Teacher Appreciation 2020 {Quarantine Edition)

We are living such a weird time right now.  Normally, I would be working on a bunch of projects for my kids teachers. . . but they're not exactly "in school" right now.  While we have temporarily transitioned into {home}schooling, our kids' teachers are working their tales off providing distance learning activities and various zoom meetings for our kids to keep learning despite the current state of things.  Many of them are not only trying to teach their 20 to 30 students, whom they love like their own, but they are also trying to help their own children do their own distance learning.  Let's face it, education right now is NOT ideal. 

If you are new to the blog, I LOVE teacher appreciation week! I used to be in charge of it for our kids school and I loved being spoiled as a teacher (before I quit, had our oldest and started this blog).  Teaching is probably one of the most underappreciated jobs on the planet and  I think it is so important that we find ways to bless our teachers. . . from a distance.  I've come up with a few ideas that might work that might make it easy for you to just take a minute to say thanks to your child's teacher. 

I have a ton of ideas and printables (free, btw!) here on the blog.  But, in all honesty, those don't really help us right now.  But, if you wan them, you can find them here, here, here, and here.

But, if you are like me and won't be seeing my kids' teachers anytime soon but still want to send them some sort of warm fuzzy to make them feel loved and appreciated, here are some ideas that I came up with. 

1.  The PTA website has some great printable resources to celebrate your teacher.  If you can't get things dropped off at your child's school (we can't!).  Just snap a picture of it and send it via email or class dojo (or one of many other class messaging systems!). 

2.  Coffee shops like Starbucks and some local shops have digital gift cards.  Send one of those to your child's teacher via email and give them a little treat to celebrate their hard work! 

3.  Amazon does e-gift cards.  Teachers are constantly using this shop as a way to buy stuff for their class or even themselves! 

4.  Send them a door dash gift card so they can order take out one night next week. 

5.  Have your child write a thank you letter via email to their teacher. 

6.  Parents, send a thank you to them from you. . . this sometimes goes farther than the note from your child (not a joke!)

7.  Be on the look out for emails from your child's teacher.  They might have something small planned heading to your in box soon! 

If you have any great ideas to add, I would love to hear them!  Make sure you leave a comment below so we can all see your fabulous ideas! 

 

Connection Time (because we're still at home)

Happy Friday! 

Can I confess something to you? 

I have learned so much the past 5 weeks of Shelter-In-Place and that is grace is mandatory.  Things are not the same and sometimes we just need a good cry because staying at home and not doing a lot of those things that bring joy and fuel your life is hard.  I am a 7 on the enneagram and some days are a struggle.  I miss the trips that were planned and planning for our summer adventure (which is most definitely postponed due to some things possibly not opening up).  I miss going to Target and this Holderness video is exactly how I feel. . . who's with me? 

However, while in some ways my heart is heavy with sadness of being trapped in my house, it is also filled with great joy to have this extra time with the boys at home and not an ounce of busyness.  Last night, while my husband was on a zoom meeting, the boys and I took off on an evening bike ride.  There were soooo many kids out riding their bikes, walking their dogs, and just outside in their front yards.  Can I just tell you that for about 15 minutes last night, I felt like we had gone back in time to when I was a kid.  I think that one of the coolest thing that has come out of this life of quarantine is our kids are able to be just that. . . kids.  We might even get to know our neighbors from 6 feet away because all of a sudden we are all outside. 

My husband sets up our outdoor movie screen (something that we had planned months ago to invite our friends to <insert sad face here>), we are doing it as a family.  Bring on a take out dinner supporting a local favorite and outdoor movie night.  In the meantime, I am going to try to get this Friday post finished.  I hope that you all are surviving.  I know that kids are home, you might be home - not working or working from home and now homeschooling.  Things are different.  There are worries and burdens and the struggle is real for everybody.  But, I hope that as you read this, you are encouraged, and feel a warm hug. . . because you are not alone.  The song from High School Musical. . . "We're All In This Together" really seems quite fitting for right now.  Because, yes, your story is different from mine, but your need for connection and productivity is the same.  Let's come together and check on our friends, whether or not via text  or a snail mail card (you can get some free ones right now through Hallmark!) or make a zoom coffee date! 

If you are new to the blog, which I know some of you are, here's how these connection posts work.  I have a series of prompts that I answer and then I let you guys answer some or all or even just one in the comments below, on my facebook, and even my instagram.  Let's chat! 

