Saturday

I have been busy lately. It is the end of the school year (5 more days!!!!), and I have so much to do at work around this time. I haven't thought much about my blog until today. I think it's because I took some time this afternoon to do some enjoyable things. Things I like to share here. I broke out the camera, and got busy!

One reason I haven't been blogging much is this.

DROID. I have been trying to figure out how to use it. John and I spied new phones last weekend when we were actually supposed to be helping my mom pick out a new phone! She still doesn't have a new one, but we went back and got these.

Back to today...
We did a little gardening.
I made this. What do you think is in it??? Look hard.



Oops! Wrong end! Look again :)



I found this post at Elizabeth Anne's Designs. I had tried to make a topsy turvy style planter out of a plastic soda bottle, but ended up getting too frustrated. I came across this much prettier version and knew I had to do it instead. I had a planter I got for Christmas just waiting for this project! I hope it works. I broke a few limbs of the tomato plant when I put it through the hole, but hopefully it will survive.

I had a helper when it came time to water the plants.



Remember when I was so excited about this hydrangea bush?



Look at it now!



There are lots of flowers about to bloom on it! I'm so happy it is thriving.

I started a new project tonight, but I will save it for another post :)

Flower Project

It is CRCT testing week for the 1-3 grade students. That means Kindergarten students do not have any of their resource classes all week. We have to stay in our rooms and be very quiet. No outside play until testing is over. And then...to top it off...our assistants are pulled to proctor the testing. It makes for a llllllooooonnnnnnggggggg week.

So, I spent yesterday afternoon and part of today thinking of some activities that might be a little more exciting than the typical things we do. One of the things I will be teaching is about the parts of a flower or plant. I plan on doing some planting/indoor gardening, playing some fun games, and offering a few art activities. So today I decided AK and I should test out on of the art activities. The plan is for each child to make their own flower and then label the parts: flower, stem, leaves, roots. Here is what to do.

1st - Cut out a flower shape (I did this part) from a paper plate and paint it.

2nd - Cut out a long flower stem and glue it to a large piece of white paper.



3rd - Cut out leaves. AK decided to draw her's first.





4th - Cut short lengths of brown yarn and glue them down to create roots.



Here is the finished product!



As you can see, we did not label the parts. Maybe we'll do that tomorrow.

Pretty Flowers

AK and I picked out some pretty flowers :)

The pictures don't do them much justice, but we had fun planting them. AK didn't want to mess up her manicure, so I did most of the digging.



I just tried to keep my toes clean :)

We went yesterday and had our first Mommy/Daughter pedicures, and AK got a manicure too. Oh, it was fun! She wants to go back today, and tomorrow...and the next day.

Back to my yard...
It is beginning to look pretty. I have been trying to pull weeds, but they are EVERYWHERE! I do a little every time I am in the yard.

I am excited about the size of my hydrangea. We planted it 2 or 3 years ago, and last year was the first year it bloomed. Look at it today (just ignore the weeds).
No blooms yet, but it's getting big!!



And here is the other corner of the yard. Lovely.



This corner had a hydrangea about 3 summers ago. It didn't make it.
But the dandelions and wild violets obviously love it here!

Happy Spring

Today was a beautiful day. A wonderful first day of Spring. AK and I spent a lot of time outside, which is a rare thing for me. I am not much of an outside type of person. I actually got a couple of bug bites today...yuck. However, if that means it is getting warmer, I'm all for it! The weather forecast is for rain and colder tomorrow and Monday, but Wednesday looks like it will be very similar to today! Here are some signs of Spring that I have come across this week...

Ah, the weeds. That is a sure sign it is warming up. They have invaded my flower bed...again. My yard is a haven for weeds. I spend most of my limited outside time pulling them! But, my pansies survived our cold snowy Winter :)

Signs of Spring

Look what I found today...

Ah...pretty flowers. Unfortunately, I did not find them blooming outside. They're on the little African Violet in my living room. Spring will be here soon. I keep telling myself this while it is 25 degrees and very windy outside. Soon...