Dear Tooth Fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I present to you my firstborn's fourth lost tooth, the first of his top teeth to fall out.  I'm sure you know what's coming next... months and months of snaggletooth glory.  I know that he cannot be spared from the bumpy bottomed, crazy big, chicklet teeth, but is there any way to speed up the process? You see, he's scheduled to be the ring bearer in Favorite Uncle's wedding in May.  Surely you can understand my desire for nice family pictures, with us being all dolled up and such.  Thanking you in advance.

Buddy Boy's Mom,

Love is Grand

We've been in full on Valentine's mode at our house this week.  Today we completed Buddy Boy's classic shoebox valentine mailbox for school.  Next up are cookies, garland, and our family Valentine dinner.  In case you missed it a few weeks ago, I guest posted these ideas for Valentines over at 30 Days.

Here are three ideas, one for your Mr. Right, one for kids, and maybe one for those far away family.  Really though, all three ideas can be suited for anyone in your life who you want to send a special 'I love you' to this February.

Robot-o-Love
Supplies:
1.  Scraps of paper, or if you want to get all fancy, some coordinating scrapbook paper
2.  Tiny Hershey's candy bars
3.  Googly eyes
Directions:

Wrap the candy bars in some strips of paper, making them narrow enough so the silver of the wrapper is exposed, this will be the robot's body.  Next, use strips of silvery paper for the legs and arms, fan fold these little strips to create some dimension and lines.  Use a rectangle of silver paper for the head, google eyes, and let your kid go to town drawing mouths with the red sharpie.  Piece these guys together and add as much embellishment and details to create the perfect looking robots.  These are for my son's class, so they are as boyish as I could muster for his sake.  And to come clean... I found this idea in a scrapbook magazine.  Handmade boy ideas are hard to come by, or am I the only one with this problem?!

Love Pills:
Supplies:
1.  100 water soluble pill capsules (I got mine from Whole Foods in the medicinal area... don't ask me why someone might want to make their own medicine, I'm just glad to be able to buy them)
2.   100 thin strips of paper (pink, red, white)
3.   100 reasons why I love the Mister

 Directions:

First, write a special sentiment or reason why you adore your special someone on the first strip of paper. Next, tightly roll it up. Last, open capsule and insert paper. Repeat 100 times. When I'm done, I'm going to package them up in a cute jar and My Dream Boat has 100 days of loving affirmations from his adoring wife.

3-D Photo Valentines

Supplies:

1.  A photo of your cuties, one making a fist

2.  Heart lollipops

Directions:

Take a picture of your cutie(s), one making a fist.  When taking the picture keep in mind that a lollipop will be covering the area of the picture above the fist.  Using a simple background makes this easier.  Add some text for your Valentine greeting.  I used picnik.com (if you've never used this, you must!!!).  I love picnik because it is super easy to use for this non-photographer and nearly computer illiterate gal, and you can do a ton using the free features.  Mount the photograph onto some colorful cardstock to add some weight.  Using an exacto knife, cut a slit about 1/4 inch wide on top and just below the fist in the picture.  Add a lollipop through these slits, and voila!  An adorable Valentine to send to family!  These are going to out of state grandparents and aunts and uncles, who don't get nearly enough time with these Crazies!

That's What He Said

Buddy Boy asked if we could read "The Hawaiian, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" today.  Then when I picked him up from school he told me it was so cold outside his whole body felt like a mint.

He also told me he wants to grow his hair longer.  To be like Justin Beiber.  Don't we all... don't we all.  Sorry son, not with that cowlick.

Love this kid.  Kindergarteners are funny.

The Verdict Is In... I'm not crazy.

A big shout out and thank you very much to all of you who confirmed that I am not, in fact, crazy. I pretty much suspected I was right, but it is good to have affirmation.  My mother has many strengths, but clearly picking out clothing for me is not one of them.  In the past couple of months, my mom has gifted some doozies of apparel choices.  This one last week was just the straw that broke the unfashionable daughter's back.  Before pulling this little ditty out of the shopping bag, she says... {clearing throat... and I quote...}
 "I walked past this sweater and said to myself... 'that is soooooo Michaela." 

Aghast, I asked "What part of this sweater, exactly, screamed my name?"  Apparently, this is my color.  Who knew.  Certainly not me.  My camera was on the couch next to me, so I said, "let me take a picture to show Gary... maybe you're right, maybe this isn't hideous... maybe it's what all the cool 32 year olds are wearing nowadays."  She then one ups me and dares me to post it on facebook to get my friends' opinions.  Oh they had opinions all right.  44 resounding No's.  So I one upped her, and posted it here too, to drive my point home.  Thank you for coming through.  I sincerely respect your fashion choices. 

Mom, I love you.  Please stop buying me clothes that were designed for the 80 and over set. 

Note to readers:  If you see this woman wandering around the mall, please steer her towards something cute.

Thank you.

Chime In... Please

Okay... I need your vote to settle an argument difference of opinion.  Even if you're new here, or have never commented before, please chime in.  I implore you!!! (that is me groveling, begging even.) 

Question:  Is this sweater something you would wear if you were a 32 year old woman? 

Once the votes have been counted, I'll fill you in on the debate.  The "other half" of this debacle doesn't want me to sway the votes with too much information.

Half Glass Full

I just got this beautiful print last week from Fifi du Vie on Etsy, and I am so excited about it!  Some people are naturally "glass half full" kind of people, but others (like me!) need a reminder.  I adore everything about this print... the color, the typography, what is says.  I love to have art in my house, and my favorite kind is simple (hence my adoration of typography!!).  This is real art people!  It is signed and numbered, and unique and high quality.  I love. You can get yours {HERE}, or try to narrow it down to just one print that you love (which might be a challenge).

Today is going to be a great day. My favorite brother and his fiance are in the air this very moment headed from Detroit to visit us this weekend. The Crazies can hardly contain themselves. Happy Friday!

30 Days

If you're like me, you love 30 Days blog for Mique's heartfelt stories about thriving after her son's autism diagnosis, some beautiful crafts, and did I mention she and her sister are responsible for the Queen Bee Market?!.  I'm guest blogging over there today with some fun (and easy... and cheap!) homemade Valentines ideas!  Head on over and be sure to read some of Mique's most recent posts, she's lovely I tell ya'!