for iced coffee. I wanted everyone to try each and let me know what the favorite of the group would be.

The Gevalia Vanilla iced coffee was the winner this morning. I think the 80 degree day was the deciding factor there. I can't wait to turn another pot into a frappes later this afternoon.

I was able to purchase all my Gevalia coffee and tasty treats for my bible study at Safeway (that is Dominicks in these parts). The bakery at Safeway was loaded with carts of delicious desserts and I couldn't decide, but finally chose some wonderful options for the gals and I.

If you have never had Gevalia coffee let me tell you it is available in a variety of flavors and roasts, most of which were available at Safeway. I simply had to drive up the street from my house as Safeway is very conveniently located all over the suburbs. The prices were wonderful and I even was able to use my card to take advantage of sale prices.

I'll be heading back there this weekend to stock up for our Father's Day celebration on Sunday. You can bet I will be serving more Gevalia coffee as well since it is the perfect complement to any get-together.

My bible study group and I had a wonderful morning reading and discussing what was on our agenda and enjoy the distinctively rich, smooth taste of Gevalia that’s never bitter. The delicious treats I had chosen were simply devoured. My children were hoping for some leftovers, but that did not happen. Since I will be heading back to Safeway in a couple of days, I will have to sneak some extra treats in my cart just for them.

You know you are a coffee lover when you've worn out the handle on your favorite mug

*Kraft Foods is not affiliated with Keurig, Inc. KEURIG and K-CUP are registered trademarks of Keurig, Inc.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.