Dirty Little Third Graders

*Sigh*

I am going to do my best to sound chipper here. For the last six days both of my kids (and now husband) have come down with some sort of stomach bug. Kailani has missed several days of school, but yesterday I saw a glimmer of hope - hope that she would return to school and I would get my life outside of a pukie house back. 

Long story short, no such luck. 

That's alright. Maybe she'll be ready to go back on Friday, the last day of school before Christmas break. That will give me all day today to get my (last minute) classroom crafting done. Just as I was thinking it Kailani says,

"Mom, I don't have school on Friday. The class Christmas party is on Thursday."

"SAY WHAT?!?"

Enter the super-sonic-crafting-trance (on top of taking care of a sick family!) I needed to give something to her teacher and her classmates and I really wanted to avoid candy or sweets of any kind.

So, her teacher first. I have been SO looking forward to this project ever since I saw it posted at "The Idea Room":

Personalized bottles of antibacterial sanitizer and liquid hand soap! I titled it, "Mr. Kodama's Dirty Little 3rd Graders" and I put all the kid's names on it. 

I doubt anybody else will be giving him the same present. :)

Wanna know how I did it? Click here.

Now for the classmates. We were going to make reindeer dust again this year but opted for something different. Instead we bought a bunch of bells and ribbon and made each of her classmates a bell necklace. I reused some cardboard and painted it and cut it out to look like gift tags:

Bell necklaces for the classmates - 30 of them!

Nothing special on back! Just tape!

Did you know that I found one of these bell necklaces selling for over $5.00 a piece?!? Seriously. When I add it all up it cost about $.60 per kid! Of course that's not incorporating the cost of labor....  

So the super-sonic-trance worked. I got them all made and delivered to her class TODAY. YES. GO ME. I did it. 

Now....to get the family feeling better so we can actually enjoy our Christmas break! 

Are you looking for more homemade Christmas gift ideas? Check out "A Crafty Soiree" over at Katie's Nesting Spot! You'll definitely find some inspirations! Click on the button:

Award Time!

Having just moved across the continental USA and the Pacific Ocean I am justified in being a bit behind in blogging, right? :)

Awhile back I was given two different and new awards. Take a look!

Super Comments Award

From Mama King of 4 Crazy Kings I was given this cuuuuuuuuute (as Momo would say) award! She is such an inspiration I can't help myself but leave comments on her - she is constantly leaving me in awe with her projects and ideas! Thanks Mama King!

The Humane Award

From Stephanie of A Pocket Full of Buttons I was given the Humane Award. "The Humane Award honors certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world. Link back to the person who gifted you with the award and share the love with other bloggers.”

Since I am quite a bit behind on blogging and catching up with everything and everyone I am going to give an honorable mention to some of my favorite blogs. If you are a follower of mine you will notice that this is not the first time I have mentioned some of these ladies! Take a moment to check out their blogs and let them know I sent you!

Stephanie at A Pocket Full of Buttons

Mama King at 4 Crazy Kings

Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot

Sandy at Momisodes

Jennifer at It's a Beauty Filled Life

MaryAnne at Thrifty Craft Mama

Thanks again to Stephanie and Mama King for the awards! And thanks to the other ladies that are constantly inspiring me and/or making me laugh! :)

More catching up to do.....

Sweet...Smart...Silly.....

* Sweet * Smart * Silly * Stubborn * Sassy * Special *

Awhile back Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot posted about a giveaway she had won. She was the lucky recipient of the cutest cards designed by Kim of 4 Crazy Kings. The cards had kids on them from of all different walks of life. Blonde hair, brown hair, red hair; African American kids; Asian kids; etc! I went absolutely ga-ga over them! Of course I was especially drawn to the kids that had a little Asian influence to them as they reminded me so much of my own kids!

I was so bummed that I missed out on the giveaway. I really wanted these cards! I sent Kim a message asking if she had an Etsy account or if there was a place online where she sold her cards. Currently she does not have a shop but she graciously offered to send me some cards FREE OF CHARGE!!! Can you believe that?!? THANK YOU KIM!!!

Well, the cards arrived in the mail today! Take a look!

"Surprise!"

"Oops!"

"I'm Telling!"

"I'm Sorry"

"You Can't Make Me"

Aren't they just adorable?!? They remind me so much of my own little Momo. As soon as I can find a picture of her in pigtails I will post it!

If you like these cards as much as I do head over to 4 Crazy Kings and let Kim know! If you are interested in purchasing any of her cards you can contact her directly through her blog. As a matter of fact go ahead and try to convince to her sell her items online! Tell her Sharon sent you!

By the way - wouldn't these look great enlarged, framed and hanging on the wall?

Thank you Kim!!!