Outside my window. . . well, I am currently outside on my patio table typing this post because even though it is 85 degrees, there is a soft breeze and shade.  If I close my eyes, I pretend I am at the beach (probably some serious wishful thinking on my part, but it's quarantine. . .ha ha).  My amaryllis that I planted 3 years ago in bloomed 2 beautiful flowers.  The yard games are out and the outdoor movie screen has been set up for our little family movie night. 

I am thinking that today was a bit hard.  There was a way too much whining from my boys today as they finished up school work and I just felt so much angst.  Thankfully, I ran away and grabbed my Friday treat and it was the best 15 minutes of my day! 

From the kitchen we baked these chocolate chip cookies for the 4th time since we were quarantined, made our favorite cinnamon rolls, Ethan made this lemonade and then made us drink out a mason jars and paper straws!  I also whipped up some freezer waffles with my sourdough discard. 

I am wearing yoga pants and a tank top.  It's getting warmer by the day and well, comfort is key.  I have bought some new clothes, but have no where to go to where them.  I did, however, join Fabletics.  I can't wait to get my order and see how everything fits! 

I am creating a list.  Just kidding.  I am getting really good at making lists and not getting a lot done.  Right now, my husband and I are working on getting the hallway doors painted!  You can tune into my fb stories or insta stories to find out more before I get the blog post done.  I am super excited not to have 1964 orange-y brown doors in my hallway!   I also need to make a sleeve for Ethan's new kindle (his other one died. . . RIP dear kindle fire). 

I am going ha ha ha. . . absolutely no where!  We are riding bikes almost every day and I am running almost every day.  It has been so good for my mental health to get out and do something where the kids don't ask me for help every time I sit down.  I really am loving having the kids home, but some days, it's hard.  We are definitely not perfect people. 

I am reading  so many books right now.  I am working the next book in the Cheney Duval, MD series (mindless reading that gives me a break).

I am also reading On the Bright Side, by Melanie Shankle and It's All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee.  The control one has been really timely for this crazy life we are currently in.  It's actually a Bible Study, too so I am leading a zoom/FB study based on that book.  So much fun!  

I am hoping that this virus dies and life can get back to normal.  I know it's necessary, but sometimes my heart is weary.  I don't like all the negative, opinion bashing that I see on social media.  It's hard.  People are sick.  People are angry.  People think they know better than others.  Words hurt, even if they aren't towards anyone specific.  I will say that as a Christian, it makes me so sad some of the hurtful and prideful posts I am seeing. 

I am also hoping that some of this new normal doesn't stay temporary.  I like the kids playing and being kids.  It's pretty great. 

I am hearing birds chirping and my boys playing Minecraft. 

Around the House there are things strewn everywhere.  School work, craft projects, board games.  There are a lot of messes, but there's so much creativity that is coming out of being stuck at home!  I am having fun digging out my many, many file folder games I made when I was a teacher way back before Ethan was born and putting them to use {home}schooling Weston. . . who just happens to be a third grader! 

One of my favorite things is technology.  Seriously!  I know Zoom has its issues, but I love that I can have a coffee date with a friend, host a Bible Study, and my kids can connect with their friends all because the technology is there.  It definitly makes staying home so much better!

A few plans for the (next) week include tackling some of the creative projects that I have been wanting to get to.  But also, finish as many doors with what's left of our gallon of paint. 

What I am listening to everymorning is worship.  I blast some tunes and hit the road running.  It seriously gets my head (and heart) in the right zone each morning.  We are also filling up on Disney Hits playlist on Apple Music. . . it's our favorite! 

I do plan on watching the next story of Phantom of the Opera on you tube this weekend.  I'm sure that Andrew Lloyd Webber's music is great in this one, too!  So, maybe I will be downloading the soundtrack to that, too? 

I'd love to hear how you, my fellow reader, are doing?  I'd love to be able to pray for you or send you a virtual hug.  I am so thankful for you taking the time to read and respond.  It really does make my day hearing from you! 

Now, it's your turn!  Grab your coffee and let's connect! You don't have to do them all! I can't wait to hear from you! You can even private message me if you don't want to make it public.  

Outside my window
I am thinking
From the kitchen
I am wearing
I am creating
I am going
I am reading
I am hoping
I am hearing
Around the House
One of my favorite things
A few plans for the week
What I am listening to 

Tis the season for CHALK! {Free Printable}

This week marks the 6th week of shelter-in-place in our home, as well as the 6th week of {home}schooling/distance learning with the kiddos.  We are surviving.  We would 100% most definitely rather be using this time to travel, but we can't so we are taking advantage of this slow down to do the things that we don't normally have time to do . . . like chalk. 

I had some chalk laying around from a few years ago, when the boys were not as interested in video games and beyblades and actually wanted to go out and play with chalk and bubbles.  After seeing all the great things people were doing to brighten up people's days (because let's face it. . . we're bored and we're walking more!),    I got the kids outside and we started drawing. . . writing notes, inspirational quotes , and Bible verses along with pretty drawings all over our sidewalks.  We had so much fun!  It was then that I realized that we were going to need more chalk in order to keep this fun activity a regular thing.  Who knew that chalk was the new hoarder item. . . because suddenly it became very hard to find a container of chalk!  I finally found some, but in the meantime, I got creative and found a recipe for DIY chalk.  Believe it or not, I had plaster of paris left over from Weston's Lego Birthday and we had silicon molds from various crayon making adventures.  I will say that it's a pretty inexpensive project. . . probably price-wise a little more than chalk, but it gave us (the kids) something to do by making it and then playing with it.  They also got to be generous and share their creations with our friends. 

Our test batch turned out so well that we decided that we needed to make a bunch of different colors and give them to some of our friends.  We miss our people as I am sure you do too!  But, right now staying apart is the right thing to do and so let's make the best out of it!  I even made a printable tag that you can click at the bottom so you can spread some joy to your neighbors. 

Yesterday, the kids and I were back making chalk on our side walk when a lady walked by and just thanked us for bringing her joy on her daily walk.  She had been waiting for us to re-do it after the recent rain showers washed it away.  It just brought so much joy that by using some of our extra time staying home, we can bless those that walk our sidewalks.

So gather the following materials:

plastic solo cups (that way there's hardly a mess to clean up!)

A box of Plaster of Paris

Tempera paints

water

Silicon mold

plastic spoon or a Popsicle stick

Once you have all of your ingredients, you are going to pour the plaster, water and paint into your cup and stir with a plastic spoon.  The key is equal parts liquid to plaster.  So, we found that 1 cup of plaster + 3/4 cup water + 1/4 cup of paint.  If you are using Crayola paint that is really thick, we found that using a little bit less water is necessary.  Stir until you have a pancake batter-like consistency and pour into your mold.  I like to sit mine on a baking sheet so if I need to move it out of the way, I can.  It usually sets in about an hour, and after about 2 you can pull it out of the mold and set it aside to finish drying. Then start another batch using a different color.  It needs to sit for about 24 hours before you use it. 

We had so much fun making it and then giving it away!  You can click here to get a copy of the printable for yourself.   Let's spread some cheer during a time when there is so much sadness and boredom going on. 

   

Our favorite Chocolate Protein Balls

Today marks quarantine day who knows what.  Today marks the first official day of Spring Break, but in all honesty I have no clue what that means.  I guess more tv and video games?  One thing is for certain, my kids love to eat and and the occasional moments of boredom, while not a bad thing, tend to bring an unrelenting hunger in my growing boys (and who are we kidding, me, too!). 

We've been sitting on these protein balls for about a year.  It has been on my list to post, but they kept getting eaten quicker than I could take a picture.  Because we have dairy and soy allergies over here, I am super hesitant about a lot of the protein powders out there (soy and whey based will make us sick), so I got creative and came up with this recipe.  These delicious balls, which my boys jokingly call poop balls, are almost completely refined sugar free.  I say this because we use the Peanut Butter & Co Mighty Nut Powdered Vanilla, which has a little bit of cane sugar added into it. 

Now that we are home and it doesn't appear that we will be going anywhere anytime soon, we have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen baking all the things.  Last week, I made these protein ball and some granola bars and they have definitely been keeping the boys satisfied. 

Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Protein Balls

Ingredients:

10 dates

1/2 cup sliced almonds

3 Tbsp dark chocolate peanut butter

3 Tbsp Vanilla Peanut Butter Powder

1 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

pinch of salt

Directions:

Throw all your ingredients into a food processor.  Pulse until everything is mixed and nuts are little chunks. Then scoop out a spoonful and roll into a ball. 

Store in a airtight container or keep in the freezer.

We store ours in the freezer and just pull them out as needed.  They don't take too long to defrost and when school resumes (hopefully) in the fall, they are perfect to thrown in their lunches.